Preeti Oza
Preeti Deshpande Oza, PT, PhD, NCS earned a bachelor of science in physiotherapy and a master of science in physiotherapy from University of Mumbai. She earned a doctor of philosophy in physical therapy and rehabilitation science from The University of Iowa in 2007. She completed a clinical residency in neurologic physical therapy at Kaiser Permanente in Redwood City, California in 2013. Before coming to Pacific, Dr. Oza taught neurological physical therapy and coordinated the doctor of physical therapy program at California State University, Fresno. Dr. Oza joined the Pacific faculty in 2013.
Dr. Oza's area of expertise is neuromuscular physical therapy. She hopes that upon completing her courses students will have a better understanding of the cognitive, emotional and physical challenges faced by individuals with neurological disorders. Dr. Oza has earned both a Neurologic Physical Therapy Specialization Certificate from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties and a Credentialed Clinical Instructor Certification from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Dr. Oza is a member of the APTA and the All India Association of Physiotherapists.
What Dr. Oza loves about teaching at Pacific is that it is a never-ending journey of personal and professional development. She also appreciates the opportunity to meet inspiring people, have fun in the classroom and share her clinical experiences with her future colleagues. One of her on-going goals is to offer students opportunities to participate in clinical research. She believes that through research students can contribute to the scientific knowledge of the physical therapy profession, as well as develop an attitude of discovery and life-long learning. Dr. Oza finds inspiration in new ideas, especially when working collaboratively. She is grateful for all of her teachers, each of whom has made an impact on her career.
Dr. Oza is actively involved in her community. She volunteers at a wellness clinic and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute in Stockton. She is also involved with Parkinson's support groups in Stockton, Lodi and Pleasanton. In addition, Dr. Oza works with children's programs organized by the Livermore Public Library.
BSc in Physiotherapy, University of Mumbai, 1995
MSc in Physiotherapy, University of Mumbai, 1998
PhD in Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, The University of Iowa, 2007
Clinical Residency in Neurologic Physical Therapy, Kaiser Permanente, Redwood City, 2013
“I consider teaching an act of service that includes clear communication of knowledge and the transformation and extension of that knowledge. I view myself as a facilitator of learning rather than an instructor of a course. I believe that each of my students has the talent and passion for the physical therapy profession. All my students have what it takes to be successful physical therapists, even though they themselves may not be aware of it. At this early stage of their career preparation, they are focused on information gathering (the primary purpose of the didactic component of the curriculum) and safely applying the knowledge to patient care (the primary purpose of the clinical component of the curriculum). As they advance in their careers, they will master the skill of making wise, intuitive decisions. As a teacher, I contribute to their journey in the information gathering and early application stage, all the while building their trust and confidence in their skills and knowledge. I want my students to develop a sense of inquisitiveness and curiosity which will help them not only identify the patient needs and provide the best treatment in the clinic, but will make them life-long learners. I try to accomplish this by modeling the behavior of a curious clinician and bringing information from current research and clinical practice.”
“The focus of my current clinical research project is to assess mobility and balance before and after a group exercise program for individuals with Parkinson’s disease.”
Research Interests:
- Fall Prevention and Exercises to Improve Mobility for Individuals with Parkinson's Disease
- Enhancing Student Information Literacy and Evidence Based Practice
- Inter-Professional Education
- Therapeutic Volunteering for Individuals with Brain Injury
- EMG of Shoulder Muscles (collaborative work with Engineering)
Presentations:
Preeti Oza, Nupur Oza and Smita Rao: Effects of multimodal therapy involving spinal mobilization and core muscle activation to improve functional outcomes and decrease musculoskeletal pain. CPTA Annual Conference 2018, Santa Clara, CA (September 2018)
Preeti Oza and Rachel Stark: Therapeutic Volunteering to Improve Participation and Physical Activity for Survivors of Brain Injury: A Community-based Initiative. APTA Combined Sections Meeting 2018, New Orleans, LA (February 2018); Podium presentation
Preeti Oza and Jessica Tom: Functional Improvements in a Patient with Spinocerebellar Ataxia after a Year-long phased Treatment Program. CPTA Annual Conference 2016, Santa Clara, CA (October 2016)
Preeti Oza and Kathryn Nesbit: Attitudes of Physical Therapy Students towards Interprofessional Education. APTA Combined Sections Meeting 2016, Anaheim, CA (February 2016)
Preeti Oza and Rachel Stark: Enhancing Information Literacy Skills of Doctor of Physical Therapy Students: Collaborative Project with Health Science Library. APTA Combined Sections Meeting 2015, Indianapolis, IN (February 2015)
Publications:
Oza PD, Dudley-Javoroski S, Shields RK (2019) Sustained submaximal contraction yields selective modulation of soleus muscle presynaptic inhibition. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports Mar 20. PMID: 30892718
Oza PD, Nesbit C (2018) Is Prior Inter-Professional Experience Associated with Attitudes of Graduate Healthcare Students Toward Inter-Professional Education? Journal of Research in Interprofessional Practice and Education.vol. 2018 (https://doi.org/10.22230/jripe.2018v8n1a278)
Oza PD, Dudley-Javoroski S, Shields RK (2017) Modulation of H-reflex depression with paired-pulse stimulation in healthy active humans. Rehabilitation Research and Practice, 1-6. PMID: 29225972
Oza PD, Dudley-Javoroski S, Shields RK (2017) Dynamic fatigue does not alter Soleus H-reflexes conditioned by homonymous or heteronymous pathways. Motor Control, 21(3), 345-358. PMID: 27736308.
Miramonti AA, Jenkins ND, Oza PD, Weir JP, Cramer JT (2016) Mechanomyographic responses during recruitment curves in the Soleus muscle. Muscle Nerve. Oct 8. PMID: 27718510
Shields RK, Dudley-Javoroski S, Oza PD (2011) Low-Frequency H-Reflex Depression in Trained Human Soleus after Spinal Cord Injury Neuroscience Letters, 499(2), 88-92. PMID: 21640787.
Deshpande (Oza) PJ Shields RK. (2004) Soleus motor neuron excitability before and after standing. Electromyography & Clinical Neurophysiology. Jul-Aug 44(5):259-64 PMID: 15378863
