Beth Gustafson

Primary teaching and coordinating responsibilities in:

• Community Health Initiatives Course Sequences
• GDPT 853/855 Examination, Evaluation, and Intervention for Neuromuscular Movement Dysfunction II

Lecture and/or lab teaching in:

• GDPT 815 Essentials of Physical Therapy Practice
• GDPT 817 Pathology
• GDPT 841 Foundations in Pediatrics
• GDPT 843/845 Examination, Evaluation, and Intervention for Neuromuscular Movement Dysfunction I

Content advisor for Evidence-Based Practice Courses

University of Indianapolis, Krannert School of Physical Therapy, Indianapolis, Indiana. Doctor of Health Science. Dissertation: The Application of Shaping Techniques with Lower Extremity Exercises for Community Dwelling Adults with Chronic Stroke: A Feasibility Study. 2017.

University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio.  Masters of Science in Education. 2003.

Quinnipiac University, Hamden, Connecticut. Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy, Psychology Minor. 1983.

Current, Full-Time

• Gannon University, Morosky College of Health Professions, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, Erie, PA, 2009 – present; Assistant Professor

Current, Part-Time

• TherapySource. Home school-based care (cyber schools). contract physical therapist, June 2016 to present
• Niagara Therapy. Out-patient physical therapy for adults and children with emphasis on those with neurological conditions, 2013 to present
• IU5 Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit, Edinboro, Pennsylvania, Summer 2011 to present; Physical Therapist, Early Intervention and School Age

Past, Full-Time

• Clark State Community College, Springfield, OH, 1996 – 2009; Associate Professor; Physical Therapist Assistant Program, Program Coordinator
• Miami Valley Hospital, Dayton, OH, 1990 – 1997; Physical Therapist III (1991 – 1997); Physical Therapist II (1990 – 1991); Head Injury Re-Entry Program; MedWork (Occupational Health)
• Baptist Memorial Hospital, Memphis, TN, 1988 – 1990; Brain Injury Unit
• Portsmouth Regional Hospital, Portsmouth, NH, 1987 – 1988; Acute Care; Out-Patient Rehabilitation
• Harmarville Rehabilitation Center, Pittsburgh, PA, 1986 – 1987; Brain Injury Unit; Out-Patient Rehabilitation
• St. Vincent Health Center, Erie, PA,  1983 – 1986; Acute Care; In-Patient Rehabilitation; Sports Medicine; Home Health; Nursing Home

Past, Part-Time

• Agora Cyber School, physical therapist (contract assumed by TherapySource). 2013-2017
• Crawford County Care Center. Skilled care facility. June 2011 - 2012
• Madison-Champaign County Educational Service Center, Urbana, OH, 2006-07
• Community Hospital, Springfield, OH, 2002-2005
• Madison County Hospital, London, OH, 2001-2003
• Mercy Hospital, Springfield, OH, 2002
• ADAPT PT, Urbana, OH, 1995 – 1997
• Upjohn Health Care Services, Memphis, TN, 1989

American Physical Therapy Association

• Delegate, Pennsylvania Chapter 2014 to present
• Alternate Delegate 2013

Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Association

• Member 2009 to present
• District Chair January 2016 to present
• Director, Board of Directors, January 2016 to present

Publications and Presentations

• Gustafson B. Combs-Miller S. Moore, E. Kelly S. The application of shaping techniques with lower extremity exercises for community dwelling adults with chronic stroke: A feasibility study. Poster Presentation. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting. Poster Presentation. February 24, 2018.   New Orleans, LA
• Brzuz A, Kessler A, Wallace G, Earp D, Gustafson, B.  Infusing interprofessional and intraprofessional learning opportunities into occupational therapy courses.  Poster Presentation at 2017 AOTA Annual Conference & Centennial Celebration.  March 2017.  Philadelphia, PA
• Reynolds P, Gustafson B, DPT Students link their community service-learning experiences to development of their professional social responsibility roles in society.  Poster presentation at Combined Sections Meeting, American Physical Therapy Association, February 2015.  Indianapolis, IN
• Therasse J, Percy T, Gustafson B. Work hardening for a 61-year-old male following left medullary infarct.  Poster presentation at Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Association Annual Conference; October 2014.   Lancaster, PA
• Reynolds P, Gustafson B. Facilitating Development of Students’ Professionalism Core Values through Interprofessional Community Campus Partnerships.  Presentation at: American Physical Therapy Association-Educational Leadership Conference; October 5, 2012; Greenwich, CT.
• Dinsmore T, Gustafson B. The Blending of Traditional and Online Learning to Develop the Active Learner to Enhance Course Outcomes. Presentation at: American Physical Therapy Association-Combined Sections Meeting; February 10, 2010; New Orleans, LA.
• Gustafson, B. (2003). Neurological Physical Therapy in The National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination Review & Study Guide, ed: Geralyn A. Farrelly, International Educational Resources.
• Gustafson, B. (2002).  “Resource Development: Facilitating Responsibility for Learning in Students” PT 2002. Poster Presentation at national professional association conference.  Abstract (PO-SI-26-F).
• Gustafson, B. (2002).  “Fit for Practice: Professional Development in Students.  Poster Presentation” PT 2002. Poster Presentation at national professional association conference.  Abstract (PO-SI-25-F).
• Gustafson, B. (2000).  “Function for Life: Discovering Adaptive Equipment; A Student Assignment.  Poster Presentation” PT 2000. Poster Presentation at national professional association conference.  Abstract (#2020).

Physical therapy is an exciting field with many opportunities to advance scholarly work. My primary research interests are in the area of improving rehabilitation outcomes for individuals living with chronic neurological conditions such as stroke and brain injury and determining best educational practice for alternative teaching strategies in physical therapy education.

I have recently completed a research project with students: The relationship between scores on the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire-9 and the Stroke Impact Scale item -6 in a sample of community dwelling individuals with chronic stroke or traumatic brain injury. We looked for a correlation between life satisfaction and community mobility.

In collaboration with an Occupational Therapist faculty member, I am exploring the benefits of physical and occupational therapist student participation in experiential interprofessional education.

I am currently developing and implementing a study titled: Knowledge translation: using best evidence to guide gait related intervention for individuals with activity limitations and participation restrictions from chronic neurological conditions.

Service to the Profession

• Reviewer, Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy, 2017 to present

Service to Gannon

• Student Success Committee
• Morosky College of Health Professions, Academic Affairs Committee

Service to Community

• Huntington's Disease Society of America TeamHope walk co-coordinator
• French Creek Community Theater 2009 to 2018