UNMC_Acronym_Vert_sm_4c
University of Nebraska Medical Center

Sara E. Bills, PT, DPT, GCS

Assistant Professor

402-559-4217

 Sara E. Bills, PT, DPT, GCS
Dr. Bills is an Assistant Professor and Associate Director in the Physical Therapy program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). She teaches a two-course sequence in which students learn how movement is affected by and impacts cardiopulmonary and integumentary systems. She has taught and coordinated additional courses in the program that focus on professional identity, professional development, clinical reasoning, and health promotion.

She is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy. She has also completed the Wound Treatment Associate program, which was developed by the Wound Ostomy Continence Society to educate and prepare more skilled wound care providers across settings. Dr. Bills is a member of the Cardiovascular and Pulmonary, Education, and Geriatric Academies of the American Physical Therapy Association.
Education
  • DPT, Division of Physical Therapy Education, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 2004
  • BS, Education, Teachers College, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2001
  • Credentialed Clinical Instructor: American Physical Therapy Association, 2010
  • Board Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist: American Board of Physical Therapy Specialists, 2009, 2019 renewal
Honors and Awards
  • 2022 Chancellor's Council Silver U Award
  • 2019 Outstanding Teacher, UNMC Faculty Senate
  • 2019 Excellence in Teaching Award, College of Allied Health Professions
  • 2018 Induction into the Interprofessional Academy of Educators, UNMC
  • 2013 PT Clinical Excellence Award, Nebraska Physical Therapy Association
Research Interests
Dr. Bills's research interests focus on improving exercise adherence and quality of life in individuals with heart failure.

Dr. Bills is a member of the Heart Camp research team. Their research includes two overarching areas: gaining a better understanding of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and developing interventions to promote exercise in adults with heart failure that can applied in diverse and underserved settings.