Celia Pechak earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from Marquette University, a Master of Public Health with an international health specialization from the University of Hawaii, and a PhD in Physical Therapy with a geriatrics concentration from Texas Woman’s University in Dallas. She has worked in a variety of clinical settings and considers herself a generalist, but she has had most concentrated experience in geriatrics and acute care. She chose the University of Texas at El Paso as her first academic position due to the College of Health Sciences' and the university’s commitment to its students, as well as to local and global community engagement. Reflecting her passion for global health, Dr. Pechak’s research interests include international service-learning, international clinical education, ethical considerations of global health engagement, and physical therapy’s expanding role in the global health arena. She is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association, including the Acute Care, Geriatrics, Neurology, Health Policy and Administration, Cardiopulmonary, and Education sections. She is vice-chair of the APTA Cross Cultural and International Special Interest Group and is a committed member of Health Volunteers Overseas. She has served in Nepal, Vietnam, and Haiti.
Articles
A Conceptual Model of Optimal International Service-Learning and Its Application to Global Health Initiatives in Rehabilitation (with Mary Thompson), Physical Therapy Journal (2009)
Background. There is growing involvement by US clinicians, faculty members, and students in global health...
A Call for a Critical Examination of Ethics in Global Health Initiatives in Physical Therapy Education (with Shaun Cleaver), HPA Resource (2009)
International Service-Learning and Other International Volunteer Service in Physical Therapist Education Programs in the United States and Canada: An Exploratory Study (with Mary Thompson), Journal of Physical Therapy Education (2009)
Background and Purpose. Reflecting increasing globalization, some physical therapist educators are incorporating international service and...
Works in Progress
A Conceptual Model for an International Service-Learning Course Syllabus that Creates a Foundation for Ethical Practice: Its Development and Application in the Health Professions (with Jill B. Lattanzi) (2009)