Episodes

Dillinger Carr didn’t approach the NPTE with the goal of simply getting through it. He decided to see how close he could get to the highest achievable score—and earned an 800. But this conversation isn’t really about chasing a number. It’s about what happens when students stop relying on passive studying and start building systems designed for retention, application, and long-term clinical growth. Dillinger, a practicing PTA and student physical therapist, joins Katie Sutton to share how he u...

What does a physical therapist assistant have to do with the business success of a physical therapy practice? More than you might think. On this episode of PTA+, Katie sits down with Paul Martin, founder and president of Martin Healthcare Advisors, for a conversation about the side of physical therapy many clinicians never learn in school: the business behind patient care. Paul has spent decades helping rehabilitation businesses grow, improve operations, build value, and navigate partnerships...

Many clinicians believe burnout is the biggest reason PTs and PTAs leave the profession, but Ben Keeton argues the real issue is something deeper. In this episode, Ben shares why career longevity depends on mentorship, leadership, self-efficacy, and creating opportunities that give clinicians greater control over their time, income, and purpose. Katie and Ben also discuss: Creating careers that last 30 years Why mentorship matters early Leadership beyond job titles Why PTAs are uniquely po...

Not every successful PTA follows a straight path. In this episode, Katie Sutton welcomes Abby Anderson to discuss how curiosity, lifelong learning, and leadership created a career that spans fitness, Pilates, pelvic health, advocacy, and clinical practice. Abby shares how each career experience prepared her for the next—and why PTAs shouldn't feel pressured to fit inside a single job description. They discuss: Following curiosity instead of rigid career plans Investing in certifications and...

What happens when you simply keep saying "yes"? Katie Sutton welcomes Rachel Winthrop, PTA, to discuss an incredible professional journey filled with leadership, advocacy, service, and a passion for helping others. Rachel shares how volunteering through APTA and Special Olympics Healthy Athletes expanded her career while reminding her why she became a PTA in the first place. Whether you're looking for new career inspiration or searching for meaningful ways to serve your community, this episod...

In this episode of the PTA+ Podcast, recorded live at CSM, we sit down with Marc Crawford, PT and educator, to discuss the evolving role of the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) in today’s profession. Marc shares insights from his experience in PTA education, clinical practice, and research, highlighting why PTAs must actively participate in conferences like CSM to stay relevant, build connections, and grow professionally. We explore the importance of PTA and PT collaboration, lessons from ed...

Physical Therapist Assistant education is evolving, and this episode explores exactly how. Recorded live at CSM, Katie sits down with PTA educators Kelly Terry and Adelle Nicholas to discuss innovative approaches designed to make PTA programs more accessible, flexible, and aligned with real-world student needs. They break down new program models including decelerated pathways, clinic-based skill validation, and hyflex learning environments, all aimed at supporting working students and expandin...

In this episode of the PTA+ Podcast, recorded live at CSM, we explore the future of Physical Therapist Assistant education with educators Holly Clynch and Jessica Scholl. With decades of combined experience in PTA education and leadership, they share how their program has been completely reimagined to better serve today’s students and the evolving demands of healthcare. Key topics include: Transitioning from traditional to hybrid PTA education models Reducing cognitive overload for PTA stude...

In this live interview from CSM, Sean Bagbey shares what Physical Therapist Assistants need to understand about leadership, advocacy, and career growth. Sean, founder, educator, and the first PTA delegate from Indiana, dives into how conferences like CSM can be career-defining moments for PTAs willing to step into the room, start conversations, and build meaningful connections. This episode highlights the shift from clinical identity to leadership identity, and why PTAs must actively engage in...

In this live CSM interview, we explore what it really means to grow as a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) in today’s evolving healthcare landscape. Andy Cisneros shares insights from over 25 years in the profession and his transition into talent acquisition and leadership development. This episode challenges PTAs to step beyond traditional roles and actively pursue growth opportunities. What You’ll Learn:Why PTAs need to take ownership of their career growth The evolution of opportunities f...

Burnout in physical therapy is real—and it’s pushing many clinicians to rethink their careers. In this episode of the PTA+ Podcast, we sit down live from CSM with Andrew Schofner, CEO of PtEverywhere, to explore how cash-based and hybrid care models are creating new opportunities for Physical Therapist Assistants. Andrew shares insights on: Why traditional insurance-based models are becoming unsustainable How PTAs can expand into wellness and cash-based services What it looks like to start ...

In this episode recorded live at CSM, we sit down with returning guest Drew Wilcox, a Physical Therapist Assistant, educator, and researcher, to tackle one of the biggest issues in the profession: the broken pathway from PTA to DPT. Drew shares a powerful vision for the future of physical therapy education — one that removes unnecessary barriers, reduces cost, and creates a unified pathway for clinicians to grow. We discuss: Why PTA and DPT education are still siloed The real barriers preven...

In this episode of the PTA+ Podcast, we explore how AI and Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) are transforming the role of the Physical Therapist Assistant. Host Katie Sutton sits down with Ellen Morello, U.S. General Manager at EverEx, to unpack how hybrid care models are expanding access, reducing burnout, and creating new opportunities for PTAs. You’ll learn: What RTM actually looks like in daily practice How PTAs contribute to patient outcomes in hybrid care Why AI is becoming a critic...

In this episode of the PTA+ Podcast, Katie interviews Valerie Bueschlein, a Physical Therapist Assistant working in outpatient neurological rehabilitation who also serves as a spinal cord injury caregiver and patient advocate. Valerie shares the deeply personal story of her husband’s catastrophic injury and how it reshaped her understanding of rehabilitation, caregiving, and advocacy. Through that experience she learned that injuries affect far more than the patient — they impact caregivers, f...

Clinician wellness isn’t just about self-care, it’s about leadership, ethics, and systems that either protect or drain healthcare professionals. In this live conversation from CSM, Lisa Kohler, PT and Ohio Physical Therapy Association board member, discusses a new national survey exploring wellness across the therapy profession, including Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs), who have historically been left out of research. Five years after COVID, clinicians are still reporting anxiety, burnou...

Aquatic therapy might be one of the most overlooked tools in rehab, and Wendy Enck is here to make the case for bringing it back to the spotlight. Recorded live at APTA’s CSM, this conversation explores how Physical Therapist Assistants can use water to accelerate balance recovery, reduce chronic pain, and build patient confidence faster than traditional land-based rehab alone. With fewer than 300 PTAs attending CSM out of 15–20,000 rehab professionals, this episode is also a rally cry: show u...

APTA CSM is buzzing — but is it worth it for a Physical Therapist Assistant? Katie talks with Margie Nguyen (Not Just a PTA) to talk about: Why PTAs need to show up at national conferences Networking strategies that actually work Pelvic health advocacy for postpartum patients Growing your PTA career beyond the clinic How to “put yourself out there” without fear If you’re a PTA wondering whether CSM belongs in your career path — this episode is for you. Key Themes PTA identity & visibilit...

Permission to Lead: Why PTAs Must Stop Self-Limiting Recorded live at CSM, this episode is a direct challenge to every Physical Therapist Assistant who has ever thought, “There’s no room for growth.” Deanne Yates shares her journey from PTA to national-level leadership involvement, including work with FSBPT and PTA governance initiatives. She discusses: Why PTA and PT are both terminal clinical designations The danger of self-limiting beliefs Running for national office as a PTA Artificial...

In this episode of PTA+ (Physical Therapist Assistant), Katie talks with Ryan Elsass, PTA, CSCS, owner of Ace Sports Performance in Pittsburgh. Ryan shares how failing forward—PT school rejection and an early setback in PTA school—pushed him into a niche bridging rehab to real-life performance for golfers, tennis players, and pickleball athletes. We cover: Why patients often get re-injured after discharge—and how to close the gap The mindset shift: don’t demonize pickleball (or deadlifts)—trai...

Feeling overwhelmed about CSM? You’re not alone. In this episode, Katie flips the format and lets Macy Frederick Rogers (first-time attendee) ask the questions every PTA is thinking—so you can walk into CSM with a plan. You’ll hear practical tips on: How to build a schedule you can actually follow (without burnout) What first-timers miss in the exhibit hall (including activations + APTA pavilion moments) Networking that doesn’t feel cringey—and why talking to presenters matters Packing and ...

Your Physical Therapist Assistant career can be bigger than a job title—and Sara Conrad is living proof. Sara shares how she built a career blending outpatient ortho, sports performance, ethics, leadership, and education while staying rooted in patient care. You’ll hear: How Sara found the PTA path through a truly nonlinear journey What licensure boards actually do (and how they differ from association work) How FSBPT involvement can open doors for PTAs Why ethics and leadership aren’t “ext...

New York’s move to general supervision for PTAs is a major win—and a powerful case study in why advocacy matters. In this episode, Katie sits down with clinic leaders to unpack: What general supervision really changes for PTAs How advocacy led to meaningful policy reform Why rural and outpatient clinics are expanding PTA-led models The truth about the PTA modifier and reimbursement How mentorship sustains careers—not just clinics This conversation is essential listening for PTAs, students...

Jessica Hochberg proves that being a PTA is not a limitation - it is a launchpad. In this episode, Katie talks with Jessica (former Director of Rehab, certified stroke rehab and fall prevention specialist, and MBA in healthcare management) about the career moves PTAs are not always taught: how to build leadership skills, reframe your transferable strengths, and pursue non-clinical paths like quality, documentation review, and health tech. In this episode, we cover: Why leadership roles often d...

What does leadership look like for PTAs—and how do you grow into it when the path isn’t always clear? In this episode of PTA+, host Katie Sutton sits down with Amy Smith Hamel, PTA, a respected leader in physical therapy and Regional Director of Operations at Restore Therapy in Alabama, for a grounded, honest conversation about leadership, growth, and saying yes before you feel ready. Amy shares her journey into leadership, the moments that shaped her career, and why mentorship, service, and s...