Andrew Purcell
Columbia
Summary
Neurologic Physical Therapy Resident with experience treating medically complex patients across inpatient rehabilitation, acute care, and outpatient settings. Focused on client driven, task-specific care to improve functional mobility and independence in populations including stroke, SCI, vestibular, and brain injury. Strong emphasis on clinical reasoning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and adapting care based on patient presentation and medical status. Passionate about evidence-based practice and advancing clinical knowledge through teaching, team-building, and ongoing educational training.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Neurological Physical Therapy Resident
University of Missouri System
Columbia, MO
07.2025 - Current
- Delivered high-frequency, evidence-informed neurological rehabilitation across outpatient, acute care, and inpatient rehabilitation settings, managing medically complex patients including stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic/anoxic brain injury, Parkinsonian syndromes, and vestibular disorders
- Collaborated, often daily, with an interdisciplinary team (PT, OT, SLP, nursing, physicians, and case management) to support discharge planning, equipment needs, and safe transitions to home and community settings
- Utilized advanced clinical reasoning to monitor medical stability and dynamically modify interventions in response to changes in vital signs, cardiac status, fatigue, and neurological presentation
- Implemented task-specific, high-intensity gait and mobility training to improve functional independence, reduce burden of care, and optimize discharge outcomes
- Completed structured didactic residency training focused on advanced neurological rehabilitation, including critical appraisal of literature, clinical practice guidelines, and integration of evidence into patient care
- Contributed to clinical education through presentations at the Missouri APTA Conference, PM&R Grand Rounds, development of interactive learning labs, and leading monthly journal article discussions to promote evidence-based practice
Clinical Intern
Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital
Springfield, MO
01.2025 - 03.2025
- Was fully independent with patient evaluation, treatment, and all documentation at end of clinical rotation
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary members to support patient care strategies and treatment plans.
- Maintained a full caseload
- Managed a caseload dominantly neurological, or those with increased complexity of systemic impairment (renal, cardiovascular, multi-trauma)
Clinical Intern
Centerpoint Medical Center
Independence, MO
10.2024 - 12.2024
- Worked in the setting of Outpatient Neurologic Physical Therapy
- Treated patient populations of vestibular, SCI, stroke, MS, concussion, dementia, PD, and others
- Given the nature of the patient populations, often treated in collaboration with SLP, OT and others due to the patient complexity
- Provided an Inservice regarding peripheral neuropathy pathologies and current best practice for evaluation and treatment given the variability of causation (primary focus: DM II given overwhelming prevalence)
Clinical Intern
Mizzou Therapy Services – Forum
Columbia, MO
03.2024 - 05.2024
- Worked in the setting of outpatient orthopedics
- Patient populations treated consisted of pediatric, geriatric, adult, post-op, and neurologic indications
- Collaborated with CI on more than one occasion regarding appropriate referrals to seek greater medical intervention for systemic and orthopedic insults
- Provided an Inservice regarding the impact of eccentric overload training on muscular hypertrophy and the plausibility for utilization via flywheel devices in the orthopedic outpatient setting across various populations
Clinical Intern
Carroll County Memorial Hospital
Carrolton, MO
05.2023 - 08.2023
- Worked in the settings of in-patient acute care, orthopedic outpatient, and home health serving the rural community of Carroll County
- Collaborated with interdepartmental teams of Occupational Therapy, Social Work, and Respiratory Therapy for patient placement at time of discharge
- Developed POC for various conditions (neurologic, orthopedic, pulmonary)
- Able to observe surgical procedure
Group Fitness Trainer
Columbia, MO
04.2019 - Current
- Instructs workout routines for clients – up to 39 people at a time
- Creates an environment of fun coinciding with challenge through the use musical playlists, motivation and communication, and emotional and physical support
- Works in extensive collaboration with clients and other trainers
- Orangetheory Fitness
Education
Doctorate of Physical Therapy -
University of Missouri
Columbia, MO05-2025
Bachelor’s in Fine Arts - Musical Theatre; Minor in Dance
Millikin University
Decatur, IL05-2012
Skills
- Neurological Rehabilitation
- Clinical Decision-Making & Medical Stability Monitoring
- Task-Specific Intervention
- Interdisciplinary Team Collaboration & Discharge Planning
- Vestibular Evaluation and Treatment
- Evidence-Based Practice & Clinical Education
Affiliations
APTA Member
Certification
Certified Personal Trainer – NASM, CPR and AED Certified – American Healthcare Academy, Missouri Mandated Reporter Certified, ANPT Basic Wheelchair Needs
Timeline
Neurological Physical Therapy Resident
University of Missouri System
07.2025 - Current
Clinical Intern
Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital
01.2025 - 03.2025
Clinical Intern
Centerpoint Medical Center
10.2024 - 12.2024
Clinical Intern
Mizzou Therapy Services – Forum
03.2024 - 05.2024
Clinical Intern
Carroll County Memorial Hospital
05.2023 - 08.2023
Group Fitness Trainer
04.2019 - Current
Doctorate of Physical Therapy -
University of Missouri
Bachelor’s in Fine Arts - Musical Theatre; Minor in Dance
Millikin University