Clinical Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment for the Shoulder

Clinical Assessment, Diagnosis and Treatment for the Shoulder

A Two-Part Offering

From Spaulding Rehabilitation

Register Now

Back view of crop faceless orthopedist in uniform and wristwatch examining shoulder joints of slim female patient in clinic on white background

This hybrid, 2-part course will introduce OTs, PTs, and Athletic Trainers to a standardized and progressive
approach to evaluation and treatment of the shoulder. It will enable clinicians to execute evaluation techniques and special tests outlined by field experts. Participants will develop a comprehensive understanding of the nuances of the musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems of the shoulder from complex anatomy to thoughtful selection of tests and measures to aid in effective diagnosis and treatment plan development.

Clinicians can choose to attend only Part I or both Parts I and II. Attendance at Part I is a prerequisite for Part II.

Anticipated CEUs Offered: AOTA, APTA, BOC

Clinical Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment of the Shoulder – Part I (Virtual)

Tuesday, September 30th, 2025
5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

A woman working at a desk using a laptop and smartphone, exemplifying remote work.

Location:
Virtual Via Zoom

Clinical Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment of the Shoulder – Part II (In-Person)
Saturday, October 4th, 2025
8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Spaulding

Location:
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
300 1st Avenue
Charlestown, MA 02129

Pricing
MGB Employees: Free of Cost

Non MGB Employees:
Part I Only: $45.00

Part I and Part II (Early Bird Rate – Through 07/15/2025): $200.00

Part I and Part II (Standard Rate – Starting 07/16/2025): $225.00

Speaker Information

Alana Noonan, PT, DPT, CLT is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Lowell. She began her career at Massachusetts General Hospital, where she spent seven years in the outpatient department while supporting the orthopedic shoulder surgery department. She enjoys treating complex shoulder conditions and post operative shoulder rehab. She has been a member of Spaulding Outpatient clinics since 2018 and is currently the clinic manager for the MGB Boston Landing clinic and the Spaulding Cambridge outpatient clinic. Alana became a certified lymphedema therapist through the Klose Training Institute in 2014 and is passionate about her work with the oncology population within Spaulding Rehabilitation.

Jillian Crehan, OTD, OTR/L is an advanced clinician occupational therapist in the outpatient department at Spaulding Cape Cod (SCC). She graduated with her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy degree from the MGH Institute of Health Professions, and prior to working in the outpatient setting, worked in the inpatient rehab facility at SCC. Her clinical interests include treating people with neurological impairment including stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and neurodegenerative conditions.

Lab Instructors

Scott Sheehan, PT, DPT, OCS is a graduate of Sacred Heart University. Scott co-authored Clinical Hip/Knee and the Clinical Shoulder courses. An accomplished reader of shoulder, spine and knee MRI studies, Scott enjoys treating a variety of spinal conditions, learning the nuances of diagnostic imaging and practicing manual therapy at the Spaulding Salem location.

Michelle Coldwell, OT/L is an Occupational Therapist who has been practicing at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital (SRH) for over 30 years. Michelle first joined SRH as a float and has practiced on various, in-patient programs including musculoskeletal, spinal cord, brain injury, stroke, neurologic conditions, oncology, pediatrics, as well as in outpatient. For over 20 years now, Michelle has been practicing on the inpatient pediatric program at SRH.

Sarah Euler, MS, OTR/L graduated from the Tufts University Occupational Therapy program in 2013. After starting out in pediatrics, she began working with adults in an inpatient setting in 2017. Sarah joined Spaulding Cape Cod as an OT in 2019. She received a Certificate in Hand and Upper Extremity Rehabilitation from Tufts University in 2023 and advanced on the clinical ladder to Advanced Clinician.

Course Details: Part I (Virtual)

This course will be a 2.5-hour, lecture-style presentation that will begin by providing detailed instructions to help practitioners perform comprehensive assessments to accurately diagnose complex shoulder problems within the musculoskeletal and neuromuscular populations. A review of the types of special testing that can enhance the assessment and resulting treatment plan will be presented. In addition, clinicians will gain knowledge of some of the most important causes of pain for individuals who present with a hemiplegic shoulder.

Following this course participants will be able to:

List the 3 most important factors needed from a past medical history and subjective exam to diagnose complex shoulder issues
Understand the top 3 ways that special testing of the clinical should is anatomically relevant to the development of a treatment plan
Identify at least 2 causes of pain in the hemiplegic shoulder

Agenda:

5:00 p.m. – Review complex clinical shoulder anatomy
5:40 p.m. – Review special tests for the shoulder
6:20 p.m. – Diagnostic clusters for differential diagnosis of the shoulder
6:50 p.m. – Prognosis for common shoulder pathologies
7:15 p.m. – Question and answer session
7:30 p.m. – Course ends

Course Details: Part II (In-Person)

This in-person, hands-on course will include lectures, live demonstrations, and practice opportunities. It will enable clinicians to execute evaluation techniques and special tests outlined by field experts. Participants will develop a comprehensive understanding of the nuances of the musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems of the shoulder. There will be in-depth review of case studies and collaborative discussions regarding selection of appropriate manual treatment techniques and exercise selection and progression.

Following this course participants will be able to:

Build a targeted treatment program for conservative management of degenerative rotator cuff tears in order to restore function for ADLs
Understand the most specific and sensitive special tests for determining each appropriate shoulder diagnosis
Identify and apply clinical testing clusters to make efficient and accurate diagnoses given 2 case study examples
Describe 3 optimal and evidence-based treatment interventions for the hemiplegic shoulder.

Agenda:

8:00 a.m. – Clinical assessment and surface anatomy lab
9:30 a.m. – Break
9:45 a.m. – Special tests lab
10:45 a.m. – Mobilization of the shoulder and scapula
11:15 a.m. – Lunch break
12:00 p.m. – Exercise prescription and progression
1:00 p.m. – Breakout group labs (Cervical vs shoulder differential diagnosis, Complex MSK case reviews, Neuromuscular interventions)
2:00 p.m. – Wrap up, questions and answers
3:00 p.m. – Course ends

Accommodations, Course Information and Cancellation Policy

Target Audience: Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, and Athletic Trainers
Instructional Level: Introductory
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for Part I on 9/30/25. Completion of Part I on 9/30/25 is required in order for you to attend Part II on 10/4/25.
Cancellation Policy: SR reserves the right to adjust components of this program or to cancel the program for unexpected occurrences. Notice of changes or cancellation will be provided expediently. Upon cancellation of a course, a refund for the price paid for the course will be given. A processing fee of $10 may be charged when the registrant provides written notice of cancellation of their attendance greater than 7 business days prior to the program date. Tuition is non-refundable if the registrant does not provide notice of cancellation at least 7 days prior to the program date. SRN apologizes but will not be responsible for inconveniences incurred due to program changes.

Speaker Disclosures:

Alana Noonan, PT, DPT, CLT is a salaried employee of MGB. She has no other financial or non-financial disclosures to share.
Jillian Crehan, OTD, OTR/L is a salaried employee of MGB. She has no other financial or non-financial disclosures to share.
Scott Sheehan, PT, DPT, OCS is a salaried employee of MGB. He has no other financial or non-financial disclosures to share.
Michelle Coldwell, OT/L is a salaried employee of MGB. She has no other financial or non-financial disclosures to share.
Sarah Euler, MS, OTR/L is a salaried employee of MGB. She has no other financial or non-financial disclosures to share.

Accommodations Available Upon Request

Spaulding Rehabilitation was ranked #3 in the United States for rehabilitation hospitals in the 2024 U.S. News and World Report and has been the only rehabilitation hospital ranked in New England since 1995. Come learn with us!

CEU Information

Spaulding Rehabilitation is recognized as an approved provider of continuing education by AOTA.
Clinical Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment for the Shoulder: Part I is offered for 0.25 AOTA CEUs (Introductory level; OT Service Delivery and Foundational Knowledge categories) pending approval. The assignment of AOTA CEU’s does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products or clinical procedures by AOTA.
Clinical Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment for the Shoulder: Part II is offered for 0.60 AOTA CEUs (Introductory level; OT Service Delivery and Foundational Knowledge categories) pending approval. The assignment of AOTA CEU’s does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products or clinical procedures by AOTA.

Spaulding Rehabilitation is recognized as an APTA MA Approved Provider. Information provided should be used within the scope of practice. Even though the APTA MA approval process is in line with criteria for most other states, APTA MA cannot guarantee CEU/CCP approval for use in other states/disciplines, and it is the responsibility of the attendee to verify approval within their own state.
Clinical Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment for the Shoulder: Part I is offered for 2.5 CEUs pending approval.

Clinical Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment for the Shoulder: Part II on 10/4/25 is offered for 6.0 CEUs pending approval.

The Spaulding Rehabilitation Network (BOC AP#: P2855) is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to provide continuing education to Athletic Trainers (ATs).

Clinical Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment for the Shoulder: Part I is eligible for a maximum of 2.5 Category A hours/CEUs. ATs should claim only those hours actually spent in the educational program.

Clinical Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment for the Shoulder: Part 2 is eligible for a maximum of 6.0 Category A hours/CEUs. ATs should claim only those hours actually spent in the educational program.

Continuing Education Accreditation

SR Division of Education and Training CEU facilitators Marianne Savastano, MS, CCC-SLP; Katherine MacKirdy, PT, MPH; Matt Keilty, OTR/L; and Kathleen Crosskill, MS, CCC-SLP