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Assistant Professor of Instruction
University of Texas Medical Branch
Adrianna Laprea Ellis, PT, DPT is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy in the School of Health Professions (SHP) at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). She received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Nova Southeastern University in 2007 and became a Certified Geriatric Specialist through the American Board of Physical Therapist Specialties in 2011. Dr. Ellis is experienced in neurological rehabilitation, as she worked at TIRR Memorial Hermann Neurological Outpatient services from 2008-2016. Utilizing her past experiences as a certified bilingual health care professional, she has cared for patients during mission trips overseas and at multiple settings including inpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing facility and home health. Her current primary instructor responsibilities include the Bridge Neurotherapeutic Rehabilitation courses I-III, Bridge Rehabilitation Technologies and Medical Spanish for the Healthcare Professionals. Furthermore, she is a secondary instructor, guest lecturer and grader in other courses. She has delivered courses on-line and on-site since August 2014, and she has presented posters and courses at state and national Physical Therapy conferences. In 2015, she received the School of Health Professions' Junior Faculty Excellence Award. Her research includes rehabilitation outcomes impacting the adults and older adults with and without neurological deficits on posture and ambulation. She supervises patient care weekly at the UTMB St.Vincent’s pro-bono clinic. Additionally, Dr. Ellis serves as both the student recruitment committee chair and a student admissions’ committee member for all Physical Therapy programs at UTMB. Outside of UTMB, Dr. Ellis performs committee tasks for the American Physical Therapy Association and has received recognition for her work.