Meet the 2024 Home Health Award Recipients

The following recipients were nominated by various members of the Academy, and were selected based on the outlined criteria below by the executive committee of APTA Home Health. These Home Health Awards were presented to recipients at the APTA Home Health business meeting on Friday, February 16, 2024. 

President’s Award

Recognizes an APTA Home Health member who has provided notable service to the Academy.

Dr. Eva Norman, PT, DPT, CEEAA
Dr. Norman is a physical therapist due to a life changing event where she honestly believes that physical therapy saved her life.

Dr. Norman has been practicing physical therapy for over 25 years.  She received her B.S., M.S. and Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA. Through the years, she has practiced in different practice settings with patients of all ages with various diagnoses. Early on in her career she developed a strong interest in geriatric rehabilitation. To expand her skill set over the years she has taken numerous continuing education courses and worked in the areas of neurology, orthopedics, and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. In 2013, she became a Certified Exercise Expert for the Aging Adult.

Dr. Norman’s desire to give back to the profession she loves deeply led to her being an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association since 1994 of which she has served in numerous roles. She is currently serving as the APTA Home Health & FPTA Federal Affairs Liaison, APTA Home Health Delegate, and the APTA Home Health Government Affairs Committee. She is a member of the private practice, home health, geriatric, health policy and neurology sections.

In January 2013, Dr. Norman founded Live Your Life Physical Therapy, LLC in response to her passionate desire to offer to her clients, patients, and the public, services both in home and the community that could help them experience health, wellness, and a more active lifestyle throughout their life spans. Her team has done this through the creative applications of preventative and rehabilitative physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, personal training, acupuncture, massage, health coaching & dietary services. Her frustrations with the current health care system spending millions of dollars treating preventable disease have led to much of the success of the company and her passion to advocate for her patients and the profession.

 

Excellence in Home Health Leadership Award

Recognizes the exceptional contribution of an APTA Home Health member in promoting home health physical therapy practice.

Dr. Denise Tillery Wagner, PT, DPT, GCS is the Assistant Director of Johns Hopkins Home Health Services and directs all Rehabilitation Care. She received her BS in physical therapy from Old Dominion University and her DPT from Arcadia University. A Geriatric Clinical Specialist, certified by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialists, Denise has over 25 years of experience treating geriatric patients in their homes. She directs the rehabilitation team for home- based services and is a senior leader of the Johns Hopkins Home Health Services management team. She collaborates with the Johns Hopkins Rehabilitation Leadership to promote evidence based patient care and inter-entity program development. She has taken an integral role in developing interdisciplinary pathways for home health management of complex patients with heart failure, COPD, and DM.  She contributed to developing the first home health AM-PAC tools for mobility, activity and cognition. She received the Excellence in Home Health Clinical Practice Award in 2019. She currently serves as the Chair of the Academy of Home Health Practice Committee.

Dr. Betsy Coyle, PT, DPT
Betsy is a two-time graduate of Northern Arizona University’s Physical Therapy program, and transitional Doctorate Program. She has held several APTA Arizona Chapter board positions and has worked on State Board work groups.

Betsy has had very few employers in her 35-year physical therapy career; She started with University Medical Center and University of Arizona in Tucson for 15 years, including Research Coordinator for the Department of Neurology Movement Disorders and Neuromuscular Diseases sections.

Betsy has spent the past 20+ years in home health, with the same agency, in a variety of roles. She has been the Regional Director of Clinical Education for BAYADA Home Health Care for the past eight years, providing a positive first impression to new home health clinicians. Education is her passion, striving to spark the lifelong love of learning in others.

Dr. Paras Goel, PT, DPT, MED
Dr. Paras Goel is an APTA board-certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist and a Diplomat of American Board of Lifestyle Medicine. Dr. Goel received a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy in New Delhi, India a master’s degree in Exercise Science from Auburn University, Alabama and a post-professional Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Texas Tech University Health Science Center, Texas. His advanced certifications include APTA Advanced Competency in Home Health, Certified Exercise Expert for Aging Adults, Certified Stroke Rehabilitation Specialist, Certified Diabetes Educator, Certified PWR! Moves therapist, APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor, and a Post Graduate diploma in Yoga Science.  

Paras has 13 plus years of rehab experience in various clinical settings including his most recent experience in home health. He is very active in the physical therapy community, serving as an APTA Geriatric California State Advocate, running several programs to support home based modifications and fall prevention, sitting as a member of the Geriatric Specialty Council with American Board of Physical therapy Specialties, and reviewing several publications.

Apart from Paras’ accomplishments, it is his demeanor and ability to effectively communicate that make him one of the individuals that we seek for guidance when we have ideas, changes, or challenges to address. Paras is a perfect role model for a physical therapist who exemplifies clinical & leadership excellence.

Excellence in Home Health Clinical Practice

Recognizes a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant for outstanding clinical practice in a home health care setting.

Swathi Balantrapu, PT
My name is Swathi Balantrapu, a dedicated home health physical therapist with over a decade of experience, CEO and founder of the Agewiser Senior Care Application, researcher at Stanford and Veteran Affairs in Palo Alto, California. Today, I stand before you, deeply humbled and immensely honored, as the recipient of the Excellence in Home Health Clinical Practice Award. This recognition is not mine alone; it belongs to my incredible patients who have placed their trust in me and my services, and to my cherished family who has been a pillar of unwavering support throughout my career journey.

In the realm of home health, every day, every session, and every new patient brings a unique learning opportunity. I have always strived to provide the best outcomes for my patients, and this award reaffirms the importance of our work in delivering compassionate care. Home health offers a unique setting, providing us with the autonomy to schedule appointments, determine the most effective treatment interventions, and experience the heartwarming hospitality of our patients, most of the time. It also affords therapists the opportunity to gain invaluable insights into the practical difficulties and safety concerns within our patients' living spaces, among many other aspects. If you were to ask me the one diagnosis I have encountered repeatedly throughout my career, it would undoubtedly be 'Falls.' This recurring challenge has driven me to work on a holistic approach to fall prevention, through Agewiser and I promise to continue to bring more passion, innovation and results in the coming years to keep our seniors safe, healthy and thriving. Thank you for this incredible honor and let us all remain committed to the well-being of our patients and the advancement of home health clinical practice.