Johnson elected as vice chair for national physical therapy commission

GRAND FORKS, N.D.—Beverly Johnson, PT, DSc., GCS, CEEAA, was elected to be vice chair of the 10-member Physical Therapy Panel of the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) at its meeting in November. Johnson is assistant director of clinical education and an associate professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences. The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education is an accrediting agency that is nationally recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. CAPTE grants specialized accreditation status to qualified entry-level education programs for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. The commission is a group of 31 individuals with varied backgrounds who are charged with determining whether a program meets the standards of quality in physical therapy education, developing the evaluative criteria for quality, and setting policy and procedure for the physical therapy accreditation process. Members of the commission must have served as on-site reviewers to be eligible for appointment. Johnson has been an on-site reviewer and team leader for many years before her appointment to the physical therapy panel of CAPTE. As a commissioner, Johnson reviews physical therapy education programs to assure the programs meet quality education standards developed by the commission. “Dr. Johnson is recognized nationally as a leader in physical therapy clinical education,” said David Relling, PT, PhD, associate professor of physical therapy and chair of the Department of Physical Therapy at the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences. “Election as vice chair on the PT panel is a confirmation of Bev’s effective leadership and comprehensive knowledge of physical therapy education.” Johnson earned her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy, Master of Science in Sport and Exercise Science, and minor in Education from UND, she earned her Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy (Geriatrics) from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in Provo, Utah. She received certifications as a geriatric clinical specialist (GCS) through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties and as a certified exercise expert for the aging adult (CEEAA) through the Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy, a component of the American Physical Therapy Association. “Involvement with national leaders in the educational and physical therapy professions has been a rewarding and humbling experience,” Johnson said. “I feel blessed to remain passionate about a profession I entered 40 years ago. It is an honor to give back to the profession and the department and also to represent the University at the national level.” ### Denis F. MacLeod Assistant Director, Office of Alumni and Community Relations University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences 501 N Columbia Road, Stop 9037 | Room 1106 | Grand Forks, ND 58202-9037 701.777.2733 direct | 218.779.3107 cell denis.macleod@med.UND.edu www.med.UND.ed