Guest: Dr. Sarah Steely Wright, PharmD, BCPS Host: Dr. Rebekah Griffith, PT, DPT, NCS, FAAOMPT In this episode, Rebekah sits down with emergency department pharmacist Dr. Sarah Steely Wright to explore how emergency department physical therapists and pharmacists can work together to improve patient care, reduce barriers to discharge, and practice at the top of their respective scopes. From medication reconciliation and resuscitations to fall prevention and medication-related mobility impairments, this conversation highlights just how much these professions have to gain from stronger collaborat
Episode Summary What does it look like to practice truly at the top of scope in one of the most rural healthcare settings in the country? In this episode, Dr. Rebekah Griffith sits down with John VanEyk, PT, an embedded Emergency Department Physical Therapist at Tséhootsooí Medical Center on the Navajo Nation. John shares his journey from consult-based care to a fully embedded ED role, discusses the unique challenges and opportunities of serving a tribal community, and explains how innovative approaches—including musculoskeletal point-of-care ultrasound—are helping transform patient care. 🗣️
🔹 Episode Summary Emergency Department Physical Therapy is more than just mobility support — it’s a gateway to better outcomes, reduced admissions, enhanced patient experience, and system-wide cost savings. In this episode, Dr. Cassie Mountz explains why embedding PT at the “front porch” of care transforms the entire healthcare house. 🗣️ Featured Guest Dr. Cassie Mountz, DPT, ED-PT leader and innovator. Dr. Mountz shares practical insights from her experience pioneering ED-based PT programs and advocates for expanding practice scope nationwide. 🧭 Key Takeaways The ED as Healthcare’s Front P
Welcome to a special solo episode of In the ED Now. Today, I’m speaking directly to the new graduates—the DPT and PTA Class of 2025. Whether you’re celebrating with cap and gown or stepping into your first job full of nerves and hope, this episode is for you. This isn’t just a congratulations. It’s a call to action—a love letter to your potential. In this episode, I explore: • 🔬 The shifting landscape of healthcare and what it means for your role • 💡 Why innovation isn’t optional—it’s the future of patient care • ❤️ How compassion remains our most powerful clinical skill • 📣 What it looks l
Did you miss journal club? No worries. Listen to the recording in podcast format. Article citation below. Good D. M. (2021). Emergency department physical therapy: An important tool for emergency physicians. Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, 28(8), 936–937. https://doi.org/10.1111/acem.14300
Who Dr. Meredith Grossman is a physical therapist in an outpatient hospital clinic. She shares her experience and knowledge around burnout in physical therapist practice. Why “Burnout is not your fault.” Episode Takeaways How to recognize and address burnout. Organization and systemic factors contributing to burnout. Actionable strategies for managing individual burnout. Connect with Dr. Grossman healthcareunravelled.com Instagram
Who Dr. Steven Kinney is a Physical Therapist who works at Hackensack Meridian Health. He also is an educator for PT students and PT professionals as well as an early career researcher. His clinical areas of interest include subjects that link together the many silos in the world of Physical Therapy. Why “PTs need to be aware of signs of opioid overdose and what to do to save a life.” Episode Takeaways: How to recognize an opioid overdose How to respond to an opioid overdose How to change the culture and stigma around opioid use Connect with Dr. Kinney on Instagram or Twitter.
Who Dr. Bush has been a PT in the ED since graduating 2.5 years ago. I interviewed Taylor 2 years ago after she had just begun in the ED as a new grad. I caught up with her again to find out how she and her practice have grown over the past two years. You don’t want to miss her lessons learned as they may help you in your practice. Why “I love what I do and I love telling people what I do! Come find out more about what PTs do and can do in this setting from someone who is entirely too enthusiastic!” Episode Takeaways ED PT is more than just placement. How and what you do for education is key.
Who Dr. Barnes is a teen sports whisperer that loves the thrill of being a sports medicine provider on the bench with our team! I love being the first line of defense with other providers managing acute and emergent injuries, then getting to follow our athletes through the season to help reach their highest potential. Dr. Barnes is an emergency PT of a different type. She’s a first responder on the sidelines. You won’t want to miss what her day to day entails. There are so many practice lessons for us to be at the top of our scope. Why “Being a sports PT has many avenues outside of the traditi
Who Dr. Steven Goostree is a PTA to DPT with 15 years in the trenches in a variety of settings including the ED. As a fellow with experience in MDT, dry needling, and persistent pain management he now works in cash pay telehealth. Steven is a retired Triathlete, “foodie,” Corgi lover, sad Chicago sports fan. Why “Be bold! Don’t be timid in the ED. Other HCPs are intrigued with how much DPTs know!” Episode Takeaways Clinical reasoning in the ED “Green leafy” techniques How to assess not guess in the ED Beef up your manual therapy skills as a PT in the ED Connect with Dr. Goostree Drstevengoostr
PTs in the ED must have strong neurologic exam skills and know what to do with the results.
"Grief is love's souvenir. It's our proof that we once loved. Grief is the receipt we wave in the air that says to the world: Look! Love was once mine." -Glennon Doyle
People need support when they are in crisis and are often dismissed as having a mental health issue with a psych consult in the ED due to poor coping skills. It has been reported by many patient advocacy organizations that people with complex and chronic health conditions such as the ones discussed see > 5-7 MDs before acquiring a diagnosis. Specialty provider appointments often have month-long waiting lists and PTs can be instrumental in partnering with patients to identify symptom triggers and to address specific impairments to help turn down the volume of ANS and immune reactivity until med
“50% of Americans are anticipated to be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lifetime. Are you prepared to treat these patients? Because you will.”
Dr. Holland’s mission - “Inclusive Care improves safety in healthcare encounters by educating and empowering patients and providers to expect and advocate for individualized, affirming, trauma informed health care solutions.”
This presentation will prepare you for what to do next when you receive a patient with a diagnosis of dizziness in the ED
“Musculoskeletal ultrasound could be key to streamlining ED PT visits.”
“I am inspired by people who are able to make a change that causes people to forget that an older model ever existed.”
“The ability to navigate some of the most complex patients in one of the most dynamic environments is crucial for a successful emergency department physical therapist practice.”
“Physical therapists must embrace their role as a doctoring profession, working at the highest level of their scope and accepting the responsibility that comes with it.”
“PEM/PESE was the most common thing no one ever heard of before the COVID-19 pandemic, and now it's even more common. People with PEM/PESE are already coming to the ED and they will be more commonly encountered there over time.”
What strategies can we use to identify the right patients for manual therapy? “I think communication is the key. Having a preference for this has been one of the strongest predictors for sure. I do think matching mechanisms is important and we need to look at “where the patient is” to determine need.”
“You can change someone’s life by working in the emergency room.”
“The right reasoning framework and physical exam can be more accurate than an MRI for a patient with acute dizziness.”
“Understand prevalence data. Understand your strengths and weaknesses.”
