Melissa Bednarek, DPT, Ph.D.
Professor and Program Director, Physical Therapy
Hometown: Lockport, NY
Joined Chatham: 2009
ACADEMIC AREAS OF INTEREST
Physiology, Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy, Pharmacology, Pulmonary Rehabilitation
PERSONAL AREAS OF INTEREST
Biking, Outdoors
EDUCATION
- DPT, Chatham University (Pittsburgh, PA), 2012
- Ph.D. in Physiology, Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond, VA), 2009
- MPT, MCP Hahnemann University (Philadelphia, PA), 2000
- BS in Biology and Psychology, St. Bonaventure University (St. Bonaventure, NY), 1998
ORGANIZATIONS
- Academy of Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Physical Therapy, American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
- APTA Home Health, American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
- Southwest District, American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), Pennsylvania
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
- Ciccone CD. Pharmacology in Rehabilitation. Updated Fifth Edition. Bednarek ML and Miller KL (Eds). FA Davis. January 2022.
- Goreczny AJ, Schreiber J, Bednarek ML, Fisher M, Hawkins S, Sterrett S, et al. Assessment of Interprofessional Education Competencies: Evaluation of a New Tool to Assess Sensitivity to Changes Across Training. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2025 Apr 15;23(2), Article 25.
- Lefebvre K, Wellmon R, Bartlo P, Bednarek, M, Hoffman J, Karnes J, Vandenberg L. Effects of guarding on the outcomes of the 6-minute walk test. Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy Journal. April 2021; 32:66–74.
SELECTED PRESENTATIONS
- Bednarek M., “Pharmacology for Heart Failure and COPD: Implications for Physical Therapy” Physicaltherapy.com, Webinar February 2025
- Bednarek M., “Pulmonary Rehabilitation: Stop the Downward Spiral!” Canadian Physiotherapy Association, Cardiorespiratory Division, September 2023
- Bednarek M., “Evaluation and Treatment of the Cardiopulmonary System in Home Health” UPMC Home Healthcare, May 2023
- Bednarek M., “Stay Alert for High-Alert Medications in Home Health: Anticoagulants and Insulin” National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) and APTA Home Health, April 2023
- Bednarek M., Childers C, Panaro N “Advanced Competency in Home Health Live Training” Invited Preconference Course at APTA Combined Sections Meeting San Diego, CA, February 2023
- Bednarek M., Childers C. “HIIT to Hits: Motivating and achieving HIIT in the home with the older adult” Educational Session at APTA Combined Sections Meeting CSM On-Demand Virtual Conference, March 2022
- Bednarek M., Lindenberg, K, Eng J, Woollard J “Time to HIIT It in Home Health: Aerobic Assessment and Exercise Prescription for Older Adults” Educational Session at APTA Combined Sections Meeting Virtual Conference, February 2021
CERTIFICATIONS
- American Physical Therapy Association: Advanced Competency in Home Health
- ABPTS Clinical Specialist in Cardiovascular and Pulmonary
AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
- Mentoring Award, APTA Academy of Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Physical Therapy
- Invited Alumni Speaker at 6th Annual Physiology and Biophysics Retreat, Virginia Commonwealth University