College of Saint Mary Physical Therapy Faculty Published in Journal

OMAHA, Neb. – Four professors in College of Saint Mary’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program recently published an article in the Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Journal.

Program Director Kimberly Varnado, PT, DPT, DHSc; Associate Professor Anne Mejia-Downs, PT, MPH, PhD; Assistant Professor Alexander Scharmann, PT, DPT; and Assistant Professor Shannon Richardson, PT, DPT, EdD, collaborated on the article “A Community Development Approach in Physical Therapist Education.” The article discusses how physical therapists and physical therapist assistants can develop partnerships that significantly impact the health of individuals from their local community. An individual’s health is influenced chiefly not by genetics but by where they live.

“I’m incredibly proud of our work together,” Varnado said. “Our research reflects a shared commitment to advancing rehabilitation practices and improving patient outcomes. Being published in the Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Journal is a testament to our team's innovative and impactful contributions.”

CSM’s DPT program offers hybrid learning with core faculty certified in various clinical specialty areas and online instruction. This allows students to study from the comfort of their own homes while attending onsite intensive hands-on experiences with classmates, faculty and clinical partners throughout the year.