Karin Roback, PT, EdD, DPT
Associate Professor, Department of Physical Therapy Education
College of Health Sciences
Join year: 2013
EdD, Doctor of Education, Concentration: Higher Education Administration, USC, Los Angeles, CA, 2017
DPT, Physical Therapy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, 2008
MPT, Physical Therapy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, 1997
BA, Psycho-Biology, Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA, 1994
Aquatic Physical Therapy
Pediatric Physical Therapy
Pediatric Sensory Integration Certified
Interactive Metronome Certified
Infant Massage Certified
Certificate in Aquatic Physical Therapy Clinical Competency (CAPTCC) through APTA
Certified FMT Blades & Blades Advanced Provider
Interactive Metronome® Certified (IMC) Provider
American Heart Association CPR & First Aid Certified, BLS for Healthcare Providers
Certified Ergonomics Assessment Specialist (CEASTM) through The Back School
Certified Infant Massage Instructor (CIMI)® through IAIM®
Certified in Administration and Interpretation of the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT)
CITI Responsible Conduct of Research, Research Faculty and Staff
CITI Conflicts of Interest, Faculty
California State Licensed Physical Therapist
Academic experiences at:
Western University of Health Sciences
Azusa Pacific University
In-Home Pediatric Therapy with Babies in Motion Physical Therapy
Aquatic Physical Therapy with Rose Bowl Aquatic Center
Pediatrics, Neurology, Aquatics, Higher Education, InterProfessional Education, Diversity Equity & Inclusion, Telehealth
Associate Professor at Western University of Health Sciences, 2022 – present
Assistant Professor, Western University of Health Sciences, 2014 – 2022
Adjunct Professor, Western University of Health Sciences, 2013-2014
Guest Instructor for College of Osteopathic Medicine at WesternU, 2021
Guest Instructor for several yearly topics in pediatric course for DPT students at Azusa Pacific University, 2006-2018
Yearly Guest instructor for Torticollis & Plagiocephaly for DPT students at Western University of Health Sciences, 2006-2018
Guest Instructor for UCLA Children's Hospital/Mattel Children's physician pediatric residents, March & July 2009
PT 5015: Professional and Practice Issues in Physical Therapy
PT 5120: Human Life Sequences
PT 6075: Prevention and Management of Problems in the Pediatric Population
PT 8699_5120: Independent Study – Human Life Sequences, 3 units (for Post-Professional DPT students)
PT 8699_6075: Independent Study - Prevention and Management of Problems in the Pediatric Population, 1 unit (for Post-Professional DPT students)
IPE 5000 & 5100: Facilitator & Design Team Member, PT Department Representative
IPE 6000 & 6100: Facilitator & Design Team Member, PT Department Representative
PT 8500 Selected Topics - Applied Assessment and Intervention Techniques in Pediatric Torticollis
Within Physical Therapy - Pediatrics, Neurology, Aquatics, Academic
Higher Education in Health Sciences Education
Dean’s List: University of Southern California,Rossier School of Education, EdD degree, 2013-2017
Graduation with Honors: Western University of Health Sciences, DPT degree, June 2008
American Physical Therapy Association, 1996 – present
Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy, 2020 - present
Academy of Aquatic Physical Therapy, 2019 – present
Academy of Physical Therapy Education, 2014 – present
Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy, 1996 – present
-Early Intervention Special Interest Group, 2019 – present
California Physical Therapy Association, 1996 - present
-California Pediatric Physical Therapy Special Interest Group, 2015 – present
California Pediatric Physical Therapy Special Interest Group, Executive Committee Director
San Gabriel Valley, California Physical Therapy Association, District Representative
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Alliance, Western University of Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Committee Member
Telehealth Task Force of the APTA Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy, Committee Member
Western University of Health Sciences Inter-Professional Education (IPE) at WesternU, PT Department Representative
Western University of Health Sciences Financial Aid Committee, Committee Member
Member and Volunteer PT, SoCalTrykers charity
Western University of Health Sciences, Member, Faculty Guidelines & Bylaws Committee
Reviewer, Journal of Aquatic Physical Therapy, Academy of Aquatic Physical Therapy
APTA & CPTA (1996- present)
Academy of Neurologic PT, 2020- present
Academy of Aquatic Physical Therapy, 2019- present
Academy of Physical Therapy Education, 2014- present (Academic Faculty SIG 2019- present)
Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy, 1996 - present
California Pediatric Physical Therapy SIG, 2015 - present
Roback, K. (2021).Using innovative online pedagogy in graduate student fieldwork.Journal on Excellence in College Teaching, 32(2), 77-97.
Roback, K. (2021). From Traditional to Virtual Learning in Pediatric PT Education: Innovation in a Whole New World, Poster Presentation (ID#30248),APTA Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) 2021, Pediatrics Section.
Roback, K. (2020). The use of technology to assist with innovative distance learning models as a component of fieldwork in Higher Education, Platform Speaking Presentation,Hawaii International Conference on Higher Education; Oahu, HI: January 2020.
Roback, K. & Armstrong, D(2019). Application of the ICF Model in the Pediatric Curriculum of an Entry-level DPT Program, Poster Presentation,Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy Annual Conference (APPTAC); Anaheim, CA: November 2019. Abstract: Roback, K. & Armstrong, D. (2019). Application of the ICF Model in the Pediatric Curriculum of an Entry-level DPT Program. Abstracts of the Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy Annual Conference 2019, Pediatric Physical Therapy: October 2019 - Volume 31 - Issue 4 - p E32-E57 doi: 10.1097/PEP.0000000000000657)
Roback, K. (2019).Implementation of Online Graduate Degree Programs with Fieldwork Components: A Promising Practice Stud, Poster Presentation,Teaching for Active and Engaged Learning – Lilly Conference; Anaheim, CA: February 2019.
Roback, K. (2018). Individual Poster Presentation: Alternating Side of Torticollis as the Presenting Sign of Benign Paroxysmal Torticollis, Poster Presentation.Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy Annual Conference (APPTAC); Chattanooga, TN: November 2018. Abstract: Roback, K. (2018). Alternating Side of Torticollis as the Presenting Sign of Benign Paroxysmal Torticollis.Abstracts of the Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy Annual Conference 2018, Pediatric Physical Therapy: October 2018 - Volume 30 - Issue 4 - p E8-E22 doi: 10.1097/PEP.0000000000000548
Roback, K. (2018). Improving Physical Therapy Screening & Differential Diagnosis of Non-Muscular Pediatric Torticollis, Poster Presentation,California Physical Therapy Association (CPTA) Annual Conference; Santa Clara, CA: September 2018.
Roback, K. (2018). Case Report Analysis of Non-Muscular Pediatric Torticollis, Poster Presentation.American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) NEXT Conference; Orlando, FL: June 2018.
Roback, K. (2016). Implementation of online graduate degree programs with fieldwork components: A promising practice study. (Doctoral dissertation, Rossier School of Education, University of Southern California.)
Yumori, J., Lewis, A., John, V., Mitchell, P., Rivard, J. Roback, K. IPE as a platform for White Coats for Black Lives. Presentation given at Nexus Summit, 2023.
Yumori, J., Rivard, J., Mitchell, P., Orozco, G., Roback, K. Written peer feedback in IPE: Emerging themes. Presentation given at Nexus Summit, 2023.
Rivard, J. R., Yumori, J., Mitchell, P., Orozco, G., Roback, K. IPE final exams? Challenges and lessons learned. Poster presented at the Virtual Nexus Summit, 2023.
Keller-Johnson, T., Roback, K., & Murphy, L. Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions (ASAHP) 2022: Student Perceptions of Telehealth Patient Experiences: Innovative Practices in Physical Therapy Education.
Wiley,M., Roback, K., M., Barker Lundy, E., Courtney, M., Cyr, E., Durkin Elliott, J., Cardy Goncalves, S.M., Lieb-Lundell, C., Nydam Reitz, J., Salem, Y., Talbot, L.C. Education Session at CSM 2022: Getting Unstuck: Solving your pediatric telehealth conundrums, ID: 10810, Education Session for the Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy.
Wiley, M., Barker Lundy, E., Courtney, M., Cyr, E., Durkin Elliott, J., Cardy Goncalves, S.M., Lieb-Lundell, C., Nydam Reitz, J., Roback, K., Salem, Y., Talbot, L.C. (2021). Looking Forward: Telehealth in Pediatric Physical Therapy Beyond the Pandemic, Education Session at Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy Annual Conference (APPT).