Caitlin Fitzgerald, PT, DPT, is Associate Director of Clinical Education and Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at MGH Institute of Health Professions. Previous to her full-time appointment at the Institute, Dr. Fitzgerald worked full-time as a physical therapist as well as worked at the Institute as a lab instructor and seminar facilitator.
Her most recent full-time clinical position was at Lahey Health – Beverly Hospital at Danvers where she was the clinical team leader and treated patients with neurologic, pediatric and orthopedic diagnoses.
As a member of the physical therapy program’s clinical education team, Dr. Fitzgerald is responsible for continuing the successful development and implementation of the clinical education component of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
Dr. Fitzgerald’s didactic teaching responsibilities in the DPT program include Patient Client Management 3 (Fall of the 1st year of the program). Dr. Fitzgerald has served as faculty advisor for the MGH Institute's chapter of the IHI Open School, the PT department’s PT club, and has chaired the PT department’s Committee on Academic Policies & Procedures. She also has served as chair of the technology committee of the New England Consortium of Clinical Education.
- BS, Health Science, Boston University
- MS, Physical Therapy, Boston, University
- DPT, AT Still University, Mesa, AZ
- Clinical education
- Instructor and student engagement
- Quality Improvement
- Belongingness in clinical education
Dr. Fitzgerald regularly presents at conferences and industry events. Please see her CV for a complete list of presentations.
Changing climate, changing curriculum: Preparing Future healthcare providers to address climate health and improve population health Climate at MGH Institute of Health Professions.
Making Integrated Clinical Education Work – It’s All about Consistency, Connections and Collaboration at Education Leadership Conference – American Physical Therapy Association (Education Academy and ACAPT).
Restructuring an IHI Open School Chapter to Support Greater Member Engagement at Institute for Healthcare Improvement National Forum.
A Knowledge Transfer System via Social Media: Collaboration Between Academic and Clinical Educators (Phase 2) at Combined Sections Meeting.
Preparing Clinicians to be Effective Interprofessional Practice Instructors at Education Leadership Conference – American Physical Therapy Association (Education Section and ACAPT).
