Professor of Clinical Physical Therapy
Director, Residency and Fellowship Programs

1540 Alcazar St., CHP 155
Los Angeles, CA 90089-9006

Rob Landel is a professor of clinical physical therapy in the USC Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy (at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry at USC), where he is the director of PT residency and fellowship programs. He was the founding director of the USC orthopedic physical therapy residency program and continues to mentor residents and fellows. Dr. Landel established and was director of the Division’s faculty practice, USC Physical Therapy, treating patients primarily with orthopedic, balance and vestibular dysfunctions. Most recently he was the director of the DPT program and its residential pathway for 11 years.

Dr. Landel is a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), a board-certified specialist in orthopedic physical therapy, a certified strength and conditioning specialist and a certified manual therapist. He has chaired the Orthopedic Specialty Council, which is responsible for developing and constructing the board certification exam in orthopedic physical therapy, and was chair of the Clinical Residency and Fellowship Credentialing Committee (now the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education), which oversees residency and fellowship program credentialing for APTA. He is a member of APTA’s orthopedic and neurologic sections.

Dr. Landel has published on a variety of topics in orthopedics, vestibular rehabilitation and concussion and has received national teaching and research awards. His teaching skills have been recognized nationally with the Gould Excellence in Teaching Award from the Academy of Orthopedic PT, and with the Associates Award from USC, the university’s highest teaching honor. He is a Fellow of the USC Center for Excellence in Teaching.

With over 35 years of experience treating orthopedic, neurologic and vestibular patients, Dr. Landel has lectured and trained therapists and physicians in the United States and Canada, Asia, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Africa. In addition to treating patients at USC Physical Therapy, he has worked for the U.S. professional beach volleyball tour, for USA Beach Volleyball and at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. His clinical interests have been in cervicogenic dizziness and the diagnostic dilemma and management challenge posed by patients with persistent post-concussion symptoms.

• Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of Southern California, 1996
• Master of Science, Physical Therapy, University of Southern California, 1984
• Bachelor of Science, Health Science with Community Health Education, California State University, Long Beach, 1981
• Associates Degree, Pasadena City College, 1978

See Rob Landel’s curriculum vitae.

• President’s Award, Oncology Section, APTA, 2018
• Lucy Blair Service Award, APTA, 2018
• Associates Award for Excellence in Teaching, University of Southern California, 2014
• Royce P. Noland Award of Merit, California Chapter American Physical Therapy Association, 2012
• Catherine Worthingham Fellow, APTA, 2012
• James A. Gould Excellence in Teaching Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Award, Orthopedic Section of the APTA, 2009
• Teacher of the Year, Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, 2009
• Excellence in Research–Faculty; California Chapter APTA, 2008
• Teacher of the Year, Department of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, 2005
• Steven Rose Excellence in Research Award, Orthopedic Section, APTA, 1998