Dr. Rapport is a Professor and the Associate Director of the Physical Therapy Program at Hawai’i Pacific University. She was previously a long-time faculty member and Associate Director of the University of Colorado Physical Therapy Program. Dr. Rapport teaches in the post-professional Pediatric track at Rocky Mountain University, and she has developed courses for the APTA Learning Center, MedBridge, and the Pediatric Residency Education Consortium. In addition to her academic role, she is a long-time school-based PT, providing services on Prince of Wales Island, AK, and via teletherapy to students located in TN. Dr. Rapport has a productive record of presentations and publications related to providing physical therapy to children and youth with disabilities and a secondary line of research in physical therapist education. Dr. Rapport is the current President of the APTA Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy, was a 2008 recipient of the Lucy Blair Service Award, and was named a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the APTA in 2013. 

Dr. Effgen is a Professor Emerita in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Kentucky. She is an established educator and researcher in pediatric physical therapy and is a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of APTA. As co-chair of APTA’s then Section on Pediatrics’ Government Affairs Committee, she was active in the process of authorization and reauthorization of IDEA. Dr. Effgen has served on several editorial boards, including Physical Therapy, and is editor of the text Meeting the Physical Therapy Needs of Children. She was co-investigator of a US Department of Education grant: PT COUNTS, Study of the Relationship of Student Outcomes to School-Based Physical Therapy Services. Dr. Effgen received the APTA Pediatrics Advocacy Award, which is now given in her name. She is the founding chair of APTA Pediatrics School SIG.

Dr. Wynarczuk is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at Moravian University in Bethlehem, PA. She is a Board-Certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist. Dr. Wynarczuk started her physical therapy career as a school-based physical therapist for 11 years and currently serves as the School-Based SIG representative to the APTA Pediatrics Research Committee. She has been a full-time faculty member in graduate-level physical therapy programs since 2011. Dr. Wynarczuk has conducted, published, and presented research on a variety of school-based physical therapy topics, including goal development and the participation of students with disabilities in school trips.

Karen has provided physical therapy services for over 37 years in a variety of pediatric settings, including early intervention, acute care, NICU, and in the North Carolina and New York school systems. Karen is an APTA Advanced Clinical Instructor and served as mentor for the school-based portion of the pediatric residency program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Duke University Health System. Karen contributed to several fact sheets on behalf of the APTA Pediatrics School SIG. Karen presents nationally on autism, embedding physical therapy interventions in school settings, adaptive equipment for children with complex needs, and the role of school therapists in successfully transitioning from high school.

Dr. Doty is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Pediatric Physical Therapy who has worked with children for over 30 years, in the NICU, EI, and schools. She received her BS in Physical Therapy from Ohio State University, her post-professional MS in Physical Therapy from the University of Oklahoma, and her PhD in Special Education/Transition Leadership from Kent State University. Dr. Doty is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the DPT program at Walsh University. She was chair of APTA’s Taskforce on the Continuum of Care for People with Lifelong Disabilities, chair and vice chair of the Adolescents and Adults with Differing Abilities SIG of APTA Pediatrics. Dr. Doty’s research includes the impact of testing environment on gross motor performance of children, the role of physical therapists working with secondary students under IDEA, effectiveness of interventions for adults with cerebral palsy, and healthcare transition issues for adults with lifelong disability. 

Rita has served as a school-based physical therapist for over 30 years at the Bucks County Intermediate Unit in the Bensalem Township School District in Pennsylvania. She was the chairperson for the APTA Pennsylvania Pediatric Special Interest Group from 2007 – 2012, has been a contributing author for multiple editions of Pediatric Physical Therapy, and participated in the development of the APTA Pediatrics Guidelines for the Practice of Physical Therapy in Educational Settings. She has also served as a clinical instructor since 1989, and advocates for improved access to physical therapy services for students with low-incidence disabilities. 

Angela has been a physical therapist 39 years working in pediatric inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient, preschool services, early intervention, pediatric private practice, private home care practice, and residential pediatric and adult with disability services. She has been innovative in starting several pediatric programs, including Holy Redeemer Hospital and Medical Center at Princeton school-based services, and expanding many services at Woods Services. She has been a school-based physical therapist part-time and full-time all of her career. She has been adjunct faculty at Acadia University and Drexel University. She served as clinical coordinator for clinical education and continues to provide clinical affiliations in the school setting. 

Dr. Lobo is an Associate Professor in Physical Therapy and Fashion & Apparel Studies at the University of Delaware. She received her PhD in Biomechanics and Movement Science from the University of Delaware and her MPT from the Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University. She has over 25 years of clinical and research experience in pediatric physical therapy. Her research program focuses on developing and evaluating novel interventions and rehabilitation technologies to improve outcomes for pediatric populations. Examples of those interventions and technologies include the START-Play early intervention program and the first exoskeletal garment for rehabilitation (the Playskin Lift^TM). Dr. Lobo’s design work and research implement family-centered, community-based approaches with a primary focus on accessibility and knowledge translation.

Julie is a Board-Certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist. Dr. Orlando received her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Ithaca College, and then completed the Pediatric Residency Program and Leadership in Education for Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Fellowship at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. She is currently a PhD candidate in the Biomechanics and Movement Science Program at the University of Delaware with research interests in early intervention, parent education, wearable sensors, and pediatric rehabilitation interventions.

Zainab is a pediatric physical therapist who worked in inpatient, outpatient, and home care. She received her bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Saudi Arabia and her master’s degree in Neurorehabilitation from the University of Pittsburgh. She is currently a PhD student in the Biomechanics and Movement Science Program at the University of Delaware. Her research interests include infant development, early intervention, and rehabilitation interventions. 

Carlo is the Founder and Director of www.ApplyEBP.com a provider of continuing education courses with the “perfect balance of evidence and practice.” He is a co-author and co-publisher of www.SeekFreaks.com, an evidence-informed online resource for pediatric PTs, OTs, and SLPs. From 2008 to 2017, he served the New York City Department of Education as Director of Physical Therapy, where he oversaw a program with over 700 physical therapists working in more than 1,500 schools. As a pediatric therapist, he has worked in school-based and home care settings, with children and youth with mild to more complex disabilities. He was the project manager of research on normative data for five mobility tests with school-aged children. This research has resulted in four published articles in Pediatric Physical Therapy. Carlo presents nationally on diverse topics, including tests & measures, prognostication and backward planning, motor learning, special education, and clinical decision-making.

Dr. Chiarello is a Professor at Drexel University and an associate member of CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research. She is a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of APTA. Her research agenda includes the areas of pediatric community-based service delivery, determinants of outcomes, family-centered care, engagement of families and children in rehabilitation, and participation of children with physical disabilities in home, school, and community. Dr. Chiarello has been a staunch advocate for family-centered care and collaborative practices. She has conducted federally funded multi-site research. Dr. Chiarello has had several leadership roles in the APTA Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy and is invested in the translation of research knowledge to practice.

Megan is a Board-Certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist and is the Director of Clinical Education and Clinical Professor at Drexel University. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in bioengineering prior to receiving her master's in physical therapy from MCP Hahnemann University and her doctorate in physical therapy from Temple University. Megan has more than 25 years of experience as a pediatric physical therapist in a variety of settings. Megan has a passion for mentorship and developing excellence in clinical education having assisted in the development of integrated clinical experiences in pediatrics with the University of Delaware and establishing institutional-specific guidelines for clinical experiences at Nemours Children’s Hospital and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. 

Heather is the Assistant Director of Clinical Education and an Assistant Clinical Professor at Drexel University. She teaches cardiopulmonary and pediatric content and health promotion in the Drexel University pediatric residency. She is a Board-Certified Pediatric and Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Clinical Specialist. She worked as a school-based physical therapist full-time prior to working in academia and continues to complete evaluations for the Bucks County Intermediate Unit. Dr. Brossman completed a thesis titled “Collaborative Participation-Based Approach for Preschool Students with Multiple Disabilities: A Case Series to Support Physical Recreation” and is the current Region IV school-based SIG. Dr. Brossman authored two chapters for children with respiratory and cardiovascular impairments in Pediatric Physical Therapy. She volunteers time with advocacy groups across the lifespan to encourage, support and include individuals who are differently abled in physical activity, recreation, and exercise.

Susan is supervisor of Occupational and Physical Therapy at the Trumbull County Educational Service Center in Niles, Ohio. She received the Peter J Grandolfo Memorial Award of Excellence in 2018 and the National Association of Pupil Transportation Sure-Lok Safe and Secure Special Needs Transportation Award in 2007. She served on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s curriculum-writing committee for Child Passenger Safety Training for School Buses, as well as revision committees for this 8-hour course. She served as Special Advisor to the STARTS (Students Transportation Aligned for Return to School) National Task Force during the Covid-19 pandemic. She is a tenured faculty and advisory board member of the National Conference and Exhibition on Transporting Students with Disabilities and Preschoolers, serving as co-chairman of the OT/PT/Transporter Forum since 1995. She has authored articles in therapy and transportation publications, and chapters, “Best Practices in Safe Transportation,” in the first two editions of (AOTA textbook) Best Practices for Occupational Therapy in Schools.

Sara is a 2001 graduate of Hahnemann (now Drexel) University’s first DPT program. She has worked for 20 years with the Bucks County, Intermediate Unit in the Council Rock School District in PA. Her life’s work has been true access, integration, and participation for children with disabilities in school. She worked with the school district, special and physical education teachers to develop an adapted Physical Education program that promotes meaningful integration and participation for her students in their physical education curriculum. 

Dr. Ray has over 20 years of experience in school-based practice in North Carolina (NC). Dr. Ray is an Associate Professor at UNC-Chapel Hill, Division of Physical Therapy and provides the NC Department of Public Instruction with consultative services in the areas of physical therapy and Medicaid cost recovery. She previously served as chair of the School Special Interest Group (SIG) for APTA Pediatrics, on the NC Office of Disability and Health Advisory Committee and on the Boards of the National Alliance of Medicaid in Education and the NC Vocational Rehabilitation Council. Laurie is co-author/co-publisher of www.SeekFreaks.com, an evidence-informed, online resource for pediatric PTs, OTs, and SLPs. She has contributed to several Fact Sheets for APTA Pediatrics and presents on school-based physical therapy and related topics across the US. Dr. Ray currently serves the APTA Pediatrics as Practice SIGs Coordinator and is a reviewer for Pediatric Physical Therapy and Pediatric Occupational and Physical Therapy.

Brian is a congressional affairs specialist at APTA. He handles a diverse issue portfolio including school-based PTs/PTAs, concussion care, physical fitness, PTA differential, DoD/VA, and CHCs, among others. His duties include monitoring and responding to federal legislative developments, advocating on the association’s behalf with Members of Congress and Senators, and working with Members, Senators, and their staff to craft legislation that meets the association’s goals. Prior to joining APTA, Brian spent over five years on Capitol Hill, culminating in his role as Legislative Director and Senior Counsel to a Member of the House. He received his bachelor’s in History and Spanish from Roanoke College and his law degree from Washington and Lee University School of Law. He is a member of the District of Columbia Bar. 

Rachel is a health policy and payment specialist focusing on regulatory affairs. She advocates to federal regulators on policy issues that affect the physical therapy profession while also communicating important payment and policy updates to members. Before joining APTA in 2022, Rachel worked in a county health department as a coronavirus contact tracer. She has also completed internships in government affairs with both a North Carolina state representative, and the National Association of County and City Health Officials. She obtained a bachelor's degree in public health from the University of South Florida and a Master of Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.