NOVEMBER 2021
As chair of our Long Island district Lori Hochman is one of NYPTA’s most active members. Lori has worked with NYPTA for over 20 years, and has had many positions within the NYPTA. Her clinical practice is focused on patients recovering from neurological deficits and she volunteers her time as a boxing coach for people fighting Parkinson’s Disease.
Over the past 12 years Lori has been a full-time faculty member in Physical Therapy Education programs and is currently the Director of Clinical Education at New York Institute of Technology. Lori finds passion in research centered around patients with neurological deficits and clinical education and in helping students find their own passion in the physical therapy field.
Take a few minutes and get to know this month's member spotlight with us! Enjoy the Q&A with Lori below.
1. How long have you been a member of NYPTA?
I have been a member of NYPTA starting as a student in 1995.
2. What do you enjoy most about NYPTA? What value does NYPTA add to your professional career?
I enjoy the people! I have had the opportunity to interact with people from different areas of NY and from a variety of different practice settings. I feel like we all have a common bond and understand the need to keep pushing
forward for our profession. I have been very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with the most dedicated and passionate physical therapists in New York.
3. Tell us a little about your background, and how your path led you to where you are in your career today.
My father was a child from the polio era and contracted polio at the age of 5. He was fortunate to have interacted with “physiotherapists” at an early age, and I grew up knowing his challenges and watching him triumph. He was
an inspirational man and one of the reasons I become a PT, and probably one of the reasons I gravitated into specializing in neuro. I grew up in New York, but completed my undergraduate degree in Psychology at Tulane University
in New Orleans, LA. I completed my PT education at Long Island University in Brooklyn and was fortunate to have talented mentors and my love for neuro was confirmed. I worked in a hospital setting for 12 years where I rotated
through different settings (acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, and outpatient rehab) and eventually settled into a specialist position on a Brain Injury Unit where I had the opportunity to treat patients recovering form
strokes, traumatic brain injuries, and other neurological pathologies.
During my time in the clinical environment, I was also an adjunct professor at New York Institute of Technology. The chair at the time,
Karen Friel, was an active member of the Long Island District and she invited me to come and assist in their neuro course and I jumped at the opportunity. My experience there gave me the teaching itch and about 10 years
later, I started applying for academic positions and was fortunate to be hired by Stony Brook University where I was one of the Directors of Clinical Education for 10 years. During my time at Stony Brook, I also completed
my PhD at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. I recently had the opportunity to rejoin NYITs faculty as their DCE and have now been there for 2 years. Life truly comes full circle and my networking through
the NYPTA is why I am in the position I am in today. I also get to continue to fulfill my neuro passion by working in an outpatient clinic where I coach Rock Steady Boxing classes to for individuals fighting Parkinson’s
Disease.
4. What’s the most rewarding part about your work and what are some challenges?
In my role as a faculty member and Director of Clinical Education, I really enjoy getting to know my students and the future leaders of our profession. It is very rewarding to see students come into the program and be part of their journey into the profession. In my role as DCE, I get the opportunity to interact with the physical therapy community and see my students find their passion for working in this field. I find one of the current challenges is keeping up with changes in practice and the profession, but I feel that by being a member of the APTA (and NYPTA), I have the tools to easily find this information.
5. How has your work day changed as the result of COVID-19?
My last year of work changed from teaching in-person to teaching on-line, and now back to teaching in person. These changes made me value being in-person with my students, but also realize that there are some components
of PT education that work well in a blended format. Clinical Education is challenging on a normal day and COVID-19 has brought it to an entirely new level, but I believe that DCEs are, and will continue to be creative,
flexible, and out-of-the box thinkers. I am proud of the work we do.
6. Who inspires you the most and why?
I am inspired by physical therapists who keep pushing the bar to do the best for their patients, speak their minds in the face of adversity, and wake up each day trying to do better, and be better. I am equally inspired by PT educators who are caring, compassionate, creative, and by those who encourage students to become caring practitioners, in addition to skilled practitioners.
7. What’s the most important thing you want to say to your fellow PTs during this Pandemic?
I would say that we need to continue to be a role model to other healthcare providers and continue to promote Physical Therapy. I feel the public perception of what we do is still limited. In addition, I feel there
are times where we need to take a step back and reassess our own personal situation. We can only do our best if we are happy with what we do each day.
8. What advice would you give NYPTA members who are new to the profession and want to make a difference?
I would tell them it is so easy to get involved, and once they get involved, they will see how they can be part of making a difference. You can start simple by emailing the district chair and asking how you
can get involved. You can attend your district for community events, or Lobby Day. People will welcome you with open arms and help you get involved.
9. What advice would you offer to people who need PT services during COVID-19?
We have been providing physical therapy to people since the beginning of the pandemic who are recovering from the short and long-term impact of COVID-19 in. Physical Therapists have strong backgrounds in medicine and are educated on every body system.
10. How are you personally dealing with your “new normal” in light of COVID-19? (ex. Using social media more to stay connected to family/friends, started a new hobby or exercise program)
Zoom is helping me keep connected with my colleague and friends across the country and now I rarely talk on the phone. I have improved my home gym equipment and now really enjoy exercising at home. Like many people, we also added another pet to the family, so now we have two dogs.
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