Our Team
Meet the Vestibuloholics who are contributors to Vestibular Today
Dr. Danielle Tolman, PT, DPT
Rabhan Rehabilitation Services, LLC in Savannah, GA
Balancing Act Rehab providing telehealth to patients in SC, VA, and MDDr. Danielle Tolman, PT is a physical therapist who specializes in the evaluation and treatment of patients with vestibular and balance dysfunction. She obtained her bachelors in Healthcare Management as well as her doctorate of physical therapy from Misericordia University. Dr. Tolman had the opportunity to complete a 10 week clinical rotation with a vestibular specialist at The Otolaryngology, Vestibular, and Balance Center at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, PA where she became a true “Vestibuloholic”. A few short years later, she developed the educational version of a 3D printed model of the Vestibular Organ for both patient and clinician education. In order to share her educational model, she founded Vestibular Today, which is a growing website and community dedicated to sharing interesting patient cases, educational videos, and vestibular-related research. The newest addition to Vestibular Today includes her podcast "Talk Dizzy To Me" in which she and her co-host interview leading experts in the field.
She brings her passion for raising awareness about vestibular dysfunction and imbalance out into the community by giving free presentations at senior centers and local organizations. She has created and presented in-services for audiological practices and Doctor of Physical Therapy programs about bedside testing/screening and treatment. She also teaches continuing education courses to clinicians looking to specialize in the evaluation and treatment of vestibular dysfunction.
She has completed and successfully passed the Vestibular Competency Course presented by Duke University School of Medicine & the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) in Atlanta, Georgia. She is proud to be an active Board Member of the Vestibular Disorders Association (VEDA) where she also serves on the Legislative Advocacy Committee, the Medical Advocacy Committee, the Virtual Conference Committee, and the Professional Development Committee.
Jeff Walter, PT, DPT, NCS
Otolaryngology Vestibular & Balance Center at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, PA
Jeff Walter, PT, DPT, NCS is the Director of the Otolaryngology Vestibular and Balance Center at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, PA. His clinical practice is focused on vestibular diagnostic testing and vestibular rehabilitation. He is a 1996 graduate of the University of Wisconsin with a Bachelors of Science in Physical Therapy and the University of Scranton in 2009 with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. He has attained competency certifications in “Vestibular Rehabilitation” and “Vestibular Function Test Interpretation”.
Since 1999, Jeff has lectured at professional conferences, universities, and continuing education courses for audiologists, physicians, and therapists involved in managing patients with dizziness and imbalance. He serves as an adjunct faculty member at Misericordia University, Department of Physical Therapy in Dallas, PA where he exposes future physical therapists to a more comprehensive experience for the evaluation and treatment of vestibular dysfunction. His research interests include BPPV and superior canal dehiscence.Jeff developed a teaching website “www.vestibularseminars.com” designed to provide free-access information to assist clinicians in the management of dizziness and imbalance, which he has now merged with Vestibular Today to aid in the mission of creating a place where both clinicians and patients can come together for clinical and educational resources.
Dr. Kelly Keener, PT, DPT
Hitchcock Healthcare/Aiken Regional Medical Centers in Aiken, SC
Dr. Kelly Keener, PT, DPT obtained a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management from Misericordia University (‘15) followed by a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree (‘18) from Misericordia University Physical Therapy Department. During her graduate studies, Kelly spent time in Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica where she provided intensive rehabilitation to patients who have had a stroke. Her interest in neuro carried over into the area of vestibular rehabilitation when she had a specialized ten-week clinical experience at the Otolaryngology, Vestibular, and Balance Center at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, PA.
Kelly currently resides in Aiken, SC where she works as an orthopedic and neurological physical therapist at Hitchcock Healthcare/Aiken Regional Medical Centers. She is currently a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)'s neurological section along with the vestibular special interest group. She recently completed and successfully passed the Vestibular Competency Course presented by Duke University School of Medicine & the APTA in Atlanta, GA.
Dr. Kristina Dorkoski, PT, DPT, NCS, CEEAA
Allied Services Integrated Health Care System in Wilkes-Barre, PA
Dr. Kristina Dorkoski is a physical therapist, Board-Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist, Certified Exercise Expert for Aging Adults, Professional Yoga Therapist, and certified Pilates instructor. At Allied Services Integrated Health Care System in Wilkes-Barre, PA, she couples integrative care with the latest evidence and technology in neurologic rehab. Her varied experience also includes the treatment of medically complex geriatrics, vestibular disorders, chronic pain conditions, and acute care and trauma patients.
Dr. Dorkoski earned her BS in health science and MS in physical therapy from Misericordia University, and doctorate in physical therapy from Temple University. She is an LSVT BIG® and PWR! Moves® Certified Therapist. Dr. Dorkoski is an adjunct faculty member in the Misericordia University Physical Therapy Department, where she instructs neuromuscular labs and a special practices course on the use of Pilates and Medical Therapeutic Yoga in rehabilitation.
She recently completed and successfully passed the Vestibular Competency Course presented by Duke University School of Medicine & the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) in Atlanta, Georgia. Additionally, Dr. Dorkoski serves as an adjunct faculty member at Professional Yoga Therapy Institute and Parkinson Wellness Recovery(PWR!®). She is passionate about Parkinsons Disease and a biopsychosocial approach to healthcare.
Interested in becoming a contributor?
Contact us today!
Send inquiries and a resume to VestibularToday@gmail.com
Acknowledgements
Thank You From Danielle Tolman, PT, DPT!
The amount of people there are to be thankful for is overwhelming.
Misericordia University
I never would have had the opportunity of being exposed to the amazing world of vestibular therapy if it wasn't for the combined efforts of Misericordia University's PT Department, Heather Fritz, PT, DPT, and Kristina Dorkoski, PT, DPT, NCS, CEEAA. Jeff Walter PT, DPT, NCS was asked to come in to teach an elective weekend class about vestibular examination and treatment which dove into the specialty deeper than we would have been able to cover in neuro lectures. That two day class then afforded me the rare opportunity to take on a 10 week clinical rotation at the Otolaryngology Vestibular & Balance Center at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, PA with Jeff. Misericordia University's Physical Therapy Department did a wonderful job of exposing their DPT students to all different facets and specialties within the profession. Without the support of the department and the faculty, I certainly would not be the vestibuloholic I am today. I am grateful to have Kristina Dorkoski now as a contributor to this website. Her pipe cleaner vestibular models that we created in neuro lab was one of the initial sparks for The Functional Inner Ear model!
Jeff Walter, PT, DPT, NCS
I not only want to thank Jeff for taking me on as a student and putting up with me for 10 weeks of a clinical rotation, but also for his continued support and mentoring over the years. Thank you for being a constant source of knowledge, answering all of my questions, letting me periodically come back to observe/geek-out for a day, and reviewing interesting case videos I email to you. I will always have something to learn from you and I appreciate every single interesting article or lecture you send my way. You are absolutely the person to blame for my vestibular obsession! Most of all, thank you for entrusting your invaluable videos, resources, and information to Vestibular Today.
Kelly Keener, PT, DPT
Kelly, who was also fortunate to have a clinical rotation with Jeff, has been my vestibular partner in crime. Thank you for geeking out and speaking the language with me from lamenting over stubborn cupulolithiasis, to shopping around for the best infrared video goggles. I appreciate that you're willing to proof read and double check anything we put up on the website, travel to conferences, and talk through cases with me. Your contribution to Vestibular Today and your friendship is invaluable!
My Coworkers and Employers!
Thank you to my fantastic employers and co-workers over the years at FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Center of Rockville and Horizon Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine. Each of you have had to put up with my obsession of all things dizzy, as well as endure my flashy flamingos during Balance Awareness Week (as well as the rest of the year... let's be honest). Because of the support and encouragement you've given me, I've been able to work in the clinic full time while also carving out space to attend conferences, continuing education classes, legislative advocacy weeks, VeDA committee meetings, and pursue developing The Functional Inner Ear Model. If it wasn't for the FYZICAL team in Rockville and more specifically the support I received from Bill Rolle PT, DPT, OCS, I wouldn't have been able to start Vestibular Today. Now down in the Lowcountry, I have been fortunate enough to find a team of people who afford me the time, support, and resources to continue doing what I'm passionate about.
