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2025 Webinars
Post DPT School Training and Specialization
as PTs of Color:
Residency & Fellowship
May 7, 2025 at 7:00 PM PST
Speakers:
Dr. Alberto Luis, PT, DPT, MS-HCA, Cert. IPNFA 5
Dr. Lily Bankas, PT, DPT, CLT
Dr. Ariana Antonio, PT, DPT, SCS
Dr. Steven Samaniego, PT, DPT, Cert: IPNFA 5
About our speakers:
Dr. Alberto Luis obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from San Francisco State University, and a Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from CSU East Bay. In 2023, Alberto obtained a Doctorate in Physical Therapy degree from Samuel Merritt University. Alberto completed the 9-month Kaiser Vallejo Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) training program, and obtained the IPNFA 5 level certification in 2023. Through this training program, Alberto gained invaluable experience working in the acute rehabilitation setting as part of the stroke recovery team. Additionally, he had the opportunity to collaborate with other care providers, including occupational and speech therapists, in the treatment of patients recovering from stroke and other orthopedic, cardiovascular, or neurological conditions. Currently, Alberto works full-time in Kaiser Oakland in the outpatient setting, primarily treating patients with neurological or vestibular conditions. He also works per-diem at San Leandro Hospital in the acute rehabilitation unit. Alberto enjoys collaborating with his patients and strives to understand their movement challenges and their functional goals to help them optimize their functional mobility and quality of life. Alberto plans on obtaining certification as Neurologic Clinical Specialist in 2026.
While in physical therapy school, Alberto wanted to connect with other Latinx and Spanish-speaking therapists. He also wanted to share his knowledge with and mentor prospective and current physical therapy students; thus, created social media presence via LatinxPT.
Dr. Lily Bankas graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Cal Poly Humboldt and obtained a Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) from Samuel Merritt University in 2023. Initially focused on athletics, she redirected her focus to pelvic health after a shadowing experience during her time at Cal Poly Humboldt. To further enhance her expertise in pelvic health, Dr. Bankas completed Agile Physical Therapy’s Women’s Health Residency in 2024, where she acquired her Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT) certification from The Klose Training. Throughout the residency program, she gained extensive experience in treating various pelvic floor conditions such as bowel, urinary, and sexual dysfunctions, as well as post-surgical recovery for pelvic, prostate, and breast cancers. She also worked with prenatal and postpartum populations to address pelvic and musculoskeletal conditions, prepare for successful deliveries, and recover in the postpartum period with guidance from mentors within the residency program.
Presently, Lily is employed at Sutter Health Palo Alto Medical Foundation in Fremont, CA, where she specializes in treating pelvic floor conditions, prenatal/postpartum care, lymphedema management (primarily pelvic and upper extremities), breast cancer-related lymphedema, and conditions associated with cancer treatments. Additionally, she focuses on post-surgical recovery following gynecological, prostate, and breast cancer surgeries. In her practice, Dr. Bankas strives to provide essential support and tools for patients to achieve their personal goals.
In her personal time, Lily enjoys spending time with her significant other, friends, family, and being active.
Dr. Ariana Antonio earned her Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from San Diego State University and went on to receive her Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) from Samuel Merritt University in 2022. With a long-standing passion for working with athletes, she completed a Sports Physical Therapy Residency at UCSF Benioff’s Sports Medicine Center for Young Athletes.
During her residency, Ariana received focused clinical mentorship in the evaluation and treatment of sports-related orthopedic conditions, including post-operative ACL reconstructions, meniscus repairs, and shoulder instability procedures. She treated patients ranging in age from 5 to 25, combining evidence-based practice with personalized care. In addition to her clinical training, she gained valuable on-field experience working alongside a certified athletic trainer at a local Bay Area high school, managing acute injuries and providing real-time support to athletes.
Currently, Ariana splits her time between UCSF Benioff’s Sports Medicine Center for Young Athletes and Progressive Motion Physical Therapy. At Progressive Motion—a multidisciplinary clinic that includes physical therapists, chiropractors, massage therapists, and strength coaches—she provides one-on-one, individualized care to athletes of all ages and high-performing individuals, helping them restore and optimize movement to perform at their best. Ariana is passionate about empowering her patients through education, motivation, and a collaborative approach to care.
Dr. Steven Samaniego obtained his Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology and a minor in religious studies from Arizona State University and completed his DPT degree at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, CA in 2023. Steven also completed a 9-month PNF program at KFRC receiving the IPNFA 5 certificate in 2023, while being a part of the Spinal Cord Injury recovery team. This experience brought him the opportunity to work alongside other professions such as physicians, occupational therapy, speech therapy, nursing and understand the role that each has in patient care.
Currently, Steven is working 50/50 in the inpatient and outpatient ortho settings and has had the opportunity to treat patients with a wide array of diagnoses and conditions. He enjoys collaborating with the referring physician, specialists, and the patient to best achieve the patient’s goal(s). Wanting to enhance his manual and clinical reasoning skills he pursued a 24 month manual therapy fellowship program with an emphasis in primary care, which is set to be completed this December. Through his time during the fellowship experience he has developed an interest in concussion rehabilitation. Next year he plans to obtain a certification for concussion rehab in 2026.
Championship Connections:
The Relational Road to Athletic Gold
April 24, 2025 at 7:00 PM PST
Speakers: Dr. Dustin Willis PT, DPT, PhD, OCS, FAAOMPT
About our speaker:
Dr. Willis graduated from Loma Linda University with his DPT in 2014, where he received the Dean's Award, Clinical Excellence Award, and Fred B. Moore Mission Service Award. He completed the Orthopedic Residency Program at Rancho Physical Therapy in 2015, Kaiser Permanente's Sports and Manual Therapy Fellowship and the Lower Extremity Biomechanics Fellowship at the Movement Performance Institute in 2016, and Azusa Pacific University's Movement Performance Fellowship in 2017.
Currently, he is an Associate Professor & the Student Success Coordinator for Southern California University of Health Science's developing Doctor of Physical Therapy program and maintains concierge clinical practice through his own "Will Is The Way" company & also serves as a consultant with Move Lab Los Angeles.
Previously, he served as a PT consultant for the Los Angeles Lakers for a year as well as 5 years as a sports performance PT for Quantum Performance, including working with Kevin Durant during the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Dr. Willis recently completed his PhD dissertation on patient-provider interactions and the healing power of compassionate connections, with graduation anticipated in June 2025 from his DPT alma mater, Loma Linda University, where he has been recognized as a Rising Star (2017) and Distinguished Alumni (2022).
You’ve Graduated- Now What?
April 28, 2025 at 5:00 PM PST
Speakers: Jodi Miller PT, DPT
About our speaker:
Jodi Miller earned her DPT degree from Elon University in 2007. She is an APTA Certified Clinical Instructor and has served as a clinical instructor in outpatient, acute care, and skilled nursing settings. She has been a recipient of the clinical instructor of the year award by Nova Southeastern University. Beyond serving as a clinical instructor Dr. Miller has clinical experience in hospital-based outpatient, private practice, outpatient pediatrics, home-health, acute care, and skilled nursing. Dr.Miller served as Director of Rehabilitation and Site Coordinator for Clinical Education at a 150 bed skilled nursing facility. Dr. Miller has over 12 years of teaching experience as a lab assistant and adjunct faculty for multiple local DPT programs. She currently owns Clinical Connections Mentoring which offers tutoring services for PT/PTA students and mentoring services for New Clinicians. She also owns and works in a Private Practice in Florida.
Professionalism & Ethics in Student Leadership Orientation
March 24, 2025 at 7:00 PM PST
Email tisland@ccapta.org for Zoom Link
Speakers: Dawn James, PT, DPT, DSc & Cheryl Resnik, PT, DPT, FAPTA
About our speakers:
Dawn James, PT, DPT, DSc is a Board Certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist and an Associate Professor and Assistant Dean at Arkansas Colleges of Health Education. In addition to roles with the Ethics Committee, House of Delegates, the Assembly of Representatives, and the Pediatric Special Interest Group. Dr. James serves on the Government Affairs Committee and Chairs the Practice Act Modernization Workgroup.
Cheryl Resnik, PT, DPT, FAPTA was recently Professor of Clinical Physical Therapy at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. She retired summer 2024! Congratulations, Cheryl!
She has been an active APTA member since 1972, and has served the Association in many leadership positions, including as President of the California Physical Therapy Association. She is currently Chairperson of the CPTA Ethics Committee.