the HEAL team in the Hemenway Life Sciences Building at KU Medical Center (from left): Dr. Kluding, Dr. Rucker, and Jeff Hoover (study coordinator), along with Ph.D. students Shaima Alothman, Mohammed Alshehri, and Aqeel Alenazi.

We're studying the effect of activity and sedentary behavior interventions in people with neurologic conditions such as diabetic neuropathy and stroke.

HEAL is housed in the Hemenway Life Science Innovation Center on the Kansas City campus of the University of Kansas Medical Center. The lab encompasses approximately 4,000 square feet. Within the three labs, students and faculty can assess body composition, muscle strength and endurance, and aerobic fitness.

The space includes a large waiting area, reception desk, faculty and research associate offices, conference room and a large exercise intervention room furnished with LifeFitness aerobic equipment and a resistance training circuit.

HEAL Team

Lab director

Patricia M. Kluding, PT, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair

Lab co-director

Jason Rucker, PT, Ph.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor

Graduates of HEAL

Sandra Billinger, PT, Ph.D. (2008) Professor, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas

Benjamin Tseng, Ph.D. (2009) Associate Professor, Department of Health and Kinesiology, University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, Texas

Stephen Jernigan, PT, PhD (2011) Director, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, and Associate Professor,
Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas

Dave Burnett, PhD (2013) Associate Dean for Faculty Practice and Community Partnerships
KU School of Health Professions, Chair and Assistant Professor, Department of Respiratory Care and Diagnostic Science, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas

Ali Bani-Ahmed, PhD (2013) Assistant Professor, College of Applied Medial Sciences, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia

Rupali Singh, PhD (2013) Associate Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Sciences, The Sage Colleges, Troy, New York

Jason Rucker, PT, PhD (2014) Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas

Linda D'Silva PT, PhD (2016) Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas

Shaima Alothman PhD (2018) Associate Researcher, Lifestyle and Health Research Center, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Aqeel Alenazi PhD (2019) Assistant Professor, Department of Health Rehabilitation Sciences and Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia

Mohammed Alshehri PhD (2020) Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan Univesity, Jazan, Saudi Arabia

Current and Recent Projects

Activity for Diabetic Polyneuropathy: The ADAPT study

Patricia M. Kluding, PT, Ph.D., KUMC principal investigator

Can Exercise and Diet Improve Nerves in the Legs of People with Diabetes?
This study looks at the change in nerve fibers in the skin of people in a typical diet and exercise counseling program compared to those in a more intense diet and exercise program. Learn more

Pioneers: Community Research Recruitment Registry

Patricia M. Kluding, PT, Ph.D., principal investigator