Course Overview
This interactive gait seminar is designed for physical therapists who would like a refresher on basic gait mechanics to recognize pathological components in common orthopedic and neurological gait dysfunction. Using Perry’s Gait Cycle as the primary framework, this course goes beyond entry-level review to explore specific muscle recruitment patterns, primary vs. secondary muscle actions, and kinesiology of gait that is applicable across clinical settings. Through peer discussion, group breakouts, and real-world case examples, participants will leave with a stronger, more confident approach to gait assessment.
Event Details
Instructor: Dr. Monika Kolwaite, PT, DPT, NCS
Host: Faulkner University – Center for Continuing Education
Location: Faulkner University, Montgomery Campus
Date: May 2, 2026
Time: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Cost: $160 – Faulkner University Alumni; $250 – non-alumni (space is limited)
Enrollment Limit: 25 participants (preference given to Faulkner University alumni)
By the end of this seminar, participants will be able to:
· Differentiate the roles of single-joint and two-joint muscles and their impact on functional walking.
· Describe the 8 phases of the Perry Gait Cycle, from Initial Contact through Terminal Swing.
· Use practical strategies to recognize and label gait phases during observation and video review.
· Formulate clinical hypotheses about underlying impairments in common neurological and orthopedic conditions.
· Understand the impact of equipment (orthoses, assistive devices, etc.) on movement patterns and gait quality.
· Engage in collaborative clinical reasoning with peers to practice identification of gait deviations.
This course is ideal for:
· Recent graduates of Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) or Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) programs.
· Early-career physical therapists seeking more confidence in gait analysis.
· Clinicians working in inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient neuro/ortho, home health, SNF, or acute care.
· Any PT or PTA looking to reconnect with foundational gait principles through a practical, case-based lens.
About the Instructor – Dr. Monika Kolwaite
Dr. Monika Kolwaite has devoted her career to neuromotor recovery and evidence-informed rehabilitation. She earned her Master’s in Physical Therapy from Georgia State University (2001), achieved Neurologic Clinical Specialist (NCS) certification from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (2008), and completed her Doctor of Physical Therapy at the University of Montana (2026).
Her clinical experience spans a variety of neurological rehabilitation settings and private practice. Since 2016, she has taught CEU courses with the Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT) Association, and since 2021, she has served as faculty in Faulkner University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
Dr. Kolwaite is a frequent presenter for professional and community groups, including local CVA support groups, West TN TBI Services annual conferences, the MS Society of TN, CH13’s “Health Matters,” and Alabama APTA conferences. She has been recognized as a finalist in the Memphis Business Journal’s Healthcare Heroes and received the Giraffe Award from West TN Traumatic Brain Injury Services for outstanding clinical contributions.