Physical Therapy Faculty and Staff

Patricia Downey PT, PhD, DPT

downey@chatham.edu
Associate Professor

Hometown : Detroit, Michigan
Joined Chatham : 1994

Academic Areas of Interest

Orthopedic physical therapy, Women's health physical therapy, Osteoporosis

Personal Areas of Interest

Yoga, Travel, Spending time with my granddaughter, Craft beers. Pittsburgh Pirates

Biography

Dr Downey has been a practicing physical therapist for 30 years specializing in orthopedics and women's health. She has been on faculty at Chatham since 1994 and program director since 2005. She has an advanced masters degree in orthopedic physical therapy and a certified clinical specialization. She also has a PhD in physical anthropology with an emphasis in functional anatomy and morphology. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Association and belongs to the Orthopedic, Education and Women's Health Sections of the APTA.

Education

• Transitional DPT, Chatham University, 2008
• PhD, University of Pittsburgh, 2004: Physical Anthropology;
• MS, University of Pittsburgh 1988: Advanced Orthopedic Physical Therapy;
• BS West Virginia University, 1980: Physical Therapy

Publications

• ."Implementation of an Innovative Continuing Education Program Focused on Translation of Knowledge into Clinical Practice: A Case Report"; 2012; Journal of Physical Therapy Education; Schreiber, Perry, Downey, Williamson.
• “Fracture Risk & Prevention: A Multi-Dimensional Approach; Physical Therapy Journal 2011; Perry, Downey
• Journal of Physical Therapy Education. (2009) Schreiber J, Downey PA, Traister J. “Academic Program Support for Evidence-Based Clinical Practice: A Mixed Methods Investigation.” Spring 23:36-43.Spring
• Physical Therapy (2008). Continence and Quality of Life Outcomes Six Months Following an Intensive Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise Program for Female Stress Urinary Incontinence: A Comparison of Low versus High Maintenance Exercise. Borello-France, D and Downey, P et al.
• Critical Reviews in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. (2007) Downey PA, Perry S. "Rehabilitation Approaches to the Prevention of Osteoporosis and Osteoportic Fractures."
• Physical Therapy. (2006) Borello-France DB, Zyczynski H, Downey PD, et al. “The effect of exercise position on pelvic floor muscle exercise outcomes in women with stress urinary incontinence.”
• Physical Therapy. (2006) Downey PA, Siegel M. “Bone Biology and the Clinical Implications for Osteoporosis.”
• Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy (2006) Downey PA, Siegel MI, Mooney MP et al. Craniosacral therapy: The effects of cranial manipulation on intracranial pressure and cranial bone movement."

Awards

• Recipient of Chatham University's "The Given Heinz Professorship" 2006-2009.

Organizations

• Member of the American Physical Therapy Association and Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Association; Member of the Orthopedic, Education and Women's Health Sections of the APTA

Presentations

• Loughran MJ, Hamilton D, Downey PA, Winters C. Going the Distance: An Interdisciplinary Seminar Series in Support of Marathon Training on a University Campus. Poster presentation at the Association for Applied Sports Psychology Conference, September, 2009.
• Loughran MJ, Hamilton D, Downey PA, Winters C. The Effect of Marathon Training and Participation on Mood, Outlook, and Psychological Well-Being. Poster presentation at the Association for Applied Sports Psychology Conference, September, 2009.
• Clifford S, Downey PD, Traister J. "Clinical Instructor Utilization of Spinal Manipulation Techniques in Clinical Practice." Platform presentation Combined Sectons Meeting of the APTA. February, 2008
• Loughran MJ, Downey PD, Winters-Hart C, Mannarino MB. “Exercise Adherence in a Campus Fitness Program: Factors Influencing Premature Termination.” Lecture presentation, American Academy of Sports Psychologists Annual Meeting, October 2007
• Downey PA, Barbano TE, Kapur R, Sciote JJ, Siegel MI, Mooney MP. “Craniosacral Therapy and Intracranial Pressure: Is There Biology Behind the Theory.” Platform presentation, Combined Sections Meeting of the APTA, 2005