Donald Neumann, PT, PhD, FAPTA

Donald A. Neumann, PT, Ph.D., FAPTA
Donald Neumann, PT, PhD, FAPTAMarquette University

Schroeder Complex, 219

MilwaukeeWI53201United States of America(414) 288-3319

Professor Emeritus

Physical Therapy

After working as a licensed physical therapist assistant in Miami Florida, Dr. Neumann received a B.S. in physical therapy from the University of Florida. After several years of practice and teaching in rehabilitation of persons with spinal cord injury, Dr. Neumann received a Ph.D. in Exercise Science from the University of Iowa. In 1986, he joined Marquette University where he is currently Professor Emeritis in the Department of Physical Therapy. His primary area of teaching is kinesiology and anatomy. Don has received multiple national awards from the American Physical Therapy Association that have recognized his teaching, writing, research and international serve efforts (listed below), including being named a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the APTA in 2008.  

Dr. Neumann received a Teacher of the Year Award at Marquette University, and was named Wisconsin’s College Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation. Dr. Neumann has received Fulbright Scholarships to teach in Lithuania, Hungary, Japan, and Ireland.  He is the author of Neumann's Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System, published by Elsevier, 2025 which has been translated to 9 languages.  Don has also contributed chapters related to the Hip in Gray’s Anatomy, 41st, 42nd, and 43rd editions (Elsevier).  Don is also co-author of Essentials of Kinesiology for the Physical Therapist Assistant, Elsevier,  and served as an Associate Editor of the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy from 2002-2015.  .  Dr. Neumann continues to teach kinesiology as it applies primarily to the practice of physical therapy.  Since his retirement in 2020 from full time teaching at Marquette University, Dr. Neumann has taught in-person courses in Korea, Ireland, Viet Nam, Brazil, Taiwan, and on-line course to Lithuania, Thailand, Egypt, and the Philippines.

Dr. Neumann has published several research articles and book chapters, many of which focus on the kinesiology of the hip.  Through funding from the Paralyzed Veterans of America, Don has also produced educational videos entitled: Kinesiologic Principles to Enhance the Functional and Movement Potential in Persons with Quadriplegia.  These educational videos are used in academic and clinical settings worldwide.

Videos: Clinical Kinesiology Applied to Persons with Quadriplegia

Education

  • Ph.D., Exercise Science, University of Iowa
  • M.S., Science Education, University of Florida
  • B.S., Physical Therapy, University of Florida
  • AS., Physical Therapy Assistant, Miami Dade Community College

Courses Taught

  • PHTH 7525 Kinesiology of the Upper Extremity
  • PHTH 7526 Kinesiology of the Trunk and Lower Extremity
  • Guest lecturer in several other courses

Professional Affiliations

  • American Physical Therapy Association, 1975-present
  • Wisconsin chapter of the APTA, 1986-present
  • Section on Orthopeadics (APTA), 2002-present

International Experience

  • Fulbright Senior Specialist Award, Shinshu University, Matsumoto, Japan, 2009-10
  • Fulbright Senior Specialist Award, Semmelweis Medical University, Budapest, Hungary 2005-06
  • Fulbright Scholarship, Kaunas Medical University, Lithuania, 2002
  • Fulbright Scholarship, Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, 2022

Honors and Awards

  • Wisconsin Physical Therapy Association’s 2019 Hall of Fame Award.
  • Recipient of the International Service Award in Education, World Congress of Physical Therapy (WCPT), May 2015, Singapore
  • Keynote Commencement Address: Marquette University, US Cellular Arena, Milwaukee, WI, December 15, 2013
  • Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the APTA, 2008
  • Honorary doctorate degree from the Lithuanian Academy of Physical Education, 2007
  • Wisconsin’s College Professor of the Year, Carnegie Foundation, 2006
  • James Gould Excellence in Teaching Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Award for outstanding teaching the area of orthopedic physical therapy, Section of Orthopaedics, APTA, 2004
  • Jack Walker Award for the best article on clinical research published in Physical Therapy in 1999
  • Dorothy J. Baethke - Eleanor J. Carlin Award for excellence in academic teaching, APTA, 1997
  • Teacher of the Year Award, Marquette University, 1994
  • Eugene Michels New Investigator Award for outstanding research by a young investigator, APTA, 1991
  • Steven J. Rose Endowment Award for excellence in orthopaedic physical therapy research, APTA, 1989
  • Mary McMillan Scholarship Award, presented by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), 1985