2026 Annual Conference

Melinda Ferguson has 12 years of experience in acute care at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and over 7 years as an adjunct instructor at the University of Cincinnati. Her passion is geriatric care, and she is certified in the Modern Management of the Older Adult. As an educator, Melinda works to increase her students' critical thinking skills and passion for lifelong learning, as these are essential attributes of a health care professional.

Audrey is a licensed physical therapist and faculty member at the University of Cincinnati. She completed her PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences in 2017 and postdoctoral fellowship in Learning Health and Delivery System Science in 2020. She has taught clinical content across the DPT curriculum including pathophysiology, interprofessional education and collaborative practice, cardiopulmonary PT, acute care and complex patient management, and health promotion and wellness. She served as a co-author and core team member of the APTA Acute Care section's first Clinical Practice Guideline published in PTJ (May 2025) focused on use of functional outcome measures in the acute hospital environment.

Patrick Kitzman is a Professor in the Physical Therapy Program at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Kitzman received his PhD from Ohio State University and his PT, and MSPT from the University of Kentucky. He has 26 years of clinical and teaching experience in the care of individuals with neurological conditions. His externally funded research bridges basic science and community-based initiatives, with a focus on improving access to essential resources to improve quality of life and community participation for people with disabilities. Dr. Kitzman directs the Appalachian Center for Assistive Technology (ACAT), which has locations in Hazard and Morehead. ACAT supports assistive technology in rural eastern Kentucky through demonstrations and consultation, short-term equipment loans, a maker space, workforce development, and durable medical equipment refurbishing and reuse programs. I addition, ACAT engages local high school students of all abilities in community accessibility initiatives.

Dr. Levay earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Georgetown College in 2012, a Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2017, and a PhD in Health Professions Education in 2022, both from Bellarmine University. She is a Board-Certified Pelvic and Women’s Health Clinical Specialist. Dr. Levay is a full-time faculty member at Bellarmine University, where she teaches a variety of courses related to musculoskeletal, research, and pelvic health content. Her research interests include pelvic health education and simulation, as well as understanding the impact of connective tissue disorders on complex pelvic presentations. Dr. Levay practices clinically at Athletico physical therapy specializing in treatment of pelvic floor and orthopedic diagnoses in people with hypermobility. She also serves as one of the co-Directors of the Male Health Special Interest Group for the Academy of Pelvic Health and is passionate about minimizing gender based equity gaps in pelvic floor care.

Dr. Callie E. Latham graduated with her doctorate in physical therapy in 2016, completed her orthopedic residency in 2018, and became a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy in 2019. She then pursued further training in pelvic health physical therapy focusing on pre- and post-partum care. Presently, she is a full-time professor at Bellarmine University, instructing in anatomy, orthopedics, differential diagnosis, and pelvic health tracts, and a clinician serving pelvic health and orthopedic patients. Her professional passions include advancing health equity, actively engaging in community outreach to improve the lives of mothers, and contributing to the development of future leaders in the field through curriculum innovation and mentorship. She is an engaged member of the APTA’s Academy of Pelvic Health and is involved in research focused on improving DPT pelvic health education and fostering socially responsive and community-driven practitioners.

Dr. Nate Nevin earned his Bachelor of Health Science and his Doctor of Physical Therapy degrees from Bellarmine University. He earned a certification in Manual Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine. He is fellowship-trained in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy and a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists. He has many years of experience treating patients in an orthopedic environment and currently works at the MVMT Institute, a private practice in southern Indiana. He is an assistant professor and the Director of Admissions for the DPT program. His primary teaching responsibilities are in clinical and functional anatomy and in the examination and treatment of the extremities and the spine. He received the Frances C. Ekstam Award from APTA Indiana in 2023.

Dr. Avery Schroyer is a Lexington native who opened Titan Physical Therapy to serve his community. Avery believes that a patient's physical therapy experience starts with education and ends with preventative care. He has seen a change in the healthcare system and wants to make a difference. He wants your healthcare to be about you.

Since graduating from the University of Kentucky Physical Therapy Program with his doctorate, Avery has made it a point to place patient care and education first when he practices. Avery believes in educating his patients on their diagnosis, and on how their treatment leads to better results and prevention of injury.

Avery has served on the Board of Directors of the Kentucky Physical Therapy Association and has worked with the University of Kentucky's Samaritans Touch free clinic. When not working, he is enjoying time with his wife and four children.

Teresa graduated with her entry-level master's degree from the University of Kentucky in 2006 and earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in 2008. She is a board certified clinical specialist in both orthopedic and women’s health and pelvic physical therapy. She enjoys working with people of all ages and genders with pelvic health dysfunction. She also cares for professional dancers at Louisville Ballet Company, as well as students at local dance studios. Her research has been published in peer-reviewed journals, including Journal of Orthopedic Sports Physical Therapy and Journal of Dance Medicine and Science.

Lisa Zuber is Professor of Physical Therapy at Southern Nazarene University where she is developing a DPT program designed for the working PTA. She holds a BS degree in physical therapy, an MS degree in education, and a PhD in physical therapy. She had a variety of experience in physical therapy practice and education before becoming Associate Director of the Department of Accreditation at APTA for 12 years. She returned to education in 2008 and became passionate about the delivery of physical therapy curricula in a blended format, earning a certificate in blended learning in 2017. She has taught pharmacology in DPT programs as well as continuing education in pharmacology for practicing physical therapists. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, the Health Humanities Consortium, and has been active with Hands of Light in Action, a disaster relief NGO. She a 2021 Fellow of the Louisville-based Health Enterprise Network.