Lauren Bennett
Landenberg,PA
Summary
Doctor of Physical Therapy with ten years of experience in acute care, critical care, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, and complex medical case management within large academic health systems. Recognized for strong clinical judgment, interdisciplinary collaboration, evidence-based decision making, and quality improvement leadership. Extensive experience evaluating medically complex patients, determining appropriate levels of post-acute care, coordinating with physicians and case management teams, and applying clinical guidelines to support safe, effective patient outcomes.
Overview
1
1
Certification
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Physical Therapist – Cardiopulmonary & Critical Care
ChristianaCare
08.2018 - Current
- Lead physical therapist for cardiovascular critical care, medical ICU, pulmonary, ventilator weaning, and heart failure populations.
- Additional experience in trauma, surgical, neurological populations
- Perform comprehensive evaluations of medically complex patients and develop individualized treatment recommendations using current clinical evidence.
- Determine appropriate discharge recommendations including home health, outpatient therapy, inpatient rehabilitation, or skilled nursing based on functional status, medical complexity, and safety.
- Collaborate daily with physicians, nurses, case managers, respiratory therapists, and other disciplines to support coordinated patient care.
- Participate in multidisciplinary rounds and contribute clinical recommendations regarding mobility, discharge readiness, and functional progression.
- Mentor and orient new rehabilitation staff while assisting with competency development and clinical education (Critical Care, LVAD, Pendant Oxymizer)
- Educate nursing staff on safe patient mobilization and management of medically complex patients requiring supplemental oxygen.
- Served as lead therapist for critical care and pulmonary step-down units throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Contributed to departmental competency development and standardized clinical protocols.
- Member of the multidisciplinary Heart Failure Task Force focused on reducing hospital readmissions.
- Participated in Lean Six Sigma quality improvement initiatives to improve operational efficiency.
Physical Therapist
Good Shepherd Penn Partners / Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
05.2016 - 08.2018
- Evaluated and treated patients across neurologic critical care, surgical ICU, cardiac intermediate care, and neurology service lines.
- Applied evidence-based clinical reasoning to determine patient readiness for mobility progression and discharge planning.
- Collaborated closely with physicians and nursing teams to optimize patient outcomes.
- Assisted with quality improvement initiatives focused on standardized functional outcome measurement for heart failure patients.
- Developed educational presentations for therapy and nursing staff on heart failure management and patient safety.
- Completed advanced competencies in ICU rehabilitation and LVAD patient management.
Education
Doctor of Physical Therapy -
Drexel University
Bachelor of Science - Exercise Science
University of Delaware
Skills
- Epic
- Cerner PowerChart
- Microsoft Office
- Excel
- Teams
- Zoom
- MedBridge
- Home exercise programs
- Clinical reasoning
Certification
- Licensed Physical Therapist – Delaware
- Additional state licensure available
- APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor
- Certified BLS Instructor
- CPR/AED Certified
- ICU Clinical Competency
- Stroke Competency
- LVAD/Total Artificial Heart Competency
PUBLICATIONS
Co-author, Cancer Research: “Immunity to Murine Prostatic Tumors: Continuous Provision of T-cell Help Prevents CD8 T-cell Tolerance and Activates Tumor-Infiltrating Dendritic Cells.”
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Medical Necessity Determination
- Prior Authorization Support
- Discharge Planning
- Care Coordination
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Evidence-Based Practice
- Quality Improvement
- Clinical Decision Making
- Appeals & Medical Record Review
- Critical Care
- Heart Failure Management
- Patient Safety
LEADERSHIP & EDUCATION
- Clinical Instructor for Doctor of Physical Therapy students since 2016.
- Developed ChristianaCare’s ICU clinical affiliation for physical therapy students.
- Guest Lecturer, Delaware Technical Community College PTA Program.
- Former Teaching Assistant for cardiopulmonary laboratory instruction at Saint Joseph’s University.
QUALITY IMPROVEMENT
- Heart Failure Task Force Member
- Department Competency Development
- Standardization of Functional Outcome Measures
- Staff Education and Clinical Training
- Development of ICU Clinical Education Programs
Timeline
Physical Therapist – Cardiopulmonary & Critical Care
ChristianaCare
08.2018 - Current
Physical Therapist
Good Shepherd Penn Partners / Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
05.2016 - 08.2018
Bachelor of Science - Exercise Science
University of Delaware
Doctor of Physical Therapy -
Drexel University