Heather Jo Wilde Braden PT, MPT, PhD, GCS

Dr. Braden joined ASU’s Physical Therapy Department in 2010 and teaches lectures and laboratories in the DPT curriculum including Physical Therapist Examination, Acute Care Management, Systems Review, Education and Communication for the Physical Therapist, Evidence-Based Research, and Essentials of Rehabilitation Practice. Dr. Braden’s prior teaching experience at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio included Clinical Foundations I and II, Professional Issues and Clinical Decision Making, Movement Science II/Motor Control and Motor Learning, Pharmacology, Orthotics/Prosthetics, Management of the Patient with Cardiopulmonary Dysfunction, and Principles of Administration in Physical Therapy. Dr. Braden also team taught in Management of the Patient with Neuromuscular Dysfunction and directed student projects in Systematic Reasoning & Scientific Investigation II.

Dr. Braden is board certified as a Geriatric Clinical Specialist (GCS) by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. Dr. Braden earned her Ph.D. from Texas A&M University, Masters of Physical Therapy from Texas Tech University Health Science Center, and Bachelor of Science from Angelo State University.

Dr. Braden has practiced as a licensed physical therapist for over a decade. Most recently, she served as Senior Director of Rehabilitation responsible for an interdisciplinary team of therapists in skilled nursing facilities, home health, and outpatient settings. Dr. Braden has worked in acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing, outpatient, home health, school systems, early childhood intervention (ECI), wound care, aquatics, and work injury settings. Dr. Braden has initiated wellness programs for patients with cancer and life enrichment programs for residents in long-term care settings.