Kim Dunleavy

Kim Dunleavy, PhD, PT, OCS

Clinical Professor & Director Of Community Engagement

Department: HP-PHYSICAL THERAPY
Business Phone: (352) 273-6114
Business Email: kdunleavy@phhp.ufl.edu

About Kim Dunleavy

Dr. Dunleavy is a Clinical Professor and the Director of Community Engagement and Professional Education in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Florida. She has extensive academic experience in Physical Therapy education at the University of Central Arkansas, Wayne State University and the University of Florida.

Dr Dunleavy’s training includes an entry level professional Physiotherapy Bachelors degree from the University of Cape Town, a Masters in Physical Therapy from the University of Central Arkansas, a Masters in Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy and residency training from the Ola Grimsby Institute, and a PhD in Instructional Technology from Wayne State University. She has been Board Certified by the American Physical Therapy Association as an Orthopaedic Specialist since 1993.

Along with educational scholarship in global and interprofessional education, Dr Dunleavy’s scholarship and has focused on management of musculoskeletal diagnoses, specifically spinal pain. Dr Dunleavy was the PI of a NIOSH pilot study funded by the Southeastern Coastal Center for Agricultural Health and Safety to identify modifiable work and movement solutions for seafood workers with chronic low back pain, and is currently the PI of a team investigating the effectiveness and implementation of self-management strategies for low back pain in nursery and landscape workers.

She was elected as a Distinguished Scholar and Fellow of the National Academies of Practice Physical Therapy Academy in 2017, serving on a taskforce to address the challenge of the organization’s response to the opioid crisis in 2019, and currently serves as the Chair of the Physical Therapy Academy (2023-2025). She serves as the American Council of Academic Physical Therapy representative to the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine Global Forum on Innovation in Health Professions Education. She served on the planning committee for a National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine joint workshop on the Non-Pharmacological Management of Pain in December 2018, and co-editor of a special edition of the Journal of Interprofessional Education and Practice on exemplars and models for interprofessional pain education. She has contributed to the interprofessional and evaluation components of the INSPIRE grant from the Department of Education Training for interdisciplinary personnel preparation for early childhood interventions at the University of Florida. Dr Dunleavy is a member of the Healthcare Sciences Interprofessional Committee at the University of Florida and contributed to interprofessional educational initiatives to address the opioid crisis.

Dr Dunleavy has merged her scholarship and service goals in the pursuit of enhancing professional development and instructional design for global physical therapy delivery. She has been actively involved in global clinical and academic educational projects in multiple global locations including Vietnam, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Suriname, South Africa, Rwanda and Haiti, providing consultation for needs assessment, instructional material design and program evaluation. She was one of two technical advisors who developed the proposal and provided consultation and evaluation for USAID funded grant to develop Physical Therapy continuing education in Rwanda, and contributed to the design and delivery of continuing education courses to upgrade Physical Therapy training in Vietnam. She has also conducted a USAID grant evaluation in Cambodia, served on grant review and consultation committees for future USAID grant directions. She served for 12 years on the Board of Directors of HVO, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving health through education in developing countries for 12 years. Her dissertation documented and evaluated the effectiveness of a culture-neutral instructional design model used by the World Health Organization to design materials for blood safety training across multiple countries.

She has published a textbook on Therapeutic Exercise Prescription, with multiple international and national presentations and peer-reviewed publications related to management of musculoskeletal diagnoses. She currently teaches musculoskeletal and health promotion courses and coordinates the interprofessional and community engagement activities for the University of Florida Department of Physical Therapy.

Accomplishments

Representative American Council of Academic Physical Therapy Education
2018-current · National Academies of Science, Medicine and Engineering – Global Forum on Innovation in Healthcare Education
Distinguished Scholar Fellow
2018 · National Academies of Practice
Societal Impact Award
2018 · American Physical Therapy Association

Teaching Profile

Courses Taught
2014-2025
PHT6502 Hlth Promo/Wellness 1
2014-2023,2025
PHT6771C Musclskltl Disordr 2
2017,2019-2025
PHT6190C Motor/Therap Exerc 2
2015-2023
PHT6770C Musclskltl Disordr 1
2015-2024
PHT6503 Hlth Promo/Wellness 2
2019-2020
PHT6609 Evidence Base Pract 3
2015-2024
PHT6504 Hlth Promo/Wellness 3
2018-2019,2022-2025
HSC4970 Public Health and Health Professions Senior Honors Thesis
2015-2016
PHT6188C Functional Anatomy 2
2015
PHT6187C Functional Anatomy 1
2014
PHT6605 Evidence Base Pract 1

Board Certifications

  • Board Certified Orthopaedic Specialist
    American Physical Therapy Association

Publications

Academic Articles
2024
Self-management strategies for low back pain among horticulture workers: A Type II hybrid effectiveness-implementation study protocol. (Preprint)
JMIR Research Protocols. [DOI] 10.2196/64817.
2023
A narrative review of ergonomic problems, principles, and potential solutions in surgical operations
Surgery. 174(2):214-221 [DOI] 10.1016/j.surg.2023.04.003.
2023
Differing Effects of Nociception and Pain Memory on Isometric Muscle Strength in Participants With and Without a History of Injury: A Quasi-Experimental Study.
American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation. 102(9):787-794 [DOI] 10.1097/PHM.0000000000002205. [PMID] 36753453.
2023
Interprofessional pain management: Educational models and exemplars across the learning and practice continuum
Journal of Interprofessional Education & Practice. 30 [DOI] 10.1016/j.xjep.2022.100578.
2022
Barriers and facilitators to initiating and sustaining interprofessional pain education
Journal of Interprofessional Education & Practice. 29 [DOI] 10.1016/j.xjep.2022.100581.
2022
Becoming an anti-racist interprofessional healthcare organization: Our journey
Journal of Interprofessional Education & Practice. 27 [DOI] 10.1016/j.xjep.2022.100509. [PMID] 35284657.
2022
Chronic lower back pain in aquaculture clam farmers: adoption and feasibility of self-management strategies introduced using a rapid prototype participatory ergonomic approach
International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics. 28(3):1829-1839 [DOI] 10.1080/10803548.2021.1935543. [PMID] 34121632.
2022
Embedding Population Health in Physical Therapist Professional Education
Physical Therapy. 102(1) [DOI] 10.1093/ptj/pzab238. [PMID] 34662411.
2022
Outcomes of Participatory Ergonomics and Self-management in Commercial Clam Farmers with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Feasibility Study
Journal of Agromedicine. 27(2):217-231 [DOI] 10.1080/1059924x.2021.2004961.
2022
The Differing Effects of Nociception and Pain Memory on Pain Thresholds in Participants with and without a History of Injury: A Pretest-Posttest Quasi Experimental Study
Journal of Behavioral and Brain Science. 12(08):359-379 [DOI] 10.4236/jbbs.2022.128021.
2021
Assessing professionalism in health profession degree programs: A scoping review.
Currents in pharmacy teaching & learning. 13(8):1078-1098 [DOI] 10.1016/j.cptl.2021.06.006. [PMID] 34294251.
2021
Dealing with Anxious Patients: A Systematic Review of the Literature on Nonpharmaceutical Interventions to Reduce Anxiety in Patients Undergoing Medical or Dental Procedures
The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. [DOI] 10.1089/acm.2020.0504.
2021
Dealing with Anxious Patients: An Integrative Review of the Literature on Nonpharmaceutical Interventions to Reduce Anxiety in Patients Undergoing Medical or Dental Procedures.
Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.). 27(9):727-737 [DOI] 10.1089/acm.2020.0505. [PMID] 34076496.
2021
Effect of the FIFA 11+ soccer specific warm up programme on the incidence of injuries: A cluster-randomised controlled trial
PLOS ONE. 16(5) [DOI] 10.1371/journal.pone.0251839. [PMID] 34029321.
2021
Patellar clunk syndrome – a complication after Total Knee Arthroplasty to be considered for Physical Therapy management: a case report.
JOSPT Cases. 1(2):80-84 [DOI]  doi:10.2519/josptcases.2021.10068.
2021
Strategies for Managing Chronic Pain, Chronic PTSD, and Comorbidities: Reflections on a Case Study Documented over Ten Years.
Journal of clinical psychology in medical settings. 28(1):78-89 [DOI] 10.1007/s10880-020-09741-5. [PMID] 32889675.
2019
An interprofessional team experience – value and timing in a Doctor of Physical Therapy curriculum?
Journal of Physical Therapy Education. 33(2):126-133 [DOI] 10.1097/JTE.0000000000000088.
2019
Impact on clinical performance of required participation in student-run pro bono clinic.
Journal of Physical Therapy Education. 33(3):209-214 [DOI] 10.1097/JTE.0000000000000083.
2019
Perceptions of the professional and personal impact of hybrid fellowship training: a qualitative study.
The Journal of manual & manipulative therapy. 27(2):99-108 [DOI] 10.1080/10669817.2018.1542850. [PMID] 30935336.
2018
Application of a contextual instructional framework in a continuing professional development training program for physiotherapists in Rwanda.
Disability and rehabilitation. 40(13):1600-1608 [DOI] 10.1080/09638288.2017.1300692. [PMID] 28325084.
2018
Physical Therapist’s perceptions: Learning from a community-based, client-focused, interprofessional learning experience
Journal of Physical Therapy Education. 32(1):70-76 [DOI] 10.1097/JTE.0000000000000025 .
2017
Impact of interprofessional peer teaching on Physical and Occupational therapy student’s role identity and motivation
Journal of Interprofessional Education and Practice. 6:1-5 [DOI] 10.1016/j.xjep.2016.10.006.
2017
Leadership Development of Rehabilitation Professionals in a Low-Resource Country: A Transformational Leadership, Project-Based Model.
Frontiers in public health. 5 [DOI] 10.3389/fpubh.2017.00143. [PMID] 28691003.
2016
Comparative effectiveness of Pilates and yoga group exercise interventions for chronic mechanical neck pain: quasi-randomised parallel controlled study.
Physiotherapy. 102(3):236-42 [DOI] 10.1016/j.physio.2015.06.002. [PMID] 26435334.
2015
Reliability and Validity of Cervical Position Measurements in Individuals with and without Chronic Neck Pain.
Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy. 23(4):188-196 [DOI] 10.1179/2042618614Y.0000000070.
2014
The role of associative learning and fear in the development of chronic pain – a comparison of chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Physical Therapy Reviews. 19(5):352-266 [DOI] 10.1179/1743288X14Y.0000000154.
2014
When a white coat fear is really a white coat fear: implications of sexual abuse by a physician for interactions with healthcare professionals
European Journal for Person Centered Healthcare. 2(3):303-313 [DOI] 10.5750/ejpch.v2i3.727.
2013
Comparison of cervical range of motion in two seated postural conditions in adults 50 or older with cervical pain.
The Journal of manual & manipulative therapy. 21(1):33-9 [DOI] 10.1179/2042618612Y.0000000017. [PMID] 24421611.
2012
Emergence of delayed posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms related to sexual trauma: patient-centered and trauma-cognizant management by physical therapists.
Physical therapy. 92(2):339-51 [DOI] 10.2522/ptj.20100344. [PMID] 22173794.
2012
Outcomes of hip resurfacing in a professional dancer: a case report.
Physiotherapy theory and practice. 28(2):142-60 [DOI] 10.3109/09593985.2011.574784. [PMID] 21801098.
2011
Proximal tibial fracture following Total Knee Arthroplasty.
Journal of Orthopaedic Sports Physical Therapy. 41(9):142-150 [DOI] 10.2519/jospt2011.0418.
2010
Reliability and minimal detectable change of spinal length and width measurements using the Flexicurve for usual standing posture in healthy young adults.
Journal of back and musculoskeletal rehabilitation. 23(4):209-14 [DOI] 10.3233/BMR-2010-0269. [PMID] 21079300.
2007
Physical therapy education and provision in Cambodia: a framework for choice of systems for development projects.
Disability and rehabilitation. 29(11-12):903-20 [PMID] 17577725.
2001
Job choice and personality: a profile of Michigan Occupational and Physical Therapists.
Journal of Allied Health. 30(2):75-82
1996
Community-based Rehabilitation: An International Model.
Pediatric Physical Therapy. 8(3):117-112
Presentations
2023-03-11
An implementation science approach for preparing for an intervention study for low back pain in horticulture.
Regional / Refereed. Paper. Gainesville
2023-03-11
Feasibility of Using Smart Watches to Collect Daily Pain Data for Participants in Physically Demanding Agricultural Occupations
Regional / Refereed. Poster. Gainesville
2023-02-28
Chronic lower back pain in clam farmers: feasibility and acceptability of a rapid prototype participatory ergonomic self-management approach
Regional / Refereed. Poster. Tampa, FL
2023-03-11
Reintroducing In-Person Exercise Classes to Older Adult Communities Post COVID
National / Refereed. Paper. West Chester, PA
2023-02-23
Progress Toward Envisioning the Profession’s Future
National / Refereed. Seminar. San Diego, CA
2023-06-16
Ergonomics for Surgeons
State / Invited. Lecture. Gainesville, FL Health Sciences Center

Grants

Sep 2022 ACTIVE
Southeastern Coastal Center for Agricultural Health & Safety (SCCAHS)
Role: Other
Funding: CTRS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION
Oct 2018 – Sep 2024
INSPIRE: Interdisciplinary Related Services Personnel Preparation for Early Childhood
Role: Project Manager
Funding: US DEPT OF EDUCATION
Sep 2016 – Sep 2022
Southeastern and Coastal Center for Agricultural Health and Safety (SCC-AHS)
Role: Project Manager
Funding: CTRS FOR DIS CNTRL INST OCCUP SFTY HLTH

Education

PhD (Instructional Technology)
2008 · Wayne State University
MS (Phy)
1992 · University of Cape Town
Bachelor of Science (Physiotherapy)
1984 · University of Cape Town

Contact Details

Phones:
Business:
(352) 273-6114
Emails:
Addresses:
Business Mailing:
PO Box 100154
GAINESVILLE FL 32610
Business Street:
1225 CENTER DR R1138
GAINESVILLE FL 32610