Director of Clinical Education | Clinical Associate Professor

Kristin Ryan, DPT

Dr. Ryan is a Certified Lymphedema Therapist. She teaches and coordinates content related to Clinical Education and patient mobility. She assists with neuromuscular therapeutics and orthotics/prosthetics lab in addition to lecturer in cardiopulmonary therapeutics with a focus on lymphedema management. She is also a guest health professional through Matter of Balance and her Catholic community by offering fall prevention sessions.

Her clinical practice has included inpatient rehabilitation post spinal cord injuries and cute oncological care. Current clinical practice focus includes acute care and outpatient, evaluating clients in a wheelchair clinic and treating patients with lymphedema.

Contact Us

Center for Health Sciences Education 270

563-333-5890

RyanKristinS@sau.edu

Education and Training

DPT, St. Ambrose University
BA, St. Ambrose University, Psychology
Certified Lymphedema Therapist
APTA Certified and Advanced Clinical Instructor
State of Iowa License 004884; State of Illinois License 070014462

Certifications and Licensure

Rehabilitation Oncology Section, APTA
Academy of Physical Therapy Education, section member
Iowa Physical Therapy Association, member
Iowa Clinical Education Consortium, member
Matter of Balance Guest Health Professional

Recent Publications

Ryan K, Cooper, N. Student Physical Therapist Perceptions of Intra-Professional Education. Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association, Denver, CO (Poster Presentation) February, 2020
Janota J, Ryan K, Lampe K. Management of a patient with Lipedema post water jet-assisted liposuction. Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association, New Orleans, LA (Poster Presentation) February, 2018
Ryan K. Wheelchair seating tips all therapists should know. IPTA Southwest District Meeting. February, 2017
Ryan K. Facilitating positive PT & PTA student interaction through case scenario. Discussions. Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association, Anaheim, CA (Poster Presentation) February, 2016
Ryan K. Walking recovery after spinal cord injury. Genesis Medical Center 7th Annual Spinal Cord Injury Conference. April, 2016
Ryan K. Incorporating Kinesio Tape-does it work. Genesis Medical Center 7th Annual Spinal Cord Injury Conference. April, 2016
Ryan K. Gait speed and outcome measures. Illini Outpatient Rehabilitation, Silvis, IL. January, 2013
Anderson KD1, Acuff ME, Arp BG, Backus D, Chun S, Fisher K, Fjerstad JE, Graves DE, Greenwald K, Groah SL, Harkema SJ, Horton JA 3rd, Huang MN, Jennings M, Kelley KS, Kessler SM, Kirshblum S, Koltenuk S, Linke M, Ljungberg I, Nagy J, Nicolini L, Roach MJ, Salles S, Scelza WM, Read MS, Reeves RK, Scott MD, Tansey KE, Theis JL, Tolfo CZ, Whitney M, Williams CD, Winter CM, Zanca JM. United States (US) multi-center study to assess the validity and reliability of the Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM III). Spinal Cord, 2011; Aug;49(8):880-5.

Presentations

A hybrid TeamSTEPPS training program improves teamwork and communication in students across health sciences programs. Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association, Houston, TX. February 2025.
Come Roll with Me 2024 - Internal Grant. 2024.
Management of Patients with post-op edema and diagnosis of lymphedema. Hammond Henry Hospital, May 23, 2024.
Fostering the Clinical Instructor and Student. DPT Program Virtual Lunch and Learn, August 23, 2023.
High Intensity Gait Training Part II – Clinical Application across the Continuum of Care. DPT Program Virtual Lunch and Learn, April 6, 2023.
Aging Innovatively: A Healthy Aging Program – Falls Prevention. Center for Active Seniors.
A Recipe for Success: Implementing the Active Ingredients of High Intensity Gait Training into your Clinical Practice. DPT Program Virtual Lunch and Learn, January 19, 2023.
The Relationship between Stress, Anxiety, and Self-Care in Doctor of Physical Therapy Students. Educational Leadership Conference, Milwaukee, WI. October 2022.
The Relationship Between Stress, Anxiety, and Self-Care in Doctor of Physical Therapy Students - Internal Grant.
Student Physical Therapist Perceptions of Intra-Professional Education. Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association, Denver, CO. February 2020.

Courses Taught

Professional Seminar

Introduces resources valuable to becoming an effective graduate student and adult learner. Focus on preparing for successful completion of clinical education experiences and use of available resources.

Clinical Education Courses

This is the first in a series of six clinical education experiences during which the student is to integrate academic materials and practice psychomotor skills including patient examination, assessment, interventions, and documentation which have been presented to date in the curriculum. (See Skills List DPT 580). The student is also expected to observe, discuss and assist the Clinical Instructor with examinations and interventions that have not yet been presented in class. During this fulltime three-week experience, the student will be supervised by his/her Clinical Instructor (a licensed Physical Therapist with at least one year of experience, whose facility contracts with St. Ambrose University for the purpose of providing clinical education experiences). The classroom portion emphasizes utilizing clinical education resources in preparation for selecting future clinical education experiences, as well as application of communication, leadership, and clinical reasoning in the clinical setting.

PT Procedures I

In this course students will gain skills necessary to perform an evaluation of a patient/person, and begin to develop a treatment plan. Skills that will be developed include: the basics of a subjective evaluation, tests/measures/screens for mental status, vitals (blood pressure, respiratory rate and pulse rate), skin integrity, basic sensation/coordination/balance, general joint range of motion/ muscular strength screening, bed mobility, transfers, assistive devices related to gait, wheelchair mobility, and gait training. Students will also develop skills in the design and implementation of the following therapeutic exercise programs using a problem based approach; balance/coordination, muscle strength, power and endurance, flexibility, agility, and stabilization training. Emphasis will be placed on rationale for exercise prescription, physiological systems trained, proper performance of techniques, appropriate monitoring of response to exercise, and adjustment of training dosage.

Clinical Education

This is the first in a series of six clinical education experiences during which the student is to integrate academic materials and practice psychomotor skills including patient examination, assessment, interventions, and documentation which have been presented to date in the curriculum. (See Skills List DPT 580). The student is also expected to observe, discuss and assist the Clinical Instructor with examinations and interventions that have not yet been presented in class. During this fulltime three-week experience, the student will be supervised by his/her Clinical Instructor (a licensed Physical Therapist with at least one year of experience, whose facility contracts with St. Ambrose University for the purpose of providing clinical education experiences). The classroom portion emphasizes utilizing clinical education resources in preparation for selecting future clinical education experiences, as well as application of communication, leadership, and clinical reasoning in the clinical setting.

Cardiopulmonary Therapeutics

This course prepares students for the physical therapy patient/client management of individuals with primary and secondary cardiovascular and pulmonary disease across practice settings and the lifespan. This class builds upon students' current knowledge in prevention of chronic disease, health promotion, anatomy and physiology, exercise physiology, electrocardiography, pharmacology, and pathophysiology. The connection of the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems to the movement system is stressed. Emphasis is placed on clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice, and professional behaviors.

Orthotics & Prosthetics

Introduction to concepts of orthotic and prosthetic management of patient conditions. Themes include lifespan, cultural, financial issues and patients own individual goals in helping the patient achieve their highest level of function. Learn psychomotor skills in laboratory such as taping, total contact casting, residual limb wrapping, and therapeutic exercise.

Professional Service