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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)
 /  Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

DEI Committee Members

  • Abel Perumala, PT
    Abel Perumala, PT
    Chair
  • Stephanie Ganley, PT, DPT, CBIS
    Stephanie Ganley, PT, DPT, CBIS
    DEI Committee Member

    Stephanie received her Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Indianapolis in 2020. She practices in an outpatient clinic that specializes in neurological and vestibular conditions. She has been an APTA member since 2017 and is passionate about serving her profession and community.

  • Vishakha Hiremath, PT, MPT
    Vishakha Hiremath, PT, MPT
    DEI Committee Member

    Vishakha Hiremath is a physical therapist who graduated from the University of Indianapolis in 2018. She has over 5 years of experience working with clients in various settings including outpatient rehabilitation. She is a Geriatric State Advocate for Indiana under the Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy, American Physical Therapy Association. She loves to volunteer with

  • Rachael Howey, SPT
    Rachael Howey, SPT
    DEI Committee Member

    Rachael is a 3rd year DPT student at the University of Evansville. She is from O’Fallon, IL originally and did both her undergrad and grad degree at Evansville. She is now a resident of Indiana and accepted a job working in inpatient rehab at Encompass Health in Newburgh, IN beginning this May. Her primary interest

  • Jessica Prothero Rusnak, PT, MS,<br />Board-Certified Clinical<br />Specialist in Pediatric<br />Physical Therapy
    Jessica Prothero Rusnak, PT, MS,
    Board-Certified Clinical
    Specialist in Pediatric
    Physical Therapy
    DEI Committee Member

    Jessica received her Bachelor of Science in from Purdue University in 1999 and her Master of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Indianapolis’ Krannert School of Physical Therapy in 2001. She has practiced in a variety of pediatric settings since 2002 and is currently providing care through Children’s Therapy Connection in Indianapolis. Jessica

  • Dondon Parungao, PT, DPT
    Dondon Parungao, PT, DPT
    DEI Committee Member

    Dr. Parungao received his Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy degree from Emilio Aguinaldo College, Manila, Philippines and Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Utica University, New York. He is currently working as a Supervisor at IU Health Home Care and Hospice in Bloomington, IN.

  • Bhupinder Singh, PT, PhD
    Bhupinder Singh, PT, PhD
    DEI Committee Member

    Dr. Bhupinder Singh serves as Department Chair for the DPT Program at Manchester University in Indiana and serves on the APTA Indiana DEI Committee. Dr. Singh believes in students’ first approach, servant leadership style and runs a pro-bono amputee clinic to serve the underserved populations.

Our Mission

To create an inclusive environment that embraces the individual and collective diversity of the physical therapy profession and the patients and clients we serve in Indiana.

Our Goals

  • Promote an equitable process of optimizing opportunities and outcomes for clients, patients, Indiana PTs, PTAs, and students of physical therapy
  • Increase cultural responsiveness of Indiana PTs, PTAs, and students of physical therapy through increased education of DEI topics.
  • Improve the engagement of underrepresented communities in all levels of the profession.

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Maximize the lifelong health, function, and well-being of people in Indiana by advancing the profession of physical therapy through engagement, advocacy and education.

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