FACULTY PROFILE
Dawn S. Brown PT, DPT, EdD, OCS is an assistant professor in a Doctor of Physical Therapy program with over 23 years of clinical and educational experience. She completed a Bachelor of Psychology degree and Master of Physical Therapy degree at Northwestern University, a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Alabama State University, and a Doctor of Education degree in Higher Education Administration at Northern Illinois University. Dr. Brown earned ABPTS board-certification in orthopedic physical therapy and uses this content expertise in her pedagogy, andragogy, and clinical practice.
She is a national speaker and researcher on leadership, motivation, and belonging in physical therapy education and clinical practice all through the lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Dedicated to being an agent of positive transformation, Dr. Brown is an active member and leader within the American Physical Therapy Association, Illinois Physical Therapy Association, American Council of Academic Physical Therapy, American Academy of Physical Therapy, and National Association of Black Physical Therapists.
View Dr. Brown's CV
PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS:
- 1. Poole A, Hibbard S, Bell KA, Brown DS, Condran C, Covington K. An Exploration of Doctor of Physical Therapy Students’ Belongingness in Clinical Education: A Validation Study. J Phys Ther Educ. (In Review, September 2022)
- 2. Nyunt G., Brown D, Jensen A, Schaefer C. Motivations to pursue an Ed.D. in higher education: A qualitative case study [published online ahead of print October 18, 2022]. J of Student Aff Res Pract. https://doi.org/10.1080/19496591.2022.2111521
Research in progress:
- 1. Brown DS. Leadership Styles of Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Directors. (2022)
- 2. Sanders B, Ward S, Jensen G, Nordstrom T, Kirch N, Nixon-Cave K, Brown D, et al. Blueprint for Excellence in Physical Therapy Education. (2022)
PEER REVIEWED SCIENTIFIC AND PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS:
National Conference Presentations:
Brown DS. 2023
Why?: The essential question and answer to intrinsically motivate students and faculty.
Educational session, to be presented at the APTA Combined Sections Meeting. San Diego, California.
Brown DS. 2022
The power of ‘why’: Motivating students and faculty to pursue excellence in education.
Educational session, ACAPT Educational Leadership Conference. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Brown DS. 2022
Surviving to thriving in the professoriate.
Educational session, AAPT Annual Conference. Birmingham, Alabama.
Brown DS. 2022
Survival tactics for clinical instructors.
Educational session, AAPT Annual Conference. Birmingham, Alabama.
Brown DS. 2022
An innovative academic leadership toolbox to transform leaders in physical therapy education.
Educational session, APTA Combined Sections Meeting. San Antonio, Texas.
Bettin N, Brown DS, Robackouski J, Castillo M. 2022
Mentoring through teaching and leading: DPT students as clinical instructors.
Poster platform, APTA Combined Sections Meeting. San Antonio, Texas.
Nyunt G, Brown DS, Jensen A, Schaefer C. 2021
Motivations to pursue an Ed.D. in higher education: A qualitative case study.
Research presentation, Association for the Study of Higher Education Annual Conference (Virtual)
Brown DS. 2021
An innovative academic leadership toolbox to transform leaders in physical therapy education.
Educational session, ACAPT Educational Leadership Conference. Atlanta, Georgia.
Poole A, Brown DS, Bell K, Condran C, Covington K, Hibbard S. 2021
An exploration of Doctor of Physical Therapy Students’ belongingness in clinical education.
Educational session, ACAPT Educational Leadership Conference. Atlanta, Georgia.
Woods L, Crawford S, Brown DS, Williams-York B. 2021
Reflections of the Black experience in the physical therapy profession: Revisiting the DEI consortium listening sessions of 2020.
Educational session, ACAPT Educational Leadership Conference. Atlanta, Georgia.
Bettin N., Brown DS, Robackouski J, Castillo M. 2021
Mentoring through teaching and leading: DPT students as clinical instructors.
Educational session, ACAPT Educational Leadership Conference. Atlanta, Georgia.
Brown DS, Jonas T. 2021
More than the money: A framework for professional employment decision making.
Educational session, APTA Combined Sections Meeting. Virtual.
Crawford S, Brown DS, Millar A, York-Williams B, Jackson V. 2020
Diversity, equity, and inclusion in physical therapy education: Developing a diverse and culturally competent workforce.
Educational session, ACAPT Educational Leadership Conference. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Brown DS, Jonas T. 2020
More than the money: A framework for professional employment decision making.
Educational session, APTA Next Conference 2020. Virtual.
Brown DS. 2016
Ensuring diversity and inclusion in physical therapy: from the colleges/universities to the workforce.
Educational session, AAPT Annual Conference. Atlanta, Georgia.
Regional/State/Institutional Conference Presentations:
Brown DS. 2022
How to motivate students & faculty and patients and staff.
Educational session, IPTA Revitalize Conference. Virtual.
Brown DS. 2022
Motivating students and faculty for academic success.
Educational session, NIU One Day Student Affairs Conference DeKalb, Illinois.
Brown DS. 2021
Pathways to the professoriate and leadership.
Educational session, Taste of Physical Therapy, DeKalb, Illinois.
Brown DS. 2021
Nutrition: The missing item on a PTs menu of intervention.
Educational session, Taste of Physical Therapy, DeKalb, Illinois
Brown DS. 2021
Transformative leadership in physical therapy education and clinical practice: More than a title.
Educational session, IPTA Revitalize Conference in St. Charles, Illinois.
Brown DS. 2021
I can’t breathe: Understanding racial battle fatigue.
Educational session, Preparing Future Faculty in Illinois 6th Annual Conference. DeKalb, Illinois.
Brown DS. 2021
Bold and courageous leadership strategies to meet the demands of higher education today. Educational session, NIU One Day Student Affairs Conference. DeKalb, Illinois.
Brown DS. 2020
Cultural taxation in higher education.
Educational session, Diversifying Faculty in Illinois 5th Annual Conference. DeKalb, Illinois.
Brown DS. 2020
Why is everything so white? Exposing and reducing white privilege in higher education.
Educational session, NIU One Day Student Affairs Conference. DeKalb, Illinois.
Brown DS. 2020
Medical screening for rehabilitation professionals.
Educational session, Musculoskeletal Through Orthopedic Practice Continuing Education Series, DeKalb, Illinois.
Brown DS. 2020
Ethical and professional issues in physical therapy.
Educational session, Musculoskeletal Applications in Orthopedic Practice Continuing Education Series. DeKalb, Illinois.
Brown DS. 2019
Differential diagnosis for rehab professionals.
Educational session, Musculoskeletal Applications Through Orthopedic Practice Continuing Education Series. DeKalb, Illinois.
Brown DS, Arquines C, Kress S, Chase T, Bala, A. 2018
Promoting excellence in physical therapy clinical education.
Educational session, IPTA Revitalize Conference. St. Charles, Illinois.
Panels/Professional Development Presentations:
White R, Brown DS, Hack L, Coleman D, Williams D, Boyd S, Thompson S, Campbell M, Jackson A. 2022
The African American experience in health inequity: From the classroom to the clinic.
Panel discussion. Virtual.
Brown DS. 2021
Advice for aspiring academic leaders of color
Educational session, Cultivating a Mentoring Culture Series. DeKalb, Illinois.
Brown DS, Jackson K, Shackelford M, Barajas D. 2020
Diversity, equity, and inclusion virtual workshop.
Workshop, Illinois Physical Therapy Association, Chicago, Illinois.
Brown DS, Arquines C, Bala A, Kress S. 2016
Student exposure to breadth and depth of patient care.
Panel discussion, Chicago Area Clinical Educators Forum. Chicago, Illinois.
Brown DS, Blevins T, Sauer A, Henshue J, Pycio N, Carr E. 2016
Healthcare Panel Discussion
Panel discussion, Rockford University. Rockford, Illinois.
NON PEER-REVIEWED PRESENTATIONS:
Invited Presentations:
Bradley University Physical Therapy Program 2022
Implicit bias: Our blindspots
Georgia State University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program 2022
Centering diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging into your curriculum
Physical Therapy Learning Institute Annual Summit 2022
After the seats are filled: Equity and inclusion
Social Media Presentations:
Healthcare Education Transformation Podcast – Teach Me Something Tuesday 2022
Getting More Value Out of Your Syllabus
https://youtu.be/3PawteUjGcs
Healthcare Education Transformation Podcast – Teach Me Something Tuesday 2022
Practicing Self-Care
https://youtu.be/sfoz6QBZT5U
Healthcare Education Transformation Podcast – Teach Me Something Tuesday 2022
How to Get Great Recommendation Letters
https://healthcareeducationtransformationpodcast.libsyn.com/73-teach-me-something-tuesday-how-to-get-great-recommendation-letters-with-dr-dawn-brown
Healthcare Education Transformation Podcast – Teach Me Something Tuesday 2022
How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome in Physical Therapy School
https://healthcareeducationtransformationpodcast.libsyn.com/69-teach-me-something-tuesday-how-to-overcome-imposter-syndrome-in-physical-therapy-school-with-dr-dawn-brown
Healthcare Education Transformation Podcast – Teach Me Something Tuesday 2022
Quiet Quitting in Physical Therapy
https://healthcareeducationtransformationpodcast.libsyn.com/68-teach-me-something-tuesday-quiet-quitting-in-physical-therapy-with-dr-dawn-brown
Healthcare Education Transformation Podcast – Teach Me Something Tuesday 2022
Staying Motivated While in DPT School
https://youtu.be/cq8h4nVihq4
Healthcare Education Transformation Podcast – Teach Me Something Tuesday 2022
Recognizing Soft Skills as Essential Skills
https://youtube.com/shorts/SFIXftAsOC0?feature=share
Healthcare Education Transformation Podcast 2022
Belongingness in Clinical Education
https://healthcareeducationtransformationpodcast.libsyn.com/dr-ashley-poole-belongingness-in-clinical-education
APTA Podcasts 2020
I See Me in You
https://www.apta.org/apta-and-you/news-publications/podcasts/2021/i-see-me-in-you
FUNDED/IN REVIEW GRANT ACTIVITY:
Co-Investigators Brown DS, Chevan J, Crawford S, Matthews N, Nixon-Cave K.
American Council of Academic Physical Therapy National Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Summit 2022, Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation Research Grant, $25,000 2022-2023
OTHER SCHOLARLY PRODUCTS:
Brown DS. Defining moment: I see me in you. APTA Magazine. 2020
https://www.apta.org/apta-magazine/2021/06/01/apta-magazine-june-2021/i-see-me-in-you
American Council on Academic Physical Therapy. Listening session. Williams-York B, Brown DS, Varnado V, Woods L. 2020. How Racism and Social Injustice Reverberate in the Black Physical Therapy Education Community.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F13Bt7vJ_d4&list=PLEoSETnnyK2JxjYSiHBBskMzfI2MImpl7&index=1
American Council on Academic Physical Therapy. Listening session. Brown DS. Friend Huggins C, Poole A, Wilkins B, Bell A, Crump Z, German F. 2020. DCE, SCCE, and CI Reflections on the Black DPT Student Clinical
Education Experience. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WVNickiiJI&list=PLEoSETnnyK2JxjYSiHBBskMzfI2MImpl7&index=4&t=6s
Writing and Editorial Responsibilities:
American Physical Therapy Association 2019-Pres
Abstract Proposal Reviewer Combined Sections Meeting
American Council of Academic Physical Therapy 2019-Pres
Abstract Proposal Reviewer Educational Leadership Conference
National Physical Therapy Examination 2015
Item Writer
CONTINUING EDUCATION WORKSHOPS ORGANIZED:
Brown DS, LeBlanc V, Jones G. 2022
Student Session: Belongingness
AAPT 2022 Annual Conference. Birmingham, Alabama.
Brown DS, LeBlanc V, Jones G. 2022
Student Session: Success Strategies
AAPT 2022 Annual Conference. Birmingham, Alabama.