Kinesiology

Licenses and Certifications:

Licensed Physical Therapist, State of Oregon
Certified Health and Wellness Coach
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
Certified Scoliosis Specialist

Lisa Flexner is a clinical assistant professor and academic coordinator of clinical education in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at OSU-Cascades. She oversees the clinical internship programs and the integrated clinical experiences throughout the DPT program, as well as teaching orthopedic and related classes in the DPT program. She is also an instructor of kinesiology at OSU-Cascades.

Originally from Minnesota, Flexner attended Stanford University and received her B.A. in psychology and M.A. in sociology. She worked in management consulting and for software and internet companies before finding a passion for health and fitness. This led to a career shift and a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from University of Washington. She went on to complete her residency and fellowship training in Orthopaedic and Manual Therapy from the Ola Grimsby Institute. She is a Fellow in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy.

Prior to joining OSU-Cascades, Flexner was on the teaching team for the University of Washington’s DPT program from 2008-2015, focusing on orthopedics and sports medicine. She has a passion for connecting the clinical to the classroom, helping students link what they’re learning to the human beings they will treat. Flexner is an experienced orthopedic/spine/pain clinician who has worked in private practice orthopedics and hospital-based pediatric sports medicine settings in Washington and Oregon. In addition to her work with OSU-Cascades, Flexner is the owner of FlexHealth Consulting, which combines physical therapy interventions and health coaching techniques to improve clients’ overall health and decrease risk of chronic disease. She advocates for patients, physical therapy, and health care at the local, state, and federal levels through her work with the Oregon Physical Therapy Association and the American Physical Therapy Association.

Off campus, Flexner is always happiest on the move under her own power: hiking, trail running, walking. She and her husband and dog revel in all the different activities available to us here in Central Oregon, and spend time each year exploring new areas of the world. In the community, she volunteers with the Bend Food Project, the St. Charles Cancer Survivorship Program, and the Central Oregon Health Council, and sings alto with Central Oregon Mastersingers.