Johnson appointed to national physical therapy commission

Document Type

News Article

Publication Date

2-17-2015

Campus Unit

School of Medicine & Health Sciences

Abstract

GRAND FORKS, N.D.—Beverly Johnson, P.T., D.Sc., G.C.S., C.E.E.A.A., was recently appointed to the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) Physical Therapy Panel. Johnson is assistant director of clinical education and an associate professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education is an accrediting agency that is nationally recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. CAPTE grants specialized accreditation status to qualified entry-level education programs for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants.

Johnson serves on the PT Panel as the academic administrator. The commission is a group of 31 individuals with varied backgrounds who are charged with determining whether a program meets the standards of quality in physical therapy education, developing the evaluative criteria for quality, and setting policy and procedure for the physical therapy accreditation process. Members of the commission must have served as on-site reviewers to be eligible for appointment. Johnson has been an on-site visitor for physical therapist programs since 1997.

As a commissioner, Johnson reviews physical therapy education programs to assure the programs meet quality education standards developed by the commission.

“Dr. Johnson is recognized nationally as a leader in physical therapy clinical education,” said David Relling, P.T., Ph.D., associate professor of physical therapy and chair of the Department of Physical Therapy at the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences. “As a member of on-site review teams, Bev visited developing and established physical therapy programs. She employed substantial knowledge and skill in evaluating program policies, clinical experiences, and course content. Appointment to the commission is a great honor, recognizing Dr. Johnson’s dedicated and exceptional service to CAPTE and the physical therapy profession.”

Johnson earned her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy, Master of Science in Sport and Exercise Science, and minor in Education from UND; she earned her Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy (Geriatrics) from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in Provo, Utah. She received certifications as a geriatric clinical specialist (GCS) through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties and as a certified exercise expert for the aging adult (CEEAA) through the Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy, a component of the American Physical Therapy Association.

“It’s an honor to serve the profession of physical therapy, and represent the University and the Department of Physical Therapy,” Johnson said. “It is both humbling and exciting to be a part of the process to assist in assuring quality education for upcoming professionals and ultimately the quality of health care for patients.”

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