Faculty Bio Detail
Gail Widener - PT, PhD
Associate Professor
Physical Therapy
Email: GWidener@samuelmerritt.edu
Program:Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Telephone: 510.869.6977
Address: 450 30th Street, Suite 3732
Oakland - CA 94609
Courses Taught at Samuel Merritt University:
I teach physiology content in Applied Physiology and Neuroscience I and II. In addition, I coordinate and instruct in Disease and Dysfunction II and III and Research II and III.
Research Interests:
I am currently interested in investigating balance and functional mobility in elderly people and people with neurological insults. Of particular interest is evaluating balance dysfunction in people with multiple sclerosis. I have received funding from Samuel Merritt University, the California Physical Therapy fund and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for my research.
Publications and Presentations:
Fellowships, Grants, and Awards:
Professional and Community Service and Professional Memberships:
Associate Professor
Physical Therapy
Email: GWidener@samuelmerritt.edu
Program:Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Telephone: 510.869.6977
Address: 450 30th Street, Suite 3732
Oakland - CA 94609
After practicing as a physical therapist for many years I returned to school and received my PhD in Physiology with a focus in neuroscience. Throughout my career I have practiced in many areas of physical therapy including sports medicine, acute care, neurorehabilitation and geriatrics. I have also worked in many physical therapy settings; acute care hospital, outpatient and home care. My favorite of these settings is home care - it is where PTs can have a dramatic impact on patient's lives - working with people in the environment in which they will have to function.
When I'm not teaching or being involved in research, I spend my time with my family: a husband, two boys, a male cat and a male dog. We enjoy camping and traveling. We live in Oakland and love its great food and proximity to everything in the Bay Area.
Courses Taught at Samuel Merritt University:
I teach physiology content in Applied Physiology and Neuroscience I and II. In addition, I coordinate and instruct in Disease and Dysfunction II and III and Research II and III.
Research Interests:
I am currently interested in investigating balance and functional mobility in elderly people and people with neurological insults. Of particular interest is evaluating balance dysfunction in people with multiple sclerosis. I have received funding from Samuel Merritt University, the California Physical Therapy fund and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for my research.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications:
Widener GL, Allen DA, Gibson-Horn C. Balance-based torso-weighting may enhance postural stability and function in persons with multiple sclerosis: a pilot study. submitted to: Clinical Rehabilitation
Liquori A, Widener G, Clark C. Effects of a 6-week prenatal water exercise program on physiological parameters and well-being in women with pregnancies in the 2nd-3rd trimesters: A pilot study. J of Section on Women's Health, 2003; 27(3): 11-19
Allen DA, Widener GL. Chapter 5, Tone Abnormalities, In: Physical Agents, edited by Cameron M, W.B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia, PA, 1998., 2007
McGibbon NH, Andrade CK, Widener GL, Cintas HL. Effect of hippotherapy on energy expenditure during gait in children with cerebral palsy. Dev Med Child Neurol, 1998, 40: 754-762
Widener GL, Cheney PD. Effects on muscle activity from microstimuli applied to somatosensory cortex (SI) and motor cortex during voluntary movement in the monkey, J of Neurophysiol, 1997, 77: 2446-2465
Cheney PD, Mewes K, Widener GL. Effects on wrist and digit muscle activity from microstimuli applied at the sites of rubromotoneuronal (RM) cells in primates. J of Neurophysiol, 1991, 66(6): 1978-1992
Gonzalez NC, Pauley J, Widener,G, Sullivan LP, and Clancy RL. Regulation of the acid-base balance during prolonged hypoxia: effects of respiratory and non-respiratory acidosis. In "Oxygen Transfer from Atmosphere to Tissues", Ed. NC Gonzalez and M R. Fedde. Plenum Press, New York, 1988, pp. 301-312
Widener G, Sullivan LP, Clancy RL, and Gonzalez NC. Renal compensation of hypercapnia in prolonged hypoxia. Respiratory Physiology, 1986, 65: 341-350
Scientific Presentations:
Balance-Based Torso-weighting Improves Balance and Mobility in MS. Gibson-Horn C , Widener GL. CMSC Annual Meeting, Scotsdale AZ, May 2006
The Use of Weighted Vests to Enhance Postural Stability, Gait, and Functional Abilities in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis, Gibson-Horn C and Widener GL, CPTA Annual Conference, Sacramento, CA, Oct. 2003
Fellowships, Grants, and Awards:
Research Activities:
National Multiple Sclerosis Society Pilot Grant, "Balance-Based Torso Weighting: A New Intervention for Improving Balance and Mobility", (44K), 11/2004
Faculty Research Grant – Samuel Merritt University “Long-Term Effects of a Weighted Vest for People with Multiple Sclerosis”, ($2700), 3/2003
California Physical Therapy Fund Grant “Use of a Weighted Vest to Improve Gait, Balance and Function in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis” ($2300.00), 12/2002
Faculty Research Grant “Use of a Weighted Vest to Improve Gait, Balance and Function in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis” ($1750.00), Samuel Merritt University 2001
Faculty Research Grant “Validation of the Senior Safety Questionnaire” Samuel Merritt University, 1994
Professional and Community Service and Professional Memberships:
Selected Professional Memberships:
Member, Professional Advisory Committee, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Northern California Chapter, 1999 – present
Member, American Physical Therapy Association, 1981 - 1985, 1990 - present APTA Sections: Research, Neurology, Education, Geriatrics. and Acute Care
Member, Research SIG, California Chapter APTA, Sept. 1993 - present
Member, California Chapter, APTA, Golden Gate District, 1991 - present