Kristen Waller

Programs and Courses Taught

PT 705 Patient/Client Management: Complexity in Care
PT 710 Clinical Foundations in Physical Therapy
PT 713 Patient/Client Management: Neuromuscular I
PT 717 Patient/Client Management: Cardiopulmonary
PT 718 Patient/Client Management: Neuromuscular II
PT 734 Pathology & Medical Management in Neurology
PT 765 Clinical Experience II

About Me

I am a board-certified clinical specialist in neurologic physical therapy and am an alumna of Samuel Merritt University. My clinical background is rooted in long-term care with a focus on patients with complex neuromuscular presentations such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, and neurodegenerative diseases. I coordinate the department's Community Participant Lab for people with balance and neurological conditions and am a member of the clinical education team. I am passionate about simulation-based educational experiences, interprofessional communication, and application of didactic content to the clinical learning environment. I engage in service by leading a health and wellness course and complete fall risk assessments for community-dwelling seniors. 

Education

BS Exercise Biology, University of California Davis - 2010
Doctor of Physical Therapy, Samuel Merritt University - 2015

Teaching Interests

I am involved in foundational, neuromuscular, and cardiopulmonary coursework throughout the curricula. I enjoy drawing clinical correlates between acute care patient experiences and our students' lab activities. I especially find joy in the depth of learning and excitement surrounding both low and high-fidelity simulation-based learning experiences. 

Scholarly Interests

My area of scholarly inquiry surrounds teaching and learning relative to simulation-based learning experiences in acute care and neuromuscular coursework. 

Publications

Gorman SL, Waller K. Nervous System. In: Greenwood KC, Panasci K, eds. Acute Care Handbook for Physical Therapists. Elsevier; 2025. 
            
Gorman SL, Waller K. G Peters Orthopedic Simulation. Simulation Scenario Database. Alexandria, VA: American Council of Academic Physical Therapy; June 2023. http://www.acapt.org.

Waller K, Gorman SL. A Young Pediatric Simulation. Simulation Scenario Database. Alexandria, VA: American Council of Academic Physical Therapy; June 2023. http://www.acapt.org.

Waller K, Ettinger S. Cardiopulmonary Acute Care CABG Visit – High Stakes Simulation. Simulation Scenario Database. Alexandria, VA: American Council of Academic Physical Therapy; June 2023. http://www.acapt.org.
 

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy 
Golden Gate District of California Physical Therapy Association, Public Relations and Communications Chair
California Physical Therapy Association, member
American Physical Therapy Association, member
Academy of Acute Care Physical Therapy, member
Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy, member

Community Service

Vitality @ Vivalon, Course Facilitator and Falls Risk Expert
Golden Gate District of CPTA, PR/Communications Chair 
Other: BORP, Parkinson's Network of Mt. Diablo, Oakland Tech HS

Honors & Awards

Clinical Instructor of Excellence, Northern California Clinical Education Consortium, 2020