Megan A. Connelly Ortega, DPT
- Academic Title: Assistant Professor
- Primary Appointment: Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science
- Email: mortega@som.umaryland.edu
- Location: AHRB, 109
- Phone (Primary): (410) 706-7770
Education and Training
2009, B.S. Exercise Science, University of Scranton
2012, DPT, University of Scranton
Biosketch
Megan Ortega, PT, DPT, GCS, is an Assistant Professor and the Assistant Director of Clinical Education at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from the University of Scranton in 2009, and her Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Scranton in 2012. She completed a Geriatric Clinical Residency at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities in 2013.
After completing the residency program, Dr. Ortega worked at Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis for over 5 years in the outpatient rehab setting. She worked with medically complex patients including those with various neurological, vestibular, and oncological conditions and older adults with multiple chronic conditions. She played key roles in developing the oncology prehab and osteoporosis rehab programs at Anne Arundel Medical Center.
Dr. Ortega has a passion for improving the quality of life of older adults, and she is a Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatrics. She also has a passion for mentoring students and prior to her appointment at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, she served as a clinical instructor for numerous physical therapy stduents. She is a credentialed clinical instructor through the American Physical Therapy Asssociation.
Research/Clinical Keywords
Physical Therapy Clinical Education, Doctor of Physical Therapy Education, Outpatient Rehabilitation, Geriatrics, Neurology, Vestibular, Oncology
Highlighted Publications
Ortega MAC, Marchese VG, Zarro M, Film RJ, Shipper, AG, Felter, C. Digital and blended curriculum delivery in health professions education: an umbrella review with implications for Doctor of Physical Therapy education programs. Phys Ther Rev. Published online November 9, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1080/10833196.2021.2000286
Ortega MAC, Zimmermann LA, Zyzyk SG. The Four Square Step Test and its use clinically in different populations. Curr Geri Rep. 2021;10:11-20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13670-020-00348-0