June | 2026 | Acute Conversations

Show Notes

Bridge the Gap 2026 brought the acute care community together in Chicago for three days of practical learning, fresh ideas and the kind of conversations that continue long after the final session. In this special episode, host Dr. Leo Arguelles moves through the conference floor with co-host Dr. Nicole Neveau, speaking with presenters, attendees and organizers about what they are taking back to practice.

The conversations span creative solutions to some of acute care’s most persistent challenges. Adam Bridwell describes a three-to-one clinical education model designed to expand placement capacity while supporting clinicians. Grant Bitzer explains how a learning health system can help turn a bedside question into quality improvement, research and sustainable change. Other guests explore post-intensive care syndrome, clearer discharge communication, simulation-based teaching, functional neurologic disorder and the growing role of physical therapists in emergency departments.

Just as important, the episode captures the energy behind the work: interprofessional collaboration, mentorship and a community eager to share what is working. With 157 attendees, 24 posters and a record number of educational submissions, Bridge the Gap continues to grow while protecting the connection and exchange that make it distinctive.

Today’s Guests: Multiple attendees at 2026 Bridge the Gap Conference

Guest Quotes:

18:31 Ashley “ What we came up with originally, and Dawn will probably laugh, it’s a massive- massive document. It was a textbook. And we were like- … “Yeah, we gotta shave this down and make it like a guide people can actually use in clinic practice.”

Links:

https://www.aptaacutecare.org/page/BridgeTheGap2026Conference

🎧 Connect with Our Hosts

Leo Arguelles (pronounced LEE-O R-GWELL-IS)

📧 largue2@uic.edu

🐦 Twitter: @LeoArguellesPT

Nicole Neveau, PT, DPT, NCS

📧 ngunder1@gmail.com

🔗 LinkedIn: Nicole Neveau

Danny Young, PT, DPT, PhD

📧 daniel.young@unlv.edu

🐦 X: @DLYoungDPTPhD