PT, CEEAA, DPT

Associate Adjunct Professor

Educational background

• 2010 Doctor of Physical Therapy, A.T. Still University, Tempe Arizona
• 1988 Bachelor of Health Sciences, Physical Therapy, University of Missouri
• 1984 Certification in Massage Therapy, Sherer Academy of Natural Healing, Santa Fe, NM
• 1979 Bachelor of Science in Education, University of Missouri, Elementary Education with Spanish Certification

Clinical expertise/teaching responsibility

• Acute and Chronic Medical and Surgical Conditions: Case Management  – Coordinator
• Geriatrics and Orthopedics: Case Management  – Coordinator
• Geriatric assessment, fall risk screening
• Clinical practice: Senior Assessment Geriatric Evaluation (SAGE) Clinic – University of Missouri Health Care

Research interest

• The use of walking poles as an ambulation aid for older adults, and persons with chronic low back pain
• The use of immersive simulation with standardized patients to enhance students’ clinical learning in the acute setting as part of an interprofessional curriculum

Additional certifications

• Certified Expert on Exercise for the Aging Adult (CEEAA), certification, American Physical Therapy Association, Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy – 2012

Awards and honors

• Faculty Engagement Award – School of Health Professions, 2018
• Excellence in Education – School of Health Professions, 2016
• Recognition for Teaching – Graduate Professional Council, 2016
• Wakonse Fellowship for teaching Excellence, 2010
• MU Physical Therapy Department Distinguished Faculty Award, 2010
• Undergraduate Honors Convocation Mentor, 2007

Committees

• Faculty Advisor for “Diversity Across the Curriculum”, a sub-committee of the School of Health Professions “Diversity and Inclusion” committee
• Department: Curriculum and Instruction Committee, member: 2009-Present

Biography

Background in acute care, home health, and hospice. Dedicated to increasing the physical activity and decreasing the fall risk in the geriatric population.

Scholarly activity includes creation and maintenance of the UM Physical Therapy Department’s Geriatric Examination Tool Kit (40,000 visits annually).

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