Department of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science

Professional Background
Dr. Billinger’s background is primarily in exercise physiology. In 2003, she earned her American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Clinical Exercise Specialist certification. She has practiced as a physical therapist since 2004 in the areas of cardiopulmonary and neurological rehabilitation.  Dr. Billinger teaches cardiopulmonary physical therapy and exercise physiology in the DPT program.

Dr. Billinger serves on the Research Committee for both the Kansas Physical Therapy Association and the Cardiovascular and Pulmonary section of the American Physical Therapy Association.  She is also an active member of the American Heart Association’s Stroke Council and received Fellowship status in 2004.  Additionally, Dr. Billinger is an item writer and reviewer for ACSM’s Certification Review.

Academic Background
Dr. Billinger earned a Bachelor of Science in physical education with a minor in gerontology from Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kan., in 2002. She received her Master of Science in physical therapy in 2004 and her PhD in Rehabilitation Science in 2008 from the University of Kansas. Dr. Billinger continues her work at the KU Medical Center as faculty member in the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science.

Research Focus
Dr. Billinger's current research interests are aimed at examining the cardiovascular and pulmonary changes that occur following stroke. She is interested in determining the role of exercise interventions on cardiovascular function and blood flow in people with chronic disease.

Lab Group Site

Georgia Holland Metabolic, Strength and Energy Lab

The major goal of ongoing research in this lab is to improve the health and wellness of people with chronic disease or disability.

Selected Current and Recent Projects

Single Limb Exercise Influences Cardiovascular Function in Chronic Stroke:
“A One-Sided View”
Completed dissertation project examining the effects of single limb exercise training on femoral artery blood flow and oxygen uptake in stroke impaired individuals. Funding for this project was an equipment loan grant from Sonosite, Inc for $70,000.00 and a grant for $565.00 from Kansas Partners in Progress, Inc., which aims to promote research specifically by physical therapists in Kansas.