Laura Covill, D.P.T., OCS, COMT

Covill, Laura-54755
Position(s)
Associate ProfessorDoctor of Physical Therapy Program
Office Phone 515-271-1552
Fax 515-271-1714
Email laura.covill@dmu.edu
Education
  • Doctorate in Physical Therapy, Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions, Boston, Massachusetts
  • Masters of Health Science, University of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana
  • Bachelors of Science in Physical Therapy, Ithaca College, Ithaca, New York
Certifications
  • Iowa Physical Therapy License
  • Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy, American Physical Therapy Association
  • Certified Orthopedic Manual/Manipulative Therapist, North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
  • Certified Manual Physical Therapist, North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
  • Myers Brigg Type Indicator certification – certified to give and interpret the MBTI
  • Certified Clinical Instructor, American Physical Therapy Association
Awards and honors
  • Outstanding Research Award – DMU faculty award
  • Outstanding Service Award – DMU faculty award
  • Mercy Medical Center – Gallop Workplace Survey – Great Manager
  • Award for Service Excellence, Mercy Des Moines Sports Medicine
Areas of Expertise
Clinical PracticeOutpatient orthopedics, Mercy South Physical Therapy Clinic, 3310 SW 9th St., Des Moines IA.
Professional Organizations, Committees and Boards
  • American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
    • Education Section APTA
    • Orthopedic Section APTA
ServiceCommunity:

  • Coordinator of Global Health experiences for DPT program: initiated visits to St. Lucia and Jamaica incorporating faculty, students and clinicians
  • Trips to St. Lucia
  • JumpStart School Physicals – provides musculoskeletal and neuromuscular screens on children 5-18 with DPT students
  • Des Moines Marathon – volunteer with students
  • Central Iowa Homeless Shelter and Services – organize students to participate in serving homeless meals
  • Senior Health Fair volunteer– Des Moines University – volunteer with students
  • Senior Balance Assessments volunteer– Des Moines University – volunteer with students

Professional:

  • Reviewer, Journal of Physical Therapy Education
  • Book reviewer, Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy,

University:

  • Institutional Effectiveness Committee
  • Research and Grants Committee
  • Graduate Council
  • Global Health Committee
  • Nominating Committee, chairperson
  • DMyoU Engagement Committee
  • Faculty Leadership Council
  • Provost Search Committee
  • Pilot Project for Interdisciplinary team building
  • Provost Docking Committee
  • CHS Faculty President – 2013-14, 2009-10
  • CHS New Program Task Force
  • Student Performance Education Committee (SPEC)
  • SPEC Chairperson
  • Academic Performance Committee chair DPT program
  • Search Committee chair – exercise physiology position
  • Scholarship committee
  • Clinical Education Operational planning committee
  • Performance Improvement Committee – DPT program
  • Global Health Coordinator DPT program
  • Curriculum committee for Doctor of Physical Therapy program
  • Curriculum committee, chairperson
  • Supervision of students through Mercy Clinics

I am completing 2 projects on patient outcomes: The evaluation of gait, function and activity level in patients post Total Hip Arthroplasty and the comparison of different aquatic physical therapy interventions in elderly patients with balance deficits. I am involved in new two projects; assessing  the flipped classroom experience and the use of yoga in physical therapy practice.

Grant Activity

  • IOER – Covill L, Utley C, Hochstein C The comparison of  aquatic physical therapy interventions in elderly patients with balance problems: Ai Chi, multisystem aquatic program and conventional aquatic exercise-$9287, Jan 1 2011
  • Iowa Physical Therapy Foundation Research Grant – Covill L, Utley C, Hochstein C; The comparison of aquatic physical therapy interventions in elderly patients with balance problems: Ai Chi, multisystem aquatic program and conventional aquatic exercise-$3409, Jan 18, 2011

Publications

  • Vardaxis V, Covill L. Pain Effects and Activity Profiles of Hip Osteoarthritis Patients. In Papanikos GT ed. Physical Education and Learning. Athens Institute for Education and Learning, 2013 pp. 1-12
  • Covill LG, Petersen SM. Upper extremity neurodynamic tests: Range of motion asymmetry may not indicate impairment. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice. 2012 Oct: 28 (7): 535-41.
  • Petersen SM, Covill LG. Reliability of the radial and ulnar nerve biased upper extremity neural tissue provocation tests.  Physiotherapy Theory and Practice. 2010; 26(7):476-482.
  • Covill L, Ronnebaum J. Mobilization of patients status post-acute ischemic stroke treated with tissue plasminogen activator: using the evidence for clinical decision making. Dec 2008 Acute Care Perspectives

Platform presentations

  • Vardaxis V, Patel1 D, Schultze K, Covill L, Nettrour J, Mahoney C. Postural Control in Hip Osteoarthritis Patients Before and After Total Hip Arthroplasty. 7th World Conference of Biomechanics. July 6-11, 2014, Boston MA
  • Covill L, Vardaxis V. Evaluation of Dynamic Lower Extremity Stiffness in patients post Total Hip Arthroplasty- APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Jan. 21-24, 2013 San Diego, CA
  • Vardaxis V, Covill L, Koepp L, Nettrour J, Mahoney C. Bilateral lower extremity stiffness during transition from stair descent to level walking in unilateral total hip arthroplasty patients and controls. European Society of Movement Analysis for Adults and Children, September 12-15, 2012, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Weir J, Stachowiak K, Swinton S, Majewski E, Covill L. Inter-limb force differences during bilateral leg press strength testing: Magnitude and reliability. National Strength and Conditioning Association, July 11-14, 2012
  • Vardaxis V, Covill L, Nettrour J, Mahoney C. Lower extremity EMG Co-Activation Patterns due to Hip Arthritis- International Society of Biomechanics, July 3-7, 2011 Brussels, Belgium
  • Vardaxis V, Covill L. Pain Effect on Physical Activity Profiles of Hip Osteoarthritis Patients – 7th Annual International Conference on Kinesiology and Exercise Sciences: June 27-30, 2011 Athens Greece

Poster Presentations

  • Covill L, Vardaxis V. Activities levels of patients post hip arthroplasty. 3rd International Conference on Ambulatory Monitoring of Physical Movement, Amherst MA June 17-18 2013
  • Koepp, L, Covill L, Nettrour J, Mahoney C, Vardaxis V. Lower extremity stiffness during transition from stair descent to walking in unilateral THA subjects. APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Jan. 21-24, 2013 San Diego, CA
  • Covill L, Weir J, Augustin MM, Campbell KK. Preliminary analysis of Lower extremity force asymmetry during leg press exercise. – Combined Sections Meeting APTA: Feb 9-12 2011, New Orleans, LA
  • Petersen S, Covill L. The upper extremity neurodynamic test: within subject limb differences. Combined Sections Meeting, APTA – February 2009, Las Vegas NV