Laurel Daniels Abbruzzese, PT, EdD, MS

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Overview

Academic Appointments

  • Assistant Professor of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine (Physical Therapy) at CUMC

Administrative Titles

  • Director, Columbia University Irving Medical Center/Westside Dance Physical Therapy Performing Arts Fellowship, Programs in Physical Therapy

Dr. Laurel Daniels Abbruzzese joined the Columbia Program in Physical Therapy faculty in July 2007. She currently teaches Kinesiology & Biomechanics II, Clinical Geriatrics, Professional Leadership and Practice I & II, and coordinates the Foot/Ankle and Performing Arts electives. Dr. Abbruzzese is a Certified Exercise Expert for Aging Adults, and a Fellow in the National Academies of Practice. Dr. Abbruzzese’s active research projects focus on the health of LGBT older adults, adolescent dancers, Cri du Chat Syndrome, and narrative medicine approaches to obesity education.

Credentials & Experience

Education & Training

  • BA, 1991 Psychology, Columbia College-Columbia University
  • MS, 1994 Physical Therapy, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
  • EdM, 2000 Movement Science (Motor Learning & Control), Columbia University, Teachers College
  • EdD, 2004 Biobehavioral Sciences, Columbia University, Teachers College

Honors & Awards

Distinguished Scholar & Fellow, National Academies of Practice (NAP) and the Physical Therapy Academy

National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Aging, F31 predoctoral fellowship

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Gates Millennium Scholar

Research

Research Interests

  • Older Adults
  • Adolescent Dancers
  • Cri du Chat Syndrome
  • Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice

Grants

Co-Principal Investigator     12/31/2017-12/31/2018                 $30,000 

Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research - Pilot Grant Opportunity in Community Based Participatory Research. Funding agency: The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)

“Facilitators and Barriers to Participation in Evidence-based Programs in Urban Senior Centers serving LGBT older adults”  Community Partner - SAGE (Services & Advocacy for GLBT Older Adults) & Phyllis Simon

Co- Investigator     12/31/2017-12/31/2018     $15,000            

Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research - CaMPR (Collaborative and Multidisciplinary Pilot Research) Phase I Award. Funding agency: The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)

“Using Narrative Medicine to Address Weight Bias Across the Health Professions: Toward Improved Health Care for Persons with Obesity”  PI: Sharon Akabas

Co- Investigator     6/01/2018-6/30/2019        $75,000        

Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research - CaMPR (Collaborative and Multidisciplinary Pilot Research) Phase II Award. Funding agency: The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)

“Using Narrative Medicine to Address Weight Bias Across the Health Professions: Toward Improved Health Care for Persons with Obesity”  PI: Sharon Akabas

CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE AWARD (Federal Gov)

Jul 1 2016 - May 31 2021

NURSE EDUCATION, PRACTICE, QUALITY, AND RETENTION - INTERPROFESSIONAL COLBORATIVE PRACTICE (Federal Gov)

Jul 1 2014 - Jun 30 2017

Selected Publications

1. Abbruzzese, L.D. & Simon, P. Special concerns for the LGBT aging patient: What rehab professionals should know. Curr Geri Rep. 2018; 7: 26. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13670-018-0232-6

2. Kwong, J., Bockting, W., Gabler, S., Abbruzzese, L., Towe, A., Simon, P., Bonaparte, S., Malark, A., Weber, T., Fialko, J., Hall, P. Development of an Interprofessional Collaborative Practice Model for Older LGBT Adults. LGBT Health. 2017. (Special Issue on LGBT Aging; http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/pdf/10.1089/LGBT.2016.0160)

3. Abbruzzese LD, Salazar R, Abuchon M, Rao A. Temporal and spatial gait parameters in children with Cri Du Chat Syndrome under single and dual task conditions. 2016; 50:47-52. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2016.08.006. Epub 2016 Aug 5.

4. Pivko S, Abbruzzese LD,  Duttaroy P, Hansen RL, Ryans K. The Effect of Physical Therapy Students' Clinical Experiences on Clinician Productivity. J Allied Health. 2015; In Press.

5. Abbruzzese LD, Rao AK, Bellows R, Figueroa K, Levy J, Lim E, Puccio L. Effects of manual task complexity on gait parameters in school-aged children and adults. Gait Posture. 2014 Sep;40(4):658-63. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2014.07.017. Epub 2014 Jul 28.

6. Wong, CK and Abbruzzese, LD (2011) Case Report: Collaborative Learning Strategies Using Online Communities. JPTE, 25 (3), 79-84.

7. Abbruzzese LD.The Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment Tool. American Journal of Nursing.1998: 98(12):16J-16L. 

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