GERMANTOWN, Tenn., Aug. 17, 2009 – The American Physical Therapy Association recently certified Baptist Rehabilitation-Germantown physical therapist Mike Markee as a clinical specialist in orthopedic therapy.

Markee is one of two Baptist Germantown therapists to earn this distinction. He is certified as an orthopedic manual therapist and athletic trainer. As an orthopedic physical therapist, he specializes in treating patients with musculoskeletal dysfunctions, such as lower back pain and neck pain with an emphasis on manual therapy and evidence-based treatment.

“We are extremely proud of Mike for his accomplishment,” said Susan Stralka, CEO and administrator of Baptist Germantown. “At Baptist Germantown, we always encourage our employees to pursue additional education and training so they may continue to provide high-quality care to our patients.”

Markee attended Saint Louis University in St. Louis, Mo., where he received his bachelor’s degree in exercise science and master’s degree in physical therapy. Before joining Baptist Germantown in 2008, he served as clinic director for Physiotherapy Associates in Cordova and Memphis.

The certification program, governed by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties, is designed to help physical therapists develop a greater array of knowledge and skills in their specific concentration or specialty. The specialization process allows therapists to earn recognition for gaining advanced skills, experience and clinical knowledge in their field of practice; promotes the highest level of care for those seeking physical therapy; and helps patients identify physical therapists who can best meet their needs.

To be eligible for the certification exam, licensed physical therapists must have a minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice in the specialty area in which they are testing, and 25 percent of that time must have occurred in the last three years. Specialty councils within the association develop the exam. The National Board of Medical Examiners, a not-for-profit institution with a mission to provide the highest quality testing and research services to organizations involved in the licensure and certification of medical and health science professionals, provides test development and administration, editorial production and psychometric services to the association and the specialty councils.

Baptist Rehab-Germantown is a 68-bed acute care facility that offers a comprehensive array of inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services designed to allow a patient’s complete course of care to take place under one roof. Baptist Rehab-Germantown concentrates on a variety of rehabilitation and diagnostic services, both inpatient and outpatient, to treat many types of injuries and conditions, such as stroke, arthritis, spine and back disorders and injuries, fractures, amputations, and spinal cord and head injuries. The hospital offers an open MRI machine, as well as a Wound Prevention and Management Center.

For more information, please visit germantown.baptistonline.org.

###