Dr. Joseph M. Donnelly Elected President of Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy

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Dr. Joseph Donnelly

ATLANTA – Dr. Joseph Donnelly, clinical professor of physical therapy in Mercer University’s College of Health Professions, was recently elected president of the Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy.

His three-year term initiated with an address to Academy membership on Jan. 26 at the Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association in Washington, D.C.

The Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy, the largest academy of the American Physical Therapy Association, has more than 20,000 members. Celebrating its 45th anniversary this month, the Academy provides resources in practice, education, research and advocacy for physical therapy practitioners who manage patients and clients with musculoskeletal conditions.

“The Academy is in excellent hands, being led by a man of integrity, vision and ability,” said Dr. Jeannette Anderson, chair of Mercer’s Department of Physical Therapy. “We witnessed his organizational leadership abilities when he so effectively served as president of the Physical Therapy Association of Georgia.”

Dr. Donnelly joined the faculty at Mercer in 2009 and serves as director of postprofessional programs in the Department of Physical Therapy, consisting of residencies in cardiovascular and pulmonary, neurologic and orthopaedic physical therapy, and a fellowship in orthopaedic manual physical therapy. Additionally, Dr. Donnelly teaches within the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Dr. Donnelly earned his Bachelor of Science from Daemen University, Master of Science in orthopaedic physical therapy from the University of Pittsburgh and Doctor of Health Science in orthopaedic physical therapy from the University of Indianapolis.

He is recognized as a Board-Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties and is an Honorary Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists.

About the College of Health Professions

Mercer University’s College of Health Professions is composed of five disciplines: physical therapy, physician assistant studies, public health, clinical medical psychology, and athletic training. The College offers a doctoral-level physical therapy program, master’s-level physician assistant program, bachelor’s- and master’s-level public health programs, doctoral-level program in clinical medical psychology, and master’s-level athletic training program. The Department of Physical Therapy offers residencies in orthopaedic, neurologic and cardiovascular/pulmonary physical therapy; a fellowship in orthopaedic manual physical therapy; and an onsite clinic. Each program is housed in a department that provides students with comprehensive didactic courses taught by an extraordinary faculty and extensive clinical experience enhanced by outstanding service-learning opportunities. For more information, visit chp.mercer.edu.