Stephanie M. Kubiak

  • Assistant Professor
    Occupational Therapy Program
  • Chairperson
    University Review Council
  • Research Process
  • Research Seminar
  • Thesis I
  • Thesis II
  • Analysis of Human Movement Lecture and Lab
  • Neurorehabilitation Lab
  • Nova Southeastern University, PhD, Dissertation: Influences of Computer Assistive Technology and Internet on the Socialization and Life Satisfaction After Tetraplegia Injury, 2022
  • Gannon University, M.S. in Occupational Therapy, 2011
  • Ohio State University, BA in Psychology, 2007
  • The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
  • American Occupational Therapy Association
  • American Public Health Association
  • Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association

CELEBRATE GANNON GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH ADVISEMENT

  • Christian, A., Folk, S., Robino, A., Schlueter, G., & Kubiak, S. (2025). Pediatric occupational therapy outcomes for dyspraxia using the sensory emotional engagement model and goal attainment  scale [Poster]. Celebrate Gannon.
  • Eaton, B., Johnson, B., Madrid, A., Zelina, H., & Kubiak, S. (2025). Relationship of exercise  participation and hospital readmission rates following traumatic brain injury [Poster]. Celebrate  Gannon.
  • Clark, M., Pratt, C., Rasper, E., Schirz, B., Welch, M., & Kubiak, S. (2024). Accessibility of fitness  centers in Erie County, Pennsylvania [Poster]. Celebrate Gannon.
  • Gladden, A., Grecco, B., Horst, M., McCloskey, B., Sheridan, R., & Kubiak, S. (2024). Life satisfaction  and online socialization following a traumatic brain injury [Poster].  Celebrate Gannon.
  • Borrello, C., Kiser, S., Loughran, K., Puskar, E., & Kubiak, S. (2023). Impact of remote exercise onwheelchair users’ quality of life [Poster]. Celebrate Gannon.
  • Burns, C., Emley, J., Fromknecht, S., & Routhier, A. (2023). Effect of exercise on the quality of life of individuals with disabilities [Poster]. Celebrate Gannon.
  • Boyle, S., Dinges, R., Khalil, S., Sandoval, M., Varcolla, S., & Kubiak, S. (2022). Physicians’ perceptions towards occupational therapy [Poster].  Celebrate Gannon.

PUBLICATIONS

  • Kubiak, S., Starns, E., Wehler, R., Church, L., & Roberts, J. (2025). Evaluating disability inclusivity inaccreditation standards for exercise science-related programs: A scoping review. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. [In Press]
  • Kubiak, S. & Starns, M. (2024). Propelling independence: A provider’s guide to ordering customwheelchairs. (Invited Publication). Physician Assistant Clinics. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpha.2024.07.006
  • Starns, E., Wehler, R., Church, L., & Kubiak, S. (2024). Breaking barriers and building confidence:Interprofessional education's impact on allied health students' competence and self-efficacy inaddressing exercise accessibility for people with disabilities. Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences. https://doi.org/10.25035/jsmahs.09.03.03
  • Dix, A. & Kubiak, S. (2023). Numbness and tingling, where is it coming from? A peripheral neuropathy  overview for the new orthopedic, neurology, and rehabilitation clinician (Invited Publication).Physician Assistant Clinics. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpha.2023.07.011
  • Kubiak, S., & Sklar, E. (2023). Racial and ethnic disparities of social participation after tetraplegia injury:A regression analysis. Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 104(6), 863-871. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2023.01.023
  • Kubiak, S., & Sklar, E. (2022). The relationship of regular exercise and hospital readmission following spinal cord injury: A secondary analysis. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 76 (1). https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2022.047944
  • Kubiak, S., Ekas, J., O’Keefe, K., Samkutty, J., & Szczotka, S. (2022). Participation in self-selected exercise and quality of life in adults living with a disability: A mixed methods design [Abstract]. American Journal of Occupational Therapy 76, (Supplement_1).https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2022.76S1-PO139 
  • Kubiak, S. & Sklar, E. (2022). Influence of electronic communication devices, assistive technologies, and internet use on social integration of individuals with tetraplegia [Abstract]. American Journal of Occupational Therapy 76, (Supplement_1). https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2022.76S1-PO104

PODCAST INTERVIEWS

  • Niehaus, B., Kubiak, S., & Sklar, E. (2023, July 18). Hidden Battle?elds: Social Participation Disparities and Anxiety in Spinal Cord Injury [Invited Audio podcast interview episode with Kubiak, S. &  Sklar, E.]. In Rehab Cast: The Rehabilitation Medicine Update. Retrieved from https://www.rehabcast.com/episodes/social-participation-disparities-anxiety-spinal-cord-injury 

PRESENTATIONS

  • Starns, E., Kubiak, S., Wehler, R., & Roberts, J. (2025). Get comfortable with being uncomfortable: Disability Inclusivity [Oral Presentation]. National Strength and Conditioning Association Great Lakes Regional Conference.
  • Kubiak, S., Starns, E., Wehler, R., Church, L., & Roberts, J. (2024). The road to inclusive fitness: Assessing disability language in exercise science accreditation standards [Oral Presentation]. American Public Health Association Annual Meeting.
  • Wehler, R. & Kubiak, S. (2024). Empowering all abilities: Inclusive fitness modifications for personswith physical disabilities [Oral Presentation]. Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) America National Convention and Expo.
  • Brydon, M., Armstrong, N. Wehler, R. Kubiak, S. & Starns, E. (2023). An interprofessional learning experience for graduate Students in SLP & pre-professionals in physical education & exercise science. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Conference.
  • Starns, E., Rappold, J., Church, L. Kubiak, S., & Wehler, R. (2023). Teaching by experience for the betterment of a community: A practical example of interprofessional collaboration at a  community fitness program serving people living with disabilities. Beyond the classroom:    Community-Engaged Teaching and Research Conference [Gannon University]
  • Kubiak, S., Wehler, B., Starns, E., Rappold, J., & Church, L. (2022). Addressing the exercise accessibility gap: Future fitness and healthcare professionals’ willingness and interest to work with people with disabilities in a fitness setting. [Oral Presentation].  American Public Health Association Annual Meeting.
  • Wehler, R., Kubiak, S., Starnes, E., & Rappold, J. (2022). Applying adapted fitness techniques through interprofessional education experiences [Oral Presentation]. Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) America National Convention and Expo.
  • Kubiak, S. & Sklar, E. (2021). Influence of assistive technologies, electronic devices, and internet usage on the social integration of tetraplegics: A regression model. [Cross Cutting Special Topics – Roundtable Presentation]. American Public Health Association 2021 Annual Meeting and Expo.
  • Kubiak, S. (2020, January 10). Occupational therapy interactive neurologic case studies [Presentation]. Gannon University Community Expo for Teaching and Learning 2020. Erie, Pa.
  • Kubiak, S. (2020, October 27). Relationship of exercise and hospital readmission rates in individuals with spinal cord injury: A secondary data analysis [Presentation]. American Public Health Association 2020 Annual Meeting and Expo, Remote.
  • Kubiak, S. (2018). Occupational therapy and health promotion: An adapted CrossFit program [90-minute  CEU Webinar]. Ohio Occupational Therapy Association. Remote.

CONFERENCE POSTERS

  • LeVan, D. & Kubiak, S. (2025). Scholarship to advance occupational therapy and your career [Poster]. Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association Conference.
  • Roberts, J., Kubiak, S., Wehler, R., & Starns, E. (2025). Evaluating disability inclusivity in 
  • accreditation standards for exercise-science related programs. [Poster]. Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions Annual Conference.
  • Kubiak, S. (2024). Exercise adherence among U.S. disability subgroups: A secondary analysis of the National Health Interview Survey. American Public Health Association Annual Meeting.
  • Kubiak, S. (2024). Exercise adherence among U.S. disability subgroups: A secondary analysis of the National Health Interview Survey (Invited Poster Presentation). UPMC Hamot P  Ladds Research Days
  • Starns, E., Starns, M., & Kubiak, S. (2024). Does gender matter? College student confidence in orthopedic provider based on name? Orthopedics Today National Conference.
  • Kubiak, S. & Sklar, E. (2023). Digital communication among individuals with tetraplegia spinal cord injury [Poster]. American Public Health Association Conference.
  • Kubiak, S. & Sklar, E. (2023). Racial inequities among spinal cord injury patients and health care professionals serving them [Poster]. American Public Health Association Conference.
  • Kubiak, S. & Wehler, R. (2023). Piloting efficient and feasible fitness, functional, and health related outcome measures at an adapted group fitness program [Poster]. American Public Health Association Conference.
  • Wehler, R., Starns, E., Kubiak, S., Armstrong, N., & Brydon, M. (2023). Interprofessional collaboration in academia to improve communication techniques with children living with autism spectrum disorder [Poster]. American Public Health Association Conference.
  • Rappold, J., Starns, E., Kubiak, S., & Wehler, R. (2023). Behavior outcomes and student learning  resulting from working with individuals with disabilities in a fitness setting [Poster]. Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting.
  • Kubiak, S. & Sklar, E. (2022). Influence of electronic communication devices, assistive technologies, and internet use on social integration of individuals with tetraplegia [Poster]. American Occupational Therapy Association Inspire Annual Conference & Expo.
  • Kubiak, S., Ekas, J., O’Keefe, K., Samkutty, J., & Szczotka, S. (2022). Participation in self-selected exercise and quality of life in adults living with a disability: A mixed methods design [Poster]. American Occupational Therapy Association Inspire Annual Conference & Expo.
  • Church, L., Rappold, J., Kubiak, S., Wehler, R., & Starns, E. (2022). An interprofessional education experience at a community fitness program serving people living with disabilities [Poster]. American Occupational Therapy Association Education Summit.
  • Kubiak, S. (2020, October 14). Mixed methods pilot study: Utilization of interactive neurologic case studies to promote clinical reasoning in occupational therapy students [Poster]. American Occupational Therapy Association Education Summit, Remote.
  • Kubiak, S. (2020, October 26). Functional Performance: An adapted group exercise community program for individuals living with a disability [Poster]. American Public Health Association 2020 Annual Meeting and Expo, Remote.
  • Institutional Review Board Chair, Gannon University, Erie, PA, 2022- Present
  • Board of Directors President, Functional Performance, Erie, PA, 2020-Present
  • Commission on Conference Program Co-Chair, Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association, 2022 - Present
  • Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee, Pennsylvania Public Health Association, 2022 - 2023
  • Secretary, Board of Directors, Functional Performance, Erie, PA 2019-2020
  • Co-founder of Functional Performance, Non-profit organization, Erie, PA 2019 (Functionalperformancefitness.org)
  • Mission of Functional Performance: Improve access to exercise opportunities for individuals living with a disability using two evidence-based approaches: Deliver multi-disciplinary adapted group fitness classes tailored to each individual’s needs and foster future fitness professionals' knowledge and comfort working with adapted populations through education, exposure, and hands-on experiences.
Stephanie M. Kubiak

+1 8148715670
Office: M 049

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