Maher Appointed Physical Therapy Department Chair
September 1, 2021Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) has named Ruth M. Maher, PT, PhD, DPT, as the new chair of the Department of Physical Therapy, effective August 16, 2021.
In this role, Dr. Maher is responsible for ensuring that program policies, procedures
and practices are compliant with accreditation policies and procedures. She will ensure
that progress toward the program’s goals is measured and reported as required by PCOM
and the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. She will lead the
faculty and staff in the development of a strategic plan that includes identification
of the mission, vision, goals and strategic initiatives. In addition, Dr. Maher is
responsible for budget planning, resource acquisition and allocation.
Gregory McDonald, DO ‘89, dean of the School of Health Sciences said, “I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Maher for this position. She
has a robust clinical background and has dedicated her career to improving the lives
of her patients.”
He added, “Her clinical and educational experience position her to have an immense
impact on the next generation of doctors of physical therapy. PCOM is very fortunate
to have someone of her caliber leading such an important and vital department.”
Most recently, Dr. Maher served as the interim chair of the department following
the retirement of founding chair Phillip Palmer, PT, PhD.
She said, “As a member of the PCOM family since 2019, I am thrilled to accept this
opportunity to serve as chair of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. I am fortunate
enough to work with a team of professionals who are committed to the mission of PCOM
in educating health professionals to care for the whole person and advance the health
of diverse communities.”
Dr. Maher added, “To accomplish this, we need to focus on the sustainability of the
profession of physical therapy by ensuring our educators, students and graduates reflect
the diversity of the individuals we serve.”
A professor, she has over 14 years of teaching experience and has practiced physical
therapy for more than 17 years in acute care, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation
settings.
Dr. Maher is a board-certified clinical specialist in women’s health from the American
Board of Physical Therapy Specialties and was awarded a second re-certification in
2019.
She has held positions with the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties, women’s
health council and several committees within the Federation of State Boards of Physical
Therapy. She has also owned private practices in Dublin, Ireland, and the United States,
which specialized in women’s health and chronic pain conditions.
In addition to her academic responsibilities, Dr. Maher is a consultant to a biomedical
company in Ireland where she assists with the development and testing of novel wearable technologies using electrical stimulation. She holds a patent for a device she co-developed during
her PhD studies in Ireland, which received FDA approval for the treatment of stress
urinary incontinence.
Dr. Maher earned a PhD from the National University of Ireland, University College,
Dublin, Ireland, in 2013. She earned a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Simmons
University, Boston, Massachusetts, in 2004. Dr. Maher earned a Master of Physical
Therapy degree from Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, in 2002, and a Bachelor
of Science degree from Georgia State University in 1999.
Dr. Maher holds membership in the American Physical Therapy Association, the Academy
of Orthopedic Physical Therapy, the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy, the
Academy of Physical Therapy Education, the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine,
and the International Continence Society.
She has published in many peer-reviewed journals, presented at conferences, and won
numerous awards including the Gold Edison Award with Atlantic Therapeutics in 2020,
the Irish Times Innovation of the Year Award with Atlantic Therapeutics in 2019, and
the Medical Device Award from the Georgia Bio Innovation Summit.
About PCOM Georgia
Established in 2005, PCOM Georgia is a branch campus of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), a private,
not-for-profit, accredited institution of higher education with a storied 125-year
history dedicated to the healthcare professions. Located in Suwanee (Gwinnett County),
PCOM Georgia offers doctoral degrees in osteopathic medicine, pharmacy and physical
therapy. Graduate degrees are offered in biomedical sciences, medical laboratory science
and physician assistant studies. The campus joins PCOM South Georgia in Moultrie in
helping to meet the healthcare needs of the state. Emphasizing "a whole person" approach
to care, PCOM Georgia focuses on educational excellence, interprofessional education
and service to the community. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 678-225-7500. The campus is also home to the Georgia Osteopathic Care Center,
an osteopathic manipulative medicine clinic, which is open to the public by appointment.
For more information, visit pcomgeorgiahealth.org.
Contact Us
Jamesia Harrison, MS
Assistant Director, News and Media Relations
Email: jamesiaha@pcom.edu
Office: 678-225-7532 | Cell: 470-572-7558
Connect with PCOM Georgia