Clinical Associate Professor of Physical Therapy
She earned a BS in Exercise Science from Sacred Heart University in 2001 and went on to receive her MS in Physical Therapy in 2003. Karen received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2014 from Northeastern University. She completed her Doctor of Health Science degree at the University of Bridgeport with a focus on healthcare education in 2021. Her dissertation work focused on resilience training in physical therapy students. She has been recognized by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties as a Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist since 2011.
Karen has over 20 years of experience in inpatient care in both sub-acute and acute care environments. She has a passion for working with older adults, especially those with complex medical diagnoses.
Karen is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and the CT Chapter of the APTA, serving as a member of the state Programming Committee and as the co-chair for the Geriatric Special Interest Group. At the national level, she serves on the Committee of Content Experts for the American Board of Physical Therapist Specialists and the chair of the Academic Education Committee for the Academy of Geriatrics, a committee that recently led the way in revising the Essential Competencies in the Care of Older Adults at the Completion of Entry-Level Physical Therapy Education.
Education
- BS, Sacred Heart University
- MS, Sacred Heart University
- DHS, University of Bridgeport
- DPT, Northeastern University
Organization
- Physical Therapy
Office Location
- Medicine, Nursing, Health Sci 372-L
Mail Drop
- NH-HSC
Experience
Quinnipiac University
Clinical Assistant Professor
Hamden, CT
2018 - 2018
Sacred Heart University
Lab Assistant, Exam & Documentation III
Fairfield, CT
2017 - 2017
Sacred Heart University
Supplemental Learning Lab Instructor, Exam & Documentation II
Fairfield, CT
2017 - 2018
Sacred Heart University
Senior Tutor, Structure & Function II
Fairfield, CT
2017 - 2018
Sacred Heart University
Tutorial Leader, Structure & Function III
Fairfield, CT
2017 - 2017
Sacred Heart University
Lab Assistant, Exam & Documentation II
Fairfield, CT
2016 - 2018
Sacred Heart University
Tutorial Leader, Structure & Function II
Fairfield, CT
2016 - 2018
Sacred Heart University
Supplemental Learning Lab Instructor, Eval & Intervention III
Fairfield, CT
2016 - 2017
Sacred Heart University
Lab Assistant, Eval & Intervention III
Fairfield, CT
2015 - 2017
Sacred Heart University
Senior Tutor, Structure & Function III
Fairfield, CT
2015 - 2015
Griffin Hospital
Physical Therapist
Derby, CT
2015 - Present
Sacred Heart University
Tutorial Leader, Structure & Function III
Fairfield, CT
2012 - 2015
Sacred Heart University
Tutorial Leader, Structure & Function III
Fairfield, CT
2010 - 2010
Glendale Center
Physical Therapist
Naugatuck, CT
2010 - 2011
Sacred Heart University
Tutorial Leader, Structure & Function I
Fairfield, CT
2007 - 2008
Bethel Healthcare Center
Physical Therapist/CCCE
Bethel, CT
2003 - 2016
Selected Publications
Leveraging Collaboration to Achieve the Aims of a Vision for Excellence in Physical Therapy Education
Chesbro, S., Norris, T., Blood, K., Furze, J., Rowe, R., Engelhard, C
APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Boston, MA (2024)
Curriculum and Geriatric Competencies in Entry-Level DPT Programs in the United States
Mierzwicki, J., Blood, K.
APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Boston, MA (2024)
T and OT in the ED: Interdisciplinary Session Introduces Med Students to Value of Working With Multidisciplinary Team
Kurkurina, E., Diercks, L., Balint, S., Meriano, C., Blood, K.
SAEM Pulse 26-27 May/June (2023)
Entry-Level Competencies in Geriatric PT: Where Do We Go From Here?
Heitzman, J., Blood, K., Staples, W.
APTA Combined Sections Meeting, San Diego, CA (2023)
The Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment
Lawrence, R., Blood, K
APTA CT Geriatric SIG (2023)
Effects of Gratitude Journaling on Burnout and Perceived Stress Levels in First- and SecondYear Doctor of Physical Therapy Students
Blood, K., Adams, M., Reigel, K., Reyes, A., Vargo, S.
APTA CT Annual Fall Conference, North Haven, CT, Quinnipiac University (2023)
Journal Club: Roundtable Discussion on the Guiding Principles for Best Practices and Review of Ageism
Villano, D., Blood, K.
(2022)
Walking away from negativity and moving forward with treating older adults with dementia
Munda, J., Blood, K.
APTA CT Fall Conference , West Hartford, CT (2022)
Clinical Cases for Physical Therapists: Studies Across the Medical Continuum
Blood, K., Pata, R., Ferrero, S.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer 1st 221-240 New York, NY (Thieme 2021)
Are We Doing Enough? The Importance of Optimizing Musculoskeletal System Health Across the Care Continuum and Lifespan: A Cross SIG Collaboration
Carroll, K., Blood, K., McGreevy, B
Northeast Physical Therapy Conference (2021)
Successful Aging through Person and Situation Specific Fitness Screens and Annual Examinations
Puthoff M, Studer M, Camp K, Blood K
Combined Sections Meeting , Denver, CO, APTA (2020)
Ready, Steady, Go: Fall Assessment for the Busy Clinician
Rodriguez, S., Blood, K., Miles, J., Ronald, L.
CT APTA Annual Conference , Fairfield, CT (2019)