Morris “Rick” Casano Beato is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at the University of Central Florida. He is the Director of the UCF & Orlando Health Neurologic Residency Program. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy degree at the University of Perpetual Help and his post-professional Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of South Dakota. He is a Board Certified Specialist in both Geriatric and Neurologic Physical Therapy. Beato is the immediate past Chair of the Geriatric Specialty Council and is a current member of the Neurologic Specialty Council of the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. He is a Certified Exercise Expert for the Aging Adult by the Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy and is trained in Neuro Integrated Functional Rehabilitation and Habilitation treatment for stroke and brain injury as well as LSVT BIG and PWR! for Parkinson’s disease. Beato is a recipient of the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy Outstanding Service Award. He is the current Chair of the Florida Physical Therapy Association’s Neurologic Special Interest Group. He has been published in peer reviewed journals including the Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy and Physical Therapy in Sport.
Credentials
- BSPT, Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy, University of Perpetual Help
- PT, Licensed Physical Therapist, University of Perpetual Help
- DPT, Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of South Dakota
- GCS, Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy, American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties
- NCS, Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy, American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties
- CEEAA, Certified Exercise Expert for Aging Adults, Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy
Falls in Older Adults and Stroke Survivors
Rehabilitation of Patients with Neurologic Disorders: Stroke, Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, Vestibular Disorders, Parkinson’s Disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Neuromotor Interventions in Neurologic Physical Therapy
Education in Post Professional Residency Programs and Physical Therapy Board Specialties
Areas of Specialty
- Stroke rehabilitation
- Neuromotor Interventions for Neurologic Conditions
- Parkinson's Disease Rehabilitation
Research Grants
UCF and Orlando Health Neurologic Residency
PHT 7764 C: Advance Neurologic Treatment
PHT 7999: Physical Therapy Residency
PHT 7772 C: Advance Neurologic Physical Therapy 2
PHT 5240 L: Physical Assessment Laboratory
PHT 6719 L: Advance Neurologic Physical Therapy 1 Laboratory
PHT 5718 L: Neurologic Physical Therapy Lab
PHT 7722 C: Clinical Integrations 1
PHT 6720: Integumentary Physical Therapy and Professionalism
Mind over muscle: How to help those with Parkinson’s release the freeze
That’s how many of the approximately 30% to 67% of people with Parkinson’s disease describe the “freezing” symptoms they often experience—the occasional inability to initiate or maintain even simple motion...
UCF Awards 137 Faculty With Promotion and Tenure
Consideration for promotion and tenure takes nearly an entire academic year as faculty are evaluated on three main areas: research, teaching and service. Eighty-nine UCF faculty received promotions and another 48...
DPT Faculty, Students, and Alumni to Present at APTA Combined Sections Meeting
Students, alumni, and faculty members will represent the Division of Physical Therapy at the annual American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, which will be held February 2 – 5...
Beato Reflects on Establishment of PT Board Specialties
UCF DPT faculty member Morris “Rick” Beato reflects on “the explosion of knowledge” that resulted from the establishment of clinical specialties in PT, and the work still ahead. You can...
Uzair Hammad Presents at South Seminole Rehabilitation Educational Symposium
On October 22, 2021, Uzair Hammad, the current resident of the University of Central Florida – Orlando Health Neurologic Residency Program co-presented with the residency director, Rick Beato, on the...
Neurologic PT Resident and Faculty Present at Brain Injury Support Group
On September 27, 2021, Uzair Hammad, the current resident of the University of Central Florida – Orlando Health Neurologic Residency Program, co-presented with the residency director, Rick Beato, virtually to...
Uzair Hammad Presents with Neurologic Experts at Physical Therapy State Conference
Uzair Hammad, PT, DPT, the current resident of the University of Central Florida – Orlando Health Neurologic Residency Program, co-presented virtually with other neurologic physical therapy experts at the Florida...
Neurologic PT Resident and Faculty Present at Parkinson Support Group
On September 9, 2021, the Parkinson support group of Select Physical Therapy virtually met and hosted Uzair Hammad, the current resident of the University of Central Florida – Orlando Health...
UCF DPT Faculty and Alumni Present at FPTA Conference
The 2021 Florida Physical Therapy Association conference will take place Sept. 23-26 in Orlando and will feature faculty, students and alumni from the Division of Physical Therapy. Check out the list below to see where our UCF DPT representatives will be presenting during the conference! We hope to...
Olivia Berry Earns DPT Neurologic Board Specialty Certification
Olivia Berry, PT, DPT, NCS, the University of Central Florida – Orlando Health Neurologic Residency Program’s third resident, recently earned the designation of American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS)...