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Physical Therapy

Faculty and Staff

 

Brian McKiernan

Brian McKiernan PT, PhD
Department Chair

Professor

Courses:  Neuroscience, PT Management of Neuromuscular Conditions I and II.

Research interests:  Brain control of movement, balance in adults with and without neurological injury, using computers and technology to enhance student learning.

Other interests:  Computers and technology, gardening/yard work, volunteering for children's school.

Phone: (816) 501-4684
email:  brian.mckiernan@rockhurst.edu
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Anne Decker

Ann Marie Decker MSA, PT, GCS

Clinical Assistant Professor
Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education

Courses: Clinical Education courses in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd years of the curriculum; Reflective Practice courses which run concurrent with Clinical Education courses II-VI; Physical Therapy for the Older Adult (elective).

Research interests: Activity and movement patterns of older adults; factors related to success in clinical education.

Other interests: Works PRN at area rehab and skilled nursing facilities primarily with older adult clients. Member of the MPTA, APTA and Regional Consortium of ACCE's.

Personal interests: Running, reading, Notre Dame sports and spending time with my 3 children and husband.

Phone: (816) 501-4841
E-mail: ann.decker@rockhurst.edu


Jim Dronberger PT, DPT, OCS, MBA
Associate Professor

Courses: Physical Therapy Management of Musculoskeletal Conditions I and III, Concepts and Practices of Administration and Creating a Practice.

Research interests: Professionalism in Clinical Practice; Clinical Orthopedics (with a focus on the shoulder girdle).

Professional activities: Missouri Physical Therapy Association Liaison to the Advisory Commission of the Missouri Board of Healing Arts; Clinical practice with HCA. 

Personal interests: Tennis, Snow skiing and reading.

"I strongly feel that teaching makes me a better clinician; continuing to be a clinician makes me a better teacher."

Phone: (816) 501-4546
E-mail: jim.dronberger@rockhurst.edu


Amy S. Foley, MA, PT, DPT
Assistant Professor

Courses: Physical Therapy Management of the Medical Patient, Complex Clinical Decision-Making, and Medical Diagnostics.

Research interests: Influence of hormones on the ACL in females and listening styles and student learning.

Other interests: Sports, especially volleyball, cultural and performing arts.

"I like the pursuit of excellence that I find in physical therapy, both in teaching and in clinical work - and I like the blend of the two in a teaching and learning facility like Rockhurst."

Phone: (816) 501-4698
E-mail: amy.foley@rockhurst.edu


Jean Hiebert PT, PhD
Professor

Courses: Clinical Physiology, Kinesiology, Cardiopulmonary Theory & Practice, Cardiopulmonary Therapeutic Exercise, Musculoskeletal Therapeutic Exercise Lab, Capstone.

Research Interests: biomechanical differences in performance by male and female athletes, chest wall movement and body position.

Other Interests: Love those Kansas City Chiefs. Like to exercise, play golf, read mysteries, and watch "ER".

Phone:(816) 501-4840
e-mail: jean.hiebert@rockhurst.edu


Don Hoover PT, PhD
Assistant Professor

Courses:Clinical Procedures II, Clinical Decision Making, Research Capstone, Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology

Research Interests: Generally any topic that connects ideas from Physical Therapy and Exercise Science.  Research projects in recent years have focused on low back pain and core stabilization, sports medicine, and the interaction between exercise physiology, motor performance, and biomechanics.

Professional Interests: Pro bono Physical Therapy, American Physical Therapy Association, American College of Sports Medicine, North American Society for Sport History, International Society for Biomechanics in Sports, National Strength and Conditioning Association

Other Interests: My Family, Running, Cycling, Mountain Climbing, Architecture and Urban Planning, American History

Phone:(816) 501-4174
e-mail: don.hoover@rockhurst.edu


Mohamed Kohia, PT, PhD
Professor

Courses: Kinesiology & Biomechanics, Functional Anatomy, Research II and III.

Research interests: Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, rehabilitation of patients with total knee and total hip replacements using unloading system.

Other interests: Playing soccer, reading, and volunteering for non profit organizations.

Phone: (816) 501-4812
E-mail: mohamed.kohia@rockhurst.edu


Ellen Spake PT, PhD
Professor

Courses: Professional Development, Research, Clinical Decision-Making.

Research Interests: Clinical Decision Making in Expert Physical Therapists, Scholarship of Teaching, The Development of Leadership in Physical Therapy.

Professional Interests: American Physical Therapy Association (past President Pediatric Section, past Secretary for the Academic Administrators Special Interest Group, past Chair APTA Nominating Committee; current Chief Delegate from Missouri to the APTA House of Delegates, current member Missouri Physical Therapy Board of Directors); American Association of University Professors; Current Chair of the Rockhurst Faculty Senate.

Other Interests: Gardening, Reading, Exercising, Volunteerism

"Through a partnership between faculty and students in an educational process based on Jesuit principles, we have a chance to influence the future in a meaningful way.  Our students are the future."

Phone: (816) 501-4569
e-mail: ellen.spake@rockhurst.edu


Catherine Rush Thompson PT, PhD, MS
Assistant Professor

Courses: Health Promotion, Motor Control/Motor Learning, Physical Therapy Management of Neurological Conditions I Lab (CNS disorders), Physical Therapy Management of Pediatric Conditions (lecture & labs), Pediatric Physical Therapy (advanced elective), and Research III-V.

Research interests: Health promotion and prevention practice (focusing on families care and community-based strategies); motor imagery and its effects on motor performance and motor learning.

Professional interests: APTA (Sections for Education, Neurology, and Pediatrics), MPTA (grant reviewer), Kansas City Pediatric Alliance (Board member, Research Consultant and speaker), KC Healthy Start (grant collaborator), author of Prevention Practice: A Physical Therapist’s Guide to Health, Fitness, and Wellness, and service learning (health education and screening services to at-risk populations in the KC area).

Other interests: Historic preservation, multiculturalism, travel, and quality time with family and friends.

"Rockhurst offers a dynamic learning environment that prepares students to think critically in an ever-changing and diversified health care environment."

Phone: (816) 501-4529
e-mail: catherine.thompson@rockhurst.edu


Steve Wilkinson, PT, PhD, MS
Assistant Professor

Courses: Physical Therapy Management of Musculoskeletal Conditions II & III, Clinical Decision Making, Research.

Research interests: Physical therapy informatics, the use of computers and technology in learning, electronic health records, clinical orthopedics, and physical therapy ontologies.

Other Interests: Spending time with my family, trying to learn to paint and draw, writing children’s books: Raymond and Graham Rule the School (Viking Books)

Phone: (816) 501-4871
E-mail:steven.wilkinson@rockhurst.edu

   
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