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Sandra S. Brotherton PhD, MHS

Professor Emerita

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Rank
  • Professor
College
  • College of Health Professions
Department
  • Rehabilitation Sciences
Academic Focus
  • Postural control and falls assessment and intervention for older adults and those with neurological diagnoses
  • Wound care
  • Therapeutic exercise and function for older adults
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Biography

NAME: Brotherton, Sandra S

eRA COMMONS USER NAME (credential, e.g., agency login):

POSITION TITLE: Professor

EDUCATION/TRAINING (Begin with baccalaureate or other initial professional education, such as nursing, include postdoctoral training and residency training if applicable. Add/delete rows as necessary.)

INSTITUTION AND LOCATION

DEGREE

(if applicable)

 

Completion Date

MM/YYYY

 

FIELD OF STUDY

 

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC

B.S.

 

Physical Therapy

Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC

M.H.S.

 

Health Science

University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC

 

PhD

 

 

Exercise Science

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A.        Personal Statement

I became a licensed physical therapist after graduating from the physical therapy program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I also obtained a Master of Health Science from MUSC and a Certificate of Graduate Study in Gerontology and a PhD in Exercise Science from the University of South Carolina. I am a Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at MUSC where I currently teach Doctor of Physical Therapy students in the following content areas: clinical assessment and interventions, physcial therapy for older adults, integumentary physical therapy, health care delivery and practice management, and research. I have several publications related to use of clinical measures and exercise interventions for older adults and those with chronic health conditions and have had a role on several grants, including 3 HRSA grants, that focused on interprofessional, community based interventions for these populations.

 

B.        Positions and Honors

1978-1980

Staff Physical Therapist, Greenville General Hospital, Greenville Hospital System

Greenville, SC

1980-1982

Asst. Director of Physical Therapy, Greenville General Hospital, Greenville Hospital System, Greenville, SC

1982

Director of Physical Therapy, Greenville General Hospital, Greenville Hospital System

Greenville, SC

1982-1983

Clinical Supervisor, Greenville Memorial Hospital, Greenville Hospital System

Greenville, SC

1983-1989

Director of Physical Rehabilitation, Trident Regional Health System, Charleston, SC

1990-1999

Academic Coordinator for Clinical Education, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC

1990-1993

Instructor, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Health Professions

Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC

1991-1998

Contract Physical Therapist, University Medical Associates, Charleston, SC

1993-2005

Assistant Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC

2005-2012

 

2012-present

Associate Professor, Division of Physical Therapy, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC

Professor, Division of Physical Therapy, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC

Honors

1978

Margaret L. Moore Scholar, Physical Therapy Program, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC

1991

Honor Graduate, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC

2003

Nominated for Outstanding Dissertation Award, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC

2003

Nominated for the 2003 Doctoral Achievement Award, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC

2005

Developing Scholar of the Year, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC

2008

Best Paper Award, Krause JS, Brotherton SS, Morrisette D, Newman S, Karakostas T. Does pain interference mediate the relationship of independence in ambulation with depressive symptoms after spinal cord injury? Rehabil Psych. 2007:52(2):162-169. National Association of Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers, Washington, DC.

 

 

C.        Contributions to Science: Peer Reviewed Publications

Wager KA, Trickey BA, Mitcham M, Brotherton SS. An interdisciplinary approach to assessing the health care and health education needs of an elderly community in south carolina. J Allied Health. 1998;27:202-207.

 

Saladin LK, Morrisette DC, Brotherton SS. Making the physical therapy referral. JAAPA. 1999;12(2):18-40.

 

Brotherton SS, Williams HG, Gossard JL, Hussey JR, McClenaghan BA, Eleazer P. Are clinical measures employed in assessment of postural control useful for detecting differences among groups that vary by age and disease state? J Geriatr Phys Ther. 2005;28(1):14-19.

 

Krause JS, Morriestte D, Brotherton SS, Karakostas T. Pain interference in ambulatory spinal cord injury. Topics Spinal Cord Injury Rehabil. 2007;12(3):91-96.

 

Brotherton, SS, Krause JD, Nietert PJ. Falls in individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury. Spinal Cord. 2007;45:37-40.

 

Brotherton SS, Krause JS, Nietert PJ. A pilot study of factors associated with falls in individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury. J Spinal Cord Med. 2007;30:81-88.

 

Krause JS, Brotherton S, Morrisette D, Newman S, & Karakostas T. Does pain interference mediate the relationship

of independence in ambulation with depressive symptoms after spinal cord injury? Rehabil Psychol. 2007;52(2):162-169.

 

Krause JS, Carter RE, Brotherton S. Association of mode of locomotion and independence in locomotion with long-term outcomes after spinal cord injury. J Spinal Cord Med:2009:32: 6-17.

 

Ling C, Brotherton SS, Smith S. Review of the literature regarding gait and class III obesity. JEP online. Aug. 2009;12(5):51-61.

 

Williams HG, Ullman G, Gossard J, Hussey JR, Brotherton SS, Laditka JN,Corman C. Functional status assessment for community long term carm: Preliminary observations. Home Health Care Services Quarterly. 2010;28;4:151-171.

 

Kelechi TJ, Green A, Dumas B, Brotherton SS. Online coaching for a lower limb physical activity program for individuals at home with a history of venous ulcers. Home Health Nurs. 2010;28:597-605.

 

Ling C, Kelechi TJ, Mueller M, Brotherton SS, Smith S. Gait and function in class III obesity. J Obesity. 2012;257468. doi:10.1155/2012/257468.

 

Brotherton SS, Saunders LL, Krause JS, Morrisette DC. Association between reliance on devices and people for walking and ability to walk community distances among persons with spinal cord injury. J Spinal Cord Med. 2012;35: 156-161.

 

Saunders LL, Krause JS, DiPiro ND, Kraft S, Brotherton S. Ambulation and secondary complications related to devices after spinal cord injury. J Spinal Cord Med. 2013;36: 652-659.

 

Saunders, LL, DiPiro N, Krause JS, Brotherton S, Kraft S. Risk of fall related injuries among ambulatory participants with spinal cord injury. Topics Spinal Cord Injury Rehabil. First published November 2, 2013. Doi 10.1310/sci1904-259.

 

Saunders L, DiPiro N, Krause J, Brotherton S, and Kraft S. Pain and fatigue as mediators of the relationship between mobility aid usage and depressive symptomatology in ambulatory individuals with SCI. Spinal Cord. 2014;52(4):316-21. First published January 14, 2013. Doi: 10.1038/sc.2013.164.

 

Hong I, Simpson A, Simpson K, Brotherton, S & Velovo C. Comparing disability levels for community-dwelling adults in the united states and the republic of korea using the rasch model. J Appl Measure. 2018;19(2):114-128.

 

D.        Additional Information: Research Support and/or Scholastic Performance

 

Ongoing Research

Active Against Pain (AAP): A Nurse Delivered Hybrid Telehealth/mHealth Aging in Place Intervention to Address Pain and Fatigue in Low-Income Older Adults

Funding Source: P20 NINR grant

Approved and funded: January 1, 2018-December 31, 2018; $50,000

Role on project: consultant

 

Completed Research

2000-2004

AGELink: Advancing Geriatric Education through Community Linkages

Bureau of Health Professions, Health Resources and Services Administration

Role on project: geriatrics content expert

 

2002-2005

Community Connections: Partners for Learning and Service

Bureau of Health Professions, Health Resources and Services Administration

Role on project: faculty mentor

 

2003-2005

South Carolina SCI Research Fund

Frequency, Severity, and Risk Factors for Falls and Fall-Related Injuries Sustained by Individuals with Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)

Role: PI

 

2005-2006

Bureau of Health Professions, Health Resources and Services Administration

Community Connections II

Role: Faculty Mentor

2010 - 2013

National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, Department of Education

Field Initiated Research Grant

Ambulation and Secondary Complications: Participants with Chronic Spinal Cord Injury.

Role -co-investigator

 

Funded July 1, 2016 - June 30, 2017

South Carolina Clinical and Translational Research Institute

Using Telemedicine and Physical Activity Trackers to Promote Physical Activity in Low-Income Older Adults

Role – co-PI

 

Funded July 1, 2016 - June 30, 2017

MUSC College of Health Professions, Department of Health Professions, Intercollege Seed Grant Program

A Pilot Study to Investigate Use of Telemedicine and Interprofessional Collaboration to Deliver a Fall Prevention Program.

Role – co-PI

 

Funded August 1, 2016 - July 31, 2017

MUSC Interprofessional Team-Based Clinical Training Development Pilot Program

Development of New Interprofessional, Team-Based, Patient-Care Experiences for MUSC Students at Independent Low-Income Elderly Living Facilities

Role: faculty mentor

 

Approved and Funded January 1, 2017-December 31, 2017

Duke Endowment

Increasing Aging in Place Through Increased Physical Activity

Role: co-investigator