With over twelve years of higher education teaching experience and sixteen years in clinical practice, Dr. Operacz facilitates learners’ capacity to connect the classroom and the clinic. Recognizing the complexity and challenge of clinical practice and the cognitive hurdles students must face when entering the clinical setting, Dr. Operacz’s scholarship focuses on teaching and assessment strategies to optimize learners’ competence as they enter the clinical space. Current research endeavors include inter-professional education and its impact on learners and learners’ perceptions of competence with the upstream systemic, structural, and social factors that impact the health of clients and communities. Dr. Operacz sits on a national task force to address how content related to social and structural determinants of health is delivered within doctor of physical therapy programs.

• Teaching for Equity institute, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 2022
• Higher Education Teaching Certificate, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 2021
• Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 200), Nourishing Storm Yoga Studio, Hatboro, PA, 2020
• American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties – Board Certified in Neurologic Physical Therapy, 2015
  
  

Operacz. R., O’Hara, M., & Harris, A. (2023, October). Representation across DPT curricular content: Are we walking the walk? Poster session presented at the Education Leadership Conference of the American Physical Therapy Association, Philadelphia, PA.

Operacz, R., Steele, L., Edwards, J., & Harris, A. (2023, October). Getting the most out of simulation through authentic student engagement and reflection. Platform session presented at the Education Leadership Conference of the American Physical Therapy Association, Philadelphia, PA.

Willgens, A., Operacz, R., Fagan, J. (2022, March). Mindful Clinical Mentoring. University of Michigan – Flint and Oakland University Thank You Day for SCCEs.

Willgens, A., Vernon, R., & Fagan, J. (2021, March). Educating Mindful Doctor of Physical Therapy Students: A Mentoring Workshop for the Clinician. American Physical Therapy Association Post-Combined Sections Meeting virtual workshop.

Vernon, R., & Fagan, J. (2020, February). ICE – Is it working? Exploring the impact of an integrated clinical education curriculum on student confidence and preparedness for the inpatient clinical environment. Poster session presented at the Annual Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association, Denver, CO.

Burns, S., Fagan, J., Sinnott, M., & Vernon, R. (2019, October). Blind dating in PT education: Where is the trust? Exploring entrustable professional activities within a DPT program. Education session presented at the Education Leadership Conference of the American Physical Therapy Association, Bellevue, WA.

Vernon, R. & Fagan, J. (2019, October). Educating students beyond the classroom: The development of a Clinical Instructor mentorship course to address today’s health professions student. Education session presented at the Education Leadership Conference of the American Physical Therapy Association, Bellevue, WA.

Vernon, R. (2019, January). Moving from IPE to IPP on a global scale. Platform session presented at the Annual Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association, Washington, DC.

Tucker, C., Vernon, R., Blau, A., & Craighead, G. (2019, January). CAPERS: Clinical Academic Partnerships: Education, Research, & Service. Platform session presented at the Annual Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association, Washington, DC