Courtney P. Roca

  • Assistant Professor
    Physical Therapy Program
  • Assc Director, DPT (Erie)
    Physical Therapy Program
  • Co-Director of Clinical Ed.
    Physical Therapy Program

Dr. Roca earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in 2004, Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2006, both from Marymount University, and Doctor of Education degree from the University of New England in 2020. Her clinical practice and professional development activities have focused on the areas of vestibular and neurologic rehabilitation. She earned her vestibular certification at Emory University in 2011, Board Certification as a Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy in 2015, and Advanced Vestibular certification in 2022. Since 2016, she has served as full-time faculty at Gannon University in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program and assumed the role of Co-Director of Clinical Education in 2019. Her clinical roles at present include practice at regional clinics in Erie through Allegheny Health Network St. Vincent Rehab Solutions and the KnightAbility Physical Therapy Clinical at Gannon University, where she is extensively involved in the interdisciplinary care of adults with neurologic and vestibular dysfunction, including student-athletes status post-concussion. In addition to her academic and clinical roles, she is also actively engaged in various service-oriented as well as research efforts that focus on wellness-based programs for individuals with disabilities in conjunction with Voices for Independence, Parkinson Partners of Northwest PA, and Erie Adaptive Sailing Experience (EASE) as well best practice clinical management strategies for individuals with a history of concussion. She is also actively engaged in Grace Church and serves as a volunteer team member of GraceKids and Lifegroup Site Coordinator.

Licensure Information:
     Pennsylvania  PT021580
     Pennsylvania Direct Access  DAPT002469

Certifications:

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

 

 

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

  • 3rd Term: GDPT 832 Clinical Experience 1 (Co-Course Coordinator)
  • 4th Term: GDPT 848/849 Neuroscience  (Co-Course Coordinator), GDPT 844 Evidence-Based Practice 2  (Faculty Content Evidence-Based Practice Advisor)
  • 5th Term: GDPT 853/855 Examination, Evaluation, and Intervention for Neuromuscular Movement Dysfunction 2 (Course Lecturer), GDPT 851 Evidence-Based Practice Guidance 3 (Faculty Content Evidence-Based Practice Advisor) 
  • 6th Term: GDPT 862 Clinical Experience 2 (Co-Course Coordinator)
  • 7th Term: GDPT 872 Clinical Experience 3 (Co-Course Coordinator), GDPT 871 Evidence-Based Practice Guidance 4 (Faculty Content Evidence-Based Practice Advisor)
  • 8th Term: GDPT 882 Clinical Experience 4 (Co-Course Coordinator), GDPT 881 Evidence-Based Practice Guidance 5 (Faculty Content Evidence-Based Practice Advisor)
  • 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-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: member; North West District: member
  • Vestibular Disorders Association, professional member

Publications:

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, 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

  • Lead Author and Research Advisor for Faculty-Led Evidence-Based DPT Graduate Student Project: Roca C, Mokris B. Chronic postural control deficits and history of concussion: Testing Protocols for Clinical Practice. Status: Initiated Summer 2022, GUIRB-2022-6-6926. Dissemination in progress. 
  • 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 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; completed Maintenance of Specialty Certification (MOSC) Cycle #1-#3

Scholarship of Teaching - Topc: Item Writing 

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

University:

  • GU + Train the Trainer Team 
  • GU + Service Leader Selection Team
  • Graduate Council member, Graduate Assistant subcommittee lead 
  • Move-In Day Volunteer

College:

  • 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:

  • Volunteer, Faculty Advisory Board, Coordinator - KnightAbility Physical Therapy clinic, 2018-present; 
  • 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-present 

Profession:

  • American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) – member since 2006; Academy of Neurology Physical Therapy, Vestibular SIG
  • Academy of Physical Therapy Education, Clinical Education SIG; Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy, Roadmap to SCCE Workgroups: Co-Lead (March 1 Mailings) 
  • 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 (VA Clinic, Eberly PT, St Vincent Rehab Solutions, ActiveCare)
  • 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