Innovation, Collaboration, and Mentorship are the core principles that guide 2025 FHEL Grant winner, Dawn S. Brown, PT, DPT, EdD
Congrats to recent award recipients:
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Dawn S. Brown, PT, DPT, EdD
Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy (OCS)Assistant Chair of Curricular Affairs and Assistant Professor
Northwestern University
Below is a recap from Dr. Brown:
My planned career path as a leader in physical therapy education is grounded in three core principles: 1) innovation – to integrate innovative evidence-informed practices into the curriculum to enhance student learning outcomes and ultimately optimize patient care, 2) collaboration – to build strong partnerships within our professional organizations and other healthcare entities, and 3) mentorship – to develop future physical therapy faculty and leaders. Embracing these values has enabled me to succeed as a clinician, professor, and leader, widening the path for others in the physical therapy profession.
By adhering to these principles, I plan to cultivate an academic environment that not only advances the physical therapy profession, but also prepares learners to become exceptional clinicians. These clinicians will strive to treat patients and lead the profession with empathy and vulnerability, respecting all sociocultural identities. My approach will ensure that learners become skilled practitioners and compassionate leaders who positively impact the diverse communities they will serve.
My future academic goals include:
- Completing the APTA Fellowship in Higher Education Leadership
- Advancing in my role as the Assistant Chair of Curricular Affairs at Northwestern
- Earning a promotion from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor
I have been actively involved with ACAPT for nine years, having served in various leadership roles including: 1) co-founder of the former Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Consortium, 2) elected as the Clinical Education Representative to the National, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Commission (NEDIC), 3) appointment to the former ACAPT Leadership Academy (ALA), and 4) appointment to the Education, Planning, and Innovation Committee (EPIC), serving as the liaison to the Institute of Academic Advancement and NEDIC.
I am eager to deepen my engagement with ACAPT, and I intend to run for a position on the ACAPT Board of Directors. This will allow me to use my current leadership abilities, along with those gained from the FHEL, to effectively assist ACAPT in achieving its core goal of leading physical therapy in the pursuit of educational excellence.