Melissa A. Cencetti

My name is Melissa Cencetti, and I am a PT with a combination of 29 years of clinical and academic experience. My education began with a BS in General Science from King’s College, followed by a MS in physical therapy from Arcadia University. Several years after graduation, I completed a Pediatric Specialty Certificate in Early Intervention. In 2011, I completed my DPT through Arcadia University, followed by a Certificate in Advanced Graduate Studies in Health Professions Education through Simmons College, and my EdD through Wilkes University. I most recently completed a Clinical Anatomy Specialist Certificate at Hardin Simmons University in 2023.
My research has focused on clinical reasoning theories and the application to physical therapist assistant education. I currently have a publication, a poster presentation, and a platform presentation related to clinical reasoning. I have also been working on research that investigates the influence of core strengthening on running.

My clinical experience began in an inpatient rehabilitation facility where I treated general orthopedic patients. After two years, I moved into pediatrics, which is where I worked for more than 16 years, primarily in early intervention and school settings, but I also gained experience working per diem in a variety of settings including home health, outpatient, and skilled nursing facilities. About 12 years ago, I started my journey in the world of academia as the program director of a developing PTA program, where I developed, administered, and taught for 7 years. For the last three and a half years, I have been working as an assistant professor in a DPT program, where I teach Human Anatomy, Applied Physiology, three courses in a medical condition series, and an integrated clinical education experience.