Gerry Dybel

Gerard J. Dybel, PT, Sc.D., GCS

Associate Professor Emeritus

College
Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences
Department
Physical Therapy and Kinesiology
Email
Gerard_Dybel@uml.edu

Research Interests

Ergonomics; geriatrics; orthopedics; physical agents.

Education

  • Sc.D: Work Environment- Ergonomics, (2000), University of Massachusetts Lowell - Lowell, MA
    Supporting Area: Epidemiology
  • MS: Work Environment- Ergonomics, (1996), University of Massachusetts Lowell - Lowell, MA
  • Other: Physical Therapy - Orthopedics and musculoskeletal evaluation, (1986), Baylor University - Waco, Texas
  • M.Ed.: Exercise Science- Kinesiotherapy, Exercise Physiology, (1981), University of Toledo - Toledo, Ohio
  • BS: Health Education, (1976), Indiana University, Bloomington - Indiana
    Supporting Area: Biological Science, Indiana State Teaching License

Biosketch

Gerard J. Dybel, PT, Sc.D., GCS was named Associate Professor Emeritus in 2018 after serving as faculty at the University of Massachusetts Lowell for 26 years. Dr. Dybel joined the Department of Physical Therapy (now Physical Therapy and Kinesiology) in 1992 after earning his B.S. in Health Education, M.Ed. in Exercise Science, and M.P.T. in Physical Therapy degrees, and serving in the U.S. Army. As faculty, he then continued to pursue M.S. and Sc.D. in Work Environment degrees from UMass Lowell and was supported during his doctoral studies by the Post-Professional Doctoral and Viva J. Erickson scholarships from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).

Dr. Dybel is licensed physical therapist and board-certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist (GCS). He has worked clinically in the areas of home care, orthopedics, neurological rehabilitation, burn care, and geriatrics.  As faculty, Dr. Dybel taught in both the graduate Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) and undergraduate BS in Exercise Physiology (now Exercise Science) programs, earning teaching awards for his instructional abilities and innovative teaching methods. Dr. Dybel also served as the coordinator of the Motion Analysis Laboratory and authored numerous peer-reviewed publications. As an advisor to the Physical Therapy Club, Dr. Dybel actively encouraged participation of physical therapy students within the profession and their surrounding communities as well.

Selected Awards and Honors

  • Army Achievement Medal, Army Service Ribbon and National Defense Service Medal
  • Graduate Teaching Assistantship - University of Toledo
  • Faculty Teaching Award (2007), Teaching - Department of Physical Therapy.
  • Awarded Geriatric Clinical Specialist Certification (2006), Service, Professional - American Physical Therapy Association
  • Geriatric Clinical Specialist Certification (GCS) (2006) - American Physical Therapy Association
  • Web-based Instruction participation (1999) - University of Massachusetts Lowell Continuing Studies and Corporate Education and the University of Massachusetts Presidents Office
  • Present Department and College merit awards (1996), Service, University - UML
  • Army Achievement Medal (1992), Service, Community - US Army
  • Army Achievement Medal (1991), Leadership - US Army
  • Officer Commission (1984) - Army
  • Officer Commission in the Army to study physical therapy (1984), Service, Community - US Army

Selected Publications

  • Kotejoshyer, R., Punnett, L., Dybel, G.J., Buchholz, B.O. (2019). Claim Costs, Musculoskeletal Health, and Work Exposure in Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants, and Occupational Therapist Assistants: A Comparison Among Long-Term Care Jobs. Physical therapy, 99(2) 183-193.
  • Seymour, C.D., Dybel, G.J. (1998). The Effectiveness of Three Teaching Methods for Gait Analysis Using the Rancho Los Amigos Gait Analysis Checklist. JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL THERAPY EDUCATION, 12(1) 3-9.
  • Dybel, G.J., Seymour, C.J. (1997). Identifying the physical demands of Army Reserve personnel during deployable medical systems training. Military medicine, 162(8) 537-542.
  • Seymour, C.J., Dybel, G.J. (1996). Developing Skillful Clinical Decision Making: Evaluation of Two Classroom Teaching Strategies. JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL THERAPY EDUCATION, 10(2) 77-81.

Selected Presentations

  • Use of a Collaborative Learning Strategy for First and Third-Year Physical Therapist Students to Enhance Development of Documentation Skills - APTA of MA 2017 Annual Conference and Exposition, October 2017 - Norwood MA
  • - SHE research day, April 2012
  • Principles and applications of electrotherapeutic modalities, 2010 - Bedford, MA
  • Quantification of Activity during Physical Therapy Treatment in the Acute Rehabilitation Setting - APTA Annual Meeting, 2009 - Massachusetts
  • Validation of an Observational Sampling Tool for Quantifying Rehabilitation Interventions in an Acute Rehabilitation Setting: R-PATH - APTA Annual Meeting, 2009 - Massachusetts
  • Office ergonomics and coordinator of student consultations to office workers requesting workstation evaluations, 2008
  • Virtual Gaming:the Wii, uses in rehabilitation, 2008
  • Research opportunities in physical therapy, 2006
  • Techniques for improving functional core stabilization, 2003
  • Ergonomic Exposures in Home Health Care, 2000
  • Effect of Home Care Physical Therapy on Patient Perception of Well-Being. - APTA Annual Meeting, 1996 - Massachusetts
  • Inter-rater Reliability of the Rancho Los Amigos Observational Gait Analysis Form - APTA Annual Meeting, 1996 - Massachusetts

Selected Contracts, Fellowships, Grants and Sponsored Research

  • Development of a CPR compression monitor (), Grant - CVIP Grant ProposalProject
  • To implement Health Promotion Interventions for elders and neurologically impaired clients in the Merrimack Valley (2012), Grant - Charles Irwin Travelli Fund
    Dybel, G.J. (Co-Principal)
  • Health Promotion in Older Socially Isolated Community Dwelling Adults (2011), Grant - Charles Irwin Travelli Fund
    Dybel, G.J. (Co-Principal)
  • Health Promotion in Older Socially Isolated Community Dwelling Adults (2010), Grant - Charles Irwin Travelli Fund
    Dybel, G.J. (Co-Principal)
  • Health Promotion in Older Socially Isolated Community Dwelling Adults. (2009), Grant - Charles Irwin Travelli Fund
    Dybel, G.J. (Co-Investigator)
  • Health Promotion in Older Socially Isolated Community Dwelling Adults. (2008), Grant - Charles Irwin Travelli Fund
    Dybel, G.J. (Co-Investigator)
  • Health Promotion in Older Socially Isolated Community Dwelling Adults. (2007), Grant - Charles Irwin Travelli Fund
    Dybel, G.J. (Co-Investigator)
  • Health Promotion in Older Socially Isolated Community Dwelling Adults. (2006), Grant - Charles Irwin Travelli Fund
    Dybel, G.J. (Co-Investigator)
  • Development of complex clinical case studies to be used as an instructional tool in the DPT curriculum (2003), Grant - Council on Teaching, Learning, and Research as Scholarship
    Dybel, G.J. (Principal)
  • Implementation of technology in the curriculum (1999), Grant - Council on Teaching, Learning, and Research as Scholarship , UMass Lowell
    Dybel, G.J. (Principal)
  • Careers in Physical Therapy" to middle school children in the Merrimack Valley (1997), Grant - University of Massachusetts Lowell
    Dybel, G.J. (Principal)
  • To develop an interactive multimedia program for teaching biomechanics and kinesiology. (1997), Grant - Teaching and Learning Seed Grant from The Council on Teaching, Learning, and Research