Dennis W. Klima PT, MS, PhD, GCS, NCS

Dennis Klima joined the faculty in the fall of 2002. Prior to his UMES appointment, Dennis served as program director of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at the Baltimore City Community College for thirteen years. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in physical therapy from the Medical College of Virginia and began clinical experience at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institution in Baltimore, Maryland. He completed a Ph.D. in Physical Therapy from Temple University where his dissertation focused on physical performance and fear of falling in older men. He has continued to practice clinically at the University of Maryland Rehabilitation and Orthopedic Institute in Baltimore for the past several years, including working on the stroke and traumatic brain injury units. He currently leads Stepping On fall prevention classes on the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland.

Dr. Klima received his geriatric and neurologic clinical specializations from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. His APTA experience also includes serving as an on-site reviewer for both PT and PTA programs with the Department of Accreditation since 1990. He has presented geriatric and neurologic continuing education courses both nationally and internationally. Areas of research include both the management of adults with TBI and fall prevention in older adults.