Laura Ann Baehr

Laura A. Baehr is a clinician-scientist accelerating empowerment, access and equity in community-based physical activity programs for people with disabilities and chronic health conditions. She is informed by her interdisciplinary trainings in rehabilitation science, physical therapy and dance to center evidence-based interventions on the lived experience of the individual. Laura earned her PhD in Health and Rehabilitation Science from Drexel University, Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from Temple University and dual Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Dance and Neuroscience from Muhlenberg College.

Laura’s research leverages community-engaged practices, mixed methodology, digital health and social networking principles. She has been invited to share her work in both academic and community settings including annual meetings of the American Physical Therapy Association, the American College of Sports Medicine, the American Spinal Injury Association, the Gerontological Society of America, the National Dance Education Organization as well as Columbia University, Northwestern University, Alvernia University and Adaptive Sports Northwest.

Laura’s teaching philosophy is grounded by curiosity and connection. She believes that student engagement is fostered through mutual respect and reciprocal learning. Laura encourages trainees to integrate these same principles. Her approach to education is applied in the community as well as the classroom. For over 10 years she has taught regionally and nationally as an adapted movement instructor informed by mind-body practices including dance, pilates and yoga. She has teaching appointments at the Pennsylvania Center for Adapted Sports and as an inaugural OnDemand fitness instructor for Move United, a national adapted sports organization.