2025 Innovation Summit

The Physical Therapy Learning Institute is proud to host the

2025 Disruptive Innovation in Physical Therapist Education Virtual Summit:

“Transforming Physical Therapy Education: Powered by AI
The Future Waits for No One"

hosted on April 4-5, 2025

Gold Level Sponsor:

RehabEssentials - Color RGB - JPG (Online).jpg

We would like to extend our sincere appreciation for the Summit Sponsors and their contributions. If you are interested in learning more about sponsoring the 2025 Summit download our Sponsorship Overview.

Summit Recordings, Handouts, & Presentation Slides: COMING SOON, PLEASE CHECK BACK

To view the recordings or download handouts and presentation slides for the keynote and topic sessions, scroll down or select the session you are interested in:

Keynote: Ethics and Bias in AI presented by Ken Masters, PhD, HDE, FDE
Keynote: Precision Education presented by Martin Pusic, MD
Topic 1: Teaching with AI
Topic 2: Integrating AI into the Curriculum and Learner Competencies
Topic 3: Administrative Applications of AI

Summit Description:

This summit was an insightful and forward-looking virtual summit around a truly disruptive topic, AI in Physical Therapy Teaching and Learning, where leading educators and innovators explored the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on the education of future physical therapists. This event was designed to facilitate high-level discussions around the integration of AI technologies in physical therapy education, with a focus on content generation, precision education, learner assessment, and learner-centered strategies. Participants discovered how AI is revolutionizing teaching methods, enabling precision education through adaptive learning, personalized content, and predictive analytics. With AI-driven tutoring systems, educators can now offer tailored support to students, while content generation and delivery become more efficient, accurate, and adaptable to individual learning styles. Discussion and presentations were centered around AI in the classroom and student tutoring, AI in clinical education, and administrative uses of AI (e.g., policies/accreditation).

Keynote Presentations:

KeynoteAgenda

Ken Masters, PhD, HDE, FDE

Ethics and Bias in AI

Presented by: Ken Masters, PhD, HDE, FDE

The first of two keynotes was delivered by Dr. Ken Masters, an Associate Professor of Medical Informatics in the Medical Education and Informatics Department at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman and a global expert on ethics and bias in AI. He's authored numerous papers and guidelines on the ethical use of AI, the creation of custom GPTs, and how health professional educators must prepare for a future with artificial general intelligence (AGI). Dr. Masters delved into the ethical dimensions of AI in education and how we ensure that AI tools are transparent, unbiased, and equitable in physical therapy training. This session addressed both the promises and perils of AI, focusing on mitigating biases in data, algorithms, and decision-making systems. Dr. Masters also addressed the need for educators to stay ahead of rapid technological changes. Just as large language models (LLMs) transformed classrooms unexpectedly, AGI holds the potential for even more dramatic shifts.

Precision Education

Presented by: Martin Pusic, MD

The second keynote focusrf on precision education—the application of AI to create personalized learning environments that cater to each student’s unique needs and pace. This keynote was delivered by Dr. Martin Pusic, MD. Dr. Pusic is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Director of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) Research and Education Foundation and served as an investigator in more than 100 publications focused on learning analytics and the role and impact of research, data, and informatics on medical education and learning. This session examined how AI enables data-driven insights into student performance, allowing educators to design interventions that maximize individual learning outcomes and prepare students more effectively for the demands of clinical practice.

Martin Pusic, MD

Key Themes & Topics:

Ethics and Bias in AI (Keynote)
Precision Education (Keynote)
Integrating AI into the Curriculum: As AI becomes an integral part of healthcare, it is critical for physical therapy students to understand how to leverage AI for patient management and clinical decision-making. This session explored how to teach students to use AI tools effectively, from predictive analytics in patient care to integrating AI into treatment planning. Attendees gained insights on where and how to embed AI instruction into an already packed curriculum, balancing the need for foundational knowledge and skills with the rising importance of AI literacy.
AI for Clinical Education Preparation: AI can enhance clinical education preparation by offering virtual patient simulations, enabling students to practice clinical decision-making in diverse, realistic scenarios. It can provide personalized feedback, track student progress, and adapt learning experiences to individual needs. Additionally, AI tools can analyze clinical case studies, helping students refine critical thinking and treatment planning skills, ultimately better preparing them for real-world patient care.
AI in Learner Assessment: Explore how AI tools are enhancing learner assessment, offering more nuanced and continuous evaluation of student progress. From automated grading to real-time performance feedback in clinical simulations, AI is reshaping how educators measure student competencies and readiness for practice.
AI in Student Tutoring: AI can provide personalized tutoring for physical therapy students, offering real-time feedback, adaptive learning paths, and interactive simulations that enhance clinical decision-making skills.
AI in Faculty Administrative Roles: AI can streamline administrative tasks for faculty, including grading, scheduling, and managing student performance data. It can also assist in maintaining accreditation standards by automating compliance tracking and generating data-driven reports, as well as supporting policy development through analysis of institutional trends and best practices.

Objectives:

This summit was designed to provoke thought and action. Will the early adopters of AI change the future of physical therapy education, leaving those who hesitate behind? The discussions and insights shared demonstrated that AI is not just a passing trend—it is a disruptive force that will shape the future of teaching, learning, and practice in physical therapy. Attendees left equipped with the tools and strategies needed to lead this transformation, ensuring they remain at the forefront of the educational revolution already underway. Participants were encouraged to embrace AI, or risk being left behind in an increasingly AI-driven educational landscape. Upon completion of this event, participants will be able to:

Understand the Ethical Implications of AI in Education: Participants will explore the ethical considerations of AI in physical therapy education, including strategies to mitigate bias in AI-driven decision-making systems.
Leverage AI for Personalized Learning: Attendees will gain insights into how AI can be used to create adaptive learning environments that cater to individual student needs, improving educational outcomes.
Integrate AI into the Physical Therapy Curriculum: Educators will learn practical approaches to embedding AI tools in physical therapy education, from clinical decision-making to patient management.
Utilize AI for Enhanced Learner Assessment: Participants will explore AI-driven tools that provide real-time feedback and continuous assessment, improving student competency evaluation and readiness for clinical practice.
Incorporate AI in Faculty Administrative Tasks: Attendees will discover how AI can streamline administrative duties such as grading and accreditation compliance, allowing educators to focus more on teaching and mentoring.

Summit Format:
This virtual, online summit occurred April 4-5, 2025 (see detailed agenda below). Attendance was limited to 200 invited attendees representing a wide variety of interested parties in physical therapist education including educators from entry-level education programs, clinical educators, and educators from residency/fellowship programs. Over the course of the summit, there were 2 keynote addresses and three sessions which will include a presentation followed by small group and general conversation around the application of the theme of the Summit across the continuum of physical therapist education (i.e.,entry-level/didactic education, clinical education, and residency/fellowship/continuing professional development). This was followed by a general summary session to create action plans for innovation in our own environments.

PlatformPresentation24

AI Teaching Exchange:

All attendees were encouraged to submit a short video presentation that is related to using AI in physical therapy education (DPT, residency, fellowship). Some suggested topics included (not an all-inclusive list):

Application of AI in Content Delivery
Application of AI in Learner Assessment
Application of AI for Tutoring/Advising/Coaching
Application of AI in Administration
Using AI for Custom GPTs
Bias, Ethics, Risks with AI in PT Education

The purpose of the AI Teaching Exchange presentations was to provide a forum for Summit participants of all experience levels and across all applications to connect and exchange innovative ideas on how to leverage AI tools to enhance teaching and learning in physical therapy education. We hoped that these presentations are an opportunity to highlight unique and innovative applications of AI but also to allow all Summit participants to further reflect on what AI can really look like in classroom and clinical teaching environments. We encouraged all Summit participants to share their ideas - from preliminary to fully formed and implemented. Participants were encouraged to consider this as an opportunity to “have the floor” to share their thoughts, ideas, perspectives, initiatives, and/or data (if you have any). All registered participants had the opportunity to view the recordings before the conference begins. The recordings will not be shared beyond the Summit attendees without consent. We believe this fostered deeper conversation and exposes participants to a broad cross-section of valued opinions, informing a more robust live discussion.

The details:

These presentations were not be peer-reviewed; however, as an invited conference participant, the you may list these as an invited conference presentation. All submissions from invited conference participants were accepted provided they meet the additional requirements below.
Only ONE teaching exchange presentation was accepted per attendee.
Submissions were recorded using video or meeting software that resulted in a shareable video file in an MP4 or MOV format.
Files should be submitted using this Google Form no later than April 1, 2025.
Submissions are eligible for recognition by PTLI. There will be a maximum of one “Innovator Award” and one “Influencer Award” in each of the three topic categories.

Summit Agenda:.

The agenda below outlines the sessions that took place during the Summit. To learn more about the speakers, click on their name below:

Friday, April 4, 2025 (all times are Eastern Time Zone):

4:00p-4:15p:

Welcome from PTLI President, Jennifer Green-Wilson; Summit Overview & Ground Rules (Karen Abraham); Introduction of Keynote Speakers (Greg Hartley)

4:15p-5:00p:

Introductory Keynote Session with Ken Masters

5:30p-6:15p:

Open Forum/Q&A with Keynote Speakers

6:15p-6:30p:

Preview of Saturday’s Agenda/Format (Summit Planning Committee)

Saturday, April 5, 2025 (all times are Eastern Time Zone):

The agenda below outlines the sessions that took place during the Summit. To learn more about the speakers, click on their name below:

11:00a-1:00p:

Topic 1: Teaching with AI

Facilitators/Group Disc:

11:00a - 11:20a Kaelee Brockway, PT, DPT, EdD
11:20a - 11:40a Kathleen Fortier, PT, DPT, MBA
11:40a - 12:00p Scarlett Morris, PT, DPT, MTC, OCS
12:00p - 12:30p Small Group discussion
12:30p - 1:00p Large Group discussion

1:00p-1:30p:

Break

1:30p-3:00p:

Topic 2: Integrating AI into the Curriculum and Learner Competencies

Facilitators/Group Disc:

1:30p - 1:50p Nathan Morelli, PT, DPT, PhD
1:50p - 2:10p CJ Morrow, PT, DPT
2:10p - 2:40p Small Group discussion
2:40p - 3:00p Large Group discussion

3:00p-3:15p:

Break

3:15p-4:20p:

Topic 3: Administrative Applications of AI

Speakers/Group Disc:

3:15p - 3:35p Stephen Jernigan, PT, PhD, FNAP
3:35p - 4:05p Small group discussion
4:05p - 4:20p Large group discussion

4:20p-4:30p:

Break

4:30p-5:15p:

Group Comments/Reflection (Greg) Closing Remarks, and Program Evaluation (Karen)

Topic1

Topic2

Topic3

5:00p-5:30p:

Keynote Session with Martin Pusic

Objectives:

Friday, April 4, 2025 (all times are Eastern Time Zone):

4:00p-4:15p:

4:15p-5:00p:

5:30p-6:15p:

6:15p-6:30p:

Saturday, April 5, 2025 (all times are Eastern Time Zone):

The agenda below outlines the sessions that took place during the Summit. To learn more about the speakers, click on their name below:

11:00a-1:00p:

1:00p-1:30p:

1:30p-3:00p:

3:00p-3:15p:

3:15p-4:20p:

4:20p-4:30p:

4:30p-5:15p:

5:00p-5:30p:

Questions?
Please contact Summit Organizers Karen Abraham at kabraham@su.edu.

We Are

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Objectives:

Friday, April 4, 2025 (all times are Eastern Time Zone):

4:00p-4:15p:

4:15p-5:00p:

5:30p-6:15p:

6:15p-6:30p:

Saturday, April 5, 2025 (all times are Eastern Time Zone):

The agenda below outlines the sessions that took place during the Summit. To learn more about the speakers, click on their name below:

11:00a-1:00p:

1:00p-1:30p:

1:30p-3:00p:

3:00p-3:15p:

3:15p-4:20p:

4:20p-4:30p:

4:30p-5:15p:

5:00p-5:30p:

Questions? Please contact Summit Organizers Karen Abraham at kabraham@su.edu.

We Are

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Questions?
Please contact Summit Organizers Karen Abraham at kabraham@su.edu.