Michael Leavitt
michael leavitt

Dr Michael Leavitt PT, DPT, CCI, FHEA

Lecturer

Biography

In my current role I serve as the Physiotherapy Program Leader and a lecturer at Edinburgh Napier University for the physiotherapy program. I also serve as the Director of Studies for a PhD candidate, a Prof. Doc candidate, and an M-Res candidate. I also serve as a module leader for multiple modules on the physiotherapy course and previously served as the program Placement Coordinator in which I was instrumental at expanding our placement capacity.

In addition to serving on multiple working groups here at Edinburgh Napier University, I notably serve on the Ethics Committee and the Inter-professional Learning Committee for the School of Health and Social Care. I was also elected to serve a 4 year term on the university wide Academic Board in 2023. I have also been involved with multiple national working groups related to clinical placements and NHS Bursary schemes. I recently joined the Cross Party Parliament Group on Sport in Scotland.

I have multiple research interests with in my area of clinical expertise, rehabilitative neurology. I currently have ongoing projects examining the effects of youth exposure to repetitive sub-concussion, and multiple other projects related to this field currently in development.

I am an experienced physical therapist and have been in practice for over 14 years since receiving my Doctorate in Physical Therapy in May of 2010. I have extensive experience and advanced accreditation in clinical education. My main area of clinical focus has been extensively with in Neuro Trauma(TBI, concussion, SCI, CVA, multilevel trauma, complex amputation, neuro degenerative disease) but I have also worked in critical care, acute care, home health, inpatient rehabilitation, subacute rehabilitation, care of the elderly, and MSK. I also have significant experience developing and improving electronic medical record systems and training end users.

In my previous role I served as a Physical Therapist for Northwestern Medicine Outpatient Neurological Rehab (August, 2010-May of 2021). My clinical focus involved neurologic trauma, multilevel trauma, neurodegenerative disease, concussion, amputation rehabilitation, the development of hospital wide concussion treatment protocols, as well as more recently, rehabilitation of patients with complications due to Covid-19.

Esteem

Advisory panels and expert committees or witness

  • Cross Party Scottish Parliament Group on Sport
  • AHP PrBL Operational Collaboration (APOC) Working Group
  • Lothian Physiotherapy Professional Leadership Forum
  • AHP Practice Based Learning Group
  • Academic Board ENU - elected member
  • Scottish AHP Practice Educator (PE) Preparation Development Group
  • AHP PRBL Recovery Working Group
  • NMAHP student IT access group
  • Physical Activity for Older People in Edinburgh Working Group
  • Edinburgh Napier Ethics Committee School of Health and Social Care
  • Physiotherapy Funded Scheme Working Group
  • NHS Lothian PPSG (Practice Placement Steering Group)
  • Physio Uniprofessional Working Group NHS Lothian
  • Lothian AHP Practice Based Network
  • AHP PRBL (Practice Based Learning)
  • Elected Representative Illinois Physical Therapy Association Eastern District

 

External Examining/Validations

  • HCPC Performance Review
  • AECC MSc Chiropractic (pre-reg) External Examiner
  • ENU Physiotherapy (pre-reg) Validation

 

Fellowships and Awards

  • Funded Research: Youth Repetitive Head Injury and Impact: qMRI Scanning: Monitoring Neurophysiologic effects of sub-concussive impacts using qMRI: £6,172.52
  • Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy
  • Elected Member of the Illinois Physical Therapy Association Student Congress

 

Invited Speaker

  • Youth head injury in sport: Investigating the state of play and the neurophysiologic effects of concussion and repetitive sub concussive head impacts. Edinburgh Napier University - SHSC
  • Return to Learn Youth Concussion Management District 47 School District- McHenry County and Crystal Lake Illinois
  • Repetitive Overhead Throwing Injury Prevention - Wodstock High School

 

Media Activity

  • Podcast- Edinburgh Napier University
  • Podcast- Rehab Rebels

 

Membership of Professional Body

  • Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) Member
  • Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Member
  • Illinois Physical Therapy Association Member
  • American Physical Therapy Association

 

Public/Community Engagement

  • Clincal Expertise Consultant for Basketball Scotland Wheelchair Team

 

Reviewing

  • Osteoarthritis and Cartilage Open Reviewer

 

Current Post Grad projects