Physical Therapy Faculty

Dr. Norris holds a BS in Physical Therapy, MS in Exercise Physiology and PhD in Health Sciences/Movement Science. She has 29 years of clinical experience, primarily in the area of outpatient orthopaedics. A significant portion of her clinical practice has included management and leadership responsibilities for individual and multi-site outpatient facilities. Dr. Norris has more than 10 years of university experience in teaching exercise science and physical therapy, and currently teaches Orthopaedic Rehabilitation, Spine Assessment and Intervention, Fundamentals of Therapeutic Exercise, and the Research Sequence I-III. Dr. Norris’ research agenda currently involves the examination of the reliability of measures of gait variability during short and long distance walk tests; the reliability and validity of a smartphone app in the measurement of hip range of motion; the relationship of non-weight and weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion to functional performance ability in young and older adults; the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and physiological effects of hot yoga on novice and experiences practitioners; and the effect of therapeutic exercise to the plantar cutaneous receptors of the feet on balance and cutaneous sensation. Dr. Norris is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association in Orthopaedic, Education, Research and Geriatric sections. Additionally, she is a Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedics since 1997, with recertification in 2006 and 2015.

Dr. Norris holds a 500 hour certification in yoga and is designated an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher 500 hour level through Yoga Alliance.

Curriculum Vitae