Each year, the Tennessee Physical Therapy Association (TPTA) receives nominations from all over the state for the Excellence in Clinical Practice Award. The TPTA Award was established to honor physical therapists and physical therapists assistants who have made an outstanding contribution to the clinical practice of physical therapy. The selection criteria for nominees are 1) has engaged in extensive clinical practice for at least ten years, 2) has positively and substantially affected the shape, scope, and quality of physical therapy practice, and 3) has had an impact on other physical therapists in a manner that has increased their abilities to practice physical therapy.

Jeannette Beach, PT, DPT, NCS, GSC with BenchMark Physical Therapy in Cleveland, was honored with the TPTA 2009 Excellence in Clinical Practice Award. Ms. Beach is one of only two therapists in the State of Tennessee who received the award. The Tennessee Physical Therapy Association also recognizes Ms. Beach as one of only two physical therapists in the State of Tennessee who is a Geriatric & Neurologic Board Certified Specialist, with her practice focus being geriatric neurology with the frail elderly. The other Board Certified Specialist is in Nashville. Ms. Beach specializes in evaluating and treating individuals with movement problems due to disease or injury of the nervous system; working with a broad range of conditions in seniors.

As a Geriatric & Neurologic Board Certified Specialist, Ms. Beach’s expertise allows her to differentiate
normal aging from pathology. She is able to identify the most effective evidence-based treatment strategies to improve functional outcomes for clients. But, what does this mean to you?

Millions of people provide care for an older adult – a parent, grandparent, other family member, or a close friend. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) states, “falls are the leading cause of injury deaths amongst older adults.” When you consider the CDC’s report “that more than one third of adults 65 and older fall each year,” this is a concerning fact. “Falls are one of the biggest threats to independence in later life,” says the CDC, and “fall-related injuries for seniors cost over $19 billion dollars annually.” “Using therapeutic exercise to enhance balance, coordination, flexibility, gait and muscle strength has been found to be highly effective in reducing falls in seniors” says Ms. Beach.

BenchMark Physical Therapy is proud to recognize Ms. Beach’s accomplishments as an example of the high level of clinical expertise possessed by clinicians employed by BenchMark Physical Therapy.