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CONFERENCE SPEAKERS
Jennifaye V. Brown
PT, PhD, NCS
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Jennifaye V. Brown, PT, PhD, NCS has a BA- Psychology (Emory University), a MS-Physical Therapy (University of Miami-FL) and a PhD- Exercise Science (University of South Carolina). Dr. Brown has 31 years of clinical experience focused in neurorehabilitation across the continuum of care and has presented numerous continuing education courses on adult neurologic. This year Dr. Brown will be presenting on Physical Therapy Neurological Examination for an Ankle Foot Orthosisã. The comprehensive examination should be patient- centered and collaborative in nature with the orthotist, but these components are often absent in rehabilitation practice. This will be an interactive course, therefore along with their enthusiasm to engage in clinical reasoning processes that include examination and evaluation, participants should bring goniometers, inclinometers, and tape measures.
Dawn S. Brown
PT, DPT, EdD
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Dawn S. Brown PT, DPT, EdD is a Clinical Assistant Professor and former Director of Clinical Education at the Northern Illinois University (NIU) Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, with over 21 years of clinical and educational experience. Dr. Brown will be teaching two courses during conference entitled, Thriving and Surviving in the Professoriate and Survival Tactics for Clinical Instructor. The first course will examine ways to thrive and survive as a professor in a physical therapy program, navigate and negotiate higher education, and find joy in the academic experience. The second course will explore survival tactics centering on the why, the how, and the what of being an effective CI during turbulent times to
promote excellence in clinical education.
Kendell Jno-Finn
PT, DPT, TPI-M2
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Kendell Jno-Finn, PT, DPT, TPI-M2 was born in Dominica, West Indies and came to Birmingham from St. Croix in 1999 to attend Samford University. He then attended The University of Alabama in Birmingham (UAB) and received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2007.Kendell founded M3 Endeavors, a performance venture in 2015 and in 2018 expanded the company to include physical therapy and services. Dr. Jno-Finn will be presenting on Puzzle Pieces: A Regional Interdependence approach to treating the Lumbopelvic Dysfunction at this year’s conference. During this course we will work through a process for screening the lumbopelvic girdle, including treatment considerations and identify common patterns of dysfunctions. This course will also have a lab component.
Larry Taylor
PhD, COO
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Larry Taylor has over 30 years of experience in healthcare delivery, management, and physician relations. Prior to founding Practice Partners in HealthCare, LLC, he served as President and COO of the largest provider of Ambulatory Surgery Centers in the United States. The founder also has a background in education and currently serves as an adjunct professor in healthcare at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, participates as a Board Member on several non-for-profit entities..
Shanelle James
PT, DPT, CTRS
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Dr. Shanelle James, PT, DPT, CTRS Biographical Sketch is a native Washingtonian, is CEO of LimbsNThings, LLC, Mobile & Telehealth Physical Therapy Practice. Dr. James earned her Bacelor of Science degree in Recreational Therapy in 2009 and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2012 from Alabama State University. A former travel recreational and physical therapist, Dr. James is currently licensed in PT in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia and has worked in skilled nursing, outpatient facilities, early intervention, home health, house calls and inpatient rehabilitation.
Gabrielle Jones
PT, DPT, GCS, CLT-ALM
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Gabrielle Jones, PT, DPT, GCS, CLT-ALM, is the owner and CEO of Comprehensive Health and Rehab, LLC, established 2017. Comprehensive Health and Rehab is a mobile Outpatient Physical Therapy Clinic that specializes in Lymphedema/Edema/Lipedema management, Geriatric Physical Therapy, Joint Replacements, and Women's Health: Incontinence and Pelvic Pain. Dr. Jones became a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT) through the Academy of Lymphatic Studies in 2017 and in 2019 Dr. Jones obtained board certification with specialization in Geriatric Physical Therapy (GCS) through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties.
Charlene Portee
PT, PhD, FAAPT
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Charlene Portee, PT, PhD, FAAPT is currently the Dean of the College of Health Sciences, and a Tenured, Associate Professor in the Physical Therapy program at Alabama State University. She has served as the Founding Director of the Physical Therapist Assistant Programs at Chattahoochee and West Georgia Technical Colleges and as an Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy at North Georgia College and State University (now, North Georgia University), where she was the Director of Clinical Education. Dr. Portee was also the Director of Rehabilitation Services at Haralson Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and the President of the first Black-owned independent physical therapy contract service in Georgia.
Vanessa LeBlanc
PT, DPT
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Vanessa N LeBlanc, DPT is the Associate Dean of Health-Related Programs and the Program Director of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Jefferson State Community College (JSCC). Dr. LeBlanc received her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University of West Alabama in 2003 and her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Alabama State University in 2006. Dr. LeBlanc has spent the past 10 years in academia at JCSS and recently was appointed as a CAPTE reviewer for PTA programs.
Courtland Wyatt
PT, DPT
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Courtland Wyatt, a veteran of the United States Army, served during the Gulf War in Operation Desert Storm. While in the military, he earned recognition as the Distinguished Honor Graduate of his class. Following his military service, he obtained a Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy from Howard University and a Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from Alabama State University. He is co-owner of Ergo OccMed, an outpatient physical therapy clinic in Oxon Hill, Maryland, established in 2010. Dr. Wyatt is a published author, sought-after speaker and seminar presenter both in the US and abroad. He also speaks at conferences and leadership development retreats, and often serves as an adjunct professor at Howard University, George Washington University, and Montgomery Community College, in their respective PT departments.
