Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences

Congratulations to Jennifer Kahn, PT, DPT on the publication of the updated clinical practice guideline titled, “Outcomes Following Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury Clinical Practice Guideline” for which she served as a panel member. She helped to develop this guideline, which was last published in 1999. A lot of work and collaboration was put into this resource to make this CPG incredibly thorough, informative, and important to the entire SCI community. Click the link below read more!
https://pva.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/CPG_Outcomes_digital_Final.pdf

Congratulations to Krista Van Der Laan, PT, DPT and Antoinette Spector, PT, DPT, PhD on their recent publication in Frontiers in Public Health examining pain and ableism in health professions education. Their work uses the concepts of the hidden curriculum and haunted curriculum to explore how educational environments shape learners’ experiences and perceptions of disability, inclusion, and pain. Use the link in our bio to read the article! 🔗

Congratulations to Craig P. Hensley, PT, DPT, MSCI, on his recent publication, “Clinical Practice Guideline for Physical Therapist Management of Total Knee Arthroplasty: Revision 2026.” Developed by an American Physical Therapy Association guideline development group, this updated clinical practice guideline provides 20 evidence-based recommendations to support physical therapist management of individuals undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The guideline also highlights implementation considerations, patient preferences, current evidence gaps, and future research priorities to help optimize rehabilitation and patient outcomes. Congrats Craig!

Congratulations to NUPTHMS professor & inaugural director of translational rehabilitation research at Northwestern Medicine Mike Ellis PT, DPT. Mike was recently interviewed for the NU Clinical & Translational Science Institute podcast “Science in Translation” to discuss his role in bridging implementation science and rehabilitation, particularly highlighting the groundbreaking PRALINE stroke recovery clinical trial he is conducting. Click the link in our bio to listen to the episode!

Congratulations to Melissa Kolski, PT, DPT on her recent publication in the Journal of Pain! Melissa worked alongside former resident Joel Fundaun as well. This new publication examined chronic pain in individuals post spinal cord injury and is titled, “Applying an Intersectional Framework to Characterize Chronic Pain Disparities One Year Following Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury.” Click the link in bio to read more!

NUPTHMS students and faculty gathered for the 3rd annual PACE Day! This day started with guest speaker Phyllis Levine Dahlstrand, PT, DPT who presented on the important roles and responsibilities phyiscal therapists have in making a positive impact on those in need within our communities. After she shared her experiences and the steps she took to be the positive change in her community, we all gathered to hear from the students experiences from their volunteer work within the community. Students shared what organizations they volunteered for and the impact this time had on them both individually and professionally. Awards were given to the students who logged the most volunteer hours as well as the students who led the behind the scenes planning for a volunteer opportunity through the Chicago Youth Programs that took place in our very own classrooms. Congratulations to these award recipients and to all the students for their participation in their volunteer work throughout the program!

Congratulations to Northwestern DPT faculty members Jen and Ann Marie on being recognized with prestigious awards, and to Dawn for graduating from the APTA Fellowship in Higher Education Leadership!! These accomplishments were celebrated at the APTA House of Delegates meeting in Portland, Oregon. We are proud to celebrate their achievements and continued leadership in advancing the physical therapy profession!

Congratulations to Elanna Arhos, PT, DPT, PhD, on presenting “Essential Skills for Early Career Researchers: Study Design, Statistics, Scientific Rigor, and Time Management” at the Rheumatology Research Workshop in Atlanta, Georgia! This presentation reflects Dr. Arhos’s dedication to supporting the next generation of researchers and advancing excellence in rheumatology research. The workshop was part of her work with the Early Career Investigator Subcommittee of the American College of Rheumatology, helping equip early career investigators with the tools needed for rigorous, impactful research. Congratulations on this outstanding contribution to the field!

The Foundation For Physical Therapy Research announces their 2026 scholarship awards. This foundation has supported many physical therapists in research by helping them with the start of their research journey or the continuation of their impactful research. Recipients are physical therapists who are enrolled in academic doctoral programs, display high academic accomplishments, and have demonstrated promise for impactful research in the field. To read more about this foundation and this year’s recipients, click the link in our bio!

Matt Neehouse PT, DPT is a PhD candidate in the Northwestern University Integrated Neuroscience- Movement and Rehabilitation Science program and received an award for his work on A Multimodal Regenerative Rehabilitation Therapy to Enhance Functional Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury. Congratulations Matt!

The Foundation For Physical Therapy Research announces their 2026 scholarship awards. This foundation has supported many physical therapists in research by helping them with the start of their research journey or the continuation of their impactful research. Recipients are physical therapists who are enrolled in academic doctoral programs, display high academic accomplishments, and have demonstrated promise for impactful research in the field. To read more about this foundation and this year’s recipients, click the link in our bio!
Craig Hensley, PT, DPT, was one of the recipients of these scholarships! He received an award for his work on Plantar Flexor Power and Strength and its Relation to Mobility and Falls in Those With Knee Osteoarthritis. He is currently working towards getting his PhD at the University of Illinois Chicago. Congratulations Craig!