Dr. Kay Tasso, PT, PhD, is a seasoned physical therapist, educator, and academic leader with more than four decades of experience spanning clinical practice, higher education, curriculum development, and doctoral-level teaching. She currently serves as Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Spalding University in Louisville, Kentucky, a role she has held since 2020. Prior to joining Spalding, she was a Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Allen College in Waterloo, Iowa. Throughout her academic career, Dr. Tasso has demonstrated a strong commitment to preparing future physical therapists through innovative instruction, mentorship, and evidence-based educational practices. Her extensive teaching experience includes faculty appointments in both traditional and hybrid doctoral programs, as well as adjunct positions with the University of St. Augustine and Nova Southeastern University, where she taught and mentored doctoral students across a variety of physical therapy disciplines. Dr. Tasso earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum Leadership from the University of Florida, where her dissertation, Attributes of Patient-Physician Relationship in a Teaching Hospital: An Emergent Model, reflected her longstanding interest in professional relationships, communication, and patient-centered care. She also holds a Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in Curriculum and Instruction from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy, earned cum laude, from Old Dominion University.

 In addition to her distinguished academic career, Dr. Tasso has maintained an active clinical presence, particularly in pediatric physical therapy. From 2010 through 2019, she provided pediatric physical therapy services in the Jacksonville, Florida area through Coastal Therapy and Sensational Kids Therapy, working closely with children and families to improve functional outcomes and quality of life. Her ability to bridge clinical practice and education has enabled her to bring real-world experience into the classroom while fostering critical thinking, professional competence, and compassionate care among physical therapy students. Recognized for her dedication to teaching and lifelong learning, Dr. Tasso has built a career that integrates scholarship, clinical excellence, and leadership in physical therapy education. Her broad experience across academic institutions, combined with her background in curriculum design and pediatric practice, has positioned her as a respected educator and mentor who continues to shape the next generation of physical therapists through teaching, service, and professional engagement.