Michelle (Missy) Criss, PT, DPT, Ph.D., Board-Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist

Photo of Michelle Criss
Associate Professor
412-365-1574
Eastside - 236

Joined Chatham: 2012

ACADEMIC AREAS OF INTEREST

Intergenerational living arrangement (including ageism, student attitudes about aging, older adult resident quality of life), the use of tests and measures with older adults including work with APTA Geriatrics GeriEDGE document group, and wellness/physical activity

PERSONAL AREAS OF INTEREST

Dance, gardening (especially if the weeds pick themselves), kayaking and finding time to actually do it, good food, good friends, and most importantly finding ways to enjoy my family!

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Criss has been practicing in the area of geriatric physical therapy for 28 years mostly in skilled nursing facilities, but also in inpatient rehabilitation, adult day programming, and home health. She joined the core faculty in 2012 as a part-time instructor after serving as adjunct and in 2015 joined as full time faculty. Dr. Criss currently serves the Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy on several committees and task forces. Dr. Criss is proud to have developed the ABPTRFE-accredited UPMC Rehabilitation Institute Geriatric Physical Therapy Residency program in which she continues to serve as a faculty member.

EDUCATION
  • Ph.D., Nova Southeastern University (Ft. Lauderdale, FL), 2020
  • Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, PA), 2010
  • Master of Science, Physical Therapy, Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond, VA), 1995
  • Bachelor of Arts, Biology and Psychology, University of Virginia (Charlottesville, VA), 1992
ORGANIZATIONS
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
 CERTIFICATIONS 
  • Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist, American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties
  • Credentialed Clinical Instructor, American Physical Therapy Association
 AWARDS
  • Excellence in Geriatric Research Award for the paper “Determining Risk of Falls in Community Dwelling Older Adults”, Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy (co-author, award presented to first author), 2018
  • Chatham University Faculty Technology Fellow, 2017-2018
  • Clinician-Educator Award, Chatham University Physical Therapy Program, 2011
  • Award of Excellence, Geriatric Special Interest Group, Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Association, 2009
  • President's Award, Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy, American Physical Therapy Association, 2009
ACHIEVEMENTS
  • APTA Geriatrics Exploratory Task Force on Annual Mobility Screen, 2023
  • Chair, Residency and Fellowship Special Interest Group, elected position, 2023-present
  • Criss M, Jameson S, Williamson A, Strong G. APTA Pennsylvania ADAPT scholarship is a one-time monetary award to a PT or PTA education program to support development programs that aim to increase recruitment and enrollment of students from under-represented racial and ethnic minority groups. Awarded $9885, 2022
  • Criss M and Stepansky K. Chatham University Research and Sabbatical Committee, $1160 for a one year period, 2022.
  • Criss M, Stepansky K. Summer undergraduate research DEAL grant funded project through Chatham University, 2020, 2021
  • APTA Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy Task Force on Best Practice, 2020-2021
  • AGPT GeriEDGE (Evidence Database to Guide Effectiveness), member, 2014-2021, co-chair 2021-present
  • Criss M. Chatham University Research and Sabbatical Committee, $1463 for a one year period, 2018.
  • Chair: Regional Course Committee, Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy, American Physical Therapy Association, 2002-2009
  • Nominating Committee: Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy, American Physical Therapy Association, 2011-2014 (chair, 2013-2014)
  • Faculty: Geriatric Physical Therapy Residency Program, UPMC Rehabilitation Institute, 2011-present
  • Director and Creator: Geriatric Physical Therapy Residency Program, UPMC Centers for Rehab Services, Pittsburgh, PA, 2011-2015
  • Item Writer: Geriatric Specialization Academy of Content Experts, American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties, 2010-2013
  • Delegate: American Physical Therapy Association House of Delegates, 2009-2012
  • APTA Geriatrics Program Committee, member, 1998 - present
SELECTED PRESENTATIONS
  • Stepansky K, CRISS M, & Dick A. Combatting ageism in graduate health science students: Community collaborative innovation with a multigenerational housing option. Poster session accepted for American Occupational Therapy Association’s Education Summit, St. Louis, MO, October 22, 2021
  • Criss MG, Canbek J, Chui KK, Gallichio J. Does a novel measure of total walking speed range predict function, disability, and life space? Platform Presentation, APTA Combined Sections Meeting, virtual format, February 2021
  • CRISS M. “Implicit Learning and Useful Communication Strategies: Working with Persons Living with Dementia.” Educational Offering for Clinical Instructors of Penn State Fayette PTA Program. May 10, 2018
  • CRISS M. “Using Apps to Practice Observation Skills.” Pittsburgh Regional Faculty Symposium, Pittsburgh, PA. March 2018
  • CRISS M. “Help! How do I use evidence to treat persons living with dementia? The basics of implicit learning and useful communication strategies” PPTA Geriatric SIG presentation at PPTA Annual Conference, Seven Springs, PA. October 2017
  • White L, Dawson N, Ross B, Stanley M, Knott G, CRISS M, Miles J, Steffes L, Ross C. “Working with Cognitive/Mental Health Issues Across the Care Continuum.” 2-Day Pre-Conference Education Program, APTA Combined Sections Meeting (San Antonio, TX), February 2017.
  • CRISS M & Heitzman J. “Ethics, Decision-Making Ability, and Interventions for Patients with Alzheimer Disease. AGPT Education Session, American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting (Anaheim, CA), February 2016
  • CRISS M, Grieve S, Cook J. "Teaching with Multimedia: Applying Evidence to Enhance Learning." Education Session, American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting (Anaheim, CA), February 2016
  • Lusardi M, Fritz S, Allison L, Wingood M, CRISS M, Middleton A, Phillips E. “GeriEDGE Fall Risk Assessment and Outcome Measures.” Education Session, APTA Combined Sections Meeting (Indianapolis, IN), February, 2015
  • CRISS M and Schwartz S. “Falls and rehabilitation after hip fracture.” Invited presentation. Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Association Southwest District Mini-Combined Sections Meeting, March 2013.
  • Strunk E and CRISS M. “Are you a frustrated SNF therapist? What you can do to influence change.” American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, San Diego, January 2013.