McKenzie K. LeBlanc
(PT, DPT)
Personal Statement
“I chose a career in physical therapy because I felt it was a calling to use my gifts and talents to serve those who had physical challenges. Remembering that PT may occur during some of the most vulnerable times in a patient’s life, I strive to listen fully to my patients, to provide empathetic and passionate care, and to achieve patient-specific goals with each individual who walks in our door. I am thankful to work for a company that promotes personalized and professional care with each patient.”
Education
Doctorate of Physical Therapy with Highest Honors – LSU Health Sciences Center (Shreveport, LA)
Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, Psychology Minor – Nicholls State University (Thibodaux, LA)
Membership/ Leadership
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
APTA Louisiana Chapter (APTA LA)
Nominations Committee Chairman, Board of Directors
APTA Orthopedic and Research Sections Member
Previous Leadership:
Nominations Committee Chair-Elect of APTA LA
Vice President of APTA Student Assembly Board of Directors
Chairman of APTA Louisiana’s Student Special Interest Group
Louisiana Director for VCU-Marquette PT Research Challengeo Physical Therapy Day of Service Coordinator for Shreveport-Bossier
Certifications
Licensed Physical Therapist in Louisiana
Credentialed APTA Clinical Instructor
Trigger Point Dry Needling Certified (Levels 1 and 2)
Research Compliance CITI Training
First Aid/Basic Life Support Certified
Special Interests
Primary emphasis on orthopedic injuries, diagnoses, and conditions.
Clinical interests include deconditioning, balance/falls, lower extremity biomechanics, upper and lower extremity joint replacements, spinal conditions, post-operative conditions, chronic pain, and running injuries.
McKenzie is pursuing her Orthopedic Clinical Specialist certification.
Additionally, McKenzie engages in independent research efforts focused on PT education and upper/lower extremity biomechanics. McKenzie actively assists faculty as needed in the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University (FranU) in Baton Rouge, LA. Ultimately, she plans to attain her PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences in the future with goals to teach in a DPT program.
Continued Education
Active Journal Club participant with the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy
State and national conferences including presentations on various orthopedic and neurologic conditions:
2024 Spring Meeting – PTs as Primary Care, Sleep Strategies to Promote Performance and Wellness, Physical Therapy and the Autonomic Nervous System, Adaptive Fitness, Leadership Panel
2023 Fall Meeting- Diagnostic Imaging: The Why, The What and The How For Practitioners, Educators and Advocacy Efforts; Spinal Surgery
2023 Spring Sports Symposium -Rotator Cuff Surgery; Extension-Based Low Back Pain Rehab in the Gymnast; Pitching Mechanisms; Common Shoulder Problems and Orthopedic Urgencies; Blood Flow Restriction in Sports Medicine; BEAR Procedure
2022 Fall Meeting – Posture and Three Pressure Systems
Current Concepts of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy
Neurodynamics: Implications for the Clinician
Completion of the APTA Clinical Instructor Education & Credentialing Program
Research, Ethics, and Compliance Training via Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative· Developing Manual Therapy Skills
Community Involvement
Foundation for Physical Therapy Research
Physical Therapy Day of Service; Junior Achievement Program
Knights of Columbus, Council 970
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and School
Family & Hobbies
McKenzie enjoys time with friends, family, and her church community. Her hobbies include long distance running, beach volleyball, reading, exploring new coffee shops, travelling abroad, and attending LSU baseball, volleyball, and football games. Additionally, she actively participates in high school and college presentations to raise awareness about the PT profession for prospective students looking to engage in different fields of healthcare.