Nancy Gell

Nancy Gell, PT, Ph.D., M.P.H., is an Associate Professor at the University of Vermont in the Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Science within the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Her work bridges clinical practice, public health, and exercise science to address physical activity promotion, fall prevention, and healthy aging for individuals with chronic conditions.

• Education: Ph.D. in Exercise Science (Auburn University), M.P.H. in Public Health (University of Michigan), B.S. in Physical Therapy (Northwestern University), and postdoctoral fellowship at Group Health Research Institute.

Her research examines how environmental and technological interventions can mitigate functional decline in aging populations with chronic diseases like cancer and osteoarthritis. She focuses on tele-exercise programs, wearable technology, and community-based strategies to enhance exercise adherence and reduce fall risk. Recent studies highlight rural health disparities, sedentary behavior patterns, and adaptive physical activity solutions for homebound individuals.

Key trends in her publications include the intersection of physical activity with chronic disease management, technology-enabled rehabilitation, and fall prevention in rural and aging populations. Her work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches and community partnerships to translate evidence-based programs into scalable interventions.

She teaches courses such as Physical Activity and Chronic Disease Epidemiology and Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, integrating her clinical experience with public health expertise. Her current projects include tele-exercise trials for rural cancer survivors and gamified fall-prevention programs for homebound older adults.