342: Dr. Jennifer Stevens-Lapsley, PT, DPT: The Inside Look at a PhD

On this episode of the Healthy Wealthy and Smart Podcast, Jennifer Stevens-Lapsley joins me on Facebook Live to discuss the pathway to a PhD. Dr. Stevens-Lapsley received her Physical Therapy degree at the University of Delaware, where she went on to complete a PhD in Biomechanics and Movement Science with a focus in Applied Physiology. She then completed post-doctoral training at the University of Florida. Her research uses a multifaceted approach to evaluate intervention strategies designed to enhance the effectiveness of rehabilitation in older adult patient populations. As such, her research ranges from understanding the mechanisms of skeletal muscle dysfunction to studies of implementation of best rehabilitation practices in post-acute care settings.

In this episode, we discuss:

-Deciding whether a residency, fellowship or PhD program is right for you

-How to identify the qualities in a PhD program that best match your career goals

-Why the perfect mentorship match is essential for growth and success

-The key elements Dr. Stevens-Lapsley looks for in a stand out PhD application

-And so much more!

 

With many lifestyle options for students, they can pursue higher education at their own pace and explore different approaches to learning as Dr. Stevens-Lapsley stresses, “There are such a myriad of ways that PhD training can unfold.” With multiple PhD programs in the country, “The options continue to grow… It is nice to have a variety of options to figure out what is going to fit your individual needs.”

 

While the learning style, academic environment and available resources are important deciding factors, Dr. Stevens-Lapsley suggests you appraise, “The track record of the mentors in the program as one of the most important considerations.” Dr. Stevens-Lapsley has found that, “Finding the right mentor for a PhD is like a mini marriage.”

 

Asking about a PhD program’s success rate with securing loan repayment plans for their students is an important consideration as Dr. Stevens-Lapsley stresses, “While people see the finances as the ultimate barrier, our math suggests that it shouldn’t be.”

 

For more information on Dr. Stevens-Lapsley:

I received my Physical Therapy degree at the University of Delaware, where I went on to complete a PhD in Biomechanics and Movement Science with a focus in Applied Physiology. I then completed post-doctoral training at the University of Florida.

Research Interests

My research uses a multifaceted approach to evaluate intervention strategies designed to enhance the effectiveness of rehabilitation in older adult patient populations. As such, my research ranges from understanding the mechanisms of skeletal muscle dysfunction to studies of implementation of best rehabilitation practices in post-acute care settings. More specifically, my research includes the evaluation of mechanisms of quadriceps dysfunction, interventions to maximize savings with bundled care with joint arthroplasty, pragmatic trials in medically complex patient populations, and health services research to understanding how rehabilitation services impact hospitalization rates and functional performance. One additional area of research emphasis is the development and refinement of more intensive and progressive strategies for the rehabilitation of older adult populations.

Responsibilities:

Director: Rehabilitation Sciences PhD Program, MOVE Lab

Co-Director: RESTORE group

Investigator, ACCORDS

Investigator, VA Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center

 

Resources discussed on this show:

University of Colorado: Jennifer Stevens-Lapsley

Email: Jennifer.Stevens-Lapsley