Date: Thursday, August 28, 2025
Category: Member News
Meet RESNA's New Board Member: Julie Brown, PT, DPT, NCS, ATP/SMS
How did you first get involved in RESNA?
My mentor in the outpatient seating clinic at Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital, Susan Christie, PT, ATP, was actively involved in RESNA. She introduced me to the organization, encouraged me to become a member, and to pursue my ATP certification in 2017.
Is there a moment or experience that shaped your interest in assistive technology?
I started my career as a new physical therapist at a SCI Model Center, Magee Rehabilitation Hospital in Philadelphia, PA, and was introduced to wheelchair prescription and assistive technology access for the spinal cord injury population. I did manual wheelchair evaluations with guidance from advanced clinicians for my patients and wrote the letters of medical necessity. Four years later, after my first son was born, I changed jobs and started in the outpatient physical therapy department at Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital. A few months later, there was a need for coverage in the outpatient wheelchair clinic, and I was asked to provide coverage. The day I was scheduled to start, I thought I was going to observe an evaluation, but instead I was handed the patient chart and asked to do the evaluation myself, with the PT in the clinic observing! I worked with a highly experienced ATP and did the evaluation, realizing: 1) that I loved the process of wheelchair/AT prescription, and 2) that I was well prepared, thanks to great mentorship early in my career! That was the beginning of my 13 years in the Assistive Technology Department at Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital. I loved that role because no day was the same, and it was a dynamic environment to work in.
What inspired you to join the RESNA board?
I became involved with RESNA as the Vice Chair of the PT Professional Special Interest Group. I am the current Seated and Wheeled Mobility Chair, and this involvement gave me exposure to the people involved in the RESNA Board and the mission of RESNA. I am always interested in expanding my professional connections and opportunities, and this was a way to connect with other like-minded and driven individuals from a variety of backgrounds who are passionate about assistive technology.
Can you share a bit about your background and how it aligns with RESNA’s mission?
I am a neurological PT by training and am extremely passionate about neurological rehabilitation to promote return to independence following a neurological injury. I initially planned to pursue a career as a sports and orthopedic PT; however, after my inpatient acute neurological rehabilitation affiliation, I fell in love with neurological rehabilitation physical therapy—helping patients to return to life in their “new body,” which may now function drastically differently than prior to their injury or illness. In my role as a neurologic PT, I was introduced to the world of assistive technology access and wheelchair prescription, which further enables these patients to have full access to their world using any repeatable, reliable motion that they can elicit. My desire to help all people rehabilitate back to an independent, fulfilled life with assistive technology and physical rehabilitation aligns with RESNA’s mission of promoting the health and well-being of people with disabilities, and those who are aging, through technology solutions.
What do you see as the board’s role in advancing RESNA’s mission?
The board is there to support the mission strategically, logistically, inspirationally, and financially. They are the drivers of RESNA’s mission and vision.
What are you hoping to impact as a board member?
I am passionate about CRT/AT access for all individuals who need it by raising awareness and educating lawmakers and the public regarding the need for this access and funding, despite the current administration's cuts to funding sources, to ensure that all people can live life to the fullest despite age or disability. I also want to ensure that there is ongoing education provided to younger clinicians and ATPs to ensure a pipeline of RESNA members and ATPs who are passionate, knowledgeable, and able to continue to drive the field of AT and CRT.