Colorado Physical Therapist Receives ACE Award for Creation of “Moving Through Cancer”


(Calabasas, Calif. – July 12, 2007) – PTPN, the country’s first and largest network of independent rehabilitation therapists in private practice, has given its annual ACE Award for Achievement in Clinical Excellence to a Colorado physical therapist.

PTPN provider Joanna Goldin, PT, owner of Sport and Spine Physical Therapy in Centennial, Colorado, collaborated with colleague Mary Sundland, RN, CES, a cancer and exercise specialist, to develop the “Moving Through Cancer” program, a personalized fitness and wellness program for people going through any stage of cancer treatment. Each program is tailored according to the type of cancer and the patient’s goals.

“We wanted to reach out to those coping with cancer because they can receive tremendous benefits from physical therapy before, during or after their cancer treatments,” said Goldin. “Recent studies confirm that exercise helps cancer patients build energy levels, fight fatigue, regain range of motion and functional strength, and enhance immune function. We’re pleased to report that all of our program participants have seen measurable improvements in cardiovascular endurance, range of motion and muscular endurance.”

In designing the procedures and protocols for the program, Goldin and Sundland did extensive research on exercise for cancer patients and also consulted with an oncologist and plastic surgeon to develop a safe and effective exercise program. Goldin says that in addition to requiring patients to have a prescription from their physician to participate in the program, the clinic stays in contact with the physician to ensure therapy treatment is within the boundaries set for the patient.

“Moving Through Cancer,” which includes assessments and guidance by licensed PTs, medical exercise specialists and registered dieticians, is a two-tiered wellness program. In the first tier, exercises are closely supervised based on the patient’s lab values and fatigue levels. During the second tier, more independence is given and small group exercise programs are encouraged.

The clinic uses Pilates equipment, as well as standard treadmills, and includes both aerobic exercises and resistance training. Patients may also receive dietary management, at-home or travel care education, scar tissue release, lymphedema drainage and massage therapy. The clinic also offers a scholarship program for cancer patients who are experiencing financial hardship.

“We decided to honor Joanna and Mary for their outstanding efforts to provide cancer patients with a rehabilitation and wellness program that enables them to live their lives as fully as possible,” said PTPN Director of Quality Assurance Mitch Kaye, PT. “Often patients and their physicians aren’t aware that such specialized physical therapy services exist. By recognizing the work being done by Sport and Spine Physical Therapy, PTPN helps spread the word about the critical need for programs like theirs.”

The PTPN ACE Award was created to recognize and encourage PTPN providers’ groundbreaking clinical success in the fields of physical, occupational and speech therapy. In additional to honoring the important clinical work individual PTPN providers are doing, the award helps advance the practice of rehabilitation therapy by educating other therapists.

The winner was selected by a judging committee made up of PTPN member therapists. Goldin’s award includes a cash prize and a free online clinical education course. This is the second year PTPN has given out the ACE Award.

About PTPN: PTPN is the nation’s first and largest network of rehabilitation therapists in private practice. It has led the rehabilitation industry in pioneering national contracting and quality assurance programs since 1985. The network has more than 1,200 provider offices (including more than 5,000 physical, occupational and speech therapists) in 23 states. PTPN contracts with most major managed care organizations, including insurers, workers’ compensation companies, PPOs, HMOs, medical groups and IPAs. Only offices that are owned and operated by rehabilitation therapists can be members of the network.

For more information about PTPN, contact Stephen Moore at 818-737-0246 or smoore@ptpn.com, or visit us at ptpn.com.