Nicole Dawson, PT, PhD, GCS is an Assistant Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at the University of Central Florida and Co-Director of the Innovative Mobility Innovative (IMOVE™) Lab. She graduated from Ohio University with a Master’s degree in Physical Therapy in 2002. Dr. Dawson is a Board Certified Geriatric Physical Therapist with over 15 years of clinical experience along with a PhD in Adult Development & Aging Psychology. Her current area of research includes developing non-pharmacological interventions to improve functional and psychosocial outcomes in patients with dementia, identifying predictors of falls in older adults with cognitive impairment, as well as gaining a better understanding of the illness experience of individuals with dementia. Dr. Dawson has been published in peer-reviewed journals including The Gerontologist and the Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy. She has presented at numerous international and national conferences on the subject. She is passionate about the bettering the treatment and care of these patients and is dedicated to assisting students and clinicians in gaining skills and knowledge to better help these patients maximize their potential.
Credentials
- BS, Bachelor of Science, Sports Medicine, Baldwin-Wallace College
- MA, Master of Arts, Adult Development & Aging Psychology, Cleveland State University
- MPT, Master of Physical Therapy, Ohio University
- PT, Licensed Physical Therapist
- Ph.D., Doctor of Philosophy, Adult Development & Aging Psychology, Cleveland State University
- GCS, Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy
- Development, implementation, and evaluation of non-pharmacological interventions for older adults (specializing in individuals with dementia)
- Gaining a better understanding of the illness experience for older adults with chronic illness, specifically those with dementia, through a biopsychosocial approach
- Training and development of the growing eldercare workforce
- Identifying risk factors for falls in older adults with and without cognitive impairment
- Studying predictors of successful and optimal aging
Areas of Specialty
- Non-pharmacological interventions for older adults
- Predictors of successful and optimal aging
- Risk factors for falls in older adults with cognitive impairment
- Understanding the illness experience for individuals with dementia
Research Lab Affiliations
PHT7521C: Management of PT Services II
PHT7789C: Advanced Geriatric PT
PHT6521: Management of PT Services
PHT6374C: Geriatric PT
PHT5003: Foundations of PT
PHT5125L: Clinical Kinesiology Lab
Recipients of the 2022 Seed Funding Program Announced
The program awarded a total of $1 million to 32 teams. This is the third year the program has been available to UCF faculty and researchers. UCF announced the recipients...
DPT Faculty, Students, and Alumni to Present at APTA Combined Sections Meeting
Students, alumni, and faculty members will represent the Division of Physical Therapy at the annual American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, which will be held February 2 – 5...
Physical Therapy Students Help Patient Make Great Strides in Physical and Cognitive Abilities
Two recent physical therapy alumni played a key role in increasing the mobility of a dementia patient during a 12-week physical therapy session where by the end, the patient no longer needed his cane to walk. They used their experience as a research opportunity to examine the impact...
UCF and Orlando Health Residency Program Offers DPTs Advanced Neurologic Training
Olivia Berry is the latest physical therapist to complete a neurologic residency offered by a partnership between UCF and Orlando Health. The UCF & Orlando Health Neurologic Residency Program offers post-graduate training in...
How Alzheimer’s Disease Impacts Patient, Family and Friends and How to Rally Support in the Community
While everyone occasionally forgets a name, or why they entered a room, changes in cognition and behaviors might be indicators of something more serious. These could be signs of dementia...
UCF and Orlando Health Residency Faculty Shine at APTA Combined Sections Meeting
The UCF & Orlando Health Neurologic Residency faculty were busy at this year’s Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association held at the Colorado Convention Center from March...
UCF DPT Faculty Appointed to Multiple PT Specialty Board Positions
Three UCF Doctor of Physical Therapy Program faculty members representing three different board specialty areas of physical therapy are headed to Denver, Colorado February 11-15 for the annual meeting of...
Neurologic Residents Present at the FPTA Annual Conference
Two residents of the University of Central Florida and Orlando Health neurologic residency program presented their research at the 2019 Florida Physical Therapy Association Annual Conference and Assembly of Representatives...
UCF Student Wins National Award for Research on Walking Speed of Elderly
Ashleigh Trapuzzano devotes herself to research to benefit elderly adults and her work has not gone unnoticed. The Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy on Thursday presented Trapuzzano, a third-year physical...
Dawson Receives National Outstanding New Academic Faculty Member Award
Assistant Professor Nicole Dawson of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program received the Margaret L. Moore Award for Outstanding New Academic Faculty Member from the American Physical Therapy Association on...