Movers & Shakers I Advocacy I Oluremi Onifade & DeAndrea Bullock

Practice Leadership

Join host Dr. Larry Benz, nationally recognized for his expertise in private practice physical therapy and occupational medicine alongside NEW co-hosts Tim Reynolds and Bryan Guzski. From Evidence In Motion, The Practice Leadership Podcast’s Movers and Shakers Season will go straight to the source, asking the industry heavyweights about research, social media, what technology challenges lie ahead, their seasoned advice form the clinic floor, and where to take action in advocacy.

On the sixth episode, Larry Benz, Tim Reynolds and Bryan Guzski are joined by National Association of Black Physical Therapists (NABPT) co-founders Dr. Oluremi Onifade, PT, DPT, M.Ed, CCVT, CCI & Dr. DeAndrea Bullock, PT, DPT, CCI, CDP.

Dr. Oluremi Onifade is the current NABPT President, APTA GA DEI Committee Chair, and IDEAL Chief Brand Officer. She was born in Kenya to two immigrant parents from Kenya and Nigeria. The youngest of four moved to the states as a toddler. She attended Spelman College where she development a track to allow her to become a Physical Therapist. At Spelman, After the initial rejection to PT school, Dr. Onifade pursued a Master’s of Kinesiology at Auburn University. While at Auburn, she earned a graduate assistant position in which she was an educator at a juvenile detention center for a year. Participating in this program she laid the foundation for future endeavors to educate and recruit people of color into the field of physical therapy. She earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2013 from Emory University. After completing training in Neurological specialty in 2014, she went into Home Health in North Georgia. Currently she is in her seventh year treating both orthopedic and neurological cases at an outpatient clinic in Ellenwood, Georgia, where she serves as a minority partner and Clinic Director.

In 2016 Dr. Onifade along with Dr. DeAndrea Bullock decided to co-found National Association of Black Physical Therapists (NABPT). Currently they have over 150 members in which the foundation paves the way to increase the numbers of the African Diaspora in the physical therapy field while increasing the knowledge and attendance of the black community for physical therapy.

Dr. DeAndrea Bullock is the current NABPT Vice President and a Certified Diversity Professional Assistant Director of Clinical Education for the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Emory University of Medicine. She graduated from Kennesaw State University with a Bachelor of Science degree. She earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Emory University in 2013. Dr. Bullock has been practicing physical therapy for nearly 5 years for Wellstar. She started her career in acute care and inpatient rehab at Kennestone hospital. She then transitioned to Neuro Outpatient. Dr. Bullock now works at Emory University as an Assistant Professor. She enjoys mentorship and service projects and has helped mentor high school female athletes.

Dr. Bullock is passionate about exposing resources to underserved communities and underrepresented minorities. Due to her own background, Dr. Bullock recognizes the importance of creating opportunities in different communities. She feels that when given the opportunity, young kids and adults can create the life that they want as opposed to reacting to life as it unfolds.

They discussed how they were able to create the NABPT organization and how physical therapist outside the organization can support the organization. As well as how the physical therapy profession can recruit more students of color to enroll in physical therapy programs, financial barriers surrounding physical therapy programs, mentorship and more.

More Links:National Association of Black Physical Therapists (NABPT) Larry Benz – Twitter - @PhysicalTherapy Tim Reynolds – Twitter -@ TimReynoldsDPTMovers & Mentors – Twitter - @MoversMentors Evidence In Motion – Twitter- @EIMTeam

Additional Research

• NABPT 2022 Conference June 17-19, 2022
• Become a Member with NABPT
• Start a Local Chapter with NABPT
• Become a Mentor with NABPT
• Advanced Principles of Patient-Client Management: Called to Care
• Online: Business Management Principles for the Rehab Therapist
• Online: Called to Care

Ad Info: Evidence In Motion is excited to be back in person and back to hands-on learning for the 2022 Align Conference. This year you can join an all-star lineup of speakers in Dallas, Texas, August 26 through the 28. The labs and lectures focus on sharpening the physical, hands-on treatments essential to patient care. Save 5% on registration as a practice Leadership Podcast listener. Visit alignconference.com and use the promo code PRACTICELEADERSHIP at checkout.