Nathan Brown

Experience and Interests

Teaching

• Clinical Assistant Professor, UW-Stevens Point Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) (2024-present)
• Clinical Assistant, UW-Stevens Point Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) (2022-2023)

Professional Experience

• Lab Director, Pineries Running Lab (2022-present)
• Physical Therapist, Roberts Physical Therapy (2022-present)
• Senior Contributor, Doctors of Running (2019-present)
• Physical Therapist, Point Forward Physical Therapy (2016-2022)

Research Interests

• The role of physical therapists in rural healthcare
• Educational sustainability in physical therapy education
• Running footwear design and running injury rehabilitation

Presentations and Publications

Presentations

• Brown, N., Zalewski, K. Embracing the Primary Care Physical Therapist Role: Learning from Rural Wisconsin Physical Therapists [Conference presentation]. APTA Wisconsin Fall Conference, October 2025.
• Brown, N., Akins, T., Zalewski, K. Sustainable Approaches to Advancing Health Equity for Rural Populations Through Physical Therapy Professions Education [Poster presentation]. Universities of Wisconsin Sustainability Summit, September 2024.
• Brown N., Lewis M., Zalewski K. A Roadmap to Sustainability: Introducing the key competencies in sustainability to physical therapy professional education [Poster presentation]. Educational Leadership Conference, October 2023.
• Brown N, Zarzycki R, Snyder-Mackler, L. Hop test performance and quadriceps strength are not associated with knee confidence, emotions, or risk appraisal during the return-to-sport phase of rehabilitation [Platform presentation]. Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association, February 2017.
• Breidenbach F, Shipley J, Brown N, Schmitt L. Treatment of lumbar plexopathy secondary to shingles [Poster presentation]. Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association, February 2016.

Publications

• Brown, N. (2025) Perceptions of physical therapists and rural patient care. [Doctoral dissertation, School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point]. Minds@UW. https://minds.wisconsin.edu/handle/1793/95069

Involvement

Professional Memberships

• American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Member (2014-present)
• APTA-Wisconsin Member and Orthopedic Section Member (2014-present)

Fun Facts

Last book you read?

Do Hard Things by Steve Magness

What do you enjoy most about teaching?

Connecting with students, encouraging them in their strengths, and facilitating growth toward their personal and professional goals.

A piece of advice for students in your school?

Your perspective and skills are valuable. Being confident in your strengths and knowledgeable of your areas for growth can go a long way in your development as a physical therapist.