Waves

APTA Michigan
  • 5.0 (20)
  • Medicine

The official podcast of APTA Michigan

  1. Aug 3

    78: PT and the Michigan Baby Boom w/ Aleysha Czartoszewski

    Healthcare Workforce at the Brink: Baby Boomers Turn 80 andWhat It Means for Physical Therapy in Michigan   Host Andy Wicks discusses Michigan’s rapidly aging population—baby boomers turning 80, nearly 19.25% of residents over 65, and a nearly 30% rise in that group through 2023—and the resulting healthcare workforce shortfall. Guest Aleysha Czartoszewski, Career Pathways Coordinator at the Michigan Health Council, explains the Council’s workforcefocus and her three-part series “Healthcare Workforce at the Brink,” highlighting simultaneous increased care demand and retirements. They note uneven provider distribution with rural North Michigan and the UP facing access gaps, limited local PT/PTA education options, and barriers like housing and paydifferences. The conversation covers efforts such as loan-repayment incentives, promoting geriatrics and prevention to help people age in place, improving student career exposure and clearer pathways, retaining staff after COVID-related burnout, and strengthening care coordination and patientnavigation; resources are available at mhc.org.   00:00 Michigan Is Aging Fast 01:05 Meet Michigan Health Council 02:11 Baby Boomers Turn 80 03:30 Urban vs Rural Shortages 05:34 Education Gaps and Incentives 09:40 Making Geriatrics Appealing 15:10 Pipeline Retention Coordination 22:10 Health Literacy and Navigation 26:15 Michigan Workforce Numbers 28:35 Soapbox Career Exposure 32:58 Resources and Wrap Up Michigan PTs and PTAs! Fill out this form and save for your records for PDR credit toward license renewal just for listening to this episode! A link to a directory of all PT and PTA programs, viewable by state. The Career Pathway Tool via Michigan Health Council.

  2. Jun 12

    77: Travel Physical Therapy: Training, Taxes, Licensure & Life in Alaska (with Dr. Rachel Auer)

    APTA Michigan’s Waves host Andy Wicks interviews Dr. Rachel Auer, a traveling physical therapist from Michigan and a Grand Valley State DPT graduate, about her nearly three years of travel PT across Michigan, Montana, Washington, Colorado, and currently Anchorage, Alaska. Auer explains she chose travel PT to explore the country and sample multiple practice settings, moving between acute care, inpatient/SNF, and outpatient to keep skills sharp. She addresses common misconceptions that travel jobs have poor training or are undesirable, noting her orientation experiences have generally been reasonable. She advises students to start by learning from travel therapy communities, talk with many travelers, and understand tax compliance around tax-free stipends, including consulting a travel-focused tax expert. She also discusses state licensure challenges without the PT Compact and shares outdoor adventures enabled by short-term contracts, while acknowledging frequent moves and housing shifts can be tiring and she may eventually return to Michigan. Use the LARA PT or PTA General Response Form to document listening to Waves episodes for your PDR license renewal credits! www.aptami.org YouTube

  3. Mar 9

    76: Speaking of the House w/ Dr. Bill McGehee

    On APTA Michigan’s Waves podcast, host Andy Wicks interviews Dr. Bill McGehee, current Speaker of APTA’s House of Delegates (term ending Dec. 31, 2026), about his background as a physical therapist and Tufts University DPT clinical professor, and his path from chapter service in Illinois to APTA House of Delegates Speaker of the House (elected 2020). McGehee explains the House as the membership’s representative body of 450+ delegates from 51 chapters and 18 sections that sets association policy and positions, adopts bylaws and the profession’s vision, and elects APTA leaders, while the Board of Directors holds fiduciary responsibility for the $50M organization and must balance House priorities with strategy, risk, and timing. He discusses the speaker’s leadership/servant role, the value of mission and vision as a “North Star,” and how Roberts Rules protect minority voices and keep proceedings productive. McGehee’s “soapbox” is that society knows what PTs do; key barriers are access and other constraints, and PTs should lead and practice at the topof their scope.   If you are a PT or PTA in Michigan, you can earn PDR creditfor license renewal just by listening to this episode! Fill out the Physical Therapist or Physical Therapist Assistant General Response Form from LARA and save it for your records.   00:00 Welcome to Waves 00:52 Meet Bill McGehee 03:50 Service Path to Leadership 06:14 Running for Vice Speaker 09:02 Speaker Role and House Purpose 12:12 House Energy and North Star 15:21 Speaker as Leader and Servant 19:02 Board Duties and Tension 22:04 Strategic Plan Reality Check 23:18 Why Motions Get Opposed 23:48 Covington’s Vulnerable Moment 25:48 Trust and Communication Gaps 28:20 Robert’s Rules Explained 29:47 Learning to Chair Efficiently 35:25 Delegate Mindset Shift 37:33 Soapbox on PT Value 40:19 Wrap Up and Credits

  4. Jan 13

    75: From DPT Student to DPTs With Anxiety w/ Dr. Kay Mastrocola

    In this episode of Waves, a podcast from APTA Michigan, host Andy Wicks interviews Dr. Kay Mastrocola, a pelvic health physical therapist and the creator of the popular Instagram and TikTok account 'DPTs with Anxiety.' Dr. Mastrocola shares her unique journey through DPT school, her experience with neurodivergence, and how she became a PT influencer by creating memes. They discuss the importance of mental health in higher education and healthcare, strategies for overcoming academic challenges, and the role of social media in building supportive communities. Dr. Mastrocola also offers advice for new graduates and emphasizes the human side of physical therapy. Are you a PT or PTA in Michigan? You can get PDR credit towards license renewal just by listening to Waves episodes! Fill out the Physical Therapist or Physical Therapist Assistant General Response Form and save for your records. It's that easy! Host: Andy Wicks, PT, DPT Edited by Andy Wicks and Jenn Hood, SPT Music by Mark Joesting 00:00 Introduction to Waves Podcast00:43 Meet Dr. Kay Cola01:26 The Birth of DPTs with Anxiety04:06 The Impact of Pelvic Health PT06:27 Addressing Mental Health in PT Education16:39 Navigating Academic Probation22:10 The Struggles of Medical School22:25 Support Systems and Adaptability24:40 Invisible Disabilities and Accommodations26:35 Making Memes and Content Creation28:51 The Impact of Social Media on PT33:59 The Importance of Emotional Support in PT39:27 Favorite Posts and Final Thoughts

  5. 10/23/2025

    74: Lifting Others Up w/ Natalie Hoffman, SPT

    In this episode, Andy sits down with Natalie Hoffman, a second-year physical therapy student at the University of Michigan Flint and the 2025 Solstice Scholarship winner. Natalie shares her inspiring journey of organizing a 3v3 soccer tournament to raise funds for local families affected by cancer, turning a $500 scholarship into $3,600 for two deserving families. She discusses the power of community, the importance of service in physical therapy, and how her upbringing shaped her passion for helping others. Key Topics:• Natalie's background and introduction• The Solstice Scholarship: what it is and how it works• Organizing a charity soccer tournament: challenges, teamwork, and impact• The importance of community involvement in PT school and beyond• Natalie's academic journey: dual DPT/PhD program, research interests, and future goals• Dream job aspirations: working with veterans and military populations• Reflections on service, education, and making the most of opportunities in PT school• Advice for students: get involved, volunteer, and build connections Notable Quotes:• “I took $500 and changed it into $3,600 with the help and support of family, friends, and everyone at Soccer Zone.”• “You only have one time in PT school that you can get all these opportunities lined up. So just take advantage of it.” Connect with Us:• Learn more about the Solstice Scholarship and how PT students are making a difference in their communities.• For more inspiring stories and interviews, subscribe to the podcast and follow us on social media. Our handle is @aptaMIwaves.Call to Action: If you’re a PT student or considering a career in physical therapy, look for ways to get involved in your community. Volunteer, connect, and make the most of your time in school!

  6. 09/15/2025

    73: Women In Sports Physical Therapy, or The Tortured PT Department

    Waves Podcast – "The Tortured PT Department" Host: Andy WicksGuests: Dr. Katie Noble, Dr. Nancy Boyd, Dr. Julie Wiebe Episode Summary:In this episode of Waves, host Andy Wicks sits down with three outstanding physical therapists—Dr. Katie Noble, Dr. Nancy Boyd, and Dr. Julie Wiebe—to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities facing women in sports physical therapy. The conversation explores the underrepresentation of women in sports medicine, the importance of mentorship and "accelerators," and theevolving landscape of care for female athletes.

  7. 07/19/2025

    72: Better Than Good Enough w/ Jenna Muri-Rosenthal, SLP-CCC

    This episode of Waves features Jenna Muri-Rosenthal, aspeech-language pathologist and founder of Fit to Function Recovery, highlighting her innovative approach to combining rehabilitation with fitness training to help neurologic patients exceed their therapeutic goals. Host Andy Wicks and Jenna discuss the limitations of traditional rehab, the benefits of functional fitness, and the importance of fostering a sense of achievement in patients. They explore practical ways to integrate CrossFit principles into therapy to enhance recovery and build community support for individuals with disabilities.   00:00 Introduction to Waves Podcast 00:24 Meet Jenna Muri-Rosenthal 01:47 The Journey to Fit to Function Recovery 02:31 Challenges in Traditional Rehab 03:18 CrossFit and Cognitive Rehabilitation 04:17 Functional Movement and Recovery 06:46 Empowering Patients Beyond 'Good Enough' 10:04 Measuring Progress in Rehab 16:55 Making Rehab Functional and Relatable 20:00 Normalizing Movement in the Gym 22:19 Overcoming Hesitation in Fitness 23:06 Creating Inclusive Fitness Environments 24:52 Adapting Sports and Fitness for Recovery 26:05 The Importance of Functional Fitness 27:23 Encouraging New Challenges and Learning 32:42 The Power of Words in Rehabilitation 35:26 Continuing Care and Preventative Management 38:01 Conclusion and Resources Adaptive Training Academy Fit to Function Recovery (Instagram)

  8. 05/20/2025

    71: Kiddos, Sports, and Anti-Ableism w/ Dr. Abby Gordon

    In this episode of Waves, host Andy Wicks interviews Dr. Abby Gordon, a pediatric sports physical therapist based in Seattle. Dr. Gordon shares insights into her diverse career, including her experience working with professional athletes and as an adjunct faculty member. The discussion covers her clinical practice at Seattle Children's Hospital, her love for treating chronic pain patients, and her recent endeavors in academia and writing. They also delve into the topic of weight-inclusive care and its significance in physical therapy. Dr. Gordon's upcoming book, 'It Depends,' is also highlighted, discussing the various considerations and decisions one faces in life and career. Abby is @agordon55 on most socials. Her email address is abby.gordon@seattlechildrens.org. Michigan-based PTs and PTAs! You can get license-renewal credit just by listening to Waves episodes! Download the PT General Response Form from LARA and save for your records. 00:00 Introduction to Waves Podcast 00:45 Meet Dr. Abby Gordon 01:33 Pediatric Sports Therapy Insights 03:18 Treating Chronic Pain in Pediatrics 04:22 Transition from Adult to Pediatric Therapy 05:42 Balancing Professional and Pediatric Therapy 06:21 The Importance of Therapeutic Alliance 10:34 Writing and Blogging Journey 17:17 Teaching Anatomy at Tufts 19:17 Innovative Teaching Methods in Anatomy 20:12 Challenges and Fun in Teaching Cardio Pulmonology 21:07 Balancing Clinical Practice and Academia 23:40 Weight Inclusive Care in Healthcare 27:20 Addressing Ableism and Inclusivity in Physical Therapy 33:05 WNBA and Personal Interests 34:27 Conclusion and Contact Information

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5
out of 5
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About

The official podcast of APTA Michigan

Information

  • Creator
    APTA Michigan
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    78
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © APTA Michigan
  • Show Website
    Waves

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