Honoring the Life and Work of ERI Faculty Member, Cindy Miles, PT, PhD.

It is with great sadness that we reach out to our community of therapists today with news about the passing of ERI’s esteemed faculty member, Cindy Miles, PT, PhD., PCS, CNDT. Cindy fought a private battle with cancer and will be missed immensely by all of us here at ERI and around the profession.

Cindy Miles, PT, PhD. PCS, CNDT

For nearly 20 years, Cindy was an engaging instructor at ERI, energetically presenting the latest research to improve evaluation and treatment skills for Torticollis and Plagiocephaly among her course participants. Cindy was a distinguished pediatric clinician, serving as President of APTA for 6 years, as well as a successful private practice owner in Pennsylvania for 25 years.

Cindy’s positive impact on the lives of children and families was immense. Whether you took one of Cindy’s ERI courses or had the chance to meet her, you would probably agree that Cindy’s dedication to supporting children and families was inspirational and her positive attitude was infectious.

The APTA Academy of pediatric physical therapy want to recognize Cindy’s contributions to APTA Pediatrics. Take a moment to browse through a Kudoboard set up by them to thank Cindy for her leadership, time, and effort as President. Please share your own thoughts. The association will be sharing a PDF of the Kudoboard with her family after the combined sections meeting coming up in February.

ERI President, Carol Loria, shares this sentiment: 

“I first met Cindy nearly 20 years ago when the diagnosis of torticollis was largely unknown to the therapy community. In addition to her clinical expertise and her commitment to excellence in teaching, research and public health, I could not help but be struck by her kindness, warmth and passion for improving the lives of children and their families. She has been a beloved and valued member of our faculty ever since. Our hearts go out to her family, friends and to the many children, parents, and therapists whose lives she enriched. Our ERI family mourns with you.”

It’s been heart-warming to look back on the gracious testimonials we’ve collected over the years from therapists who have taken Cindy’s courses. Here’s a few that showcase just how wonderful Cindy was as an educator and as a person: 

I love taking Cindy’s courses! Her torticollis and plagiocephaly courses are very informational! She is also available to answer questions!

Cindy’s course was amazing! It was very informative and loved the videos. It was nice to have evidence-based interventions to take back to my families and doctors to support what we do! Thanks, Cindy!

This was one of the best continuing education classes I have ever attended. Cindy is a great teacher and did such a great job covering all aspects of Evaluation and Treatment of Torticollis, providing a lot of case studies and examples. I would highly recommend this course to all pediatric therapists.

We know that our entire community of therapists stand with us today in wishing comfort and peace to Cindy’s family and friends during this difficult time. 

APTA Award Recipient, Archana Vatwani, Presents “Management of Complex Cardiac and Pulmonary Disorders”

Explore new evidence regarding best patient management of medically complex patients.

ERI is honored to have Archana Vatwani, PT, DPT, EdD, MBA as a faculty member to present the upcoming live webinar, Management of Complex Cardiac and Pulmonary Disorders, beginning March 21, 2023. Vatwani, a recent recipient of the 2022 APTA Minority Faculty Development Scholarship Award, is an engaging lecturer with expertise in adult acute care physical therapy, specifically cardiovascular and pulmonary PT.

This three-night course will cover how to manage complex cardiovascular, pulmonary and lymphedema diagnoses through physiological monitoring, diagnostic testing, and utilization of functional and objective measures for effective clinical decision making for best patient outcomes. 

It’s no secret that treating the complex cardiovascular and pulmonary patient can be challenging. By  utilizing in-depth case analysis of complex patients, this course will help to further bridge the gap between content knowledge and clinical application.

Registration is now open! Participants can earn 9
contact hours (0.9 CEUs) for attending all three sessions. View the course page for a more detailed agenda and other important information. If you have any questions,
please contact ERI at info@educationresourcesinc.com or call 800-487-6530. 

Toe Walking Expert Liesa M. Ritchie-Persaud Offers NEW Live Webinar!

Here at ERI we’re excited to announce a NEW, live webinar taught by THE toe-walking expert, Liesa M. Ritchie-Persaud, PT, DPT, PCS, CKTP.

Toe Walking: In-Depth Clinical Applications Using an Etiological Approach
Friday, February 24, 2023
9:40 am EST • 8:40 am CST • 7:40 am MST • 6:40 am PST (US)
1-Day Course – Earn 7 Contact Hours

This new course is the next step in your learning with Liesa! In this new course, clinicians will apply “The Act!” to identify an etiology-based problem list, choose suitable and feasible interventions and develop a plan of care specific to each child (further enhancing information previously learned in “Therapeutic Evaluation and Management of Toe Walking (Pediatric Equinus Gait)

Hear what Liesa has to say in this quick video: 

This course is appropriate for pediatric PTs, PTAs, OTs, OTAs and Early Interventionists working with patients 0-3 or students aged 3-21 in Home Care or Outpatient settings. 

Registration is open-reserve your spot!

NEW! In-Person Course in Washington, DC with Presenter Amanda Hall

Ambulation, Activity, and AFOs 2: Advanced Hands-On Course in Washington, DC

Amanda Hall, PT, MPT, PCS, has developed a framework for pediatric and neuro intervention including casting and orthotic design based on developmental kinesiopathology, differential diagnosis, manual therapy, and alignment for therapeutic gait.

She has presented internationally and given dozens of lectures, and has even caught the eye of mainstream media. Dubbed the “Madcaster”, Hall has been featured in MTV, UsWeekly, NBC and ABC, and will soon be sharing the stage as the primary speaker with Mary Massery at APTA Combined Sections Meeting at the end of February. 

On March 11 and 12, 2023, Hall will be presenting, Ambulation, Activity and AFOs 2: Advanced Hands-On Course, an in-person course in Washington, DC, that will focus on evaluation and treatment of the foot and ankle to improve gait and function for patients with pediatric, neurologic, and orthopedic health conditions.

During this intensive course, multiple labs will include the latest evidence-based interventions to improve foot and ankle function for individuals across the movement spectrum. This includes joint and soft tissue mobilizations, improving strength and motor control of the “foot core”, and addressing pain. Participants will also learn hands-on skills for orthotic design as well as foot/ankle taping techniques.

Who should take this course?

This course is for those who have taken Amanda Hall’s Ambulation, Activity, and AFOs: Addressing the Ankle to Improve Gait and Function, either online or in-person, OR with other prior experience or training for foot/ankle and ankle-foot-orthotics.

Registration is now open! Complete both days for 14 contact hours (1.4 CEUs). Please reach out to ERI with any questions at info@educationresourcesinc.com or call 800-487-6530.

Attention Feeding Therapists! NEW Complex Feeding and Swallowing Course Now Available

Looking for support when working with infants, toddlers, and children with pediatric feeding disorders and pediatric dysphagia? We have you covered. 

 

ERI has partnered with faculty members Dana Kizer, OT and Anais Villaluna, SLP to offer a new CEU course to help therapists bridge the gap when it comes to problem solving complex feeding and swallowing cases. The BRIDGE Approach: Critical Thinking in the Management of Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Disorders will be offered as a live webinar on March 18 and 19, 2023. Therapists can earn 11.5 contact hours (1.15 CEUs) upon completing this course.

Instructors Kizer and Villaluna bring extensive experience in assessing and treating feeding and swallowing disorders across the lifespan. In this course, therapists will learn tools and strategies to guide their clinical decision-making process for assessment and treatment of a child with complex feeding issues.

Dana Kizer, OT

We know that managing pediatric dysphagia can be challenging as practices evolve, new protocols are implemented, and multiple developmental as well as anatomical factors can impact an infant or child’s ability to eat or drink safely and efficiently. By identifying, assessing, and treating the multiple factors causing or contributing to pediatric dysphagia, BRIDGE provides a multifaceted assessment and treatment approach that provides therapists the tools to think critically when working through difficult cases.

Anais Villaluna, SLP

 Over the course of this two-day webinar, therapists will be given strategies to implement immediately when working with children with dysphagia as well as discuss questions, cases, and concerns with the presenters in real-time.

Registration is now open! The registration page offers more information as well as a detailed agenda. If you have any questions, please contact ERI at info@educationresourcesinc.com or call 800-487-6530.