24 msfocusmagazine.org “I only vaguely knew about multiple sclerosis until physical therapy school. We had a total of one lecture on MS, but it had a big impact on me.” Dr. Herb Karpatkin is a multiple sclerosis certified specialist, physical therapist, and associate professor of physical therapy at Hunter College, the City University of New York. He has also partnered with MS Focus for more than two decades, speaking at dozens of events, writing for this magazine, and serving on our medical advisory board. Dr. Karpatkin started his journeyto become a PT because of his time as a track and field coach.“Idecidedtobecomeaphysicaltherapist in 1982, mostly as a result of my interest in working with athletes with injuries. I was very interested in how physical performance improved as a result of training, and I realized that I could achieve greater things as a PTthan as a coach, so I made the switch. I decided to pursue an advanced doctorate because I was dissatisfied with the state of my knowledge about the field of neurologic physical therapy. My interest in MS came a few years later.” Dr. Karpatkin said, “I wanted to learn how to do research into multiple sclerosis and exercise, and earning a doctoral degree was one of the best ways I could think of to do that. I was always interested in working with neurological illnesses. I came to MS because I was struck by how little physical therapists knew about working with persons with MS. I was fortunate to be mentored by the late great Dr. Joseph Herbert, who inspired me to specialize in the field.” He continues to apply his attitude from his coaching days to his current outlook. “Now, 30 years later, I still think like a coach. I just apply the same ideas to my MS patients. WheneverIseeanewpatient,Itrytodetermine what I can do to improve their physical performance.” Dr. Karpatkin also regularly finds himself the one being coached. He said, “Since I have started specializing, I have become close to many of my patients. I feel that they have been my teachers and I am grateful to them for what I have learned.” When asked why he continues to partner with MS Focus, Dr. Karpatkin said, “MS Focus fills an enormous need of advocacy and care for persons with MS. They have always been tremendously supportive of my work and physical therapy in general. For this reason, I will always be supportive of them.” Herb Karpatkin, PT, DSc, NCS, MSCS MS Focus Activities By Tony DiGerolamo