After 10 years, Susan Ann Talley, DPT has stepped down as academic director of the Physical Therapy program in the Department of Health Care Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Kim Dunleavy, PhD, associate professor-clinical in the program, has been appointed to the position. Both transitions were effective April 29.

"Under Dr. Talley's direction, the Physical Therapy program has made significant strides to address expectations of a clinical-training program in a Carnegie Research University," said Howard J. Normile, associate dean for the health sciences. "Dr. Talley must be commended for her extraordinary service to the program, to the college, to the university, to the profession and to the community."

A member of the physical therapy faculty for more than 30 years, Talley continues her association with the program as an assistant professor pursuing her research, teaching and service goals. In addition, she serves as president of the Michigan Physical Therapy Association and an appointed member of the State of Michigan Health Professional Recovery. Talley also is a doctoral candidate in Education Evaluation and Research in the Wayne State University (WSU) College of Education.

Dunleavy has been a member of the Physical Therapy faculty since 1995, initially on a split appointment with the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan, and in 2005 as a full-time clinical faculty member. An American Physical Therapy Association Board Certified Specialist, she was promoted to associate professor (clinical) in 2012. Her area of expertise is in orthopedic physical therapy. Dunleavy also is involved in Health Volunteers Overseas (HVO), a network of health care professionals, organizations, corporations and donors united in a common commitment to improving global health through education.

"As confirmed in the 2009 Accreditation Report, the Physical Therapy program has excellent faculty, providing an exceptional education environment for its students who are highly value by employers and the physical therapy community," said Normile. "We are fortunate that Dr. Talley is not leaving the program, but is returning to the faculty ranks."

Talley stated that she is extremely proud of the many accomplishments made by the faculty and students in the program under her tenure. During her 10 years as director, the program transitioned from awarding a master of physical therapy to a doctor of physical therapy (DPT) degree. A transitional DPT program was instituted and became the first on-line professional degree program at Wayne State. There was significant growth in the number of faculty and a doubling of student enrollment in Physical Therapy. Talley oversaw the hiring of the first full-time Director of Clinical Education in 2008 and the program now has its first Director of Research. Under her tenure, the program experienced its first promotion of a clinical faculty member from assistant to associate professor. In addition, a student-run pro bono Physical Therapy Clinic has joined the Diabetes Educational Wellness (DEW) multidisciplinary clinic in the S.A.Y. Detroit Clinic, Highland Park. Both clinics provide physical therapy services to the uninsured and underinsured community.

Dunleavy has provided leadership in the area of educational development of physical therapists in developing countries and contributed to projects to assist physical therapy educators and clinicians in Vietnam, Cambodia, Suriname, and South Africa. She was appointed to the Global Task-force for the American Physical Therapy Association and has developed courses preparing clinicians and academicians to provide educational interventions in developing countries for multiple medical disciplines including physical therapists, orthopedic surgeons and dermatologists. Dunleavy serves on the board of a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting with development of medical professionals in global settings - Health Volunteers Overseas (HVO). She is part of the Technical Advisory Group for a United States Agency for International Development grant recently awarded to HVO to assist with the advancement of Rwandan Rehabilitation Services.

"There is no doubt that Dr. Dunleavy's PhD in Instructional Technology in Human Performance Technology, her clinical and research experience, and her position in the international physical therapy community will provide a platform for her to contribute significantly to the Physical Therapy program's future development and growth," said Normile.

Release Date: May 7, 2013

Media Contact: Kathleen J. Karas
Phone: (313) 577-2312
Email: kkaras@wayne.edu