Maritza R. Dominguez

Dr. Maritza Dominguez is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Central Arkansas and a licensed physical therapist. She is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainer and a credentialed clinical instructor through the American Physical Therapy Association. She earned a PhD in Physical Therapy from the University of Central Arkansas (2020), a Master of Physical Therapy from the University of Texas at El Paso (2009), and a Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies from the University of Texas at Austin (2001).

Her clinical expertise focuses on post-acute neurological rehabilitation and community re-integration for adults recovering from brain injury, along with experience treating geriatric clients and youth athletes. Dr. Dominguez designs and teaches coursework in therapeutic exercise, neuro-rehabilitation, complex patient management, professional development, and research for first- and second-year DPT students. She serves on the Interprofessional Education Committee and is a Professional Member of the National Academies of Practice.

Her research interests include interprofessional education, artificial intelligence in healthcare, adaptive fitness for individuals with disabilities, and animal-assisted therapy. She has mentored more than 100 graduate students across multiple health disciplines and helped expand clinical partnerships to eleven universities. Her work informs institutional policies and emphasizes collaborative care to improve patient outcomes.