LIVE WEBINAR DATE AND TIME
Tuesday, October 27, 2026  4-5:30pm CT

Note: If you are unable to attend the live event, you will be automatically enrolled in the on-demand version.  The on-demand version will be available six weeks after the live broadcast.

INSTRUCTOR (click on the name below to read faculty bio)
Ceren Yarar-Fisher, PT, PhD, FACRM

DESCRIPTION
Spinal cord injury (SCI) produces profound changes in skeletal muscle, energy expenditure, adiposity, glucose regulation, autonomic function and gastrointestinal health, creating nutritional needs that conventional dietary recommendations may not adequately address. This webinar will review clinical research on nutrition as a therapeutic target across acute and chronic SCI. Topics will include low-carbohydrate, higher-protein dietary interventions to improve body composition and metabolic health; interactions among diet, the gut microbiome and circulating metabolites; low-glycemic-index strategies to address postprandial hypotension and post-meal glucose regulation; and emerging evidence on ketogenic nutrition during acute neurological recovery. Participants will gain a clinically relevant framework for considering how personalized nutritional strategies may complement rehabilitation, reduce secondary health risks, and support long-term health after SCI. 

LEARNER OUTCOMES
Upon completion of this webinar, participants will be able to:  

1. Describe the SCI-specific physiological changes that contribute to altered body composition, metabolic dysfunction, gut microbiome and gastrointestinal complications after spinal cord injury.
2. Evaluate emerging evidence for low-carbohydrate/higher-protein, low-glycemic-index and ketogenic dietary interventions across acute and chronic SCI.
3. Identify potential benefits, safety considerations, feasibility challenges and research gaps involved in translating nutritional interventions into SCI rehabilitation and long-term clinical care. 
   Audience

SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION
Participants will be present during the live webinar in its entirety and complete an attendance verification and feedback survey in the Academy Learning Portal within one month of the live air date. 

AUDIENCE
Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants, Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants and Speech-Language Pathologists 

CONTINUING EDUCATION
Occupational Therapists: Check back soon!

Physical Therapists: This online course has been approved by the Illinois Physical Therapy Board for 1.5 Contact Hours. Approval #216-000069

The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is recognized by California and the New York State Education Department's State Board for Physical Therapy as an approved provider of physical therapy and physical therapist assistant continuing education for 1.5 Contact Hours on 8/4/2026.

Many states accept continuing education contact hours recognized in other states, enabling professionals to use these hours to meet their licensing or certification requirements. Please consult your state regulations to see if this meets CEU requirements for your license.

DISCLOSURES
Course Directors and Planning Committee Members:
Julie Lenkiewicz, MS, CCC-SLP Has nothing to disclose.
Melissa Kolski, PT, OCS, Dip MDT Has nothing to disclose.
Leslie Marriott, OTR/L Has nothing to disclose.
Selah Bustamante, MSN, RN, CRRN Has nothing to disclose.
Melissa Legreid, MSN, RN, CRRN, NPD-BC Has nothing to disclose.
Speakers, Moderators and Panelists:
Ceren Yarar-Fisher, PT, PhD, FACRM Has nothing to disclose. 

ACADEMY POLICIES
For a complete list of Academy policies and technology requirements, click here.