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Courtney P. Roca

  • Assistant Professor
    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 which 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 an actively engaged member of Grace Church and serves as a volunteer team member of GraceKids.

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

 

 

  • 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 (Co-Course Coordinator), 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
  • Assitant Professor and Co-Director of Clinical Education, Gannon University, Department of Physical Therapy, Erie, PA March 2016-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:

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. 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:

  • 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. Data collection in process.

Scholarship of Application

  • Professional Certification: Advanced Physical Therapy Vestibular Rehabilitation Certification, May 2022. University of Pittsburgh. Description:  4 module weekend intensive series with pre/post module webinars and assignments that culminated in a practical and written examination. Supported in its entirety by Faculty Development Grant funding (Spring 2021-Summer 2022).
  • Board Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist, American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. 2015-present; completed Maintenance of Specialty Certification (MOSC) Cycle #1 Summer 2022 – application peer reviewed and approved

Scholarship of Teaching

  • Item Writer National Physical Therapy Board Examination (NPTE) - Description: Applied and accepted for a position during Spring 2022; Completed a 2-day intensive training workshop; Contributed 40 exam questions - all approved for use through a multi-layer peer review process

University:

  • GU + Train the Trainer Team 
  • GU + Service Leader Selection Team
  • Graduate Council member
  • 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; Description: Volunteer- provide probono physical therapy services – avg 2-3 hours per week, Faculty Advisory Board - bimonthly (at minimum) meetings to advise student board efforts for coordination of all aspects of the clinic
  • Co-director, Parkinson’s Partners Northwest District- Purposeful Movement and Wellness Program, 2019-present; Description: Description: plan, develop, and implement all aspects of a wellness program for individuals with Parkinson’s disease including student volunteers; program consists of weekly sessions (Fall/Summer-8 weeks, Summer-6 weeks)
  • Volunteer, Erie Adaptive Sailing Experience (EASE) program, 2018-present; Description: assist with the implementation of a day-long weekly summer adaptive sailing program for children, adolescents, and young adults with disabilities
  • Volunteer, Grace Kids, Grace Church, 2019-present; Description: serve as a welcome desk team member on avg bimonthly to facilitate the check-in process for existing and new members as well as guests
  • Volunteer, Erie Youth Soccer Association (EYSA) Coach, Summer 2021-2022; Description: complete annual coach training; run practices and games for a team of 14-16 players, age 5/6 (1-2 timer per week throughout the summer)
  • Volunteer Consultant, Voices for Independence, 2019-present; Description: provide volunteer consultant services to directors of the FIT program and annual Adaptive Fitness Challenge to inform adaptive fitness strategies for adults with disabilities

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 
  • 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; nominated and appointed as Co-chair, Fall 2021, 2-year term
  • Next Stride, Device Consultant Spring 2022-present
Courtney P. Roca

Phone: 814-871-+1 8148715710
Office: M 150

Contact Courtney Roca