DIRECTORY
Brian McKiernan, PT, Ph.D.
Professor of Physical Therapy, Department Chair of Physical Therapy Physical Therapy
816-501-4684
Office: Van Ackeren 123
Teaching / Research / Service
I am a Professor and the Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy Education. My clinical background is in treatment of neuromuscular disorders and I have been involved in physical therapist education for the last 24 years. I currently teach neuroscience and physical therapy management of neuromuscular disorders in our entry-level DPT program and I try to follow the lead of Socrates who said, "Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.”
Although my doctoral research focused on how the brain organizes and controls functional movements, my most recent research has been focused down two pathways: using new electronic technology to enhance student and patient learning; and assessing and improving the "healthy habits" practiced by physical therapy students, physical therapy faculty and physical therapy clinicians.
I’m involved in a number of community activities. The most fun is “balance class” with stroke survivors at the American Stroke Foundation (Mission, KS). Every Friday I travel with a small group of PT students to the American Stroke Foundation building. We engage a group of stroke survivors in an hour of exercises and activities designed to improve stability and reduce falls. We follow three simple rules in our class 1. Stay up; 2. Keep moving; 3. Have fun!
Recent Publications / Presentations
Kaufman M, Mettler J, Robertson H, Thurman R, Simmons B, Wear A and McKiernan BJ. The Efficacy of Video Feedback for Learning a Gross Motor Task. Poster presentation at: Missouri Physical Therapy Association spring meeting; April 2012; Lake Ozark, Missouri.
McKiernan BJ, Hoover DL. A Multi-Level, Multi-Modal Model for Assessing Student Performance During Practical Examinations. Poster presentation at: APTA Combined Sections Meeting; February 2012; Chicago, Illinois.
McKiernan BJ. Energizing Great Performance – An Evidence-Based Approach. Presented to: Metro Senior Resources; June 15, 2011; Kansas City, Missouri.
Black MJ, Fulhage CJ, Twellman MT, McKiernan BJ. Immediate Video Feedback vs. Verbal Feedback or Self-Evaluation for Learning a Novel Physical Task. Poster presentation at: Missouri Physical Therapy Association spring meeting; April 2011; Kansas City, Missouri.
McKiernan BJ, Hargrove SJ, Hollenbeck GK, Noble JM. The Effects of a Computerized Audience Response System on Exam Scores in a Physical and Occupational Therapy Neuroscience Course. Poster presentation at: APTA Combined Sections Meeting; February 2011; New Orleans, Louisiana.
McKiernan BJ. Using the Dartfish(R) Video Analysis System to Enhance Student and Client Learning in Classroom and Clinic. Presented to: APTA Combined Sections Meeting; February 11, 2011; New Orleans, Louisiana.
McKiernan BJ. Brain Rules! Presented to: Kansas Physical Therapy Association Midwest Student Conclave; September 18, 2010; Kansas City, Missouri.
McKiernan BJ. I Just Washed My Brain and I Can’t Do a Thing With It! Strategies for Learning, Memory and Brain Health. Presented to: Metro Senior Resources; July 21, 2010; Independence, Missouri.
Hargrove SJ, Hollenbeck GK, Noble JM & McKiernan BJ. The Effects of a Computerized Audience Response System on Exam Scores in a Physical and Occupational Therapy Neuroscience Course. Poster presentation at: Missouri Physical Therapy Association spring meeting; April 2010; St. Louis, Missouri.
McKiernan BJ, Cowart IW & Webb M. The Effects of an Audience Response System on Exam Scores in a Physical and Occupational Therapy Neuroscience Course. Poster presentation at: American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting; February 2010; San Diego, California.
McKiernan BJ. Stroke Care: Past, Present, Future. Bi-State Stroke Consortium. Presented to: Providence Medical Center; December 2, 2009; Kansas City, Kansas.
McKiernan BJ. Brain Rules! Presented to: Kansas Physical Therapy Association Student Conclave; September 12, 2009; Kansas City, Kansas.
McKiernan BJ. Using a Wiki to Organize Department Policies, Procedures and Shared Information. Presented to: Rockhurst University Fall Faculty Assembly; August 17, 2009; Kansas City, Missouri.
McKiernan BJ. Survey Says…Audience Response Systems in the Classroom. Presented to: Rockhurst University, Center for Excellence in Teach and Learning; March 26, 2009; Kansas City, Missouri.
Education
B.S., Journalism, University of Kansas, 1978
B.S., Physical Therapy, University of Kansas, 1985
Ph.D., Physiology, University of Kansas, 1998