Quinnpiac University
Clinical Professor
North Haven, CT
2024 - Present
Rachel W Pata
Clinical Professor of Physical Therapy
Director of Simulation - School of Health Sciences
Rachel W Pata
Clinical Professor of Physical Therapy
Director of Simulation - School of Health Sciences
Dr. Pata is currently a Clinical Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy. Additionally, she serves as the Capstone Coordinator for the Department of Physical Therapy and as the Simulation Director for the School of Health Sciences. She received a master's degree in physical therapy from Quinnipiac University 03' and a doctorate degree in physical therapy from Simmons College 09'. She is also an APTA board certified Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Specialist and a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator.
Dr. Pata currently teaches in the content areas of Acute Care/Cardiopulmonary and Human Anatomy. She continues her clinical practice in acute-care and inpatient-rehab with a focus on individuals with cardiopulmonary compromise. She maintains an active research agenda in the content areas of simulation in physical therapy education, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation as well as overtraining in athletes. Recent publications include, "Simulation-Based Cardiopulmonary Examination Skills Checklist: Assessment of Inter-rater Reliability", "A Survey of Factors That May Cause Practice Inconsistencies and Impact Care in Pulmonary Rehabilitation", “Impact of Age on Heamatological Markers Pre- and Post-Marathon Running”, “Common Electrocardiogram Variation Pre- and Post-Marathon” and “Kidney Injury and Repair Biomarkers in Marathon Runners”. She has presented her research at local and national ACSM and APTA conferences. Additionally she has served on the APTA CT Board of Directors since 2023 and as Vice President since January 2025.
Dr. Pata currently teaches in the content areas of Acute Care/Cardiopulmonary and Human Anatomy. She continues her clinical practice in acute-care and inpatient-rehab with a focus on individuals with cardiopulmonary compromise. She maintains an active research agenda in the content areas of simulation in physical therapy education, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation as well as overtraining in athletes. Recent publications include, "Simulation-Based Cardiopulmonary Examination Skills Checklist: Assessment of Inter-rater Reliability", "A Survey of Factors That May Cause Practice Inconsistencies and Impact Care in Pulmonary Rehabilitation", “Impact of Age on Heamatological Markers Pre- and Post-Marathon Running”, “Common Electrocardiogram Variation Pre- and Post-Marathon” and “Kidney Injury and Repair Biomarkers in Marathon Runners”. She has presented her research at local and national ACSM and APTA conferences. Additionally she has served on the APTA CT Board of Directors since 2023 and as Vice President since January 2025.
Education
- BS, Quinnipiac University
- MPT, Quinnipiac University
- DPT, Simmons University
Areas of Expertise
- Cardiology, Cardiovascular and Pulmonary
Organization
- Physical Therapy
Office Location
- Medicine, Nursing, Health Sci 367A
Mail Drop
- NH-HSC
Experience
Gaylord Hospital
Per diem Physical Therapist
Wallingford, CT
2024 - Present
St. Mary’s Hospital
Per Diem Physical Therapist
Waterbury, CT
2019 - 2024
Quinnipiac University
Associate Professor of Physical Therapy
Hamden, CT
2018 - Present
Quinnipiac University
Simulation Director, SHS
Hamden, CT
2017 - Present
Quinnipiac University
Clinical Assistant Professor
Hamden, CT
2012 - 2017
Gaylord Hospital
Per Diem Physical Therapist
Wallingford, CT
2011 - 2017
Quinnipiac University
Clinical Laboratory Coordinator
Hamden, CT
2010 - 2012
Masonicare
Staff Physical Therapist
Wallingford, CT
2008 - 2010
Quinnipiac University
Adjunct Professor
Hamden, CT
2004 - 2010
St. Mary’s Hospital
Staff Physical Therapist
Waterbury, CT
2001 - 2009
Selected Publications
Peer Reviewed Journal
A Survey of Factors That May Cause Practice Inconsistencies and Impact Care in Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Pata RW, Giblin J, Cassata E, Cortez R, Hall M, Pascale A.
Journal of Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy Published online ahead of Print November, 2020 (Fall 2020)
Peer Reviewed Presentations
Don’t Skip a Beat: ECG Use and Physical Therapy Implications Across the Continuum of Care
Kras A, Powers J, Mellett L, Pata R
Combined Sections Meeting, APTA, Houston, Tx (2025)
Peer Reviewed Journal
Simulation-Based Cardiopulmonary Examination Skills Checklist: Assessment of Inter-rater Reliability
Pata, Rachel DPT; O'Sullivan, Sara BS, SPT; Peterson, Danielle BS, SPT; Superchi, Laura BS, SPT; Feinn, Richard PhD
35(3) Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy Journal 113-123 July (2024)
Peer Reviewed Poster
Neuroanatomic Cadaveric Dissection: A Novel Approach
Kelley K, Pata, R, Adamo, A, Anoushian, S, Loverud, C
APTA CT Annual Conference, Storrs, CT, UCONN (2024)
Peer Reviewed Journal
Licensed Physical Therapists’ Preparation, Comfort in and Frequency of Providing Nutrition Related Patient Education
Pata RW, Leigh A, Hadtke B, Diem G, Feinn R, White D
doi:10.1177/15598276231200848 American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine AUgust (2023)
Conference Presentation
Debriefing: A Key Component of Learning in Healthcare Education and Clinical Practice.
Pata R., Kappus L
Connecticut Physcal Therapy Association Annual Conference, North Haven, CT, Quinnipiac University (2023)
Peer Reviewed Poster
Confidence in and Frequency of Nutritional Patient Education Provided by Licensed Physical Therapists: A Pilot Cross Sectional Survey
Diem G, Hadtke B, Leigh A, White D, Feinn R, Pata RW
APTA Combined Sections Meeting, San Antonio, Tx (2022)
Peer Reviewed Journal
) Effects of Neurosculpting® Meditation on Stress, Anxiety and Sleep in a group of undergraduate college students
Kelley KK, Pata R, Acevedo S, Bayne C, Thompson L, et al.
7 Yoga Phys Ther Rehabil. June (2022)
Peer Reviewed Poster
The Benefits of Virtual Simulation on Improving Confidence and Skills for the Cardiopulmonary Examination of Entry Level Doctor of Physical Therapy Students
Chi K, Davis A, Edwards M, McConville R, Thurman S, Feinn R, Pata RW
Connecticut Physical Therapy Association Annual Conference, Hartford, CT (2022)
Peer Reviewed Poster
Nutritional Education Throughout U.S. Doctor of Physical Therapy Programs
Edwards S, Hlushko A, Infosino R, Kelly K, Feinn R, White, D, Pata RW
Connecticut Physcal Therapy Association Annual Conference, Hartford, CT (2022)
Chapter
Case Studies Across the Continuum: A Physical Therapist’s Perspective
Pata RW, Wall T, Lampron E.
Multi-Trauma 1st New York, New York (Thieme 2021)
Chapter
Case Studies Across the Continuum: A Physical Therapist’s Perspective
Blood K, Pata RW, Ferrero S.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer 1st New York, New York (Thieme 2021)
Academic Awards, Fellowships and Grants
CHEFA
Grant | 2024-2025
Co-Author for OBGYN simulation. Awarded $75,000.