Celia Pechak (United States of America)

Session

Focused symposium:  International Clinical Education: Bridging Global Communities While Developing Professional Competency (Convenor)

Biography

Dr. 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 in the US, and served in Nepal, Vietnam, and Haiti. 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 completed the seminal study in international service-learning in physical therapist education in the US, and has a current study in progress on international clinical education. She has researched, published, and presented on global health topics, and demonstrated leadership in global health in the US physical therapy profession. Dr. Pechak is vice-chair of the APTA Cross Cultural and International Special Interest Group (CCISIG) and is a committed member of Health Volunteers Overseas. As a member of the CCISIG, she initiated the CCISIG listserv, and pursued the inclusion of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association's International Health Division into listserv participation. She actively seeks mechanisms to connect physical therapy professionals across all borders. Her hope is to make a contribution to the expansion of physical therapy's role and positive impact in the global health arena.

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