Consulting & Development

Positional Release Therapy Institute

FACULTY

PRT-i Faculty are both practicing clinicians and seasoned educators

Dr. Timothy Speicher, PhD, ATC, LAT, CSCS, PRT-c
Dr. Speicher is an Athletic Trainer (AT), Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and Certified Positional Release Therapist (PRT-c). He completed his B.S. at Towson University in 1995 and received his graduate training from Marshall University in 1998, where he served as Clinical Supervisor and AT to the undergraduate Athletic Training Program and Strength and Conditioning Coach to the Men's Soccer team. He completed his doctoral degree in Adult Learning from the University of Connecticut.

Dr. Speicher is currently faculty in the PhD Athletic Training Program at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions and teaches positional release therapy within the Advanced Athletic Training Master’s Program at the University of Utah. Dr. Speicher also served as a Neuroscience Program Executive Committee member and guest lecturer at Weber State University in Ogden, UT. Previously, he served the undergraduate and graduate athletic training programs at Weber State University as Assistant Professor and Director of Graduate Research as well as Clinical Coordinator. Tim was also previously employed at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut where he served as Clinical Associate Professor and Director of the Human Movement and Sports Science Program for athletic training and exercise science as well as Associate Researcher for the Life and Sport Analysis Clinic. He also served as Program Director of the Athletic Training Program at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. Dr. Speicher’s clinical expertise and research is in positional release therapy, therapeutic modalities, biomechanical analysis, orthotic prescription and fabrication and transfer of learning. His teaching assignments have included, problem-based learning, emergency medicine, orthopedic assessment, prevention of injury and illness, therapeutic modalities, general medicine, and rehabilitation.

He has worked in a variety of clinical environments with various populations and age groups. These have included the collegiate, high school, in and outpatient rehabilitation, industrial and Olympic settings. Most notably, he served as a Medical Supervisor for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games for Long Track Speed Skating. He is founder and owner of the Positional Release Therapy Institute, a company that provides instruction, training and certification in positional release therapy.

Dr. David Draper, EdD, ATC, LAT

Dr. Draper is a certified and licensed athletic trainer and has been an educator for 25 years. He is currently a professor of sports medicine/athletic training at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. He has 12 years of “hands on” experience working in a sports or clinical setting including, Illinois Wesleyan University (Head athletic trainer); Brigham Young University (Clinical staff); and Performance Physical Therapy (Clinical staff). In 2000, he spent his sabbatical working as an Athletic Trainer for the Colorado Avalanche of the NHL. Additionally, he has volunteered for many events, including the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. He continues to rehabilitate injured students and patients that regularly come to his campus lab. Dr.Draper received his Bachelor’s degree in Health Science from Utah State University in 1982, his Master’s degree in Athletic Training from Brigham Young University in 1984, and his Doctorate in Education from Northern Illinois University in 1988. He was also presented the Eddie Wojecki Award for receiving the highest score in the nation on the 1984 National Athletic Trainer’s Association Certification Examination.

An avid researcher, Dr. Draper has published over 75 articles in scientific journals, such as the Journal of Athletic Training (JAT) and Journal of Orthopedic Sports Physical Therapy. Seven of these articles were awarded the Outstanding Research Manuscript or runner-up, from JAT. He has written chapters on ultrasound and diathermy for two textbooks and recently co-authored a textbook with Dr. Ken Knight, entitled, Therapeutic Modalities: The Art and the Science. In 1997, he was judged the top researcher in the College of Health and Human Performance at BYU. On the national level, in 2001, he was awarded the William G. Clancy, Jr., M.D. medal for distinguished athletic training research (the 5th person to receive this honor). His most recent research includes measuring drug delivery via phonophoresis and iontophoresis, and using ultrasound or pulsed short-wave diathermy and joint mobilizations to restore range of motion in patients who lack joint mobility due to injury. His methods have restored full ROM to patients who have had frozen joints for up to 27 years. He is a consultant on therapeutic modalities for Accelerated Care Plus and Procter & Gamble. He has been a speaker at many seminars in the United States, and internationally.

Dr. Regis Turocy, DHCE, MPT
Dr. Turocy received his bachelor of science degree from West Virginia University in 1970, his certificate in physical therapy from the University of Pittsburgh in 1971, a Master of Science degree in Orthopedic Physical Therapy from the University of Pittsburgh in 1983, a Master of Arts in Health Care Ethics from Duquesne University in 1996, and his Doctorate in Health Care Ethics from Duquesne University in 2000. Dr. Turocy also has extensive experience in orthopedic physical therapy and alternative care approaches to physical therapy. Upon graduating from physical therapy school, Dr. Turocy was commissioned as a naval officer in the United States Navy Medical Service Corps., and after 21 years of distinguished service he retired in 1991. After retirement he served as a full time faculty member at Duquesne University School of Health Related Professions and the Graduate School of Physical Therapy Slippery Rock University. He taught extensively in the areas of orthopedic manual therapy, electrotherapeutic modalities, health care ethics, and complementary approaches to health care. Dr. Turocy has provided numerous educational presentations to certified athletic trainers at the local, regional, state, district and national levels emphasizing the clinical use of Positional Release, Neural Tension, and Muscle Energy Techniqiues. Dr. Turocy is presently evaluating and treating patients at Catholic Charities Free Health Care Clinic in Pittsburgh, PA., and he was recently ordained as a Deacon in the Anglican Church and will be investigating the relationship between spirituality and health care.

Nina Walker, MA, ATC, CSCS
Nina Walker has been an Athletic Trainer at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill since 2006. Her Primary clinical responsibilities are with the men's lacrosse and men's and women's cross country/distance teams She also serves as a clinical instructor for the UNC graduate and undergraduate athletic training programs. She is the staff liaison to the undergraduate observer program and currently lectures on topics related to manual therapy, electronic medical records and biofeedback. Walker is a 1999 graduate of Boston University, where she earned a B.S. in Athletic Training. Following her Undergraduate training, Walker attained a M.A. in Exercise and Sports Science with a specialization Athletic Training in 2001 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She served there as graduate Athletic Trainer, working mainly with the Tar Heel volleyball and rowing programs.

Nina returned to UNC after working at Quinnipiac University in Hamden Connecticut. She served as the head athletic trainer for the men's lacrosse and field hockey teams as well as an assistant adjunct professor in the Athletic Training and Sports Medicine program, teaching both Nutrition and Clinical Evaluation Lab. She also volunteers for committees designed to promote the field of athletic training, such as the BOC Role Delineation Study Committee and CATA public relations committee. Her research interests include emergency management, lacrosse helmet removal and spineboarding. She has a strong interest in manual therapy and has lectured nationally on Positional Release Therapy. She has also obtained Graston Technique M1 training. She has been an BOC Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) since 1999 and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) since 2004.

Dr. Catherine Varney, DO, PT, ATC
Dr. Varney moved to Ogden Utah in 2010 to continue her medical training with the McKay Dee Family Medicine Residency Program. Before joining PRT-i as their Medical Advisor she earned her undergraduate degree in Athletic Training at the University of Alabama in 1999. There she trained and worked with the Alabama Crimson Tide football team as part of the athletic training staff. She went on to earn her Master's degree in Physical Therapy at the University of Southern Alabama. She specialized in manual therapy and performed her graduate research in Post Polio Syndrome. She went on to practice as a manual physical therapist for the next five years in Arizona and Hawaii before returning to medical school. She earned her Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine degree at the Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Blacksburg, Virginia on the campus of Virginia Tech.