Theresa O'Neil, PT, MS, DPT, EdD, OCS, FAAOMPT
Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy
College of Health & Natural Sciences, Franklin Pierce University, NH
Paper Presentation Title
Evaluation of Learning Modalities and Anatomical Knowledge: A Mixed Methods Study in First Year DPT Education
Biography
Theresa O’Neil, PT, MS, DPT, EdD, OCS, FAAOMPT, is an Assistant Professor in the DPT-NH program and an APTA Board-Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist. She serves as a clinical resource specialist in vestibular and post-concussion rehabilitation for Beth Israel Lahey Health in Woburn, Massachusetts, integrating advanced clinical practice with academic scholarship.
Dr. O’Neil’s scholarly work focuses on health professions education, with particular emphasis on learning theory, cognitive science, Master Adaptive Learning, and their application to student engagement and academic success. Her research examines the relationship between instructional design, learner variability, and performance outcomes in Doctor of Physical Therapy education. She is committed to the development and implementation of evidence-based pedagogical strategies that promote critical thinking, metacognition, self-regulated learning, and adaptive expertise in emerging clinicians. Her work supports the advancement of inclusive, learner-centered educational environments grounded in contemporary educational research.
Nationally, Dr. O’Neil presents at the APTA Combined Sections Meeting and regionally at APTA New Hampshire and Massachusetts Annual Conferences. She has also presented on concussion and rehabilitation at the New Jersey Brain Alliance Conference, contributing to interdisciplinary dialogue in neurologic and orthopaedic practice.
She serves as an item writer for the APTA Orthopaedic Specialist Certification through the Specialization Academy of Content Experts, contributing to the psychometric integrity and content validity of national specialty examination standards.
Dr. O’Neil is a residency-trained physical therapist in Orthopaedic Manual Therapy and a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy (FAAOMPT). Her clinical and academic pursuits reflect a sustained commitment to integrating advanced manual therapy practice with rigorous educational scholarship to prepare adaptive, evidence-informed physical therapists.
