Biography

In her leadership role, Kathy Kelly chairs the Educational Excellence Advisory Council–an advisory body on matters related to educational excellence and innovation across SHRS programs. Kelly successfully implemented a comprehensive Peer Review of Teaching process to enhance instructional quality in SHRS and she led the creation of the first SHRS Center for Academic Advising and Student Success. Additionally, she represents SHRS on key university committees.

Before assuming her current role, Kelly served as vice chair and program director for the Doctor of Physical Therapy program from 2002-2019.

Kelly has extensive experience and expertise in the area of pediatric physical therapy, with a particular focus on neurodevelopmental disorders. In addition to her faculty role in SHRS, she is a core faculty member of the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopments and Related Disorders (LEND) Center at the University of Pittsburgh. The LEND center is a leadership education program funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau and aims to train the next generation of leaders in neurodevelopmental and related disabilities. During her 27+ years at LEND, Kelly has mentored over 220 graduate trainees from a variety of disciplines across the University.