2026
AASPT Annual Meeting SpeakersÂ
July 10Â & 11 |Â Seattle Convention Center, Arch at 705 Pike
Â
2026 Annual Meeting Speakers
Ashley Campbell, PT, DPT, SCS
Ashley Campbell, PT, DPT, SCS is the Director of Clinical Research and Education at Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance, Director of Rehab for Nashville Hip Institute at TOA, and Managing Editor of the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy (IJSPT). She specializes in hip preservation rehabilitation, return-to-sport performance, and the integration of evidence-based practice into clinical care. Ashley is actively involved in multidisciplinary education and research initiatives, frequently lecturing nationally and internationally on topics related to hip rehabilitation, sports medicine, and performance-based recovery. Her work focuses on bridging the gap between rehabilitation, research, and high-level performance for athletes and active individuals.Â
Terese L. Chmielewski, PT, PhD, SCS
Terese L. Chmielewski, PT, PhD, SCS is a Physical Therapist and Research Scientist at TRIA Orthopedic Center and an Affiliate Associate Professor in Rehabilitation Science at the University of Minnesota Medical School in Minneapolis, MN. She earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees in physical therapy from the College of St. Scholastica and completed a sports physical therapy residency at HealthSouth Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation in Birmingham, AL, followed by a fellowship at the American Sports Medicine Institute, leading to board certification as a Sports Clinical Specialist. Dr. Chmielewski earned her PhD in Biomechanics and Movement Science from the University of Delaware, where her research focused on neuromuscular control in ACL-deficient patients.
For nearly 20 years, Dr. Chmielewski’s research has examined the psychological and neuromuscular response to sports injury, particularly ACL injury and rehabilitation. She has authored 69 peer-reviewed publications, three monographs, and 11 book chapters, and her work has been funded by the NIH, Foundation for Physical Therapy, NFL Charities, Brooks Rehabilitation Research Endowment, and HealthPartners Institute. She is the recipient of multiple Excellence in Research and Excellence in Education awards from the American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy and the Academy of Orthopedic Physical Therapy. Dr. Chmielewski is a past Vice President of the Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy, currently serves as Secretary on the AASPT Executive Board, and has extensive experience mentoring students, residents, and clinicians.
Brian J. Cole, MD, MBA
Dr. Brian Cole is an orthopedic sports medicine surgeon at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush and a Professor of Orthopaedics, Anatomy, and Cell Biology at Rush University Medical Center. He is the Managing Partner of Midwest Orthopaedics and serves as the Department’s Associate Chairman and Section Head of the Cartilage Research and Restoration Center. Dr. Cole is Chairman of Surgery at Rush Oak Park Hospital and leads the Rush Orthopedic Master’s Program. He was the 2020 President of the Arthroscopy Association of North America and holds several additional leadership roles in national and international orthopedic societies.
Dr. Cole has received numerous honors, including being named one of the “Best Doctors in America” since 2004 and a “Top Doctor” in Chicagoland since 2003. In 2006, he appeared on the cover of Chicago Magazine as “Chicago’s Top Doctor.” He was selected as NBA Team Physician of the Year in 2009, and Orthopedics This Week has repeatedly named him one of the top 20 sports medicine, knee, and shoulder specialists over the past five years, as selected by his peers. Patients describe his practice as compassionate, accessible, and focused on innovative solutions to avoid surgery whenever possible. Testimonials highlighting the care provided by Dr. Cole’s team are frequently featured and shared.
His research interests include cartilage restoration, orthobiologics, and minimally invasive surgical techniques for the knee, elbow, and shoulder. Dr. Cole has published more than 1,000 articles and 20 textbooks on orthopedic surgery and sports medicine, has lectured nationally and internationally more than 2,000 times, and has appeared as an expert on several television documentaries. His research ranks in the top 5 percent of the most-read articles worldwide on Doximity.
Dr. Cole earned his MD and MBA from the University of Chicago, completed his orthopedic residency at the Hospital for Special Surgery at Cornell Medical Center, and completed a sports medicine fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh. Outside of academia, he has served as team physician for the Chicago Bulls, incoming President of the NBA Team Physicians Society, co-team physician for the Chicago White Sox, and team physician for the Chicago Red Stars, Chicago Dogs, and DePaul University. He co-hosted the radio talk show Sports Medicine Weekly for 10 years on ESPN and 670 The Score and is now the official host of the Sports Medicine Weekly podcast. He is also the founder and director of the annual Chicago Sports Summit, launched in 2016.
George J. Davies, PT, DPT, MEd
Dr. George J. Davies, PT, DPT, MEd, SCS-E, ATC, LAT, CSCS, PES, CSMS, FAPTA currently serves as Professor of Physical Therapy in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at The University of Texas–Rio Grande Valley and with the Rehab Specialists in the Athletic Department. He is an internationally known speaker who has presented hundreds of conferences throughout the world on sports physical therapy, athletic training, shoulder, knee, orthopaedics, rehabilitation, and isokinetics. George is a clinician, educator, speaker, researcher, author, editor, and consultant. He has been involved in the clinical practice of sports physical therapy and athletic training since beginning as a student athletic trainer more than 60 years ago.
George was the original co-founder and co-editor of The Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy in 1979, serving for approximately 10 years. He was also Co-Founder and Co-Editor of Isokinetics and Exercise Science from 1991 to 1996 and one of the founders and original Associate Editors of Sports Health: A Multidisciplinary Approach from 2009 to the present.
He served as President of the Sports Physical Therapy Section (AASPT) of the APTA from 1992 to 1998. He received the Peyton Award in 1999, the highest honor from the Sports Physical Therapy Section, recognizing outstanding contributions to the profession. George was the 1994 recipient of the American Physical Therapy Association’s prestigious Baethke-Carlin Award for Excellence in Academic Teaching. He was selected as a Worthingham Fellow of the American Physical Therapy Association (FAPTA) in 2005 and received the Hall of Fame Award from the Sports Physical Therapy Section in 2006. In June 2007, he received the NATA President’s Challenge Award for Outstanding Contributions to Sports Medicine and was named the NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer in June 2009. George received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Columbia University in May 2012 and the Lifetime Education Achievement Award from the SPTS in January 2013. In July 2013, he became the first non-orthopaedic surgeon elected to the AOSSM Hall of Fame, the highest honor awarded by AOSSM. In recognition of his role as a co-founder of JOSPT, the George J. Davies–James A. Gould Excellence in Clinical Inquiry Award was established at the journal’s 25th anniversary. Most recently, he was honored with the Federal Section Award for Research at the APTA Combined Sections Meeting in Boston, MA, in February 2024.
George has authored textbooks, more than 50 book chapters, and hundreds of peer-reviewed articles, along with hundreds of poster and platform presentations at professional meetings including APTA, AASPT, AOSSM, NATA, ACSM, NSCA, ASSET, and SOMOS. His research H-index is 44.
He was one of the original co-founders and co-directors of the first publicly credentialed (by ABPTS) Sports Physical Therapy Residency Program in the United States at Gundersen Health System over 30 years ago and continues to serve as a consultant and clinical mentor. The program maintains a 100% first-time pass rate on the Board Certification Sports Clinical Specialist (SCS) examination. His sports medicine experience includes work at high school and university athletics, four Olympic Games (1980 Lake Placid, NY; 2002 Salt Lake City, UT; 2008 Beijing, China; 2012 London, UK), and 12 years as a consultant, athletic trainer, and physical therapist with the NFL New Orleans Saints during their summer camps in La Crosse, WI.
George has taught in Physical Therapy programs for more than 50 years and continues to maintain an active clinical practice while presenting and publishing research and providing service to the university, community, and professional societies. He is Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse, La Crosse, WI.
Through the Davies Family Educational Foundation, George has established annual scholarships at every school and university he attended, including Middle Township High School, NJ; The College of New Jersey (BA, MEd); Columbia University (PT); and MGH Institute of Health Professions (DPT). These scholarships support students pursuing careers in physical therapy, athletic training, or sports medicine. George is widowed and has two sons with MBAs, three grandchildren in graduate school or college, and one grandchild in middle school.
He has been an active athlete throughout his life, participating in multiple sports in high school, serving as captain of the gymnastics team in college, competing as a runner, sub-three-hour marathoner, ultramarathoner, and triathlete at all distances including Ironman. He earned a black belt in karate, worked as a sensei for several years, and is a United States Marine Corps veteran with more than 57 years since service.
Karen Davis Warren, PT, MPT, OCS, ATC, CSCS
Karen Davis Warren is an Atlanta-based physical therapist with decades of experience in sports medicine and orthopedic rehabilitation. She holds a Master of Physical Therapy from Emory University and a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University of Southern California.
Karen has extensive global experience working with elite athletes, including serving as a primary healthcare provider on the Women's Tennis Tour, covering over 19 international events and all four Grand Slams. She has also worked with the U.S. Olympic Training Center, traveled with the U.S. Olympic Speed Skating Team, and supported athletes during the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.
A board-certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist and Certified Athletic Trainer, Karen is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with additional training in Pilates and trigger-point dry needling. Her clinical approach integrates manual therapy, movement analysis, and performance-based rehabilitation to optimize patient outcomes.
Karen is an adjunct faculty member and guest lecturer in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Emory University. She also serves on the advisory board for Mercer University's physical therapy program. She is also a published contributor to professional literature in physical therapy and sports medicine.
Â
Jeffrey R. Dugas, MD
Orthopaedic Sports Medicine specialist at Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Center in Birmingham, Alabama. Fellowship Director at the American Sports Medicine Institute. Serves as Medical Director for WWE, USA Cheer, Troy University, and Miles College, and as a consultant for Major League Baseball.
Alex Elhert, PhD
Alex Elhert, PhD is a performance coach, sports scientist, and researcher. He has a PhD in Human Movement Sciences.  Across the last 10 years, he has published over 25 peer-reviewed research articles, consulted with sports technology companies on research & development projects, and worked directly with athletes and training facilities as a performance coach and sports scientist. As an Applied Sports Scientist for Exerfly, he creates educational resources on the science and application of flywheel training and collaborates with customers to help them leverage the benefits of Exerfly products within their setting. Â
Michael T. Freehill, M.D.
Michael T. Freehill, M.D. is an Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Chief of Shoulder & Elbow Surgery at the Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. Freehill is a former professional baseball player who spent two years on the Major League 40-Man Roster. He is currently the Head Team Physician for the Athletics Major League Baseball Organization, the Stanford baseball team, and the Executive Director of the Stanford Baseball Science Core. Dr. Freehill is also an Associate Editor for the American Journal of Sports Medicine, member of the MLB Research Committee, and Chief Medical Officer of GripFusion.
Airelle O. Giordano, PT, DPT, OSC, SCS
Airelle O. Giordano, PT, DPT, OCS, SCS, is the Director of Clinical Services, Residency, and Fellowship Training at the University of Delaware Physical Therapy Clinic and an Associate Professor in the University of Delaware Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. She is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in both Sports and Orthopaedic Physical Therapy.
She currently serves as President of the American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy (AASPT). She was co-chair of the ESSKA–AOSSM–AASPT consensus initiative on meniscus rehabilitation, an active member of the ACL rehabilitation consensus group, and a co-author of the multi-Academy Clinical Practice Guideline on concussion rehabilitation.
Her clinical and scholarly interests center on complex knee injuries, gait retraining, and post-concussion rehabilitation, as well as developing and mentoring the next generation of advanced practice physical therapists.
Scott Greenberg, PT, DPT, MBA, CSCS, CPSS
Scott is a sports physical therapist, educator, and healthcare leader with more than 25 years of experience working with collegiate, professional, and Olympic athletes. He currently serves as a physical therapist for the University of Florida Gators, where he specializes in injury prevention, rehabilitation, return-to-sport testing, sports performance, and running medicine. Scott is the Manager of Operations for UF Health Rehabilitation Services and serves as Director of the UF Health Sports and Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency Programs, helping develop the next generation of sports and orthopedic specialists through strong partnerships with the University of Florida Athletic Association and the UF Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. A nationally recognized speaker and educator, Scott frequently presents on sports medicine, rehabilitation, and performance topics at state and national conferences. He is an active leader within the American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy, currently serving as Representative-at-Large on the Executive Committee, and has previously served as Chair of the Running Special Interest Group and Chair of the Membership Committee.
Robert F. LaPrade, MD, PhD
Robert F. LaPrade MD, PhD is a complex knee surgeon who practices at Twin Cities Orthopedics in Edina and Eagan, Minnesota. He is also an adjunct professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Minnesota.  Â
Dr. LaPrade has special expertise in treating posterolateral knee injuries, PCL tears, revision ACL reconstructions, meniscal repairs, MCL injuries, multiple ligament knee injuries, and difficult complex revision injuries.  Â
Dr. LaPrade has published more than 850 peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts, 150 book chapters, and has given over 1000 professional presentations.  Dr. LaPrade and his team have won many awards, including the Trillat Young Investigator Award from ISAKOS (twice), Excellence in Research Award from the AOSSM (3 times), Achilles Award from ISAKOS (twice), Cabaud Award from the AOSSM (3 times), an OREF Kappa Delta Award,  the Jack Hughston Sports Physician Lifetime Achievement Award from the AASPT, and this year the first AAOS Orthopaedic Research Bridging Innovation and Translation (ORBIT) Award.Â
In addition, Dr. LaPrade is recognized internationally as an outstanding mentor and teacher, having taught over 100 orthopedic residents and 100 sports medicine fellows, having been awarded several teaching awards, and has mentored international fellows from all continents.
Jill Monson, PT, OCS
Jill Monson, PT, OCS is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) through the APTA and is an active member of the American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy (AASPT), serving as a member of the AASPT Research Committee and the AASPT Annual Meeting Planning Committee. Jill has extensive hands-on clinical experience with patient care specializing in lower extremity injuries, particularly complex knee conditions. She is an active contributor to medical education locally, nationally, and internationally through conference lectures, collaborative projects, and committee participation. Jill routinely contributes to scholarly work as lead author and co-author for many medical journal articles, research studies, book chapters, and consensus statements within her scope of expertise. Within Twin Cities Orthopedics (TCO), Jill serves as the lead physical therapist for the Complex Knee Injury Clinic, directing physical therapy care and coordinating physical therapy research initiatives associated with the orthopedic surgery practice of Dr. Robert LaPrade, MD, PhD.
Michael J. Mullaney PT, DPT, SCS
Michael John Mullaney PT, DPT, SCS Michael has over 25 years of clinical experience as a Research Physical Therapist. Michael received his Master's in Physical Therapy from Notre Dame College in 2001 and his Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2006 from Franklin Pierce University. Michael became a Board-Certified Sports Physical Therapist in 2012. Michael's career began at the prestigious Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine & Athletic Trauma (NISMAT) at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan. As a Research Physical Therapist, he honed his skills and knowledge, laying the foundation for his future success. This experience paved the way for him to co-found Mullaney & Associates Physical Therapy with his wife, Christine, in 2006. Michael’s professional achievements include the publication of over 40 abstracts for various medical conferences, 30 research publications, multiple book chapters, non-peer-reviewed articles, and home study courses. Michael continues to publish research with NISMAT as a Research Consultant and to present at medical conferences and sports medicine symposia nationwide. He is the past Vice President (2021-2024), Section Programming Chair (2019-2021), Section Programming Vice-Chair (2013-2019), Chair of the Shoulder Special Interest Group (2007-2013), and Finance Committee Member (2025-current) for the American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy. Michael received the 2015 “Outstanding Service Award” from the Sports Section of the American Physical Therapy Association for his dedication to service to the Sports Section. Today, Michael remains a research consultant for NISMAT while balancing the challenges of owning an outpatient private practice.
Mark V. Paterno PT, PhD, MBA, SCS, ATC
Mark V. Paterno PT, PhD, MBA, SCS, ATC is a physical therapist, clinical scientist and Senior Clinical Director within the Division of Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, OH.
Mark also serves as a Professor within the Division of Sports Medicine at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. In addition to his administrative role, leading the Division of Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy, Mark supports an active research program focused on outcomes after lower extremity musculoskeletal injuries in children, adolescents, and young adults. This work has led to over 120 publications and 12 book chapters which focus on the area of outcomes after ACL reconstruction and pediatric sports medicine.
He currently serves as research committee chair for the American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy (AAPST), a founding member and Past President for the Pediatric and Adolescent Research in Sports Medicine (PRISM) Society as well as a founding member of the ROCK group, which is an international, multi-disciplinary group, dedicated to researching juvenile osteochondritis dissecans.
Robert Prill, PhD, ScD, PT
Robert is a physiotherapist from Germany. He finished his master’s degree in physiotherapy in sports at the German Sports University Cologne and PhD at Brandenburg University of Technology. Both theses were related to knee injuries and long-term deficits after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.
He is currently the Head of Research at Center of Orthopedics and Traumatology at the Brandenburg University Hospital and Chair of the ESSKA Rehabilitation Committee and Director of the JBI Center of Evidence Practice Germany. He also runs an outpatient clinic for physiotherapy P3 together with his wife and works with Judo Athletes. His main interest in research and clinical work is related to athletes with knee injuries.
Mike Reinold, PT, DPT, ATC, CSCS
Mike Reinold is an accomplished clinician, researcher, and educator. As a physical therapist, athletic trainer, and strength and conditioning coach, he specializes in all aspects of sports performance and rehabilitation. Mike received a BS in PT from Northeastern University and a DPT from the MGH Institute of Health Professions. Mike is currently the Co-Founder of Champion PT and Performance in Boston, MA, after having worked at prestigious institutions like the American Sports Medicine Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, and as Head Athletic Trainer and Physical Therapist for the Boston Red Sox, Senior Medical Advisor of the Chicago White Sox, and Director of Performance for Northeastern University Baseball. He is a past President of the American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy. He has authored dozens of publications, lectured at national conferences, and has an award-winning educational website, podcasts, and online courses at MikeReinold.com.
Brandon Schmitt, PT, DPT, ATC
Brandon Schmitt, PT, DPT, ATC, is an outpatient physical therapist specializing in the management of recreational through professional athletes and serves as the Clinical Excellence Director of New Jersey for Professional Physical Therapy, where he focuses on evidence-based practice and clinician education. He has authored multiple research papers, textbook chapters, and home study courses, with particular expertise in hamstring injuries and tendinopathy. Brandon previously served as Chair of the Knee Special Interest Group and currently serves as Program Chair for the American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy, where he contributes to advancing clinical education and professional development within the field. He is on the editorial board for the International Journal of Sports Medicine and is a member of the AASPT and ICCUS Society.
Braidy Solie, DPT, SCS, CSCS
Braidy Solie, DPT, SCS, CSCS, received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of North Dakota and completed his sports physical therapy residency through Fairview Health. He is a knee rehabilitation lead at Training HAUS and helps coordinate athletic care for multiple college and high school sports medicine teams within the Twin Cities. He also works with various professional sports organizations and is part of the professional athlete rehabilitation team at Training HAUS. He has a passion for optimizing sports performance through a hands-on and individualized approach, combining the latest research, strength & conditioning concepts, sports technology, and rehabilitation techniques.
Academically, Braidy specializes in rehabilitation and return to performance after anterior cruciate ligament injury. He has a passion for translational research and is the lead author of multiple peer-reviewed journal articles. Braidy is a frequent regional/national speaker and works closely with the Training HAUS sports science team, as well as assists with continuing education at Twin Cities Orthopedics. In his free time, he enjoys taking in the outdoors and spending time with his family in Northern Minnesota.
Josh Seligman MS, ATC, CSCS*D
Josh Seligman, MS, ATC, CSCS*DÂ is a high-performance specialist with over 20 years in Major League Baseball, including 12 seasons as Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Milwaukee Brewers. Integrating strength & conditioning with sports medicine, he played a key role in designing return-to-play systems and injury prevention strategies that consistently ranked among the lowest in MLB for total days lost to injury.
As a member of the Brewers’ Sports Science Committee, Josh helped translate performance data into actionable training interventions—bridging the gap between rehabilitation and performance. He holds dual Master’s degrees in Sports Nutrition and Sports Medicine and specializes in modern resistance strategies, including flywheel training, to accelerate rehab and optimize return-to-play outcomes.
Kevin E. Wilk, DPT, PT, FAPTA
Kevin E. Wilk, DPT, PT, FAPTA, is a distinguished sports physical therapist with over forty-three years of clinical experience. He is the Founder and Associate Clinical Director of Champion Sports Medicine in Birmingham, Alabama, and serves as Vice President of Clinical Research of Select Medical. Dr. Wilk is also the Director of Rehabilitative Research at American Sports Medicine Institute and an Adjunct Associate Professor for Marquette University Physical Therapy Program.
A recognized leader within the profession, Dr. Wilk is a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the American Physical Therapy Association (FAPTA) and has been inducted into the Sports Physical Therapy Section Hall of Fame. He is also a recipient of the Ron Peyton Award and has served as President and two-term Vice President of the Sports Physical Therapy Section of the APTA.
Dr. Wilk has made substantial contributions to the field of sports rehabilitation, authoring more than 170 peer-reviewed research and clinical publications and 11 textbooks. He has lectured extensively at both national and international conferences and continues to play a key role in advancing clinical education as Fellowship Director for Champion Sports Medicine and the ASMI Fellowship program.
In addition to his academic and leadership roles, Dr. Wilk remains actively involved in daily patient care, research, and education. He has treated numerous professional athletes, including many who have successfully returned to elite competition, earned Comeback Player of the Year honors, and achieved championship-level success.
Â
Board of Directors & Executive Committee
- Airelle Giordano—President
- Andrew Naylor—Vice President
- Terri Chmielewski—Secretary
- Katie Lynch—Treasurer
- Shefali Christopher—Representative At-Large
- Scott Greenberg—Representative At-Large
2026 Annual Meeting Program Committee
- Chair—Mike Reinold
- Members—Jill Monson, Ashley Campbell, Michael Mullaney, Gary Calabrese, Robert Mankse, Kevin Wilk
