Sam Porritt, Founder of the Falling Forward Foundation

​In August of 2011 while on vacation in Italy, Sam fell off a 15’ wall and suffered a spinal cord injury.  Initially, Sam was paralyzed from the waist down.  His recovery from such a catastrophic injury would be a long one. 

Like many people, Sam paid little attention to his medical insurance.  He’d never heard the term “therapy cap”. While most (99%) insurance policies place a limit on rehabilitation, Sam’s policy had no limit.  Fewer than 1% of policies have such a benefit.  That meant that Sam had a chance.  Sam's insurance covered nearly two years of intensive rehabilitation. With the skill and support of many therapy professionals (at the University of Kansas Medical Center and Lawrence Memorial Hospital), Sam recovered.  He's now able to walk with a cane, drive a car, and work part-time.   
During his two years in rehab, Sam saw the impact of therapy caps first-hand.  Sam met hundreds of fellow patients whose recoveries were cut short when their insurance benefits stopped and they were unable to pay out of their own pockets.  In August of 2013, Sam launched Falling Forward Foundation to give other patients the same opportunity that he had --- to continue their rehabilitation and to recover to their full potential.  So far, Falling Forward has funded the rehabilitation of 48 people at four rehab centers in Colorado, Illinois, Kansas and Missouri.

Prior to his accident, Sam spent more than 25 years in marketing and advertising, building some of America's largest brands in snack food, household products, footwear and retail.  Sam grew up in Peoria, IL and earned an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Sean Hagey, PTA & Founder of GetPT1st 

Sean is a Physical Therapist Assistant with experience working in both outpatient and home health. He is active in the Home Health Section as head of the Social Media Taskforce and was a speaker at the Combined Sections Meeting in Anaheim this year. Sean started GetPT1st to help brand and promote the profession of physical therapy and has a passion for helping therapists connect with the public. He loves to laugh, talk music, and even dance with his clients on occasion.​

Mark Dwyer, PT, MHA, FACHE

Mr. Dwyer graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Kansas(1987) and a Master's in Health Services Administration(1997).  He has practiced in a variety of settings including acute care, inpatient rehab, skilled nursing, outpatient and work conditioning as well as working in management and leadership since 1991.  In 2014, Mark was conferred Fellow status within the American College of Healthcare Executives. Currently, Mark is the Director of Rehabilitation Services & SportsNet for Olathe Medical Center in Olathe, KS as well as the KPTA Chief Delegate.  Formerly, he served as the KPTA President from 2005 to 2011.  Mark has taught 40+ CE workshops and is continually committed to educating clinicians and students.  He has taught Healthcare Management at Rockhurst since 1998, Healthcare Systems at the University of St. Mary since 2014, and previous taught Rehabilitation Administration at the University of Kansas.  He is currently an adjunct instructor at the the University of Rockburst and University of St. Mary in the DPT curriculums.  Among all of this, Mark has been a member of the American Physical Therapy Association since 1985, a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives since 2003 and has led the Kansas City Area Rehabilitation Management Forum (ARM) since 1993.

Tommy Van Towle, DPT

Tommy Van Towle earned his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Kansas Medical Centerer in 2009.  For the past three years, he has worked at the University of Kansas Hospital as an Acute Care and Inpatient Rehabilitation Therapist.  Tommy has a special interest in trauma, including brain and spinal cord injury.  Tommy has served on the KPTA Board of Directors as the Membership Chair for the past 3 years.