Position: Assistant Professor
Department: College of Healthcare Professions
Phone: 610-282-1100, x1898
Office: 216 Wills Hall
Education
Dr. Stephen Kareha is an Assistant Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at DeSales University and a clinician‑leader with more than 20 years of experience in outpatient orthopaedic physical therapy. He is Board‑Certified in Orthopedic Physical Therapy (OCS) and a Fellow of the Academy of Spine Physical Therapy (FASPT), with additional credentials including Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC), Certified Mulligan Practitioner (CMP), and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS).
Dr. Kareha holds multiple leadership roles within St. Luke’s University Health Network, where he serves as Director of Professional Development for Outpatient Rehabilitation, Director of the Orthopaedic Residency, and Director of the Spine Fellowship. He has contributed to the development of the St. Luke’s Comprehensive Spine Program, a multidisciplinary model that positions physical therapists as first‑contact providers within the healthcare team.
At DeSales, Dr. Kareha teaches across the curriculum, with primary contributions in Principles of Therapeutic Exercise, Evidence‑Based Practice, Research I, Advanced Orthopaedics and Pain Neuroscience, and Orthopaedic Case Analysis. He also contributes to the Differential Diagnosis and Intervention and Musculoskeletal course series and serves as a faculty mentor for student research (Research II–IV), supporting development in clinical reasoning and musculoskeletal assessment.
Dr. Kareha is actively engaged in professional service and leadership. He contributes to the advancement of residency and fellowship education through work with the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE) and currently serves on the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) Scope of Practice Task Force on Prescribing Imaging. He also serves as Chair of the Primary Care and Community Health Research Committee at St. Luke’s University Health Network.
His scholarly work includes peer‑reviewed publications and regional and national presentations, with a research focus on improving patient outcomes through enhanced screening, diagnostic classification, therapeutic alliance, and efficiency of care delivery. He also directs student research initiatives focused on musculoskeletal examination and differential diagnosis.
Through his combined roles in clinical leadership, residency and fellowship education, scholarship, and teaching, Dr. Kareha contributes to the program’s emphasis on clinical excellence, systems‑level thinking, and service‑oriented physical therapy practice.