APTANJ SPORTS PT SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP

LEADERSHIP
- Chair: Edison Au, PT, DPT, SCS, OCS, FDNS, Cert MDT, GTS, CSCS, Dip. Sports PT
- Vice-Chair: Michael Dunne, PT, DPT, ATC, SCS
- Secretary: Jennifer T. Gentile, PT, DPT, SCS
MISSION STATEMENT
The Sports Special Interest Group of the American Physical Therapy Association of New Jersey is committed to educating its members, encouraging the exchange of ideas and fostering an arena of support for the practice of sports physical therapy in this state.
OBJECTIVES
- Allow for networking and informal discussion among our members.
- Provide relevant clinical information and education to members.
- Discuss issues important to the local or state-wide practice of sports physical therapy an encourage support for action needed on these issues.
STANDING RULES
PAST EVENTS
- New Jersey Sports Medicine Seminar - Nov. 21, 2025 (Atlantic Sports Health, Morristown, NJ)
- Sept. 19, 2025 - National Concussion Awareness Day: https://nationalconcussionawarenessday.com/index.htmlhttps://www.tapinto.net/towns/edison/sections/health-and-wellness/articles/concussion-awareness-day-focuses-on-prevention-recognition-and-actionConcussion Clinical Practice Guidelines: https://www.jospt.org/doi/epdf/10.2519/jospt.2020.0301https://www.choosept.com/guide/physical-therapy-guide-concussion#:~:text=Rest%20and%20recovery.,making%20your%20concussion%20symptoms%20worse
- Former Rutger's Football PT, Ryan Brooks (Atlanta Hawks), discussing his Sports PT Career path: Podcast
- Chair of APTANJ Sports PT SIG (Ed Au) discusses his Olympic & Paralympic experiences, as well as other International Sport PT coverage: Podcast
APTANJ SPORTS PT SIG PAST MEETINGS (MINUTES, PRESENTATIONS, RECORDINGS, etc.)
- APTANJ Sports PT SIG Meeting, Tuesday, July 21, 8:30 pm,
- APTANJ Sports PT SIG Meeting, Tuesday, April 28, 8:30 pm, Download Agenda.
- APTANJ Sports PT SIG Meeting (Return to Sport following ACL-Reconstruction - featuring Dr. Mike Reinhardt PT, DPT, OCS), Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. Agenda
- APTANJ Sports PT SIG Meeting (Evolution of Sports PT in Professional Sports), Tuesday, July 15.
featuring Scott Epsley (Gotham, FC, Philadelphia 76ers/NBA, Georgetown University) - APTANJ Sports PT SIG Meeting - DPT Education & Sports PT in NJ; Meet the New Student Representatives - (Tuesday, May 6, 2025). Agenda
- APTANJ Sports PT: 2024 Paris Olympics (feat. Kaity Jackson, US Rowing, Feb. 25, 2025) Agenda . Click here to view recording .
- APTANJ Sports PT SIG: Use of Force Plates & Dynamometers in Sports PT (Dec. 17, 2024) Minutes . Click here to view recording.
- Download Slides (Bruce), Download Slides (Ryan), Download Slides (Kero )
- APTANJ Sports PT SIG: Youth Sports Considerations (October 22, 2024) - Agenda
- APTANJ Sports PT SIG: Sports PT in MLB (& Sports PT Fellowships) (August 13, 2024) Click here to view presentation slides .
- APTANJ Sports PT SIG: Sports PT Residency in NJ (June 11, 2024) Click here to view presentation slides. Minutes.
- APTANJ Sports PT SIG: Physical Therapy in NCAA D1 Sports ( April 16, 2024) - Click here to view presentation slides. Minutes
- APTANJ Sports PT SIG: 2024 Planning (Feb. 6, 2024) - Minutes
- APTANJ Sports PT SIG: Elections, 2024 Planning (Nov. 14, 2023) - Minutes
- APTANJ Sports PT SIG: Student Representatives (August 22, 2023) - Agenda - Minutes
- Fall Planning: Taping Course, Elections (June 6, 2023) - Agenda - Minutes
- Working with Elite Soccer in NJ/ US Soccer Developmental System (March 28, 2023) - Agenda & Minutes
- Pelvic Health Issues in Athletes (Jan. 24, 2023) - Agenda
- PT in the NFL (Nov. 29, 2022) - Agenda
- Concussions (Sept. 20, 2022) - Agenda - Click here to view presentation slides.
- Dry Needling (July 12, 2022) - Agenda
- May 3, 2022 Minutes
- March 1, 2022 Recorded Meeting
- Pathway to the Olympics, from a Sport PT Perspective - Click here to view recording.
- May 4, 2021 Minutes
- February 16, 2021 Minutes
- December 8, 2020 Minutes
- September 22, 2020 Minutes
- June 23, 2020 Minutes
- April 28, 2020 Minutes
- March 17, 2020 Minutes
- November 12, 2019 Minutes
- July 10, 2019 Minutes
- May 14, 2019 Minutes
- April 2, 2019 Minutes
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Rutgers University started their new Sports Physical Therapy Elective this September!
- Former NJ Sports PT student Rep, Dylan Camp, completing his Sports PT residency @ UT Southwestern Medical Center, affiliated with Dallas Stars (NHL).
- Former NJ Sports PT member and speaker, Jen (Charron) Marshall, is now the PT for Seattle Reign FC (NWSL).
- Check out the APTANJ Sports PT SIG’s new YouTube channel with recent and past speaker presentations and discussions!
- APTANJ Sports PT SIG is looking for clinicians & practices that specialize in treating concussions. If you're interested in joining this network for referrals, please submit the following to njsportspt@gmail.com:
- Name of clinic, address, phone# and website
- Name of particular clinician/PT, with short bio describing their experience in concussion management/treatment.
- APTANJ Sports PT SIG is looking for PTs to feature in our “Member Spotlight”
- Do you work with an amazing APTNJ Sports PT member? Or are you a member that is doing something different, amazing and interesting?
- We are looking for members interested in being featured in our “member spotlight” to be posted on the website and through our social media portals. Please email us pictures and a brief bio describing why your work should be highlighted!
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
- TBA
APTANJ SPORTS PT SIG STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES
click on student name to view profile
| SCHOOL | STUDENT |
| Kean University | Charlene Morales |
| Rutgers University | Jessica Muney |
| Rutgers University | Radhika Thakkar |
| Seton Hall University | Dominique Adornetto |
| Seton Hall University | Julie Samuel |
| Seton Hall University | Piero Scrofani |
| Stockton University | Kiersten Breytak |
TOPICS OF INTEREST
- Developing a cohesive network of sports rehab providers that we can cross-refer for our athletes (i.e. concussion rehab, IASTM, ART, Counterstrain, PRP, taping, etc.)
- Establishing a clear career path for sports PTs in NJ (SCS, residency, USOC, prep courses).
- Develop/host courses to fill gaps in knowledge – Emergency Response for the Athlete (ERA), taping for PTs, functional return to sport, exercise physiology, etc.
- Public exposure/awareness & marketing.
- Membership involvement, generate opportunities, coordinate sports PT courses, etc.
- Student opportunities & education– Rutgers, Seton Hall, Kean, Stockton.
- Sports PT residencies, internships.
- NJ Sports PT legislation (i.e. dry-needling, field care coverage, licensure compact for out-of-state coverage, concussion testing, etc.)
- Clarify liability coverage for sports PTs doing field care.
ABSTRACTS
- Sports Specialization in the Adolescent Athlete (2023)
- Clinician Enlightenment on Youth Sports Specialization (2023-01)
- Is Tommy John's the answer? (2021)
- Hydration Guidelines (2020)
- ACC Issues Consensus Decision Guiding Post-COVID Return To Play
EDUCATION
- Be sure to check the APTANJ calendar regularly for related, upcoming events.
RESOURCES
- Sports Physical Therapy:
- American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy
- Concussion:
- Sports Clinical Specialist (SCS), American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties
- COVID-19 Updates:
- Rutgers Youth Sports Research Council (RYSRC):
- Youth Sports Injury Prevention:
- How to Avoid Overuse Injuries:
- Hydration Protocols:
- Dry Needling:

SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT
Dustin Baldwin, PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS
As the current Director of Rehab for Rutgers Olympic Sports, I support our athletic department while assisting in the development of many aspiring clinicians and sports specialists. Prior to my current role, I worked as an outpatient clinician in a sports medicine practice. Here, I was fortunate enough to treat several Division 1 and professional soccer players in both the MLS and NWSL including sideline coverage for the Rutgers Men’s basketball team. I also completed the Kevin Wilk Traveling Fellowship. This allowed me to travel around the country learning from physical therapists who work in a variety of athletic settings.
- How long have you been practicing physical therapy?
7 years - What's an interesting fact about yourself?
I enjoy riddles and thought-provoking questions. Every day in the clinic, I post one for the athletes to answer. - What sports do you do yourself?
Basketball and golf. Basketball is the sport I grew up playing and still enjoy playing pickup today. My passion for golf has grown over the last few years, so during nice weather days I enjoy being out on the course as I improve this hobby. - Who inspires you in the field?
My first inspiration in physical therapy was Erik Meira. Erik is one of the most logical and critical thinkers I have ever come across, and I truly believe that if more people were like him, physical therapy would be in a better place. Another source of inspiration is Jarred Boyd. Although sometimes I need a thesaurus when I listen to him speak, I find his focus on objective based rehab very impressive. - Do you have any tips/tricks/pearls of wisdom for sports PT?
Do your best to say "yes" to as many new opportunities that come your way. Work life balance can be a challenge as a sports PT especially in the early stages of your career; however, the more opportunities you say yes to, the more doors tend to open and new opportunities arise. Also, no model is perfect for everyone. Learn as much as you can from many clinicians and utilize all of that knowledge to make the best decision for the athlete in front of you at that time.
Contact Us
APTANJ
- E-mail Address: njsportspt@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.acebook.com/groups/1927251700772021
- Submit contact form below: