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Karen J. Bock, Ph.D., PT, CWS, CLT-LANA

Karen  Bock portrait
Clinical Assistant Professor, Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Science, and Athletic Training
kbock2@kumc.edu

Professional Background

Karen Bock, Ph.D., PT, CWS, CLT-LANA, is a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Science, and Athletic Training at the University of Kansas Medical Center. She received her master's degree in physical therapy from Rockhurst University, Kansas City, Mo., in 2002 and her doctorate in rehabilitation science from the University of Kansas in 2023. Bock received board certification as a wound specialist by the American Board of Wound Management in 2005 and board certification from the Lymphology Association of North America in 2012.

Bock has more than 20 years of clinical experience in acute and outpatient settings at an urban level-one trauma hospital in Kansas City, Mo. She has presented research on her specialty areas of interest in lymphedema and complex wound management at national and international conferences. Her current research includes the topics of sleep and lymphedema management.

Heavily involved in professional service, Bock serves on the board of directors of the Lymphology Association of North America to promote high-quality training and standards among lymphedema therapists and is also a member of the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. She currently serves as a commissioner on the commission's re-affirmation committee for physical therapy programs. This role allows her to promote equitable standards and training in physical therapy education.

Recent awards Bock has received include the 2023 Bronze Award for Clinical Research at the JWC 2023 awards, the 2020 Australasian Lymphology Association Conference Best Overall Poster Award and the 2018 Young Investigator Award for the Symposium on Advances in Wound Care.

Professional Affiliations
  • Lymphology Association of North America, Nominations and Elections Committee, Chair, 2021 - Present
  • Lymphology Association of North America, Director, 2020 - Present
  • Academy of Education, a component of the American Physical Therapy Association, Clinical Education Special Interest Group (CESIG), Co-Chair, 2019 - 2023
  • Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology and Wound Management, a component of the American Physical Therapy Association, Member, 2017 - Present
  • International Compression Club, Member, 2017 - Present
  • European Wound Management Association, Member, 2016 - Present
  • American Physical Therapy Association, Member, 1999 - Present

Publications
  • Ehmann, Suzie, Bock, Karen. 2018. Case Report to Demonstrate the Need for Selection Criteria for Optimal Adjustable Velcro Wrap Prescription. JOURNAL OF WOUND CARE, 27 (1), S10-S17
  • Mullins, M, Bock, K, Bhatia, A. 2017. Extremit-Ease Compression Garment: A Review and Cases. British journal of community nursing, 22 (Sup12), S41-S47
  • Bock, Karen., J. 2013. A Physical Therapy-Directed Approach for Axillary Web Syndrome. National Lymphedema Network Lymph Link, 25 (2), 9-11, 25