Melissa P. Hake

Melissa P. Hake, P.T., DScPT, serves as an Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, focusing on developing competent practitioners for complex medical environments through innovative educational research.

Educational background:

• Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy - University of Maryland School of Medicine
• Master of Science in Physical Therapy - Mayo Clinic School of Health-Related Sciences, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
• BA in Natural Sciences and Sociology - Covenant College

Her research program centers on two critical domains:

• Acute Care Physical Therapy Education: Investigating student perceptions and performance during clinical rotations in hospital settings to optimize readiness for complex patient care
• Oncology Rehabilitation: Addressing specialized rehabilitation needs of cancer survivors, particularly stem cell transplant recipients, through evidence-based protocols

These research trajectories directly inform educational strategies that enhance physical therapist competence in high-acuity environments and improve outcomes for medically complex populations.

Scientific recognition:

• Best Manuscript Award (2017) from Journal of Acute Care Physical Therapy for groundbreaking work defining entry-level acute care competencies

Dr. Hake actively contributes to advancing physical therapy practice through scholarly inquiry and curriculum development at Mayo Clinic's academic health center.