2025-11-19 Offense Meets Defense: Safe Guarding Success in High-Intensity Gait Training Through Knowledge to Action Implementation of Clinical Practice Guidelines

Abby earned her Bachelor of Science (BS) in Neuroscience from Westminster College in Salt Lake City, Utah in 2017 and her Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from the University of Utah in 2023. She began her career at TIRR Memorial Hermann Kirby Glen Outpatient Center in 2023, working on the Spinal Cord Injury service line. In 2024, she pursued a Neurologic Physical Therapy Residency at TIRR Memorial Hermann and, following its completion, advanced into her current role as an inpatient physical therapist on the Brain Injury and Stroke Team. 

Clinically, Abby’s special interests include motor learning, neurologic rehabilitation, and expanding accessibility in healthcare. Her work has focused on knowledge translation, high-intensity gait training, and innovative strategies to implement outcome measures and patient-reported outcomes in pro bono and neurologic rehabilitation settings. She has presented research and platforms at national conferences, including the APTA Combined Sections Meeting, and guest lectured at multiple Doctor of Physical Therapy programs on gait training, the ASIA International Standards for Spinal Cord Injury Classification, motor control, and disability justice considerations in neurologic rehabilitation.

Abby is an engaged member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), participating in the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy (ANPT) and the Academy of Leadership and Innovation (ALI). She also serves as Outreach Director for ALI’s Disability Justice Anti-Ableism Advocacy Catalyst Group and an active member of the Education Committee for Allies for Improving the Disability Experience (AIDE), an employee engagement group at Memorial Hermann. Outside of clinical practice, Abby is passionate about advancing disability justice, accessibility in education and rehabilitation, and expanding opportunities for accessible recreation. In her free time, she enjoys hiking with her dog, puzzles, and anything related to travel.

Julia Sypek earned her Bachelor of Science (BS) in Exercise Science from the University of Massachusetts Lowell in Lowell, MA in 2021, and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) from Texas Woman’s University in Houston, TX in 2024. She then went on to pursue the TIRR Memorial Hermann Neurologic Physical Therapy Residency program, which she recently completed in 2025. 

Following residency, Julia now works as a clinician on the Brain Injury and Stroke Team at TIRR Memorial Hermann, where she continues to pursue her passion for treating this patient population. She is also actively involved in a quality improvement initiative at TIRR, focusing on knowledge translation strategies to promote evidence-based practice related to the Locomotor Clinical Practice Guideline. Julia has presented at both local and national conferences on topics related to neurologic physical therapy, as well as community health promotion and wellness. 

In addition, Julia has served as a guest lecturer at several Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) and Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) programs. These experiences have fueled her interest in teaching, and she hopes to continue contributing to DPT education in the future. 

Outside of her professional work, she enjoys staying active, spending time outdoors, and traveling.