Laurie Shimko, PT, MPT

Shimko earned her Master’s in Physical Therapy 1996 at Barry University. She has been a member of the American Physical Therapy Association/Florida Physical Therapy Association member since 1990 (PTA 1992-1996). Shimko has 10 years’ experience serving in elected and appointed positions for the FPTA Board of Directors. She served on the FPTA Board of Directors in various capacities.

Shimko is the owner of Clay Physical Therapy, Inc., (private practice), opened in 1998. Clay Physical Therapy specializes in Medicaid/Medwaiver clients. She has extensive experience in orthopedics and sports medicine however her passion is in education and neurology.

Her academia experience began in her final year of physical therapy (PT) school, where she wrote and performed her final clinical internship in a physical therapy assistant (PTA) program, followed by guest speaking and teaching a variety of courses in several PT and PTA programs. Her American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) experience began in 1999 assisting at local PTA and PT programs before accepting a full-time ACCE position.

She has served on numerous community boards including Challenge Enterprise (an employment and day program for adults with disabilities), Lighthouse Learning Center (a preschool for children with disabilities birth to five years old) and Quigley House (a safe house for abused and battered women and children).

Shimko is currently working on her doctorate in educational leadership. She is also working on her APTA LAMP certification (Leadership, Administration, Management and Professionalism). She shares these skills through mentoring both young and seasoned professionals.