Engaging Physical Therapy Learners: Reasoning, Simulation, and Dialogue

Dr. Keshrie Naidoo PT, DPT, EdD, is the Chair and Distinguished Teaching Associate Professor in the Physical Therapy Department and the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at the MGH Institute of Health Professions. Dr. Naidoo earned her Physiotherapy degree from the University of Cape Town, transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the MGH Institute and her Doctorate in Education from Johns Hopkins School of Education with a focus on entrepreneurial leadership in education. Her research focus is on equity in education. Dr. Naidoo is the current Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Physical Therapy Education.

Shweta Gore, PT, PhD, DPT, GCS completed a bachelor's degree in Physiotherapy from MGM Medical College, India and a Masters in Physiotherapy (MPT) with specialization in acute care and cardiovascular and pulmonary physiotherapy from Manipal University, India. She completed a post professional DPT and a PhD in physical therapy from University of Michigan-Flint. Dr. Gore is a Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy (GCS) from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS).She has more than 10 years of clinical experience in the area of cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapy and geriatrics. Her research focuses on the measurement of physical activity, its relationship with health outcomes, and implementation of activity and mobility in individuals with chronic cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions and associated multimorbidity using complex survey data and electronic health records.

Dr. Jane Baldwin is Associate Chair and Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at the MGH Institute of Health Professions. She has completed the Center for Medical Simulation’s Comprehensive Instructor Workshop and continues to refine her expertise in the Advocacy–Inquiry method of debriefing. Prior to joining the MGH Institute, Dr. Baldwin held numerous clinical and administrative positions across a variety of practice settings, working with both adults and children with neurological conditions. Her scholarly interests include interprofessional education, outcomes for individuals with chronic neurological conditions, and student success both within professional programs and on the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE). Dr. Baldwin is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurological Physical Therapy, a Fellow of the National Academies of Practice, and the recipient of the APTA Lucy Blair Service Award as well as the APTA of Massachusetts Presidential Service Award.

Caitlin Fitzgerald, PT, DPT is a licensed physical therapist and an Assistant Professor and the Associate Director of Clinical Education in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the MGH Institute of Health Professions (MGH IHP). Prior to becoming full-time faculty in 2011, Dr. Fitzgerald was an outpatient physical therapist and clinical team leader at Lahey Outpatient Center in Danvers. In 10+ years as faculty at the MGH IHP, she has participated in the launch of several interprofessional and uniprofessional programs, curricula, and clubs. Among these are an interprofessional dedicated education unit clinical experience at Massachusetts General Hospital, the re-design of the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program to an integrated, modular, case-based curriculum and the establishment of a student-run Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Open School club at the MGH IHP. She has held leadership roles in the MGH Institute’s DPT program and the New England Consortium of Clinical Education. In 2019, she was recognized as an inaugural fellow of the Teaching Excellence Academy for Learning (TEAL) at the MGH IHP which recognizes excellence in teaching. Dr. Fitzgerald was also recognized in 2023 for her career achievements when inducted as a Fellow in the National Academies of Practice (NAP). 

Dr. Callie Watkins Liu is the Director of Community Excellence, Education and Programs from the Mission Values and Community Excellence (MVCE) Office at the MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston, MA. Callie is an intersectional and critical race scholar with a background in Sociology, Social Policy, Urban Planning, and Psychology. Callie has over 10 years of experience in higher education and over 20 years of experience in community engagement, community organizations and organizational development.

Ann Seman, MS, CGC, is Assistant Professor in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and Director of Clinical Education for the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Program at the MGH Institute of Health Professions (IHP). Prior to joining the IHP, she worked as both a clinical pediatric genetic counselor and a laboratory genetic counselor at Boston Children's Hospital for 13 years and a clinical genetic counselor at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, ME for 2 years. She currently serves as an Equity Advocate on the School of Nursing Search Committee and is a member of the Program Review Committee for the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling. She also is a member of the Philanthropic Education Organization (PEO), which supports women's education through loans, grants, scholarships, awards, and stewardship of Cottey College.

Noam Segal, PT, DPT is the orthopedic clinic specialist at the Mass General Hospital (MGH) outpatient department in Boston, MA. He is a board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist and has over 15 years of experience as a clinician. Noam graduated from University of Haifa at entry level, completed a post-professional master's in physical therapy at the Institute of Health Professions (IHP) and a transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) at Northeastern University. He is passionate about clinical education and mentoring, focusing on promoting the integration of psychologically informed care in the outpatient clinics. In addition to his clinical practice, he is also mentoring & developing the clinical staff at MGH, and serves as an adjunct faculty member at the MGH-IHP Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Emily Smith-Sturr, PT, NCS, currently serves as the Director of Clinical Education for the MGH Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Department. In this role, she welcomes more than 100 graduate students per year to MGH for full-time and part-time clinical experiences. These students are placed in both the inpatient and outpatient services, across all our practice locations (Revere, Chelsea, Charlestown, Waltham, and Boston). She is the director of a year-long Neurologic Physical Therapy residency program. In both roles, she works closely with the clinical instructors and mentors to help them develop their clinical teaching skills to promote student success. She has a special interest in creating equitable learning environments where all learners can thrive.

Devashish Tiwari, PhD, DPT, NCS is an Associate Professor of Physical Therapy at the MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston. He is a board-certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist whose research program is anchored in neuromodulation, including the use of non-invasive brain stimulation techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to investigate and enhance neural recovery. His work also spans concussion, vestibular rehabilitation, and psychometric evaluation of clinical outcome measures, with a strong focus on improving assessment precision and functional outcomes in children and adolescents with neurologic conditions. Dr. Tiwari earned his PhD in Physical Therapy from the University of Michigan–Flint and has advanced academic and clinical training in neurologic physical therapy. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and presents nationally and internationally on neurologic rehabilitation and measurement science. In addition to his research, he teaches in Doctor of Physical Therapy programs, mentors student scholarship, and contributes to the profession through editorial board service, national examination item writing, and leadership roles within the American Physical Therapy Association.

Gwendolyn Larsen, PT, DPT, MS-HPEd, is an Instructor in the Department of Physical Therapy at the MGH Institute of Health Professions and Coordinator for the Marjorie K. Ionta PT Center for Clinical Education and Health Promotion. She teaches within the neurologic physical therapy curriculum and leads community-engaged programming through pro bono care and health promotion initiatives. Dr. Larsen also serves as the Education/Community Outreach Coordinator for the Tedy’s Team Center of Excellence in Stroke Recovery, partnering with community organizations to promote stroke awareness and prevention while engaging students in outreach and advocacy. She has over 20 years of clinical experience in neurologic rehabilitation, is a board-certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist, and is active in the American Physical Therapy Association. Her scholarly interests focus on physical activity and community participation for individuals living with chronic neurologic conditions.