Dennis Fell, MD, PT

Dennis Fell, PT, MD
Chairman, Dept. of Physical Therapy
Associate Professor of Physical Therapy
Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences

Main Teaching Areas:
Neuromuscular Rehab (Examination and Intervention; Adult and Pediatric)
Pathophysiology
Human Development
Neuroscience
Medical Screening

Faculty member since 1992
Adjunct teaching involvement with UAB Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy program
Adjunct teaching involvement with Western Carolina University, Physical Therapy program

Academic Background (degrees, Institution)

BS (Biology) 1982, University of South Alabama
MD 1986, University of South Alabama, College of Medicine
Pediatric Internship 1987, University of South Alabama Medical Center
BSPT 1993, University of South Alabama

Professional Involvement (professional organizations)

Member - American Physical Therapy Association
Alabama Physical Therapy Association - Research Committee Chair
Member - Education Section, Neurology Section, & Pediatric Section of APTA
Education Section Finance Committee Member
Journal of Physical Therapy Education Editorial Board and Book Review Editor
Neurology Section Telecommunications Committee Member and E-news newsletter editor
Peer Reviewer for Pediatric Physical Therapy
Member — Neurodevelopmental Treatment Association
Member and Past-President of Mobile Area Physical Therapy Organization

Clinical Interests

Neurology, Pediatrics, Health Promotion, Aquatics, Balance Intervention

Clinical Experience

Rehabilitation and Outpatient in Neurology and Pediatrics
Also provides pro bono therapy services

Scholarly Involvement (research involvement, grants, publications)

Research interests are related to the sit-to-stand transition, balance assessment, PT Education, Promotion of the PT Profession, Information seeking behavior among PTs, Progressing therapeutic exercise in a neuromuscular population

5 peer reviewed publications
4 non-peer reviewed publications
31 presentations before scholarly groups
40 continuing education courses (12 at national APTA conferences)

Selected Peer-Reviewed Publications:

Fell DW, Godwin H, Koons EL, Rosene R. An Examination of Student Contracts and Fulfillment Rates Among Physical Therapy Graduates from One Institution. Journal of Physical Therapy Education. 12(1):41-49. Spring 1998.
Martin PC, Fell DW. Beyond Treatment: Patient Education for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. (invited article for special issue on patient education). Journal of Physical Therapy Education. 13(3):49-56. Winter 1999.
Fell DW. Progressing Therapeutic Intervention in Patients with Neuromuscular Disorders: A framework to assist clinical decision making. Journal of Neurological Physical Therapy. 2004;28(1):35-46.
Fell DW, Burnham JB. Access is Key: Teaching students to access evidence, expert opinion and patient values. Journal of Physical Therapy Education. 2004; 18(3):12-23.
Kronefeld M, Stephenson PL, Nail-Chivvetalu B (eds), Burnham JF, Fell DW. Review for librarians of evidence-based practice in nursing and the allied health professions in the United States. Journal of the Medical Librarian Association. 2007;95(4):394-407. (Burnham and Fell wrote the PT section of the manuscript).

Currently editing/writing a textbook in Neuromuscular Rehabilitation:

Fell DW (ed), Lunnen KY, Rauk RP (assoc eds). “Neuromuscular Rehabilitation: A Patient-centered approach from Examination to Intervention”. 36 chapters by editors and other contributors. In preparation, contract signed with Prentice Hall. In progress.

Conference Presentations:

He is a regular presenter at APTA national conferences including scientific presentations and educational sessions. He has made over 30 scientific presentations at national conferences. He has taught over 35 continuing education courses for physical therapists and physical therapy assistants. He has presented his work at the World Confederation for Physical Therapy International Congress in Washington, DC, 1995, in Yokohama, Japan, 1999, Barcelona, Spain, 2003, and in Vancouver BC, Canada, 2007.

Achievements/Honors (professional, community)

1998: Faculty Inductee into Alpha Eta Allied Health Honor Society
1998: Physical Therapist of the Year presented by MAPTO
2001: University "Excellence in Teaching" Award, presented by University Alumni Assoc
2005, 2007: Selected as Mortar Board "Top Prof" for the University
2006: National Advising Award " Excellence in Advising Award". Mortar Board Inc. May 2006.
2006: Faculty Award for Excellence in Service. USA College of Allied Health Professions. May 2006.

Personal

Married to Noel Phillips Fell (A USAPT graduate of 1982) June 7, 1986
Two children: Nathan (born 1988) and Hannah (born 1992)
He and Noel are community volunteers providing budget and debt-retirement counseling.
Hobbies include birding, photography, hiking, cooking, violin, piano, organ
PT Team Leader for multidisciplinary volunteer healthcare team, mission/service, to Tianjin Children’s Institute, Tianjin, China. June 5 – 13, 2004. Sponsored by Family Life's Hope for Orphans
Faculty advisor for Mortar Board honor society and for Friends of Internationals

University of South Alabama
College of Allied Health Professions
Department of Physical Therapy
     email: dfell@jaguar1.usouthal.edu
     URL: http://www.southalabama.edu/alliedhealth/pt/Dennis.html
     Phone: (251) 434-3575
     Page last updated: November 24, 2007 11:57 AM