Todd Watson

Biography

<b>PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT</b><br><br><b>Experience</b><br>Dr. Watson joined the Department of Physical Therapy in fall 2002 as assistant professor in orthopedic physical therapy. Dr. Watson has continued to practice orthopedic and sports medicine physical therapy while teaching and conducting his research agenda. He received his certification in manual therapy from the University of St. Augustine in 1999. He became a Diplomat of the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties and was Board Certified as a Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy (OCS) in 1999, and re-credentialed in 2009. He also became a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists (FAAOMPT) in 1999, and again re-credentialed in 2009. Additional training includes certifications in manual therapy (MTC from University of St. Augustine) and dry needling (Cert-DN from Spinal Manipulation Institute), and the Diploma in Football Medicine (from Federation Internationalé de Football Association [FIFA]). Dr. Watson serves as an attending clinician for the student run Mountain Area Pro Bono Health Services clinic (MAPHealth) on campus and also takes students to Central America (Honduras) each year on a two-week medical mission international service learning travel course. <br><b><br></b><b>What do I love the most about being a Catamount? </b>As<b> </b>a Catamount, I love our school spirit and community. I love to open each class with a resounding, "LET'S GO CATS!!!"<br><br><b>Education</b><br>Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, Johns Hopkins University (2002)<br>Doctor of Physical Therapy, Clinical Residency/Fellowship, University of St. Augustine (2000)<br>Bachelor of Science and Master of Physical Therapy, Idaho State University (1989 & 1991)<br><br><b>Personal</b><br>Dr. Watson resides in Asheville with his wife, and his hobbies include hiking the Camino de Santiago, distance running, travel, and scuba diving.

Education

• DPT, Uni St. Augustine Health Sci
• MPT, Idaho State University
• BS, Idaho State University, Zoology

Teaching Interests

Dr. Watson teaches entry-level physical therapy students, currently focusing on evidence-based practice (PT 841) and the movement system examination (PT 817). He has also taught examination and intervention of musculoskeletal conditions in PT 951 (spine) and PT 952 (extremities) and a basic physical therapy science course. He co-directs a doctoral project (PT 899) in the Physical Therapy Department with Dr. Kathleen Ollendick. For DPT students, he teaches an elective faculty-led, study abroad international service-learning course, (PT 880, Addressing Global Health Issues in Central America). Finally, in collaboration with Dr. Lori Oxford (Honors College), he has developed a summer cross-cultural faculty-led international travel course to take undergraduate students on the Camino de Santiago (Francés) in Spain.

Research Interests

Dr. Watson is leading an international service-learning course/doctoral project to provide basic health education to the patients from Fuente de Vida Clinica Medica in Taulabe, Honduras under the collaboration and guidance of clinic staff administrators and licensed physical therapists, studying the effectiveness of a student-created and publicly disseminated video education series (through Youtube & Tik-Tok) to the people in this community on topics related to exercise and chronic health conditions.<br><br><b>Recent Publications</b><br>Watson, T., Graning, J. E., Eckard, T. Communication and clinical reasoning benefits of an international service-learning course in Honduras for Doctor of Physical Therapy Students: a single blind case-control study. <i>J Clin Community Med: 2021;4:407-416. doi: </i>10.32474/JCCM.2021.04.000181.<br><br>Watson, T., Graning, J. E., Eckard, T. Fostering clinical reasoning through critical reflection in Doctor of Physical Therapy education using international service-learning in Honduras. <i> <i>Adv Pub Health Community Trop Med</i>. 2020;2(110):1-8. </i><i>doi:10.37722/APCTM.20202.</i><br><br>Watson T, Graning J, McPherson S, Carter E, Edwards J, Melcher I, Burgess T. Dance, balance, and core muscle performance measures are improved following a nine-week core stabilization training program among competitive collegiate dancers. <i>Int J Sports Phys Ther</i>. 2017;12(1):25-41.PMID:28217414.<br><br>McPherson S, Watson T, Pate L.Establishing immediate reliability of ultrasound imaging measurements of transversus abdominis in asymptomatic adults performing upright loaded functional tasks in clinical context without delayed recorded measurement.<br><i>J Ultrasound Med</i>. 2016;35(8):1681-1691. doi:10.7863/ultra.15.09065.<br><br>McPherson S, Watson T.Training of transversus abdominis activation in supine with ultrasound biofeedback translated to increased transversus abdominis activation during upright loaded functional tasks. <i>Phys Med Rehab</i>. 2014;6(7):612-623.<br>doi: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2013.11.014.<br><br><b>Recent Scientific and Professional Presentations: </b><br>Eckard T, Watson T, Graning J, Wark ET, Marion J. Student Physical Therapist Perceptions of Preparation and Skillfulness in Trans-cultural Healthcare Delivery. World Physiotherapy Congress 2023. June 2023. Dubai, UAE. <br> <br>Watson T, Graning, J, Eckard T, Marion, J. Building Community-Engaged Global Service-Learning into The Curriculum For Doctor Of Physical Therapy Students: The WCU Story. 2023 Experiential Commons Scholar Summit: Community-engaged Pedagogy and Practice, Asheville, NC. March 2023; Western Carolina University, Asheville, NC. <br> <br>Watson T, Eckard T, Graning J. Enhancing Cultural Humility in Delivering Trans-cultural International Telehealth. Engagement Scholarship Consortium. September 2022; University of Georgia, Athens, GA. <br> <br>Watson T, Graning J, Eckard T. Global health international service-learning: Fostering clinical reasoning through critical reflection. APTA Combined Sections Meeting. February 2021; Virtual Conference.