Lisa Donegan Shoaf, PT, Ph.D.

Assistant professor and director of clinical education

E-mail: ldshoaf@vcu.edu

Professional interests

Lisa Donegan Shoaf oversees all aspects of the clinical education portion of the program. She also teaches courses related to professionalism, ethics and psychosocial aspects of physical therapy, as well as assisting in portions of the musculoskeletal courses. She also teaches part time in the Department of Dance and Choreography at VCU – specifically the anatomy and dance science courses. Her clinical practice is in orthopaedics with emphasis in dance medicine, treating the VCU dancers and the Richmond Ballet. Her research interests are in the areas of clinical education, low-back pain and dance medicine.

Education

• Ph.D. Education (2002), Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, Va.
• M.S. Health Science and Sport (1990), James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va.
• B.S Physical Therapy (1981), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Va.

Publications

Wolff-Burke, M., Ingram, D., Lewis, K., Odom, C., Shoaf, L.(2008) Generic Inabilities and the use of a Decision-Making Rubric for Addressing Deficits in Professional Behavior. Journal of PT Education, 21(3), 13-22.

“APTA Advanced Clinical Instructor Program” – manual published by APTA and released February 2008; served on Task Force for development of the program; co-author of the educational manual.

“Going to College: Expanding Opportunities for People with Disabilities” published by Brooks Publishing. Co-wrote chapter entitled – Strategies for Students with Hidden Disabilities in Professional School. Publication summer 2005.

Wilson, JE., Payton, O., Shoaf, LD., Dec, K. (2003) Muscle Energy Technique in Patients with Acute Low Back Pain: A Pilot Clinical Trial. Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 33(9), 502-510.

Sullivan, MS, Shoaf, LD, Riddle, DL. (2000) Relationship of Low Back Flexion Range of Motion to Disability in Patients with Low Back Pain. Physical Therapy, 80(3), 240-250.

Shoaf, LD. Managed Care and Implications for Individuals with Disabilities.(Winter 1999) Focus on Autism and Developmental Disabilities. 14(4), 240-250.

Shoaf, LD. Comparison of the Students/Site Computer Matching Program and Manual Matching of Physical Therapy Students in Clinical Education. Journal of Physical Therapy Education, Vol. 13, No. 1, Spring 1999.

Shoaf, LD, Rucker, K.: Case History: Non-Surgical Management of Avascular Necrosis of the Hip. Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehab. 43-47, Summer 1992.

Grant funding

Educational course for Dance Science. Principal investigator. Center for Creative Teaching, Virginia Commonwealth University. 2004

A Web-based course entitled Anatomy for the Dancer. Co-investigator. Development Center: Faculty Mentoring Program. Virginia Commonwealth University. 2000.

Key professional service activities

President – Virginia Physical Therapy Association 2006-08
Trainer – to teach the APTA Clinical Instructor Courses - Level 1 and Advanced
Member – APTA Clinical Instructor Education Board 2003-09
Member – Health Policy and Administration Section LAMP Emerging Leader Institute Steering Committee

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