She dedicates herself to teaching, assisting faculty and fostering multidisciplinary collaboration with other programs.
VISTA, CA, December 20, 2024 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Rebecca Cheema, EdD, has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Dr. Cheema has established a distinguished career in the fields of education and health care, currently serving as the director of the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program at Pima Medical Institute in San Marcos, California, since 2022. In this role, she dedicates herself to teaching, assisting faculty and fostering multidisciplinary collaboration with other programs, such as the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program and the PT/PTA collaborative lab with University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. She also oversees an advisory board and manages a program with 27 students, emphasizing a student-centered philosophy that prioritizes their success. Her commitment to balancing faculty development with student needs has been recognized for its impact on creating an environment where all students can thrive.
Prior to her current position, Dr. Cheema was the PTA program director at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts in San Mateo, California, from 2019 to 2022. She also held the same title at Pima Medical Institute in Las Vegas, Nevada, from 2013 to 2019. Her earlier roles include serving as the academic coordinator of clinical education for the PTA program at Pima Medical Institute from 2012 to 2013 and working as a PTA concussion rehabilitation specialist at Werner Institute of Balance and Dizziness from 2010 to 2012. Dr. Cheema's extensive experience also includes positions such as director of rehabilitation at Olympic Spine and Sports Therapy and assistant professor at Northern Arizona University.
Dr. Cheema's early career includes various professorship and training roles at numerous organizations, including the California State University, Fresno, Colby Sawyer College, the University of Hawaii, Manoa, and the University of Florida, Gainesville. She also completed a two-year sport psychology internship at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs and was a graduate assistant in the department of kinesiology at the University of Northern Colorado.
Dr. Cheema's academic journey began with an Associate of Arts as a physical therapy assistant from Colby Community College in 1981, followed by a Bachelor of Science in health education and athletic training from Kansas State University in 1984. She furthered her education with a Master of Arts in kinesiology and a Doctor of Education in sport psychology from the University of Northern Colorado, completing her studies in 1987 and 1992, and was selected as the Graduate Dean's Medal Winner in Kinesiology in 1992. Her certifications include being a credentialed clinical instructor through the American Physical Therapy Association and holding licenses as a physical therapist assistant in both California and Nevada.
Throughout her career, Dr. Cheema has been actively involved with diverse professional organizations, including the American Physical Therapy Association, the National Athletic Trainer's Association and the California Physical Therapy Association. Her skill has been recognized with a Teacher of the Month award from Pima Medical Institute in 2023 and a Distinguished Faculty Award from California State University, Fresno, in 2000.
Dr. Cheema has also contributed to academic literature and conferences, sharing her expertise through publications like "Test-retest reliability and responsiveness of gaze stability and dynamic visual acuity in high school and college football players," published in Physical Therapy in Sport. She has further presented on topics ranging from vestibular rehabilitation for concussed athletes to fitness strategies for successful aging at various conferences across the United States.
Dr. Cheema emphasizes giving back and mentoring in and among the faculty. She aims to build a network that encourages constructive feedback, as this aspect of mentorship significantly influenced her life as a graduate student. Even in high school, she benefitted from role models when a school counselor initiated a skills survey, encouraging students to explore their potential with an open mind and to take advantage of mentorship opportunities. Through these experiences, she has enjoyed a rich and fulfilling journey, including a transformative professional and academic exchange in India.
Outside her professional life, Dr. Cheema enjoys spending time with her family and children, cycling, hiking, standup paddle boarding and participating in fundraising activities. She is also active civically, contributing to the Ride for Research Fundraiser and served as a PTA caucus representative for the Nevada Physical Therapy Association. Looking ahead, she envisions transitioning into retirement while continuing to mentor students and contribute to her community through teaching and sharing her knowledge.
About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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