Quinnipiac University
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Karen Blood is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Physical Therapy Department at Quinnipiac University, teaching in the content areas of physical therapy process, pathophysiology, applied pharmacology, acute care and cardiopulmonary physical therapy, and geriatrics.

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

Peer Reviewed Presentations

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)

Peer Reviewed Poster

Curriculum and Geriatric Competencies in Entry-Level DPT Programs in the United States

Mierzwicki, J., Blood, K.

APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Boston, MA (2024)

Non-Peer Reviewed Journal

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)

Conference Presentation

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)

Non-Peer Reviewed Presentation

The Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment

Lawrence, R., Blood, K

APTA CT Geriatric SIG (2023)

Peer Reviewed Poster

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)

Non-Peer Reviewed Presentation

Journal Club: Roundtable Discussion on the Guiding Principles for Best Practices and Review of Ageism

Villano, D., Blood, K.

(2022)

Conference Presentation

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)

Chapter

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)

Conference Presentation

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)

Conference Presentation

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)

Conference Presentation

Ready, Steady, Go: Fall Assessment for the Busy Clinician

Rodriguez, S., Blood, K., Miles, J., Ronald, L.

CT APTA Annual Conference , Fairfield, CT (2019)

Professional Designation