Alisa M. Pravdo

Alisa M. Pravdo, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT, serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science at the University of Maryland School of Medicine with a secondary appointment in Orthopaedics. She holds the administrative role of Director of Student Affairs for the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program and provides clinical services at the University of Maryland Orthopaedics and Associates School of Medicine Practice at Camden Yards.

Her educational foundation includes:

• 2008: Bachelor of Arts in Dance, Goucher College
• 2012: Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of Pittsburgh
• 2012-2014: Residency in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy, The Manual Therapy Institute
• 2014-2016: Fellowship in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy, The Manual Therapy Institute
• 2016: Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (FAAOMPT)
• 2019: Board-Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (OCS)

Dr. Pravdo's research centers on orthopaedic manual therapy with specialized expertise in musculoskeletal rehabilitation across diverse populations. She maintains active clinical interests in dance/performance rehabilitation, return-to-sport protocols, running biomechanics, and blood flow restriction therapy application. Her patient care philosophy emphasizes evidence-based management of acute injuries, non-operative interventions, and post-surgical rehabilitation for conditions spanning pediatrics to geriatrics.

Her scholarly output demonstrates consistent focus on case-based orthopaedic rehabilitation through AAOMPT conference presentations. Key themes include multimodal treatment approaches for shoulder pathology, lumbar spine syndromes, and neurological recovery post-stroke, consistently integrating manual therapy with therapeutic exercise and neuromuscular reeducation techniques.

Professional distinctions include:

• Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (FAAOMPT), 2016
• Board-Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (OCS), 2019

As an educator, Dr. Pravdo mentors physical therapy students across multiple institutions and directs DPT program student affairs. Her 2013 presentation on university health center clinical education site development highlights her contributions to academic-practice integration within physical therapy education.

She maintains active clinical engagement through the University of Maryland Orthopaedics and Associates practice at Camden Yards, where she implements her specialized rehabilitation approaches for orthopaedic conditions within an academic medical setting.