Quinnipiac University
Rachel W Pata

Clinical Professor of Physical Therapy

Director of Simulation - School of Health Sciences

Rachel Pata serves as a Clinical Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy. She recieved a master's degree in physical therapy from Quinnipiac University in 2003 and a doctorate degree in physical therapy from Simmons College in 2009. She also earned a board certification as a Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Specialist from the APTA in 2014 and a board certification as a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator from SSIH in 2019. She teaches in the content areas of Acute Care/Cardiopulmonary and Anatomy. Additionally, she serves as the Capstone Coordinator for the Department of Physical Therapy and as the Simulation Director for the School of Health Sciences. She continues her clinical practice at St. Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury, CT. She maintains an active research agenda in the content areas of simulation in physical therapy education, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation as well as overtraining in athletes. Recent publications include, "A Survey of Factors That May Cause Practice Inconsistencies and Impact Care in Pulmonary Rehabilitation", “Impact of Age on Heamatological Markers Pre- and Post-Marathon Running”, “Common Electrocardiogram Variation Pre- and Post-Marathon” and “Kidney Injury and Repair Biomarkers in Marathon Runners”. She has presented research at national ACSM and APTA conferences and, was awarded the Quinnipiac University, School of Health Science Emerging Scholar award in 2015. She is very enthusiastic about teaching and the profession of Physical Therapy.

Education

  • BS, Quinnipiac University
  • MPT, Quinnipiac University
  • DPT, Simmons University

Areas of Expertise

  • Cardiology, Cardiovascular and Pulmonary 

Organization

  • Physical Therapy

Office Location

  • Medicine, Nursing, Health Sci 367A

Mail Drop

  • NH-HSC

Experience

St. Mary’s Hospital

Per Diem Physical Therapist

Waterbury, CT

2019 - Present

Quinnipiac University

Associate Professor of Physical Therapy

Hamden, CT

2018 - Present

Quinnipiac University

Simulation Director, SHS

Hamden, CT

2017 - Present

Quinnipiac University

Clinical Assistant Professor

Hamden, CT

2012 - 2017

Gaylord Hospital

Per Diem Physical Therapist

Wallingford, CT

2011 - 2017

Quinnipiac University

Clinical Laboratory Coordinator

Hamden, CT

2010 - 2012

Masonicare

Staff Physical Therapist

Wallingford, CT

2008 - 2010

Quinnipiac University

Adjunct Professor

Hamden, CT

2004 - 2010

St. Mary’s Hospital

Staff Physical Therapist

Waterbury, CT

2001 - 2009

Selected Publications

Peer Reviewed Journal

A Survey of Factors That May Cause Practice Inconsistencies and Impact Care in Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Pata RW, Giblin J, Cassata E, Cortez R, Hall M, Pascale A.

Journal of Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy Published online ahead of Print November, 2020 (Fall 2020)

Peer Reviewed Journal

Licensed Physical Therapists’ Preparation, Comfort in and Frequency of Providing Nutrition Related Patient Education

Pata RW, Leigh A, Hadtke B, Diem G, Feinn R, White D

doi:10.1177/15598276231200848 American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine AUgust (2023)

Conference Presentation

Debriefing: A Key Component of Learning in Healthcare Education and Clinical Practice.

Pata R., Kappus L

Connecticut Physcal Therapy Association Annual Conference, North Haven, CT, Quinnipiac University (2023)

Peer Reviewed Poster

Confidence in and Frequency of Nutritional Patient Education Provided by Licensed Physical Therapists: A Pilot Cross Sectional Survey

Diem G, Hadtke B, Leigh A, White D, Feinn R, Pata RW

APTA Combined Sections Meeting, San Antonio, Tx (2022)

Peer Reviewed Journal

) Effects of Neurosculpting® Meditation on Stress, Anxiety and Sleep in a group of undergraduate college students

Kelley KK, Pata R, Acevedo S, Bayne C, Thompson L, et al.

7 Yoga Phys Ther Rehabil. June (2022)

Peer Reviewed Poster

The Benefits of Virtual Simulation on Improving Confidence and Skills for the Cardiopulmonary Examination of Entry Level Doctor of Physical Therapy Students

Chi K, Davis A, Edwards M, McConville R, Thurman S, Feinn R, Pata RW

Connecticut Physical Therapy Association Annual Conference, Hartford, CT (2022)

Peer Reviewed Poster

Nutritional Education Throughout U.S. Doctor of Physical Therapy Programs

Edwards S, Hlushko A, Infosino R, Kelly K, Feinn R, White, D, Pata RW

Connecticut Physcal Therapy Association Annual Conference, Hartford, CT (2022)

Chapter

Case Studies Across the Continuum: A Physical Therapist’s Perspective

Pata RW, Wall T, Lampron E.

Multi-Trauma 1st New York, New York (Thieme 2021)

Chapter

Case Studies Across the Continuum: A Physical Therapist’s Perspective

Blood K, Pata RW, Ferrero S.

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer 1st New York, New York (Thieme 2021)

Peer Reviewed Presentations

Effects of Neurosculpting® Meditation on Depression, Anxiety, Sleep and Heart Rate Variability

Kelley, K, Pata, R, Acevedo, S, Bayne, C, Thompson, L & Wimberger, L.

CSM, APTA, Denver, CO, Conference Center (2020)

Peer Reviewed Poster

Clinician Designed Comprehensive Lines and Tubes Education to improve DPT Students' Readiness for Acute Care: A Saint Francis Hospital and Quinnipiac University Collaboration

Weathers M, Pata RW.

CPTA Annual Conference, Bridgeport, CT (2019)

Peer Reviewed Journal

The Role of Volume Regulation and Thermoregulation in AKI during Marathon Running

Mansour S, Martin T, Obied W, Pata R, Myrick K.

14(9) Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology 1297-1305 September (2019)

Professional Designation