Contributed
by Dr. Roslyn Burton

Dr. Roslyn D. Burton was awarded one of the highest designations available in the Physical Therapy profession: Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy.

The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) formally recognizes physical therapists who have advanced clinical knowledge, experience and skills in a special area of practice. Less than 2% of licensed physical therapists in the U.S are board certified in geriatric physical therapy.

Burton was recognized at the APTA Combined Sections Meeting in Denver, in 2020, pre-COVID. She is also a certified exercise expert for aging adults through APTA Geriatrics as well as a certified tai chi for arthritis instructor through the Tai Chi for Health Institute.

Burton is a 2001 graduate of Opelika High School and a 2005 Magna Cum Laude alumna of Tuskegee University. She received her doctor of physical therapy from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and completed a residency in geriatric physical therapy at the Cincinnati VA Medical Center-University of Cincinnati.

Burton has contributed to the body of physical therapy knowledge with publications in the Journal of Physical Therapy Education, as well as Gerinotes, a clinical magazine for APTA Geriatrics. She also contributes to the knowledge of aspiring physical therapists by serving as a career day speaker and guest lecturer at universities and most recently, a faculty member at the new doctor of physical therapy program at Faulkner University.

Burton is employed with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System where she provides care to our nation’s veterans. She is the daughter of Ms. Diane Burton and Mr. Larry Burton and a member of the historic Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church. She may be reached at Roslyn.Burton@va.gov.