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University of Connecticut Neag School of Education Department of Kinesiology


Photo of Joseph Smey

Joseph W. Smey

  • Professor
Dr. Smey is Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Department at the University of Connecticut.  He is known for his efforts in education, professional association leadership and for his work to promote gender equity and cultural diversity.  He is a licensed physical therapist, who has a strong appreciation for the challenges facing both higher education and health care at every level, having served for fourteen years as Dean, two years as Associate Dean and fourteen years as Director of Physical Therapy.  Dr. Smey’s eight years in health care management, including experience as Director of Rehabilitation Services at John Dempsey Hospital on the Farmington Campus, have enabled him to understand the issues facing those in clinical practice and have further expanded his network in the health care community.  Dr. Smey teaches courses in both neuroatomy and clinical neurology as well as in administration and management.  His research interests are in the area of management and deal with women in health care and strategies to improve cultural diversity.
  • Contact Information:
  • Office:
    • Location: Koons 114
  • Mailing Address:
    • Physical Therapy Department
    • Neag School of Education
    • 358 Mansfield Road, U 2101
    • Storrs, CT 06269-2101
  • Areas of Expertise:
    • Gender Differences
    • Administrator Preparation
    • Neurological Physical Therapy
  • Currently Teaching:
    • AH 5244 Management for the Allied Health Profesional
    • PT 5216 Neuroanatomy and Clinical Neurology
  • Honors and Awards:
    • Diversity 2000 Leadership Award, Advisory Panel on Minority Affairs, American Physical Therapy Association - 1997
    • Lucy Blair Service Award, American Physical Therapy Association - 1996
    • Distinguished Service Award, Connecticut Physical Therapy Association - 1990
    • Frederick G. Adams Minority Service Award, School of Allied Health Professions, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT - 1990
    • Cultural Pluralism Award, American Society of Allied Health Professions - 1989
  • Associations/Organizations/Outreach:
    • Member, American Physical Therapy Association
  • Educational Background:
    • EdD, Education and Program Management, Clark University, 1983
    • MA, Physical Therapy, University of Southern California, 1970
    • BS, Physical Therapy, University of Connecticut, 1968
  • Selected Publications/Presentations:
    • Smey JW. Understanding Racism. In: Leavitt R, (Ed) Cultural Competence: A Life Long Journey to Cultural Proficiency. New Jersey: Slack Inc. 2009.
    • Moriello GR, JW Smey, LS Pescatello and MA Murphy. Influence of an educational intervention on pre-allied health students’ attitudes toward older adults. Gerontology & Geriatrics Education 25: 1-11, 2005.
    • “Leadership: What’s Not in the Book!,” Panel Presentation, APTA Annual Conference, Chicago, June 2004
    • “21st Century Workplace: How to Enhance Cultural Diversity and Crack the Class Ceiling, APTA CSM, Tampa, Feb, 2003
    • “Human Resource Issues in Allied Health, Connecticut Hospital Association and Connecticut AHEC, Wallingford, CT
    • Gender Equity, Panel Presentation, CSM, American Physical Therapy Association, Orlando, FL
    • Organizational Restructuring, January Chapter Meeting, Connecticut Physical Therapy Association, East Hartford, CT
    • “Racism and Discrimination” Cross-Cultural Issues in Health Care, An International Perspective for Rehabilitation Professionals, R. Leavitt (Ed), W.B. Saunders Company Limited, 1997