APTA Nevada Annual Conference - CE and Member Meeting
Join us on Saturday, October 4 for APTA Nevada's annual conference -- a day of learning, networking, and celebrating our profession!
This year's program features our Business Membership Meeting, followed by two engaging Continuing Education labs:
- Objective Strength Testing: Optimizing Reproducibility and Utility John MacDonald, PT, DPT -- 1.5 CCUs
- BPPV Essentials: A Hands-On Learning Lab, Jennifer Nash, PT, DPT -- 1.5 CCUs
Earn up to 3 CCUs, connect with colleagues, and enjoy a lunch social with an awards presentation recognizing outstanding contributions to physical therapy in Nevada.
Don't miss this opportunity to advance your practice and your profession.
👉 Register today and be part of the experience!
7:30am Nametags, Coffee/Tea/Continental Breakfast Available
8:00am - 9:00am Business Meeting
9:00am - 10:30am Objective Strength Testing: Optimizing Reproducibility and Utility, John MacDonald, PT, DPT, 1.5 CCUs
10:40am - 12:10pm Vestibular Rehab Essentials: A Hands-On Learning Lab, Jennifer Nash, PT, DPT, 1.5 CCUs
Lunch/social to follow
About the courses:
BPPV Essentials: A Hands-On Learning Lab
Course Description
This interactive 1.5-hour lab provides clinicians with practical skills for identifying and treating benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), the most common cause of vestibular dizziness. Participants will learn to recognize hallmark clinical features, perform evidence-based positional testing, and apply canalith repositioning maneuvers with confidence. Through guided practice and case examples, attendees will gain tools they can immediately use in clinical practice to improve patient outcomes.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Identify the characteristic signs and symptoms of BPPV and distinguish them from other causes of dizziness.
- Demonstrate proper technique for performing positional tests, including the Dix-Hallpike and supine roll tests.
- Apply canalith repositioning maneuvers safely and effectively in a lab setting.
About the Speaker
Dr. Jennifer Nash has been a physical therapist for more than 20 years specializing in adults with neurologic disorders. She is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy (NCS), a Credentialed Balance and Falls Professional, and a Certified Exercise Expert in Aging Adults (CEEAA). At UNLV since 2018, Dr. Nash is the lead professor in neurologic rehabilitation, balance and vestibular rehabilitation, as well as acute care and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. She also teaches professional development, functional training, movement science and physical agents. Her student-led service learning and research projects are focused on implementation of evidence-based fall prevention programs for older adults in Nevada. She is a Stepping On Master Trainer, Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance leader, Bingocize leader, and certified in Otago Exercise Program. She has been a multiple sclerosis certified specialist, PWR! Trained, Rocky Steady Boxing Trainer, and Certified Dementia Professional.
Nationally, she is the current Chair of the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy (ANPT) Balance and Falls Special Interest Group and co-developer of APTA Geriatrics Credentialed Balance and Fall Professional courses. She serves her community as a member of the Nevada Physical Therapy Board, Chair of the Nevada Goes Falls Free Coalition, as well as an APTA Geriatrics Nevada State Co-Advocate.
Dr. Nash has clinical experience working with older adults in the acute care, inpatient rehab, and outpatient settings including developing and managing the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health Outpatient Neuro Rehab Program in Las Vegas, Nevada until 2018. She currently works PRN in an outpatient neurologic comprehensive clinic at Dignity Health System in Henderson.
Objective Strength Testing: Optimizing Reproducibility and Utility
Course Description:
This interactive 1.5-hour lab will provide guidance for the implementation of simple objective strength testing measures in clinic, with a focus on fixed in-line testing. There will also be a foundation to determining use cases including screening vs diagnosing and prescribing exercise.
Course Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
1. Understand contributing factors to the efficacy of strength testing.
2. Understand key concepts that inform analysis of objective data.
3. Utilize simple and effective implements for the measurement of force and torque.
4. Understand isometric dosing concepts and parameters.
Bio:
John MacDonald is a physical therapist in Las Vegas, Nevada who works in a variety of settings and jobs including outpatient orthopedics and sports, industrial medicine, acute care, wound care, and mobile therapy and training. The use of objective data to drive clinical design making has long been an area of interest for John, especially when it comes to easy implementation and accessibility. Outside of work and involvement with APTA Nevada, John appreciates activity in tennis, hiking, and travel.