Dr. Eva Norman

Dr. Eva Norman, PT, DPT, CEEAA, is a dedicated physical therapist whose career was inspired by a life-altering experience that she believes ultimately saved her life. This transformative event sparked her passion for physical therapy, and she has since dedicated over 25 years to the field, treating patients across various settings and conditions. Dr. Norman earned her Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Doctor of Physical Therapy degrees from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA, and has developed a deep expertise in geriatric rehabilitation, neurology, orthopedics, and cardiopulmonary therapy.

In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Norman is a passionate advocate for the profession and has been actively involved with the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) since 1994. She has held numerous leadership roles, including serving as the APTA Home Health Government Affairs Chair, APTA Home Health Federal Affairs Liaison, and APTA Home Health Chief Delegate. Her involvement with APTA reflects her commitment to advancing the field through policy, advocacy, and education, particularly in the home health sector, where she strives to improve access to quality care for patients in their homes.

In 2013, driven by a desire to make a broader impact on health and wellness, Dr. Norman founded Live Your Life Physical Therapy, LLC. The practice was created with the vision of providing in-home and community-based services that promote active, healthy lifestyles at any age. Through Live Your Life, Dr. Norman and her team in Minnesota and Florida offer a variety of services, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, personal training, acupuncture, massage therapy, and health coaching, all aimed at preventing disease, improving functional outcomes, and empowering individuals to take control of their health.

Dr. Norman’s professional philosophy is embodied in her signature statement: “Learn, Educate, Advocate—Physical Therapy & Your Patients are Counting on You!” This reflects her deep commitment to ongoing learning, sharing knowledge, and advocating for both the profession and her patients. Through her work with APTA and Live Your Life Physical Therapy, Dr. Norman continues to make a lasting impact on the field and the lives of her patients.

Ellen Strunk

Ellen R. Strunk, PT, MS, GCS, FAPTA, ACEEAA, CHC, RACCT has worked in various roles & settings as both clinician, manager/director and policy expert. Ellen is an expert at helping customers understand the CMS prospective payment systems in the skilled nursing facility and home health setting, as well as outpatient therapy billing for all provider types. For over 15 years, Ellen has worked with dozens of clients as principal consultant and founder of Rehab Resources and Consulting, Inc. Her experience in both the home and community aspects of the post-acute care continuum gives her a unique perspective in finding solutions while ensuring a patient-centered approach is not lost in translation. As a policy expert, Ellen supports organizations in many areas including provider education, measure development, and regulatory compliance.

In addition to assisting clients meet their operational & clinical goals, Ellen is a published author, having contributed to the 4th edition of Gucciones Geriatric Physical Therapy with a chapter on Health Policy for Physical Therapists and Older Adults.

Beth Black

Pronouns: She/Her

Beth is a geriatric physical therapist in Albuquerque, New Mexico, retired from direct care, with past work in home health for over 20 years, acute care and inpatient acute care. She is professionally active in APTA Geriatrics, APTA Home Health, APTA New Mexico, PT Proud SIG of the Academy of Leadership and Innovation, and serves on the executive committee of the New Mexico Adult Falls Prevention Coalition. She is a volunteer and organizer of the Sustained Athlete Fitness Exam for the New Mexico Senior Olympics and an Albuquerque annual Falls Prevention Awareness Week screening and education event. She is Key Contact to Rep. Melanie Stansbury, NM 1st District, sponsor of the SAFE Act, HR 1171 (Stopping Addiction and Falls for the Elderly Act).

Kevin Cezat

Kevin Cezat is a board-certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist and the Director of Clinical Excellence at Therapy Management Corporation. He is RAC-CT certified through the American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing (AAPACN) and brings over 15 years of experience in long-term care. In his current role, Kevin leads national clinical initiatives across 20+ states, focusing on best practices, evidence-based care, knowledge translation, and technology integration.

Kevin serves in multiple leadership capacities, including as Vice Chair of the APTA Geriatrics Skilled Nursing Facility Special Interest Group and as a board member of the Orange County Commission on Aging. He is currently pursuing a Master’s in Healthcare Informatics to further advance the use of clinical data in driving quality and value in therapy services.

Kevin is dedicated to promoting sustainable, person-centered care in post-acute settings through clinical leadership and advocacy on behalf of both residents and the clinicians who support them.

Philip Goldsmith

Philip Goldsmith is the owner and President of Goldsmith Therapy Solutions, a small business focused on management consulting in home health. Phil is also in his second term as the President of APTA Home Health, an academy of the American Physical Therapy Association. His clinical practice is focused on home health, with the bulk of his clientele in socially disadvantaged areas of greater Baltimore. Phil is also a member of his local volunteer fire company, and enjoys spending time with his wife Stefanie and his eleven year old son.

Amy Hedrick

Amy Hedrick, DPT, MBA serves as a clinical strategist in the post-acute setting. She received her MPT from East Carolina University and DPT from the University of the Incarnate Word. She is a member of the APTA and Home Health Section. As a curious and competitive healthcare leader, she constantly seeks to improve patient outcomes and experience, clinician retention, and earn the opportunity to care for more seniors. She enjoys the challenge of aligning cross-functional initiatives and implementing innovative care delivery models.

Throughout the past 20 years, Amy has provided direct patient care, served as an operations leader, business development leader, and clinical/quality leader. She is a Certified OASIS Quality Specialists and completed the Advanced Competency Certificate in OASIS-E through the APTA. Her academic curiosity has led to an MBA in Healthcare Administration, a Master’s Certificate in Behavior Specialist, a certificate in Marketing, and an executive program certificate in Artificial Intelligence in Health Care. Her passion is partnering with Accountable Care Organizations and value-based payors to design and implement care delivery models throughout the post-acute continuum.

In her spare time, Amy enjoys gardening, baking, dancing, attending concerts, and relaxing with family and friends. She resides in North Carolina with her family and greatly appreciates the opportunity to advocate for therapists and seniors across the country.

Dr. Jamie Kuettel

Dr. Jamie Kuettel is a board-certified specialist in both neurologic and geriatric physical therapy and currently serves as an associate professor at A.T. Still University in Mesa, Arizona. She holds a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Health Professions and brings over a decade of experience in clinical care, residency education, and academic leadership. A committed advocate for the physical therapy profession, Dr. Kuettel has served in multiple leadership roles within the Arizona Chapter of the APTA, including Chief Delegate to the APTA House of Delegates. She is proud to contribute to national advocacy efforts as a member of the APTA Joint Governmental Affairs Committee Task Force, promoting policies that advance access, equity, and high-quality care for older adults.

Silke Mildenberger

Silke Mildenberger, PTA is serving the Tucson, AZ community as a Home Health clinician with a special focus on Geriatrics for almost 10 years. She has been engaged in the world of Physical Therapy since 1995 in Europe and the United States in various interest fields, including Outpatient Pediatrics and Orthopedics. She currently serves as PTA Representative for the APTA Academy of Home Health. Ensuring access to Physical Therapy is her key focus, both immediate as a clinician and also long term as a member of the Advocacy Committee. Educating patients, communities and legislators ensures there will be Physical Therapy services available for future generations.

Andrew Morgan

Andrew Morgan, PT, DPT, MBA, COS-C is a physical therapist with over 20 years of clinical and management experience. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from Baylor University in 1999 and his Masters and Doctorate degrees in Physical Therapy from UT Health in San Antonio in 2002 and 2013 respectively. Andrew also holds a Masters of Business Administration from UT San Antonio, earned in 2005. Andrew works as the Vice President of Clinical Operations at InHome Therapy, providing clinical direction for over 600 therapists and assistants across 5 states. He ran a successful therapy staffing business for more than 10 years, a business he started and developed. Andrew is a 2021 recipient of the Sages of Clinical Service award, the highest award given to clinicians at Optum Healthcare. Andrew holds membership in the TPTA and APTA. In February his leadership efforts were recognized by the APTA, when he earned the APTA Home Health Academy’s Excellence in Home Health Leadership award.

Denise Wentzell-Yonkovich

Denise Wentzell-Yonkovich, PT, DSc, CEEAA, has has been a practicing physical therapist for over 30 years and an APTA member since the beginning. Her experience is in outpatient orthopedics, education, and in the last twelve years, home health. Denise became interested in the “politics” of the profession when she was completing her Doctorate research on Direct Access and the DPT degree. She started following trends and began advocating for the PT profession by writing letters to her representatives and Senators in her state on different topics. Over the last several years, the recent changes to the Medicare payment schedule and reimbursement have spurred Denise to being more involved. She is hoping to learn as much as she can as she is mentored in this role and to be able to be a resource and a voice for the physical therapy profession.

Home Health members are encouraged to join the APTA Advocacy Network. The Advocacy Network keeps APTA member advocates connected and engaged on the current issues of the profession. It is free to participate and easy to join. Simply log on to the APTA website, click on the Advocacy tab, and join. Participants will receive special updates and action alerts when we need your voice to be heard. The email will contain information about the current issue or bill that the APTA is seeking support from Congress along with a prepared letter/template for the participant to send automatically to their state’s Senators and Representatives. It’s that easy! Our letters have helped pass several important legislations over the years so let’s keep the momentum going! Join now and let YOUR voice be heard.