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

Photo of Michelle Criss
Associate Professor
412-365-1574
Eastside 236

Hometown: Pittsburgh
Joined Chatham: 2012

ACADEMIC AREAS OF INTEREST

Older adults and optimal aging are key interests of mine as a board-certified geriatric clinical specialist. My research interests center on physical therapy and older adults: the first agenda involves which tests and measures offer clinicians useful information and help guide treatment in older adults, and the second agenda includes wellness of older adults, including projects involving ageism/attitudes on aging, quality of life, and physical activity.

PERSONAL AREAS OF INTEREST

Dance, gardening (especially if the weeds pick themselves), kayaking and finding time to actually do it, good food, good friends, and most importantly finding ways to enjoy my family!

EDUCATION
  • Ph.D., Nova Southeastern University (Ft. Lauderdale, FL), 2020
  • Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, PA), 2010
  • Master of Science, Physical Therapy, Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond, VA), 1995
  • Bachelor of Arts, Biology and Psychology, University of Virginia (Charlottesville, VA), 1992
     
ORGANIZATIONS
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
SELECTED PRESENTATIONS
  • Beck L. Stepansky K, Criss M, & Anderson M. Stories of an intergenerational neighborhood: Living and learning with older adults as health science students at a personal care home. Clinical application of research presentation at the American Occupational Therapy Association Conference, Philadelphia, PA, April 5, 2025, AND National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) 2025, Pittsburgh, PA, April 7-9, 2025.
  • Criss MG, Stepansky K, Anderson M, Beck L. Intergenerational living and loving it! Qualitative and quantitative description of an intergenerational residence. Research platform presentation at APTA Combined Sections Meeting. Houston, TX, February 14, 2025.
  • Lewis CB, Criss MG, Irwin KE, Wingood M. Sustaining Success in Older Adults with Sarcopenia and Deconditioning. Education Session at APTA Combined Sections Meeting. Houston, TX, February 13, 2025.
  • Stepansky, K. & Criss, M. Be my neighbor: Intergenerational living for health science students at a personal care home. Poster presented at virtual Interprofessional Education Collaborative Poster Fair, virtual, November 29, 2023.
  • Criss MG and Stepansky K. Intergenerational relationships between health science students and personal care home residents: preliminary results. Poster presentation for APTA Pennsylvania Move PA conference, Lancaster, PA, October 2023.
  • Miller K, Staples W, Southard V, and Criss MG. Incorporating APTA Geriatric Guiding Principles to Bridge the Value Gap in Clinical Practice. Presented at APTA Combined Sections Meeting, San Antonio, TX, February 2022.
  • Irwin KE, Freshman C, Phillips E, Dhaliwal P, and Criss MG. Osteoporosis Screening Tools: GeriEDGE Scoping Review Results. Presented at APTA Combined Sections Meeting, San Antonio, TX, February 2022.
 CERTIFICATIONS 
  • Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist, American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties
  • Credentialed Clinical Instructor, American Physical Therapy Association
 AWARDS
  • Joan M. Mills Service Award, APTA Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy, 2023
  • Volunteer Champion Award, GIFT (Giving It Forward, Together), Pittsburgh, PA, 2022
  • 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 Exploratory Task Force on Annual Mobility Screen, 2023
  • Chair, Residency and Fellowship Special Interest Group, elected position, 2023-present
  • Criss M, Jameson S, Williamson A, Strong G. APTA Pennsylvania ADAPT scholarship is a one-time monetary award to a PT or PTA education program to support development programs that aim to increase recruitment and enrollment of students from under-represented racial and ethnic minority groups. Awarded 2022
  • Criss M and Stepansky K. Chatham University Research and Sabbatical Committee, 2022.
  • Criss M, Stepansky K. Summer undergraduate research DEAL grant funded project through Chatham University, 2020, 2021
  • APTA Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy Task Force on Best Practice, 2020-2021
  • Criss M. Chatham University Research and Sabbatical Committee, 2018.
  • AGPT GeriEDGE (Evidence Database to Guide Effectiveness), member, 2014-2021, co-chair 2021-present
  • Nominating Committee: Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy, American Physical Therapy Association, 2011-2014 (chair, 2013-2014)
  • Faculty: Geriatric Physical Therapy Residency Program, UPMC Rehabilitation Institute, 2011-present
  • Chair: Regional Course Committee, Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy, American Physical Therapy Association, 2002-2009
  • Nominating Committee: Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy, American Physical Therapy Association, 2011-2014 (chair, 2013-2014)
  • Faculty: Geriatric Physical Therapy Residency Program, UPMC Rehabilitation Institute, 2011-present
  • Director and Creator: Geriatric Physical Therapy Residency Program, UPMC Centers for Rehab Services, Pittsburgh, PA, 2011-2015
  • 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
  • APTA Geriatrics Program Committee, member, 1998 - present