Patricia Leahy Memorial Seminar

Patricia (Patti) Leahy, MS, PT, NCS, died on October 9, 1995, of breast cancer at the age of 39. She was an assistant professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at University of the Sciences in Philadelphia from 1987 to 1995. Her areas of specialization were in teaching rehabilitation and neuroscience.

Professor Leahy was an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association and the Neurology Section. She was largely responsible for transforming the Neurology Report from a section newsletter into a recognized journal. Patti was one of the first three physical therapists to receive specialist certification in neurology and was a member of the Neurologic Specialty Council.

Before her death, Patti established a scholarship fund to financially assist PT students during clinical education. She felt that it was important to enable students to expand their horizons by seeking clinical sites outside of the Philadelphia area. The annual Patricia Leahy Memorial Lecture serves to add monies to this fund and to honor the memory of Professor Leahy. The evening will consist of two things that Patti enjoyed—learning and a social event!

Now the 26th Annual Patricia Leahy Memorial Seminar

"The Next Era of Neurorehabilitation: AI, Robotics, and the Power of the Therapist"

Alwyn Johnson, MSc, Biomechanist, Cofounder, CEO, and Principal Investigator of Recupero Robotics LLC and Rochelle Mendonca, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, FNAP, Assistant Professor of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Columbia University

Date: Thursday, September 24, 2026

Time: 5–8 p.m.

Location: 3rd Floor of IPEX 

Address: 773 S 43rd St. at Woodland Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Earn 2.5 CEUs (PA, DE, NJ) and honor the memory of Professor Leahy.

Cost to Attend

$55 for SJU/USci/PCPS alumni, students, teaching assistants and clinical instructors

$70 for all other attendees

Register Here

The Patricia Leahy Scholarship Fund was established by PT Professor Patti Leahy to assist PT students with costs incurred during clinical education experiences in neurologic settings. All proceeds to benefit the Patricia Leahy Scholarship Fund.

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Alwyn Johnson, Biomechanist, Cofounder, CEO, and Principal Investigator of Recupero Robotics LLC and Rochelle Mendonca, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, FNAP, Assistant Professor of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Columbia University

Prior to co-founding Recupero, Alwyn was CTO and a Principal Investigator at startups in Colorado, where he led the development of 3D printed prostheses, modular prosthetic sockets, and reconfigurable trunk exoskeletons. Alwyn has coordinated projects from blue sky to verification and validation, and multi-national commercial introduction. He has co-authored peer reviewed scientific papers, and holds patents related to exoskeletons, upper limb prostheses and rehabilitation robotics. He has served as Chair and Standing Panel Member on NIH Center for Scientific Review SBIR Panels. He is a Mechanical Engineer alumnus of University of Wisconsin – Madison and Temple University.

Rochelle Mendonca is an Assistant Professor and Director of Doctoral Programs in Occupational Therapy at Columbia University, New York, NY, USA. She received her BS in Occupational Therapy from Seth G.S. Medical College and her MS in Occupational Therapy and PhD in Health Sciences from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Dr. Mendonca has also worked as an occupational therapist for over 20 years in pediatrics, home care, long-term care, and neurological rehabilitation. Her research interests and funding include disability and technology, accessibility, robotic rehabilitation and assistive technologies, home safety, and aging in place. She is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association, RESNA (Rehabilitation Engineering Society of North America), the New York State Occupational Therapy Association (NYSOTA), the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT), and the All-India Occupational Therapists’ Association (AIOTA).

Previous Speakers

2025

Pelvic health solutions and screening for MS care

Dr. Carina Siracusa, PT, DPT, EdD, WCS, OnCS

2024

Neuroplasticity After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury – Optimizing Physical Therapy for Return to Activities.

Dustin Grooms; PhD, AT, CSCS

2023

Virtual Reality and Serious Games for Persons with Parkinson’s Disease and Post-Stroke

Judith Deutsch PT PhD FAPTA

Dr. Deutsch

2022

"Blood Flow Restriction Training for Individuals with Neurological Diagnoses"

Evan T. Cohen, PT, MA, PhD, NCS

Justin Jiunta, P.T., DPT, OCS

John Petrizzo, PT, DPT, SSC

Greg Thielman, PT, MSPT, ATC, EdD

2021

Julie Skrzat, PT, DPT, PhD, CCS

2020

"Optimizing Outcomes Using the Movement System as a Framework for Patients with Neurological Dysfunction"
Patricia Scheets, PT, DPT, NCS

2019

"The Neuroscience of Pain and Applications in the Neurologic Population"
Joseph M. Donnelly, PT, DHS, OCS

2018

"Managing Post-Concussion Syndrome: The Diagnostic Dilemma, and Where Does Manual Therapy Fit In?"
Rob Landel, PT, DPT, FAPTA

2017

"Harnessing Brain Plasticity Using Typical PT Equipment to Stimulate the Brain and Improve Motor Outcomes"
Shailesh Kantak PhD, PT

2016
FUNctional Fashion & Wearable Technology:  How Clothing & Soft/DIY Devices Can Improve Function, Independence, and Quality of Life for Individuals With Physical Disabilities 
Michele Lobo, PT, PhD

2015
New Advances in the Management of Persons with Balance and Vestibular Disorders. 
Susan L. Whitney, PT, DPT, PhD, NCS, ATC, FAPTA

2014
New and Innovative Evidence Based Treatment for Parkinson's Disease 
Heather Cianci, PT, MS, GCS

2013
Shoulder Dysfunction Post-Breast Cancer
Pamela K. Levangie, DPT, DSc, FAPTA

2012
Management of Concussion/Mild TBI and the Emerging Role of the Physical Therapist 
Anne Mucha PT, DPT, MS, NCS

2011
CNS Adaptations During Locomotor Training 
Amy J. Bastian, PhD, PT

2010
Optimizing Participation of Individuals with Movement Disorders 
Robert J. Palisano, PT, ScD

2009
Gaming and Virtual Reality in Physical Therapy (to improve balance and mobility) 
Judith Deutsch, PT, PhD

2008
Failure of Voluntary Muscle Activation: Coming Out of Our Orthopedic Silo to Treat a Neurologic Impairment 
Scott Stackhouse, PT, PhD

2007
Exploration of Methods to Enhance Reach, Grasp and Manipulation Across the Lifespan. 
Susan V. Duff, EdD, PT, OT, CHT

2006
III Step (Special Therapeutic Exercise Project): Yesterday, Today, & Tomorrow 
Susan P. Barker, PT, PhD

The Patricia Leahy Scholarship Fund was established by PT Professor Patti Leahy to assist PT students with costs incurred during clinical education experiences in neurologic settings. All proceeds to benefit the Patricia Leahy Scholarship Fund.

Make A Gift

In Memoriam - Margie A Roos

Saint Joseph’s commemorates the legacy of Margie A. Roos, PT ’97, DPT, PhD, professor and acting chair of physical therapy, who died unexpectedly on August 1, 2024.

Dr. Roos was on the University of the Sciences faculty from 2002 to 2007, rejoined in 2014, and transitioned to Saint Joseph’s University in June 2022. She specialized in clinical work with neurological conditions and integrated this experience into her neuromuscular courses.

She earned degrees from Quinnipiac University (1987), the University of the Sciences (1997), Drexel University (2005), and the University of Delaware (2012), with a dissertation on dynamic balance in stroke survivors.

Her teaching emphasized experiential learning and included a special topics course on neurodegenerative drugs. She also conducted research funded by the Milton Lev Faculty Research and Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation, studying exercise and cognitive retraining effects.

If you would like to contribute to a Commencement award in her honor click below.

Contribute Today!