Department of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science

Professional Background
Jason Rucker, PT, has practiced physical therapy in the Kansas City metropolitan area since 2002, with clinical experience ranging from acute and intensive care, to skilled nursing and acute inpatient rehabilitation. Currently, he serves as an outpatient therapist at the Silver City Health Clinic, and continues to practice in the acute care setting on a periodic basis.  As a clinical instructor within the DPT program his teaching responsibilities include orthopedic physical therapy, focusing on the topics of orthopedic surgical conditions, fracture care and management, treatment of rheumatic diseases, and orthotic and prosthetics. He also assists with the neurologic rehabilitation and physical therapy intervention courses.

Academic Background
A graduate of Kansas State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology, Rucker obtained a Master of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Kansas in 2002. He returned to the University of Kansas Medical Center in 2007 to work towards a PhD degree in Rehabilitation Science..

Research Focus
A member of the Georgia Holland Health Exercise and Aging Laboratory, Mr. Rucker's current research focuses on the impact of diabetes on cognitive and physical functioning. In particular, he is interested in examining the effect of diabetes on higher level cognitive processes, such as those involved in the ability to multi-task, and discovering how these processes may influence to functional ability, walking, fall risk, and disability.