Areas of Expertise
Clinical education; clinical reasoning
Education, Licensure & Certifications
University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
PhD in Educational Leadership Research, and Policy, Fall 2023
Slippery Rock University
Doctor of Physical Therapy, 2002
University of Northern Colorado
Bachelor of Science, Recreation, 1997
Emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation, Emphasis in Outdoor Education
Minors in History and Biology
Licensure Information/Registration Number
Colorado PT: PTL 0008091
Certifications
APTA Advanced Clinical Instructor Certification, March 2016
American Heart Association BLS and BLS for the Healthcare Provider Instructor, August 2014
APTA Clinical Instructor Certification, October 2003
Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, 1997 – 2003
Emergency Medical Technician - Basic, August 1998
Resumes/CV:
Awards
UCCS merit-based scholarship for dissertation phase of PhD
2021, 2022 Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Mission Incentive recipient
Distinguished PhD Year 1 study: Using the Partnership Success Theory to Explore Site Visits on the Academic-Clinical Partnership from the Physical Therapy Clinical Instructor Perspective
Multiple patient and co-worker nominated awards for quality of care and customer service
Excellence in Research, SRU Graduate School of Physical Therapy
First Honor Graduate, Army Medical Academy
Courses
Teaching Responsibilities
Fall
DPTR 5901: ICE I, Instructor
DPTR 6902: ICE II, Instructor
DPTR 6712: PD II, Instructor
DPTR 6402: MSK II, Lab Instructor (inpatient unit)
DPTR 7933: CE III, Course Coordinator
Spring
DPTR 6932: CE II, Instructor
DPTR 6303: Med Conditions II, Lab Instructor (wound care)
Summer
DPTR 6931: CE I, Instructor
DPTR 5711: PD 1, Course Coordinator
Research
Research Activity
Co-Investigator: “Exploring the Experience and Identity of Clinical Associated Faculty Teaching in a Doctor of Physical Therapy Program” Ongoing
Principle Investigator, Dissertation publication: “Exploring the intersection of physical therapy clinical instructor professional characteristics, academic program supports, and clinical site demographics with clinical instructor perceptions of partnership with affiliated physical therapy academic programs” Completed 2023
Co-Investigator: Physical therapy student financial literacy and effect of financial literacy education curriculum
Co-Investigator: “DPT Student Preparedness for Acute Care Clinical Experience Following ICU Simulation Experience” Ongoing
Participant in 2021 Grantsmanship and Mentoring in Education Research (GAMER) intensive workshop
Principal Investigator: “Physical therapy student interest in joining the National Health Service Corps: An Exploration of Considerations and Demographic Attributes” Completed 2022
Principal Investigator: “Clinical Instructor Characteristics and Academic Clinical Education Interventions on Clinical Instructor Partnership Perceptions” Completed 2020
Co-Investigator: “Understanding STEM Identity using the High School Longitudinal Study of 2009” Completed 2023
Co-Investigator: “The impact of students’ personal financial situations on decision-making for terminal clinical education experiences of the DPT degree” Completed 2022
Principal Investigator: “Improved Clinical Comfort for 3rd Year Doctor of Physical Therapy Students during Full Time Internships using a Clinical Narrative Process” 2016
Peer-reviewer for Journals: “Healthcare”, and “The Clinical Teacher”
Faculty Member for Occupational Therapy Master’s student orals: “What effect does shoulder taping have on hemiplegic shoulder pain and functional skills (ADL and Transfer skills)”, 2014.
Adjunct Investigator: “Sexual Boundaries in Physical Therapy Practice” In collaboration with University of Rhode Island, 2014
Graduate Research Project: “Therapist’s Predicted Outcomes for a Patient with Low Back Pain” APTA National Conference Platform Presentation, 2002
Publications and Presentations
Scholarly Agenda:
To identify and understand characteristics and interventions associated with enhancing and/or maximizing academic-clinical partnerships.
Publications
- Palmer, R.J. Using the Partnership Success Theory to Explore Physical Therapy Clinical Instructor Partnership Perceptions. [Doctoral dissertation]. Colorado Springs, Colorado: University of Colorado Colorado Springs; 2023.
- Hochman, L., Silberman, N., Palmer, R.J., & Greco, J.L. Best Practices in Clinical Education: A Site Visit Decision-Making Model. J. of Allied Health. 2023. In press.
- Palmer, R. J., & Rapport, M.J. Using the Partnership Success Theory to Explore Site Visits on the Academic-Clinical Partnership from the Physical Therapy Clinical Instructor Perspective. J of Phys Ther Educ. 2022;36(3):186-195.
- Rodriguez, J., Davidson, W., Palmer, R. J., & Rapport, M. J. Impact of Student Debt on Decisions of Terminal Clinical Education Experiences in Physical Therapist Education. Internet J Allied Health Sci Pract. 2022;20(3).
Grants
1. University of Colorado, Doctor of Physical Therapy Education Scholarship Group Seed Grant. Award: $3,000. 2022
Peer Reviewed Scientific and Professional Presentations:
- APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Education Poster Session: “Using the Partnership Success Theory to Explore Physical Therapy Clinical Instructor Partnership Perceptions” 2024
- APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Acute Care Poster Session: “DPT Student Preparedness for Acute Care Clinical Experience Following ICU Simulation Experience” 2024
- APTA Education Leadership Conference, Education Session abstract submission: “Rethinking Clinical-Academic Partnerships: Working towards educational sustainability through more integrated relationships” 2023
- APTA Education Leadership Conference, Education Session: “Site Visits: Is there a method to the madness? Gaining consensus in best practice” 2022
- APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Health Policy and Administration Section Poster Presentation: “Understanding Physical Therapy Student Motivations for Joining the National Health Service Corps” 2022
- APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Education Section Platform Presentation: “The Development of a Novel Academic-Clinical Partnership Assessment Tool Using the Partnership Success Theory” 2021
- APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Education Section Platform Presentation: “Clinical Instructor Perceptions on Partnership Following Academic Physical Therapy Site Visits: A Mixed-Methods Approach” 2021
- American Educational Research Association (AERA), Virtual Poster Presentation: “Understanding STEM Identity using the High School Longitudinal Study of 2009” 2021
- STEM 2021 Virtual Conference, Platform Presentation: “Understanding STEM Identity using the High School Longitudinal Study of 2009” 2021
- APTA Educational Leadership Conference, Education Section Poster Presentation: “Efficacy of a Rural Panel to Promote DPT Student Interest in Rural Clinical Rotations” 2019
- APTA Educational Leadership Conference, Education Session Presentation: “From Vision to Reality: Early Years of Implementing a Paid Yearlong Internship and Lessons Learned Along the Way” 2018
- APTA Combined Section Meeting, Education Section Poster Presentation: “Quantifying Clinical Instructor Time in Student Mentorship During Full Time Doctor of Physical Therapy Clinical Experiences – A Pilot Study” 2018
- Northwest Intermountain Consortium Annual Conference, Education Session Presentation: “Navigating the ‘Swampy Lowland’ of Clinical Practice – Using Clinical Narratives in PT Clinical Education” 2017
- APTA Combined Section Meeting, Education Section Poster Presentation: “Improved Clinical Comfort for 3rd Year Doctor of Physical Therapy Students during Full Time Internships using a Clinical Narrative Process” 2016
Non-Peer Reviewed Scientific and Professional Presentations:
- Medical Career Collaborative (MC2) – Introduction to PT – March 6, 2024
- Adams City High School Career Exploration Panel – Anschutz Medical Campus – December 4, 2023
- Colorado State University – Pre-PT club presentation – November 27, 2023
- Aurora Science and Technology – PT Career exploration – November 10, 2023
- Colorado Mesa Graduate Fair – CU PT representation – November 7, 2023
- Western State University – Pre-PT club presentation – November 6, 2023
- K-12 Steam Exposure Day – Anschutz Medical Campus – October 26, 2023
- Adams County 5 Start School District – K-12 PT exploration presentation – October 10, 2023
- AHEC Near Conference - PT Partner Presentation – September 24, 2023
- CU Physical Therapy Program – University of Colorado, Denver – September 14, 2023
- Motivational Interviewing Review – Saint Joseph’s Hospital – July 27, 2023
- Medical Career Collaborative (MC2) – Introduction to PT – March 6, 2023
- CUPS Presentation/Workshop – Introduction to PT – October 15, 2022
- Aurora Science and Technology HS – Health Care career exploration day – 2 presentations on profession of PT – October 13, 2022
- Greeley HS Dream Team – Health Care career exploration – panel participant representing PT – October 10, 2022
CU Anschutz PreHealth Day – Interdisciplinary panel case presentation participant – October 1, 2022 - South Middle School – Career Exploration session – PT profession presentation – September 23, 2022
- Colorado Early Colleges, Colorado Springs – Career Exploration day – 3 sessions presenting on profession of PT – September 15, 2022
- National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions panel participant representing PT – June 15, 2022
- CO SWAHEC Health Careers Institute, Fort Lewis College, Durango – Physical Therapy booth – June 10, 2022
- UPP Career Exploration Week – Introduction to PT – June 6, 2022
- MC2 Pre-health organization presentation – Introduction to PT – March 24, 2022
- Chinese Disability Symposium – Adaptive Recreation Opportunities for People in the United States – August 2021
- UCCS Graduate Research Slam Competition - Using the Partnership Success Theory to Explore Site Visits on the Academic-Clinical Partnership from the Physical Therapy Clinical Instructor Perspective - 2021
“We Need to Talk” – Having Difficult Conversations – APTA CO CESIG 2019
PT Clinical Education - Navigating Through Wonderland - University of Colorado Department of Physical Therapy 2017
Panel Discussion Participant: Best Practice of Clinical Education Task Force Recommendations - APTA CO CESIG 2017
Reprised: EWU SMA3RT (Successful Mentoring, Administration, Advising, Arts, Research and Teaching) Faculty/Staff Poster Presentation 2016
Reprised: WA PT Faculty Research Showcase – PTWA State Conference 2016
Facilitating the Construction Process – A Neural Plastic Approach to Gait Retraining. EWU School of Physical Therapy 2012
