Irene Davis, PhD, PT, FACSM, FAPTA, FASB, professor in the USF Health School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, is trying to understand the intricate relationship between lower extremity mechanics and overuse injuries in runners. With a focus on transforming the way runners experience pain and preventing injury, Dr. Davis and her team are researching gait retraining for injury prevention. 

Subject crossing the force plate at a constant velocity to test the three-dimensional components of force being produced on their joints.

At the heart of their research is a force plate used at the center of an elongated runway. This allows individuals to simulate a complete running cycle, starting from acceleration, and crossing the force plate at a consistent velocity. The force plate captures not only vertical forces but also forces in all three dimensions, offering a clearer picture of the intricate nature of the forces exerted when landing. This three-dimensional analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of how alignment and mechanics contribute to the risk of injury.

Reflective markers attached to a subject’s body which supply data with a multi-dimensional perspective on joint movement. Essential for understanding the mechanics involved in running.

To access this data, the research team attaches reflective markers to the subjects’ bodies, which are then tracked by multiple cameras. These complex algorithms decipher the markers’ movements, enabling the researchers to see the angles at the ankle, knee, and hip joints. This approach supplies a multi-dimensional perspective on joint movement, essential for understanding the mechanics involved in running.

The integration of force plate data and marker tracking empowers the team to calculate joint loads and torques, giving a complete picture of the forces experienced by various joints during a runner’s gait cycle. This holistic approach enables Dr. Davis and her team to identify problematic mechanics and design interventions that could alleviate pain and reduce the risk of injury. 

By applying their findings, her team is pioneering an innovative approach to runner rehabilitation. Through a series of sessions involving real-time feedback and targeted practice, the research team has started receiving results. A notable example is a study focused on addressing knee pain, in which participants underwent a tailored gait retraining program. Participants experienced improvements in their alignment and mechanics, easing the persistent pain that they have dealt with for years. 

This groundbreaking research challenges the traditional notion that gait patterns are fixed and unalterable. By bridging the gap between scientific understanding and medical practice, Dr. Davis and her team have proven that gait retraining is not only possible but also effective in alleviating pain and preventing future injuries. The success of their interventions underscores the transformative potential of multidimensional biomechanical analysis in sports medicine. 

The researcher is analyzing data provided by the force plate.

In a field where innovation meets application, Dr. Davis and her team are revolutionizing the way we think about running mechanics and their impact on injuries. This has not only raised awareness but also instilled hope for countless runners who want to run free of pain. Dr. Davis hopes that science and medicine can work hand in hand to reshape runners’ lives.

“We hope our clinic and our research will offer injured runners a solution so they are able to continue to run pain-free,” Dr. Davis said. “We really have pioneered this idea of retraining gait patterns.”  

Story, photos, and video by Ryan Rossy.

The USF Health School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences (SPTRS) is taking strides to expand its research efforts and contribute significantly to the improvement of patient care and the advancement in the movement sciences, particularly in physical therapy and athletic training. With a vision to make lives better, the school is focused on internal and external collaborations, securing grants, and conducting research that addresses critical questions using scientific methods. 

Guided and supported by the school’s leadership, SPTRS faculty are committed to increasing their research footprint by attracting new faculty members, obtaining additional grants, and generating research with widespread implications. They aim to create a significant impact on patients, their families, and society, said Dave Russ, PT, PhD, associate professor and assistant director of research at SPTRS.

“Our primary goal is to produce research that goes beyond mere accreditation requirements,” Dr. Russ said. “We aspire to explore real questions and apply strong scientific methods to address them.” 

USF Health’s strategic location in the growing Tampa Bay region plays a pivotal role in SPTRS research pursuits. The area’s diverse population mirrors that of the entire United States. This provides a unique opportunity to collaborate with clinical partners, local hospitals, and the community, which enables the school to produce research findings that are generalizable and applicable to the broader U.S. population. 

“Our presence in Tampa Bay allows us to work closely with our clinical partners and the community to tackle diverse research topics,” said Doug Haladay, PT, DPT, PhD, MHS, professor and director of the USF Health School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences and associate dean of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. “Despite the variations in subject matter, we share one common vision… to make lives better.” 

The research produced by SPTRS faculty benefits patients directly and contributes to the advancement of the physical therapy and athletic training professions. Not only does their research advance the professions, but they are able to bring that research into the classroom for their students to ensure they are being taught contemporary practices and evidence. The school prides itself on its ability to have a collaborative environment, where interdisciplinary partnerships with different departments and colleges strengthen potential research projects and grant applications. The athletic training faculty have a strong partnership with USF Health Sports Medicine and Athletics and are continually working to share research findings and collaborate on best practices to support our USF athletes and teams.

Furthermore, the school is proud of its ability to secure research funding from many sources, ranging from local foundations to nationally funded initiatives, including the prestigious National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Defense (DOD). This diversified funding approach enables researchers to explore a wide array of topics and pursue programmatic research that can drive significant improvements in patient outcomes.

Research milestones at USF Health School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences: 

• Growth in Peer-Reviewed Publications: Over the last three years, the USF Health School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences has experienced a substantial 76% increase in peer-reviewed publications.
   
• Engagement in Professional Presentations: The school’s faculty members actively participate in more than 32 professional presentations annually, sharing their research findings with the wider academic and healthcare communities both nationally and internationally.
   

• Surging Research Expenditures: The school has experienced an impressive 33% increase in research expenditures from 2019 to 2023.
   
• Funding from DOD and NIH: Several projects have been awarded funding from esteemed organizations such as the Department of Defense (DOD) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).  

As the USF Health School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences continues to expand its research endeavors, its focus on producing impactful, evidence-based research continues to contribute to the betterment of society striving for its vision of making lives better.

Story, photos, and video by Ryan Rossy.

Moving an entire clinic can be a very daunting and cumbersome task, especially when you have to get it ready for patients only a few days later.  The staff and faculty of the USF Health Physical Therapy Center managed that process recently when they relocated the clinic to its new home.

Matt Lazinski, PT, DPT, OCS, associate professor and director of the clinic, and his team didn’t miss a beat when it came to patient care.  The team continued to see patients until noon June 16 and began packing the clinic at 1:00 p.m.  By 3:00 p.m., a moving company starting packing all of the therapy tables, and heavy machines.  The first load of machines arrived at their new home by 5:00 p.m. and the clinic team immediately began organizing the space.  Dr. Lazinski and his team worked through the weekend to make sure the clinic was ready to see patients by Monday.

Dr. Lazniski said there are some key upgrades that come with moving to a more modern space:

• A first-floor location means easier access for patients with mobility issues
• Bigger treatment rooms
• More efficient and functional space
• Televisions to assist in patient education
• Co-located with USF Health family medicine providers

“Moving over the weekend was for our patients so we aren’t canceling appointments,” Dr. Lazinski said. “My team has been great.  This has been a long time coming with a lot of starts and stops and they’ve been very patient throughout the process.  I can’t say enough good things about my team.”

The new clinic is located at 3500 E. Fletcher Ave. Suite 100 in the University Professional Center.

Additional photos:

Summer is synonymous with spending long, sun-drenched days playing or working outside. But that summertime fun can quickly turn into a dangerous health emergency if you aren’t prepared.

Heat advisories and excessive heat warnings are issued often in Florida and other hot spots around the country. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, extreme heat causes more than 1,300 U.S. deaths annually.

High temperatures may lead to heat-related illness, with heat stroke being the most serious. Exertional heatstroke occurs when a person’s body temperature rises above 105 degrees Fahrenheit and they can no longer naturally regulate their temperature.

“Exertional heat stroke usually starts with some sort of collapse,” said Rebecca Lopez, PhD, ATC, associate professor and program director of the post-professional athletic training programs in the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine’s School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences. “That is a main sign that something is wrong.”

Heat stroke usually starts with a collapse.

Other symptoms include dizziness, shortness of breath, confusion and nausea.

High humidity—another common feature of Florida weather—can combine with hot temperatures to make a person even more susceptible to a heat stroke, Dr. Lopez said, noting,

“People don’t usually get exertional heat stroke just because it’s hot outside.”

Your body regulates temperature by sweating, which produces a cooling effect by allowing the moisture to evaporate off the skin. High humidity, however, prevents the sweat from evaporating, so you only get hotter.

Dr. Lopez recommends, besides drinking plenty of water and taking regular breaks, that people spending time outside should “try to dress in light-weight clothing and keep some skin exposed to help that sweat evaporate.”

Heat-related deaths and illnesses are preventable and treatable. During organized sporting activities, it’s important to have an athletic trainer available to identify and treat heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses.

For example, have a heavy-duty plastic tub or a tarp readily available that can be filled with ice-cold water to immerse most of the body to quickly reduce a heat stroke victim’s body temperature.

“The key to treating exertional heat stroke is to get (the victim’s) body temperature down as fast as possible” Dr. Lopez said.

Rebecca Lopez, PhD, ATC

A key to being safe outside in the summer is acclimating to the heat. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention,  heat acclimatization involves improving your heat tolerance by gradually increasing the intensity or duration of exercise performed in a hot setting. This usually takes one to two weeks. Many people don’t do this, which leads to problems.

“The summer is a really dangerous time with high school football teams and things of that nature,” Dr. Lopez said. “The first couple of summer practices are the most dangerous” because of the lack of heat acclimatization.

In the end, keeping summer days enjoyable requires care and planning.

“Avoid those hottest times of day, make sure you’re hydrated and ensure you are doing whatever you can to make sure you are in a healthy state to be out there in the heat.” Dr. Lopez said.

Videos & article by: Allison Long

Back in 2007, four University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine (MCOM) students started a student-run free clinic with a couple of exam rooms at the Hillsborough Health Department and an idea to help the underserved communities surrounding the university.

“We wanted to establish somewhere (that) is more a pillar for the community,” said Waldo Guerrero, MD, one of the co-founders of the BRIDGE Clinic. “What really drove the idea of the clinic was having a more substantiable way to provide care to the underserved folks.”

Fifteen years later, the BRIDGE Clinic encompasses more than 20 exam rooms in The USF Carol and Frank Morsani Center for Advanced Healthcare and the volunteer services of USF students from medicine, pharmacy, public health, social work and physical therapy. The experience not only helps the students care for their neighbors but also assists their health care education.

“It was a great opportunity for me to be able to give back to the community while also getting a lot of hands-on experience,” said Marissa Maldonado, a fourth-year MCOM medical student.

The clinic has grown in response to rising demand for medical services among the uninsured and underserved in the community. The US Census Bureau reports that 14.9 percent of people 65 and under lack health insurance, and the Florida Department of Health says that 15.7 percent of employed people in Hillsborough County do not have insurance.

“The proudest moments are every Tuesday night after clinic is done, “said Eduardo Gonzalez, MD, co-medical director of the BRIDGE clinic. “Patients were seen and provided wonderful care that they otherwise they would not have been able to obtain.”

Donations are welcome to maintain and grow the clinic.

“Whatever gift is given, it will be used,” Dr. Gonzalez said. “It will be used 100 percent in the caring of patients.”

Charles Lockwood, MD, MHCM participated in a poverty simulation on Monday, April 1, 2019, at the American Legion Seminole Post #111 in Tampa. Some of the objectives of the simulation was to engage USF Health faculty experience struggles faced by low-income families.

Donna Petersen, ScD, MHS, CPH (facing camera, right) participated in a poverty simulation on Monday, April 1, 2019, at the American Legion Seminole Post #111 in Tampa. Some of the objectives of the simulation was to engage USF Health faculty experience struggles faced by low-income families.

Haru Okuda, MD, USF Health CAMLS executive director and USF Health executive director for interprofessional education and practice, took a photo during a poverty simulation on Monday, April 1, 2019, at the American Legion Seminole Post #111 in Tampa. Some of the objectives of the simulation were to engage USF Health faculty experience struggles faced by low-income families.

Multimedia story by Allison Long.

It’s an exciting time at USF Health. Colleges across health disciplines celebrated the new fall semester, welcoming more than 1,600 new students to different programs.

In this blog post, we break down the numbers from each USF Health college, school and program including Morsani College of Medicine, College of Nursing, College of Public Health, College of Pharmacy and School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences.

USF College of Nursing

The USF College of Nursing welcomed 678 students this fall, an impressive increase in undergraduate and graduate programs.

The college enrolled 395 students in the graduate programs — including 225 new students in the master’s programs, 50 students in the CRNA program, 112 students in the Doctor of Nursing Practice, eight students in the PhD program and 30 students in the pain management certificate.

The college has also enrolled 253 students in the undergraduate program, with 150 students in the RN-BS program, 82 students in the upper division sequence and 21 in the veteran to bachelor’s program (VCARE).

USF College of Nursing’s RN-BS students for Fall 2017.

USF College of Pharmacy

USF College of Pharmacy enrolled 126 students in the college’s PharmD and Masters of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology programs.

This fall, the college welcomed its seventh group of 101 students to one of the top PharmD programs in the country. The college’s masters of pharmaceutical nanotechnology enrolled 25 new students.

The new group of PharmD students, class of 2021. 

Morsani College of Medicine

Morsani College of Medicine welcomed 174 students to its prestigious MD program. Forty-eight of those students are in the SELECT program, which recruits and develops students with the intellectual perspective, empathy, creativity and passion to change patient care, the health of communities and the medical profession.

USF Health Morsani College of Medicine celebrates the new Class of 2021 at the Tampa Museum of Art.

Biomedical Sciences Graduate and Postdoctoral Programs

The MCOM’s Biomedical Sciences Graduate and Postdoctoral programs enrolled 280 students this fall.

Of the 17 matriculates in the medical science PhD program, five come from underrepresented ethnic groups in the life sciences. The average GPA is 3.49.

The program also welcomed 263 students to its various master’s degrees and concentrations, including:

• 150 in the Master of Science in Medical Sciences
• 29 in the Master of Science in Medical Sciences, Health Sciences concentration (100% online)
• 15 in the Master of Science in Medical Sciences, Aging & Neuroscience concentration
• 26 in the Master of Science in Medical Sciences, Anatomy concentration:
• 10 in the Master of Science in Medical Sciences, Women’s Health concentration
• 7 in the Master of Science in Medical Sciences, Molecular Medicine concentration
• 4 in the Master of Science in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
• 2 in the Master of Science in Biotechnology
• 20 in the Master of Science in Advanced Athletic Training

Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences

The USF School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences welcomed 52 Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students to its class of 2020 this fall.

USF College of Public Health

USF College of Public Health welcomed 295 students to their undergraduate and graduate programs.

The college enrolled a record number of 31 new students into its DPH program this fall.

The college also brought in 171 students in the master’s in public health program, 14 students in the MSPH program, nine students in the master’s in health administration, 58 students in the BS program and 12 in the PhD program.

New USF COPH students attend fall 2017 orientation.

Stay tuned, more to come…

It was an unforgettable night for USF Health students at the 111^th USF Commencement Ceremony – marking the end of a chapter and the beginning of a new journey.

More than 450 students walked across the big stage on May 5 at the USF Sun Dome to receive their doctoral, master’s and bachelor’s degrees in front of their peers, professors, friends, families, USF leaders and distinguished guests.

USF Health students graduate at the 111^th USF Commencement Ceremony on May 5 at the USF Sun Dome. 

“Today, you join a community of scholars that spans the world; a community that has sought truth through knowledge,” said USF System President Judy Genshaft. “It’s a community that for centuries has chosen a relentless pursuit of possibilities. A community that treasures the value of differences and diversity of thought.”

USF System President Judy Genshaft addresses the Spring 2017 USF Health graduates.

In its third year, the USF Health Commencement brought together students from College of Pharmacy, College of Nursing, College of Public Health, Morsani College of Medicine’s Biomedical Sciences Graduate and Postdoctoral Programs and School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences. This year, USF College of Pharmacy graduated its largest class to date.

The USF Health graduates were among 5,700 students to graduate in Spring 2017 from across the USF System. The diverse group of students came from 50 states and 106 nations.

Students celebrate their milestone before walking across the big stage.

During the ceremony, President Genshaft honored outstanding students who overcame odds to successfully complete their degrees.

• Giovanna Middlebrook, a student from the USF College of Pharmacy, was recognized for her courage to overcome adversity after moving to the United States from Bolivia with her mother when she was 6 years old. When she arrived to the United States, she did not speak English, so the transition was not easy. Despite those challenges, she successfully completed the Doctor of Pharmacy degree.
• Kyle Watterson, doctoral student in the health services research program at the College of Public Health, donated bone marrow through the Be The Match Foundation to honor his late father-in-law – one of his biggest supporters. While in the PhD program, Watterson taught various physical therapy, policy and management classes. He was also the recipient of numerous student research awards from the College of Public Health and the Morsani College of Medicine.
• Jin Wei, who graduated with his PhD in medical science from Morsani College of Medicine, is thankful to USF for providing him the proper education and training to foster his career in cardiovascular research. While in the program, Wei received numerous cardiovascular research awards from USF and other research organizations.
• Jennifer Kirlangitis, a registered nurse for almost 30 years, came to USF to pursue the registered nurse to bachelor of science in nursing (RN-BS) program from College of Nursing. While raising four children and working full-time as a nurse, Kirlangitis graduated with top honors.

Excited students gear up for a memorable commencement ceremony. 

Charles J. Lockwood, MD, senior vice president for USF Health and dean of the Morsani College of Medicine, joined President Genshaft in congratulating all the graduates for their outstanding academic achievement.

“We’re incredibly proud of all our students for accomplishing this incredible milestone,” Dr. Lockwood said. “Over the course of the last few years, they’ve really learned to work together interprofessionally as a team including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists and public health experts. So, this is a valuable and unique aspect of the education they receive here at USF Health.”

Charles J. Lockwood, MD, senior vice president for USF Health and dean of the Morsani College of Medicine, honors students who graduated with top honors. 

During the event, Dr. Lockwood recognized students who consistently met the highest level of academic performance. One of them was Mary Alao, a student in the bachelor’s of science program at the College of Public Health. She received the King O’Neal award for graduating with a 4.0 GPA. She was one of 34 students in the USF System Spring 2017 graduating class to receive such recognition.

President Genshaft and Dr. Lockwood presented the USF Honorary Degree to Julio Frenk, MD, PhD, president of the University of Miami. Dr. Frenk is a well-known physician from Mexico, who has helped transform health care for many decades.

President Genshaft and Dr. Lockwood presented the USF Honorary Degree to Julio Frenk, MD, PhD, president of the University of Miami. Donna Petersen, ScD, dean of the USF College of Public Health and interim dean of the College of Nursing, assists with the ceremonial hooding.

Prior to joining University of Miami, Dr. Frenk was the dean of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the T&G Angelopoulos professor of Public Health and International Development, a joint appointment with the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

From 2000 to 2006, Dr. Frenk served as the Minister of Health for Mexico. While there, he pursued an ambitious agenda to reform the nation’s health system. He also introduced a program of comprehensive universal coverage, known as Seguro Popular, which expanded access to health care for more than 55 million uninsured Mexicans. He was also the founding director-general of the National Institute of Public Health in Mexico, one of the leading institutions of its kind in the developing world.

Dr. Frenk addresses the Spring 2017 graduates after receiving the USF Honorary Degree. 

“Whether you are receiving a degree from the colleges of medicine, pharmacy, nursing or public health, you have made an existential commitment to improving the human condition through your unique blend of knowledge, skills, strength and your compassionate care,” Dr. Frenk said in his address to the Spring 2017 USF Health graduates after receiving his honorary degree from USF.

As part of the USF Commencement tradition, PhD student Lecia Brown, who migrated to United States from Jamaica at 9 years old, was selected to give the student address at the ceremony. Brown completed her PhD in medical sciences with a concentration in neuroscience at the Morsani College of Medicine. During her speech, she told fellow graduates that standing up at the podium was a big honor and privilege.

Lecia Brown, PhD student in the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, addresses fellow graduates.

“Graduates, you are at the top, but your journey is just beginning,” said Brown, who started LAMB Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships to children in Jamaica.  “You can transform your success into tools to enable someone else’s success. This may be your last degree, but the truth is, no matter where you are on this path, never stop dreaming and chasing your dreams.”

USF College of Pharmacy students celebrate their big day.

Story by Vjollca Hysenlika and photos by Sandra C. Roa, USF Health Communications and Marketing 

University of South Florida researchers use advanced technologies to pinpoint physical job demands 

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2Jh75pZ0sc

TAMPA, Fla. (April 24, 2017) — The Firefighter Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) mimics strenuous activities performed in emergency response situations and helps determine whether an applicant is fit enough to become a firefighter. However, there is no previous research analyzing the specific joint movement and muscular activation on an IAFF/IAFC certified CPAT course.

A team of researchers at the University of South Florida School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, led by Charity L. Lane, is kicking off a project using state-of-the-art technology that will provide an in-depth look at muscular activation and skeletal motion in these movements, using telemetric electromyography (EMG) and motion analysis. At each visit, firefighters will wear EMG and motion sensors as they perform each CPAT obstacle and weightlifting exercise. This will enable researchers to compare activation and movement among different weightlifting exercises and firefighter activities.

Motion sensors are connected to St. Petersburg firefighter Kelly Kahle.

“Injury prevention and physical fitness are paramount in the fire service,” Lane said.  “My team and I are dedicated to helping firefighters attain both of these, and I believe that the CPAT results will aid greatly in this goal.”

Since guidance on implementing successful exercise programs for firefighters is minimal, the results of this project are critical to designing exercise programs that match firefighter job requirements, ultimately preventing injury and preserving careers.

The CPAT project is the latest in an ongoing line of research aimed at improving the safety and health of firefighters. The team’s large-scale FEMA grant focused on back injury prevention in firefighters, led by USF Center for Neuromusculoskeletal Research Director John Mayer, PhD, is in progress now. Preliminary results are promising, and final results will be available Fall 2017.

St. Petersburg firefighter Kelly Kahle swings a sledgehammer as part of the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT).

Electromyography (EMG) measures electrical activity of joints and muscles during the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT).

-USF Health-
USF Health’s mission is to envision and implement the future of health. It is the partnership of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, the College of Nursing, the College of Public Health, the College of Pharmacy, the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, the Biomedical Sciences Graduate and Postdoctoral Programs, and the USF Physicians Group. The University of South Florida, established in 1956 and located in Tampa, is a high-impact, global research university dedicated to student success. USF is ranked in the Top 30 nationally for research expenditures among public universities, according to the National Science Foundation. For more information, visit www.health.usf.edu

Media Contact:
Tina Meketa, tmeketa@usf.edu or (813) 955-2593

Photos and video by Ryan Noone, University Communications and Marketing

Laura Lee (Dolly) Swisher, PT, PhD, FNAP, FAPTA, has been named interim director for the USF Health School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences by Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM, senior vice president for USF Health and dean of the Morsani College of Medicine.

Dr. Dolly Swisher.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2017, Dr. Swisher will act as a temporary replacement for Dr. William S. “Sandy” Quillen, DPT, PhD, FACSM, who, after a long and successful career, resigned as director earlier this month and will remain at the School as a tenured faculty member beginning Spring Semester 2017.

“Dr. Swisher is eminently qualified to assume the post of interim director, is a founding faculty member for the School, and has very sound ideas about how to keep the School moving forward,” Dr. Lockwood said. “She will continue the upward path so clearly defined by Dr. Quillen in raising the profile and standing of the School and pushing to meet the state’s demand for an increasingly sophisticated health care workforce.”

Dr. Swisher, who has been with USF since 1998, is professor and assistant dean for interprofessional education for the Morsani College of Medicine, and coordinator of professional education for the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences. Her professional experience includes clinical work in the outpatient, hand therapy, subacute, and inpatient settings.

Known for her scholarship in ethics, professionalism, and interprofessional education, Dr. Swisher is the author of journal publications, books, and book chapters about ethics, professionalism, ethics education, and interprofessional education. She has chaired the Ethics and Judicial Committee of the American Physical Therapy Association and has served as co-chair of the Task Force to Revise the Core Ethics Documents.

As a member of the editorial board and a manuscript reviewer for the Journal of Humanities in Rehabilitation, she brings a commitment to developing an awareness of the human moral foundation for care and professionalism.

She currently chairs the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.

Dr. Swisher has won a variety of teaching awards, as well as multiple national awards for her work, most recently being named a Catherine Worthingham Fellow by the American Physical Therapy Association.

A search will begin in the New Year for the School’s permanent director.