Leona Hidalgo
Director
Dr. Leona Hidalgo is an Assistant Professor and Co-Director of Clinical Education at Emory University. She has held various academic positions such as full-time faculty member, clinical coordinator, and PTA program director. Dr. Hidalgo’s clinical expertise includes acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, and caring for patients in their homes. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Florida Atlantic University, a Master of Science in Physical Therapy from Florida International University, a post-professional DPT degree from the University of South Florida, and a Doctorate in Education from Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Hidalgo is also an APTA-credentialed Clinical Instructor, certified in Manual Lymph Drainage, and has been an APTA member since PT school. Dr. Hidalgo has presented at Combined Sections Meeting (CSM), World Physiotherapy Congress, International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare (IMSH), Florida Physical Therapy Association (FPTA), and Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions (ASAHP) Annual Conferences related to her expertise on student academic performance, simulation, clinical education, and other topics. She has also served the profession nationally, participating in the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) PTA Practice Analysis Task Force and the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) Assessment Task Force. Committed to student success, Dr. Hidalgo enjoys mentoring future clinicians and advocates for careers in academia.
