by Holly Fletcher
Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Rebecca Dickinson, PT, received the Excellence in Clinical Practice Award from The Tennessee Physical Therapy Association, highlighting her commitment to developing an evidence base around shoulder disorders, mentoring and connecting with patients.
Dickinson joined VUMC in 2005 from a private practice because she wanted to be a part of the learning discourse and contribute to the evidence supporting physical therapy.
“Over my time at VUMC, I’ve grown from just seeing patients to having time to teach and to be involved in research, which are really important to me. I think this award reflects my passion for being better and mentorship to people in my field. We want to be masters of movement. We want to look and see how someone is running or working or doing the tasks they do every day and try to adjust that and see where they need strength,” Dickinson said.
Dickinson researches rotator cuff tears and is collaborating on clinical research projects including NIH- and PCORI-funded studies that have the potential to change how physicians and therapists approach treatment.
“She is unique among physical therapists in that she has a strong interest in conducting research. I expect in the next decade, she will author many more studies that influence physical therapists across the globe in their approach to patients with shoulder disorders,” said Jed Kuhn, MD, MS, interim chair of the Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation.