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Heather Kindel
College of Health Professions
College of Health Professions
Associate Professor of Physical Therapy, Curriculum Coordinator
hkindel@andersonuniversity.edu
(864) 231-5564
University Center of Greenville
Academic Background
Dr. Heather Kindel joined the School of Physical Therapy faculty in August of 2018 after serving as a faculty member at Saint Francis University in Pennsylvania. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Health Science in 1999 and her master’s degree in Physical Therapy in 2001, both from Saint Francis. In 2018, Dr. Kindel completed her PhD in Instructional Management and Leadership from Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh. She has over 20 years of experience in physical therapy education.
BHS, Saint Francis University
MPT, from Saint Francis University
Ph.D in Instructional Management and Leadership, Robert Morris University
Fast Facts
I teach at AU because I was drawn to the welcoming culture, commitment to students, strong academic rigor, and love for Jesus that I found there. The physical therapy faculty that I work with are fun, progressive, highly qualified, and committed to being servant-leaders to our PT students.
Physical Therapy is a great career path to choose, with many different types of places to work. If you love serving people, and are committed to working and studying hard, PT may be a good career for you.
I am a Certified True Colors® facilitator, an engaging personality profiling system that helps a person understand him/herself and others better to help improve communication. I have taught a number of workshops to college students and adults. I am also a Certified MIEA® Mindfulness teacher and enjoy introducing students to mindfulness principles and practices. I have done a number of presentations at local and national conferences around the content of leadership, communication, and mindfulness.
I love growing alongside my colleagues and students.
I specialize in the area of pelvic health and enjoy helping PT students learn how to treat people with incontinence or pelvic pain, as well as those who are pregnant or postpartum.
Peer Reviewed Publications: Kindel H & Rafoth M. The Effects of Teaching Mindfulness on Stress in Physical Therapy Students – A Randomized Controlled Trial. Health Professions Education 2020;6(2):142-152. 10.1016/j.hpe.2019.04.002. Published Abstracts of Peer Reviewed Presentations: Kindel H, Jacobs J. Virtual Dementia Tour Increases Empathy and Patience in DPT Students (poster). Presented at APTA Combined Sections Meeting; Houston, TX; February 14-16, 2025. Hinman M, Jacobs J, Kindel H. Add a Little SPICE to your Student Mentoring Process (poster). Presented at APTA Education Leadership Conference; Atlanta, GA; October 22-24, 2021. Hohman R, Kindel H. Out in the Open: Recognizing and Remedying Stress Urinary Incontinence in Female Athletes (poster). Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Conference, Seven Springs, PA; 2017. Calvert P, Hershberger J, Kindel H, Kline M, Knott E, McPheron M, Wingard L. The Incidence of Depression and Stress in Doctor of Physical Therapy Students (poster). APTA Education Leadership Conference, Baltimore, MD; 2015. Wingard LS, Kindel HR, LoRusso SM. Urinary Incontinence: The Silent Embarrassment of Female Athletes (poster). APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Indianapolis, IN; 2015. Peer-Reviewed Presentations: Kindel H. Ethics and Professional Issues for the PT and PTA. Presented online continuing education for Lowcountry AHEC on February 23, 2024. 3 contact hours. Kindel H. Giving and Receiving Feedback. Presented for APTA-SC at the upstate district meeting on February 20, 2024. 1 contact hour. Kindel H. Professionalism and Core Values for the PT and PTA. Presented online continuing education for APTA-SC. Submitted March, 2022. 1 contact hour. Kindel H. Ethics in Physical Therapy Practice. Presented online continuing education for APTA-SC. Submitted March, 2022. 1 contact hour. Kindel H. Legal Issues for the PT and PTA. Presented online continuing education for APTA-SC. Submitted March, 2022. 1 contact hour. Jacobs J and Kindel H. Creating a Culture of Feedback. Presented at APTA Education Leadership Conference; October 22-24, 2021. 2 contact hours. Kindel H. The Impact of Covid-19 on Pelvic Health. Presented online at APTASC Annual Conference; March 27, 2021.1 contact hour. Kindel H. Stressed Out? Burned Out? Mindfulness for Student and Clinician. Presented at SCAPTA Annual Conference; March 22, 2019.1 contact hour. Hoffman S & Kindel H. Preparing the 21st Century Student: Mentoring to Improve Emotional Health. Invited presenter at: Georgia Consortium of Clinical Educators 4th Annual Symposium; April 27, 2019.
