Curriculum Vitae

EDUCATION

Concordia University of Wisconsin, Mequon, Wisconsin
DPT- Doctor of Physical Therapy 2002
MPT- Master of Physical Therapy 2001
B.S. - Sports Medicine 1998

POSTGRADUATE EDUCATION AND TRAINING

• CTI: Cervical Thoracic Integration July 2004
• Therapist to Therapist: Documentation Criterion June 2004
• Coding and Billing for Therapy and Rehab March 2003
• BET: Back Education and Training March 2002
• Putting the Humor Back into Therapy March 2002
• A New Approach to the Evaluation and Treatment of SI Dysfunction February 2002
• About Iontophoresis: An Intermediate Level Course October 2001
• The Ventilated Patient October 2001
• Anatomical Palpation November 2001

PUBLICATIONS/MANSCRIPTS SUBMITTED

Does Immediate Ambulation Increase the Risk of Pulmonary Emboli or New Deep Vein Thromboses in Adult Persons with Acute Deep Vein Thrombosis? An Evidence-Based Review. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Fluored by Tendinopathies: A Literature Review on the Effects of Fluoroquinolones on Tendons. Advance for Physical Therapists

Tepper, S. (February, 2003). Management of DVT: An Evidence Based Approach. Tables from above mentioned publication used for presentation by Dr. Tepper at the annual Combined Sections Meetings for Physical Therapist in Tampa, Fl.

PLANS AND MANUALS

Policy and Procedure Manual for the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department at Sioux Valley Memorial Hospital. Complete revision of outdated manual including inpatient and outpatient, procedures and modalities, as well as documentation standards.

INVITED LECTURES/CONFERENCE PRESENTAIONS

(April, 2005) Physical Therapy in the Emergency Department: Treating at a New Level of Care. To be presented at the Wisconsin Physical Therapy Association’s Spring Conference in Madison, WI.

(June, 2002) Pharmacology in Rehabilitation. Lecture given to staff therapists at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center in Milwaukee, WI.

(June, 2002) Radiology in Rehabilitation. Lecture given to staff therapists at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center in Milwaukee, WI.

(February, 2002) Differential Diagnosis in Rehabilitation. Lecture given to staff therapists at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center in Milwaukee, WI.

(December, 2001) Chronic Pain in Therapy. Lecture given to staff therapists at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center in Milwaukee, WI.


Physical Therapy in Tanzania (April, 2001). Presented at the Wisconsin Physical Therapy Association’s Student Conclave at Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI.

(February, 2001).The Physiology of Skeletal Muscle Contractions. Lecture given at Concordia University of Wisconsin, Mequon, WI.

INDEPENDENT TEACHING/CONTINUING EDUCATION

(March, 2003) Physical Therapy in the Emergency Department: Treating at a New Level of Care. Continuing Education Course offered to physical therapists and medical doctors for continuing education credit on how to begin offering therapy services in the emergency department of hospitals.

PROFESIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) 1999 - present
Iowa Physical Therapy Association 2003 - present
Sports Medicine Section of APTA 2004 - present
Diabetes Management Committee at Sioux Valley Memorial Hospital 2004 - present
Health Policy and Administration Section of APTA 2003 - 2004
Wisconsin Physical Therapy Association 1999 – 2002

AWARDS AND HONORS

• National Deans List
• 4 Time Presidential Scholarship Recipient
• 2 Time Lakeland Healthcare Scholarship Recipient
• 1 Time Wisconsin Physical Therapy Association Scholarship Recipient

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

SIOUX VALLEY MEMORIAL HOSPTIAL, CHEROKEE, IA 2/03 to present
Director of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Managerial as well as treatment responsibilities including employee appraisals, marketing, budgeting, program development, capital purchases, satellite clinic development, and the rehabilitation of acute, skilled nursing, and outpatient therapy clients
• Started department from less than 25% of market share and built program to a staff of 10 with 60% of market share.
• Developed and opened the first satellite clinic for Sioux Valley Memorial Hospital in Holstein Iowa
• Completed entire revision of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation’s Policy and Procedure Manual
• Developed comprehensive documentation review procedures and quality improvement reports for the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department

ST. JOSEPH’S REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER, MILWAUKEE, WI 1/01 to 2/03
One of Milwaukee’s top rated medical facilities – Emergency and Acute Care
Developed one of 3 nationwide physical therapy programs serving Emergency Departments. Demonstrated excellent decision-making skills to progress patients through functional rehabilitation. Lead therapist in the Emergency Room. Independently evaluated and treated a variety of patients including patients in the Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Room, Day Surgery, Skilled Nursing Facilities and on orthopedic, cardiac, and medical floors.
• Sound understanding of pathophysiology and differential diagnosis in relation to disease, dysfunction, and tolerance for activity
• Independently able to evaluate and treat post-surgical patients in order for them to safely leave the hospital
• Demonstrated the ability to review and process information in a patients chart and understand it’s relation to physical therapy treatment, including past medical history, knowledge of medications, lab values, and current hospital procedures
• Management of staff the Emergency Department. One of only 4 such programs in the nation. Expertise knowledge in radiology and pharmacology from a therapy standpoint.
• Developed clear and effective communication skills with other health care professional and patients in order to provide quality physical therapy care.
• Lectures and in-services given on a variety of topics including pharmacology, back education, radiology, chronic pain, ankle fracture assessment, and differential diagnosis.

KILAMANJARO CHRISTIAN MEDICAL CENTER, TANZANIA, AFRICA 6/00 to 8/00
Tanzania’s top rated hospital – In-patient orthopedics
Performed and oversaw on-site therapy on the orthopedic ward of a hospital. Handled initial assessments and followed patients through therapy until discharge. Contributed to interdisciplinary rehabilitation to allow patients to maintain function and return home.
• One of two therapists who worked daily on an 85 bed ward helping patients to maintain and regain function after orthopedic injuries
• Focused patients on achievements versus limitations to progress rehabilitation and improve self-esteem during long-term hospital stays (6 weeks for a routine femur fracture)
• Employed hands on treatment coupled with non-verbal communication skills to overcome a difficult language barrier
• Involved in family teaching and interviews in order to safely return patients to their prior living condition
• Provided lectures for the African physical therapy students to increase their education and proficiency in the work place