Heidi M. Garske

Programs and Courses Taught

Doctor of Physical Therapy

PHYTH-702: Capstone II: Exploration and Planning 

PHYTH-703: Capstone III: Implementation

PHYTH-704: Capstone IV: Completion

PHYTH-747: Professional Issues II 

PHYTH-763: PT Clinical Experience I 

Faculty Research Spring: Faculty Research 

PHYTH-766: PT Internship 

PHYTH-743: Interpersonal and Interprofessional Communication 

PHYTH-761: PT Integrated Clinical Experience I 

PHYTH-703: Capstone III: Implementation 

PHYTH-745: Behavioral and Psychosocial Factors in Physical Therapy

PHYTH-742: Teaching and Learning

About Me

Hello, I am Dr. Heidi McGregor Garske, PT, DPT, MPT (she/her/hers). I am an Assistant Professor and the Director of Clinical Education for the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. I have been in this role since 2018.

My prior experience includes 15 years of private practice, contracting in the Early Intervention program with the Regional Center of the East Bay, serving as a clinical instructor, and clinician with a focus on the pediatric population, more specifically as a neonatal therapist in the neonatal intensive care unit, in the inpatient and home health environments. 

As Director of Clinical Education (DCE), my teaching and administrative responsibilities are primarily in clinical education, supporting students and clinical educators in the application of strategies for teaching and learning in practice. I coordinate the final clinical education experience, a 16-week terminal clinical experience.  

In my role as DCE, my responsibilities require building partnerships among employers, clinical educators, and students/new graduates.

Education

I have a bachelor's degree in Health Education and a Master of Physical Therapy.  I earned a transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy from Chapman University in 2017.  I am currently a Doctoral Candidate in Pacific University’s PhD in Education and Leadership program.

Teaching Interests

For the DPT program, I teach in the areas of clinical education, pediatric PT, leadership development, research foundations of PT practice and interprofessional communication.

I currently serve as one of only 3 Northern California instructors of the American Physical Health Equity and Diversity Equity and Inclusion in Health Processions Education.

Interprofessional Education.

Therapy Association’s Credentialed Clinical Education Program’s level I continuing education course.  I also provide workshops on resilience and its application to optimizing educational outcomes.

Scholarly Interests

Resilience as a framework for optimizing Health Professions Education
DPT clinical education assessment

Publications

Birkmeier, Marisa PT, DPT, PCS; Wheeler, Emma PT, MS; McGregor Garske, Heidi PT, DPT; Gorman, Sharon Lynn PT, DPTSc; Richards, Heather; Wolff-Burke, Melissa PT, EdD; Bureau, Megan R. PT, DPT. Feasibility of Use of the Clinical Internship Evaluation Tool in Full-Time Clinical Education Experiences: A Multi-institutional Study. Journal of Physical Therapy Education 36(3):p 263-271, September 2022. | DOI: 10.1097/JTE.0000000000000237

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

Northern California Clinical Education Consortium
American Physical Therapy Association
Academy of Physical Therapy Education
Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy
California Physical Therapy Association

Community Service

Leukemia Lymphoma Society
Northern California Clinical Education Consortium
Samuel Merritt University DEI Steering Committee
Meals on Wheels

Honors & Awards

• Credentialed Clinical Instructor 
• Advanced Credentialed Clinical Instructor 
• Credentialed Clinical Instructor Program Trainer = level I Course