Biography
Dr. Leach received a AA degree from Florida Community College in 1986, a BEd degree from the University of Toledo in 1990, and a PhD from Louisiana State University in 2009. Dr. Leach received an entry-level MS degree in physical therapy in 1992 and a DPT degree in 2019.
Personal Statement
Dr. Leach has been a physical therapist for over 28 years. For fourteen years, Dr. Leach specialized in the treatment of individuals with stroke and traumatic brain injury. Dr. Leach has been teaching neurologic content in entry-level physical therapy programs for 14 years, and she specializes in preparing students working with patients with both physical and cognitive deficits. Dr. Leach?s research interests are in assessment and intervention to improve health and physical functioning in patient populations and older adults at risk of sustaining physical injury due to increased fall risk.
Areas of Specialty
Specialization #1 Motor learning in healthy and patient populations Specialization #2 Fall prevention in high risk populations Specialization #3 Assessment and intervention in clients with neurologic dysfunction Specialization #4 Motor skill acquisition in student populations
Certifications
Certification #1 Board-certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist in 2000 Re-certified in 2010 Re-certified in 2020 Certification #2 Sports Physical Therapy Certification in 2019 Certification #3 PWR!Moves Certified Therapist in 2017 Certification #4 Certified Ergonomics Assessment Specialist in 2010 Certification #5 Certified Exercise Expert for Aging Adults in 2010 Certification #6 Certified Clinical Instructor
Achievements & Awards
WCPT Outstanding Platform Presentation Award: North America Caribbean Region at the WCPT Congress 2017 Nomination: Award for Excellence in Neurologic Education, Neurology Section, APTA 2016 Nomination: Award for Excellence in Neurologic Education, Neurology Section, APTA 2015 Member: National Alpha Eta Honor Society 2014
Languages
- Spanish
Courses Taught
2020 PT 606L Management of Neurologic Dysfunction : 4 SH, course developer, director and instructor 2020 PT 608L Neurologic Evaluation and Treatment II: 8 SH, course developer, co-course director and co-instructor 2018 PT 607L Neurologic Evaluation and Treatment I: 8 SH, course developer, co-course director and co-instructor
Research and Scholarship
2019 Leach SJ, Maring JR, Costello EC. The Effects of a Divided-Attention Timed Stepping Accuracy Task on Balance, Strength, Endurance and Functional Performance in Healthy Older Adults: A Randomized Pilot Study. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity. 2019; Mar 25: 1-8. doi: 10.1123/japa.2018-0010. 2017 Maring JR, Leach SJ. Strategies for Teaching and Learning Movement. In: Plack MM, Driscoll M, eds. Teaching and Learning in Physical Therapy: From Classroom to Clinic. Second Edition. Thorofare, NJ: Slack Incorporated, 2017. 2017 Leach SJ, Magill RA, Maring JR. Using a Divided-Attention Stepping Accuracy Task to Improve Balance and Functional Outcomes in an Individual with Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury: A Case Report. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice. 2017; 33(1) 72-81. 2017 Leach SJ, Ruckert EA. Making a Plan: Balance and Gait Intervention for the Older Adult. In: Lewis CB, Chui KK, Gray DL, Huber GM, eds. Physical Therapy for the Older Adult: Examination and Intervention: An Evidence Based Approach. Wolters Kluwer. Ebook. ISBN/ISSN: 9781496343338. 2016 Leach SJ, Ruckert EA. Neurologic Changes with Aging, Physical Activity and Sport Participation. Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation. 2016; 32(1) 24-33.