Biography:
Dr. Vatwani holds graduate degrees including a Doctor of Physical Therapy, a Master of Business Administration, and a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Education and Leadership in Healthcare. She currently serves as the Graduate Program Director for the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program and as a Clinical Associate Professor at Old Dominion University (ODU). Prior to her appointment at ODU, she was an Associate Professor at Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Vatwani has an extensive background in acute care physical therapy, having served a decade at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD. Her research agenda is dedicated to enhancing cultural competence, advancing interprofessional education, and improving physical therapy education in acute care, as well as cardiovascular and pulmonary specialties. She is the recipient of the 2022 Healthcare Diversity Leader Award from the National Diversity Council and the 2022 American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Minority Faculty Development Award. Currently, Dr. Vatwani is elected to serve on APTA’s Academy of Leadership and Innovation Global Health SIG Nominating Committee and as the Chair of the APTA Acute Care Education Committee for a three-year term.
Title : Integrating holistic early rehabilitation in acute care: Evidence-Based strategies for enhancing patient outcomes and optimizing costs
Title : Bridging the DEI gap in physical therapy education and practice: Cultivating culturally competent leadership and sustainable organization change