This week JC & AW interview
Helena Esmonde, who is a PT & entrepreneur who invented the
Vesbitular First Goggles. Vestibular First, which are infrared
video goggles that allow you to see the eyes in the
dark.
Understanding what the eyes
are doing in the dark provides a tremendous amount of information
about the central state of the nervous system. In this great
conversation, Helena shares with us her path & what led her to
develop this great piece of equipment.
We also discussed all
things vestibular, and she is a great educator that is able to
convey information in a digestible manner.
Enjoy the
conversation.
Helena specializes in
treating patients with neurologic, balance, and vestibular (inner
ear balance system) conditions. She received her psychology
undergraduate degree at Northwestern University and graduated Cum
Laude from Marquette University’s Doctoral Physical Therapy program
in 2005. She worked at an acute care hospital for 8 years and
developed the vestibular program there to help address the needs of
dizzy patients, unfortunately without access to infrared video
goggles but luckily with quality continuing education courses and
mentorship. When she transitioned to the outpatient setting in
2014, she gained access to infrared video goggles and found that
they vastly improved her ability to accurately diagnose and treat
vestibular conditions, particularly for more complex patients, such
as those with concurrent post-concussive syndrome and BPPV. Helena
became Vestibular Competencied at Emory University in 2015,
certified to treat Cervicogenic Dizziness in 2016, and assisted
teaching the lab portion of an Advanced Concussion course for North
American Seminars in 2017. In 2018, Helena completed the clinical
practice requirements and examination to attain the certification
as a Neurologic Clinical Specialist (NCS). Dedicated to student
education, she has served as a teaching assistant at Temple,
Jefferson, Neumann, and the University of the Sciences in
Philadelphia, and earned an advanced clinical instructor
certification. Helena has also presented at organizational and area
Vestibular Special Interest Groups, Balance Center rounds at the
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, and the Penn Medicine
Mind Your Brain Conference. As an avid runner herself, Helena
enjoys volunteering at local races to support her community.