Rich Severin

Clinical Associate Professor, DPT Program Coordinator

Director, UIC/UIH Bariatric Surgery Rehabilitation Program

Physical Therapy

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About

Rich Severin PT, DPT, PhD is a board-certified cardiovascular and pulmonary clinical specialist. Dr. Severin serves as clinical associate professor and coordinator of the Doctor Physical Therapy Program in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Illinois at Chicago and is the Director of the UIC/UIHealth bariatric surgery rehabilitation program. Additionally, he serves as a member of the APTA Public Policy and Advocacy Committee, associate editor of Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy Journal and Chief Delegate for the APTA Academy of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy. He has published scholarly work and presented both nationally and internationally on the topics of respiratory muscle performance, bariatric surgery rehabilitation, and medical screening in physical therapy practice.

Selected Grants

American Physical Therapy Association, Academy of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy, Respiratory Muscle Performance: A Predictor of Clinical Outcomes in Morbidly Obese Patients, Principal Investigator

Foundation for Physical Therapy Research, Promotion of Doctoral Studies Scholarship II (PODS II), Principal Investigator

Illinois Physical Therapy Foundation, Respiratory Muscle Performance: A Predictor of Clinical Outcomes in Morbidly Obese Patients, Principal Investigator

2020 UIC CCTS Pilot Grant, Weathering the Storm: Lung, Heart, and Brain Vascular Rehabilitation for COVID-19, Co-Investigator

Selected Publications

Respiratory Muscle Performance Screening for Infectious Disease Management Following COVID-19: A Highly Pressurized Situation

The effects of COVID-19 on respiratory muscle performance: making the case for respiratory muscle testing and training

Blood Pressure Screening by Outpatient Physical Therapists: A Call to Action and Clinical Recommendations

Outpatient Physical Therapist Attitudes Toward and Behaviors in Cardiovascular Disease Screening: A National Survey

Publication Aggregators

Professional Leadership

Public Policy and Advocacy Affairs Committee, American Physical Therapy Association

Chief Delegate, American Physical Therapy Association, Academy of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy

Associate Editor, Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy Journal

Notable Honors

2022-2023, Physical Therapist of the Year, Illinois Physical Therapy Association

2021, Emerging Leader Award, Academy of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy

2020, Dorothy Briggs Memorial Scientific Inquiry Award, American Physical Therapy Association

2019, Excalibur Award for Teaching Excellence, UIC College of Applied Health Sciences

Education

Fellowship, Higher Education Leadership, APTA Academy of Education, 2025
PhD, Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago, 2022
Residency, Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy, William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital/University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2014
DPT, The University of Miami-Miller School of Medicine, 2013
BS, Kinesiology, The Pennsylvania State University-University Park, 2009