Kaci Handlery is an Assistant Professor in the School of Physical Therapy at the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science from Indiana State University, her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of South Carolina, and is pursuing her Doctor of Education with a concentration in Educational Leadership. She is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy with over nine years of clinical experience primarily treating individuals with spinal cord injury, brain injury, stroke, and complex orthopedic trauma in the acute phase of recovery. She previously served as a research physical therapist at the Motor Behavior and Neuroimaging Laboratory at the University of South Carolina investigating the effects of upper extremity task-oriented training interventions for people with chronic stroke. Her current research interests include utilizing qualitative methodology to investigate the impact and lived experiences of community-based physical activity and exercise interventions for people with neurologic diagnoses. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking throughout the United States, bungee jumping, searching for the best local coffee and doughnuts, and spending time with her dogs, cat, and husband. ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7362-5939 v

Education

• Pursuing Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA
• 2015-Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
• 2012-Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN

Accomplishments

• 2016 – American Spinal Cord Injury Association InSTeP Certified
• 2018 - Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy
• 2019 - – Movement Disorder Society – UPDRS Certified
• 2020 - Recipient of the Early Career Professional Award, Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy
• 2021 - Awarded a $94,000 Creating Opportunity and Independence grant from the Craig H. Neilsen
• 2022 - Recipient of the ACHE Faculty Excellence Award in Service
• 2022 – Adaptive Training Academy Adaptive and Inclusive Trainer Certified
• 2023 – Provost Fellow, Arkansas Colleges of Health Education
• Awarded over $150,000 in funding from the Parkinson’s Foundation, Craig H. Neilsen Foundation, and Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation to support community-based physical activity opportunities for people with neurologic diseases, diagnoses, and injuries

Areas of Expertise/Interest

• Neurologic Physical Therapy
• Accessible and Adaptive Exercise
• Acute Care Physical Therapy
• Impostor Phenomenon
• Physical Therapist Attrition