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Campus Phone Outage

University of Hartford telephone landlines are currently unavailable, including the main lines for Public Safety. If you need to reach Public Safety during this outage, please call 860.951.4546. 

Please also be aware that this outage is affecting the ability of outside callers to reach University offices. Health Services can be contacted at 860.960.3476 (until 4:30 p.m. today) or by email at healthser@hartford.edu.

If you need to connect with the admission office, please email admission@hartford.edu.

Thank you for your patience as we work to restore normal operations.

Vanessa O'Donnell

Vanessa O'Donnell headshot

Clinical/Applied Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy; Assistant Director of Clinical Education

Rehabilitation Sciences

College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions
860.768.4623 D 401B
Education

Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of Hartford

Bachelor of Science in Physical Education/Exercise Science, Central Connecticut State University

Specialties/Certifications
  • Selective Hydromechanical Debridement Certification
  • APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor
Teaching Focus

Dr. O'Donnell teaches coursework related to Professional Practice, Pathophysiology, and Physical Therapy Examination and Intervention. She also assists in teaching Kinesiology and Biomechanics for graduate students in both the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program and Master of Science in Orthotics and Prosthetics programs. Additionally, Dr. O'Donnell assists with student placements in local and national clinical sites as part of the Clinical Education team in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. 

Professional Interests

Dr. O’Donnell’s clinical practice expertise is in sub-acute rehabilitation, treating a wide variety of pathologies, including cardiorespiratory, neurological, and musculoskeletal diagnoses, specifically in the geriatric population.

Dr. O’Donnell’s research interest includes translation of didactic course work into clinical practice, as well as the role of learning and cognitive strategies in clinical education in development of clinical reasoning skills.