Celinda P. Evitt, PhD, PT, GCS

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Dr. Evitt is presently a Health Science Researcher for the James A. Haley VA Patient Safety Center of Inquiry. She is an active physical therapy clinician, researcher, and guest faculty (locally and nationally) focusing on geriatric rehabilitation, fall prevention, patient safety, wound care, and neurological patient care management. Dr. Evitt was one of the original 14 physical therapists granted Board Certification status in Geriatrics in the United States. Dr. Evitt has been both principal investigator and co-investigator for funded research projects through VA HSR&D, RR&D, and LifePath Hospice. She participates in international task forces for Safe Patient Handling and Bariatric Patient Care and provides expert witness services in cases concerning falls and wounds. Dr. Evitt has been active in service to her profession through various committees and positions within the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), including two terms as a Content Expert for Item Writing for Physical Therapy Board Certification exams. Currently she serves on the APTA Geriatric Section Program Committee.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND: Dr. Evitt received her PhD in Aging Studies at the University of South Florida and her BS in Physical Therapy from the University of Florida.

RESEARCH: Dr. Evitt’s research foci include fear of falling, fall prevention, optimal wound care, patient safety, and grief recovery. She has a planned series of studies underway focusing on fear of falling that will be utilized to create a more effective fear of falling screening tool and intervention.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS:
Thomason, S., Evitt, C., Harrow, J., Love, L., Moore, D. H., Mullins, M., Powell-Cope, G., & Nelson, A. (2005, In Press). Barriers and facilitators to implementation of spinal cord injury pressure ulcers guidelines. Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine.

Baptiste, A., McCleery, M., Matz, M., & Evitt, C. (2005, in review). Evaluation of sling use for patient safety. Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing.

Evitt, C., Quigley, P. (2004). Fear of falling in older adults: A guide to its prevalence, risk factors, and consequences. Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing, 29(6), 207-210.

Evitt, C., Quigley, P., Kelleher, V. (2002). Fall Prevention: A VA-Resource Guide. (This research guide is available on the National Patient Safety Center website in their Falls Toolkit at: http://www.patientsafety.gov)

AREAS OF EXPERTISE FOR SPEAKING AND CONSULTATION: