Jefferson College of Rehabilitation Sciences - Thomas Jefferson University

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Jefferson College of Rehabilitation Sciences - Thomas Jefferson University A leader in innovative rehabilitation sciences' educational, clinical, and research programs.

The College of Rehabilitation Sciences at Jefferson includes occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, athletic training, and exercise science.

Jefferson DPT Faculty at ELC 2026!Jefferson DPT faculty are in Washington, DC, for the 2026 Educational Leadership Confe...
10/17/2026

Jefferson DPT Faculty at ELC 2026!

Jefferson DPT faculty are in Washington, DC, for the 2026 Educational Leadership Conference (ELC), sharing innovative approaches to physical therapy education, clinical learning, and leadership.

We are proud to recognize our faculty contributions!

🔷 From Pages to Practice: An Interprofessional Learning Experience in Rehabilitation Education

Dr. Rebecca Operacz, Dr. Karla Bell, Dr. Patricia Crane, Dr. Helen Milligan, and Dr. Justine Dee

🔷 The Power of Partnerships: Transformative Learning Through Community-Based Integrated Clinical Experiences

Dr. Stephanie Muth, Dr. Justine Dee, Dr. Rebecca Operacz, and Dr. Helen Milligan

🔷 Gamifying Team-Based Learning to Foster Master Adaptive Learners in DPT Education

Dr. Christopher Keating

Additional Jefferson representation:

🔹 Dr. Christine Tyrell and Dr. Rebecca Operacz participated in preconference leadership development activities.

🔹 Dr. Shelly Lewis and Dr. Devon Werner represented Jefferson’s clinical education team in preconference collaboration focused on supporting clinical education.

🔹 Dr. Melissa Smith, our Jefferson-Duke Faculty Resident, is also attending ELC as part of her professional development.

👏 We are proud of our faculty’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and leadership in physical therapy education!

Jefferson is making its mark in Washington, DC! 💙Dr. Shelly Lewis and Dr. Devon Werner are representing Jefferson at a p...
10/15/2026

Jefferson is making its mark in Washington, DC! 💙

Dr. Shelly Lewis and Dr. Devon Werner are representing Jefferson at a pre-conference clinical education session ahead of the Educational Leadership Conference (ELC).

The session brings together clinical education colleagues from across the country for collaborative brainstorming, sharing ideas, and exploring innovative approaches to strengthen clinical education and enhance student learning experiences.

And of course, we couldn’t pass up a perfect Jefferson photo opportunity while in DC! 📸

💙 Building a More Inclusive Future! 🌎Our first-year Doctor of Physical Therapy students and Dr. Rebecca Operacz had the ...
10/14/2026

💙 Building a More Inclusive Future! 🌎

Our first-year Doctor of Physical Therapy students and Dr. Rebecca Operacz had the opportunity to attend the 2026 Cities of Inclusion Disability Summit: Envisioning the Future of Disability Inclusion in Philadelphia!

The summit brought together disability advocates, community leaders, healthcare professionals, educators, and individuals with lived experiences to explore ways to advance accessibility, inclusion, and meaningful participation for people with disabilities.

🧡 We were also proud to have Dr. Helen Milligan (Physical Therapy) and Dr. Adel Herge (Occupational Therapy) represent their respective professions on an interdisciplinary specialty care panel. The discussion highlighted the role of rehabilitation professionals in supporting individuals with disabilities and preparing future healthcare providers to deliver inclusive, patient-centered care.

👏 For our DPT students, the experience reinforced that the role of a physical therapist extends far beyond the clinic. It includes recognizing barriers, listening to diverse perspectives, advocating for equitable opportunities, and helping create communities where everyone can thrive.

We are proud of our students and faculty for engaging in these important conversations and embracing their roles as healthcare professionals, advocates, and agents of change!

Inclusion is more than access. It is about belonging, opportunity, and participation for all.

In Honor of Physical Therapy Month the TJU PT Society is hosting PT Moves Philadelphia 2026! 🌟Join us on Friday, October...
10/02/2026

In Honor of Physical Therapy Month the TJU PT Society is hosting PT Moves Philadelphia 2026! 🌟

Join us on Friday, October 9th, 2026, from 11 AM - 3 PM at Lubert Plaza for an exciting and fun-filled community event promoting Physical Therapy! 🎉

What to Expect: ✨
✨ Raffles, Games, and Fun
✨ Learn about PT and how to make healthy lifestyle changes!

Stay tuned for more details, and mark your calendars because you won’t want to miss this amazing day dedicated to movement and wellness!

So blessed to have the brilliant Dr. Tiffany Adams, PT, DPT, MBA, PhD, from Duke University join us at TJU yesterday! ❤️...
09/30/2026

So blessed to have the brilliant Dr. Tiffany Adams, PT, DPT, MBA, PhD, from Duke University join us at TJU yesterday! ❤️

Dr. Adams collaborated with our Office of Student Life and Engagement and the JeffLEADs program to engage our students in a conversation about developing an entrepreneurial mindset: thinking creatively, recognizing opportunities, embracing innovation, and having the confidence to turn ideas into action.

As a physical therapist, educator, leader, and entrepreneur, Tiffany brought such a unique perspective on what it means to think beyond traditional pathways and empower the next generation of healthcare professionals to see themselves as problem solvers and change makers.

We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to learn from her and for the energy, insight, and inspiration she shared with our JCRS community! ❤️

PhysicalTherapy HealthProfessionsEducation StudentLeadership

📣 Advocacy in Action!The DPT Class of 2027 participated in APTA’s Flash Action Strategy during Dr. Bell’s class, putting...
09/23/2026

📣 Advocacy in Action!

The DPT Class of 2027 participated in APTA’s Flash Action Strategy during Dr. Bell’s class, putting advocacy into practice and learning how PT students can use their voices to support the profession and the communities we serve.

Through this nationwide initiative, students gained hands-on experience engaging in legislative advocacy and saw how collective action can make an impact on issues affecting physical therapy.

👏 Way to represent, DPT Class of 2027!

We’re proud to celebrate our faculty members, Dr. Audrey Zapletal and Dr. Karla A. Bell, who were recently featured as g...
09/17/2026

We’re proud to celebrate our faculty members, Dr. Audrey Zapletal and Dr. Karla A. Bell, who were recently featured as guests on The Learning Curve podcast, produced by the Instructional Design team in the Academic Commons at Thomas Jefferson University.

In Episode 17: Inclusive Practices, Drs. Zapletal and Bell explore what it takes to create truly inclusive learning environments. Their conversation highlights intentional course design, recognizing and valuing students’ diverse identities, fostering a sense of belonging, navigating challenging conversations, reducing barriers to learning, and embedding inclusive practices into everyday teaching.

🎧 Listen to Episode 17 here: https://academiccommons.jefferson.edu/thelearningcurve/17.cfm
You can also find The Learning Curve: Academic Commons on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music.

Congratulations to Drs. Zapletal and Bell on sharing their expertise and advancing conversations around excellence in teaching and learning!

FacultySpotlight LearningCurvePodcast

Congratulations to Dr. Jay Nair and his interdisciplinary research team on securing a prestigious NIH/NINDS R21 award to...
08/10/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Jay Nair and his interdisciplinary research team on securing a prestigious NIH/NINDS R21 award to support their groundbreaking project, "Early Detection of Respiratory Impairments in ALS: A Novel Diagnostic Approach."

With more than $431,000 in NIH funding over two years, this innovative study seeks to identify respiratory impairments in genetic carriers of ALS before they become apparent through conventional clinical testing. By uncovering hidden breathing abnormalities early in the disease process, this work has the potential to transform how ALS is detected, monitored, and managed.

What makes this project especially exciting is its highly interdisciplinary approach. In addition to advanced respiratory assessments, the team will develop novel MRI protocols to evaluate respiratory-related changes in the brainstem and spinal cord while also establishing sensitive blood-based biomarkers of neurodegeneration. Together, these efforts aim to create a more comprehensive understanding of the earliest changes associated with ALS.

This award is a testament to the team's dedication, innovation, and commitment to advancing neurological and respiratory health research. We look forward to seeing the impact of this important work on the future of ALS diagnosis and patient care.
Congratulations, Dr. Nair and team, on this outstanding achievement!

🌟 Alumni Spotlight: Turning a Vision into Reality 🌟When Danny Moeller graduated from Thomas Jefferson University’s Docto...
07/08/2026

🌟 Alumni Spotlight: Turning a Vision into Reality 🌟

When Danny Moeller graduated from Thomas Jefferson University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program in 2023, he had a clear vision for his future: to one day own and operate a physical therapy and sports performance practice built around helping athletes return to the sports and activities they love. Just three years later, that vision has become a reality.

In 2026, Danny launched Moe Rehab & Sports Performance at Total Turf Experience in Pitman, New Jersey, where he is dedicating his career to serving athletes of all ages through an innovative model that bridges rehabilitation, performance, and education.

His practice is founded on three pillars that guide every aspect of athlete care.

The first pillar is maintaining athlete-centered care. Danny believes the athlete should remain at the center of everything a health and performance team does. This includes fostering strong communication among athletes, families, coaches, and healthcare professionals while building a collaborative team dedicated to supporting the athlete’s health, performance, and long-term well-being.

The second pillar is merging physical therapy with strength and conditioning. He recognizes that returning athletes to peak performance requires more than simply recovering from injury. By integrating rehabilitation interventions with strength and conditioning principles, his goal is to help athletes transition seamlessly from rehabilitation to performance, ensuring they are prepared not only to return to play but to thrive within their sport.

The third pillar is cultivating an environment of learning and exploration. Through on-field and on-court rehabilitation experiences, athletes are encouraged to better understand movement, decision-making, and performance within dynamic sporting environments. By helping athletes understand when, how, and why to apply specific movement strategies, Danny aims to empower them to become active participants in their own development and success.

This exciting milestone represents years of hard work, dedication, and professional growth. Reflecting on his journey, Danny is quick to acknowledge the mentors and colleagues who helped shape his development as both a clinician and leader.

He extends his gratitude to mentors Bin Woo, Joe Moffa, Zach Mayo, and Steve Grazioli, whose guidance and mentorship played a significant role in his growth as a physical therapist. He also recognizes Ryan Wolff, who believed in his vision from the moment he entered the clinic and supported him throughout his professional journey, and Mandy Huggard, who provided an opportunity for a young and passionate physical therapist to take his first steps into the world of sports rehabilitation.

“Without their mentorship and guidance, I would not be the clinician I am today.”

When asked about his favorite memory from PT school, Danny shared a story that reflects both his competitive nature and sense of humor.

“I remember for our sports lab day at the TJU basketball courts, I was playing basketball with my lab professors and my orthopedic professor, Chris Keating. I remember playing defense and seeing him drive the lane and thinking, ‘It’s time to get some sport-specific revenge for all the work he has made me do for school.’ When he went up for a layup, I met him at the rim to block his shot. The crowd went crazy, all three of them, and Chris still passed me to allow me to graduate PT school. A win-win for everyone.”

For current DPT students and recent graduates, Danny offers a simple but powerful piece of advice: “Find your own path and always stay curious.”

The Jefferson DPT community is proud to celebrate this exciting accomplishment and the entrepreneurial spirit that continues to drive our alumni. Danny’s commitment to athlete-centered care, performance optimization, and lifelong learning reflects the values of the profession and the impact Jefferson graduates continue to make in their communities.

Congratulations, Danny, on this remarkable achievement and the beginning of an exciting new chapter. We look forward to following the continued growth of Moe Rehab & Sports Performance and the positive impact it will have on athletes throughout South Jersey and beyond.

🎙️ New Podcast Episode | Central Neural Drive and Breathing in Down SyndromeCongratulations to my colleagues, Dr. Jay Na...
06/29/2026

🎙️ New Podcast Episode | Central Neural Drive and Breathing in Down Syndrome

Congratulations to my colleagues, Dr. Jay Nair and Dr. Helen Milligan, on being featured on the Down Syndrome Center Podcast to discuss their innovative research exploring central neural drive and breathing in individuals with Down syndrome. Their work examines an exciting and emerging area of research that has the potential to deepen our understanding of respiratory health and inform future clinical care for individuals with Down syndrome.

This episode offers valuable insights for clinicians, researchers, students, and families interested in Down syndrome, respiratory function, and translational research.

🎧 To listen, search for the "Down Syndrome Center Podcast" on your favorite podcast platform (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and others) and look for Episode #228: "Central Neural Drive and Breathing in Down Syndrome."

Congratulations, Dr. Nair and Dr. Milligan, on advancing such meaningful work and sharing it with the broader community!

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Philadelphia, PA

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

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