Deering Rita PhD

Dr. Rita Deering

Associate Professor of Physical Therapy - General 262.951.3047 rdeering@carrollu.edu

TEACHES IN THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM(S)

Physical Therapy (DPT)

Biography

Dr. Deering has been an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at 51�� since the Fall of 2019. Prior to joining the CUPT Faculty, Dr. Deering was a postdoctoral fellow in the Advanced Fellowship in Women’s Health through the William S. Middleton Memorial Veteran’s Hospital in Madison, WI. Dr. Deering’s postdoctoral research was conducted in the Badger Athletic Performance and UW Neuromuscular Biomechanics Laboratories at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she examined running biomechanics and abdominal muscle characteristics in postpartum women.

Education

Post-doctoral Fellowship, William S. Middleton Memorial VA Hospital & University of Wisconsin-Madison
Marquette University, PhD in Clinical & Translational Rehabilitation Health Science
Marquette University, DPT
Marquette University, BS in Exercise Science

Areas of Specialization

Pregnancy & Postpartum PT, Neuromuscular Physiology, Women’s Health, Postpartum Athletes

Scholarly and Professional Achievements

Grant Support while at 51��

51�� Faculty Development Grant, 2019-2020
51�� Faculty Development Grant, 2020-2021

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Deering RE, Senefeld J, Pashibin T, Neumann D, Hunter SK. Muscle Function and Fatigability of Trunk Flexors in Males and Females. Biology of Sex Differences 2017; 8:12.

Deering RE, Cruz M, Senefeld JW, Pashibin T, Eickmeyer S, Hunter SK. Impaired Trunk Flexor Strength, Fatigability, and Steadiness in Postpartum Women. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 2018, 50(8); 1558-1569.

Deering RE, Senefeld J, Pashibin T, Neumann D, Cruz M, and Hunter SK. Fatigability of the Lumbopelvic Stabilizing Muscles in Women 8 and 26 Weeks Postpartum. Journal of Women’s Health Physical Therapy 2018; 42(3): 128-138.

Deering R, Pashibin T, Cruz M, Hunter SK, Hoeger-Bement M. Fatiguing Trunk Flexor Exercise Decreases Pain Sensitivity in Postpartum Women. Frontiers in Physiology (Exercise Physiology) 2019; 10(315).

Deering RE, Chumanov ES, Stiffler-Joachim MR, Heiderscheit BC. Exercise Program Reduces Inter-Recti Distance in Female Runners Up to Two Years Postpartum. Journal of Women’s Health Physical Therapy 2020; 44(1):9-18.

Deering RE, Christopher SM, Heiderscheit BC. From Childbirth to the Starting Blocks: Are We Providing the Best Care to Our Postpartum Athletes? Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy 2020; 50(6): 281-284.

Stewart BC, Dai S, Havens KL, Eggleston JD, Bagwell JJ, Deering RE, Little EE, Catena RD. Determining fall risk change throughout pregnancy: the accuracy of postpartum survey and relationship to fall efficacy. Ergonomics, 2023 Dec 22:1-10. doi: 10.1080/00140139.2023.2296827.

Deering RE, Donnelly G, Brockwell E, Bo K, Davenport MH, DeVivo M, Dufour S, Forner L, Mills H, Moore IS, Olson A, Christopher SM. Clinical and exercise professional opinion on designing a postpartum return-to-running training program: an international Delphi study and consensus statement. British Journal of Sports Medicine, Br J Sports Med. 2024 Jan 8:bjsports-2023-107490. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2023-107490. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38191239.

Christopher SM, Donnelly G, Brockwell E, Bo K, Davenport MH, DeVivo M, Dufour S, Forner L, Mills H, Moore IS, Olson A, Deering RE. Clinical and exercise professional opinion of return-to-running readiness after childbirth: an international Delphi study and consensus statement. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2023 Dec 26:bjsports-2023-107489. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2023-107489. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38148108.

Piropato L, Deering R. Addressing the Kinetic Chain in a Postpartum Multisport Athlete: A Case Report. Journal of Women’s and Pelvic Health Physical Therapy 2023; 47(2): 122-132.

Deering RE , Christopher SM. “The Pregnant and Postpartum Athlete” in The Female Athlete Throughout the Lifespan. Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy, APTA. 2022.

Christopher SM, Gallagher S, Olson A, Cichowski S, Deering RE. Rehabilitation of the Postpartum Runner: A Four Phase Approach. Journal of Women’s Health Physical Therapy 2022; 46(2):73-86.

Honors and Awards

American Dissertation Fellowship
American Association of University Women

Veteran’s Affairs Advanced Fellowship in Women’s Health
William S. Middleton VA Hospital/University of Wisconsin Center for Women’s Health ResearchOffice of Academic Affiliations, US Department of Veterans Affairs

CTSI/NIH Post-Doctoral TL1 Training Fellowship Grant
CTSI of Southeastern Wisconsin, Medical College of Wisconsin
National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health

Women’s Health Research Program Grant (COMPLETED)
Medical College of Wisconsin, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Neuromuscular Function in Women Postpartum

Research Assistantship
Clinical & Translational Rehabilitation Health Sciences PhD Program
Department of Physical Therapy, Program in Exercise Science
Marquette University

Grant Support at 51��

51�� Faculty Development Mid-Year Grant 2023-2024
$1,000
Title: Women’s Health Research
Role: Principal Investigator

Waukesha County Women & Girls Fund 2022 Grant
$10,000
Title: Maternal Child Wellness Program
Role: Principal Investigator

51�� Faculty Development Full-Year Grant 2022-2023
51�� Faculty Development Committee
$2,300
Role: Principal Investigator

51�� Faculty Development Mid-Year Grant 2020-2021
51�� iTTASC
$1,000
Role: Principal Investigator

51�� Faculty Development Full-Year Grant 2020-2021
51�� iTTASC
$2,500
Role: Principal Investigator

51�� Faculty Development Mid-Year Grant 2019-2020
51�� iTTASC
$1,000
Role: Principal Investigator

What is your teaching style?

My goal is to facilitate students’ self-discovery of knowledge and foster a passion for physical therapy. I believe in relating information to real-world situations as often as possible to help bridge the gap between classroom and clinic.

Why do you do what you do?

Because I love it! I love helping patients improve their quality of life. I love helping future physical therapists find and pursue their passion. I love to continue learning, whether that is by investigating research questions, or by using feedback from my students to grow as an educator.

How do you make learning engaging?

I make learning engaging by making it meaningful: finding ways to relate information to a student’s area of interest. I encourage discussion, whether in class, with me during my office hours or optional discussion sections, or in study groups outside of class.

What should students know about you?

When I’m not teaching or engaging in research, I enjoy spending time with my family outdoors, especially hiking. I also enjoy musical theater and reading.

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