Dry Needling Speakers

Keynote Speakers

Dr. Jan Dommerholt, PT, DPT, MPS, DAAPM, is an accomplished and experienced Dutch-trained physical therapist. In addition to his physical therapy education, he has studied at New York University where he completed a course of study in Performing Artists Disorders (NYU Human Performance Analysis Laboratory). He completed a Master of Professional Studies with a concentration in biomechanical trauma from Lynn University, and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. Dr. Dommerholt is a Diplomate of the American Academy of Pain Management and a member of several medical and physical therapy professional organizations.

Edo Zylstra, PT, DPT, OCS was active in developing the current standards for Dry Needling (aka Trigger Point Dry Needling) training in Colorado. He has taught over 50 Dry Needling courses internationally and is currently developing more advanced techniques for therapists experienced in this manual therapy technique. Edo Zylstra received his Master of Science degree in physical therapy from Regis University in Denver, Colorado. He received his certification for Dry Needling from The Institute for the Study and Treatment Of Pain (iSTOP) in Vancouver, British Columbia. Edo was instrumental in the process of getting Dry Needling accepted as a treatment technique within the scope of practice for physical therapists in Colorado, and continues to do the same for other states that do not currently have Dry Needling within their physical therapy scope of practice.

Dr. Patty Pennell-Noel is the owner of Back to Motion Physical Therapy. She founded Back to Motion in Denver 15 years ago and has worked in the Denver area for her 20 year career. In 1992, she received her Master’s degree in physical therapy from the University of Colorado and has her Doctorate of Science through Texas Tech. Patty has extensive training and experience in manual therapy of the spine and extremities. The other focus of her practice is diagnosis and treatment of running injuries including orthotic prescription. Patty was awarded Colorado Physical Therapy Association’s Physical Therapist of the Year in 2008.

Breakout Session Speakers

Paul Killoren PT, DPT earned his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Regis University in 2010 and Bachelor’s in Biology/Pre-Physical Therapy from University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in 2007. He has been a physical therapist since 2010, a cash-based private practice owner in 2012, a dry needling educator since 2014, and founded iDryNeedle (US Dry Needling and Physio products) in 2014.

Cameron W. MacDonald, PT, DPT, OCS, GCS, FAAOMPT Dr MacDonald received his initial Physical Therapy (PT) education in Australia at Sydney University, and continued his education with the completion of his Doctoral Degree in PT from Regis University in Denver, CO. He has obtained and re-certified status as a Board Certified Specialist in Orthopedics and Geriatrics in the USA. He has also obtained Fellowship status in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy (OMPT). A recipient of multiple national research awards from the APTA, AAOMPT and JOSPT. He is currently the Director of the Regis Fellowship in OMPT, instructing in manual interventions, specific exercise and dry needling throughout all primary body regions. His is an assistant Professor Regis School of Physical Therapy. He is the past Colorado Chief delegate, and the current Chapter President.

Eliza Schultz is a Colorado native and founded Schultz PA in July of 2016 after five years with the Hickenlooper Administration. Eliza is well respected by the Governor, as well as the Lieutenant Governor (LG), senior staff, cabinet members, legislators and lobbyists. She has served multiple roles at the capitol including staff for the Senate, as a contract lobbyist with a private firm, Legislative Liaison for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and most recently worked as Deputy Legislative Director for Governor Hickenlooper.

Dr. Paul Mintken is a Professor in the Physical Therapy Program at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and adjunct faculty in the Regis University Fellowship in Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy. He completed his fellowship training in orthopedic manual therapy at Regis University. He is a board-certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist and a Fellow in the American Academy of Orthopaedic and Manual Physical Therapists. He maintains an active research agenda investigating conservative care for musculoskeletal disorders as well as spinal and extremity manipulation. He has received research grants from the APTA and AAOMPT. He has multiple publications in 15 different peer-reviewed journals and has co-authored 3 eBooks and 7 book chapters. His awards include the Dorothy Baethke-Eleanor J. Carlin Award for Excellence in Academic Teaching, the Rose Excellence in Research Award, the JOSPT Excellence in Research Award, the Chattanooga Research Award, and the Outstanding Physical Therapist Award for the State of Colorado. Dr. Mintken has also been a lead clinician at Wardenburg Health Center at the University of Colorado, Boulder for 24 years.

Derek Vraa, PT, DPT, OCS, CMTPT, FAAOMPT is a co-founder of the USAF Tactical Sports and Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy Fellowship Program at the USAF Academy where he serves as senior faculty, mentoring Fellows in Training, and teaching didactic coursework. Prior to moving to Colorado, he spent over a decade treating chronic pain patients in private practice. Derek has lectured and taught at a number of physical therapy schools in the upper midwest. He is a board certified orthopedic clinical specialist, a certified strength and conditioning specialist, certified in dry-needling and completed his Fellowship in Manual Therapy through Regis University in Denver, CO. Derek has presented at both state and national conferences, authored four published abstracts and has authored a chapter in the upcoming 3rd edition of Travell & Simons' Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual.

Eric Wilson, PT, DSc, DPT, OCS, SCS, CSCS, PES, FAAOMPT is the co-founder and Program Director of the USAF Tactical Sports and Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy Fellowship in Colorado Springs, CO. Prior to being a physical therapist, Dr. Wilson was a paratrooper with the US Army’s 82nd Airborne Division. As an infantry NCO, he served as a scout/sniper team leader and a rifle squad leader and fought in Iraq during Gulf War I. In 2001, he completed his Doctor of Science in Orthopedic Physical Therapy then entered the US Air Force in April of that same year. In 2008, he completed a post-doctoral Fellowship in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy. Dr. Wilson retired from the US Air Force in December 2016 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Prior to retirement, Dr. Wilson served as the Associate Athletic Director for Sports Medicine at the USAF Academy and the Special Tactics Physical Therapy Consultant to the USAF Associate Corps Chief for Physical Therapy. Additionally, he designed and taught dry-needling coursework for USAF Physical Therapists. Dr. Wilson has published numerous manuscripts in the peer-reviewed literature, a chapter in two manual medicine textbooks, presented a state and national conferences, and is a nationally renowned educator in the field of orthopedic physical therapy.

Jeremy Snyder DPT, OCS, CSCS is active in the Colorado American Physical Therapy Association, serving on the nominating committee and is a physical therapy consultant for Colorado College Athletics. Jeremy is also a Level 1 and Level 2 Instructor for Kinetacore, teaching Trigger Point Dry Needling throughout the United States and Canada. Jeremy’s interests include treatment of shoulder dysfunction, running injuries, post-surgical rehab, and sports orthopedics

Dr. Freeborn Mondello, PT, DPT, CAFS is the owner of (RF) RunFree Physical Therapy and Human Performance a cash pay practice located in Golden, CO. RF is a specialty clinic that works with active individuals to help them reach their human potential. Freeborn specializes in the treatment of high level endurance athletes as well as competitive cross-fitters. Freeborn is an FDN level 1 instructor with Kinetacore. He is a graduate of Regis University. His time outside of Physical Therapy is spent applying the same human performance principles he teaches to his clients while training for his next Ironman, marathon or crossfit competition.