Megan Schaefer, PT, DPT, PCS, is the director of Clinical Education and clinical professor for the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences. She is board certified in pediatric physical therapy and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with degree in bioengineering prior to receiving her Master’s degree in Physical Therapy from MCP Hahnemann University and her doctorate in Physical Therapy from Temple University. Schaefer has more than 20 years of experience as a pediatric physical therapist in a variety of pediatric settings including acute care, outpatient, inpatient rehab, schools and early intervention. She is the former director of Quality and Clinical Practice for Therapy and Audiology Services at Nemours A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children. Schaefer has a passion for mentorship and developing excellence in clinical education having assisted in the development of integrated clinical education experiences in pediatrics with the University of Delaware and establishing institutional specific guidelines for full-time clinical education experiences at Nemours A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Schaefer is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) including the Academies of Acute Care Therapy, Education and Pediatric Physical Therapy. Schaefer serves as the APTA Population Health Champion for the Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy. Schaefer teaches a variety of content within the DPT Curriculum including clinical reasoning, health administration and pediatrics.
Professional Society
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
APTA Academy of Acute Care Physical Therapy
APTA Academy of Education
APTA Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy
Selected Publications
Schaefer, M.K., Josephic, K., McCarthy, J.J. Effects of early weight bearing on the functional recovery of ambulatory children with cerebral palsy after bilateral proximal femoral osteotomy JPO 2007 Sep;27(6):668-70
Peer Reviewed Scientific and Professional Presentations:
Schaefer, M.K., Greenwood, J., Winning, S., Sullivan M. Pediatric evaluation codes lessons learned: 2-year reflection and where we go next. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, Washington, D.C. January 23-26, 2019
Greenwood, J., Schaefer, M.K., Winning, S. Pediatric evaluation coding and cases: All children and all settings. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, New Orleans, LA February 21-24, 2018
Schaefer, M.K., Malczynksi, M. Development of facility and program specific DPT student progression guide for pediatric clinical experience. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, Anaheim, CA, February 18-20 2016
Research Interests
Clinical Education; Clinical Mentorship; Diversity, Equitability and Inclusion in Healthcare
DPT, Doctorate of Physical Therapy, 2003
Philadelphia, PA
Temple University
MPT, Master of Physical Therapy, 1997
MCP Hahnemann University (Drexel University)
Philadelphia, PA
BSE, Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering, 1994
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA