Donna Applebaum

Dr. Donna Applebaum serves as Associate Professor and Director of Clinical Education in the Department of Physical Therapy at the MGH Institute of Health Professions, a position she has held since 2002. Her career spans clinical practice, rehabilitation services management, and academic leadership with specialized expertise in adult and geriatric populations across inpatient and home health settings.

Her educational credentials include a BS in Physical Therapy from Quinnipiac College, an MS in Management with Health Services concentration from Lesley College, and a DPT from MGH Institute. Her research centers on sustainable professional education through reciprocal partnerships and innovative clinical education models aligned with contemporary healthcare demands.

Dr. Applebaum pioneered the ACAPT National Consortium of Clinical Educators (2015-2019) and developed the Institute's signature one-year paid clinical internship model. Her leadership in physical therapy education has been recognized through the Lucy Blair service award (2021) and selection as the 2023 Pauline Cerasoli lecturer by the APTA Academy of Education.

She actively teaches practice management, leadership development, and professional communication while coordinating clinical education partnerships across healthcare employers, educators, and students. Her administrative focus remains on bridging clinical practice with academic training to address evolving patient and societal needs.