Director, Professor

Sandra Billinger, PT, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, KS, and a Certified Exercise Specialist from the American College of Sports Medicine and a Certified Exercise Expert for Aging Adults from the APTA. Dr. Billinger received her Master in Physical Therapy in 2004 and her Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Science in 2008 from the University of Kansas Medical Center. She has practiced for 10 years in geriatrics, neurologic and cardiopulmonary physical therapy.

Dr. Billinger has received continuous grant funding from internal and external funding sources including NIH and the American Heart Association. These grants have focused on cardiovascular health, exercise-related interventions, and how physical activity impacts stroke recovery. She has 60 publications in peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Billinger’s work focuses on the benefits of aerobic exercise across all stages of stroke recovery brain health. In 2012, her manuscript was awarded the Golden Synapse Award (Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy).

She served as Chair, Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery Committee for the AHA Stroke Council and was the Writing Group Chair and lead author for the AHA Scientific Statement for Physical Activity and Exercise Recommendations for Stroke Survivors. She has served the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy, including her work as Chair of the Nominating Committee and the Health Promotion and Wellness Task Force. Dr. Billinger was selected by the American Physical Therapy Association for the Margaret L. Moore Outstanding New Academic Faculty Member (2014) and was awarded the AHA/ASA Stroke Council Lecture Award at Scientific Sessions in 2016.