Laura B Simaitis
Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy
Laura B Simaitis
Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy
Dr. Simaitis is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy. A Quinnipiac University alumna '09, '13, Dr. Simaitis continued her education at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, earning her Doctor of Education degree in 2023.
Dr. Simaitis has been a full-time faculty member in the Department of Physical Therapy since 2023, where she is an active member, serving as a Co-chair of the Community Engagement Committee. Additionally, in her role as the Faculty Advisor to the Graduate PT Club, Dr. Simaitis strives to foster the professional growth of future physical therapists through active engagement in learning and development. Serving as the Faculty Advisor to EQUIP's All-Abilities team, Dr. Simaitis enjoys collaborating with student leaders for the Hiking Without Boundaries program and the annual Wheels in Motion event, raising money to support adaptive sports programs around CT. Dr. Simaitis is also involved with the American Physical Therapy Association at the state level, serving as the Education and Quality Co-chairperson for the Neurologic Special Interest Group of the CT APTA.
Dr. Simaitis currently teaches Neurorehabilitation I, Neurorehabilitation II, and Clinical Decision Making II. Her professional experiences span over 10 years in the inpatient and outpatient settings along the continuum of care. Recognized by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties in 2018, Dr. Simaitis became a Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy, demonstrating her commitment to excellence in clinical practice. She brings this excellence to the classroom through her active teaching style.
Working closely with research partners at the Joyce D. and Andrew J. Mandell Center for Comprehensive Multiple Sclerosis Care and Neuroscience Research of Trinity Health Of New England, Dr. Simaitis' current research interests include the use of outcome measures via telehealth and the use of outcome measures to predict fall risk in individuals with neurologic disease.
Dr. Simaitis has been a full-time faculty member in the Department of Physical Therapy since 2023, where she is an active member, serving as a Co-chair of the Community Engagement Committee. Additionally, in her role as the Faculty Advisor to the Graduate PT Club, Dr. Simaitis strives to foster the professional growth of future physical therapists through active engagement in learning and development. Serving as the Faculty Advisor to EQUIP's All-Abilities team, Dr. Simaitis enjoys collaborating with student leaders for the Hiking Without Boundaries program and the annual Wheels in Motion event, raising money to support adaptive sports programs around CT. Dr. Simaitis is also involved with the American Physical Therapy Association at the state level, serving as the Education and Quality Co-chairperson for the Neurologic Special Interest Group of the CT APTA.
Dr. Simaitis currently teaches Neurorehabilitation I, Neurorehabilitation II, and Clinical Decision Making II. Her professional experiences span over 10 years in the inpatient and outpatient settings along the continuum of care. Recognized by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties in 2018, Dr. Simaitis became a Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy, demonstrating her commitment to excellence in clinical practice. She brings this excellence to the classroom through her active teaching style.
Working closely with research partners at the Joyce D. and Andrew J. Mandell Center for Comprehensive Multiple Sclerosis Care and Neuroscience Research of Trinity Health Of New England, Dr. Simaitis' current research interests include the use of outcome measures via telehealth and the use of outcome measures to predict fall risk in individuals with neurologic disease.
Education
- BS, Quinnipiac University
- DPT, Quinnipiac University
- DED, University of St. Augustine for
Areas of Expertise
- Neurorehabilitation/Neurosurgery
Organization
- Physical Therapy
Office Location
- Medicine, Nursing, Health Sci
Mail Drop
- NH-HSC
Quinnipiac Today
Experience
Quinnipiac University
Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy
Hamden, CT, USA
2023 - Present
Quinnipiac University
Visiting Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy
Hamden, CT, USA
2020 - 2023
Quinnipiac University
Adjunct faculty member in the Department of Physical Therapy
Hamden, CT, USA
2018 - 2020
Hartford Hospital
per diem Physical Therapist (IRU)
Hartford, CT, USA
2018 - 2019
Gaylord Specialty Healthcare
per diem Physical Therapist (inpatient and outpatient)
Wallingford, CT, USA
2018 - Present
Gaylord Specialty Healthcare
Physical Therapist
Wallingford, CT, USA
2013 - 2018
Selected Publications
Peer Reviewed Journal
Prioritizing and measuring social awareness within cultural competence education: An act to mitigate health disparities.
Simaitis, L., Kupczynski, L., Gibson, A.M.
6(2) International Journal of Advanced Academic Studies 40-51 month (2024)
Peer Reviewed Journal
Establishment of regression-based isometric strength reference values for the upper limb in persons with multiple sclerosis.
Delmastro, H.M., Robson, A., Gromisch E.S., Campo, M., Simaitis, L.B., Lo, A.C., Dhari, Z., Ruiz, J.A.
The Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 1-9 July (2024)
Conference Presentation
Social Awareness within Cultural Competence Education among Doctor of Physical Therapy Students
Simaitis, L., Kupczynski, L., Gibson, A.
World Congress on Education, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Residence & Conference Centre - Toronto, Ontario, Canada (2023)
Peer Reviewed Journal
Effect of backward and forward walking on lower limb strength, balance, and gait in multiple sclerosis: A randomized feasibility trial
Delmastro, H.M., Ruiz, J.A., Simaitis, L.B., Gromisch, E.S., Neto, L.O., Cohen, E.T., Wong, E., Krug, R.J., Lo, A.C
25(2) International Journal of Multiple Sclerosis Care 45-50 March/April (2023)
Peer Reviewed Journal
Establishment of regression-based normative isometric strength values for major lower limb muscle groups in persons with multiple sclerosis
DelMastro, H.M., Simaitis, L.B., Gromisch, E.S., Gomes, K., Ruiz, J.A.
25 Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders 1-8 May (2023)