Headshot of Melissa Scales

Melissa Scales

Associate Professor of Physical Therapy Education

Department: Physical Therapy Education

Office and address: Gerald L. Francis Center, Office 100O 2085 Campus Box Elon, NC 27244

Phone number: (336) 278-6358

Professional Expertise

Pedagogy, Learning Design, Educational Tech, Pediatric PT, Motor Learning, Pediatric Gait, Learning & Study Skills

Brief Biography

Melissa H. Scales, PT, DPT, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy Education, the Assistant Director of the Accelerated Pathways Program, and a board-certified specialist in pediatric physical therapy. 

Dr. Scales received her PhD in Learning Design and Technology from North Carolina State University's School of Education. She received her Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from Duke University, completed the Duke University Pediatric Physical Therapy Residency Program, and a Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) fellowship at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill.

She completed an undergraduate degree in Theatre and Dance from the College of Santa Fe. She worked as an analytical chemist at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, NM, before returning to school to study physical therapy. She has worked as a physical therapist in outpatient, home health, inpatient, and school settings, serving both adult and pediatric patients.

She teaches courses including Introduction to Clinical Measurement, Professional Development, and the Principles of Teaching and Learning. 

Her research interests are in idiopathic toe walking, teaching with technology, and the learning and study skills of entry-level physical therapy students.

Links

News & Notes

Education

North Carolina State University

     PhD - Learning Design and Technology, Raleigh, NC, May 2024.

University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill - Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities

     LEND Fellowship, Chapel Hill, NC, Aug 2013 – Aug 2014.

Duke Medical Center

     Pediatric Physical Therapy Residency, Durham, NC, Aug 2008 – Aug 2009.

Duke University 

     Doctor of Physical Therapy, Durham, NC, May 2008.

College of Santa Fe

     Bachelor of Arts, Theatre and Dance, Santa Fe, NM, December 1999.

 

Employment History

Durham Public Schools

     Staff Physical Therapist and Center Coordinator for Clinical Education

     Durham, NC,  Jan 2011 – June 2016  

 

UNC-Chapel Hill, Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities

     LEND Fellow and Staff Physical Therapist 

     Chapel Hill, NC, Aug 2013 – Aug 2014                            

 

Children’s Therapy Associates

     Home Health Physical Therapist

     Durham, NC, June 2011 - Jan 2012 

 

Physical Therapy of North Carolina

     Staff Physical Therapist and PRN Coverage

     Durham, NC, June 2010 - Sept 2010

 

Maria Parham Medical Center Outpatient Rehabilitation 

     Staff Physical Therapist

     Henderson, NC, Sept 2009 – May 2010

 

Duke Medical Center Pediatric Residency Program

     Pediatric PT Resident and Staff Therapist          

     Durham, NC, Aug 2008 – Aug 2009

Courses Taught

Elon University

Current:

DPT6020 Principles of Teaching and Learning

DPT6080 Biophysical Agents in Pain

DPT6090 Introduction to Clinical Measurement

DPT8170 Professional Development

ELN 1010: The First-Year Advising Seminar

Past:

DPT6120 Clinical Reasoning and Therapeutic Exercise I

DPT7120 Motor Control and Primitive Reflexes

DPT7124 Clinical Reasoning and Therapeutic Exercise IV

DPT8010 Management of the Pediatric Patient

DPT8010 Pediatric Selectives

DPT613 Clinical Seminar II

DPT8999 Directed Research II

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Past:

Motor Development and Human Movement Across the Lifespan

Leadership Positions

  • Committee Chair: Elon University Doctor of Physical Therapy Education Curriculum Committee; June 2023 - Present
  • Faculty Search Committee Chair: Department of Physical Therapy Education Core Faculty; Aug 2024 – Jan 2025
  • Faculty Search Committee Co-Chair: Director of Clinical Education Department of Physical Therapy Education; Aug 2021 – Dec 2021
  • Faculty Search Committee Co-Chair: Director of Clinical Education Department of Physical Therapy Education; Jan 2020 – May 2020
  • Faculty Search Committee Chair: Director of Clinical Education Department of Physical Therapy Education; Aug 2019 – Dec 2020
  • Committee Chair: Elon University Doctor of Physical Therapy Education Admissions Committee; May 2018 - June 2020
  • Committee Chair: Carol Gildenberg Dichter Memorial Fund Scholarship Committee; Nov 2016 - Nov 2017
  • PT Liaison: North Carolina Physical Therapy Association Student Activity Committee; Oct 2009 – Aug 2010
  • Committee Chair: North Carolina Physical Therapy Association Student Activity Committee; Dec 2007 - Oct 2009

Research

  • The effects of carbon fiber footplates on the gait kinematics of children who idiopathically toe-walk: Principal Investigator; May 2017 – present
  • Do entry-level physical therapy student study skills improve in the first year as demonstrated by a pre and post administration of the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI, 3rd ed.)?:  Primary Investigator; Jan 2017 - Dec 2017
  • Why are adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) falling and what can we do?: An evidence based approach to identification and modification of a fall reduction program in the aging IDD population: Study Investigator; Oct 2013 – August 2014. Primary Investigator: Kathleen Ollendick, PT, DPT, PCS – University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
  • PT Counts: PT related child outcomes in the schools: Data collector; July 2012 – Feb 2013. Primary Investigator: Susan Effgen, PT, PhD – University of Kentucky

Grants Awarded

  • Elon University Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning Teaching & Learning Mini Grant: Adapted Sports and the Healthy Athlete; May 2019
  • Elon University Faculty Research & Development Summer Fellowship with Financial Assistance: Stair Climbing, Walking and Jumping Differences in Children Who Habitually Walk on Their Toes; 2020 - 2021
  • Elon University Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning Teaching & Learning Grant: Student-Faculty Partnership in Teaching and Learning; May 2019
  • Elon University Faculty Research & Development Summer Fellowship with Financial Assistance: Effectiveness of a 6-Week, Novel Orthotic Intervention for Children Who Habitually Walk on Their Toes; 2018 - 2019
  • Elon University Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning Mini-Grant: Do first year DPT student study skills improve in the first year as demonstrated by a pre and post administration of the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI, 3rd ed.)?; Nov 2017
  • Elon University Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning Travel Reimbursement Grant: American Physical Therapy Association’s New Faculty Development Workshop; July 2017
  • Elon University New Faculty Summer Research Stipend: The effects of Carbon Fiber Footplates on the gait kinematics of children who walk typically and those that habitually toe walk; July 2017

Publications

  • Scales M, Vallabhajosula S. Do Learning and Study Strategies Change in the First Year of an Entry-Level Physical Therapy Program? Journal of Physical Therapy Education.
  • Huberman C, Scales M, Vallabhajosula S. Shoulder Range of Motion and Strength Characteristics in Circus Acrobats. Medical Problems of Performing Artists. September 2020; Published online 1-Sep-2020 https://doi.org/10.21091/mppa.2020.3025.
  • Reviewer for the Journal of Physical Therapy Education - January 2022 - Present
  • Reviewer for the Journal of Motor Behavior; January 2018
  • Reviewer for Slack Inc textbook proposal: Clinical Teaching Across the Curriculum; Jan 2020

 

Presentations

  • Scales MH. Educational Technology Acceptance and Use by Physical Therapy Faculty. Platform Presentation. 2025 APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Houston, TX, February 2025.

  • Lynott A, Scales MH. Providing LGBTQ+ Inclusive Pediatric Physical Therapy Care: Going Beyond Pronouns. Plenary Session. 2024 Annual Pediatric Physical Therapy Annual Conference, Providence, RI, November 2024.

  • Scales MH, Feda JT, Pucillo EM, Wenger LE, Adams KR, Minahan, CA, Martin JG, Smith NS. Validation of the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) in Doctor of Physical Therapy Students. Platform Presentation. 2024 Annual Physical Therapy Education Leadership Conference, Oakland, CA, October 2024.

  • Scales MH, Stokes K, Burney M. What We Have in Common: Using the Humanities for Interdisciplinary Essential Conversations with Caregivers. Platform Presentation 2023 Annual Physical Therapy Education Leadership Conference, Philadelphia, PA, October 2023. **Awarded the Education Innovator Award for Outstanding Platform Presentation from the Physical Therapy Learning Institute.**

  • Scales MH. Educational Technology & Pedagogy: Improved Student Outcomes in the Physical Therapy Classroom. Educational Session 2023 Annual Physical Therapy Education Leadership Conference, Philadelphia, PA, October 2023.

  • Dempsey K, Vallabhajosula S, Scales MH. The Impact of Habitual Idiopathic Toe-Walking on Jumping Performance and Mechanics in Adults. Poster presentation 2023 Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society Annual Meeting, High Point, NC, June 2023.

  • Dempsey K, Peavy S, Collins N, Vallabhajosula S, Scales MH. Does Idiopathic Toe-Walking Resolve?: Comparing Gait Alterations in Children and Adults Who Toe-Walk. Platform presentation 2023 APTA Combined Sections Meeting, San Diego, February 2023.

  • Scales MH, Vallabhajosula S. Immediate and 6-Week Effects of Using Carbon Fiber Footplates on Gait in Children with Idiopathic Toe-Walking. Accepted to be presented as a poster at the 2022 Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society Annual Conference, Online Conference, June 2022.

  • Scales MH, Martin JG. Demographic Factors and Anxiety Management in First Year Doctor of Physical Therapy Students. Presented as a Platform at 2022 APTA Combined Sections Meeting, San Antonio, Texas, February 2022.

  • Scales, MH. “Two-Way Street”: A Qualitative Case Study on Enhancing Communication Skills between a Clinical Instructor (CI) and a Student Physical Therapist (SPT). Poster presented at the 2021 Academy of Physical Therapy’s Education Leadership Conference, Atlanta, Georgia, Oct 2021.

  • Scales, MH. iRAT/tRAT: How Assessment and Collaboration Improve Learning in Physical Therapy Education. Poster presented at the 2021 Academy of Physical Therapy’s Education Leadership Conference, Atlanta, Georgia, Oct 2021.

  • Vice C, Reisch P, Jerry L, Vallabhajosula S, Scales MH. Carbon Fiber Footplate Wear Improves Gait Kinematics of Children who Idiopathically Toe Walk. Accepted to be presented as a platform/podium at the 2020 Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society Annual Conference, West Chester, Pennsylvania, June 2020. Conference cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns.

  • Vallabhajosula, S and Scales, MH. Gait Variability Decreases with Use of Carbon Fiber Footplates in Children with Idiopathic Toe Walking. Poster presented at the International Society of Posture and Gait Research 2019 World Congress, Edinburgh, Scotland, June 2019.

  • Scales MH, Vice C, Jerry L, Reisch P, Vallabhajosula S. The Effects of Carbon Fiber Footplates on Lower Extremity Joint Range of Motion in Children Who Idiopathically Toe-Walk. Poster presented at the 2019 Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society Annual Conference, Frisco, Texas, March 2019.

  • Cunningham H, Shelton L, Vallabhajosula S, Scales MH. The Effects of Carbon Fiber Footplate Orthoses on 2-D Gait Kinematics of Children that Idiopathically Toe-Walk Compared to Typically Walking Children. Presented as a podium at the 2019 APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Washington D.C., January 2019.

  • Jerry L, Reisch P, Vice C, Vallabhajosula S, Scales MH. The Acute Effects of Carbon Fiber Footplate Orthoses on Idiopathic Toe-Walking using 2-Dimensional Video Gait Analysis. Poster presented at the 2019 APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Washington D.C., January 2019.

  • Scales, MH and Vallabhajosula, S. Do 1st year DPT student study skills improve in the 1st year as demonstrated by a pre and post administration of the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory, LASSI 3rd ed.? Presented as a platform at the 2018 Academy of Physical Therapy’s Education Leadership Conference, Jacksonville, FL, October 2018.

  • Scales, MH and Vallabhajosula, S. How to better use classroom time with Flipped Lectures? Presented as a Faculty Development Workshop educational session at Shaw University, Raleigh, North Carolina, September 2018.

  • Scales, MH and Vallabhajosula, S. How to better use classroom time with Flipped Lectures? Presented as an educational session at the Teaching and Learning Conference 2018, Elon, North Carolina, August 2018.

  • Scales MH, Cunningham H, Courtney S, Shelton L, Williams A, DiBiasio P, Vallabhajosula S. The Immediate Effects of Carbon Fiber Footplates on the Temporospatial Gait Kinematics of Children Who Do and Do Not Idiopathically Toe-Walk. Presented as a podium at the 2018 Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society Annual Conference, Indianapolis, Indiana, May 2018.

  • Scales, MH. Interdisciplinary, Inclusion Intervention: How to work well with others while providing best practice in School Settings. Presented as an educational session at the 2017 Annual North Carolina Physical Therapy Fall Conference, Winston-Salem, NC, October 2017.

  • Scales, MH. Interdisciplinary Inclusion Intervention for School Physical Therapy. Presented as an educational session at the 2016 APTA Section of Pediatric Annual Conference, Keystone, CO, November 2016.

  • Andrews, B and Scales, MH. Wiggle Time” Interdisciplinary Inclusion Services for Pre-K and Beyond. Presented as an educational session at the 64th Conference on Exceptional Children, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, Greensboro, NC, November 2014.

  • Ollendick K, Wilfley L, Noonan C, Scales MH, Scow S, Brown L. Identification of Falls Incidence, Risk Factors, and Causes in Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Poster presented at the 2014 APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Las Vegas, NV, February 2014.

  • Scales, MH. Will This Child Ever Walk? Mobility vs. Function. Presented as an educational session as part of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill LEND Didactic Interdisciplinary Lecture Series, Chapel Hill, NC, October 2013 and February 2014.

  • Tartick K, Tapper B, Scales MH. Will This Child Ever Walk? Ambulation as a functional goal. Presented as an educational session as part of the 2011 Annual North Carolina Physical Therapy Association Fall Conference, Greensboro, NC, October 2011.

  • Scales MH, Ross E, Lardinois K. The Super Suit? Use of TheraTogs to Improve Gait and Balance in a Child with Spastic Diplegia Cerebral Palsy. Poster presented at the 2008 APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Nashville, TN, February 2008.

  • Scales MH, Ross E, Lardinois K. The Super Suit? Use of TheraTogs to Improve Gait and Balance in a Child with Spastic Diplegia Cerebral Palsy. Poster presented at the 2007 Annual North Carolina Physical Therapy Association Fall Conference, Greensboro, NC, November 2007.

Professional Activities

  • Podcast Interview April 25, 2018; PT Pintcast: Episode 297 – Duke University’s Corey Simon & Elon’s Melissa Scales http://www.ptpintcast.com/2018/04/25/297-duke-universitys-corey-simon-elons-melissa-scales/
  • Oxford Style Debate March 2018; North Carolina Student Physical Therapy Conclave, Durham, NC; Debate team leader for the Pro-argument: Physical therapists should become “Specialist” practitioners.
  • Invited Table Presentation; Section on Pediatric Annual Conference (SOPAC) Practice Fair; October 2014; “Wiggle Time” – Evidence-Based Interdisciplinary Inclusion Services for Pre-K and Beyond
  • International Service Learning and Mentorship - Hillside Healthcare International in Belize – Clinical Instructor, July 2018 & Nov 2023; Provided clinical instruction, education, and mentorship to physical therapy students in the only PT clinic in the southern district of Belize. We provided home health, outpatient, and mobile clinic outreach PT services pro bono. We train community members like local volunteer firefighters on safe lifting techniques and healthy back safety.

Professional Memberships:

American Physical Therapy Association (APTA): August 2005 – Present

  • APTA Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy: August 2007 – Present
  • School-Based Pediatric PT Special Interest Group: December 2010 – Present
  • APTA Education Section: July 2016 – Present

North Carolina Physical Therapy Association: August 2005 – Present

  • NCPTA Student Special Interest Group: August 2007 – October 2009

Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society: February 2018 - Present

Service Activities

Elon University Committees

  • Academic Council: Aug 2024 – Present
  •         Chair-Elect: Aug 2025 – Present
  •         Committee on Committees: August 2024 – Present
  • Service Working Group:  March 2025 - Present
  • Residential Campus Advisory Committee: August 2024 – Present
  • Director of CATL Search Committee: Sept 2023 – Feb 2024
  • Global Education Curriculum Committee (GECC): Aug 2020 – May 2023
  • Dean of the School of Health Sciences Search Committee: May 2022 – Feb 2023
  • University Curriculum Committee (UCC): Dec 2018 – May 2020
  • Director of Inclusive Excellence Search Committee Search Committee: Sept 2020 – Dec 2020
  • Science Librarian Search Committee: Sept 2018 – Feb 2019
  • Pre-Health Professions Advisory Committee: Sept 2017 – Present

School of Health Sciences (SHS) Committees

  • SHS Curriculum Committee: Oct 2018 – Present
  • SHS Staff and Faculty Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee: June 2020 – Nov 2023
  • Interprofessional Education Committee: Aug 2017 – Mar 2020
  • Dean’s Advisory Council: Sept 2017 – Dec 2017
  • Faculty Search Committee: Department of Physician Assistant Studies: Program Director: Aug 2020 – Oct 2020

Department of Physical Therapy Education (DPTE) Committees

  • DPTE Curriculum Committee: Oct 2018 – Present
  •      Committee Chair: June 2023 - Present
  • DPTE Admissions Committee: Elon University Department of Physical Therapy Education: Sept 2017 – June 2020
  •      Admissions Committee Chair: May 2018 – June 2020
  • Faculty Search Committee:
  •      Assistant Professor: Musculoskeletal and general, core faculty: Aug 2024 – Jan 2025
  •      Director of Clinical Education: DCE Search Committee Co-Chair: Aug 2021 – Dec 2021
  •      Director of Clinical Education: DCE Search Committee Co-Chair: Jan 2020 – May 2020
  •      Director of Clinical Education: DCE Search Committee Chair: Aug 2019 – Dec 2020
  •      Assistant Professor: Musculoskeletal faculty: Mar 2018 – July 2018
  •      Assistant Professor: Musculoskeletal faculty: Jan 2017 – April 2017
  • Strategic Planning Committee: Ad Hoc: Jan 2017 – Oct 2017
  • NPTE Board Prep Committee: Ad Hoc: Mar 2021 – May 2021
  • Clinical Reasoning Committee: Ad Hoc: Sept 2021 – Present

Student Committees

  • SHS Student Diversity Committee: Faculty advisor: Jan 2019 – Present
  • Student Elon Physical Therapy Student Organization: Faculty advisor: Nov 2018 – May 2022
  • Student Leadership Awards Committee: Faculty Advisor and co-creator: July 2017 – Present
  • Dance Special Interest Group: Faculty member: July 2022 - Present

International Service Learning and Mentorship:

Hillside Healthcare International in Belize – Clinical Instructor: July 2018

Provided clinical instruction, education, and mentorship to 2 physical therapy students in the only PT clinic in the southern district of Belize. We provided home health, outpatient and mobile clinic outreach PT services pro bono.

UNC PT Guatemala Service Learning Program - Leadership Team: April 2014

Provided physical therapy student mentorship, teaching, and treatment for a service learning trip to Antigua, Guatemala with the UNC-Chapel Hill Physical Therapy Department.

Global Health Outreach Initiative – India: May 2008

Taught back safety seminar to rural farmers and youth sports training & conditioning techniques to squash camp; lectured to acute physiotherapists about Pediatric PT interventions for CP population; Taught manual therapy seminar to a physiotherapy program for blind PT students.

Awards

Outstanding Clinical Instructor Award

     University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill Department of Physical Therapy, Spring 2015

Carol Gildenberg Dichter Memorial Fund Scholarship Award                               

     Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy Association, November 2014 

PT in Motion

     Featured article – “23 Emerging Leaders Recognized,” October 2009