Physical Therapy Department Names New Chair

ST. LOUIS – Mark Reinking, Ph.D., has been named chairperson of the department of physical therapy at Saint Louis University’s Doisy College of Health Sciences. Reinking, previously assistant chair, succeeds Irma Ruebling, PT, MA, who will remain a faculty member in the department.

A former high school teacher and full-time physical therapist, Reinking says he’s thrilled to be at the helm of SLU’s physical therapy department.

"We have a terrific group of experienced faculty and motivated, talented students," he says.

Reinking, a board certified sports physical therapist, former rehabilitation coordinator for Billikens Athletics, says sports medicine is one of his passions.

"I enjoy the mindset of an athlete, and it’s a challenge to help rehabilitate them," he says. "What’s exciting is that we’re moving down the road to preventive care. We’re now asking, 'What are our limits? How much can someone run, how many pitches can they throw, before they become injured?'"

To that end, Reinking’s research interest is identifying risk factors for the development of overuse injuries. He says he is very pleased that the faculty has become a part of the trend of evidence-based practice that has emerged within the field.

"It’s clear that physical therapy has grown as a profession, and we’re dedicated to being a part of that scholarship," says Reinking, who has published research on exercise-related leg pain. "We want to nurture a strong scholarship environment, and I want our students to leave here with an understanding of both science and practice. We want them to be competent consumers of research in their own clinic practice."

However, Reinking says the department's priority always will be education.

"We don’t conduct research at the expense of teaching. Our primary mission is to train caring and competent practitioners and continue to expand our body of knowledge."

Three classes – seniors, professional year students and clinical interns – are currently finishing master's degrees in physical therapy.

Freshmen through juniors are enrolled in the new doctorate of physical therapy program.

There are plans in the works to develop an athletic training education program that would prepare athletic trainers, a popular field that he says would fit well in Doisy College. He hopes to have approval for the program at the college, university and board levels by summer 2007.

Reinking is a member of the America Physical Therapy Association, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association and is the current chairman of the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties.

Long a leader in health professions education, Saint Louis University began its nursing program in 1928 and the first baccalaureate degree program in an allied health profession in 1929. Today the Doisy College of Health Sciences offers degrees in nursing, clinical laboratory sciences, health information management, investigative and medical sciences, nuclear medicine technology, nutrition and dietetics, occupational science and occupational therapy, physical therapy and a physician assistant program.

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