Ann Putnam Kaleckas was born in Chicago. She was awarded a bachelor's degree in physical therapy from Northwestern University in 1982 and a master's in health science from the University of Indianapolis in 1990. Mrs. Kaleckas pursued her passion and worked as a physical therapist at Gottlieb Hospital, Baxter Healthcare, and a Naperville clinic before co-founding DuPage Physical Therapy in 1996. Her practice in orthopedic and spine rehabilitation brought her much pride.
Devoted to her family, friends, coworkers, patients, and community, Mrs. Kaleckas's generous and kind spirit enabled her to help improve the lives of countless individuals. Her dedication to her practice allowed her to freely open her heart to others and give of herself in significant ways. She is remembered as one that went the extra mile in all her endeavors. After a challenging battle, Mrs. Kaleckas succumbed to multiple myeloma in 2004. Upon her passing, her husband, Mr. Rich Kaleckas, along with many family and friends, chose to memorialize her life within the Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences. This year marks the inaugural Ann Putnam Kaleckas Lecture in the Department. The Feinberg School of Medicine is grateful to those who have helped make this extraordinary commitment to honor Mrs. Kaleckas's legacy of giving.
5:00 pm Reception Lurie Atrium
6:00 pm Lecture Hughes Auditorium of the Robert H. Lurie Medical Research Center
303 E. Superior St, Chicago
Abstract
This presentation will review current research from our laboratory on neural control of balance and the practical implication of these findings to the assessment and intervention of mobility problems in patients with neurological disorders. The theoretical and experimental basis for a clinical Balance Evaluation Systems Tests (BESTest) will be presented as well as new studies testing an instrumented version of the test. We will show how rehabilitation of balance disorders can be specific to the underlying constraints on each patient¹s balance control.
Biography
Dr. Horak is Professor of Neurology, Physiology and Biomedical Engineering at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Oregon. She is a motor control neurophysiologist and physical therapist who is internationally recognized for her work on neural control of balance. Dr. Horak received a prestigious Merit Award from the National Institutes on Aging, the Marian Williams National Research Award from the American Physical Therapy Association. She was chair of the National Institute of Health National Strategic Research Plan on Balance Disorders. Dr Horak has translated her work on the neurophysiology and neuropathology of postural control to revolutionize the rehabilitation of balance disorders in patients with neurological and vestibular deficits. Link to 2008 Lecture
Movement a Science and a System: Importance to Physical Therapy
Shirley Sahrmann PT PhD FAPTA | 
