Maine Neurologic PT SIG
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Purpose of the Maine Neurologic SIG
To create community and provide opportunities for networking, collaboration, advocacy, resource sharing, and continuing education amongst PTs and PTAs with a common interest in Neurologic Physical Therapy.
Join Here!
Click HERE to join the Maine Neurologic SIG and add your email address to the mailing list for quarterly newsletters and updates. For a calendar invite please contact Katie at kpalano@gmail.com or Cory at cory.hall716@gmail.com.
Meet our Board Members
Chair: Kathryn Palano PT, DPT, MPH, NCS
Katie has been a PT for 9 years with a focus in neurologic and prosthetic rehabilitation. After graduating from MGH Institute of Health Professions, she worked on the general medical unit at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and achieved a Clinical Specialty Certification in Neurologic Physical Therapy. She currently works in southern Maine for Rehab Without Walls, an intensive home and community neurorehab program and for Saco Bay Physical Therapy’s multidisciplinary neurorehab clinic in Portland, where she leads their prosthetic training program. She is also a lab instructor for University of New England and Tufts University DPT programs. Motivated by her clinical experiences, she received a Master of Public Health in Parks & Recreation from Indiana University Bloomington in 2022. Because of her passion for promoting healthy communities through nature's health benefits, active living, equitable access to the outdoors, and cross sector collaboration, she works as an inclusive recreation and outdoor accessibility educator, advocate, and consultant.
Vice Chair: Heather-Pearl Eastty PT, DPT, NCS
Heather has been a PT with a focus in Neuro for 9 years. After graduating from Ithaca College, she got her dream job at Magee Rehabilitation Hospital in Philadelphia (now Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehab Hospital - Center City). Heather achieved Board Certification in Neurologic Physical Therapy from ABPTS in 2019. Her areas of interest include acquired brain injury, CVA, and seating & positioning, with an extensive background in spinal cord injury. She is excited to now be in Maine, and for the opportunity to participate in this new special interest group. She hopes to use the knowledge she has gained after almost a decade working with complex neurologic diagnoses to be a resource for all Maine PTs.
Secretary: Nicole Milad, PT, DPT, NCS
Nicole Milad is Doctor of Physical Therapy with more than 7 years experience working in the inpatient and outpatient settings, primarily focusing her career recently in neurological conditions. She completed her undergraduate and graduate education at Ithaca College, receiving her doctorate degree in 2016. She has experience in inpatient and outpatient settings, recently working at Massachusetts General Hospital such as Stroke, Brain injury, vestibular and other neurological diagnoses. In 2023, she joined the the Maine Strong Balance Center team, now focusing on outpatient neurological rehabilitation. In 2023, she received her Neurological Clinical Specialization from the APTA. She loves to work in the outpatient setting to help patients meet their goals and live their most fulfilling lives. Outside the clinic, Nicole can be found enjoying the beach in the summer, skiing in the winter and spending time with friends and family.
Nominating Committee: Cory Hall PT, DPT, ATC, NCS
Cory Hall is an Assistant Professor in the physical therapy program at Franklin Pierce University. He teaches courses related to kinesiology, neuroanatomy, motor control and management of individuals with neurologic impairments. He previously was a Center Manager for an outpatient multidisciplinary center in Portland, ME for Saco Bay Physical Therapy working full time clinically with individuals with neurologic impairments. Cory received his DPT from Virginia Commonwealth University and became board certified in neurologic physical therapy in 2019 while working in inpatient acute rehab with individuals with strokes, brain injuries and cancers of the nervous system. He was a clinical lab instructor for the University of New England for adult neurologic rehab as well as teaching the vestibular content from 2018-2022. His scholarly interests revolve around expertise in neurologic physical therapy and vestibular rehab especially central vestibular disorders.
Student Liaison (University of New England): Jacqueline Keller, SPT
Jacqueline Keller is a first year DPT student enrolled at the University of New England. She has a professional background in film and television production where she worked as a location scout and assistant location manager. She also has experience working in event management and hospitality and is looking forward to using these skills to engage her fellow students with the Neuro SIG. In her free time, she enjoys distance running and hiking with her dog.
Student Liaison (Hussen University): Abby Ketch, SPT
My name is Abby Ketch and I am so excited to be the Husson student liaison for the Maine Neuro SIG. While I am currently slated to graduate with my DPT in May of 2025, I will also hopefully be completing my MBA in Healthcare Administration in December of 2024! My interest in neuro PT began when I was an undergraduate student and I did my first research paper on TBIs. After that, I became a little obsessed and wrote nearly every single paper on this topic. I look forward to spreading my love of this specialty!
Amputee Section Liaison: Dylan Lieber, PT, DPT, CBIS
Dylan Klieber is Doctor of Physical Therapy with 9 years experience working in the inpatient and outpatient settings, with a focus on prosthetic and neurologic rehabilitation. Dylan completed his doctorate at Stony Brook University in New York, after which he worked in the inpatient setting at St. Davids Rehabilitation in Austin, Texas. At St. David’s, Dylan worked on the Amputee and Neuro Team, and received his credentialing as a Brain Injury Specialist. Dylan moved to Maine in 2020 and began working at New England Rehabilitation Hospital in Portland, after which he joined the Maine Strong Balance Center team in Scarborough. In 2023 Dylan created the Amputee Program at Maine Strong Balance Center, with a focus on providing high quality care and a comprehensive therapy experience for individuals living with limb loss and limb difference in Maine. In his free time Dylan loves going to the beach with his family and is an avid soccer and music fan.
What would you like from the neurologic SIG?
Please click HERE to fill out a survey on what you would like the new Neurologic SIG to focus on.
For more information please email info@maineapta.org.