NUPUR HAJELA, PT, DPT, PhD
Fresno, CA
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Nupur Hajela, PT, DPT, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at California State University, Fresno, in the United States of America(USA). In addition, she is the Director of Rehabilitation Technologies and Outcomes Research at Central California Sports Sciences Institute. She is the Co-Director of Gait Balance and Mobility Research & Education Center. She is a trained neuroscientist and a licensed physical therapist and currently treats patients with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s using immersive virtual reality, Artificial Intelligence (AI) based apps, telehealth and remote therapeutic monitoring. Her initiatives in interprofessional education, Immersive VR Technology and telehealth have transformed the healthcare education at her institution, nationally and Internationally. She is recipient of a notable publication award from California Physical therapy Association for her impactful publication on use of Telehealth in elderly and prestigious Leadership in Interprofessional research award Fresno state. She currently serve as the Vice Chairperson for San Joaquin Valley District, California PT Association where she works for telehealth and Health Equity initiatives for underserved patient population in California's Central Valley. Dr. Hajela's national and international recognition reflects her leadership in innovation and application of technology in Physical Therapy.
STATEMENT
Dr. Nupur Hajela is a leading educator and innovator in the field of physical therapy education, known for her groundbreaking work in the application of technology especially telehealth and simulation and immersive virtual reality. Her initiatives in interprofessional education and telehealth have transformed the learning experience for students in health sciences, fostering a collaborative approach to healthcare that prepares them for the complexities of evolving healthcare landscape. Her innovative pedagogy extends beyond her immediate department, as she actively engages students across different departments such as nursing, social work education, and public health programs to enhance their skills in interprofessional collaboration.
Dr. Hajela's contributions to the field through Innovation is highlighted by her work during the COVID-19 pandemic, where she played a crucial role in advancing care through telehealth for the rural communities of Central Valley. As an investigator and principal researcher, she developed a project studying students' attitudes toward interprofessional education and collaborative care through telehealth and simulation. This involved students in various neurological physical therapy courses, empowering them with essential experiences in patient care and interprofessional teamwork. Her current clinical work focuses on use of immersive virtual reality for treating patients with Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer's disease.
Dr. Hajela's national and international recognition reflects her leadership in innovation and application of technology in Physical Therapy. She has presented her work on telehealth and interprofessional education at prestigious conferences, including the National Educational Leadership Conference and the American Physical Therapy Association - Combined Section Meeting conference, Transatlantic Telehealth Research Network International Conference, Berkeley, CA. Her research extends to digital fall risk assessment and virtual reality, with plans to expand her telehealth work internationally through collaborations with a university in India. Her goal internationally is to standardize the delivery of telehealth in the clinical setting. She has delivered Digital Health Certificate first course series for APTA.
