People

Nancy Bloom, MSOT, PT, DPT, retired in 2024 after a remarkable 45 years of service to WashU. As a superb clinician and educator, Nancy garnered respect from practitioners across the globe as a recognized expert in musculoskeletal conditions of the hip and low back. Nancy was a key leader in developing and presenting musculoskeletal content within Washington University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy curriculum across the decades.  She also provided valuable insights for many clinical research projects, resulting in authorship of numerous peer-reviewed manuscripts, textbook chapters and clinical practice guidelines. Nancy had an enormous impact on clinical practice through her work within the Academy of Orthopedic Physical Therapy (AOPT), as Chair of the Education Committee, through service on the Planning Committee for the Annual Orthopaedic Academy Meeting and as a member of the AOPT Board of Directors. Her enduring contributions to the practice of physical therapy were recognized by the American Physical Therapy Association through  the Henry O. Kendall and Florence P. Kendall Award and the John H.P. Maley Lecture Award.

B. Ruth Clark, PT, PhD, retired from Washington University in 2024. She was a member of the faculty for nearly 40 years, and during that time directly taught more than 5,000 learners in the physiology courses she offered within the Program in Physical Therapy and the Department of Biology. She also taught many learners how to teach through her leadership of the Teaching Practicum in the Movement Science PhD program. Ruth was loved by students and admired by colleagues for the breadth and depth of her knowledge along with her passion for lifelong learning and continuous incorporation of new knowledge. In addition to her stellar teaching, Ruth contributed dozens of scientific publications to the literature. Her research over the years took her from studies of cerebellar degeneration and ataxia in the lab to studies of physical activity and nutrition in the community. And, when it comes to community, Ruth certainly did her part. Whether through service as a faculty associate for residential life on the Danforth campus or as a member of St. Louis Public Schools Health & Wellness Committee, Ruth made her mark.

Bob Deusinger, retired in 2013, and his career with the Program in Physical Therapy covered all three missions: education, research and patient care.  As the director of the Human Biodynamics Laboratory (HBL),Bob led a team in research directed at understanding complexities of the knee joint and the mechanisms of injury or disease. He also served as Director, Clinical Practice for seven years, taught Kinesiology to the DPT students, and mentored PhD students.  Bob was honored with the Robert Bartlett Recognition Award and Charles M Magistro Distinguished Service Award from the Foundation for Physical Therapy.

Susan S. Deusinger, PT, PhD, FAPTA, retired in July 2014 after 36 years at Washington University.  During her tenure Susie demonstrated great passion for the profession and for leading the Program to the highly respected organization it is today.  Susie was instrumental in leading Washington University’s transition from baccalaureate level physical therapist education, to a master’s degree, to the current clinical DPT degree.  Susie’s leadership has been acknowledged multiple times by the American Physical Therapy Association at the chapter, state, and national level, and she was inducted into APTA’s Catherine Worthingham Fellows in 2006.

Kathleen Dixon’s career spanned nearly fifty years during which she distinguished herself as a clinician, educator and advocate for physical therapy. She began her service to Washington University in 1981. Kathleen made major contributions in curriculum analysis, development of faculty as excellent educators, and delivery of innovative learning experiences to ensure our students would maintain the highest professional standards and integrity. She was active at the local and state levels of the Missouri Physical Therapy Association. She retired in 2000.