Angela Felker MacCabe, PT, DPT, PhD, recently presented at the American Physical Therapy Association’s Educational Leadership Conference 2021, which was hosted in Atlanta, GA, from Oct. 22-24. Dr. MacCabe, who joined PNWU in 2020 as an associate professor in the university’s developing School of Physical Therapy, presented on two research projects within the scholarship of teaching and learning.
“This type of research is important for the future of the DPT program, its students, and the profession, but also contributes to PNWU’s initiative to enhance research opportunities at PNWU,” explained Dr. MacCabe.
Her first presentation focused on her research on early-career faculty development, which aims to inform the development of a multi-institution faculty development program and future research. She commented on the importance of supporting early career faculty as they enter academia from the clinic, so they may thrive in the university environment. The second presentation was a multi-institutional collaboration with Doctor of Physical Therapy faculty from Mercer University, the University of Tennessee, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Their research highlighted the benefits of using simulation to assist students in developing positive professional behavior skills within the affective domain.
“Dr. MacCabe’s work and experience in simulation is a huge asset for the developing DPT program here at PNWU,” said Dr. Peggy Trueblood, program director for PNWU’s developing School of Physical Therapy. “As our Chair of Curriculum, Dr. MacCabe has helped us incorporate multiple simulation-based learning activities throughout the curriculum, which will provide our students optimal learning experiences, especially in mastering their psychomotor and clinical reasoning skills. Her research involving faculty development will also benefit our faculty as they come on board in preparation for students in fall 2022.”