Dr. L. Derek Gerber PT, DPT, EdD, a board-certified orthopedic physical therapist, will become director of the èßäÉçÇø School of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training in the College of Health Professions at èßäÉçÇø.
He comes to èßäÉçÇø from Idaho State University, where he currently serves as the interim chair of the Physical Therapy Department. He previously served as a faculty member, the physical therapy and occupational therapy clinic director, as chair of the curriculum and admissions committees, and as the assistant and then physical therapy program director at Idaho State.
Prior to his faculty appointment Dr. Gerber practiced as a licensed physical therapist for 14 years. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Human Performance from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, and a Master of Physical Therapy degree from the U.S. Army – Baylor University Physical Therapy program in San Antonio, Texas. After several years and various locations of service as a military physical therapist in the United States Army, and achieving the rank of captain, Dr. Gerber left the Army for the state of Washington, where he worked as a therapist at the Community Hospital in Othello. While there, he completed a transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Baylor University. In 2021, Dr. Gerber received a doctoral degree in educational leadership with an emphasis in higher education administration from Idaho State University.
Dr. Gerber will join the School of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training on July 1, 2023.