Lisa Garcia Ph.D., MS

Overview

Lisa Garcia is an associate educator in the College of Health Professions. She has been with the College as a full-time, graduate faculty member since 2011 and currently oversees the Cadaver Lab located within the Scientific Foundations Division.

Dr. Garcia graduated from Newman University in 2008 with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology before continuing onto Creighton University, finishing her Master’s degree in Clinical Anatomy in 2010. She recently completed a PhD degree at Wichita State University in Educational Behavioral Studies in the Spring 2026 semester with a focus on Educational Psychology. Her research endeavors are focused on educational theory in the anatomy classroom and how that relates to clinical practice. Additionally, she has a special interest on working with neurodivergent adult learners.

Her teaching focus is largely on the upper-level undergraduate and graduate anatomy courses, but has recently stepped back into the role of assisting with the introductory anatomy labs. She is also involved with providing frequent lab tours to area high schools, tech programs, and community colleges. 

Academic Interests and Expertise

• Anatomy
• Clinical (Applied) Anatomy
• Anatomical Education
• Educational Technology
• Cognitive Load
• Experiential Learning
• Constructivism

Areas of Teaching Interest

• HS 290 – Foundations of Anatomy & Physiology (5 cr, both Fall & Spring) – assists with labs
• HS315 – Head & Neck Anatomy (2 cr, Spring) – for Dental Hygiene bachelor students
• HS 600 – Advanced Clinical Anatomy (5 cr, both Fall & Spring)
• HS 700 – Gross Anatomy (6 cr, Fall) – requires interview
• PT 725 – Anatomy for PT (6 cr, Fall) – for Doctoral Physical Therapy students
• PA 789 & PA 789L – Clinical Anatomy (6 cr, Summer) – for Physician Associate masters students

Awards and Honors

• Phi Kappa Phi & National Society of Leadership & Success Honor Societies (2026)
• Newman University – Spirit of Acuto Alumni Award (2023)
• Tri-Alpha Honor Society (2021)
• Alpha Eta (2018)
• Non-tenure promotion (2018)
• WSU Teaching & Learning in Health Professions Scholarship (2013)
• WSU iPad Innovation Grant (2012)
• Newman University – Sister Claudine Axman Award in Biology (2008)

Areas of Service

• First Generation Coordinating Council – CHP Representative (2018-2024)
• TriAlpha Honor Society – Faculty Mentor
• Editorial Service for Journals: American Association for Anatomy, American Association of Clinical Anatomists
• Anatomy lab tours