Valerie Carter

Valerie Carter, PT, DPT, NCS, GCS, is a graduate of Northern Arizona University and a board-certified neurological and geriatric specialist. She was awarded the Excellence in Neurologic Education Award by the APTA and is a full clinical professor in the Program of Physical Therapy at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona. She graduated from NAU with her bachelor's degree in physical therapy in 1989, her master's degree in 1996, and her doctorate degree in 2002. She has been teaching at Northern Arizona University for 20 years and has been a clinical instructor for more than 30 years. Presently, she instructs DPT students in neuroscience, neuroanatomy pediatrics, neuro therapeutic techniques, and geriatrics, and she coordinates the neuro clinic and interprofessional practice pediatric and adult clinics at Northern Arizona University Department of Physical Therapy.

Dr. Carter maintains contemporary expertise in her areas of teaching through a combination of continuing education, clinical care, scholarship, and personal study. She regularly attends the annual Combined Sections Meeting of the APTA, where she presents her latest research results on novel outcome tools to detect potential falls in the elderly, Parkinson's treatment effectiveness, CVA intervention effectiveness, telemedicine in Parkinson's, and dual-task practice in persons with neurological deficits. She also attends education sessions related to neuromuscular and musculoskeletal evaluation and treatment in adults and pediatrics.

Dr. Carter is an effective teacher, as demonstrated by student and peer evaluations. She is a leader in the field of treatment interventions in Parkinson's disease and stroke. She and her husband own and operate Carter Rehabilitation and Wellness Center, an outpatient physical therapy clinic in Flagstaff that has a large neurological client focus. She thinks her marriage of academics and clinical practice is a match made in heaven.