Dr. Joyce has been a physical therapist for over 28 years, including 3 years as a full-time educator at Seton Hill University, over 15 years as an adjunct neurological clinical lab assistant in the DPT program at the University of Pittsburgh, and over 20 years as a clinical instructor. Dr. Joyce’s clinical experience has included working with individuals in an inpatient, home health, and outpatient setting, across the lifespan in various areas of clinical practice, including orthopedic, cardiopulmonary, geriatrics, pediatric, and neurologic populations. She has extensive conference attendance and continuing education related to her teaching responsibilities in the neuromuscular module, where her clinical practice has been primarily focused for the past 15 years. Although Dr. Joyce’s primary teaching responsibilities are in Term 2 Clinical Reasoning and Physical Therapy Skills (neurologic content), she also assists in teaching the pediatric physical therapy skills content and has taken on the role of Clinical Education Coordinator (CEC), assisting the DCE in the management of the clinical education program. Dr. Joyce’s research agenda includes physical therapy best practice in management of chronic and progressive neurologic conditions, particularly Parkinson’s Disease and traumatic brain injury, as well as Catholic Social Teaching across the DPT curriculum.

Education

• Doctor of Physical Therapy – Chatham University (Pittsburgh) December, 2012
• Master of Physical Therapy – Duquesne University (Pittsburgh) August, 1996
• Bachelor of Health Sciences – Duquesne University (Pittsburgh) May,1995

Organizations

• American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) – member since 1994
• APTA Pennsylvania Chapter (PPTA) – member since 1994
• APTA Neurology Section – member since 1998
• Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy (ANPT) – member since 2022
• American Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT) – member since 2022
• 3RAC Clinical Education Consortium – member since 2024
• Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Association Southwest District Board Member (Nominating Committee) – since January 2024
• Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania (BIAPA) Board Member – since April 2023
• Member of WestCoHab Homeless Engagement Subcommittee – since June 2024
• Faculty Athletic Support Team (FAST) Faculty Mentor for Womens Volleyball – since August 2024

Presentations

• Joyce, R., Chichy, J.L., Coates, J., Draper, J. (2024, November). Impact of a 6-week Evidence-Based Neurologic Wellness Program on Fall Frequency, Risk, Functional Endurance, and Quality of Life (QOL) in a Retired Religious Community. [Poster presentation]. APTA PA Move Conference, Seven Springs, PA.
• McDowell, B., Ross, N., Mercurio, M., Carr, B.,Welsh, J., Leeper, B., Gremba, A., Joyce, R. (2024, November). Nerve Anatomy in Subjects with Diabetic and Peripheral Neuropathy: An Ultrasound Study. [Poster Presentation]. APTA PA Move Conference, Seven Springs, PA.
• Schober, N., Rhoda, S., Fleming, E., Clark, A., Larouere, B., Boman, M., Love, S., Joyce, R. (2024, November). The perceived exertion levels of varying exercise intensities in the Continuous-Scale Physical Functional Performance test in adults greater than 65 years old. [Poster presentation]. ACSM MARC Conference, Lancaster, PA.
• Joyce, R. (2023, October). Integration of Catholic Social Teaching Principles into a Doctor of Physical Therapy Curriculum. APTA PA Move Conference, Poster Presentation. [Poster presentation]. APTA PA Move Conference, Lancaster, PA.

Certifications

• APTA Board Certified Neurologic Specialist - since 2023
• Licensed Physical Therapist, Pennsylvania - since 1997
• Direct Access Certification, Pennsylvania - since 2009
• APTA Certified Clinical Education Instructor – since 2001
• Mental Health First Aide – since 2023
• CPR Instructor through American Heart Association - since 2005