Education

• November 2007; Transitional Doctorate of Physical Therapy, Arizona School of Health Sciences

• May 1993; Bachelor of Science, Physical Therapy, University of Montana

• May 2011; APTA Board Certified Neurologic Specialist

• October 2010; Advanced Certified Clinical Instructor, American Physical Therapy Association

• August 2006; Facilitator Course, Living Well Program

Courses Taught

DPT1 Courses (*currently teaching)

PT 503  PT and Health Care system      

PT 516 / 519 Musculoskeletal Evaluation     

PT 520 Changes in the Lifespan                       

PT 526  Foundational Skills

PT 530 Clinially Applied Exercise Physiology

PT 582 Clinical Clerkship*

     

DPT2/DPT3 Courses (*currently teaching)                                                 

PT 567/568 Neurorehabilitation*   

PT 569/573 Musculoskeletal Management III

PT 563 Cardiopulumonary PT* (UMPT Liasion, TA)       

PT 572 Practice & Administration                                          

P T576/676  Clinical Reasoning                                                            

PT 679  Current Trends in Neurological Rehabilitation*; Current Trends in Vestibular Rehabiliation                                              

                                                         

 

 

 

Research Interests

Strategies and effectiveness when implementing Interprofessional Education

Translation of available evidence into the clinical practice of neurological physical therapy

Evidence based teaching models and strategies

Projects

Awarded Grants:

Geriatric Workforce Enhancements Program (MGWEP). Funder: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  HRSA: U1QHP28733, $3,750,000, July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2024.  Ostertag S, Brooksbank R, Hudgins G, et al.  Role:  Director. 2020.

• Additional funding:
  • GWEP COVID Grant Supplement 2020/21
  • GWEP Nursing Home Grant Supplement 2022/23

Center for Population Health Research Pilot Award Noonan (PI) 6/01/21-2/28/23 (Parent Award: NIH P20 GM130418) Pilot study of a novel data science application for balance testing in rural populations The purpose of this proposed investigation is twofold: first, to develop a data management infrastructure for balance-related outcomes following health screening events in rural Montana, and second, to field-test a novel balance assessment tool that provides personalized reports to event attendees. The overall goal of this line of research is to improve balance and community participation of older adults in rural communities.  PI:  Andy Kittelson,-PI:  Brian Loyd, Co-I: Sue Ostertag, Co-I: Audrey Elias. Total award amount: $74,977

Center for Population Health Research Pilot Award Noonan (PI) 6/01/21-2/28/23 (Parent Award: NIH P20 GM130418) Pilot study of a novel data science application for balance testing in rural populations The purpose of this proposed investigation is twofold: first, to develop a data management infrastructure for balance-related outcomes following health screening events in rural Montana, and second, to field-test a novel balance assessment tool that provides personalized reports to event attendees. The overall goal of this line of research is to improve balance and community participation of older adults in rural communities Role: Project Co-PIs Andy Kittelson and Brian Loyd, Co-I: Sue Ostertag, Co-I: Audrey Elias.  Total award amount: $54,977

Grant title: Effort Capacity and Choice: Investigating a Dynamic Model of Participation. Funder: National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) at the Administration for Community Living (ACL). Grant program: Field Initiated Projects Program (Research) Funding opportunity number: HHS-2016-ACL-NIDILRR-IF-0124. Award amount: $600,000; UMPT Sub Award: $75,000. Ravesloot C, Greiman L, Santasier AM, Ostertag S, Blair M et al. Role: Collaborator and key personnel. 2016-2019.

Publications

Publication:

Ostertag S, Bosic-Reiniger J, Migliaccio C, Zins R. Promoting Older Adult Health with Interprofessional Education through Community Based Health Screening. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022; 19(11):6513. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19116513

Poster Presentations:

Ostertag SA; Carson J; Bell J.  “Stop the Fall” Program Addresses Fall Risk in Older Adults.  Accepted poster presentation to American Geriatric Society Conference, Long Beach CA.  May 2023.

Carson J; Bell J; Ostertag SA.  Community Wellness Program Re-imagined for Sustainability, Interprofessional Education, and Enhanced Student Learning. Accepted poster presentation at Education Leadership Conference, Milwaukee WI.  Oct 2022.

Hudgins GA, Ostertag SA.  CARES Act COVID-19 Telehealth Projects Sustainability.  Poster presentation at American Geriatric Society Meeting, Orlando FL.  May 2022.

Zins R, Ostertag SA, Bosic-Reiniger J, Murphy L, Hultgren T.  Promoting Older Adult Health and Interprofessional Education Through Community Based Health Screening.  Poster presentation at Northwest Pharmacy Convention, Coeur d’Alene ID.  May 2022.

Ostertag SA, Egan T, Hudgins GA.  Sustainability And Impact of Community Programs For Dementia Education.  Poster presentation at American Geriatric Society Meeting (virtual).  May 2021.

Hudgins GA, Ostertag SA.  Needs Assessment Survey for Older Adult Participation In Telehealth Visits.   Poster presentation at American Geriatric Society Meeting (virtual).  May 2021.

Bell JJ,, Chapin K, Rourke C, Ostertag SA.  Interprofessional Student Hotspotting: A Team Based Approach to Geriatric Complex Care.  Poster presentation at American Geriatric Society Meeting (virtual). May 2021.

Ostertag SA, Carson JC, Bell JB, Ferdig S.  Use of a 4:1 Integrated Clinical Education Model Emphasizing Clinical Reasoning and Collaboration. Poster presentation at APTA Combined Sections Meeting (virtual). Feb 2021.

Cindi Laukes, MA, MFA, Bill Rosen, MD, Reed Humphrey, PhD, Catherine Off, PhD, CCC-SLP, Valerie Moody, PhD, LAT, Susan Ostertag, PT, DPT, NCS.  An Innovative Model for mTBI Screening, Research, and Education: Enhancing Specialized Services, Research Collaborations, Experiential Learning, and Reducing Overhead Costs through a Coordinated Cost-Sharing System of Existing University and Community Partnerships.   poster presentation at International Brain Injury Association Conference, March 2020.

Ostertag SA, Mizner RL. Modification of Rehabilitation Protocol for a Rural environment: A Case Study Demonstrating Functional Change With Chronic Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury. Poster presentation at Northwest Rural Health Conference.  Spokane WA. March 2018

Hudgins, G., Anderson, K.A., Migliaccio, C., Ostertag, S., & Zins, R.  Geriatric health screening: An interprofessional education opportunity.  Paper presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education, Atlanta GA. March 2018

Bell JJ, Ostertag S, Levison D, Carson J.  The Impact of Part-time, Collaborative Integrated Clinical Experiences on Revenue and Patient Satisfaction.  Poster presentation at apta Combined Sections Meeting.  New Orleans LA.  February 2018

Ostertag SA, Mizner RL. Modified Locomotor Training Protocol Improves Gait Using a Novel Body Weight Support System and Orthoses. Poster presentation at apta Combined Sections Meeting. San Antonio Tx.  February 2017.

Ostertag S, Holt, A, Peters C, Levison D.  A Student Run Clinic: Improving Student Confidence and Community Health.  Poster Presentation at APTA Combined Sections Meeting. San Diego CA.  February 2013.

Ostertag S, McDonald A.  Increased functional mobility after implementation of activity based locomotor training in an individual with chronic incomplete spinal cord injury.  Poster Presentation at Combined Sections Meeting of the APTA. Chicago IL. February 2012.

Ostertag S, Laskin J.  Progression of Locomotor Training with Body Weight Support Treadmill Training and Over the Ground Walking in an Individual with Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury. Neurologic Section. Poster presentation at  APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Las Vegas NV, February 2009.

Laskin J, Malouf J, Ostertag S.  Use of Functional Electrical Stimulation Leg Cycle Ergometer to Supplement Physical Therapy Treatment of an Individual with Paraplegia and Bilateral Shoulder Pain. Neurologic Section Poster at  APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Las Vegas NV, February 2009.

 

Platform presentation:

Malouf J, McCarthy S, Ostertag S, Mizner RL.  Improved balance, expanded limits of stability, and reduced trunk and pelvic compensatory strategies with locomotor training in a person with chronic stroke. Neurologic Section. Platform presentation at APTA Combined Sections Meeting. Chicago, IL February 2012.

Panel Presentation:

Renfro M, Nash J, Ostertag S, Wingood M. Fall Risk Assessments: Measures for Special Populations. Geriatric and Neurologic section. Panel presentation at APTA Combined Sections Meeting of the APTA, Indianapolis IN, February 2015. 

Affiliations

Membership in Scientific/Professional Organizations:

American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), 1993 to present

APTA Neurologic Academy, 2005 to present

APTA Clinical Education Academy, 2018 to present

Northwest Intermountain Consortium for Clinical Education, 2018 to present

American Geriatric Association, 2020 to present

Professional Experience

Associate Clinical Faculty (2022)/Associate Director of Clinical Education (2018)

School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitative Sciences (UM PT School) 7/2018 to present

Director, Geriatric Workforce Enhancements Program (MGWEP/MTGEC) 6/2020 to present

University of Montana, Missoula MT

Responsible for providing student support, student assessment, and clinical site management for DPT students, including but not limited to student advising, networking and contact with clinical sites and site coordinators, and developing new opportunities for clinical placement and internships.

Service learning leadership and program development with emphasis on interprofessional education with the geriatric population, including involvement with the Montana Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program and their community outreach initiatives for screening older individuals as part of an interprofessional faculty/student team. Additional service provided as a licensed physical therapist in clinical practice and student instruction working with older adults and individuals with chronic disease or disability.     

Scholarship involvement is collaborative with individuals and health care faculty dedicated to the health and wellness of individuals with chronic disease and conditions. Recent scholarly activities include national and regional presentations, grant co-author (details below).  Starting June 2020, provide oversight and leadership as Director of $3.75 million, 5 year HRSA federal grant, titled the Montana Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (MGWEP).  This program provides geriatric education and training to develop a health care workforce to improve health outcomes for older adults. Services and training are provided for patients, families, caregivers, direct care workers, health professionals, students, family medical residents and faculty in a variety of settings. 

Teaching responsibilities as primary instructor focus on neurological rehabilitation.  Additional teaching responsibilities include interprofessional health care team roles, billing/coding (including Medicare/Medicaid), interventions, and clinical reasoning. Previous teaching experience includes geriatrics and lifespan considerations, exercise physiology, musculoskeletal examination, documentation, orthopedics, and functional mobility/basic skills.   

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Director of Clinical Services and Clinical Education/Clinical Faculty UM PT School

5/2012 – 7/2018, University of Montana, Missoula MT

Responsible for overall management of the UMPT Clinic, an outpatient physical therapy clinic at the University of Montana, and New Directions Wellness Center, an adaptive on-campus fitness center. Included management of clinical education experiences, human resources, fiscal responsibility, oversight of clinical services, and directing day to day functions.  Performed management and daily use of electronic health records system.  Provided physical therapy services to older individuals and individuals with neurological disorders and chronic conditions, including development of adaptive wellness and fitness programs.

Developed and supervised interprofessional education experiences for pharmacy and social work students. Site coordinator of clinical education as well as clinical instructor for doctorate physical therapy students.

Service learning leadership and program development with emphasis on interprofessional education with the geriatric population, included involvement with MGWEP and their community outreach initiatives for screening older individuals as part of an interprofessional faculty/student team.

Scholarship involvement was collaborative with individuals and health care faculty dedicated to the health and wellness of individuals with chronic disease and conditions (details below).

Teaching responsibilities in geriatrics, lifespan considerations, and neurological rehabilitation. Other teaching responsibilities included interprofessional health care team roles, billing/coding (including Medicare/Medicaid), interventions, and clinical reasoning.  

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Physical Therapist, intermittent, Community Medical Center, Missoula MT

1/ 2013 – 8/2016

Provided direct patient care in acute care hospital and in-patient rehabilitation center including provision of treatment, assessments, examinations; documentation via paper and electronic medical records; contributed to the interprofessional team through effective documentation, verbal and written communication, use of EHR system.

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Physical Therapist/Clinical Manager New Directions Wellness Center, Clinical Faculty UM PT School

7/2005 – 5/2012, University of Montana, Missoula MT

Provided direct patient care of complex medical and neurologically involved patients.  Developed and assisted in supervising interprofessional clinical experiences (Pharmacy, Social Work, Exercise Science). Supervised PTs, students and PT Aides.  Clinical Faculty in the School of PT.  Managed human resources, provide clinical oversight; managed insurance denials program development, community education, marketing, PT student clinical site coordinator. Administered/supervised Student Run Clinic. 

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Physical Therapist/Rehab Services Manager (transferred within Lantis Ent.)

2002 – 7/2005, South Fork Rehab (80%), Valle Vista Manor (20%), Lewistown MT

Provided direct patient care in out-patient setting and long term care in rural setting. Program development and quality assurance.  Managed contract and in-house therapy staff.  Medicare denials management.

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Physical Therapist/Rehab Services Manager

1997 - 2002, Big Sky Care Center, Helena MT

Provided direct patient care in sub-acute and long term care as part of an interdisciplinary team.  Management of rehab department, site coordinator of clinical education, developed budget, program development, clinical instructor, participated in MDS completion.  Medicare denials management.

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Physical Therapist/Clinical Instructor

St. Luke's Rehabilitation Center, Spokane WA

    Family Home Care:  1996-1997  

    Deaconess Medical Center:  1995-1996  

    St. Luke's Rehabilitation:  1993-1995

Honors / Awards

2019 American Physical Therapy Association “Neurologic Educator of the Year Award”

2007 Montana Physical Therapy Association “Nora Staael Evert Professional Achievement Award”