Laura Z Gras, PT, DPT, DSc, MS has a Doctor of Science degree from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in Geriatrics, a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, a master's in health services administration, a Gerontology Certificate, and a Board-Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist Emeritus. She teaches in the neuromuscular track. Her area of research is in geriatrics and interprofessional education. She is a reviewer for the Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy, secretary for the Interprofessional Education and Practice SIG, and a nominating committee member for the Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy. She is on the Movement Systems Task Force for the Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy. She is a 2022-2023 fellow of the American Physical Therapy Association Fellowship in Higher Education Leadership.
Scholarly Activity (past 5 years):
Publications:
Leach SJ, Larkin M, Gras LZ, Quiben M, Miller KL, Lusardi MM, Hartley GW. A Movement Framework for Older Adults: Application of the Geriatric 5Ms. J Ger Phys Ther. 2025 doi: 10.1519/JPT.0000000000000473.
Quiben M, Lusardi M, Larkin M, Leach SJ, Miller KL, Gras LZ, Hartley GW. Integrating the Geriatric 5Ms: Enhancing Physical Therapy Care of Older Adults. J Ger Phys Ther. 2025 doi: 10.1519/JPT.0000000000000472
Denney L, Eliasziw M, Mayer J, Gras L, Pohl P. Walking Speed Questionnaire used to estimate gait speed in older adults: comparison with testing protocols and diagnostic accuracy. Physiother Theory Pract. 2024; 40(6):1133-1139. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2022.2137865
Lusardi M, Hartley G, Leach S, Gras L, Larkin M, Miller K, Quiben M. Perspective: The case for developing a movement system framework for older adults. Phys Ther. 2023;102(10). https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzad079.
Mayer JE, Valdez Taves J, Fishel SC, Rogalski Y, Elich Monroe, J, Gras LZ. Interprofessional education through a monthly stroke support group. J Allied Health. 2023;52(1):9-15.
Gras L. Physical therapy for the older adult. In: Pagliarulo MA, ed. Introduction to Physical Therapy. 6th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Inc, 2021.
Strelec J, Akeju, O, Gras L. Rehabilitation progression using training prostheses after bilateral AKA: A case report. J of Prosth & Orth. 2021; 33(3):234-240.
Pohl P, Gras L, Bosch P, Ganley K, Mayer J. Dual task Timed Up-and-Go in older adults with and without balance deficits. J of Phys & Occup Ther in Geri. 2019; 37(4):247-259.
Gras L, Brown S, Durnford S, Fishel S, Elich Monroe J, Plumeau K, Valdez Tavez J. The impact of a one-time interprofessional education event for rehabilitation after stroke for students in the health professions. J Allied Health. 2019; 48(3): 167-171.
Presentations:
Larkin M, Gras L, Hartley G, Miller K, Quiben M, Lusardi M, Leach S. Adoption of the Geriatric 5Ms and the Movement Framework for Older Adults. APTA New York. Albany, NY, June, 2025 (poster).
Lowe L, McCormack Tutt, Babin C, Quiben M, Beran-Shepler K, Gras L, Wellmon R, Thomas S. Pitch Your Best Idea: Creating Collaborative Solutions to Today’s Healthcare Challenges through a Simulated Experience. Collaborating Across Borders. Omaha, NE, May 2025 (workshop).
Miller KL, Quiben M, Hartley GW, Lusardi MM, Larkin M, Leach SJ, Gras LZ. Integrating the Geriatric 5Ms into Geriatric Physiotherapy (abstract). ePoster presented at World Physiotherapy Congress 2025; May 29-31, 2025; Tokyo, Japan. Abstract 616.
Thomas S, Quiben M, Beran-Shepler K, Gras L, Babin C. IPE Bootcamp: Learning Together to Practice Together. Combined Sections Meeting, Houston, TX, February 2025 (2-hour session).
Bradshaw M, Gras L, Rolling Towards Teamwork: Exploring the Influence of Project Wheelchair User on Occupational and Physical Therapy Student Perspectives. INSPIRE April 2025 (platform presentation).
Hartley G, Miller K, Quiben M, Larkin M, Lusardi M, Gras L, Leach S. Integrating Observational Movement Analysis and the Geriatric 5Ms into Geriatric Physical Therapy. Geriatric Society of America, Seattle, WA, November 2024 (poster)
Hartley GW, Miller KL, Quiben M, Larkin MJ, Lusardi MM, Gras LZ, Leach SJ. The Geriatric 5Ms and Physical Therapy: A Movement-Based Framework. 2024 Florida Physical Therapy Association Annual Conference; Orlando, FL, September 2024 (poster presentation).
Leach SL, Miller KL, Quiben M, Larkin MJ, Lusardi MM, Gras LZ, Hartley G. The Geriatric 5Ms a Movement System Framework for Older Adults. 2024 APTA New Mexico Fall Conference; Albuquerque, NM, September 2024 (poster presentation)
Miller K, Lusardi M, Quiben M, Leach S, Larkin M, Hartley G, Gras, L. An Integrated Movement System Model for Older Adults. APTA South Carolina 2024 Annual Conference, Columbia, SC, March 2024 (platform presentation).
Quiben M, Leach S, Larkin M, Hartley G, Miller K, Gras, L, Lusardi M. The 5Ms of Geriatrics: The Missing Link in Movement System Framework. Combined Sections Meeting, Boston, MA, February 2024 (2-hour session)
Gras L, Beran-Shepler K, Babin C, Thomas S, Wellmon R, Tutt SM, Rone-Adams S, Prouty D, Hochman L, W SM, Barreca J. Innovations in IPE: How to Create and Sustain Meaningful Learning Activities and Stakeholders. Educational Leadership Conference, Philadelphia, PA, October 2023 (90-minute session).
Gras L, Quiben M, Leach S, Larkin M, Hartley G, Miller K, Lusardi M. The 5Ms of Geriatrics: The Missing Link in Movement System Framework. Combined Sections Meeting, San Diego, CA, February 2023 (poster presentation).
Gras L, Bradshaw M. Project Wheelchair User: Occupational and Physical Therapy Collaboration; Heartland Interprofessional Education Conference, July 2022 (poster presentation).
Gras L, Belyea B. New Faculty Mentoring Program. Combined Sections Meeting. San Antonio, TX, February 2022 (poster presentation).
Beran-Shepler K, Gras L, Nordon-Craft A, Wellmon R. A Systematic Approach to Using IPE for Scholarly Activities and Promoting Student Learning. Educational Leadership Conference, October 2021 (platform presentation).