Emerging Trends in Rehabilitation, Counseling, and LCP Practices

Gini Gentry is a Nurse Practitioner for Gulf States Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, where she specializes in the treatment of those who have suffered brain injury and/or spinal cord injury. In addition to practicing in Jackson, Mississippi, Gini also provides care to post-acute rehabilitation clients residing in facilities in both Louisiana and Mississippi. Prior to joining the physiatry specialty, Gini worked as a registered nurse at University of Mississippi Medical Center, where she specialized in orthopedics and trauma. While employed at UMMC, she further pursued her education by completing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, as well as her master’s and post-master’s degree with certifications in both primary care and adult-gerontology. Prior to obtaining her associate degree in nursing, Gini graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Environmental Sciences with a focus on kinesiology and nutrition.

Chris Wallace, MHS, CPO, FAAOP is the Director of Methodist Orthotics and Prosthetics, a division of Methodist Rehabilitation Center in Jackson, Mississippi. Wallace has over 35 years of clinical and technical experience in orthotics and prosthetics and oversees operations and clinical care for the Orthotic and Prosthetic division with 9 clinic locations in Mississippi and Louisiana. He received his baccalaureate degree and certificate in both orthotics and prosthetics from the School of Allied Health Sciences at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas in 1991, and his Masters in Health Science from The University of Mississippi Medical Center in 2016. Wallace is certified in both orthotics and prosthetics by The American Board for Certification and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists. Wallace also serves as the residency director for orthotic & prosthetic residents at Methodist Rehabilitation Center and as the state representative for Mississippi to the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association. He has previously served on the board of directors for the Center for Orthotic and Prosthetic Learning and evidence based practice (COPL) and as an investigator on 6 research papers in peer reviewed publications in collaboration with the Center for Neuroscience and Neurological Recovery at Methodist. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthotists & Prosthetists, as well as the lower limb prosthetics society and the behavioral sciences society of the academy. Chris has been married to his wonderful wife Karen for over 35 years. They have been blessed with 3 adult children and 2 grandchildren.

Kayla Acklin, PhD, LPC, PMH-C, NCC is an assistant professor and department chair in the Department of Counseling at Mississippi College. She completed her Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education & Supervision at Duquesne University. Her clinical and research specialties are perinatal mental health and wellness, trauma counseling, and suicide assessement and prevention. Dr. Acklin dedicates her professional time to educating masters level students & is passionate about helping students become competent, effective clinicians. Treating her work as a journey rather than a destination inspires her to be a lifelong learner & dynamic professional. In her spare time, Dr. Acklin enjoys traveling & outdoor activities with her two daughters & husband.

Amy Vlach is an Assistant Professor of Psychology and Counseling at Mississippi College. She holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from Mississippi State University, an M.S. in Mental Health Counseling, and a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Mississippi. Amy is also a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPCS). Amy has worked as a therapist in various clinical settings since 2001 and has been a professor in the Doctor of Professional Counseling Program (DPC) since 2013. Amy teaches courses in Advanced Group Dynamics, Trauma: Assessment, Diagnosis and Treatment, Clinical Supervision, Clinical Entrepreneurship, Substance and Behavioral Addictions, Mental Health Crisis, and Psychopharmacology. Amy lives in Sallis, MS with her German Shepard, Sheba, and loves to visit her son, Parker, who lives in Panama City Beach.

Christopher Skerritt is a vocational rehabilitation expert based in Smithfield, Rhode Island, strategically located between Massachusetts and Connecticut. With a background in rehabilitation needs, vocational evaluations, labor market analysis, employability assessments, and Social Security vocational expertise, Christopher provides a wide range of services.

Christopher has worked in both the private and public sector areas of vocational rehabilitation and case management. His expertise is in life care planning, assistive technologies, career counseling, psychometric test administration and analysis, and medical cost projections. He is also well-versed in ADA compliance consulting, case management, job analysis and modification, education and transition evaluation, and Return to Work (RTW) planning.

Christopher earned his Master’s of Education in Rehabilitation Counseling and Bachelor’s of Science in Communication Disorders and Sciences while attending Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts. He holds the following licenses and certifications:

• Certified Rehabilitation Counselor-280654
• Licensed Rehabilitation Counselor-LRC10000009
• Certified International Psychometric Evaluator
• Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist
• Fellow of the American Board of Vocational Experts
• Remote Ergonomic Assessment Specialist
• Certified Ergonomic Assessment Specialist-I
• Certified Life Care Planner
• Medicare Set-aside Certified Consultant™
• Certified Professional Resume Writer
• Qualified Rehabilitation Counselor-Rhode Island
• Vermont Certified Rehabilitation Counselor V0014

Paul Bourgeois, Ph.D., C.R.C., N.C.C. is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and National Certified Counselor. Paul received a doctorate in rehabilitation counselor education at the University of Arizona. He earned a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling and bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation and disability studies from Springfield College. Paul has over a decade of experience as a professor, researcher, rehabilitation counselor, and vocational consultant. In addition to his work with Vocational Diagnostics Inc., Paul is a tenured associate professor at the University of New Haven in the Department of Psychology.

Paul is an active researcher with scholarly articles published in a variety of refereed journals. Paul is a frequent speaker to counseling, rehabilitation, and disability related groups and professional organizations.

Dr. Lisa Busby Thomas, DPC, CRC, CLCP is an assistant professor at Mississippi College in Clinton, MS. She also works in private practice with children and adults who have catastrophic injuries such as spinal cord injury, acquired brain injury, multiple trauma, orthopedic, burn, amputations, and other injuries or chronic health needs. In addition, she maintains an active caseload as a national subcontractor with the Veteran’s Administration throughout the U.S., and she is a contractor for the U.S. Department of Labor and the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs. She is currently the President for the Mississippi Chapter of IARP.