Conference Educators
Meet our esteemed educators, whose expertise and dedication make them invaluable to our conference. Hailing from across the U.S. and beyond, many have presented at ISS and bring a wealth of experience from international settings.
Michelle Lange is an occupational therapist with over 38 years of experience and has been in private practice, Access to Independence, for over 19 years. She is a well-respected lecturer, both nationally and internationally, and has authored numerous texts, chapters, and articles. She is the co-editor of Seating and Wheeled Mobility: a clinical resource guide. She is the former NRRTS Continuing Education Curriculum Coordinator and Clinical Editor of NRRTS Directions magazine. Michelle is a RESNA Fellow and member of the Clinician Task Force. Michelle is a RESNA certified ATP and SMS.
Curt Prewitt is Director of Education for Ki Mobility. He has a BS in Exercise Physiology and an MS in Physical Therapy from the University of Colorado. He practiced as a physical therapist in a number of settings for a few years, most prominently in long term care, where he gained experience with seating and wheeled mobility. He transitioned from a practicing therapist to a manufacturer’s representative, eventually moving into sales management and focusing on complex rehab technology. After over 18 years in the industry, he started the clinical education department at Ki Mobility in 2017, and in his role as director, he has presented numerous continuing professional education courses across the US and internationally.
Sarah is a physical therapist and the Regional Clinical Education Manager for Permobil in the Mountain Region. Prior to joining Permobil in 2021, Sarah worked at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation where she gained extensive experience in neuro rehabilitation. At Kessler, she served as the inpatient wheelchair team lead and a member of the outpatient wheelchair clinic. She has lectured for numerous Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Medical Residency Programs and was a faculty member for Kessler’s PT Neuroresidency program. She has also presented at ASCIP and the International Seating Symposium. Sarah is a current member of RESNA and the APTA Assistive Technology/Seating & Wheeled Mobility SIG.
Lindsey is a Physical Therapist and an Assistive Technology Professional who is the Regional Director of Clinical Education for LUCI. Lindsey is responsible for developing an education program consisting of clinical inservices, CEU courses, and various resources to help clinicians and ATPs ensure that power wheelchair drivers have access to the technology needed to improve their quality of life and enhance their safety and independence. Lindsey presents regularly across the United States at various regional and national conferences including VGM’s Heartland and ISS and will be presenting at CSMC 2024.
Cameron has been working in the field of assistive technology with focus on complex rehab since 2011. Cameron has earned his Assistive Technology Professional Certification through RESNA. He has a strong background in Specialty Controls and Electronics on complex rehab power chairs. Cameron currently is the Quantum and Stealth Products Rehab Product Specialist for Utah.
Julie Piriano, PT, ATP/SMS is the Sr. Director of Payor Relations and Regulatory Affairs at the National Coalition for Assistive and Rehab Technology (NCART). She has worked in the seating and wheeled mobility industry for the past 40 years as a clinician, advocate, and educator where she presents nationally and internationally on seating and wheeled mobility with a focus on evaluation, documentation, and clinical applications of available technologies. Julie is a member of the RESNA Board of Directors where she serves on the Finance and Government Affairs Committees and is the board liaison to the Professional Standards Board where she recently served as the Chair. She is an active participant in the Wheeled Mobility and Seating SIG and the PT PSG. She is a Friend of iNRRTS, a member of the APTA and the Clinician Task Force. She serves on the DMEMAC Advisory Councils, the board of the AMRG Group, several State Associations, and the Mobility Management Editorial Board. Julie is a highly proactive industry resource on legislative and regulatory issues that impact the complex rehab industry.
With over 40 years of clinical practice as an OT, Jessica Presperin Pedersen has worked in all sectors of the wheelchair and seating industry as a master clinician, supplier, manufacturing consultant, design representative, and educator. Jessica started the first seating clinic in Chicago in the 1980s and continues to be involved in research, focusing on postural supports and power wheelchairs. She is a RESNA and AOTA Fellow, serves on the Clinician Task Force, the seating and Wheeled Mobility Committee for AOTA, and has shared her experiences internationally through publications and presentations. Jessica loves to take advantage of what Chicago has to offer in food, sites, and entertainment, but also enjoys hikes through the local forest preserves and along the lake.
Dan has been in the HME industry for over 29 years and currently serves as the Director of Reimbursement for U.S. Rehab a Division of The VGM Group Inc. Dan joined VGM in 2014 and before that, was the Director of Education and Compliance for Pride Mobility Products / Quantum Rehab for 13 years. Prior to joining Pride, Dan served as a Senior Manager for Provider Outreach and Education (POE) and Electronic Data Interchange for the Jurisdiction A DME MAC (Travelers Insurance and United Healthcare) for nearly 6 years. He currently sits on the Medicare Council and has presented at numerous local and national events regarding Medicare compliance and reimbursement including, Medtrade, Heartland Conference, ISS, RESNA and for multiple state association meetings. Dan is a graduate of Penn State University where he earned a BS in Economics.
Doctor Maniaci holds a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Missouri. She began her career in a Spinal Cord Injury rehab hospital where she grew her expertise in seating and education. She expanded upon that expertise working in outpatient neurology and as an educator for a local complex rehab supplier. Erin puts strong emphasis on building patient rapport and cultivating relationships. She is a current Clinical Education Specialist with Motion Composites where she provides educational sessions throughout North America and internationally.