"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." —Winston Churchill
Education:
B.S., 1971, Boston-Bouve College, Northeastern University; M.S., 1984, Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions; D.P.T., 2002, Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions.
UVM Career:
Lecturer, 1974-1984; Clinical Assistant Professor, 1985-1992; Clinical Associate Professor, 1993-2000; Clinical Professor, 2001-present.
Key Scholarly Interests:
Clinical Education; Health Care Ethics; Evaluation and Management of Lymphedema; Professional Practice Issues
Publication Highlights:
Jette DU. Nelson L. Palaima M. Wetherbee E. How do We Improve Quality in Clinical Education? Examination of Structures, Processes and Outcomes. APTA Journal of Physical Therapy Education. Supplement 1, 2014, Volume 28, Number 16.
Gardner G. Nickerson J. Watts R. Nelson L. Dittus K. O'Brien P. Quantitative and Morphologic Change Associated with Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema. Comparison of 3.0T MRI to External Measures. Lymphatic Research and Biology. 2014, Volume 12, Number 2.
Nelson L. Professional Responsibility and Advocacy for Access to Rehabilitation Services: A Case Study in Lymphedema Services in Vermont. In: Educating For Moral Action: A Sourcebook In Health and Rehabilitation Ethics, edited by Ruth Purtilo, Gail Jensen and Charlotte Royeen. F.A. Davis, Philadelphia. 2005.
Nelson L. Therapist's Perspective. Walter Gates – 66 Years Living with Lymphedema. National Lymphedema Network LymphLink. Vol. 25, No. 3 July-Sept. 2013.
Teaching/Research/Memberships Highlights:
Director of Clinical Education, 1995-2005; Member, New England Consortium of Academic Coordinators of Clinical Education, 1995-present; PT Advisor, Vermont Office of Professional Regulation, 2000-2012; On-site Visitor, APTA Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, 1992-present; Commissioner - APTA Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapist Education Programs (CAPTE), 2011-2013; CAPTE Task Force on International Activities, 2011-2013; Member, Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) National Committee on Development of a Continuing Competence Model, 2008-2013; Member/Chairperson, International Commission on Healthcare Professions (ICHP), CGFNS Physical Therapy Standards Committee, 2006-2010; Vice-President, Board of Directors, Vermont Lymphedema Network, 2004-present; Member, Advisory Board for Vermont Survivorship Network On Wellness (Survivorship NOW), 2012- present; Member, APTA Task Force for revision of the Ethics Core Documents, 2007; Vermont Chapter APTA Ethics Committee, 1996-1998; Consultant for APTA's Education Division Coalitions for Consensus Clinical Education conference, 1996; Consultant for APTA's Education Division Coalitions for Consensus Conferences for development of a Normative Model of Physical Therapist Professional Education, 1994.
Other Professional Experience:
Consultant to the Philippines PT Educational Programs re: preparation for transitioning the entry-level Physical Therapy degree to a Master's or Doctoral degree, 2014-present.
Awards and Honors:
Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy Outstanding Service Award, 2014; Vermont Chapter of the APTA (American Physical Therapy Association) Distinguished Service Award, 2012; Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions (MGHIHP) Distinguished Alumni Award, 2008; CNHS Dean's Outstanding Faculty Award, 2006; Vermont Chapter of the APTA Pia Garrett Memorial Award for "Enthusiasm and Love of Physical Therapy", 2002; Vermont Cancer Network Community Service Award for Lymphedema Advocacy, Education and Research, 2001; Medical Center Hospital of Vermont, Department of Physical Therapy, Physical Therapist of the Year Award, 1990.
Community Service:
Sara Holbrook Center for Families, 1995-2009; Host family for UVM's International Education Host Family Program, 1990-2005; Vermont Lymphedema Network 2004-present; Speaker at UVMMC Breast Cancer Conferences.
