Dr. Todd Sander joined the UIW as the Dean, School of Rehabilitation Sciences in August 2025. He received his Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training in 1988 from Central Michigan University, his Master of Physical Therapy in 1992 from Baylor University, and his Ph.D. in Education in 2003 from the University of Virginia. His experience during his 30 years as a Navy physical therapist includes clinical, teaching, and five years as the Navy Physical Therapy Specialty Leader to the Navy Surgeon General.
In 2020, Dr. Sander served as the Chair of the Physical Therapy & Athletic Training department and the Director of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Grand Valley State University until arriving at UIW. His teaching includes musculoskeletal examination, biomechanics, and musculoskeletal small group seminar, and his scholarship is focused on musculoskeletal injury prevention, graduate student success, and the impact of social determinants of health.
- Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Central Michigan University
- Master of Physical Therapy from Baylor University
- PhD in Education from the University of Virginia
Greathouse DG, Young BA, Shaffer SW. US Military Physical Therapy: 1970–2020, Physical Therapy, 101(3), March 2021, pzab087, https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzab087
Teyhen DS, Shaffer SW, Goffar SL, Kiesel K, Butler RJ, Rhon DI, Plisky PJ. Identification of Risk Factors Prospectively Associated With Musculoskeletal Injury in a Warrior Athlete Population. Sports Health. 2020 Nov/Dec;12(6):564-572.
Koppenhaver SL, Scutella D, Sorrell B, Yahalom J, Fernández-de-las-Peñas, C, Childs, JC, Shaffer SW, Shinohara, M. (2019). Normative Parameters and Anthropometric Variability of Lumbar Muscle Stiffness Using Ultrasound Shear-Wave Elastography. Clinical Biomechanics, 62, 113–120.
Teyhen, DS, Goffar SL, Shaffer SW, Kiesel K, Butler RJ, Tedaldi AM, Plisky PJ. (2018). Incidence of Musculoskeletal Injury in US Army Unit Types: A Prospective Cohort Study. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther, 48(10), 749–757.
Wilken, JM., Roy, CW., Shaffer, SW., Patzkowski, JC., Blanck, RV., Owens, JG., & Hsu, JR. (2018). Physical Performance Limitations After Severe Lower Extremity Trauma in Military Service Members. J Orthop Trauma, 32(4), 183–189.
Rhon, DI., Teyhen, DS, Shaffer, SW, Goffar SL, Kiesel K, Plisky, PP. (2018). Developing predictive models for return to work using the Military Power, Performance and Prevention (MP3) musculoskeletal injury risk algorithm: a study protocol for an injury risk assessment programme. Inj Prev, 24(1), 81–88.
Dorrel, B., Long, T., Shaffer, SW., & Myer, GD. (2018). The Functional Movement Screen as a Predictor of Injury in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II Athletes. J Athl Train, 53(1), 29–34.
Lester, ME, Cavanaugh, JT, Foreman, KB, Shaffer, SW, Marcus, R, & Dibble, LE. (2017). Adaptation of postural recovery responses to a vestibular sensory illusion in individuals with Parkinson disease and healthy controls. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon), 48, 73–79.
Thelen, MD., Koppenhaver, SL., Gill, NW., & Shaffer, SW. (2017). Effects of technique-focused training in conjunction with physical readiness training on Army physical fitness test performance. US Army Med Dep J, (3-17), 79–83. 10. Greathouse, DG., Ernst, G, Halle, JS., & Shaffer, SW. (2017). GEHS neurophysiological classification system for patients with neuropathy of the ulnar nerve at the elbow. US Army Med Dep J, (3-17), 26–35.