Midwest Student Conclave
TBD
Checkout our 2021 Conclave Info!
COVID- 19 Precautions: We will be implementing the COVID precautions taken by KUMC campus where the event is being held. Masks will be required at all times while on the premises. Food will not be allowed in the lecture hall. Attendees can bring drinks into the lecture hall, where brief unmasking will be allowed to take a drink.
If you have any questions, send an email to: kptassig@gmail.com!
Check out our previous speakers for the
2021 Midwest Student Conclave!
Dan Lorenz, DPT, PT, ATC, LAT, CSCS
Dan Lorenz, DPT, PT, ATC, LAT, CSCS is the Director of Sports Medicine at Lawrence Memorial Hospital/OrthoKS in Lawrence, KS. Previously, he was an owner and Director of Physical Therapy for Specialists in Sports and Orthopedic Rehabilitation (SSOR), an outpatient physical therapy practice based in Overland Park, KS with three locations. He has a B.S. in Health Sciences with an emphasis in Athletic Training from Grand Valley State University in 1999 and a M.S in Physical Therapy from Grand Valley State in 2001. In 1997, he was an athletic training intern for the Chicago White Sox Major League Baseball team. From 2004-2005, he completed the Duke University Sports Physical Therapy Fellowship. Formerly, he was an assistant athletic trainer and physical therapist for the Kansas City Chiefs from 2005-2007. In 2009, he earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine in St. Augustine, FL. He was the founder and Chair of the Sports Performance Enhancement Special Interest Group for the American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy for 6 years. Dr. Lorenz has been published several times in peer-reviewed journals and has been an invited speaker numerous times at local, state, and national conferences in sports medicine. In 2018, Dan was recognized by the NSCA as the Sports Medicine/Rehabilitation Professional of the Year and in 2014, he was awarded the inaugural Distinguished Physical Therapy Alumni Award from Grand Valley State University.
Lizzie Kieffer, DPT
Lizzie Kieffer is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Pelvic Floor certified, Dry Needling certified, Vestibular and Concussion Rehab certified, and has done extensive courses on Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization. She uses these techniques to not only help fix the problem that you are facing, but to find the root cause so that you can change for the better. She has worked with several types of patients such as those suffering from pelvic pain or incontinence, migraines, Crossfit athletes, runners, chronic low back/neck pain, "weekend warrior" athletes, and fitness enthusiasts.
She found her passion in physical therapy when she was going to college at Kansas State University. It was there where she was exposed to the field and fell in love with helping patients through their rehab journey and getting to know them on a personal level. She believes physical therapy should be an intimate approach and very hands on.
After she graduated from the University of Saint Mary physical therapy program, she consistently found herself wanting more than what the corporate field could offer. She thinks that all patients deserve one-on-one valued care without insurance dictating how a provider practices and what they can and can't do with their patient.
Her goal for each and every patient is to walk out feeling better than when they came in. She believes that everyone has the ability to improve their performance and know their body better. Every patient deserves to live a life pain free and doing what they want and when they want to do it. Her hope is that you will learn to be independent in rehab and be able to have the tools in your toolbox to use when needed.
Besides physical therapy, Lizzie enjoys spending time with her husband, Matt, and dog, Snickers. She enjoys doing anything outdoors, staying active, reading, traveling, cooking, and spending time with her extended family.
She found her passion in physical therapy when she was going to college at Kansas State University. It was there where she was exposed to the field and fell in love with helping patients through their rehab journey and getting to know them on a personal level. She believes physical therapy should be an intimate approach and very hands on.
After she graduated from the University of Saint Mary physical therapy program, she consistently found herself wanting more than what the corporate field could offer. She thinks that all patients deserve one-on-one valued care without insurance dictating how a provider practices and what they can and can't do with their patient.
Her goal for each and every patient is to walk out feeling better than when they came in. She believes that everyone has the ability to improve their performance and know their body better. Every patient deserves to live a life pain free and doing what they want and when they want to do it. Her hope is that you will learn to be independent in rehab and be able to have the tools in your toolbox to use when needed.
Besides physical therapy, Lizzie enjoys spending time with her husband, Matt, and dog, Snickers. She enjoys doing anything outdoors, staying active, reading, traveling, cooking, and spending time with her extended family.
Matthew St. John, DPT
Matthew is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, a NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, is Dry Needling Certified, is Titleist Performance Institute Level 1 trained, and has interests in Blood Flow Restriction Training and Crossfit. Since graduating from Rockhurst in 2017, Matthew has worked at Liberty Hospital Sports Medicine where he sees a variety of patients with Sport Specific, Orthopedic, and Vestibular Conditions. Matthew has a passion for helping each patient reach their goals, and supplying them with the tools to be more active!. When he's not in the clinic Matthew likes to spend time with his wife Libbi, and their dogs Charlie and Ted, watching sports, and enjoys playing golf.
Amanda Fisher, PT, DPT and Morgan Clark PT, DPT
Amanda Fisher, PT, DPT is a Doctor of Physical Therapy at Empower Your Pelvis in Lee Summit, MO. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree at University of Missouri and attended Rockhurst University for her Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree. She helps treat women and men who experience pelvic floor dysfunction and pregnancy and postpartum dysfunction. Her desire to learn more about the pelvic floor began when she started experiencing pelvic floor pain and dysfunction personally and deep dived into this field by treating herself with muscle strengthening and coordination. Her goal is to share this information to other women in order to improve their pelvic health so they can improve their health, fitness, and even relationships.
Morgan Clark, PT, DPT is a Doctor of Physical Therapy at Empower Your Pelvis. Morgan is a native of Lee Summit, MO and graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree and Doctorate of Physical Therapy from The University of Missouri. Morgan realized her love of pelvic health during clinical education when working under Amanda Fisher. Since realizing her passion, Morgan has been dedicated to continuing her education through multiple courses in the specialty of pelvic health. Morgan prides herself in working with a large variety of women’s health conditions and looks forward to continuing her future in the field.
Morgan Clark, PT, DPT is a Doctor of Physical Therapy at Empower Your Pelvis. Morgan is a native of Lee Summit, MO and graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree and Doctorate of Physical Therapy from The University of Missouri. Morgan realized her love of pelvic health during clinical education when working under Amanda Fisher. Since realizing her passion, Morgan has been dedicated to continuing her education through multiple courses in the specialty of pelvic health. Morgan prides herself in working with a large variety of women’s health conditions and looks forward to continuing her future in the field.
Andrea Thorne, PT
Mrs. Thorne received her Master’s Degree from Washington University in 2001. She is certified in pediatric vestibular therapy through the APTA. She studied under clinically certified vestibular therapists for several years while working with adults. She has been instrumental in the development of the pediatric vestibular therapy program at Children’s Mercy Hospital. Mrs. Thorne is the physical therapy support for the Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Clinic and Comprehensive Concussion Clinic at Children’s Mercy Hospital. Under her guidance, there are over 20 therapists that have been trained to address vestibular issues for the hospital. She is the founder of the Vestibular Therapy Special Interest Group for Kansas City area vestibular therapists that meet quarterly. She was the recipient of the Clinical Excellence Award for Allied Health in 2016 and Shining Star award in 2021. In 2017, the APTA accepted and published her Pediatric Fact Sheet on Concussion. She continues to practice clinically at Children’s Mercy Hospital and serves as an adjunct professor at Rockhurst University.
Location:Health Education Building
University of Kansas Medical Center 3901 Rainbow Boulevard Kansas City, KS 66160 |

Driving and Parking Instructions |
There will be volunteers and signage to help guide you to the conclave!
Do I have to be a KPTA member to attend?
No, you do not have to be a KPTA/APTA member to attend this conference! Although it is held by KPTA student members, it is only encouraged that you consider joining the KPTA! All DPT and PTA students in the Kansas area are invited to attend.
What is the dress code?
Business casual is preferred!
Is there a fee to attend the conference?
The Midwest Student Conclave is completely FREE to attend. The only costs a student might encounter is if they must travel and stay in a hotel.
Is this a conference for both students and PT/A's?
This conference is solely designed for the audience to be students in PT and PTA programs. Licensed PT's and PTA's can attend the Spring and Fall KPTA conferences, which are different than the Midwest Student Conclave.