DPT Newsroom

The Duke Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program participated in the inaugural Duke National Health Research Conference (DNHRC)—a new national forum bringing together undergraduate and recently graduated scholars from across the country to share innovative research, connect with faculty experts, and build meaningful professional networks. Designed to advance medical discovery and spark interdisciplinary collaboration, the conference welcomes research from all health‑related fields, spanning STEM, social sciences, and the humanities.

As always, Duke Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) was exceptionally well‑represented at the American Physical Therapy Association’s (APTA's) Combined Sections Meeting (CSM), held earlier this month in Anaheim, California. This year’s gathering once again highlighted the depth and breadth of Duke’s leadership across clinical practice, scholarship, and service within the profession.

In the spirit of the Olympic Games, Duke Doctor of Physical Therapy welcomed Olympic medalist and Duke alum Shannon Rowbury for an inspiring conversation centered around her new book, Strong as a Mother. Moderated by Duke DPT alum and faculty member Dr. Laura Pietrosimone, the event created a thoughtful forum for discussing female athlete health and well‑being across the lifespan.

The Interdisciplinary Rehabilitative Research Seminar Series welcomed Steven Z.

Duke DPT was honored to host Dr. Stanley Paris and Dr. Catherine Patla this month. Both are distinguished physical therapists, philanthropists, and lifelong advocates for the profession. They are the benefactors of the Duke Center of Excellence in Manual and Manipulative Therapy, led by Dr. Chad Cook and Dr. Derek Clewley, and together have contributed more than $5 million to physical therapy–oriented grants.

We’re proud to share that Erik Carvalho, PT, DPT, MHA—a Duke DPT alum and long‑standing leader within Duke Orthopaedics—was recently featured by the Duke Health Integrated Practice (DHIP) for his promotion to Ambulatory Operations Director (AOD), Orthopaedics.

Climate change isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s a health issue. Recent reporting highlights how shifting weather patterns, from heat waves to hurricanes, can intensify chronic pain for millions of Americans. Dr. Corey B. Simon, DPT, PhD, associate professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Duke University and a leading researcher on pain mechanisms, provides expert context on why these changes matter for patient care.

A landmark NIH-funded randomized clinical trial published in JAMA provides new insights into managing acute and subacute low back pain (LBP)—one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. The study, titled "Spinal Manipulation and Clinician-Supported Biopsychosocial Self-Management for Acute Back Pain: The PACBACK Randomized Clinical Trial," investigated whether spinal manipulation and clinician-supported self-management are more effective than guideline-based medical care for adults at increased risk of chronic disabling back pain.

Tiffany Adams, PT, DPT, MBA, PhD, and Tomeico Faison, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA—both assistant professors of Orthopaedic Surgery—are transforming how Duke DPT and OTD students approach the financial realities of graduate education through the Duke OTD & DPT Financial Leadership Series. Since its launch in 2021, the program has provided students with practical tools for budgeting, debt management, loan forgiveness, and long‑term financial planning.

A new publication co-authored by Duke Orthopaedic Surgery faculty members Steven Z. George, PT, PhD, and Maggie E. Horn, PT, DPT, PhD, and colleagues sheds light on how patients with common shoulder disorders use healthcare services within the U.S. Military Health System. The study, titled “Healthcare Use Patterns for High Volume Musculoskeletal Shoulder Disorders: A Longitudinal Cohort from the U.S.