Headshot of Gary Johnson

Gary Johnson

Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy Education

Department: Physical Therapy Education

Office and address: Gerald L. Francis Center 2085 Campus Box Elon, NC 27244

Phone number: (336) 278-6417

Professional Expertise

Orthopedics, Sports Medicine, Social Determinants of Health

Brief Biography

Dr. Gary Johnson is a clinician, educator, and researcher specializing in sports and orthopedic physical therapy. He is a board-certified Sports Clinical Specialist and certified athletic trainer. Dr. Johnson earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and completed his PhD in Health Education at William Carey University. His academic and clinical work focuses on sports rehabilitation, interprofessional education, and the social determinants of health. 

News & Notes

Education

William Carey University

     PhD in Health Education

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

     Doctor of Physical Therapy

North Carolina Central University

     B.S. Athletic Training

 

Employment History

Elon University

     Department of Physical Therapy Education - Assistant Professor: 2025-present

University of NC at Chapel Hill

     Doctor of Physical Therapy Division - Adjunct Professor: 2022 - 2025

Duke University School of Medicine

     Doctor of Physical Therapy Division - Medical Instructor: 2022 - 2025

Duke University Health Systems

     PT/OT Department - Physical Therapist: 2015-2022

Courses Taught

Elon University

     DPT 6000 Psychosocial Aspects of Healthcare

     DPT 6200 Clinical Imaging

     DPT 8200 Advanced Clinical Practice Selective Tracks (Orthopedic Track)

 

Leadership Positions

Director: Elon University Sports Physical Therapy Residency

 

 

Grants Awarded

  • 2026 - Elon University Center for Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL) Inclusive Teaching Transformation Grant. “AI-Powered Bias Exploration."
  • 2026 - Elon University Hultquist Fund Summer Fellowship Teaching Stipend. “From Comparison to Calibration: Leveraging Athlete Norms for ACL Rehabilitation Benchmarks.”
  • 2024 - Duke Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Catalyst Grant Team Recipient. “Increasing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusive Excellence in Faculty Searches: A Toolkit for Educators and Leaders.”

Publications

  1. Jochimsen KN, Johnson G, Cope T, et al. From research to practice: barriers to implementation of psychologically informed practice in the sports setting. British Journal of Sports Medicine. Published online February 19, 2026: bjsports-2025-111071. doi:https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2025-111071
  2. Bui, K., Hamilton, D, Johnson, G, Murray, M, Newman, A, Samuelson, J, Troost, L, White, B. (2013, November). Analysis of Psychometrics Regarding Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) Outcome Measure [Measurement Instrument]. 2013. https://www.sralab.org/rehabilitation-measures/western-ontario-and-mcmaster-universities-osteoarthritis-index

Presentations

Peer-Reviewed Educational Sessions

  • Operacz, R, Hawkins, E, Johnson, G, Virag, B, McGee, J. Bridging the Classroom and the Clinic: Leveraging Emerging Clinicians’ Training to Address Patients’ Social Needs. Combined Sections Meetings of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), Anaheim, CA, February 2026.

  • Greco, J, Covington, K, Roll M, Johnson, G, Adams, T, Hilton, T. Innovative Research Mentoring: Using a Collaborative Qualitative Project as a Blueprint to Mentor Novice Faculty. Accepted for presentation at the American Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT) and the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Education Leadership Conference, Oakland, CA, October 2024.

  • Sutowki-Hemstreet, A, Adams, T, Matthews, D, Johnson, G.  Integrating Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Content and Practices into Clinical Care Courses. Accepted for presentation at the American Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT) and the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Education Leadership Conference, Oakland, CA, October 2024.
  • Smith V, Johnson G, Schmidt M, Johnson K. Time to Lean In: Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable. Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), San Antonio, Texas, 2022.

Platform Presentations

  • Johnson, G. The Perceptions and Experiences of Underrepresented Minority Faculty in Physical Therapy Education Programs. Combined Sections Meetings of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), Anaheim, CA, February 2026.
  • Johnson, G, Leiman, E, Waite, K. Harmonizing Healthcare: Integrating Physical Therapy into an Inter-Professional Education Clinic. NEXUS Interprofessional Education Virtual Summit. September 2024.
  • Johnson, G, Leiman, E, Waite, K. Collaborative Care: Patient Perspectives on Physical Therapy Integration into an Interprofessional Education Clinic. NEXUS Interprofessional Education Virtual Summit, September 2024.

Poster Presentations

  • Ormond Z., Magill, J., Reiman, M., Johnson, G. Isolating Hamstring Strength: The Effect of Pelvic Stabilization on Eccentric Nordic Performance. Combined Sections Meetings of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), Anaheim, CA, February 2026.

  • Roll M., Johnson, G., Greco, J., Meyers, K., Covington, K., Adams, T. Perceptions of Clinical Education Faculty About Professionalism in Physical Therapy Students. American Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT) and the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Education Leadership Conference, Kansas City, MO, October 2025.

  • Johnson, G, Porter, R, Jones, Q, Melvin J, Mesaros, J, Purkal, D, Webb, L. Enhancing Diversity and Inclusion: Transforming Faculty Searches in Physical Therapy Education. Combined Sections Meetings of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), Houston, Texas, 2025.
  • Johnson, G. Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Involvement in the Duke Interprofessional Education (IPE) Emergency Department Clinic. Duke AHEAD Certificate in Health Professions Education & Teaching Program. Duke University, 2024.

Service Activities

  • American Physical Therapy Association (APTA): Sports, Orthopedic, and Education sections member.
  • American Physical Therapy Association of NC (APTA of NC): DEI Committee 2021 - 2024
  • American Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT): Institution of Teaching and Learning Task Force committee member.

Professional Development

  • APTA Board Certified Clinical Specialists in Sports Physical Therapy (2019)
  • APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor (2018)
  • Blood Flow Restriction Rehabilitation Certified (2017)
  • Certified and Licensed Athletic Trainer (2008)

Awards

  • APTA Academy of Leadership and Innovation Social Responsibility Recognition for CSM Poster Presentation - 2025
  • APTA Minority Faculty Development Scholarship Award - 2024