Nicole Biltz, PT, DPT, NCS

• Degree: Doctor of Physical Therapy
  Institution: Washington University in St. Louis
  Major/Field of Study: Physical Therapy
  Date Awarded: May 2017
• Degree: Bachelor of Science
  Institution: University of Michigan
  Major/Field of Study: Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology
  Date Awarded: May 2014

• Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy, June 2019
• Certified in Mental Health First Aid, National Council for Mental Wellbeing, September 2024
• Basic Life Support, American Heart Association, renewed January 2023
• Credentialed Clinical Instructor, American Physical Therapist Association, March 2018

Peer Reviewed Publications

• Parson JC, Biltz NK, Meyer GA. Decellularization-Based Quantification of Skeletal Muscle Fatty Infiltration. J Vis Exp. 2023;196:e65461. doi:10.3791/65461
• Biltz NK, Collins KH, Shen CK, Schwartz K, Harris CA, and Meyer GA. Infiltration of intramuscular adipose tissue impairs skeletal muscle contraction. J Physiol. 2020;598(13):2669-2683.
• Biltz NK and Meyer GA. A novel method for the quantification of fatty infiltration in skeletal muscle. Skelet Muscle. 2017;7(1):1-13.

Peer Reviewed Scientific and Professional Presentations

• Lewis M, Biltz NK, Dunlap Coates J, Tillery MB, and Drevyn EM. Successful and Unsuccessful Strategies Addressing Student Professionalism during Experiential Learning. Poster presentation at the 22nd Annual Faculty Conference on Teaching Excellence: Temple University, Philadelphia, PA. January 2024.
• Albarran A, Caballero M, Davis B, De Leon K, Philips C, Velez C, Webb A, Gomez C, Biltz N. Management of Youth Sports-Related Concussions: A Survey of Parents. Poster Presentation at Western University of Health Sciences Oregon Research Symposium, Lebanon, OR. November 3, 2023.
• Drevyn EM, Biltz NK, Dunlap Coates J, Tillery MB, and Lewis M. Clinical Instructor Perspectives of Successful and Unsuccessful Strategies Addressing Student Professional Behavior Issues. Poster presentation at APTA/ACAPT Educational Leadership Conference: Philadelphia, PA. October 13, 2023.
• Galindo TD and Biltz NK. Updates in Vestibular Rehabilitation Practice. Platform presentation at APTA Oregon Annual Conference: Portland, OR. March 11, 2023.
• Biltz NK, Johnson TK, Cone H, Peek G, Mendolia-Moore T, and Chun S. Virtual Escape Room in the Classroom: Clinical Application for Neurorehabilitation. Poster presentation at APTA Combined Sections Meeting: San Antonio, TX. February 5, 2022.
• Gomez CD, Biltz NK, O’Rourke M, Daigle RD, Baggett GC, and Lairamore CI. Strategies to Increase Accessibility and Inclusivity in a Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. Poster presentation at APTA Combined Sections Meeting: San Antonio, TX. February 5, 2022.
• O’Rourke M, Baggett GC, Gomez CD, Biltz NK, Daigle RD, and Lairamore CI. Rural Background and Situational Judgment Examination Scores for Doctor of Physical Therapy Students. Poster presentation at APTA Combined Sections Meeting: San Antonio, TX. February 5, 2022.
• Gomez CD, Jones A, Daigle RD, O’Rourke MB, Biltz NK, Baggett GC, Van Hoose L, and Lairamore CI. Elevating Access and Success for Underrepresented Groups: Recruitment, Admissions, and Retention in Physical Therapy Education. Platform presentation at APTA/ACAPT Educational Leadership Conference: Atlanta, GA. October 23, 2021.
• Daigle RD, Biltz NK, Baggett GC, O’Rourke MB, Gomez CD, and Lairamore CI. Situational Judgment Exam Use in the Admissions Process of a Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. Poster presentation at APTA Oregon Annual Conference (virtual). March 13, 2021.
• O’Rourke MB, Gomez CD, Baggett GC, Daigle RD, Biltz NK, and Lairamore CI. Is there a difference between grade point average of Doctor of Physical Therapy program applicants educated in rural communities and those educated in non-rural regions? Poster presentation at APTA Oregon Annual Conference (virtual). March 13, 2021.
• Biltz NK, Wood J, and Wilchinski J. Improving and maintaining therapist compliance of using standardized outcome measures in patients post-stroke: a multidisciplinary quality improvement project. Poster presentation at APTA Combined Sections Meeting: Washington D.C. January 24, 2019.
• Biltz NK and Moore M. Return to adaptive sport utilizing task-specific exercises in a 19-year old patient with central vestibular dysfunction. Poster presentation at Johns Hopkins’ 8th Annual Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Research and Clinical Expo: Baltimore, MD. November, 2018.
• Biltz NK and Meyer GA. Intramuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) negatively impacts skeletal muscle strength. Poster presentation at APTA Combined Sections Meeting: San Antonio, TX. February 16, 2017

Invited Talks or Presentations

• Panelist for platform presentation titled “Early Career Bridge Program.” APTA Oregon 2022 Annual Conference (virtual). March 12, 2022.
• Biltz NK, Keller TK, and Mendolia-Moore T. Zack and the Extraordinary Escape Room. Virtual Talk through Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning at Western University of Health Sciences. June 1, 2021.
• Biltz NK. Concussion: Implications for the Physical Therapist. Professional Lecture Series at Pacific University: Hillsboro, OR. Recurring presentation: December 3, 2020 and November 7, 2019.
• Biltz NK. Recovery in chronic stroke: a case report. Interactive case presentation at University of Delaware: Newark, DE. April 30, 2018.

Dr. Biltz is an assistant professor in the Department of Physical Therapy Education at Western University of Health Sciences – Oregon Campus. She received a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Washington University in St. Louis after completing a Bachelor of Science at the University of Michigan. Directly following physical therapy school, she completed a neurologic residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital and is a board-certified clinical specialist in neurologic physical therapy.

Dr. Biltz currently serves on the Historical Archive Committee of the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy (ANPT) and served as a Delegate for APTA Oregon for 4 years. At the University, she serves on committees related to faculty affairs, library resources, assessment, and the student experience. In recognition of her service and commitment to the profession and the University, she was awarded the Western University of Health Sciences Thinker Award and the Faculty Mentor Award in 2024, the ANPT Emerging Leader Award in 2022, and the ANPT Early Career Professional Award in 2020.

Her current research interests revolve around the value of humanities in the classroom, strategies to instill passion for professional advocacy in DPT students, factors impacting burnout in DPT students and new graduates, and professional behaviors of DPT students in the clinic.