Dawn Blatt, PT, DPT, MS

Dawn M. Blatt, PT, DPT

Dawn M. Blatt, PT, DPT, MS

Director of Clinical Education
Clinical Associate Professor
Department of Physical Therapy
Stony Brook University

Phone: 631-444-3255
Email: dawn.blatt@stonybrook.edu


Dr. Blatt received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 1987 and a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy in 1988 from SUNY Buffalo. She went on to receive a Master of Science in Health Policy and Management in 2001 and a Postprofessional Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2005 from Stony Brook University. She has worked in acute care and home care settings, with the majority of patient care provided as a senior therapist in a multidisciplinary chronic pain management program at Stony Brook University Hospital.

Dr. Blatt joined the faculty in 1995 as a Director of Clinical Education and continues in this role today. Dr. Blatt has been an APTA Credentialed Trainer for the Clinical Instructor Education program since 2002, and also earned the APTA Advanced Clinical Instructor Training credential. She is a member of the NY/NJ Clinical Education Consortium.

Dr. Blatt teaches Professional Practice II: Clinical Education and Psychosocial Aspects of Disability in Year 2 of the curriculum. Her primary responsibility involves coordination of the clinical education program, which includes serving as a connection between the PT program and the clinical community.

Dr. Blatt’s scholarly interests include physical therapy clinical education, the role of physical activity and exercise in the prevention and treatment of obesity and metabolic syndrome, and the current practice of physical therapists in the area of assessment and intervention of overweight and obesity. 

Dr. Blatt is a WomenHeart Champion, a volunteer member of WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease. She is currently the District support Leader for the Northeast region, providing leadership to Support Network Coordinators running local support groups for women living with heart disease. Through speaking engagements, she educates the public on risk factors for heart disease and strategies for living a heart healthy life.


Peer-Reviewed Publications

Blatt, D & Gostic, C. (In Press - 2024) Assessment and Intervention for Obesity in Physical Therapist Practice. In W. Deturk & L. Cahalin (Eds.), Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy (4th Ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Gostic, C., Blatt, D. & Cesiro, J. (2018) Overweight and obesity: Physical therapists’ role in assessment and intervention. HPA PTJ-PAL. 18(1): 16-27. 

Blatt D & Gostic C. (2018) Prevention of Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome with Exercise and Physical Activity. In D. Bagchi & N. Sreejayan (Eds). Nutritional and Therapeutic Interventions of Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome (2nd Ed). Elsevier and Academic Press.

Gostic C. & Blatt D. (2018) Physical Therapy in the Assessment and Treatment of Patients who are Obese. In W. Deturk & L. Cahalin (Eds). Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy (3rd Ed). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Gostic C. & Blatt, D. (2013) The Role of Physical Activity in Healthy Living: Its Anti-inflammatory Effects. In D. Bagchi & I. Rahman (Eds). Inflammation, Advancing Age and Nutrition: Research, Science and Interventions. Elsevier and Academic Press.

Blatt D. & Gostic, C. (2012) The Essential Role of Exercise and Physical Activity in Weight Management. In D. Bagchi & H. Preuss (Eds).Obesity: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology and Prevention (2nd Edition). New York, NY CRC Press/Taylor & Francis.

Gostic C. & Blatt, D. (2012) Exercise and Physical Activity in the Prevention of Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome.  In D. Bagchi & N. Sreejayan (Eds). Nutritional and Therapeutic Interventions of Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome. Elsevier and Academic Press.

Gostic, C. & Blatt, D. (2011) Physical Therapy Associated with Obesity. In W. Deturk & L Cahalin (Eds). Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy (2nd Edition). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Blatt, D. & Gostic, C. (2007) Obesity: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Prevention, In D. Bagchi & H. Preuss (Eds). The Fundamental Role of Physical Activity and Exercise in Weight Management. New York, NY: CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group.

Peer-Reviewed Presentations

Blatt, D., Cesiro, J., Gostic, C. (2016, Feb.) The role of physical therapists in the management of overweight/obesity: Strategies, obstacles and impact. Poster presentation at CSM of the APTA, Anaheim, CA.

Cesiro, J., Blatt, D., Gostic, C. (2016, Feb.) Comparison of Attitude and Clinical Practice Regarding Physical Therapist Assessment of Overweight and Obesity. Poster presentation at CSM of the APTA, Anaheim, CA.

Gostic, C., Blatt, D., Cesiro, J. (2015, October) The prevalence of patient education in PT practice to address overweight or obesity. Second Annual Patient and Family Education – National Health Education Week Conference at NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY.

Blatt, D.,Gostic, C., Cesiro, J. (2015, April) The role of physical therapists in the assessment of overweight and obesity. Poster presentation at the Converging Sciences Summit, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY.

Blatt, D. & Gostic, C. (October 2009) The Impact of Clinical Placement on Post-Graduate Employment. Platform presentation at the New York State Physical Therapy Conference, Saratoga Springs, NY.

Gostic, C., Blatt, D. & Ortega, R. (2007, October) An Effective Model for PT Student Clinical Placement. Platform presentation at the American Physical Therapy Association Eduactional Leadership Conference, St. Louis, MO.

Ortega, R. & Blatt, D. (2007, May). The Impact of Learning Styles on Blackboard Usage. Poster presented at the CIT 2007 Technology and the Future of Academe, Plattsburgh, NY.

Blatt, D. & Gostic, C. (2004, October) Independent Study as a Means to Remediate Clinical Skills Following Failure of a Clinical Experience. Poster presented at the American Physical Therapy National Clinical Education Conference, San Francisco, CA.

Gostic, C. & Blatt, D. (2004, October) Fostering Communication During Clinical Experiences Utilizing Email Journals. Poster presented at the American Physical Therapy National Clinical Education Conference, San Francisco, CA.