Positioning 365 - Beyond Seating

Standing and Spina Bifida

AltimateMedical — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 16:27:12 +0000

Maryann Girardi and Doug Levine spend time with Larissa Bomberger on this podcast, a physical therapist out of Oregon who specializes in working with children with spina bifida. Together, they explore the benefits of supported standing for children with spina bifida, highlighting musculoskeletal gains, social–emotional impact, and the importance of making standing programs fun while fostering independence. They also discuss funding challenges and encourage clinicians to advocate and appeal when denials occur.

Securing a Standing Frame: Steps to Success

AltimateMedical — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 12:19:50 +0000

Standing Devices and the ICF Model

AltimateMedical — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 19:58:14 +0000

In this episode, Altimate Medical, Inc. clinical education specialists Kristen Cezat and Britta Schwartzhoff are joined by Cara Masselink, PhD, OTRL, ATP, HPCS—Associate Professor in the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program at Western Michigan University and Executive Director of the Clinician Task Force (at the time of recording). Together, they explore the collaborative position paper developed by RESNA and the Clinician Task Force on the use of supported standing devices. The conversation highlights how supported standing aligns with multiple domains of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) model, with Cara offering insight into its broad clinical impact.

Clinical Insights for Supported Standing in Outpatient SCI Rehab

AltimateMedical — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 13:05:50 +0000

In this episode, Altimate Medical, Inc. clinical education specialists Maryann Girardi and Kristen Cezat sit down with Pauli Selimo, a physical therapist from an outpatient neuro facility in Atlanta. Pauli shares her expertise on integrating supported standing into therapy for individuals with spinal cord injury. She discusses key clinical decision-making factors, real-world experiences, and the impact of standing interventions for her clients.

Stand Up for Recovery: An OT’s Perspective

AltimateMedical — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 18:12:29 +0000

In this episode, Maryann Girardi, PT, and Kristen Cezat, PT, sit down with Jason Roth, an Occupational Therapist at an acute rehabilitation hospital in California. Jason shares his experiences integrating supported standing into his therapy sessions with neurologically impaired individuals during their acute rehab stay. He discusses why supported standing is crucial for various neurologic impairments and highlights the significant goals his patients have achieved using this innovative OT intervention. This conversation offers valuable insights into the benefits and practical applications of supported standing in acute rehabilitation.

Standing with Multiple Sclerosis

AltimateMedical — Fri, 04 Oct 2024 17:59:02 +0000

Almost 1 million individuals in the United State have been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis affects one’s motor skills including the ability to stand. Not being able to stand has effects on many body systems as well as an individual’s Quality of Life. Join Maryann Girardi, PT, DPT, ATP, Clinical Education Specialist at Altimate Medical, Inc as she talks with Clarissa Luzuriaga-Perez, PT and Lawrence Harding, MS, PT about the challenges and rewards of supported standing programs for individuals with Multiple Sclerosis.

Considerations for Accessible Bathroom Designs

AltimateMedical — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 14:09:50 +0000

Accessible bathrooms are integral in a person’s ability to live in their home successfully. There are multiple factors to consider when remodeling or designing an accessible bathroom for individuals with motor impairments. Join Maryann Girardi, PT, DPT, ATP, Clinical Education Specialist at Altimate Medical, Inc. as she and Jackie Dobson a Certified Living in Place Professional from SOLUTIONS for Accessibility discuss the decision process for designing an accessible bathroom.

Standers and Gait Trainers - They Are Not Mutually Exclusive

AltimateMedical — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 19:16:21 +0000

Standers and gait trainers are not mutually exclusive, and both have a place for children with neuromotor disorders. Standers and gait trainers are not duplicate equipment. They both provide weight-bearing activities for individuals with neuromotor disorders, but they have individual characteristics that make them both needed to facilitate the development of gross motor skills. Join Maryann Girardi, PT, DPT, ATP, Clinical Education Specialist at Altimate Medical, Inc as she talks with Jill Blitz, PT, DPT, ATP Doug Levine, PT to discuss the indications and contraindications of both and how they work together to promote motor skill acquisition.

IEPs in Schools with Stephanie Springfeild, OT, OTD and Christine Linklater, SLP

AltimateMedical — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 18:51:00 +0000

This month, Maryann Girardi, PT, DPT, ATP and co-host Doug Levine, PT discuss the use of standing technology in the school system with Stephanie Springfeild, OT, OTD, and Christine Linklater, SLP. This podcast covers the importance of standing technology in the schools, outlining a plan for everyday usage, and working in tandem with teachers and school support staff to incorporate standing into a child’s everyday school routine. Tune into Positioning 365: Beyond Seating to hear their perspective!

International Seating Symposium Recap Panel

AltimateMedical — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 18:00:56 +0000

In the newest episode of Positioning 365: Beyond Seating, host Maryann Girardi sits down with a panel of clinicians and members of Altimate Medical’s Clinical Advisory Board (Tamara Kittelson, Tamara Alexander, and Barbra Crume) to discuss the 2023 International Seating Symposium in Pittsburgh, PA. The panel recaps their experiences, what they learned, what they hope to see in the future, and some advice for therapists considering attending in the future. Tune in to hear the details.

24 Hour Postural Care Management with LeAnn Hoffman, OT and Tamara Kittleson, OT - Part 2

AltimateMedical — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 16:59:18 +0000

In part two of Episode 4, Host Maryann Girardi, PT, DPT, ATP continues the discussion on 24 Hour Postural Care Management with LeAnn Hoffman, OT, RESNA Certified ATP and SMS and Tamara Kittleson, OT, RESNA Certified ATP, SMS and founder of Eleanore’s Project.

24 Hour Postural Care Management with LeAnn Hoffman, OT and Tamara Kittleson, OT - Part 1

AltimateMedical — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 16:58:45 +0000

In part one of Episode 4 of Positioning 365: Beyond Seating, host Maryann Girardi, PT, DPT, ATP and co-host LeAnn Hoffmann, OT, RESNA Certified ATP, SMS, discuss 24 Hour Posture Care Management with Tamara Kittleson, OT, RESNA Certified ATP and SMS. They cover the origins, components of, and importance of providing 24 Hour Postural Care Management for individuals with significant mobility impairments.

Funding for Standing Technology with Nancy Perlich, COTA, ATPA

AltimateMedical — Mon, 23 Jan 2023 17:50:00 +0000

In Episode 3 of Positioning 365: Beyond Seating, Maryann Girardi, PT, DPT, ATP discusses all things Funding, specifically funding for standing technology with Nancy Perlich, COTA, ATPA and Funding Specialist at Altimate Medical. Nancy reflects on her 23+ years of experience in the complex rehab technology industry to illustrate what clinicians need to know to understand funding for standing technology (and other DME) and write an effective Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) for their patients.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy with Doug Levine, PT

AltimateMedical — Fri, 09 Dec 2022 15:22:00 +0000

This month, host Maryann Girardi, PT, DPT, ATP, and co-host Dane Gillespie chat with Doug Levine, Texas based Physical Therapist, founder of Growing Places Therapy, and clinical educator for Cure Duchenne to discuss Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). The trio chats about DMD, the benefits of standing for Duchenne’s patients, therapy interventions, and Duchenne’s around the world. Tune in for a new point of view on positioning beyond seating presented by Altimate Medical.

Neuromuscular Hip Displacement in Cerebral Palsy with Dr. Benjamin Shore

AltimateMedical — Fri, 11 Nov 2022 15:46:00 +0000

In this episode, Maryann Girardi, PT and Doug Levine, PT sit down with Dr. Benjamin Shore, pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Boston Children's Hospital and Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Harvard Medical School. This discussion covers Neuromuscular Hip Displacment and how it affects children with Cerebral Palsy. Maryann, Doug, and Dr. Shore dive deep into the diagnosis of this disease, its progression, surgical treatments and how standing can be used to promote hip health. Listen in for a new perspective beyond seating!