In this section
Matthew A. Nuciforo, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS, FAAOMPT
![Matthew A. Nuciforo, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS, FAAOMPT](https://s3.amazonaws.com/rfums-bigtree/files/modules/nuciforo-matthew.jpg)
Dr. Nuciforo serves as Chairperson and Program Director for the Department of Physical Therapy and Associate Dean of Admissions and Enrollment in the College of Health Professions. Dr. Nuciforo is a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists. His teaching emphasis is in musculoskeletal system / orthopedics and manual therapy. As a recognized leader and researcher in physical therapy admissions, Dr. Nuciforo previously served as Chair of the American Council on Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT) Admissions Task Force and is currently serving a 3-year term to the ACAPT National Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Commission. The Commission is charged with establishing anti-racist and anti-bias policies, programming, and effective initiatives to support member institutions with efforts to increase the representation of racial and ethnic minority students and faculty.
Research Interests
- Faculty social construction of merit in the admissions process to physical therapist education programs
- Social determinants of learning and related admissions merit criteria which address underrepresentation within the profession
Selected Publications and Presentations
- Nuciforo MA. Admission Merit within the Social Field of Physical Therapist Education. American Physical Therapy Association; Combined Sections Meeting. Boston, MA; February 2024.
- Nuciforo MA. On Merit and Equity in Admission to US Physical Therapist Education Programs: A Qualitative Analysis of Faculty Habitus. J Phys Ther Educ. Published online March 7, 2024.
- Nuciforo MA, Sloan A, Cavato D, Delaney W, Hdija S, Ramirez Y, Rourke K, Turner L. The Graduate Record Examination and Underrepresented Minority Applicants to a Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. American Physical Therapy Association; Educational Leadership Conference. Atlanta, GA; October 2021.
- Nuciforo MA, Bryant K, Fortney A, Granquist, Y, Heslop A, Huang P, Lundell, E. Holistic Review in Physical Therapist Education Program Admissions. American Physical Therapy Association; Chicago, IL; 2019
- Nuciforo MA. Minority Applicants to Physical Therapy Education Programs 2010-2012. Phys Ther. 2015; 95(1):39-50.
- Nuciforo MA, Litvinsky Y, Rheault W. Variables Predictive of Admission to U.S. Physical Therapy Education Programs J Phys Ther Educ. 2014;28(3):112-119.
Link to Complete List of Publications
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/matthew.nuciforo.1/bibliography/public/
Education
- Doctor of Philosophy
Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI
Educational Policy and Leadership - Doctor of Physical Therapy
University of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana - Master of Physical Therapy
Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI - Bachelor of Arts
Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI
Pre-Physical Therapy, Criminology and Law
Certification
- American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy
- Fellow, American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists
Honors and Awards
- Rosalind Franklin Award for Excellence in Service to the University
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
May 2022 - College of Health Professions Outstanding Faculty Colleague Award
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
September 2020 - College of Health Professions Award for Excellence in Service
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
April 2013
Professional Society Membership
- American Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT)
- ACAPT National Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commissioner
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT)
- American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
- Academy of Education, APTA
- Academy of Orthopedic Physical Therapy, APTA