“I hope that the students see my passion, energy, and enthusiasm, and that it motivates them to find the joy of the content and the learning process.”
Years at Midwestern University:
10 years
Research Interests:
- Using novel quantitative methods to explain why individuals with developmental disabilities move differently than healthy individuals.
- Develop and critically evaluate the effectiveness of surgical and therapeutic interventions to enhance functional mobility in individuals with neuromuscular and musculoskeletal disorders.
Accomplishing these goals is facilitated by the resources available at Shriners Children’s Chicago, including state-of-the-art technology in the motion analysis centers (MAC) and access to experienced orthopedic surgeons. Additional resources are available through relationships with Marquette University and the University of North Texas, allowing access to a collaborative network of biomedical engineers, computer scientists, students, and post-doctoral fellows.
For the past 20 years, I worked with children with orthopedic and neuromuscular conditions at Shriners Children's Chicago. I started off in the rehabilitation department, and then I transitioned over to the motion analysis centers where we continue to use motion capture technology, the same type of technology that they use in animated movies and video games, to analyze the movement of children with different types of neuromuscular and musculoskeletal conditions. And we do that from a research and clinical perspective. We analyze how they walk from a biomechanics perspective that allows us to calculate the motion of different parts of their legs, as well as the movements that impact their joints when they're walking.
We also use electromyography to understand how the neuromuscular system controls the muscles that help people move the way that they do to identify typical movement patterns and track those atypical patterns across development. Based on the information, decisions are made as far as treatment, and that can include anything from braces, therapy, and medications all the way up to orthopedic and neurological surgeries. This ultimately improves their walking ability, and we use the same technology to measure the effectiveness of treatments provided to the children. We also do a lot of research and development to improve those practices. One of the current projects that I'm working on is the application of machine learning and artificial intelligence, algorithms, strategies, and tools to be able to improve the decision-making process for those children, particularly children with cerebral palsy.
What is the most rewarding part of being a member of the Midwestern University faculty?:
Working with a diverse group of experts who all share a common goal of providing the best educational experience for our students.
How do you engage students in the learning process?:
I engage students with energy and passion for the content that I am teaching. I hope that my interactions with them continually reinforce that I truly care about them, their learning experiences, and their successes.
What do you hope students learn from your classes?:
One of my favorite things to say to students is that although we need to teach them information that needs memorization, my goal is for them to learn the “how” and “why” of problem solving/clinical decision-making. If you can answer the “how” and “why,” then you can work your way through any problem/question, evaluate your decision-making processes, and continually make it more effective/efficient. If you standardize that process, then you can go back and evaluate, reflect, and then update or modify it to be more effective or efficient.
Teaching clinical decision-making or problem-solving brings me joy, seeing the eyes open, and those moments when it clicks. It is just the most rewarding part of being in an educational environment with students. I hope that the students see my passion, energy, and enthusiasm, and that it motivates them to find the joy of the content and the learning process.
What lessons would you like students to take with them in their professional careers?:
Never stop having a love for the process of learning. If you go for a day without learning something new, then that’s on you. One of our previous Chiefs of Staff at Shriners Children’s once said that as long as every decision you make is in the best interest of your patients, then you will never go wrong.
What about your profession should people know more about?:
The demand for physical therapy will continue to increase. We're starting to appreciate the role of movement, health and wellness, and fitness in improving the maximization of quality of life. There is a rise in the aging population. They want to stay active, and we need to use our expertise to help them achieve those goals. Adults are participating in more physical activities that run the risk of injury, and we see the same thing in children. Physical therapists can have a role in prevention, as well as rehabilitation.
Advances in machine learning and AI are improving the effectiveness and efficiency of service delivery. Also, there are more opportunities to work with and monitor patients remotely. Such advances will enhance access to services for remote and underserved patients. Finally, there are continued efforts to promote One Health/interdisciplinary care of patients with an emphasis on health and wellness. These efforts will promote a more holistic care model for patients.
The other thing that I really like about our pediatric curriculum here at Midwestern University is that we've developed great relationships with our colleagues in the Chicagoland area, as well as establishing a good alumni network. And, because of those relationships, we can provide our students with experiential learning opportunities in the classroom.
Anything to add?:
I think Midwestern University is an incredible environment to promote education, scholarship, and service. I feel very fortunate to serve this community. As faculty and staff, as long as every decision we make is in the best interest of our students, then we will never go wrong.
