Mary Rahlin

Mary Rahlin is a Professor and Assistant Program Director for Research in the Department of Physical Therapy at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, College of Health Professions. She serves as the Director of Faculty-Led Student Research, coordinates the Research Portfolio System in the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program, and teaches in the critical inquiry course series. Dr. Rahlin is also a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Pediatric Physical Therapy, with pediatrics being a major content area in her teaching.

Dr. Rahlin earned her Doctor of Health Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Indianapolis, her Master of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Health Sciences/The Chicago Medical School, and her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the same institution. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education with a Physical Therapy ("Therapeutic Gymnastics") Certificate from the State Central Institute of Physical Culture in Moscow, Russia.

Dr. Rahlin's research focuses on pediatric physical therapy, with particular emphasis on physical therapy management of infants with torticollis and children with cerebral palsy. Her specific research interests include the development of outcome measures for infants with congenital muscular torticollis, orthotic management of children with cerebral palsy and other movement disorders, efficacy of Perception-Action Approach intervention for infants and children with movement disorders, and assessment and management of therapy-related behavior. Her work bridges clinical practice with research to improve outcomes for pediatric patients.

Analysis of Dr. Rahlin's recent publications (2019-2024) reveals a strong focus on measurement tools and assessment methods in pediatric physical therapy, particularly for infants with torticollis and children with cerebral palsy. Her work consistently explores the development, reliability, and validity of clinical assessment tools, with a growing emphasis on the Perception-Action Approach as an intervention framework. Her research spans multiple subfields including symmetry assessment, behavior measurement during therapy, orthotic management, and intensive therapy protocols.

• Timothy R. Hansen Mentoring Award, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (June 2020)
• Professional Scholarship Award, College of Health Professions, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (April 2014)
• Clinical Education Award, Physical Therapy Program, University of Health Sciences/The Chicago Medical School (June 1995)

Dr. Rahlin has received research funding from the American Physical Therapy Association Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy. In her role as Director of Faculty-Led Student Research, she coordinates the Research Portfolio System in the DPT Program, providing students with structured research experiences. She also maintains a small private, home-based pediatric physical therapy practice, keeping her clinical skills current while informing her teaching and research.

Dr. Rahlin is actively engaged with multiple professional organizations including the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), APTA Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy, APTA Academy of Education, American Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT), American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM), and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Her collaborative work spans multiple institutions and involves interdisciplinary teams focused on improving pediatric rehabilitation outcomes.