Faculty Focus: Dr. Katherine Joines, Assistant Professor, School of Physical Therapy
As a kid growing up in Melbourne, Australia, Dr. Katherine Joines thought she would grow up to be a pediatrician.
鈥淚 was always a nurturer, and there wasn鈥檛 a doubt in my mind that I would work with kids in my career,鈥� she said.
Joines quickly realized that becoming a pediatrician was out of the question since she hated needles and the sight of blood could cause her to faint. Still, her desire to work with children never wavered, and shortly after moving to the U.S. during her senior year of high school, she discovered that physical therapy (PT) could also help her reach her goal.
Like most physical therapists, Joines grew up playing sports. In Australia, she excelled at netball (similar to basketball), swimming, and cricket.
鈥淎 friend of mine asked if I had ever considered physical therapy. I didn鈥檛 really know what it was, but I got a job as a physical therapist aide which was my first exposure to the profession,鈥� she said.
After graduating from UNLV with her B.S. in Kinesiology, Joines was accepted into UNLV鈥檚 first Department of Physical Therapy Master鈥檚 cohort.
She spent her first year after graduation working in several departments at UMC, including the emergency room, the burn unit, and the NICU. She spent the next decade working in pediatrics before completing her Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) from A.T. Still University.
Joines wanted to teach full time and was looking to expand her opportunities outside of the clinic.
鈥淚 was already working as an adjunct faculty at 91制片厂,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd not too long after I finished my doctorate, there was an opening inside the School of Physical Therapy.鈥�
Since joining the university as full time faculty less than a year ago, Joines has developed a sincere appreciation for the university鈥檚 culture.
鈥淭he people are amazing here. Everyone I鈥檝e met, even those in different departments, are interested in collaborating with me. You don鈥檛 see that too often in other places,鈥� she said.
Joines said the transition from clinician to academic is typically difficult, though the support she鈥檚 received from her fellow faculty has made it much more enjoyable.
鈥淲hat Touro has the students cultivating here is amazing. The university wants to have talented clinicians who really care about our community,鈥� she said. 鈥淭ouro lives and breathes everything it says.鈥�
Learn More About Touro Nevada's PT Program