Dr. Stacia Thompson

B.S., D.P.T., Elon University; Ph.D., Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions

Bio

Stacia Hall Thompson, PT, DPT, PhD, is the Physical Therapy Program Director and Department Chair. She is an Associate Professor of Physical Therapy and a tenured member of the department. She primarily teaches in the foundational science, applied science, and professional issues courses within the curriculum, including Functional Neuroanatomy, Documentation, and Pharmacology. Her research interests include neurological rehabilitation, the scholarship of teaching and learning, and leadership in health care education. Dr. Thompson’s areas of expertise include neurological, geriatric, and vestibular rehabilitation.

Dr. Thompson has been a physical therapist since 2007. She has worked in hospital-based acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, and outpatient clinical settings, and continues to maintain an active clinical practice in neurological rehabilitation. She has published several articles on the scholarship of teaching and learning and has presented numerous papers across all areas of her research interests. She is currently working on scholarly items related to faculty development and assessment of performance in individuals with neurological diagnoses. Dr. Thompson is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), serving as a Delegate from the North Carolina Chapter to the House of Delegates. Dr. Thompson was awarded the Phi Kappa Phi Love of Learning Grant in 2019, 2021, and 2023 to continue her education efforts. Dr. Thompson also received the APTA North Carolina Outstanding Physical Therapist Award in 2018 and the Distinguished Alumni Award from Elon University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program in 2019.

Dr. Thompson received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree and a BS in Exercise Science from Elon University. She received her PhD in Health Sciences with a concentration in Health Professions Education from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. Dr. Thompson is an American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy. She also holds certifications in Dry Needling, Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) Big, Certified Exercise Expert for Aging Adults, Advanced Credentialed Clinical Instructor, and a Certificate of Achievement in Vestibular Rehabilitation from Emory University.

Certifications

• Certified in Dry Needling
• Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) Big
• American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy
• Certified Exercise Expert for Aging Adults
• Advanced Credentialed Clinical Instructor
• Certificate of Achievement in Vestibular Rehabilitation from Emory University

Scholarship

Peer-Reviewed Publications

• Thompson S, Navarro C. Instructing Students in the Home Health Setting: An Innovative Interprofessional Education Experience. Medical Science Educator. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40670-025-02506-5
• Thompson SH, Shotwell M, Garg H, Webb M. Using Real Patients in Physical Therapy Didactic Education: A Mixed-Methods Investigation. Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2024;23(2), Article 31.
• Thompson S, Garg H, Shotwell M, Webb M. Development and validation of a measurement tool to assess student perceptions of using real patients in physical therapy education at the Rocky Mountain University, the United States: a methodological study. Journal of Education and Evaluation in Health Professions. 2024;21:30. https://doi.org/10.3352/jeehp.2024.21.30
• Thompson S, Fecher P. Using Adult Learning Theory to Guide Instruction in Training Physical Therapy Students on the Use of AI in Didactic Education. Medical Science Educator. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40670-024-02066-0

Peer-Reviewed Presentations

• Thompson S, Garg H, Shotwell M, Webb M. Assessing Student Perceptions of Using Real Patients in Physical Therapy Education: Survey Development and Validation. Poster, American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting. February 14, 2025.
• Thompson S, McFall K, Fox J, Matsinger B, Mygrant C, Bishop L, Ransom A. Validation of a Smartphone-Based Application Using Accelerometers to Assess Postural Stability and Head Velocity. Poster, American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting. February 13, 2025.
• Navaro C, Thompson S. Lessons Learned from Interprofessional Education Experiences. Presentation, AOTA North Carolina Fall Conference. November 2, 2024
• Thompson S, Sattgast J. Mitigating Student and Early Professional Burnout by Harnessing Passion. Presentation, Educational Leadership Conference, Academy of Physical Therapy Education/American Council on Academic Physical Therapy. October 20, 2024
• Thompson S, Shotwell M, Garg H, Webb M. Learning with Real Patients: Perceptions of Physical Therapy Students. Poster, Educational Leadership Conference, Academy of Physical Therapy Education/American Council on Academic Physical Therapy. October 19, 2024
• Dancy N, Thompson S. Power Training in Multiple Sclerosis: A Clinical Inquiry. Poster, APTA North Carolina Annual Conference. October 12, 2024
• Bresnahan G, Barginere A, Freeman G, Williams M, Ransom A, Thompson S. LSVT-Big® Treatment for Individuals Post-Stroke: A Critically Appraised Topic. Poster, APTA North Carolina Annual Conference. October 12, 2024
• Leineke L, Thompson S. Everything Orthopedic Physical Therapists Should Know About Treating Patients Who Have a Mild TBI/Concussion. Presentation, APTA North Carolina Annual Conference. October 15, 2022
• Hall S, Carriveau K, Legue B, Yip J. Faculty Perception on Learning Hands-On Skills with Real Patients in a Physical Therapy Program. Poster, APTA North Carolina Annual Conference. October 8, 2021
• Sattgast J, Hall S. Bridging the Neuromusculoskeletal Gap. Presentation, APTA North Carolina Annual Conference. October 9. 2021
• Schulken P. Hall S. Highly effective integrated clinical experiences: Multiple perspectives. Poster, Combined Sections Meeting. January 25, 2021