Courtney P. Roca

  • Assistant Professor
    Physical Therapy Program
  • Interim Chair, Dpt Prg
    Physical Therapy Program

Dr. Roca earned her Bachelor of Science in 2004 and Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2006, both from Marymount University. She later completed her Doctor of Education at the University of New England in 2020. Her clinical and professional work centers on vestibular and neurologic rehabilitation.
She received her vestibular certification from Emory University in 2011, became a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy in 2015, and earned Advanced Vestibular Certification in 2022. Since joining Gannon University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program in 2016, Dr. Roca has served as full-time faculty, taking on the role of Co-Director of Clinical Education in 2019, Associate Program Director in 2023, and Interim Program Chair in 2025.


Clinically, Dr. Roca practices at regional clinics in Erie through Allegheny Health Network St. Vincent Rehab Solutions and the KnightAbility Physical Therapy Clinic at Gannon University. She plays a key role in interdisciplinary care for adults with neurologic and vestibular dysfunction, including student-athletes recovering from concussion.


Beyond her academic and clinical work, Dr. Roca is active in research and service initiatives. Her projects include wellness programs for individuals with disabilities in collaboration with Voices for Independence, Parkinson Partners of Northwest PA, and Erie Adaptive Sailing Experience (EASE), as well as clinical best practices for concussion management. She also contributes to her community through Grace Church and serves professionally with the Academy of Physical Therapy Education, ACAPT, the Three Rivers Academic Consortium, and the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy.

Licensure Information:
     Pennsylvania  PT021580
     Pennsylvania Direct Access  DAPT002469

Certifications:

  • APTA CCIP Level 1 Trainer, 2024-present 
  • Certified Advanced Vestibular Physical Therapist, 2022
  • Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy, 2015-present
  • Vestibular Rehabilitation Specialist, APTA, 2011

 

 

Parkinson Partners of Northwest PA 2023 Audree Parr Parkinson Champion Award recipient 

  • 1st Semester: GDPT 810 Health Care Systems and Policy 1 (Course Lecturer)
  • 4th Semester: GDPT 848/849 Neuroscience  (Co-Course Coordinator), GDPT 844 Evidence-Based Practice 2  (Evidence-Based Practice Faculty Content  Advisor), GDPT 847 Clinical Synthesis 1 (Course Coordinator)
  • 5th Semester: GDPT 853/855 Examination, Evaluation, and Intervention for Neuromuscular Movement Dysfunction 2 (Course Lecturer), GDPT 851 Evidence-Based Practice Guidance 3 (Evidence-Based Practice Faculty Content  Advisor) 
  • 7th Semester: GDPT 871 Evidence-Based Practice Guidance 4 (Evidence-Based Practice Faculty Content  Advisor), GDPT 899 Independent Study Course Coordinator
  • 8th Semester: GDPT 881 Evidence-Based Practice Guidance 5 (Evidence-Based Practice Faculty Content  Advisor), GDPT 899 Independent Study Course Coordinator
  • Marymount University, B.S,  Arlington, VA 2004
  • Marymount University, Doctorate of Physical Therapy, Arlington, VA 2006
  • University of New England, Doctor of Education (Ed.D) in Educational Leadership, 2020

neurologic and vestibular physical therapy; wellness programming for adults with disabilities 

  • Assistant Professor, Gannon University, Department of Physical Therapy, Erie, PA March 2016-present, Co-Director of Clinical Education 2019-present, Associate Program Director 2023-2025, Interim Program Chair 2025-present
  • Per diem Physical Therapist, AHN Saint Vincent Rehab Solutions, Erie, PA March 2016-present
  • Full-time staff Physical Therapist, AHN Saint Vincent Rehab Solutions, Erie, PA October 2011-March 2016
  • Full-time Senior Physical Therapist, INOVA Fairfax Hospital, Falls Church VA April 2010-October 2011
  • Full-time staff Physical Therapist, INOVA Fairfax Hospital, Falls Church, VA September 2006-April 2010
  • American Physical Therapy Association, Academy of Neurology, Geriatrics, and Education
  • APTA PA, Neurology SIG, North West District
  • Vestibular Disorders Association, professional member

Publications:

Roca CP, Mokris B, Ranney J. Concussion, Postural Control, and Lower Extremity Injury Risk: A Comparison of Postural Control Tests. J Allied Health. Accepted for publication, In press.

Abedi M S, Flink T S, Roca C P (March 03, 2024) A Rare Presentation of Multicanal Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo in a Premenopausal Woman With Osteopenia: A Case Report. Cureus 16(3): e55421. DOI 10.7759/cureus.55421

Roca, C. Effectiveness of Virtual Wellness Programming for Adults with Disabilities: Clients' Perspectives. J Allied Health. 2021 Summer;50(2):e63-e66. PMID: 34061942.

Roca, C. "Wellness Programming For Adults With Disabilities: A Qualitative Inquiry Of Stakeholders’ Perspectives" (2020). All Theses And Dissertations. 281.https://dune.une.edu/theses/281.

 

Presentations:

Roca, C. VOMS: Physical Therapy Vestibular Exercises. Inaugural AHN Erie Sports Medicine Symposium. Erie, PA. June 10th, 2025.

Roca C, Mokris B, Ranney J, Brewer E, Chandler K, Schiltz L, Shirilla A. Chronic postural control deficits and history of concussion: Testing Protocols for Clinical Practice. Combined Sections Meeting, Boston MA, February 16th, 2023. 

Roca, C. Caster, J. Student Preparedness for Teleheath: A Comparison of Teaching Strategies. Educational Leadership Conference, Atlanta, GA, October 23, 2021

Roca, C. Effectiveness of Virtual Wellness Programming for Adults with Disabilities: Clients' Perspectives. PPTA Move PA 2020, October 2020

Roca, C. Invited Course Developer and Presenter: Concussion. Gannon University. September 2019

Gustafson, B., Roca, C. Snarksi, K. Integration of a New Clinical Practice Guideline into Entry Level Physical Therapist Education. Educational Leadership Conference, Platform Presentation. October 2019

Roca, C. BPPV:  Evidence-Based Overview of Examination and Treatment Strategies. Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Association, Northwest District, mini CSM, April 2018

Roca C, Galleher C, Legters, K. Validation of New Falls Risk Screening Tool. PPTA Annual Conference, Poster Presentation. October 2018 (role: lead author)

Roca, C. Vestibular Rehabilitation 101: Overview of Evaluation and Treatment Techniques for Patients with Vestibular Dysfunction
Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Association, Northwest District, January 2016

Roca, C. Differential Diagnosis of the Dizzy Patient Meadville Medical Center Grand Rounds, 2015

Roca, C. Differential Diagnosis of the Dizzy Patient. Saint Vincent Health System Residency Program, Annually, 2012-2016

Roca, C. The Role of Vestibular Therapy and Concussion. Saint Vincent Hospital Grand Rounds, 2012

Scholarship of Discovery - Topic: Postural Control and Concussion, Collegiate Athletes

  • Roca CP, Mokris B, Ranney J. Concussion, Postural Control, and Lower Extremity Injury Risk: A Comparison of Postural Control Tests. J Allied Health. Accepted for publication, In press.
  • Lead Author and Research Advisor for Faculty Led Evidence-Based DPT Graduate Student Project: Roca, C, Mokris, B, Ranney J. Dual-Task Postural Control: Normative Data in Collegiate Student-Athletes. Status: Initiated Summer 2023, GUIRB-2023-8-7165. Data analysis and dissemination in progress. 

Scholarship of Application - Topic: Certifcations and Specializations

  • Professional Certification: Advanced Physical Therapy Vestibular Rehabilitation Certification, May 2022. University of Pittsburgh. 
  • Board Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist, American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. 2015-present (recertified in 2025)

Scholarship of Teaching - Topc: Item Writing 

  • Specialization Academy of Content Experts (SACE), Neurologic Section item writer, two year term, 2024-2025, renewed 2026-2027
  • Item Writer National Physical Therapy Board Examination (NPTE), Spring 2022

Scholarship of Teaching - Topic: PT Education Symposium

  • Roca C, Snarski K, Greenthaner A, Lasky-McFarlin C, Lavery V, Lewis C, Schmucker Z, Ulrich J. Effectiveness of Faculty Education Symposium. GU IRB: GUIRB-2025-11-7418. Status Data Collection: Spring 2026-Spring 2027
  • Roca, C. PT Education Symposium Course Analysis. Gannon University Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL), Year; Erie, PA.
  • Roca, C. Title TBD. Gannon University Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) Expo, 2027; Erie, PA.

 

 

University:

  • GU + Train the Trainer Team 
  • GU + Service Leader Selection Team
  • Graduate Council Executive Committee 
  • Move-In Day Volunteer
  • Faculty Advisory Board, KnightAbility Physical Therapy Clinic

College:

  • Morosky Academic Affairs Committee 
  • Clinical Education Taskforce
  • Search Committees – RT, PA, DPT Erie/Ruskin, MAT

Department:

  • Student Performance Committee, Mar 2016-present 
  • Curriculum Committee, Mar 2016-present 
  • Program Assessment Committee
  • Telehealth Workgroup
  • Space/Equipment Committee 
  • Online Orientation Development Workgroup

Community:

  • Co-director, Parkinson’s Partners Northwest District- Purposeful Movement and Wellness Program, 2019-present
  • Volunteer, Erie Adaptive Sailing Experience (EASE) program, 2018-present
  • Volunteer, Grace Church, 2019-present
  • Volunteer, Erie Youth Soccer Association (EYSA) Coach, Summer 2021-2022
  • Volunteer Consultant, Voices for Independence, 2019-2024

Profession:

  • American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) – member 2006-present; Academy of Neurology Physical Therapy, Vestibular SIG Task Force (VNG testing and Rehabilitation)
  • Academic Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT) - member,  CE Commission CE Reactor Panel (2025)
  • Academy of Physical Therapy Education, Clinical Education SIG; Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy, Roadmap to SCCE Workgroups: Co-Lead (March 1 Mailings, 2025)
  • APTA Pennsylvania – member since 2012; Neuro SIG: Member, past Secretary, and Mentor; Northwest District of APTA PA: Voluntary PRN consultative services to peers needing assistance with managing patients with neuro/vestibular dysfunction on their caseload
  • Vestibular Disorders Association - professional member since 2011
  • Three Rivers Academic Consortium – member since 2018; Co-chair, Fall 2021-present
  • Next Stride, Device Consultant Spring 2022-2023
Courtney P. Roca

+1 8148715710
Office: M 150

Contact Courtney Roca