Dr. Tara Caberwal serves as a contract physical therapist for the THOR3 Human Performance program within Special Operations

Name: Dr. Tara Caberwal

Title: Assistant Professor, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

Degrees and certifications: Doctorate of Science in Manual Physical Therapy (DSc)

Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (FAAOMPT)

Board Certified Orthopaedic Specialist (OCS)

Please summarize your personal, career, and academic journey: I am a licensed physical therapist with over 15 years of clinical practice in military healthcare on Fort Bragg, NC, serving as a contract physical therapist for the THOR3 Human Performance program within Special Operations. I completed my Doctorate of Science in Physical Therapy (DScPT), am a APTA Board-Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (OCS), and a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy (FAAOMPT). My research interests include chronic pain and improving resiliency of the special forces soldier.

What influenced your decision to pursue your career field and/or your current position at CPHS? I love to teach and mentor. Campbell is such a positive working and learning environment. It was a natural fit for me.

What is your day to day like in your current position and what do you enjoy most about what you do? I am still finding my wings! September was my first month of officially being full-time.

Please describe any research endeavors: My first publication was officially published in the Journal of Military Medicine, this summer: Prevalence of Neck Pain in US Soldiers as a Result of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury-Associated Trauma.

Additional accomplishments / passions: My husband is active-duty military, and we have three kiddos under the age of 10. Our fur-babies include our dog (Atlas) and our cat (Meow). Needless to say, we have a busy house!

At Campbell we believe in purposeful lives and meaningful service. What legacy are you leaving in your life / your chosen field? My military patients have become an extension of my family. Not only have I been granted a privilege to take care of our military soldiers, but I am additionally entrusted to take care of their family members and loved ones. Sometimes, my boys assist me during my eval sessions. It really is a family affair!

Additional advice / fun facts: The faculty in this program have such excitement and knowledge to bring to the table. The curriculum is engaging and meaningful. Students are unique individuals and we cannot wait to pour into them each and every week!