Ellen Costello

Ellen Costello

  • Professor of Health, Human Function, and Rehabilitation Sciences
  • Chair, Health, Human Function, and Rehabilitation Sciences
  • Program Director for the Doctor of Health Sciences in Leadership in Clinical Practice.
  • Director of Admissions
  Email Ellen Costello
  202-994-0056
Department: Health, Human Function, and Rehabilitation Sciences
Education
BS, Ithaca College, 1982
MS, New York Medical College, 1986
PhD, New York University, 1998
Biography

Dr. Costello serves as the Chairperson of the Health, Human Function, and Rehabilitation Sciences Department at the George Washington University. Dr. Costello has served in multiple administrative roles since joining the faculty at GW in 2004.  Her primary areas of teaching include Functional Anatomy and coursework in the Doctor of Health Science. She has practiced clinically in a variety of settings including a large city hospital burn and trauma center, an oncology specialty hospital, and home care. She has received a number of teaching excellence and research awards at GW and other institutions. 

Research

Dr. Costello’s research interests range from outcomes in physical therapist education to physical activity in the older population and acute care practice. She has published and presented her research in both peer-reviewed journals and at national and international research forums.  Dr. Costello has served as an on-site reviewer for the accrediting body of the APTA.

Grants

  • 2019:
    • Exploration of the DPT student experience using non-cognitive factors and student performance Funded by: GW SMHS Faculty Excellence
  • 2017: 
    • Thoracic manipulation to improve pulmonary ventilation Funded by: AAOMPT
  • 2014: 
    • Reducing Fall Risk in person with Multiple Sclerosis
  • 2013: 
    • Fall Prevention benefits of a divided-attention timed stepping accuracytask (DATSAT) for older adults with fall risk Funded by: SMHS Emerging Scholars Grant GWU
    • The Use of Technology to Enhance the CLinical Decision Making Skills of Physical Therapist Students in the Acute Care Setting Funded by: SMHS Emerging Scholars Grant GWU
  • 2009:
    • Establishing the Validity and Reliability of Selected Measures of Physical Performance for an Older Population with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Funded by: The National Collaborative on Aging GWU
  • 2008:
    • Evaluation of Senior Friendly Neighborhood Program Funded by: The Weinberg Foundation
  • 2007:
    • Investigating Aspects of the Physical Dimension of the Wellness Model Among Independent Living Residentsof Asbury Methodist Village, A Continuing Care Retirement Community Funded by: Asbury Methodist Village
  • 2006:
    • Sure Feet: A Comprehensive Falls Prevention Program for DC Area Seniors Funded by: Tikum Women's Foundation
  • 2005:
    • Factors Predicting Success of Physical Therapist Assistant Graduates on the National Physical Therapy Examination Funded by: Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy

Awards

  • 2019: APTA Academy of Acute Care Physical Therapy Educator Award
  • 2017: World Confederation for Physical Congress 2017 Elsevier Journal Sponsored Award-Best Platform Presentation North American Caribbean Region (July 4, 2017)
  • 2014: The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching
  • 2011: The George Washington University Program in Physical Therapy Outstanding Faculty Award
  • 2010: The George Washington University Program in Physical Therapy Outstanding Faculty Award
  • 2009: The George Washington University Bender Award for Excellence in Teaching
  • 2007: The George Washington University Alpha Eta Honor Society
  • 2006: American Physical Therapy Association Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Section Research Award
  • 2005: Faculty Research Award: School of Medicine & Health Sciences 10th Annual GW Health Sciences Research Day
  • 2000: American Physical Therapy Association New York Chapter Robert S. Salant Award for Outstanding Research
  • 1990: Ithaca College Dana Fellow Teaching Award
  • 1989: The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, New York Chapter Award
  • 1982: Phi Kappa Phi National Professional Honor Society

Teaching

  • Functional Anatomy
  • Leadership in the Health Professions

Programs

Physical Therapy

Publications
  • Plack MM, Johnson Hilliard, MJ, Costello E, Huhn K, Maring J, MJ Healey WE. Transformative learning emerging from challenges first -year students experiences. J Phys Ther Educ. 2023:37(1):43-51.
  • Jonely H, Jayaseelan D, Costello E, Signorino J, Wooten L, Murry A, Woolstenhulme. Changes in pulmonary function following thoracic spine manipulation in a healthy inactive older adult population-a pilot study. J Phys Ther Sci. 2023;35: 492-496.
  • Birkmeier M, Maring J, Pinkus R, Costello, E. Predictive Value of In-Program Academic Variables for Future Clinical Education Performance in Physical Therapist Education: An Exploratory Study. J Phys Ther Educ. 2023: In press.
  • Plack MM, Healey WE, Huhn, K, Costello, E, Maring J, Johnson Hilliard, MJ. Navigating student challenges: From the lens of the first-year doctor of physical therapy students. J of Phys Ther Educ. 2022:36(1).76-86.
  • Croarkin E, Costello, E. An online elective entry-level physical therapy oncology course guided by qualitative analysis of the student perspective. Rehab Onc. 2022.40(1):16-23.
  • Shields RK; Benchmarking Research Advances Value in Education (BRAVE) Group, Dudley-Javoroski S. Benchmarking in Academic Physical Therapy: A Multicenter Trial Using the PT-GQ Survey. Phys Ther. 2021:101(12).pzab229.
  • Scalzitti DA, Costello E. Overview of physical therapy. Chapter 78. In Principles of Rehabilitation Medicine. Mitra R (editor). McGraw-Hill. 2019.
  • Maring J, Vail M, Wright K, Tebbenhoff B, Canova K, Costello E. Attitudes toward academic dishonesty in health profession students. J of Allied Health. 2018.(47(4):e97-e103
  • Costello E, Maring J. Mapping and assessment of a threaded acute care curriculum using entry-level core competencies established by Academy of Acute Care Physical Therapy. Journal of Acute Care Physical Therapy. 2018. 9(2):60-77.
  • Scalzitti DA, Harwood KJ, Maring JR, Leach SJ, Ruckert EA, Costello E. Validation of the 2-.minute walk test with the 6-minute walk test and other activity measures in persons with multiple sclerosis. Int J MS Care. 2018.20(4):158-163.
  • Costello E, Ruckert E, Lyons L, Cotton L, Birkmeier M. To treat or not to treat: The use of computer assisted learning to enhance clinical decision making and self-efficacy of student physical therapists in the acute care setting. J of Phys Ther Educ. 2017.31(3):27-36
  • Costello E, Corcoran M, Barnett J, Birkmeier M, Cohn R, Ekmekci O, Falk N, Harrod T, Herrmann D, Robinson S, Walker B. Information and communication technology to facilitate learning for student in the health professions: Current uses, gaps and future directions. Online Learning. 2014.18(4). 15-31.
  • Maring J, Costello E, Birkmeier M, Richards M. Alexander L. Validating functional measures of physical ability for aging persons with intellectual developmental disability. Amer J Intell Dev Disab. 2013; 118(2):124-40.
  • Maring J, Costello E, Zuber E, Ulfers M. Curriculum, faculty and cohort variables predicting physical therapist assistant program graduate success on the national physical therapy examination. J of Phys Ther Educ. 2013;27(2):33-40.
  • Costello E, Leone J, Ellzy E, Miller T. Older adult perceptions of the physician’s role in promoting physical activity. Disabil Rehabil. 2013:35(14): 1191-1198.
  • Costello E, Elrod C, Tepper S. Clinical decision making in the acute care environment: A survey of practicing clinicians. J of Acute Care Phys Ther. 2011;2(2):46-54.
  • Costello E, Plack M, Maring J. Validating a standardized patient assessment tool using published professional standards. J of Phys Ther Educ. 2011;25(3): 30-45.
  • Costello E, Corcoran M. How to bathe a person with dementia: An evidence based guide. Geriatrics & Aging. 2009;12(9):464-468.
  • Maring J, Costello E. Education Program and Student Characteristics associated with pass rates on the national physical therapy examination for physical therapist assistants. J of Phys Ther Educ. 2009;23(1):3-11.
  • Costello E, Raivel K, Wilson R. The effects of a twelve-week home walking program on cardiovascular parameters and fatigue perception of individuals with multiple sclerosis: A pilot study. Cardiopulm Phys Ther J. 2009;20(1):5-12.
  • Costello E, Edelstein J. Update of falls prevention for community-dwelling older adults: Review of single and multifactorial intervention programs. J of Rehabil Res Dev. 2008;45(8):1135-1152.
  • Maring J, Costello E, Plack M. Student outcomes in a pathophysiology course based on mode of delivery: distance versus traditional classroom learning. J of Phys Ther Educ. 2008;22(1):22-30.
  • Melson J, Maring J, Costello E, Plack M. Comparison of faculty expectations to student performance on a clinical skills performance instrument. J of American Academy of Physician Assistant. 2007.20(7): 35-362007.
  • Costello E, Curtis C, Sandel I, Bassile C. Exercise prescription for individuals with multiple sclerosis. Neurology Report. 1996;20(2):24-29.
  • Alexander, J.A., & Costello, E. Physical and Surgical Therapy. In L.C. Scheinberg & N.J. Holland, ed., Multiple Sclerosis: A Guide for Patients and Their Families: New York, Raven Press, 1987, p. 79-107.

Industry Relationships and Collaborations

This faculty member (or a member of their immediate family) has reported a financial interest with the health care related companies listed below. These relations have been reported to the University and, when appropriate, management plans are in place to address potential conflicts.

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