Kim Lebard-Rankila

Dr. Kim
Lebard-Rankila

Associate Professor, HHP Dept Chair
Interdisciplinary Studies | Health | Health and Human Performance | Coaching
Email:
Office: Marcovich Wellness Center 1404

About

Kim is the coordinator of the community/public health program and assists with the exercise science program at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. She teaches kinesiology, community and environmental health, epidemiology, health coach, exercise physiology labs and ethical leadership. Additionally, Kim advises undergraduate students and helps coordinate internship experiences and supervises practicum experiences related to physical assessments. Kim also maintains UW-Superior’s status as an international exam site for four health-related certifications through the American Council on Exercise (ACE), thus allowing students opportunities to expand their resume and career opportunities after graduation. Kim also works at Essentia health as a licensed physical therapy assistant specializing in sports medicine, orthopedics and manual therapy. She is a Certified Personal Trainer (ACE), Certified Group Fitness Instructor (ACE) and Certified American Red Cross and First Aid /CPR instructor.

Kim’s areas of expertise include employee wellness programs, kinesiology and obesity across the lifespan. She has assessed several organizations and started programs in multiple settings. Kim has taught and researched multiple concepts associated with function and taught and conducted research on obesity in multiple settings.

Kim has been involved in the following organizations:

  • American Council on Exercise (ACE)
  • Wisconsin Physical Therapy Association
  • Alzheimer’s Association
  • The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)

Kim enjoys spending time with family and friends relaxing in nature, hiking, kayaking and canoeing, camping, reading mystery and sci-fi books, walking her dogs, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and working with community members to build happy environments.

Research Interests

Kim’s research interest focuses on physical and emotional health across the lifespan with a focus on functional movement to maintain quality of life, emotional wellness, obesity issues, self-efficacy, employee wellness programs, and overall quality of life.

Education

  • 2015 – Doctor of Health Education (Ed.D.) – Public Health and Kinesiology, A.T. Still University
  • 2011 – Master of Education (M. Ed.) – Environmental and Public Health, University of Minnesota Duluth
  • 1996 – Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) – Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant – Lake Superior College
  • 1990 – Bachelor of Science (B.S.) – Corporate and Community Health Promotion and Physical Education, University of Wisconsin-Superior