Charity Johansson
Professor of Physical Therapy Education
Department: Physical Therapy Education
Email: cjohanss@elon.edu
Phone number: (336) 278-6348
Professional Expertise
Brief Biography
Charity Johansson is a physical therapist with over 40 years of experience as an educator and practitioner in the field of healthcare. Department Chair and Program Director for the Departmentof Physical Therapy Education, Dr. Johansson is professor of physical therapy and a certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist. She has published and presented widely on psychosocial aspects of healthcare, geriatrics, and transformative education. Her co-authored textbook, Mobility in Context, is used in physcial therapy programs across the country. She has served for several years as the University parliamentarian. She is also a certified transformative life coach with a focus on life transitions and aging.
News & Notes
Education
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, from 1985-1992. Adult and Higher Education, Doctor of Philosophy. August 1992.
Stanford University School of Medicine, Division of Physical Therapy, Palo Alto, California, from 1980-1982. Physical Therapy, Master of Arts, June 1982.
Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, from 1975 to 1980. French, Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude, February 1980Employment History
Full Professor, tenured, Elon University, Elon, NC. March 2005 to present.
Staff Physical Therapist, PRN, Alamance Regional Medical Center, Burlington, NC. 2001 to present.
Staff Physical Therapist, Elderfit, Burlington, NC. September 2010 to present.
Faculty Administrative Fellow and Special Assistant to the President, Elon University, Elon, NC. June 2007 to May 2009.
Associate Professor, Elon University, Elon, NC, from June 1999 to March 2005
Adjunct Professor, Elon College, Elon, NC, from January to June 1999.
Owner, Dayspring Physical Therapy, Pittsboro/Burlington, NC, from 1997 to present.
Associate Professor, Winston-Salem State University, School of Physical Therapy, Winston-Salem, NC, from March 1995 to May 1998.
Staff Physical Therapist, NovaCare, Inc. Pittsboro, NC, from 1997 to 1998.
Physical Therapy Clinical Practice Director, NovaCare, Inc., Raleigh, NC, from 1994 to 1995.
Clinical Program and Professional Development Manager, NovaCare, Inc., Raleigh, NC, from 1993 to 1994.
Staff Physical Therapist, CommuniCare /ProRehab, Inc. Siler City, NC, from 1990 to 1993.
Graduate Assistant, Office of Research and Development for Education in the Health Professions, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, from 1985 to 1988.
Home Health Physical Therapist, Home Health Agency of Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 1985.
Physical Therapist and Clinical Instructor, North Carolina Memorial Hospital, Chapel Hill, NC, from 1983 to 1985.
Staff Physical Therapist, Fauquier Hospital, Warrenton, VA, from 1982 to 1983.
Courses Taught
DPT 6000 Psychosocial Aspects of Health and Wellness
DPT 6121 Clinical Reasoning & Therapeutic Exercise I
Leadership Positions
Department Chair & Program Director, Department of Physical Therapy Education, Elon University, Elon, NC. August 2024 to present.
Interim Department Chair & Program Director,, Department of Physical Therapy Education, Elon University, Elon, NC. November 2023 to July 2024.
Interim Associate Chair, Department of Physical Therapy Education, Elon University, Elon, NC. June 2022 to June 2023.
Community Leadership, Consultative, and Advisory Positions:
External Reviewer, Promotion & Tenure Committee, Campbell University, 2020.
External Reviewer, Promotion & Tenure Committee, Bradley University, 2018.
Board of Directors, Member, Twin Lakes Retirement Community, Burlington, NC. 3-year term, 2014-2016.
8th Annual International Transformative Learning Conference, Steering Committee member, 2009.
American Physical Therapy Association’s Section on Geriatrics, North Carolina Liaison. February 1997 to 2008. Appointed.
Doctoral Committee for Prof. Glenna Batson, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, 2002 to 2006.
Doctoral Committee for Prof. William Andrews, North Carolina State University, 2001 to 2004.
North Carolina Physical Therapy Association, Co-director at Large of Education. 2000-2003. Elected.
Editorial Board of Physical Therapy Case Reports, January 1998 to 2001.
Expert Witness and Consultant for the North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy, serving in the areas of psychosocial aspects of practice and craniosacral therapy. January 1999, May 2001.
Chair, North Carolina Stroke Rehabilitation Symposium, 1984-1990. Educational consultant and physical therapy representative. Coordinator of NC Easter Seals Stroke Support Club 1984-1990.
Research
Current Projects
Rethinking geriatric functional norms: Performance on multiple functional outcome measures by over 70 physically active older adults is being used to reaassess the validity of current norms. This ongoing study has been assisted by several DPT students and has resulted in six national presentations and one international presentation.
Timed bed mobility norms: Little has been published on the amount of time it typically takes for a person to lie down or sit up even though these commonplace activities are among the first to be affected by painful mobility. We are timing study participants as they lie down and sit up, with plans to stratify typical times by age and by pain levels.
Grants Awarded
Johansson C. Elon University FR&D, Sabbatical: Redefining Geriatric Functional Norms, Fall 2023, deferred to 2024.
Johansson C. Conflict Management: $400 Winter Term Enhancement Grant, Center for Advancement of Teaching and Learning, 2023.
Johansson C. $500. Using Frailty Simulation to Develop Empathy and Target Intervention Strategies, Center for Advancement of Teaching and Learning mini-grant, Spring 2022.
Johansson C. Older Adults Challenge the Status Quo of Functional Performance Measures, Summer Fellowship Grant, Faculty Research and Development, August 2020.
Johansson, C. $475 Clinical Reasoning Podcasts. Center for Advancement of Teaching and Learning mini-grant Fall 2019.
Johansson C. $630. Using Virtual Reality to Teach Home Assessment Skills to Physical Therapy Students. ATAAC grant, Fall 2017.
Johansson C. $1,000. Center for Advancement of Teaching and Learning travel grant to deliver gender workshop, at the APTA Educational Leadership Conference, October 10, 2014.
Quincy,B, Tonsor T, DiBiasio P, Johansson C, Skillman J. $4659.30.Center for Advancement of Teaching and Learning grant funding of the iPad Project.
Johansson C, Knight-McKenna, M. $2,000. Center for Advancement of Teaching and Learning grant funding of the Transformative Learning Initiative, including the development of the Transformative Learning Gallery on the CATL website featuring transformative learning projects by Elon faculty and staff.
Johansson C, Brown J, Smith C, Walch R. $5,000. Course Enhancement grant funding the purchase of age progression image launcher (APRIL) software for use in 4 different Elon courses. Elon University. Fall 2003.
Johansson C, Folger S. $1,430. Course Enhancement Grant funding the development of a series of interactive web-based case studies involving real geriatric clients that will serve as a common thread for all students throughout the geriatrics course. Elon University. Fall 2003.
Johansson C. $2,980. Active Learning grant funding the implementation of active learning experiences into the Geriatric Physical Therapy course MPT 534. Elon College. Fall 2000.
Folger S, Johansson C, Chinworth SA. $4,100. Course Enhancement Technology grant funding the creation of customized multi-media course packs on CD-ROM. Elon College. Fall 1999.
Goodwin-Johansson C. $2,000. Scholarship grant for research in the field of geriatric rehabilitation. CommuniCare / ProRehab, Inc. 1991.
Publications
PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
Johansson C, Ramsey C, Chinworth S. Mobility in Context: Principles of Patient Care Skills. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Publishers, 2022. 3rd ed.
Matalon R, Johansson C. The Rehabilitative Effects of Guided Motor Imagery on
Gait and Balance in Older Adults. Academia Letters, 2021. Article 2851.
Johansson C. Therapists in the Making. Invited opening chapter in Carter TJ, Boden-McGill CJ, and Peno KB, Transformative Learning in Healthcare and Helping Professions: Building Resilient Professional Identities, Information Age Publishing, 2019.
Tisher K, Mann K, VanDyke S, Johansson C, & Vallabhajosula S. Functional measures show improvements after a home exercise program following supervised balance training in older adults with elevated fall risk, Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 2018. DOI: 10.1080/09593985.2018.1444116
Johansson C, Felten P. Transforming Students: Fulfilling the Promise of Higher Education. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins Press, 2014.
Andrews WA, Johansson C, Chinworth SA, Akroyd D. Cognitive, Collegiate, and Demographic Predictors of Attrition in Professional Physical Therapist Education. Journal of Physical Therapy Education 2006;20(1):14-21.
Guest Editor, Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation, issue entitled, Geriatric Rehabilitation for the Soul. 2003;19(4).
Johansson C. Rising with the Fall: Addressing Quality of Life in Physical Frailty. Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation 2003;19(4):239-248.
Thomas WH, Johansson C. Elderhood in Eden. Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation 2003;19(4):282-290.
Johansson C. Integrity vs. Despair: An Eriksonian Framework for Geriatric Rehabilitation. Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation 2002;17(73):1-12.
Textbook manuscript invited review : Drench ME, et al. Psychosocial Aspects of Health Care: An Integrated Approach. NJ: Prentice Hall, 2003.
Invited Book Review: Complementary Therapies, by Carol Davis. Physical Therapy Case Reports, vol. 2 no. 5, Sept 1999.
Johansson C. Invited commentary: (on “Use of Functional Tests and Interviews to Describe Changes in Function in One Patient with Parkinson’s Disease”, Rosemond, Benn, & Godwin) Physical Therapy Case Reports, vol. 1, no. 1, Jan 1998, pp. 17-18.
Goodwin-Johansson C. How Caregivers Can Affect Quality of Life in the Nursing Home, Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation 11(4): 25-33, Jun 1996.
Goodwin-Johansson C. The Psychosocial Educational Needs of Physical Therapists Working in Nursing Homes. Dissertation, August 1992. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Goodwin-Johansson C. Educating the Adult Patient, Lifelong Learning, vol. 11, no. 7 May 1988.
Collins M, Stritter F, Goodwin-Johansson C. Instructional Design for Adult Learners. In Summers, S., MacPherson, R., and Kennedy, M. (eds) Alternative Educational Methods for Continuing Education, Arlington, Virginia, American Association of Blood Bankers, 1987.
Johansson C, Shepard K, and Kent B. Relationship between Verbal Command Volume and Magnitude of Muscle Contraction Physical Therapy, vol. 63, no. 8, 1260-1265, 1983.
Johansson C, et al. Students’ Perspective on Physical Therapy Curriculum Design, Physical Therapy Education, no. 26: 5-7, 1982.
Presentations
RECENT PEER-REVIEWED PRESENTATIONS
Johansson C, Dossenbach M. Effects of Simulated Frailty on Student Attitudes: A Mixed Bag. Poster presented at the Lilly National Conference: Innovative Strategies to Advance Student Learning, Asheville, NC, Aug 8-10, 2022.
Johansson, C, Capps C, Burkhardt C, Karr K, Corcoran M. “Timed Mobility Scores for Supine to Sitting and Sitting to Supine in Healthy Adults.” Poster presentation at the American Physical Therapy Association’s Combined Sections Meeting. San Antonio, TX, February 2022.
Johansson C, Ramsey C. “Teaching Clinical Reasoning Using Illness Scripts, Rehab Scripts, and ICF-Based Concept Mapping.” 2-hour educational session presented at the American Physical Therapy Association’s Combined Sections Meeting. Orlando, FL, February 2021.
Chisholm R, Upham M, Phillips D, Johansson C, Ramsey C. “Do Concussive Symptoms Differ in Older Adults and Adolescents?” Poster presented at the American Physical Therapy Association’s Combined Sections Meeting. Orlando, Florida, February 2021.
Hildebrand C, Witherspoon K, Borrowman M, Sullivan B, Trieger K, and Johansson C. Are Timed Up and Go Norms Different for Older Adults Who Meet Recommended Levels of Aerobic Exercise? Platform presentation at The 2019 Research, Evidence-Based Practice and Quality Symposium: The Art & Science of Research within the Interprofessional Team: Advancing Patient Care, Quality and Safety. AHEC, Greensboro, NC, November 22, 2019.
Johansson C, Skillman N. Comparing Perceived Outcomes Across Disciplines Following an IPE Event. Poster presentation at The 2019 Research, Evidence-Based Practice and Quality Symposium: The Art & Science of Research within the Interprofessional Team: Advancing Patient Care, Quality and Safety. AHEC, Greensboro, NC, November 22, 2019.
Skillman N, Johansson C. Are Standardized Patients an Effective Addition to Lecture and Role Play? Poster presentation at The 2019 Research, Evidence-Based Practice and Quality Symposium: The Art & Science of Research within the Interprofessional Team: Advancing Patient Care, Quality and Safety. AHEC, Greensboro, NC, November 22, 2019.
Chisholm R, Upham M, Phillips B, Johansson C, Ramsey C. Need for Acute Care Concussion Screening for Older Adults Following Trauma: A Theory Report. NCPTA Fall Conference, Wilmington, NC, October 3-5, 2019.
Johansson C, Trieger K, Hildebrand C, Borrowman M, Witherspoon K, & Sullivan B. Challenging Existing Norms for Geriatric Functional Measures: 6MWT, TUG, SLS, and FTSTS. Platform presentation, World Confederation of Physical Therapy, Geneva Switzerland. May 10-13, 2019.
Johansson C, Trieger K, Hildebrand C, Borrowman M, Witherspoon K, & Sullivan B. Establishing Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale norms for active older adults. Poster accepted for presentation at the 2019 APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Washington, DC, January 23-26, 2019.
Borrowman M, Sullivan B, Hildebrand C, Witherspoon K, Trieger K, & Johansson C. The impact of aerobic and neuromotor exercise on Five-Times Sit-to-Stand test in older adults. Poster accepted for presentation at the 2019 APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Washington, DC, January 23-26, 2019.
Witherspoon K, Hildebrand C, Borrowman M, Sullivan B, Trieger K, & Johansson C. Are Timed Up and Go norms different for older adults who meet recommended levels of aerobic and/or resistance exercise? Poster accepted for presentation at the 2019 APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Washington, DC, January 23-26, 2019.
Hildebrand C, Trieger K, Witherspoon K, Borrowman M, Sullivan B, & Johansson C. Single-leg stance times in active older adults who meet recommended neuromotor exercise guidelines ompared to those who do not. Poster accepted for presentation at the 2019 APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Washington, DC, January 23-26, 2019.
Johansson C, Evans E. Moree T. Using Virtual Reality to Teach Home Assessment Skills. Poster presented at the Lilly National Conference: Innovative Strategies to Advance Student Learning, Asheville, NC, Aug 6-9, 2018.
Skillman J, Thurnes T, Johansson C. Creating a 360° Review to Evaluate Program Effectiveness. Poster presentated at the Association of Standardized Patient Educators Annual Conference, Kansas City, MO, June 17-20, 2018.
Johansson C, Trieger K, Russell S, Stefan E, Hocevar K. Are Five-times Sit-to-Stand Norms Different for Older Adults Who Meet Recommended Activity Levels? Poster presented at the 2018 APTA Combined Sections Meeting, New Orleans, LA, February 21-24, 2018.
Trieger K, Russell S, Hocevar K, Stefan E, Johansson C. Six-minute walk test and two-minute step test performances in physically active older adults challenge existing norms. Platform presentation at the 2018 APTA Combined Sections Meeting, New Orleans, LA, February 21-24, 2018.
Russell S, Hocevar K, Stefan E, Trieger K, Johansson C. Rethinking functional outcome measure norms in geriatrics. North Carolina Physical Therapy Association Fall Conference. Winston-Salem, NC, October 13, 2017.
Lester E, Johansson C, Wolter S. Improving Usability and Safety of Walkers Through the Development of a Smart Walker for Older Adults. Poster to be presented at The 21st IAGG World Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics. San Francisco, California, July 23-27, 2017.
Skillman J & Johansson C. Workshop: Advanced training of standardized patients for dementia cases. June 7, 2017 ASPE Conference, Alexandria, VA.
Matalon R, Vallabhajosula S, Johansson C. The rehabilitative effects of guided motor imagery on gait and balance in older adults. Poster presentation at the 2016 Human Movement Science & Biomechanics Symposium. Chapel Hill, NC, February 26, 2016.
Johansson C, Skillman J, McKay, H. Use of standardized patients to teach dementia care. Poster presented at the 2016 APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Anaheim, CA, February 2016.
Allan B, Guilford E, Jackson J, Kelly M, Johansson C, Vallabhajosula S. Both static and dynamic balance training interventions effective in improving gait in older adults. Human Movement Science Research Symposium, February 27, 2015.
Schallhorn, A., Seibert, R., Johansson, C., Vallabhajosula, S. A 12-week static balance training program shows improvements in medio-lateral components of balance. Poster presented at the 2015 APTA Combined Sections Meeting. Indianapolis, Indiana, February 2015.
Smith, K., VanDyke, S., Riffanacht, K., Johansson, C., Vallabhajosula, S. Functional mobility measures show improvement after a home exercise program following clinic-based balance training. Poster presented at the 2015 APTA Combined Sections Meeting. Indianapolis, Indiana, February 2015.
Professional Activities
Private geriatric clinical practice.
American Physical Therapy Association. Active member since 1981. Member of the Sections for Geriatrics and for Education.
Board Certified Specialist in Geriatrics, APTA 1994 to present.
International Association of Physical Therapists Working with Older People, member since 2019.
International Association of Healthcare Practitioners, active member since 1997.
Certified Solutions-Based Life Coach, Universal Coach Institute, 8/2016.
Certified Transformational Life Coach, Universal Coach Institute, 9/2016.
Service Activities
Current University Service Activities:
University Parliamentarian, appointed, 2010 to present.
Curriculum Review Committee (DPTE), 2010 to present.
Skills
Teaching
Leadership
Clinical Practice: geriatric physical therapy, craniosacral therapy
Personal and Professional Coaching & Consulting
Public Speaking
Writing
Professional Development
Recent Continuing Education:
Where Ethics Meets Law: 2024 CENNC Clinical Ethics Conference, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC. April 19, 2024.
APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Boston, MA. Feb 15-17, 2024; San Antonio, TX. Jan 30-Feb 6, 2022; Orlando, FL—virtual, February 24-27, 2021; Denver, CO. February 15-17, 2020.
Integrating Artificial Intelligence into Health Care: Ethical and Legal Challenges—The 46th Merrimon Lecture, I. Glenn Cohen, JD. UNC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC. Oct 26, 2023.
Upledger Institute’s CST Techniques Certification Applicant Preparation—virtual, December 2, 2023.
ACAPT Educational Leadership Conference, Milwaukee, WI. Oct 28-30, 2022.
Department Chairs' Developmental Workshop with Jeanne Hey, Elon University, August 17, 2022
Executive Coaching, Elon University Professional Development Center, June, July, August 2022.
ACAPT Educational Leadership Conference, Milwaukee, WI. Oct 28-30, 2022.
CITI Training July 2022.
ITLC Lilly Conference, Asheville, NC. Aug 8-10, 2022.
APTA Combined Sections Meeting, San Antonio, TX. Jan 30-Feb 6, 2022.
APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Orlando, FL—virtual, February 24-27, 2021.
Visceral Manipulation I—didactic component, Barral Institute, virtual, November 6-7, 2021
CranioSacral Therapy for Longevity, International Alliance of Healthcare Educators, virtual, September 16-19, 2021.
Craniosacral Therapy 2, Upledger Institute, Raleigh, NC, July 8-11, 2021.
APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Denver, CO. February 15-17, 2020.
Awards
Daniels Danieley Award for Excellence in Teaching, Elon University, 2024.
Excellence in Scholarship Award, Elon University School of Health Sciences, 2014.
Board Certified Specialist in Geriatrics, APTA. Initially certified April 1994, recertified through May 2025.
2012 President’s Report. University-wide recognition of scholarship achievements.
Distinguished Educator Award, American Physical Therapy Association Section for Geriatrics. 2005.
Excellence in Teaching Award, Elon University School of Education Faculty Award. 2003-2004.
National Essay Award, Physical Therapy Forum. “Physical Therapy in the Nursing Home—A Personal and Professional Challenge” judged best article in the 1990.
Dorothy Briggs Scientific Inquiry Award by the American Physical Therapy Association for publication entitled “Relationship between Verbal Command Volume and Magnitude of Muscle Contraction”, 1984.
AMBUCS Award for graduate studies in physical therapy, AMBUCS. 1980-1982.