Michelle Criss, PT, DPT, Ph.D., Board-Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist

ORGANIZATIONS

• PA Geriatrics Society, Western Division 
• Member, American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
• Member, APTA Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy; Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy; Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology and Wound Care; Section on Education
• Member, Gerontological Society of America

PUBLICATIONS

• Billek-Sawhney B, Criss MG, Galantino ML, Sawhney R. Wellness Aging Model Related to Inactivity, Illness, and Injury (WAMI-3): Implementation strategies for prevention in practice. Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy. 2022 (accepted for publication)
• Criss MG, Wingood M, Staples WH, Southard V, Miller KL, Norris TL, Avers D, Ciolek C, Lewis C, Strunk E. APTA Geriatrics’ Guiding Principles for Best Practices in Geriatric Physical Therapy: An Executive Summary. Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy. 2022; 45(2): published ahead of print
• Lusardi MM, Fritz S, Middleton A, Allison L, Phillips E, CRISS M, Verma S, Osborne J, Chui KK. Determining Risk of Future Falls in Community Dwelling Older Adults: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Using Posttest Probability. J Geriatr Phys Ther.2017;40:1-36.
• CRISS M, Heitzman J, Wharton MA. Legal and ethical reasoning to enhance compassionate care in patients experiencing cognitive decline. Cognitive and Mental Health SIG Continuing Education Module. Gerinotes. 2016; 23(6): 18-23
• CRISS M and Takacs S. Rehabilitation of hip fractures across the continuum of care. Top Geriatr Rehab. 2013; 29(4): 281-293.

 CERTIFICATIONS 

• Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist, American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties
• Credentialed Clinical Instructor, American Physical Therapy Association

 AWARDS

• Excellence in Geriatric Research Award for the paper “Determining Risk of Falls in Community Dwelling Older Adults”, Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy (co-author, award presented to first author), 2018
• Chatham University Faculty Technology Fellow, 2017-2018
• Clinician-Educator Award, Chatham University Physical Therapy Program, 2011
• Award of Excellence, Geriatric Special Interest Group, Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Association, 2009
• President's Award, Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy, American Physical Therapy Association, 2009

ACHIEVEMENTS

• APTA Geriatrics Program Committee, member, 1998 - present
• AGPT GeriEDGE (evidence-based document group), member, 2014 - 2021, co-chair 2021 - present 
• Faculty: Geriatric Physical Therapy Residency Program, UPMC Centers for Rehab Services, 2011-present
• Director and Creator: Geriatric Physical Therapy Residency Program, UPMC Centers for Rehab Services, Pittsburgh, PA, 2011 - 2015
• Nominating Committee: Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy, American Physical Therapy Association, 2011-2014 (chair, 2013 - 2014)
• Item Writer: Geriatric Specialization Academy of Content Experts, American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties, 2010 - 2013
• Delegate: American Physical Therapy Association House of Delegates, 2009 - 2012
• Chair: Regional Course Committee, Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy, American Physical Therapy Association, 2002 - 2009

PRESENTATIONS

• Stepansky K, CRISS M, & Dick A. Combatting ageism in graduate health science students: Community collaborative innovation with a multigenerational housing option. Poster session accepted for American Occupational Therapy Association’s Education Summit, St. Louis, MO, October 22, 2021
• Criss MG, Canbek J, Chui KK, Gallichio J. Does a novel measure of total walking speed range predict function, disability, and life space? Platform Presentation, APTA Combined Sections Meeting, virtual format, February 2021
• CRISS M. “Implicit Learning and Useful Communication Strategies: Working with Persons Living with Dementia.” Educational Offering for Clinical Instructors of Penn State Fayette PTA Program. May 10, 2018
• CRISS M. “Using Apps to Practice Observation Skills.” Pittsburgh Regional Faculty Symposium, Pittsburgh, PA. March 2018
• CRISS M. “Help! How do I use evidence to treat persons living with dementia? The basics of implicit learning and useful communication strategies” PPTA Geriatric SIG presentation at PPTA Annual Conference, Seven Springs, PA. October 2017
• White L, Dawson N, Ross B, Stanley M, Knott G, CRISS M, Miles J, Steffes L, Ross C. “Working with Cognitive/Mental Health Issues Across the Care Continuum.” 2-Day Pre-Conference Education Program, APTA Combined Sections Meeting (San Antonio, TX), February 2017.
• CRISS M & Heitzman J. “Ethics, Decision-Making Ability, and Interventions for Patients with Alzheimer Disease. AGPT Education Session, American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting (Anaheim, CA), February 2016
• CRISS M, Grieve S, Cook J. "Teaching with Multimedia: Applying Evidence to Enhance Learning." Education Session, American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting (Anaheim, CA), February 2016
• Lusardi M, Fritz S, Allison L, Wingood M, CRISS M, Middleton A, Phillips E. “GeriEDGE Fall Risk Assessment and Outcome Measures.” Education Session, APTA Combined Sections Meeting (Indianapolis, IN), February, 2015
• CRISS M and Schwartz S. “Falls and rehabilitation after hip fracture.” Invited presentation. Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Association Southwest District Mini-Combined Sections Meeting, March 2013.
• Strunk E and CRISS M. “Are you a frustrated SNF therapist? What you can do to influence change.” American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, San Diego, January 2013.