Dr. Pabian is a professor and department chair for the Department of Physical therapy at the University of Kentucky. He completed a fellowship in higher education leadership through the American Physical Therapy Association and is recognized as a Distinguished Scholar and Fellow of the National Academies of Practice. He is also a board-certified clinical specialist in both orthopedic physical therapy and sports physical therapy by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialists. He received his PhD in higher education from the University of Central Florida, while also completing a graduate certificate in advanced quantitative methodology in educational and human sciences. His educational research focuses on contemporary issues in graduate and professional education, with a special concentration on interprofessional education and practice. His scholarly focus in clinical physical therapy practice has focused on post-operative management of orthopedic and sports medicine populations.

Dr. Pabian is an active leader in numerous academic, research, interprofessional education, and interprofessional practice organizations. His professional service includes being a board member and vice president for the American Council of Academic Physical Therapy. He is the former board member and chair of the Florida Board of Physical Therapy, the regulatory entity for state licensure. He has also been a council member for the sports physical therapy specialty council with the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. He is a current editorial board member for two peer-reviewed journals, one focusing on orthopedic research and the other in educational research.

Research / Scholarship

• Contemporary issues in graduate and professional education
• Interprofessional education & practice
• Translation of academic learning to clinical practice
• Interprofessional clinical practice in orthopedics and sports medicine

Educational Focus

• Clinical orthopedics & sports medicine
• Kinesiology and movement science
• Interprofessional education and practice
• Professional issues in health care education