Episode 33: Evidence-Based Treatment for the Upper Extremities following a Stroke

01/28/25 • 55 min

Evidence To Excellence: News In Neuroplasticity and Rehab

Host Polly Swingle is joined by Gabrielle Tremp, MS, OTRL, and Dr. Elizabeth Osantowski, PT, DPT, CSRS, to discuss the latest evidence and research to treating individuals with upper extremity impairments following a stroke. Listen in to hear about what to expect following a stroke as it relates to the upper extremities, as well as the latest evidence-based practice to maximize recovery and function.
Gabrielle Tremp, MS, OTRL, is a licensed Occupational Therapist with a Master's degree from Western Michigan University. With three years of experience in the field, she has spent the last 2.5 years at TRP, where she specializes in neurorehabilitation, including The Recovery Project's Concentrated Stroke Rehab Program. Gabrielle also works in acute care on the orthopedic and trauma unit. Outside of her OT role, she has a passion for dance and teaches both traditional and adaptive dance. Recently, she launched the "Together in Motion" adaptive dance class at The Recovery Project. Gabrielle is especially passionate about working with clients facing neurological challenges, particularly those with spinal cord injuries, stroke, and Parkinson's disease.
Dr. Elizabeth Osantowski, PT, DPT, CSRS, is a dedicated physical therapist at The Recovery Project, specializing in neurological rehabilitation. She earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Central Michigan University in 2021 and has since focused her career on treating neurological diseases and disorders. Elizabeth is a Certified Stroke Rehabilitation Specialist and an integral part of the Concentrated Stroke Rehab program at The Recovery Project. Additionally, she is a certified PWR! Moves Therapist. Since joining the team in 2023, Elizabeth has developed a strong passion for treating patients who have had a stroke and people with Parkinson's disease, continually advancing her expertise in these areas.

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View our website at www.therecoveryproject.net
Call us 855-877-1944 to become a patient
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Thanks for listening!

Learn more about The Recovery Project!

View our website at www.therecoveryproject.net
Call us 855-877-1944 to become a patient
Follow us on Instagram
Like us on Facebook

Thanks for listening!

Previous Episode

Episode 32: Sales and Marketing Strategies In Healthcare

Host Polly Swingle is joined by Marketing Representatives Lindsay Vos, CTRS, and Mike Knott, to talk about their approaches to marketing the services provided by The Recovery Project. Listen in to hear about successes and barriers encountered in the marketing world, specifically when representing a private practice outpatient rehabilitation clinic. Topics discussed range from marketing materials, referral metrics, outcome measures, community events, and much more!
Lindsay Vos, CTRS, joined The Recovery Project in 2021 and is a stroke survivor, recreational therapist, marketing representative, and wellness trainer. Lindsay is a former collegiate athlete who graduated from the University of Toledo with her bachelor's degree in recreational therapy. Lindsay has always been interested in learning more about the brain and physical medicine and rehabilitation. She has a strong background working many years with individuals who sustained a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury from catastrophic accidents. Lindsay is passionate about community reintegration and animal-assisted therapy to promote non-pharmacological pain management techniques which ultimately improve an individual’s quality of life. Lindsay knows what it is like to be both a patient and a therapist, as she suffered from a massive stroke in 2017. Lindsay participated in both physical and occupational therapy here at The Recovery Project and feels honored to now work here.
Mike Knott has been working for The Recovery Project since 2011. With a passion for all things sports and healing, upon graduating from high school, he first began as a Rehab Tech. Following graduating from Central Michigan University with a Bachelors in Exercise Science: Kinesiology, he became a Rehab Trainer at The Recovery Projects Livonia clinic. Since then, he has had the opportunity to work at all three locations, gained the knowledge and understanding of what it means to do things the TRP way, and is now out in the sales and marketing world as a Marketing Representative for the company.

Learn more about The Recovery Project!

View our website at www.therecoveryproject.net
Call us 855-877-1944 to become a patient
Follow us on Instagram
Like us on Facebook

Thanks for listening!

Next Episode

Episode 34: Introduction to ARC-EX Therapy, Transcutaneous Electrical Spinal Cord Stimulation

Host Polly Swingle is joined by Dr. TJ Hosa PT, DPT, and Mark Pedziwiatr MS, OTR/L, ATP, to discuss the ARC-EX by Onward Medical, the first system approved for non-invasive spinal cord stimulation for people with spinal cord injury (SCI). It is intended to deliver programmed, transcutaneous electrical spinal cord stimulation in conjunction with functional task practice in the clinic to improve hand sensation and strength in individuals between 18 and 75 years old that present with a chronic, non-progressive neurological deficit resulting from an incomplete spinal cord injury (C2-C8 inclusive). In 2024, the ARC-EX System was granted FDA clearance to market in the United States. You can learn more about this system for use in the clinical setting at www.onwd.com.

Dr. TJ Hosa PT, DPT, earned his Bachelors Degree in Exercise Science from Ohio State University (2011) and Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Ohio University (2015). TJ has been a Physical Therapist at The Recovery Project for 10 years. He is the lead of the spinal cord injury and vestibular programs and has additional training in functional electrical stimulation (FES). TJ also specializes in the implementation of high intensity therapy for patients with neuro diagnoses. He is also certified in dry needling and has used it to treat spasticity and a multitude of pain syndromes.

Mark Pedziwiatr MS, OTR/L, ATP, earned his Master's degree in Occupational Therapy from Midwestern University, where he conducted research on rehabilitation technology. As an occupational therapist, he brings experience across the continuum of care, including outpatient, inpatient, and acute-care settings. In his current role as a Therapy Consultant with Onward Medical, Mark leverages his clinical experience to support the integration and training of therapists in the use of ARC-EX within spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation clinics across the Midwest.

Learn more about The Recovery Project!