California univ prof is guest scholar at MMSU

September 10, 2021

By Daniel P. Tapaoan, Jr. 

 

A physical therapy expert from the California State University Sacramento (CSUS) is now virtually on board at Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) as a visiting professor.  

 

Dr. Rolando T. Lazaro, a board-certified clinical specialist in geriatric physical therapy and an accomplished researcher, will provide consultancy services to the MMSU College of Health Sciences – Department of Physical Therapy (CHS-DPT) for one year. 

 

University officials, CHS PT faculty and students welcomed the visiting professor in a virtual program held last September 8. 

 

During the program, Dr. Lazaro thanked MMSU for the warm welcome, saying he looks forward to have a fruitful collaboration with the university. 

 

As MMSU’s visiting professor, Dr. Lazaro will provide consultancy services on improving the existing physical therapy curriculum and course syllabi, on teaching for geriatric and neurologic physical therapy courses, and on mentoring the CHS-PT faculty in doing research. 

 

Also, through his expertise, the professor will also help the University in establishing the Center for Balance and Mobility. The center is envisioned as avenue for faculty and students to conduct high-impact and relevant studies to improve the elderly’s quality of life.   

 

Dr. Lazaro’s research interests include the investigation of interventions aimed at improving balance and mobility in older adults and the development and validations of models of Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR). 

 

He was awarded a Fulbright Senior Scholarship in 2013 to study community-based rehabilitation models in the Philippines, and in 2020 to investigate the role of physical therapists in disaster preparation, response, and management. 

 

Dr. Cheryll Didi Nellie N. Obra, CHS-DPT chairperson, said conducting visiting professorship program is the department’s move to internationalize its activities and to realize the establishment of the Center. 

 

Prof. Ryan Dean T. Sucgang, CHS dean, hopes the visiting professor would help in laying the foundation for the offering of a master’s and doctoral programs in PT. 

 

MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis said the virtual visiting professorship shall be a model for other departments in the university to also invite seasoned professors in the future. 

 

The CSUS professor first visited MMSU in 2013 to conduct lectures, fora, and consultancy services for PT faculty and students for four days. (StratCom)