2023 AOPT SIG Election - Meet the Candidates

David A. Hoyle, DPT, MA, BS, OCS, MTC, CEAS
Candidate Profile: Dr. Hoyle is a graduate of the University of Connecticut with a BS in Allied Health (Physical Therapy Major) in 1987 and an MA in Exercise Sciences in 1999. He completed a tDPT at Regis University in 2013. Dr. Hoyle through his career in a large inner city hospital, as adjunct faculty for physical therapy education, as member of a medical grouping serving an HMO, in private, and corporate practice has focused on employee health with regards to musculoskeletal conditions. He has served the OHSIG on the committees for development of the guideline on physical therapy interventions affecting work outcomes, the current functional capacity evaluation guidelines and as an invited speaker at CSM steering committee for credentialing of advanced practice in occupational health. Dr. Hoyle was in the first cohort being recognized as an Occupational Health Practitioner through the OHSIG. Dr. Hoyle’s position for the last decade has been as the National Director of WorkStrategies for Select Medical.

Peter Schrey, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS
Candidate Profile: I am a clinical-track Assistant Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at OSU-Cascades in Bend, Oregon. I have been part of this program since its inception in 2021. I teach across the musculoskeletal curriculum, specifically the Orthopedic Management series. I have been practicing physical therapy in orthopedic and sports settings since 2005 and was a clinic director for 3 years. During this time, I have always sought to be an evidence informed clinician in order provide the most effective and up-to-date examination and treatment of my clients. I have been a CSCS through the NSCA since 2005 and an OCS through the ABPTS since 2009. The last decade of practice was focused on foot/ankle specialty with an emphasis on the running community. This included volunteering at local running and soccer events and nationally for the USATF and WAC track and field events in Eugene, OR. I have attended APTA CSM conferences in 2003, 2016, 2021 and 2023 as well as AAOMPT and state conferences. I have been an APTA member since 2002 and state chapter member in CO, NV and OR throughout that time. I am currently being mentored by Marcey Keefer Hutchison, PT, DPT, SCS, ATC in the realms of orthopedics, therapeutic exercise and research.

Eric Kruger PT, DPT, PhD
Candidate Profile: Eric Kruger is physical therapist and assistant professor in the Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Division of Physical Therapy at the University of New Mexico. Dr. Kruger graduated from the University of Montana in 2007 and has practiced in a wide range of outpatient therapy settings and currently finds the most fulfillment working with patients with persistent pain conditions. He holds a bachelor’s in exercise science, Doctor of Physical Therapy and a master’s and PhD in psychology with an emphasis on health psychology and quantitative methods. Currently, his primary roles are as researcher, educator, and mentor. Dr. Kruger’s research interests include chronic pain, substance abuse, acceptance and commitment therapy, motivational interviewing, and quantitative methods. He has presented at several conferences and has numerous research publications that span his areas of expertise.

Mary Beth Geiser PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT
Candidate Profile: My name is Mary Beth Geiser PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT. I am running for a position on the Nominating Committee for AOPT Pain SIG. I have 30+ years of clinical experience in the field of physical therapy. I work in an outpatient clinical setting and maintain a referral-only caseload (34 hours/week). My primary focus is treating individuals with chronic pain. In addition to my clinic hours, I am actively working for three universities as an adjunct or affiliate faculty member and have created pain-related coursework and mentored students for all three levels of PT education (DPT, Residency, and Fellowship programs). I possess leadership skills (APTA Wisconsin Reimbursement Chair, APTA Wisconsin Membership Chair, AAOMPT Academic and Clinical Faculty SIG Treasurer, VP, and President-elect) and have years of committee involvement across local, regional, and national levels (Advocate Aurora Healthcare Committees [spine, pain, shoulder and dysautonomia] Marquette University Pro Bono Clinic, Concordia University Wisconsin Pro Bono Clinic, APTA Neck Pain Task Force, and APTA CPG Development Group Member [pain]). I am a past and present member of AOPT Pain SIG and feel ready to serve its members in this role. The future of the AOPT Pain SIG leadership needs to be more diverse (ethnically, culturally, and clinically). A position on the nominating committee offers me opportunities to bring new ideas and individuals to the group.

Amy Humphrey, PT, DPT, OCS, MTC
Candidate Profile: Amy Humphrey is currently a faculty member in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Messiah University in Mechanicsville, Pennsylvania. Her teaching load includes courses in the genres of human movement analysis, musculoskeletal diagnosis and treatment, leadership and advocacy, and research. Amy graduated from James Madison University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance and Spanish. She then attended Widener University, where she graduated with a Master of Science degree in Physical Therapy in 2002. Amy continued her education at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, graduating with a Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy in 2008. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Rehabilitation and Movement Science from Azusa Pacific University. Amy has over 20 years of experience in providing care to individuals in the performing arts, especially dance. Amy was the physical therapist for the Washington Ballet, located in Washington, DC, for 8 years (2003 to 2011). She moved back home to Central Pennsylvania in 2011 and continues to work with adolescent recreational dancers at the private physical therapy practice where she works part-time. She also helps with backstage physical therapy through NeuroTour at Hershey theater. Her research interests are in dance biomechanics, especially Irish dance, and dance screening. Amy is also a member of the International Association of Dance Medicine & Science and is actively involved in the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association where she served as Chief Delegate from 2018 to 2020 and secretary of the South-Central District of the Pennsylvania chapter from 2017-2022.

Jenny Moe, PT, MS, DPT, CCRT, APT
Candidate Profile: Jenny Moe, PT, MS, DPT, CCRT, APT is the owner of Moe Love Myofascial Release, a mobile practice serving the San Francisco Bay Area which specializes in myofascial release and craniosacral therapy for small animals. Jenny earned both her Master’s and Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Boston University in 2003 and 2007 respectively. She completed certification as a canine rehabilitation therapist with the Canine Rehabilitation Institute in 2009 while expanding the physical rehabilitation department at SAGE Veterinary Centers in Campbell and San Mateo, CA. Jenny opened a physical rehabilitation practice in Stateline, Nevada in 2019, but elected to return to the Bay Area in 2020. Jenny is the acting APTSIG vice president and has been the SIG featured speaker at CSM 2020. She is also active with the Animal Physical Therapy Coalition in California, working to advance legislation for physical therapists in animal rehabilitation in California and nationwide.

Edriana Fermin, PT, DPT, CCRT
Candidate Profile: My name is Dr. Edriana Bougrat Fermin, PT, DPT, CCRT. I am the owner and therapist of Unleashed Rehab - Canine Therapy & Wellness. I graduated with my DPT from Grand Valley State University in 2012 and practiced primarily in outpatient orthopedic settings until my path started taking a much welcomed change of route in 2018. Toward the end of summer 2018 I received my Canine Rehabilitation Therapist certification from the Canine Rehabilitation institute. I slowly started treating dogs while still working with human patients until early 2020 when I made the best decision of my life and went on to treat animals full time. Since then I’ve managed to run a profitable canine rehab practice. This is my first opportunity to be involved with the Animal Physical Therapy Special Interest Group. I am looking forward to networking with colleagues and other professionals in related fields to help expand our reach as uniquely positioned professionals to provide quality rehabilitative care to animals of all kinds.

Brian Young, PT, DSc
Candidate Profile: I have been full time in DPT education since 2013, currently serving the past 15 months as Interim Chair, Department of Physical Therapy, at Baylor University. In this position, I also serve as the Interim DPT Program Director. I am Board Certified in Orthopedic Physical Therapy and am an AAOMPT Fellow. Diagnostic imaging has been a significant part of my clinical practice for over 27 years, and my teaching and research for over 10 years at both Army-Baylor DPT and now Baylor University. While serving over 21 years in the US Air Force I held various clinical and leadership positions, including responsibility for primary care, radiology, and orthopedic clinics. Additionally, I maintained credentials to perform PT referral for imaging for over 24 years during my active-duty time and as a volunteer provider for 3 years after my military retirement. I have worked with the APTA for the expanding role of Primary Care PT. Additionally, a significant portion of my scholarly agenda, both written and conference presentation, has focused on PT referral for diagnostic imaging and primary care physical therapy, both essential and clearly related topics for today’s physical therapist. My current involvement with the I-SIG has been in service as the Vice President/Education Chair since 2021. Along with my current teaching and scholarship, I maintain clinical practice within my home health company providing direct access orthopedic physical therapist care.

Kai-Yu Ho, PT, DPT, PhD
Candidate Profile: Kai-Yu Ho, PT, DPT, PhD, currently holds the position of Associate Professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and is a licensed physical therapist in Nevada. With a specialization in diagnostic imaging, Dr. Ho focuses on research-based quantitative musculoskeletal imaging, demonstrating her expertise through 17 top-tier journal publications covering diverse topics such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasound imaging. Over the past 7 years (2017-2023), Dr. Ho has dedicated her knowledge to teaching Diagnostic Imaging at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Actively engaged in the scholarly community, she currently serves on the editorial board of BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders and contributes as a reviewer for JOSPT, where she regularly evaluates Cases involving Musculoskeletal Imaging. Dr. Ho co-authored the chapter "Temporomandibular Joint: Evidence-Informed Physical Therapy Patient Management" in the most recent 5th edition of "Current Concepts of Physical Therapy" for the Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy. In recognition of her expertise, she has been a reviewer for Magnetic Resonance in Imaging (MRM) since 2014, earning the Distinguished Reviewer Award in 2015 and 2016. In terms of service to professional organizations, Dr. Ho was part of the Subcommittee on Trainee Stipends at the International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) from 2018 to 2020. Dr. Ho is eager to leverage her expertise and skills in contributing to the Imaging SIG-Nominating Committee.

Kirk R Bentzen, PT, DPT, PhD, MBA
Candidate Profile: Kirk R Bentzen, PT, DPT, MBA, received his MPT (1996) and post-professional DPT (2001) from the University of Southern California. He also has an MBA from La Sierra University (2006) and is currently pursuing a PhD in Leadership Studies with an emphasis in Health Sciences at University of the Cumberlands. An undergraduate alumnus from Occidental College in Kinesiology and Psychology, Dr. Bentzen currently is a part-time Associate Professor of Anatomy at Occidental College. Dr. Bentzen’s full-time position at Adventist Health Glendale’s includes the manager role at the Therapy & Wellness Center since 2003 as well as the residency Program Director for the Orthopedic Residency (2009) and the Sports Residency (2013). Dr. Bentzen has been involved in ABPTRFE’s Accreditation Services Committee since 2010 and currently holds a position on ABPTRFE’s Accreditation Services Council since 2017.