Kimberly Willis, PT, DPT, EdD
Professor
Department:
SHR-Physical Therapy
Email:
kwillis2@umc.edu
Work Phone:
(601) 984-6330
Biography
Dr. Kimberly Willis is a physical therapist with extensive experience utilizing therapeutic interventions with patients with progressive neurological disorders. She is currently affiliated with the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Health Related Professions as an associate professor of physical therapy where she teaches content related to progressive neurological disorders and content related to pelvic health. Additionally, she is the Director of Clinical Education and coordinates the physical therapy students’ clinical experiences. Dr. Willis received her Bachelor of Science in physical therapy from UMMC in 1995 & returned to earn the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2006. She completed her Doctor of Education in Higher Education at the University of Mississippi in 2019. The coauthor of a book chapter on exercise and physical activity in dementia, Dr. Willis has given numerous presentations on rehabilitative issues related to neurologic disorders and resultant dementia. She is recognized as a community health advocate through the UMMC Community Health Advocate Program where she teaches and certifies UMMC SHRP students as community health advocates. She was selected for 2021-2022 as a member of the Norman C. Nelson Order for Teaching Excellence at UMMC and in 2022, she was inducted into the Academy of Teachng Excellence.
Education
| University of Mississippi, EdD, Education | 2019 |
| University of Mississippi Medical Center, DPT, Physical Therapy | 2006 |
Specialty Certification Licensure
| Licensure, Physical Therapist | 05/1995 - Present |
Current Positions
| Associate Professor, School of Health Related Professions | 07/2018 - Present |
| The University of Mississippi Medical Center Jackson, Mississippi 39216 | |
Academic Appointments or Other Previous Appointments
| Assistant Professor, University of Mississippi Medical Center, School of Health Related Professions, Department of Physical Therapy |
Publications
Journal Article | |
| Rogers P, Willis K Top Ten Facts You Need To Know for Referral of Your Patient to Occupational and Physical Therapy Journal of the Mississippi State Medical Association 61(4), 23-24 | 2020 |
| Willis KR, Lauderdale MH The effects of electrical stimulation on urinary incontinence in women with multiple sclerosis: A systematic review Journal of Biomedical Science Instrumentation 55(1), 105-108 | 2019 |
| Willis K, Barnes L The Effects of Aquatic Therapy on Fatigue and Quality of Life in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review. Journal of the Mississippi Academy of Sciences. April 2017, Vol.60, no. 2 supplemental issue; 246-248 | 2017 |
| Buckley, KA, Willis KR The effect of yoga on anxiety levels in pregnant women: A systematic review. A systematic review of the literature Journal of Biomedical Science Instrumentation. 59(2), 272-277 | |
Dissertation | |
| Willis K, Colson S, Lauderdale M African American students in physical therapy: Enhancing diversity. University of Mississippi, Oxford Mississippi. | 2019 |
Book Chapter | |
| Willis KR, Gontkovsky ST Exercise and physical activity in dementia. In ST. Gontkovsky (Ed.), The cognitive therapeutics method: Non-pharmacological approaches to slowing the cognitive and functional decline associated with dementia (pp. 162-182). Palo Alto, CA: Home Care Press. | 2014 |
Presentations
| Platform Presentations, The effect of yoga on anxiety levels in pregnant women: A systematic review. A systematic review of the literature, Southern Biomedical Engineering Conference, New Orleans | 09/2023 |
| Platform Presentations, Exploring the Leadership Paths and Experiences of Underrepresented Minority Physical Therapists., American Physical Therapy Association, San Diego | 02/2023 |
| Platform Presentations, Efficacy of Aquatic Therapy on Functional Mobility in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review, American Physical Therapy Association, San Diego | 02/2023 |
| State/Local Invited Seminars/Lectures, Clinical Performance Instrument (CPI) Review, University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Health Related Professions Physical Therapy Department, Virtual | 02/2022 |
| Poster Presentation, Effects of Aquatic Therapy on Lymphedema in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review, American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, Virtual | 02/2021 |
| Poster Presentation, Experiences of African American Physical Therapy Graduates: Enhancing Diversity, American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, Virtual | 02/2021 |
| Poster Presentation, Diversity in Physical Therapy Programs: What is Your Admission Data Telling You?, American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, Virtual | 02/2021 |
| Poster Presentation, Recruitment of African Americans to Physical Therapy: An Exercise in Diversity., American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, Virtual | 02/2021 |
| State/Local Invited Seminars/Lectures, Professionalism in PT Clinical Education Panel Discussion., American Physical Therapy Association - Mississippi, Virtual | 09/2020 |
| Poster Presentation, Does Tibial Nerve Stimulation Have an Impact on Incontinence in People Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis? A Systematic Review of the Literature, Denver, CO | 02/2020 |
| Platform Presentations, The effects of electrical stimulation on urinary incontinence in women with multiple sclerosis: A systematic review., SBEC, Hattiesburg, MS | 02/2019 |
| National and International Invited Seminars/Lectures, LSVT BIG University, LSVT Global, webinar | 07/2018 |
| National and International Invited Seminars/Lectures, Community Health Advocacy program., American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, San Antonio, TX | 02/2017 |
| Platform Presentations, The Effects of Aquatic Therapy on Fatigue and Quality of Life in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review., American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, San Antonio, TX | 02/2017 |
| State/Local Invited Seminars/Lectures, Physical Therapy Professionals as Advocates for Community Health & Wellness in Mississippi., Mississippi Physical Therapy Association, Tupelo | 10/2016 |
| Poster Presentation, The Effects of Exercise and Physical Therapy on Quality of Life in Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia During Maintenance Therapy: A Systematic Review, MS Physical Therapy Association, Tupelo, MS | 10/2016 |
| Invited Symposia, Benefits of Exercise and Physical Activity in Aging and Dementia In S. Gontkovsky (Chair), The Non-Pharmacological Strategies For Slowing Cognitive And Functional Decline Associated With Chronic Dementia., Western Psychological Association, Las Vegas, NV | 05/2015 |
Honors, Awards, and Recognition
| Norman C. Nelson Order of Teaching Award, University of Mississippi Medical Center | 2022 |
| 2021 Social Responsibility Ribbon for Experiences of African American Physical Therapy Graduates: Enhancing Diversity, American Physical Therapy Association | 2021 |
| 2021 Social Responsibility Ribbon for Diversity in Physical Therapy Programs: What is Your Admissions Data Telling You?, American Physical Therapy Association | 2021 |
| 2021 Social Responsibility Ribbon for Recruitment of African Americans to Physical Therapy: An Exercise in Diversity, American Physical Therapy Association | 2021 |
| Ben Piazza Award, American Physical Therapy Association - Mississippi | 2020 |
| First Place Rehabilitation Science Award, SBEC | 2019 |
| Inducted, Alpha Eta | 2018 |
Professional Membership and Service
| Faculty Senate, Member | 2019 - 2022 |
| Junior Auxiliary of Rankin County, Member; Corresponding Secretary; Committee Chair | 2013 - 2018 |
| American Physical Therapy Association, Member | 1992 - Present |
Committee Service
| PT Graduate/Employer Follow-up Committee, Chair | 2016 - Present |
| SCHOOL OF HEALTH RELATED PROFESSIONS-FACULTY PROMOTION AND TENURE, Member | 2016 - Present |
| SCHOOL OF HEALTH RELATED PROFESSIONS-ALUMNI RELATIONS, Member | 2015 - Present |
| SCHOOL OF HEALTH RELATED PROFESSIONS-ADMISSIONS, Member | 2015 - Present |
Community Service
| Mustard Seed, Board Member | 09/2021 - Present |
| Miracle League, volunteer | 04/2018 - 05/2018 |
| Junior Auxiliary of Rankin County, Corresponding Secretary | 05/2016 - 05/2017 |
| Junior Auxiliary of Rankin County, Member | 08/2013 - Present |
Other Service
| Journal of Allied Health | 05/2022 - Present |
Teaching Experience
| PT617, SHRP, Course, Course Director, Community Health & Wellness | Fall 2016 |
| PT604, SHRP, Course, Lecture & Lab, Human Kinesiology & Biomechanics II | Summer 2016 |
| PT636, SHRP, Course, Lecture/Lab, Neurological Aspects of Physical Therapy I | Spring 2016 |
| PT632, SHRP, Course, Lecture/Lab, Principles of Physical Practice II | Spring 2016 |
| PT635, SHRP, Course, Lecture/Lab, Physical Therapy Management of Integumentary Problems | Spring 2016 |
| PT663, SHRP, Course, Journal Seminar II | Spring 2016 |
| PT636, SHRP, Course, Instructor of Record, Neurological Aspects of Physical Therapy Practice I | Annual |
| PT650, SHRP, Course, Instructor of Record, Clinical Experience I | Annual |
| PT651, SHRP, Course, Instructor of Record, Clinical Experience II | Annual |
| PT652, SHRP, Course, Instructor of Record, Clinical Experience III | Annual |
| PT653, SHRP, Course, Instructor of Record, Clinical Experience IV | Annual |
| PT625, SHRP, Course, Course Presenter, PT Management of Integumentary Problems | Annual |
| SHRP, Course, Course Director, Specialty Practice in Physical Therapy: PT and Pelvic Health | Annual |
Directed Student Learning
| Class Advisor | 2017 - 2020 |