Get Ready for Ascend 2022: What 10 Speakers are Saying

Our 2022 Ascend conference is coming in hot! We can barely wait to get so many industry rock stars together to share, learn, and grow together. As we dust off our party pants and tweak our final plans, we made time to sit down with a few of our scheduled speakers to learn what they are looking forward to at Ascend.

(Answers have been edited for clarity and length.)

Kendell M. Jno-Finn, PT, DPT, TPI-M2

Kendell M. Jno-Finn was born in Dominica, West Indies and moved to Alabama in 1999 to attend Samford University. There, he earned a bachelor’s in education with a concentration in exercise science and completed his doctorate in physical therapy at The University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2007. Since graduating he has worked in private practice. After growing an existing practice, he ventured out to establish his M3 Endeavors, a full-spectrum health and wellness practice.

What are you most looking forward to at Ascend? 

I’m most excited about being with people who are going to challenge my perspectives.

Who are you looking forward to meeting with at Ascend? 

I want to meet 10 people who I don’t yet know that will join me in changing the world.

What is the top thing you want attendees to learn from your session? 

There are opportunities to impact the world and still run a profitable company.

Catch Kendell’s Trailblazer Talk on May 20 at 2 p.m., and hear him speak on the panel, “ DEI in Action: How Clinics and Therapists Can Take Real Steps to Expand Inclusivity in Practice,” at 2:50 p.m. at Ascend. 

Therasa Bell 

Therasa Bell is the President and CTO of Kno2, healthcare network enabling secure, effortless, and maximized exchange of patient information. She has dedicated her career to addressing the widening gap between mainstream healthcare and the rest of the care continuum. A true inventor at heart, Therasa has designed and implemented multiple technologies and systems, is the holder of multiple patents for clinical workflows, unstructured clinical documents, subnetworks, and aggregating healthcare networks. Therasa was recently recognized in the class of “Women in Health IT to Watch in 2022” by Becker’s Hospital Review. 

What are you most looking forward to at Ascend?

I'm most looking forward to the opportunity to meet with our country's therapists in person after two and a half of the most difficult and transformative years in healthcare, especially rehab therapy. [I’m looking forward to] understanding what concerns are top of mind, how [therapists] are coping, and what excites them about the future.  

Who are you looking forward to meeting with at Ascend?

Therapy providers representing all therapy settings and sizes. All have different needs and I would like to understand the perspectives of each.

What is the top thing you want attendees to learn from your session?

Interoperability has been a topic for a long time, often overlooked in the therapy space. Now interoperability is a pressing requirement, not only from a regulation and compliance standpoint, but also in regard to industry pressures and business viability. But, instead of discussing the technology details, the main thing I want therapists to walk away with is understanding the outcomes and benefits of how interoperability, applied correctly, can be transformative to their business, their staff, and in driving patient outcomes.

Catch Therasa’s presentation, “Interoperability: Changing the Discussion from Technology to Outcomes,” on May 20 at 10:25 a.m. at Ascend. 

Brian Gallagher, PT 

In 1997, Brian Gallagher founded one of Maryland’s largest therapy staffing companies, while at the same time launched a multi-site private practice which he sold in 2006. Brian reacquired the practice in 2008, thus doubling it, before winning Ascend’s “Practice of the Year” award in 2011. When Brian is not coaching or working on the training platform, he can be found giving lectures at APTA’s PPS and CSM annual conferences, as well as at APTA state chapters and DPT schools across the country.

What are you most looking forward to at Ascend?

Networking with other highly trained professionals in physical therapy. I’m most looking forward to hopefully grasping some advanced technology concepts, ideas, or applications. I feel strongly that we need to advance our clinical applications and our professional applicants with the use of technology. I’m looking forward to walking away with new ideas for advancing tech. 

Who are you looking forward to meeting with at Ascend?

I’m looking forward to meeting with WebPT leadership. WebPT is a mover in our industry—and I'd like to get to know some more people in the WebPT family.

What is the top thing you want attendees to learn from your session?

I want attendees to walk away with the idea that starting your own practice and being your own boss—being in control of your future—can be rewarding. However, what can coexist to the same degree of satisfaction and freedom is being an “intrapreneur” in an organization. I want to erase the notion that you can only have freedom and autonomy as an entrepreneur. It can be symbiotic.

I’ll also cover how entrepreneurs can bring people along who have a common purpose and common goals—and encourage them to become intrapreneurs. After all, being an employee must encompass more than a compensation package in this day and age.

Brian’s presentation, “The Intrapreneur vs. Entrepreneur: Finding Your Path to Physical Therapy Private Practice Success,” will be given on May 20 at 10:25 a.m. at Ascend.

John Woolf, PT, MS, ATC, COMT, PhD (cand.) 

John Woolf is the CEO of Patient Success Systems, which provides health care providers and organizations with systems and specific training to improve outcomes through patient-provider relationship training, change language, and relationship-centered care. His expertise is focused on the application of a biopsychosocial approach to healthcare. With research and courses that integrate rehabilitation science with psychology and neuroscience, he provides healthcare providers with a deep and broad understanding of how patients and clinicians create a therapeutic alliance for better outcomes. He is currently completing a PhD in performance psychology at Grand Canyon University. 

What are you most looking forward to at Ascend?

Well, I've never been to Charlotte, NC. I hear it's a foodie town, and I like food!

Who are you looking forward to meeting with at Ascend?

I love hanging out with Rick Lybbert and Jason Lobb from Mountain Land Physical Therapy. (Check out their “4 Secrets of a ‘Good to Great’ Company” presentation at Ascend on May 20 at 11:35 a.m.) They’re great guys. I have had only one short conversation with Heidi and would like to spend some time with her, too.

What is the top thing you want attendees to learn from your session?

Successful business requires that we consider the value proposition to our customers. While customer satisfaction and loyalty are not new concepts, in order to improve this key performance indicator, we must consider the evolving science that describes the unique relationship that exists between the patient and provider in a therapeutic setting. 

I want attendees to get "psyched up" about better outcomes with a deeper understanding of how people connect with each other, how this connection matters in business culture, and how it translates to customer relationships. I hope attendees walk away with a fundamentally new way of thinking about patient engagement. 

Don’t miss John’s presentation, “The Psychology of Engagement: Integrating the Necessary Skills to Improve Outcomes,” on May 20 at 11:35 a.m. at Ascend.

Rick Gawenda, PT

Rick Gawenda is the founder and President of Gawenda Seminars & Consulting, Inc. He is the past president of the Section on Health Policy and Administration of the APTA, the past president of the Michigan Association of Medical Rehabilitation Program Administrators, and a past member of the Payment Policy Committee of the Private Practice Section of APTA. He is also the author of “The How-To Manual for Rehab Documentation: A Complete Guide to Increasing Reimbursement and Reducing Denials” and “Coding and Billing For Outpatient Rehab Made Easy: Proper Use of CPT Codes, ICD-9 Codes and Modifiers.”

What are you most looking forward to at Ascend?

Being face-to-face with people, catching up with old friends, and meeting new ones. I’m really looking forward to the networking opportunities that Ascend provides with all of the participants having breakfast and lunch together as well as the opening night reception.

Who are you looking forward to meeting with at Ascend?

People associated with remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM) companies.

What is the top thing you want attendees to learn from your session?  

I want attendees to learn that RTM can be a viable revenue stream for their practice and that RTM does not replace in-person therapy visits, but is in addition to those visits. Also, I want participants to understand what must be documented in the medical record to support the RTM billing and how and when to bill the RTM codes.

Rick’s presentation, “Understanding Remote Therapeutic Monitoring as it Applies to Outpatient Physical and Occupational Therapy,” will be given on May 20 at 2:50 p.m. at Ascend.

Ashley Campbell, PT, DPT, SCS

Ashley has worked extensively with athletes at all levels including PGA, NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB. She lectures nationally and internationally on topics ranging from hip rehabilitation to injury prevention and functional movement, including speaking at the International Society for Hip Arthroscopy. She is a lead instructor with Advances in Clinical Education and holds an Adjunct Faculty position with Belmont University’s School of Physical Therapy in Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. She serves as the managing editor of the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy and has won awards for leadership and clinical skills from Belmont University and the APTA’s Sports Physical Therapy Section.

 What are you most looking forward to at Ascend?

I am really looking forward to the energy that Ascend seems to bring. This will be my first time, and from watching the recaps, it looks like an absolute blast!

Who are you looking forward to meeting with at Ascend?

Everyone! As I said, this is my first year attending and I am very excited to network with so many like-minded professionals—plus see a few of my friends!

What is the top thing you want attendees to learn from your session?

I want people to think outside the “traditional” box and really embrace the value we provide for our patients and clients. I see too often that therapists downplay or undervalue their knowledge and specializations and I personally think that plays into burnout.

Hear Ashley speak on the panel, “Breaking New Ground: How to Innovate Your Clinic in 2022,” on May 20 at 2:50 p.m. at Ascend.

Michelle Collie, PT, MS, DPT, OCS

Dr. Michelle Collie serves as the CEO of Performance Physical Therapy and believes in embracing change every day to ensure her team is continually evolving to provide the very best care. Today, Performance PT continues to be 100% owned and operated by local physical therapists and is celebrating 20 years of providing the best care to the community. Michelle also serves as the President of the APTA, Rhode Island. In her spare time, you will find Michelle participating in just about any activity that involves water, snow, or running. 

What are you most looking forward to at Ascend?

Innovative and forward-thinking conversations—in-person!  

Who are you looking forward to meeting with at Ascend?

Ashley Campbell and Randy Hite—who will join me on our panel.

What is the top thing you want attendees to learn from your session?

We have the knowledge, expertise, and opportunity to transform our profession now—and truly be the primary care providers in musculoskeletal health. I will discuss how we can all “behave” to ensure our communities see us and utilize us as their primary care providers.

You can catch Michelle speaking on the panel, “Breaking New Ground: How to Innovate Your Clinic in 2022,” on May 20 at 2:50 p.m. at Ascend.

Randy Hite, PT. 

Randy Hite is a Wyoming state-licensed PT for 26 years, APTA Board Certified Sports Specialist PT for 16 years, and NSCA certified strength and conditioning specialist for 25 years. He is the co-owner of the largest private practice in Wyoming, Gillette Physical Therapy, director of APEX performance training and recovery center, and Chief Clinical Officer for 180 MSK systems. Randy is also a member of the sports science team for the Colorado Avalanche, Denver Nuggets, and Colorado Rapids. Randy loves to teach and maintains that strong desire to learn.

What are you most looking forward to at Ascend? 

First off, thank you for the opportunity to sit down and have some fun at the upcoming Ascend conference. I am looking forward to some great discussion, some learning, and rubbing elbows with some of the most forward-thinking professionals in our industry today.

A conference such as Ascend is about networking and connection. Bringing the industry veterans together with industry rookies to collaborate on best practice standards for advancing our profession to the next level. I am most looking forward to being a part of this collaborative effort.  

Who are you looking forward to meeting with at Ascend?

I am looking forward to meeting with anyone and everyone at Ascend. I believe everyone has the capability to add value to this profession, and also has a great story to tell.

What is the top thing you want attendees to learn from your session? 

The cost to provide health care is on the rise, and reimbursement to provide that same level of care is shrinking. Now more than ever, our profession needs to step up, establish ourselves as musculoskeletal experts, seek out opportunities that exist, and think outside the box. Attendees should be inspired to know that these are times, not just to survive, but to thrive in the industry.  

Hear Randy speak on the panel, “Breaking New Ground: How to Innovate Your Clinic in 2022,” on May 20 at 2:50 p.m. at Ascend.

Robin Black

Robin Black joined Ivy Rehab in 2018 as its Chief People Officer. Robin has more than 15 years of experience in Human Resources in shaping high-performing cultures and retaining top talent. Robin leads Ivy Rehab’s Human Resources department, including its Talent Acquisition, HR Operations, and Regional HR Business Partner teams. Robin and the HR team are passionate about ensuring that “it’s all about the people” at Ivy Rehab—its patients, its community partners, and its teammates. Outside of work, Robin is on the Board of Directors of The Tiny Miracles Foundation and enjoys spending time with her husband Scott, triplet teenagers, and rescue dogs Cassidy and Harper.

What are you most looking forward to at Ascend? 

The opportunity to meet, connect with, and learn from professionals across the industry

Who are you looking forward to meeting with at Ascend?  

Anyone who has a passion for people and wants to talk about attracting and retaining talented clinicians and leaders—come find me!

What is the top thing you want attendees to learn from your session?

My hope is that, through our session, we’re able to amplify our work around inclusion, diversity, and belonging across the physical therapy space. I expect to learn quite a bit from my fellow panel members and from the session participants, and I look forward to sharing some of the work we’ve engaged in throughout our ID&B journey at Ivy Rehab.

Catch Robin speaking on the panel, “DEI in Action: How Clinics and Therapists Can Take Real Steps to Expand Inclusivity in Practice,” on May 20 at 2:50 p.m. at Ascend.

The 2022 Ascend conference is fast approaching, and we can’t wait to get all of these industry leaders together to share their thoughts, opinions, and wisdom on all things PT. There will also be awesome opportunities for meaningful networking and plenty of dynamic activities to get your bodies and brains moving in the right direction.

Check out our full speaker lineup here, snag yourself a ticket, and be a part of the ultimate rehab therapy business summit—you won’t regret it!