Roles
Associate Professor of Clinical Physical Therapy, Board Certified Cardiopulmonary Clinical Specialist, Emeritus
-
Biography
In the mid-late 1970’s we recognized that progressive mobilization, when adequately monitored, and followed by cardiovascular-pulmonary conditioning, would offer high risk individuals an opportunity for successful return to their community. At that time, Dr. Cohen developed several “cardiac rehabilitation” programs throughout the US, and completed a graduate degree in cardiac rehabilitation / exercise physiology (Medical College of Virginia, 1980).
Her career further advanced while employed at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston (1981-1996). In addition to responsibilities in senior and clinical specialist positions including director of cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy and holding the first non-physician clinical specialist position at that institution, Dr. Cohen conducted national and international continuing education workshops and invited speaker presentations. In 1985 Dr. Cohen was recognized by the American Physical Therapy Association as a Board Certified Cardiopulmonary Clinical Specialist, one of the initial three individuals to be certified in the country.
In efforts to further accomplish her goals, Dr. Cohen co-authored a clinical text titled Cardiopulmonary Symptoms in Physical Therapy Practice (1988) and coordinated several graduate level academic courses at the MGH Institute in Health Professions in Boston. Since 1994 she has continued to publish numerous chapters in nationally recognized cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy texts.
More recently (1999 to present), Dr. Cohen has been able to continue her career focus on the patient with cardiovascular-pulmonary impairments by serving as an Associate Professor at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Department of Physical Therapy. By educating future clinicians in the school’s graduate program and providing clinical consultation with junior and senior PT clinicians at the 3 major UM teaching hospitals (Jackson Memorial Hospital, University of Miami Hospital, and Miami VA Hospital) she has been able to focus on expanding the role of PT in cardiopulmonary patient management. This includes:
- Establishment of cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs in these 3 hospitals. Physical therapists now play vital and leadership roles in each of these programs, bringing not only an important clinical service to patients in the South Florida community, but also recognition to the PT profession. The creation of these programs enabled us to receive National level funding to conduct clinical research and disseminate findings in a public forum, and serves as training grounds for physicians, nursing students, and Doctor of Physical Therapy students from around the country.
- Mentoring clinicians in achieving advanced clinical practice as Board-certified cardiopulmonary clinical specialists and stimulating interest in cardiopulmonary PT residency. Dr. Cohen serves as the Program Director of the newly created and accredited UM-JRH CVP PT Residency program; the first such program in Florida.
Other noteworthy achievements include Specialist (Re)certification for over 30 years; Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2003; 8-time recipient of the “Teacher of the Year” award from University of Miami Department of Physical Therapy; Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the APTA 2015; Clinical Mentor of the year 2021 from Academy of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy; and the prestigious 2021 Outstanding Teacher of The Year from the Faculty Senate at The University of Miami. -
Education & Training
Education
Post Graduate Training
Licensures and Certifications
-
Honors & Awards
No result found
-
Teaching Interests
Dr. Cohen’s evolution as a teacher is rooted in her profession. Inherent in physical therapy is patient teaching and creativity, listening and authenticity, and the ability to provide patients with a safe and instructive environment where they can be vulnerable and ultimately successful in their rehabilitation.
As Dr. Cohen became expert in CVP PT, the transition to teaching clinicians became inevitable. Her focus on CVP PT practice and seeking answers to questions not previously researched, led her to collaboration with clinicians and sharing of unique case studies. Consequently, mentoring clinician colleagues in aspects of CVP PT practice became a central theme in her role as a teacher.
Dr. Cohen’s primary role as a clinician “teacher” transitioned into Academic teaching as she recognized a gap in entry level practitioner CVP PT knowledge. Hence, in addition to a passion for teaching and mentoring clinicians on how to incorporate CVP PT skills into their practice, Dr Cohen developed a passion for teaching DPT students in entry level programs. Classroom activities routinely include application of didactic material applied to role play, simulation, and case discussion.
Throughout her career, Dr. Cohen’s classroom activities have spanned a continuum of working with students at all levels of PT education including entry level PTA students, DPT students, development of a clinical residency program to teach advance CVP PT practice, and co-authoring a clinical text based on national and international workshops she conducted.
Dr. Cohen’s classroom and clinical teaching at the University of Miami has provided a vibrant venue to foster student and clinician excitement and interest in acute care / CVP PT practice; an area of PT practice not often embraced by individuals entering or practicing as physical therapists. -
Research Interests
Dr. Cohen’s interest in CVP PT practice is rooted in unanswered clinical questions stimulated during her early years as a PT. Very little was known about safe mobility of acutely ill CVP patients, yet immobility was not a good option. Lack of “evidence” led Dr. Cohen to seek resources to help provide possible answers including pursuing advanced clinical and academic degrees. These activities included opportunities to search the literature while also actively “creating” the evidence to help clinicians learn safe parameters for mobilizing acute CVP patients.
Dr. Cohen’s research has focused on the study of individuals with acute and chronic aerobic capacity impairments in illness and aging including individuals with coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, coronary revascularization, and obstructive and restrictive lung disease. Dr. Cohen also studies respiratory muscle performance in athletes and illness. In addition, Dr. Cohen works closely with area clinicians encouraging and assisting them in the reporting of unique patient cases. Her development of the UMH Cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation clinical programs has provided her with a venue to conduct and mentor clinical research by students and clinician colleagues -
Publications
Disclaimer: The information presented in this section has been consolidated using AI and machine learning technologies. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, errors may occur. If you identify any inaccuracies, please use this link to inform our data team. Your feedback is greatly appreciated and helps us improve the quality of our content.
-
Professional Activities
No result found