Headshot of Robert Nithman

Robert Nithman

Professor of Physical Therapy Education and Chair/Program Director of Physical Therapy Education

Department: Physical Therapy Education

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

News & Notes

Education

Ph.D Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL - 2018

  • Dissertation Title: The Use of a Telerehabilitation Delivery System for Fall Risk Screening

Doctor of Physical Therapy (t-DPT) Chatham University, Pittsburgh, PA - 2005

Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA  - 1997

Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences (BS) Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA - 1996

Leadership Positions

Consultative and Advisory Positions Held:

  • Appointed Member, American Council Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT) Advocacy Committee; Representative for CA, HI, and Alaska (Pacific Region), 2021-present.
  • MOSC Liaison, American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) Specialty Council on Geriatric Physical Therapy; 2023.
  • Appointed Member, American Board of Physical Therapy Education Residency and Fellowship (ABPTRFE) Resident Entrustable Professional Activities (EPA) Work Group; 2022.
  • Chair, American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) Specialty Council on Geriatric Physical Therapy; 2021-2022
  • Chair, American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) Style Guide Taskforce for Specialization Examinations (all Specialty Councils); 2021-2022.
  • Appointed Committee Member, American Physical Therapy Association’s Educational Leadership Partnership (ELP) Reactor Panel for competency-based physical therapy education (CBPTE), approaches to domains of competence (DoCs)/competencies and entrustable professional activities (EPAs), 2020-2022.
  • Physical Therapist & Telehealth Consultant to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and National Opinion Research Center (NORC) for remote administration of the STEADI fall prevention toolkit, 2020-2022.
  • Assistant Item Writer Coordinator, ABPTS Specialty Council Geriatric Physical Therapy, 2020
  • Appointed Consultant to Harvard Medical Center / MGH Interprofessional Telehealth Workgroup for post-professional training / continuing education, 2020-2021
  • Appointed Member, Federation State Board of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) Physical Therapist Exam Development Committee (EDC), 2016-2018
  • Elected Secretary and founding Board member, American Council Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT) National Interprofessional Education Consortium (NIPEC), 2014-2017
  • Appointed to the APTA Task Force for the development of Clinical Guidance Statement & Guidelines for the Physical Therapy-Related Treatment of Osteoporosis, 2016-2022
  • Appointed Member, APTA’s Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy Sub-Committee on Resource Dissemination 2016-2019
  • Appointed Member, APTA’s Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy Practice Committee, 2012-2020
  • Appointed Manuscript Reviewer multiple peer-reviewed Journals 2010-present
  • Appointed Member, APTA’s FiRST Telehealth Special Interest Group 2014-2022.
  • Legal Consultant as Expert Witness, 2015-present
  • Programming Committee and Abstract Reviewer APTA’s CSM Academy of Leadership and Innovation, Educational Leadership Conference (ELC), and the Academy of Education several times 2016-present
  • Appointed Member, Midwestern University Alzheimer’s Advisory Committee and Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium, 2014-2018
  • Invited Reviewer and Contributor, American Physical Therapy Association’s Telehealth Toolkit Development Initiative, 2013-2014

Grants Awarded

  • Development of Clinical Guidance Statement for the Physical Therapy-Related Treatment of Osteoporosis submitted to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) for $15,878.45 in conjunction with work associated with an Academy of Geriatrics Physical Therapy workgroup tasked with the production of an evidenced based document (OsteoEDGE).
    • Co-investigator
  • The Reliability of Telehealth Fall and Mobility Screening Applications, funding awarded through Midwestern University Faculty Grant for $4396.14, 2012.
    • Principle Investigator
  • Real-Time Telerehabilitation as an Adjunct to Physical Therapy Following Total Knee Replacement, funding approved by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Home Health Section for $5,000, 2009.
    • Co-Investigator

Publications

Peer Reviewed Publications:

  • Nithman, RW, Beato RM, Hamm R. Item Writing and Style Guide: a standardized resource for item writers across 10 Specialty Councils; American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties; 2023.
  • Avin KG, Nithman RW, Osborne R, Betz SR, Lindsey C, Hartley GW. Essential components of physical therapist management of patients with osteoporosis: a Delphi study. J Geriatr Phys Ther. Vol 45 – Issue 2; April/June 2022, p E120-E126. doi: 10.1519/JPT.0000000000000347
  • Hartley GW, Roach KE, Nithman RW, Betz SR, Lindsey C, Fuchs RK, Avin KG. Physical therapist management of patients with suspected or confirmed osteoporosis: a clinical practice guideline from the Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy. J Geriatr Phys Ther. Vol 45 – Issue 2; April/June 2022, p E106-E119. doi: 10.1519/JPT.0000000000000346
  • Nithman RW, Vincenzo JL. “How Steady is the STEADI? Inferential Analysis of the CDC Fall Risk Toolkit.” Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics. Volume 83, July–August 2019, Pages 185-194. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2019.02.018
  • Nithman RW, Hill CJ, Cheng MS, Lee ACW. “The Use of a Telerehabilitation System for Fall Risk Screening.” ProQuest Dissertation Publishing. 2018; record number 10934144.
  • Nithman RW, Spiegel, JJ, Lorello D. “The Effect of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Physical Therapy Simulation on Student Perceived Readiness for Clinical Education.” Journal of Acute Care Physical Therapy. 2016; 7(1), pages 16-24.
  • Nithman RW. “Gait Speed: An Interprofessional Tool to Guide Prognosis and Referral.” The Arizona Geriatrics Society Journal. 2015;(20)1: pages 3-6.
  • Nithman RW. “The Relationship Between Ankle Dorsiflexion Range of Motion and Elderly Fall Risks.” The Arizona Geriatrics Society Journal. 2014;(19)1: pages 16-21.
  • Shaw D, Nithman RW, “Vital Signs: Where do You Stand?” HPA Resource Journal, Vol. 9, No. 4, December 2009.

Non-Peer Reviewed Publications:

  • Interviewed expert for: Carrasquillo M. Does plus size or heavy weight affect what mattress you need? The Strategist. November 7, 2025.
  • Nithman RW “Selecting the Right Business Entity: Why it Matters.” A 3-Part Series The Journal of Medical Practice Management. 2015.

           -Part 1: “Conceptual Framework, Sole Proprietorships and Partnerships.” 2015;(30)5: pgs 358-361.

           -Part 2: “Corporations, Limited Liability Companies, and Professional Entities.” 2015;(30)6: pgs 377-            380.

           -Part 3: “Non-Profits, Ethics, Practice Implications & Conclusions. 2015(30)7: pgs 36-39.

  • Shaw D, Bierwas D, Nithman RW, “Performing Research in the Real World: One Group’s Home Health Experience.” The Quarterly Report, Vol. 46, No 3, Spring 2011.

Presentations

Peer Reviewed Scientific and Professional Presentations:

  • The Impact of Shared Occupations on Intimate Partnerships, World Federation Occupational Therapy, Oral Presentation, Bangkok, Thailand; February, 2026. (accepted but not presented)
  • Physical Therapist Management of Patients With Suspected or Confirmed Osteoporosis, 2nd World conference on Ageing and Gerontology; Rome, Italy; July, 2025.
  • Becoming a Change Agent: Academic Role in Teaching Advocacy to the Next Generation. Educational Session at the Educational Leadership Conference (ELC), American Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT); Milwaukee, WI; October 2022.
  • Evidenced-Based Guidelines for Osteoporosis. Educational Session at the American Physical Therapy Association’s Combined Sections Meeting, San Antonio, TX; February 2022.
  • Telehealth and Distance Fall Screening: Reliability, Validity, and Acceptability of the CDC’s STEADI Program Presentation at the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine, Chicago, IL; November 2019.
  • Telehealth and Fall Risk Screening. Invited Program Presentation at the Tri-State Physical Therapy Conference (California, Nevada, Arizona), Las Vegas, NV; October 2019.
  • The Feasibility, Reliability, Validity, & Acceptability of Telehealth as a Fall Screening Tool. Platform Presentation at the Gerontological Society of America’s Annual Scientific Meeting, Boston, MA; November 2018.
  • Expanding Perspectives on the STEADI Toolkit: Adherence, Telehealth, & Education. Co-Chair of a Symposium Presented at the Gerontological Society of America’s Annual Scientific Meeting, Boston, MA; November 2018.
  • How steady is the STEADI? Interferential analysis of the CDC fall risk toolkit, Educational Session American Physical Therapy Association’s Combined Sections Meeting, New Orleans, LA February 2018.
  • Integrating and Assessing the New CAPTE Interprofessional Education Standards in the Clinic, Platform Presentation at the Educational Leadership Conference (ELC), American Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT), Phoenix, AZ; October 2016.
  • Mobility and Fall Risk Characteristics of Older Adults Residing in Assisted Living Facilities, Poster Presentation at the Exercise and Physical Activity in Aging Conference (ExPAAC II), Indianapolis, Indiana July 26-28, 2016.
  • Adoption of Telerehabilitation by Older Adults…the Validation of a Survey Instrument, Poster Presentation at the Telemedicine & Telehealth Service Provider Showcase, Phoenix, AZ June 21-22, 2016.
  • Preparing Students for Interprofessional Collaborative Practice, Platform Presentation at the Educational Leadership Conference (ELC), American Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT), Baltimore, Maryland; October 4, 2015.
  • The Effect of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Physical Therapy Simulation on Student Perceived Readiness for Clinical Education, Platform Presentation at the Combined Sections Meeting, American Physical Therapy Association, Indianapolis, Indiana; February 6, 2015
  • Technology Trends in Home Health Care, Invited Program Presentation at the Combined Sections Meeting, American Physical Therapy Association, Indianapolis, Indiana; February 5, 2015
  • Quantification of Debate-style Learning, Presentation at the 34th International Conference on Critical Thinking and Educational Reform, Berkley CA; July 2014
  • The Relationship between Ankle Dorsiflexion Range of Motion and Elderly Fall Risks in patients with Dementia. Poster Presentation at the 16th Annual Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium Conference, Mesa, AZ; June, 2014.
  • Are You Ready for Telehealth? Best Lessons of Innovation and Integration from Models of Care, Program Presentation at the Combined Sections Meeting, American Physical Therapy Association, San Diego CA; January, 2013.
  • Real-Time Telerehabilitation as an Adjunct to Physical Therapy Following Total Knee Replacement, Invited Platform Presentation at the Combined Sections Meeting, American Physical Therapy Association; Chicago IL, 2012.
  • The Risky Business of Risk Management, presented at: Nova Southeastern University Ft. Lauderdale, FL; October 2009.

Professional Activities

Published Webinars for CME/CEU/CPD Credit (peer reviewed)

  • Evidenced-Based Guidelines for Osteoporosis
    • Selected by APTA’s Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy: Recorded On-Demand Session, Spring 2022.
  • Home Health Value-Based Payment (HHVBP) & Telerehabilitation: Remote Strategies for Improving Patient Function!
    • Invited Speaker, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) / OASIS Answers - Live Webinar Event, July 2021.
  • Telehealth Foundations: Applications Across Professions
    • Invited contributor in partnership with Harvard Medical Center / MGH Institute of Health Professions, July 2020

Awards

2024

Joan M. Mills Award for outstanding service and leadership to APTA’s

 

Academy of Geriatrics.

2022

Best Research Article Published in 2022 in the Journal of Geriatric

 

Physical Therapy. Awarded by the Journal’s Editorial Board, for: Physical

 

therapist management of patients with suspected or confirmed osteoporosis:

 

a clinical practice guideline from the Academy of Geriatric Physical

 

Therapy. J Geriatr Phys Ther. 2022;45(2):E106-E119.