Written by Rylan Gray
Jennifer Christy, PT, Ph.D., associate professor, director of the UAB Doctor of Physical Therapy program, assistant dean for faculty affairs in the School of Health Professions, has been inducted into the Bárány Society, the International Society for Neuro-otology.
In addition to supporting otoneurological research and education, The Bárány Society is an international interdisciplinary society that facilitates contact between scientists and clinicians involved in vestibular research, founded in 1960.
“I am truly honored to be a member of this society whose mission is to support research, education, and interdisciplinary knowledge sharing between vestibular clinicians and scientists,” said Christy. “This important society will ultimately benefit children and adults with vestibular related impairments and disease.”
Christy is recognized for her outstanding contributions to vestibular research with a concentration on children’s rehabilitation. Currently, Christy is the Director of Research for the Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy and holds a seat on the nominating committee for the American Council of Academic Physical Therapy.
2023 has been a year of achievements for Christy. Recently, she was also named a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), the highest level of achievement from a APTA member.
In addition to meeting the criteria to be selected for the Bárány Society, one must also be nominated by a Bárány Society member, in addition to the proposer before examination by the membership committee. Christy was nominated by fellow research collaborators Sue Whitney, DPT, Ph.D., NCS, ATC, FAPTA, co-director and professor, Physical Therapy Post-Professional MS Program at the University of Pittsburgh, and Susan Herdman, PT, Ph.D., FAPTA, professor at the Emory University.
“She is my go-to person related to pediatric vestibular issues,” said Whitney. “I treat some children, but Jennifer is the world’s expert in pediatric physical therapy vestibular care.”
Inducted in the Bárány Society in 2006, Whitney spoke highly of Christy, referring to her as the preeminent pediatric physical therapist scholar in the United States. “Jennifer has taken it upon herself to educate as many pediatric physical therapists as possible about dizziness and balance deficits in children,” said Whitney. “She had taught literally at least 2,000 physical therapists from around the globe about pediatric vestibular disorders giving of her time to improve care for children living with dizziness.”
Christy has over 30 years of experience in physical therapy and has been a part of UAB’s faculty for almost 20 years. Since 2020, Christy has published 11 papers on PubMed with 37 referred publications overall, most of them regarding children and dizziness.
From her dedication to treating children, to her dedication instructing her students and colleagues, Christy has made unmeasurable contributions to the practice of physical therapy. An exemplary member of the UAB family, we look forward knowing the best is yet to come.
