Karen Robertson
Avon,USA
Summary
A dedicated physical therapist with a profound love for the profession, known for excellent rapport with individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Demonstrates exceptional clinical decision-making skills in complex situations and has extensive experience treating a wide range of conditions, including vascular anomalies, lymphedema, burn injury, TMJ dysfunction, neurological impairments, multi-trauma, and amputations. A lifelong learner, committed to continuous education, holding recent certifications in lymphedema management and burn therapy while currently enrolled in transitional DPT program. Strong commitment to excellence in patient care with focus on regularly providing guidance, education and encouragement to younger therapists and physical therapy students. Experienced educator and mentor, having taught at local physical therapy programs and served as a clinical instructor for numerous students. Created the outpatient burn therapy program at Riley, which received high distinction from the American Burn Association verification committee in 2025. Actively involved in advancing physical therapy practice through research and academic writing.
Overview
1
1
Certification
5
5
years of post-secondary education
33
33
years of professional experience
Work history
Volunteer Physical Therapist
Hope Healthcare
Avon, Hendricks
2023.09 - Current
- Conduct detailed patient assessments and formulate efficient courses of treatment in the setting of patients with limited resources.
- Assessment and treatment of a wide range of adult musculoskeletal conditions resulting in improved quality of life for clients without health insurance.
- Achieve optimal patient recovery by implementing personalized physical therapy programs with high level focus on patient education.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge on physical therapy practices through continuous professional development activities.
- Initiate preventative measures, mitigating future physical health issues in patients with focus on education and self-management techniques.
- Educate patients on post-treatment care and reducing risk of injury recurrence.
- Promote wellness and prevention by advising clients on good posture habits and stretching exercises.
Outpatient Physical Therapist-Clinical Specialist
Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health
Indianapolis, IN
2011.11 - Current
- Managed complex caseloads while ensuring high-quality care is consistently provided.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge on physical therapy practices through continuous professional development activities.
- Work in multi-disciplinary clinics including: Burn, Limb Difference, Vascular Anomalies, and TMJ/JIA to deliver outstanding and comprehensive patient care.
- Support entry level physical and occupational therapists through competency training and one-on-one mentoring.
- Coordinate with external physical therapy providers to assure continuity of care and optimal interventions for complex patients from specialty clinics that live throughout the state of Indiana.
Inpatient and Outpatient Physical Therapist
Wishard Memorial Hospital/Eskenazi Hospital
Indianapolis, IN
1996.10 - 2023.10
- Staff Physical Therapist completing acute and outpatient wound care, October 1996-April 1997
- Burn Therapist (clinical specialist position) mobilizing burn patients from ICU through outpatient care, completing advanced wound care interventions, scar interventions, modalities, and participating in burn research.
- 2005-2023 PRN Physical therapist treating patients in Sub-Acute Rehab, Acute Rehab, Emergency Department, general outpatient centers, inpatient care, and inpatient and outpatient wound care.
- Fostered a supportive environment, promoting patient comfort and satisfaction.
- Assessed and treated a wide range of musculoskeletal, neurological, and integumentary conditions resulting in improved quality of life for clients.
- Collaborated with other health care professionals to evaluate complex cases and address innovative treatments.
Volunteer Physical Therapist
Mercy Ships
Leo'n, Nicaragua
1997.04 - 1997.05
- Implemented innovative therapeutic interventions that led to improved treatment outcomes while working with amputees in Nicaragua.
- Worked with prosthetists in a small self-contained prosthetic lab to fabricate, fit and complete gait training with patients with new prosthetic limbs.
- Presented education sessions to Nicaraguan Physical Therapists on wear and care of prosthetics and progression of gait and mobility with prosthetic limbs.
- Provided health education on hygiene, disease prevention and developmental milestones to rural community groups.
- Assisted national therapists in the local hospital with inpatient caseloads including adult and pediatric patients with burn injuries.
Staff Inpatient Physical Therapist
Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana
Indianapolis, IN
1995.06 - 1996.09
- Staff Physical Therapist on the Stroke and Sub-Acute Rehab Teams
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge on physical therapy practices through continuous professional development activities.
- Coordinated rehabilitation sessions to help patients regain functional independence.
- Demonstrated excellent handling skills during hands-on therapy applications.
- Collaborated effectively with multidisciplinary teams to ensure cohesive patient care.
- Observed patient recovery progress and modified treatment to address identified concerns.
- Facilitated aquatic therapy and inpatient neurorehabilitation services.
- Treated patients with complex neurological and medical conditions including organ transplantation, muscle and bone flaps, and traumatic amputations offering comprehensive care to meet the patient's specific needs to return home.
- Delivered one-to-one and group exercise sessions to service users.
- Prepared comprehensive interventions and discharge plans.
Physical Therapy Student Position
Wishard Memorial Hospital
Indianapolis, IN
1993.06 - 1995.01
- Maintained a clean and orderly work environment to optimize therapist efficiency.
- In acute care, transferred patients to wheelchairs and transported them to and from therapy gym and wound care center.
- Implemented regulatory requirements for cleaning wound care equipment to assure consistent compliance with infection control and safety practices.
- Assisted therapists with clean and sterile field set up and patient assistance during wound care interventions.
Education
Doctor of Physical Therapy - Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
University of Montana
Missoula, MT 2025.01 -
Bachelor of Science Degree - Physical Therapy
Indiana University Physical Therapy Program
Indianapolis, IN 1993.01 - 1995.01
Bachelor of Science Degree - General Studies with High Distinction
Indiana University
Bloomington/ Indianapolis, IN 1990.08 - 1993.05
Skills
- A love for the profession of Physical Therapy
- Excellent rapport with people of all ages and backgrounds
- Excellent clinical decision-making in complex situations
- Experience in teaching in areas of expertise at local physical therapy programs and presenting continuing education
- Clinical instructor for numerous students and clinical educator/mentor for entry level therapists
- Created outpatient burn therapy program for Riley which has expanded and received high distinction from the American Burn Association verification in 2025
- Extensive experience treating a wide variety of complex conditions including vascular anomalies, lymphedema (certified lymphedema therapist), burn rehabilitation and scar management (certified burn therapist), TMJ dysfunction, limb‑difference, neurological impairments, multi‑trauma (with fractures, flaps and grafts) organ transplant, advanced wound care, and serial casting in both adults and pediatrics
- Active in furthering physical therapy practice through research and academic writing
Certification
- 2024 Certified Burn Therapist-BTC
- 2024 Certified Lymphedema Therapist-CLT
Accomplishments
2 Red Shoes awards for outstanding patient care
Professional Publications
- 2003 The Tibialis Anterior Muscle Flap for Full Thickness Tibial Burns Sood, R, Ranieri, J, Murthy, V, Weber, K. JBCR, Vol. 24, Issue6, November-December 2003, p. 386-391, https://doi.org/10.1097/01.BCR.0000095511.20154.94
- 2006 Achauer and Sood's Burn Surgery: Reconstruction and Rehabilitation. Authored Chapter 23 “Physical Therapy Principles for the Burned Patient”
- 2020 Compression Garments with Silicone Improve Hypertrophic Scars Compared to Compression Garments Alone: A Retrospective Study. JBCR, Vol 41, Issue Supplement 1, March 2020, Pages S161-162, https://doi.org/10.1093/jbcr/iraa024.256
- 2023 The Why Behind the Release-A 2 Year Review of Pediatric Burn Scar Contracture Releases. JBCR, Vol. 44, Issue Supplement 2, May/June 2023, page S114, https://doi.org/10.1093/jbcr/irad045.159
- 2023 Effectiveness of Compression Garments with Silicone versus Compression Garments Alone on Hypertrophic Scar. JBCR, Vol. 44, Issue Supplement 2, May/June 2023, page S118, https://doi.org/10.1093/jbcr/irad045.166
- 2026 Enhancing Post-Operative Rehabilitation Outcomes after Burn Scar Releases: A Retrospective Analysis. Journal of Burn Care & Research, Volume 47, Issue Supplement_1 March-April 2026, Pages S493–S494, https://doi.org/10.1093/jbcr/irag033.568
Continuing Education
- 1996 Clinical Instructor Workshop
- 1997 Burn Care and Rehabilitation Today Presented by Reg Richard, MS PT and Marlys Staley, MS PT
- 1998 American Burn Association Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL
- 1999 American Burn Association Annual Meeting, Lake Buena Vista, FL
- 2000 American Burn Association Annual Meeting, Las Vegas, NV
- 2001 American Burn Association Annual Meeting, Boston, MA Poster presentation on Cultured Skin and Therapy Interventions. Contributor to presented research
- Management of Axillary Contracture with Acellular Dermis and Autograft to Prevent Recurrence. Contributor to presented research on The Anterior Muscle Flap to Lower Extremity Burn Reconstruction.
- 2002 American Burn Association Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL Presenter in PT/OT SIG—Scar Management
- 2003 American Burn Association Annual Meeting, Miami, FL
- 2004 American Burn Association Annual Meeting, Vancouver, Canada
- 2017 American Burn Association Annual Meeting, Boston, MA
- 2018 American Burn Association Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL Advanced Gait analysis for lower extremity amputees/Amputee Walking School 4 CEU's
- 2019 Lower extremity ankle casting Day 1 &2 12.5 CEU's
- 2022 A Multidisciplinary approach to TMJ Patient Care 7 CEU's
- 2022 Central ACCE Consortium: Addressing Distress in Clinical Education for Optimal Performance 2 CEU's and Enhancing Clinical Reasoning through the Use of the One-Minute Preceptor Model 2 CEUs
- 2022 Evaluation and Treatment of Temporomandibular Disorders and Craniofacial Pain 16 CEU's
- 2023 American Burn Association Annual Meeting, Dallas, TX Poster presentation: The Why Behind the Release Poster presentation: Effectiveness of Compression Garments with Silicone Compression Garments Alone on Hypertrophic Scar
- 2024 Norton School of Lymphatic Therapy Complete Decongestive Therapy Course with CLT certification
- 2024 Burn Rehabilitation of the Upper Extremity-Patty Hinderson 2.75 CEU's
- 2024 Burn Rehabilitation Setting-Sarah Murray 1.75 CEU's
- 2024 The Sensory Side of Pediatric Toe Walking Liesa M. Ritchie, 1 CEU
- 2024 A Distinctive Approach to Pediatric Toe Walking Liesa M. Ritchie, 1 CEU
- 2024 Functional Development of the Pediatric Foot Liesa M. Ritchie, 1 CEU
- 2024 Overview of Orthoses and Alternatives to Improve Gait in Children Lisa Selby-Silverstein, 2 CEU's
- 2024 Physical Therapy Ethical Practice Considerations Aimee E. Perron
- 2024 Jurisprudence for Indiana Physical Therapy Practice Aimee E. Perron
- 2025 American Burn Association Annual Meeting, Phoenix, AZ
- 2026 American Burn Association Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL Poster presentation Enhancing Post-Operative Rehabilitation Outcomes after Burn Scar Releases: A Retrospective Analysis
- 2026 Physical Therapy Ethical Practice Considerations Aimee E Perron 2 CEU's
- 2026 Jurisprudence for Indiana Physical Therapy Practice (2026) Aimee E Perron 1 CEU
Professional Responsibilities
- 1997-current Clinical Instructor
- 1998-2002 Guest Lecturer on Burns and Wounds Indiana University School of Physical Therapy
- Guest Lecturer on Burn Care University of Indianapolis, Physical Therapist Assistant Program
- 1999-Present Guest Lecturer on Burn Care University of Indianapolis, Masters and Doctor of Physical Therapy Programs
- 2001, 2004 Guest Lecturer on Burn Care Indiana University School of Medicine-Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency Program
- 2004-2007 Co-instructor, adjunct professor for Integumentary Practice Patterns (P650) Indiana University DPT Program
- 2018 Presented Course Rehabilitation of the Burn Patient 5.5 CEU's through IU Health Statewide education
Timeline
Doctor of Physical Therapy - Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
University of Montana
2025.01 -
Volunteer Physical Therapist
Hope Healthcare
2023.09 - Current
Outpatient Physical Therapist-Clinical Specialist
Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health
2011.11 - Current
Volunteer Physical Therapist
Mercy Ships
1997.04 - 1997.05
Inpatient and Outpatient Physical Therapist
Wishard Memorial Hospital/Eskenazi Hospital
1996.10 - 2023.10
Staff Inpatient Physical Therapist
Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana
1995.06 - 1996.09
Physical Therapy Student Position
Wishard Memorial Hospital
1993.06 - 1995.01
Bachelor of Science Degree - Physical Therapy
Indiana University Physical Therapy Program
1993.01 - 1995.01
Bachelor of Science Degree - General Studies with High Distinction
Indiana University
1990.08 - 1993.05