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Matthew Garber Matthew Garber
Associate Director, Physical Therapy Program
Director of Clinical Education
Associate Professor of Health, Human Function, and Rehabilitation Sciences

Office Phone: 202-994-0885
Email: Email
Department: Health, Human Function, and Rehabilitation Sciences

Education

  • Bachelor of Science, Bridgewater College, 1990
  • Master of Physical Therapy, Baylor University, 1992
  • Doctor of Science, Baylor University, 2001
  • Master of Strategic Studies, Air University, 2012

Biography

Dr. Matt Garber is the Associate Program Director for Academic Affairs and the Director of Clinical Education for the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. Prior to coming to GW, Dr. Garber served for 30 years as an Army physical therapist, culminating as the Director of Rehabilitation Services for the Army Medical Department and the Physical Therapy Consultant to the Army Surgeon General. He has held clinical privileges in multiple military hospitals and has extensive experience in direct access settings and currently provides patient care at A.T. Augusta Military Medical Center at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. Dr. Garber earned his Master of Physical Therapy degree through the US Army-Baylor physical therapy program and a Doctor of Science degree from Baylor University. He also completed an orthopaedic manual physical therapy residency at Brooke Army Medical Center as well as a master’s degree in strategic leadership and national security strategy.

Dr. Garber serves as the course director for Professional Issues I, Medical Imaging, and Clinical Conference V as well as the three full-time clinical education experiences. His professional service includes serving as an on-site reviewer for CAPTE, the accrediting body of the APTA, as well as service within APTA Academies of Education and Orthopedics. He is also an APTA Level 1 Credentialed Clinical Trainer. Dr. Garber previously chaired the National Physical Therapy Examination Development Committee with the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy and served as an Academic Director-at-Large for the National Consortium of Clinical Educators. He is a board certified specialist in orthopaedic physical therapy and a Fellow in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists.

Awards

2010: Rose Excellence in Research Award, Orthopaedic Section, APTA (co-author)

2004: Rose Excellence in Research Award, Orthopaedic Section, APTA (co-author)

2004: Discovery Health Clinical Excellence Award in Back Care from the Discovery Institute (co-author)

2004: Bridgewater College Outstanding Young Alumnus Award

2002: AAOMPT Conference Excellence in Research Award (co-author)

2002: TPTA Outstanding Platform Presentation Award (co-author)

2001: Order of Military Medical Merit

2001: Rose Excellence in Research Award, Orthopaedic Section, APTA (co-author)

2000: AAOMPT Conference Excellence in Research Award (co-author)

1999: Department of Veteran’s Affairs Outstanding Service Award

 

Programs

  • Physical Therapy

Publications

Garber MB and Boissonnault WG. “The Patient Interview: The Science Behind the Art of Skillful Communication.” In: Boissanault WG and Vanwye WR, ed. Primary Care for Physical Therapists: Examination and Triage, 3rd ed. Elsevier. 2020.

Walker MJ, Boyles RE, Young BA, Strunce JB, Garber MB, Whitman JM, Deyle G, Wainner RS. “The effectiveness of manual physical therapy and exercise for mechanical neck pain: A randomized clinical trial.” Spine, 33(22):2371-2378, 2008.

Whitman JM, Flynn TW, Childs JD, Wainner RS, Gill HE, Ryder M, Garber MB, Bennett A. Fritz JM. “A Comparison of Two Physical Therapy Treatment Programs for Patients with Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: A Randomized Clinical Trial.” Spine, 31(22): 2541-2549, 2006.

Cleland J and Garber M. “Fracture Management.” In: Supnick ER and Smith SR, ed. Musculoskeletal Essentials: Preferred Physical Therapist Practice Patterns. Slack, Inc. Publishers. 2006.

Cleland J, Garber M, and Campolo M. “Bony and Soft Tissue Surgery.” In: Musculoskeletal Essentials: Preferred Physical Therapist Practice Patterns. Slack, Inc. Publishers. 2006.

Garber MB. Diagnostic Imaging and Differential Diagnosis in Two Case Studies. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther, 35(11): 745-54, 2005.

Deyle G, Allison S, Ryder M, Matekel R, Stang J, Gohdes D, Hutton J, Henderson N, Garber M. “Physical Therapy treatment effectiveness for osteoarthritis of the knee: a comparison of supervised clinical exercise and manual therapy procedures versus a home exercise program.” Phys Ther, 85(12): 1301-17, 2005.

Flynn T, Fritz J, Whitman J, Wainner R, Magel J, Rendeiro D, Butler B, Garber M, Allison S,. “A Clinical Prediction Rule for Classifying Patients with Low Back Pain Who Demonstrate Short-Term Improvement With Spinal Manipulation.” Spine, 27(24): 2835-2843, 2002.

Deyle GD, Henderson NE, Matekel RL, Ryder MG, Garber MB, Allison SA. “Effectiveness of Manual Physical Therapy and Exercise in Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.” Ann Int Med, 132(3): 173-181, 2000.

Industry Relationships and Collaborations

This faculty member (or a member of their immediate family) has reported a financial interest with the health care related companies listed below. These relations have been reported to the University and, when appropriate, management plans are in place to address potential conflicts.

  • None