Dr. Suzanne L. Tinsley, PhD, PT to Speak at Graduation
Dr. Suzanne L. Tinsley, PhD, PT will be the commencement speaker at this year’s Panola College graduation ceremony. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, December 17, at 7:00 p.m. in the Arthur M. Johnson Gymnasium.
Dr. Tinsley received her Associate of Science degree from Panola College in 1982 and her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Texas Woman’s University in 1984. She graduated from the Texas Woman’s University Physical Therapy program with a Master of Science in Physical Therapy in 1986. She earned her Doctorate of Philosophy in Neuropharmacology from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in 1999.
She has been on faculty at LSUHSCE since 1988 and currently holds the position of Associate Professor. Through her graduate education and research, she has pursued her interest in the area of neurological rehabilitation. Dr. Tinsley’s areas of expertise include motor control, rehabilitation and pharmacology. She has an active clinical research program in the area of neurological rehabilitation including patients with spinal cord injury, stroke and Parkinson’s disease. She has also recently published a Pharmacology Text book for physical therapy education.
Dr. Tinsley has presented her clinical and basic science research in state, national and international scientific forums. She has had the honor of being a Visiting Scholar to the Valens Rehabilitation Clinic in Valens, Switzerland. Dr. Tinsley has also been honored by receiving the School of Allied Health Professions Excellence in Research Award and the LSUHSC Allen A. Copping Award for Excellence in Teaching. She is noted as a very enthusiastic teacher as she pushes her students to be excellent, not perfect, in all that they do.
She is actively involved in both the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and Louisiana Physical Therapy Association (LPTA). She serves as Chair of the APTA Stroke Special Interest group and as Chair of the LPTA Research Committee. She is currently a board member of the American CADISIL Foundation and the North Desoto Parish Rural Health Care Center She has recently been appointed to serve as a member of the newly formed Louisiana Commission on Men’s Health and Wellness being only one of two women appointed to serve on this commission. She also served on the Louisiana Stroke Task Force.
Dr. Tinsley provides valuable service by maintaining an active clinical practice through the LSUHSC Faculty Practice Clinic where her energy is directed toward improving the quality of life for the patients she treats with chronic debilitating neurological diseases. She also works with the Parkinson’s Disease Resource of Northwest Louisiana volunteering her time for community awareness and patient education.
In her spare time she is a volunteer coach for the Athletic Department at St. Marks Cathedral School in Shreveport, LA, coaching 4 girls basketball teams (5th thru 8th grades) and is a volunteer to the Benton High School Girls Athletic Programs and Loyola Athletic Department by providing physical therapy services pro bono for injured female athletes. Dr. Tinsley currently lives in Benton, LA. She has two daughters, Meagan age 14 and Madeline age 10. She is married to James E. (Eddie) Tinsley of Simsboro, LA.