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Kara Tucker

Kara Tucker Balun, PT, DPT, NCS

Academic Office Information

kara.tucker@hsc.utah.edu

Program Coordinator, Dr. Kara Tucker-Balun, is from Boise, ID. After attending Boise State University for her undergraduate education, she earned her DPT degree from the University of Utah in 2013. She graduated from the Utah Neurologic PT Residency the following year and is a board-certified clinical specialist in neurologic PT. Dr. Tucker currently works for the University of Utah in the Sugarhouse outpatient community clinic where she specializes in working with patients with congenital or acquired neurologic diagnoses: specifically stroke, traumatic brain injury, concussion, or vestibular pathologies. She is also recognized as a Certified Stroke Rehabilitation Specialist by the National Stroke Association and strongly supports adaptive recreation with the University of Utah’s TRAILS program and other community resources. Dr. Tucker has presented many posters and keynote presentations at local and national conferences, including the Utah Stroke Symposium, University of Utah Stroke Grand Rounds, Utah Physical Therapy Association State Conferences, American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, and Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy IV Step Conference. Her current research interests include surgical lower extremity spasticity management and associated functional outcomes and the significance of baseline concussion testing and associated measures to help determine return to play protocols. She is also an adjunct instructor in the University of Utah Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training. As program coordinator, Dr. Tucker assures that residents receive an excellent education in our program. She oversees mentoring, didactics, and professional development.

Education History