Jessica Graning

Biography

Dr. Jessica Graning joined the Department of Physical Therapy in spring 2011 as Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education and assistant professor in pediatrics and professional practice. Prior to this appointment, she worked as a pediatric physical therapist at Mission Children’s Hospital (2003-2011). Dr. Graning now serves as the Director of Clinical Education and assistant professor in pediatrics, with her primary role as DCE, and instructing and supervising students during integrated clinical education (ICE) courses/experiences. She also plays an active role in the Carolina Clinical Education Consortium co-chairing the organization’s Sustainability Council and Clinical Faculty Advisory Board. She also serves on the Mountain Area Probono Health Services (MAPHealth) Advisory Board, supervises students in the MAPHealth clinic and various ICE experiences, and provides consultation for pediatric clients (in collaboration with other faculty members). In addition, she has made several state, national and international presentations with faculty and students in the Department of Physical Therapy.<br><br>Dr. Graning lives in Cullowhee with her husband, Ben, and three boys, Cade, Abram, and Maddox. When not on campus, she can be found at a baseball field, at the lake, or on a hiking trail.<br><br><b>What do you love the most about being a Catamount?</b><br><br>"What I love most about being a Catamount is the importance of relationships. Everyone here knows and cares for everyone else. Our faculty and staff are passionate about the success of our students in the classroom, the clinic, and the community. We truly are one big Catamount family!"

Education

• DPT, Duke University
• BA, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Teaching Interests

PT 827 - Human Growth and Development<br>PT 981 - Clinical Practicum I<br>PT 982 - Clinical Practicum II<br>PT 983 - Clinical Practicum III<br>PT 871 - Integrated Clinical Education I<br>PT 872 - Integrated Clinical Education II<br>PT 873 - Integrated Clinical Education III<br>PT 874 - Integrated Clinical Education IV<br>PT 875 - Integrated Clinical Education V<br>PT 876 - Integrated Clinical Education VI<br>PT 889 - Doctoral Project I & II (co-instructor)

Research Interests

Together with Dr. Watson, in 2019 Dr. Graning launched a community-based participatory research (CBPR) project with the aim of linking knowledge with action and realizing social change to improve health outcomes and eliminate health disparities. Community health advocates and PT students were partnered to create a training curriculum that promotes physical activity with structured exercises, increasing activity in everyday life, and approaches to overcome barriers. This project started during the summer, included an 11-day faculty-led study abroad international service-learning travel course, where students implemented their training programs in three locations in rural Honduras. This was followed up with the creation and electronic delivery of six Spanish language unique short exercise-based health literacy videos for playing in the waiting room at the Taulabe community health center.