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May 2022
Sarah Fishel is a valued faculty member at Ithaca College and a board-certified clinical specialist. Sarah works diligently to expand research and treatment in neurologic physical therapy. Master of professional and personal multitasking, Sarah also serves as the Chapter Director for the Southern Tier District of APTA New York. Sarah has been a member for 20 years and believes that new physical therapy professionals who want to make a difference should get involved in their local APTA New York district. Learn more about Sarah’s path to neurologic physical therapy and her work in equity and inclusion at Ithaca College in this month's Member Spotlight.
Take a few minutes and enjoy the Q&A with Sarah below.
1. How Long have you been a member of APTA New York?
I love the opportunity to meet people from across the state, be involved in advocacy and legislation, and increase awareness of physical therapy.
2. What do you enjoy most about APTA New York?
I love the opportunity to meet people from across the state, be involved in advocacy and legislation, and increase awareness of physical therapy.
3.Tell us a little about your background, and how your path led you to where you are today.
After graduating from Ithaca College, I worked in Rochester, NY at Callan-Harris Physical Therapy for one year and then transitioned to inpatient rehabilitation at Golisano Restorative Neurology and Rehabilitation Center (previously Unity Health System). I was fortunate to learn from incredible colleagues and have been a board-certified clinical specialist in neurologic physical therapy since 2009. I am currently a faculty member in the Department of Physical Therapy at Ithaca College and teach neurologic rehabilitation coursework. My scholarly interests include health promotion for people with neurologic conditions and improving equity and inclusion in the health professions. I am also a Dana Teaching Fellow for the Center for Faculty Excellence at Ithaca College and facilitate faculty development related to antiracism. I am the chair and director of the Southern Tier District of APTA New York and currently serve as a Chapter Ambassador for the APTA’s PT Moves Me program. This month I am starting my PhD in Health Sciences at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions and look forward to expanding my skills as a teacher and scholar through this new venture.
4. What’s the most rewarding part about your work and what are some challenges?
The opportunity to work with physical therapy students, contribute to research, as well as work with patients with neurologic conditions in the clinic keeps me constantly learning and growing. I love being part of students’ development and seeing them go on to become phenomenal physical therapists. The biggest challenge is that there are not enough hours in the day!
5. What is a typical day like for you?
There is a lot of variation in my days. Some days I am in the classroom for a whole day, some days I am working with patients in our stroke rehabilitation program, while others I am focused more on service and scholarly work. Recently, I have been doing a lot of telehealth exercise instruction for people with Parkinson’s disease for a research project which has been a lot of fun.
6. Who is one of your role models and why?
I have many role models but recently have enjoyed reading the book “A Lightmaker’s Manifesto: How to Work for Change Without Losing your Joy” by Karen Walrond. I am appreciative of her perspectives on advocacy, joy, and collaborative work for justice and how she emulates these values in her work.
7. What’s the most important trend you see today?
Physical therapist engagement in health promotion and population health issues. It is great to see PT become more involved in this area and I am excited to see how this impact continues to grow.
8. What advice would you give APTA New York members who are new to the profession and want to make a difference?
Start where you are by getting involved in your district. It is a great way to meet people and become more connected with the work of the APTA.
9. How do you make time to volunteer and be active in groups you’re involved with?
Engagement with meaningful projects in the community with others keeps everyone motivated and excited to sustain the work.
10. What else would you like your fellow APTA New York Members to know about you? (Feel free to tell us a little about yourself here, whatever you’re comfortable sharing – family, hobbies, pets, fun facts about you, etc.)
When I am not at work, I am likely enjoying the outdoors with my spouse, our 10-year-old, 7-year-old, and our dog. We love to hike, rock climb, and spend time near any body of water.
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