Walsh University’s Associate Professor of Physical Therapy Megan Donaldson, Ph.D., will be honored on June 21 as a member of the 2017 class of ystark! Twenty under 40! professional leaders.
Launched in 2008 by the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Canton Repository, Twenty under 40! recognizes 20 young engaged professionals across various sectors of the business, civic, government, arts, education and non-profit communities. Nominees are selected based on career acumen, community service and trusteeship, and personal and professional achievements. The selection committee is comprised of diverse business and community leaders representing a range of industry sectors from around Stark County.
Among her many accomplishments, Dr. Donaldson was honored in 2014 as the Outstanding Physical Therapist by the Ohio Physical Therapy Association (OPTA) from a pool of 8,000 applicants. She is also one of only a few fellowship-trained manual therapists in Ohio. In addition to her classroom responsibilities, Dr. Donaldson is involved at Walsh as the Faculty Representative to the Board of Directors, Special Assistant for Civic Engagement, Diversity Council member and Faculty Advisor to the DPT Club fundraising. She is instrumental in managing the Walsh University Annual Fit Family 5K Race and Kids’ Fun Run to raises funds for physical therapy undergraduate student scholarships. She was a co-author on the AAOMPT/Dirk Erhard Excellence in Research Awards in 2014 and 2016. She is also the Ohio Chapter State Delegate for the American Physical Therapy Association. Dr. Donaldson conducts original research that is often selected for publication in scholarly, peer-reviewed journals. She has published 18 peer reviewed publications, authored two orthopedic book chapters, 19 scientific/professional peer reviewed presentations and nine abstract publications.
"I have a servant heart, and I have learned that important work comes from the actions of people coming together to build/make something better for others," said Dr. Donaldson. "I have learned that even the smallest of actions can have huge impacts for others and provides me the chance to contribute to peoples’ lives directly."
Dr. Donaldson is also actively engaged in the Stark County community. Her long list of involvement includes Stark State Physical Therapy Assistant Program Advisor, Habitat for Humanity, Marine Toys for Tots Drive, Akron Children’s Hospital Food Drive and a volunteer at Northwood Elementary School. She has coached youth softball and baseball at First Friends Church and Greentown Athletic Club. In addition, she lends her professional expertise with Aultman Family Services and Hartville Migrant Clinic to develop physical therapy services for the underserved and in-need families in the local community.
Dr. Donaldson and her husband Matthew reside in North Canton with their two children, daughter Anna and son Jacob.
Past Walsh University Twenty Under 40 honorees include Director of Strategic Initiatives Derrick Wyman (2008), Vice President of Advancement Eric Belden (2009), Director of Campus Ministry Miguel Chavez (2015) and Assistant Professor of Business Philip Kim, D. Sc. (2015).