Dana Daniel Blake is an associate professor and the director of clinical education at Samford University. Blake, a 1993 graduate with a biology degree, comes from a long legacy of Samford graduates—her husband and mother are alumni, and her grandfather took lay minister classes when it was Howard College. With more than 25 years of experience as a clinician and multi-site clinical director, she has earned national recognition for her work in financial management, patient care, and best practice techniques. Blake received the Barbara Bradford Leadership Award from the American Physical Therapy Association in 2024 for her outstanding leadership and the 2020 Collegiality Award from the School of Health Professions for her contributions to the academic community.
Blake has taught courses nationwide in manual therapy, dry needling, and spine care. Her certifications include Manual Therapy Certification (MTC), Orthopedics Certified Specialist (OCS), and Certified Physical Work Performance Evaluator (PWPE). She has worked in both for-profit and not-for-profit health care settings, bringing her extensive knowledge and passion for service delivery to the DPT program at Samford.
Active in her community and church, Blake participates in mission trips and supports women recovering from cancer through fly fishing and spiritual encouragement. She enjoys gardening, hiking, and spending time with her family on their lake property. Her favorite Bible verse, Jeremiah 29:11, guides her approach to mentoring students and colleagues in both faith and professional development.
Degrees and Certifications
- DPT, Physical Therapy, College of St. Scholastica
- MSPT, Physical Therapy, University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Bachelor of Science in Biology, Samford University
- Orthopedic Certification Specialist, American Physical Therapy Association
- Manual Therapy Certification, University of St. Augustine
- Certified Clinical Instructor, American Physical Therapy Association
- Certified Physical Work Performance Evaluation, Ergoscience
Involvement
- American Physical Therapy Association (APTA): Member
- American Physical Therapy Association – Orthopedic Section: Member
- American Physical Therapy Association – Education Section: Member
- American Physical Therapy Association – Alabama Chapter (ALAPTA): Member, previous Membership Chairman, previous Government Affairs/Political Action Committee Chapter Council member
- American Physical Therapy Association – Georgia Chapter (PTAG): Member, previous Education Committee member, previous Nominating Committee member
- Alabama Worker’s Compensation Organization (AWCO): Member
- Alabama Self Insured Association (ASIA): Member
- American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT): Member
- Kingwood Church: Member and previous Sunday School Teacher
- National Association of Female Executives: Member
- Rotary International: Member: previously served on the Health Affairs Committee, Fellowship Committee and Family of Rotary Committee
Expertise
- Practice Management
- Orthopedics
- Manual Therapy
- Acute and Chronic Spine Care
- Dry Needling
- Ethics/Professionalism
- Ergonomics
- Functional Capacity Evaluations
- Impairment Ratings
- Job Site Analysis
- Industrial Rehab and Consulting
Peer Reviewed Presentations
- Can Physical Therapy Decrease the Use of Opioids? Dry Needling + Manual Therapy = Pain Relief – International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals: Alabama Chapter in 2020
- Cadaveric Dissection Lab: Hands On To Help Remember Again What You May Have Forgotten! Washmuth, Nick; Blake, Dana Daniel; Bowens, Andrea; Thurston, Lydia. Alabama Chapter of American Physical Therapy Association.
- Alternatives to Opioids – Department of Industrial Relations Conference in 2018
- Ethics and Ergonomics – Alabama Self Insured Association Conference in 2017
- Cost Effective Utilization of Functional Capacity Evaluations and Dry Needling – Multiple Venues
- Job Site Analysis and Desk Ergonomics – Multiple Venues
- Diabetes, Wellness and Rehab in the Workplace – Southeastern Mining Conference in 2015
- Diagnostic Techniques and Evidence Based Treatments for Musculoskeletal Dysfunction and Pain of the Spine – Summit Education in 2009
- Professionalism and Interviewing Skills for the Student – American Physical Therapy Association: Georgia Chapter in 2007
- Comprehensive Management of the Lumbar Spine in the 21st Century: Tips and Tricks for the Physical Therapist Assistant or Physical Therapist – 2007
- Professionalism and Development – 2005 and 2005
- Comprehensive Management of the Lumbar Spine in the 21st Century: Tips and Tricks – various years nationally
- Development of Treatment Algorithms to Assess the Effects of a Manual Therapy Plus Exercise versus Exercise Alone Program on Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain—American Physical Therapy Association Platform Speaker in 1996
Peer Reviewed Publications
- A Mixed Methods Assessment of Burnout in Alabama Physical Therapy Workforce. 2020. Henry, Bethany; Bowens, Andrea; Blake, Dana Daniel; Amamoo, M. Ahinee. American Physical Therapy Association Poster #1101 at Combined Sections Meeting.
- Assessment of Professional Quality of Life in Alabama Physical Therapy Workforce. (pending) Submitted 2020 to the Physical Therapy Journal
- Physiotherapy and Spiritual Care – Spiritual Care for Allied Health Practice. (pending) Submitted 2019 for Book Chapter related to Physical Therapy
- Development of Treatment Algorithms to Assess the Effects of a Manual Therapy Plus Exercise versus Exercise Alone Program on Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain. 1996. Dana Lynn Daniel. American Physical Therapy Association Platform Speaker
Research Areas
- Effects of Manual Therapy and Exercise
- The Role of Physical Therapy in Ergonomics for Companies
- Burnout and Practice Management and Development
- Spiritual Care and Professional Development
