James K. Buskirk, PT, DPT, PhD, AASPT (SCS), MS Ed, AIB-CON, MTC

Dr. Buskirk serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy in the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program. He teaches in multiple courses, including Physiology, Orthopedic Clinical Medicine, Cardiovascular and Pulmonary PT, Pharmacology content for various courses, and the Clinical Skills course series.  Dr. Buskirk also teaches in the William Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine. He is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Sports Physical Therapy by the APTA, a Certified Vestibular Specialist, a Certified Concussion Specialist, a Certified Manual PT, and an Exercise Physiologist. Therefore, sports training and injuries management are major content areas in his teaching. His current research emphasis is on physical therapy management of athletic injuries (mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI)/SRC), development of novel technologies for measurement of vestibular dysfunction, and cognitive measures of Executive Function (EF). Dr. Buskirk serves as Director of the PT Faculty Clinical Practice at the RFU Health Clinic, and serves as Faculty mentor and supervisor for the University’s Interdisciplinary Community Clinic (ICC), a pro-bono Clinic serving the health needs for underserved multicultural local communities.

Research Interests

• Sports injuries management, emphasis on mTBI/SRC
• Measurement and management of Vestibular and balance dysfunctions
• Novel technologies development for cognitive measures of SRC, emphasizing EF

Publications and Presentations

• Mallampalli, M.P., Rizk, H.G., Kheradmand, A., Beh, S.C., Abouzari, M., Bassett, A., Buskirk, J., Ceriani, C.E., Crowson, M.G., Djalilian, H., Ginoza, L., Goebel, J.A., Kuhn, J.J., Luebke, A.E., Mandala, M., Nowaczewska, M., Spare, N., Teggi, R., Versino, M., Yuan, H., Zaleski-King, A., Telxido, M., Godley, F. (2021) Care Gaps and Recommendations in Vestibular Migraine: An Expert Panel Summit. Front Neurol, 12:812678.
• Buskirk, J.K. (2021) Validation of a Head Mounted Display Augmented Reality Device with Inertial Measurement Unit for Anywhere Administration for Executive Function Testing. International Council for Motorsports Safety (ICMS) 2021. Indianapolis, IN
• Buskirk, J. K. (2019) mTBI/Concussion: Assessment and Rehabilitation Strategy and Program Optimization in Neurosensory Disorders in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. Chapter 24, 405-415.
• Buskirk, JK, Kiderman, A, Balaban, C, Rossi, R, Olvey, S, Hoffer, ME. Comparative Analysis of Oculomotor, Vestibular, and Reaction Time Testing between Motorsports (Professional and Amateur) and Non-Motorsports (University multi-sports) athletes at baseline and after acute mTBI event. NeuroTrauma 2018. Toronto, CA; 2018.

• Hoffer, M. E., Balaban, C., Szczupak, M., Buskirk, J., Snapp, H., Crawford, J., Wise, S., Murphy, S., Marshall, K., Pelusso, C., Knowles, S., Kiderman, A. (2017) The use of oculomotor, vestibular, and reaction time tests to assess mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) over time. Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol, 2(4): 157-165.

Education

• PhD in Exercise Sciences
  University of Miami
  School of Education and Human Development
  Department of Exercise Physiology
  Coral Gables, FL
• DPT Degree
  NOVA Southeastern University
  Programs in Physical Therapy
  Ft. Lauderdale, FL
• M.S. Ed. Degree in Exercise Science/Exercise Physiology
  University of Miami
  School of Education and Human Development
  Department of Exercise Physiology
  Coral Gables, FL
• B.S. Degree Program
  Northwestern University Medical School
  Programs in Physical Therapy
  Chicago, IL
• B.S. Degree in Physical Therapy
  University of Health Sciences/The Chicago Medical School
  Programs in Physical Therapy
  North Chicago, IL
• B.S. Degree in Physical Education
  Wheaton College
  Wheaton, IL

Certifications

• American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) Certified Sports Clinical Specialist
• Certified by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) as an Exercise Physiologist
• Certified by the American institute of Balance (AIB) as a Concussion Specialist (AIB-CON)
• Certified by the American Institute of Balance (AIB) as a Vestibular Specialist (AIB-VR)
• Certified by the NOVA Southeastern University as a Manual Physical Therapist (MTC)

Honors and Awards

• Clinical Education Award
  School of Related Health Sciences
  University of Health Sciences/The Chicago Medical School
  1983

Professional Society Memberships

• APTA - American Physical Therapy Association
  • Orthopedic/Sports Medicine Section
  • Neurology Section
  • Private Practice Section
  • Vestibular Special Interest Group (SIG)
  • Academy of Physical Therapy Education-Academic Faculty SIG
  • Illinois Chapter
  • Florida Chapter
  • California Chapter
• AASPT - American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy
  • College & Professional Sports SIG
  • Sports Concussion SIG
  • Sports Performance SIG
• VEDA- Vestibular Disorders Association
• ACSM - American College of Sports Medicine
• ACAPT - American Council of Academic Physical Therapy
• ICMS - International Council of Motorsports Safety
• AMA (American Medical Association) Medical & Safety Commission
• AMD - Association of Migraine Disorders
  • Specialty Representative Advisory Board