Department of Physical Therapy Associate Professor Deborah Josbeno
After more than 25 years of distinguished service to the Department of Physical Therapy, Associate Professor Deborah Josbeno recently informed me of her intent to retire, effective August 4, 2023. Josbeno joined the department in 1998 as a clinical instructor and rose through the ranks of assistant professor in 2010 and most recently to associate professor in 2017. She received a Master of Science degree with a concentration in Neuromuscular Physical Therapy in 1999 and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Exercise Physiology in 2009.
As a faculty member, Josbeno has coordinated and served as the lead instructor for the three-course (10 credits) Neuromuscular Physical Therapy course sequence. In teaching this course sequence, she brought more than 18 years of clinical experience at Harmarville Rehabilitation Center and the UPMC Rehabilitation Hospital and Rehabilitation Institute (formerly the Centers for Rehab Services) to the classroom. As evidence of her clinical expertise in neuromuscular physical therapy, Josbeno was certified by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties as a specialist in neuromuscular physical therapy in 1999 that she will maintain through 2028. She also is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and a certified Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) BIG clinician.
To ensure the clinical relevancy of the content that she taught, Josbeno established close relationships with neuromuscular clinical specialists at the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute. In doing so, she was able to constantly update what was being taught in the classroom to reflect the latest advances in neuromuscular physical therapy. Many in her vast network of clinical specialists have taught units in their area of expertise and served as teaching assistants/adjunct faculty for lab and small group activities. As a result of her teaching efforts, our students have performed well on the neuromuscular physical therapy content on the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE). Further, the students’ evaluations of her teaching consistently receive high marks. In recognition of her outstanding teaching efforts, she received the 2015 SHRS Dean’s Distinguished Teaching Award.
In addition to her teaching, Josbeno has participated in meaningful scholarly activities and research. Currently, she is the site principal investigator (PI) for the NIH-funded Study in Parkinson Disease of Exercise–Phase 3 (SPARX 3) study and previously served as a co-investigator for the SPARX2 study. She previously received funding from the UPMC Rehab Institute to quantify physical activity in candidates for liver transplant, and a P30 pilot grant to assess self-reported and performance-based physical function in obese women. During her doctoral degree, Josbeno served as a research assistant investigating behavioral interventions for those that failed bariatric surgery to optimize long-term weight control. As a result of her research efforts, she has authored or co-authored 16 peer-reviewed publications and 14 peer-reviewed abstracts.
Josbeno’s service to the Academy of Neuromuscular Physical Therapy includes service on the Award’s Committee and Online Education Committee. She also has served as an item-writer for the neurological physical specialty examination. She has also provided extensive service to the department and SHRS including serving as chair of the Ethics and Professionalism Committee, where she led the development of the Professional Pledge Ceremony. Most recently, she has served on the SHRS Mentoring Task Force and the Teaching Excellence Standards/Resources Task Force. Josbeno has also been working to establish a Clinical Scholars Program that provides physical therapists with the opportunity to develop their teaching knowledge and skills that complement their clinical training. The intent of the Clinical Scholars Program is to develop the skills of clinicians from a variety of settings who seek to enhance their understanding of teaching and learning strategies and participate
Please join me in congratulating Deb for her long and distinguished career as a faculty member in the Department of Physical Therapy and wishing her the best for a long, healthy and happy retirement.
James J. Irrgang, PT, PhD, FAPTA
Professor and Chair
Department of Physical Therapy
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Published May 17, 2023