I became a licensed physical therapist in 1986 and worked as a senior PT in the head injury spinal cord injury unit at Erie County Medical Center our level 1 Trauma Center until I accepted a faculty position at D’Youville University in 1991 as the Coordinator for Clinical Education in the physical therapy program. I was elected Chairperson in 2000 and lead the program for over 20 years before returning to a position I love as Director of Clinical Education. I have served our profession for over 25 years in various leadership positions in the APTA (American Physical Therapy Association) at the NY state level and as Chief Delegate of APTA-NY on the national level. I am committed to helping eliminate health disparities in the city of Buffalo through my service on the Board of Directors of the Near East and West Side Community Health Task Force of Buffalo.
The focus of my research and service to the University for the last 13 years has been the development of our Interprofessional Education (IPE) Curricula that brings students from all seven of our health profession together to learn on IPE teams three times during their individual programs. We make use of the IPE Simulation Center in the Health Professions Hub for exciting experiential learning threaded throughout the program.
Education & Training
TeamSTEPPS Master Trainer, American Hospital Association, 2019
Ph.D, Educational Leadership and Policy, SUNY at Buffalo, 2004
MS, Human Resource Management, SUNY College at Buffalo, 1995
BS, Physical Therapy, SUNY at Buffalo, 1986
National Trainer, APTA Clinical Instructor Credentialing Program, 1998-2004
Awards & Honors
Leslie J. Wood Outstanding Service to Chapter Award, APTA-New York, 2022
Western District, APTA NY Chapter Appreciation Award, 2013
Civic Empowerment Award (15 founding members) of NEWS Community Health Task Force Buffalo NY, 2003.
D’Youville College PT Department Faculty of the Year Award, 2000
Ambassador of Buffalo Award, presented by the City of Buffalo January, 1995.
Research Interests
I have committed myself in the last 12 years to establishing the Interprofessional Education Collaborative at D'Youville University and am continuing to study the educational effectiveness of IPE simulation education to prepare students to become highly effective team members in health care to reduce medical errors and improve patient outcomes.
Publications
Hyland. N ; Vore, M; Chan, C. ;Katz, J ; Rivers, L; Hewson, K. Covid-19 Impact on Students in Physical Therapist and Physical Therapist Assistant Education Programs in New York and New Jersey : Key Issues and Recommended Responses. Journal of Physical Therapy Education. 35(4):279-285, December 2021.
Haberstro, P. ; Rivers, L. ; Stottele, M. Regular Physical Activity : A Prescription for Lifelong Health in the Community. (Chapter 12). Obesity and Disease in an Inter-connected World : A systems approach to turn huge challenges into amazing opportunities. Wylie-Rosett, J. ; Jhangiani, S. (Eds). Bentham eBook 2014.
Panzarella, K., Rivers, L, Bright, B., Whelan, M, Butterfoss, K., Russ, L., Case, A., Brian, S., Ferro, H., DeMarco, L., Dunford, D., Schmitz, K., Kittleson, H., Kennedy, M., Brzykcy, D., Pownall, L. & Reddington, M.; Using Actors as Simulated Patients for Interprofessional Education. Medical Science Educator 2013; 23(3S) 438-448.
