Pioneering Research on Fall Prevention in Orthotics
Dr. Phil Stevens (left) training two local clinicians on Upper Limb Prosthesis techniques in Honduras (October 2025).
Dr. Stevens’ dissertation tied directly into his professional world, focusing on two primary populations: those who have lost a limb due to trauma or disease, and those requiring the stability of a lower limb orthosis (leg brace). He aimed to examine the fall rate and risk factors among lower limb orthosis users—a group far less studied than their prosthetic counterparts.
“I found that injurious falls were about 50% higher in this group than in their peers with lower limb prostheses,” Dr. Stevens notes. “That’s a reality that needs to be understood and discussed. Along the way, we also discovered how prominent pain-interference is in this group and its relationship to falls.”
His dissertation is just the first step in bringing about positive change for patients around the world. “We need our clinicians to understand the fall risks carried by these individuals so they can better remediate them,” says Dr. Stevens. “We are actively collecting longitudinal data to better understand how well our interventions are able to reduce these fall rates.”
Balancing Executive Leadership with Doctoral Studies
Dr. Stevens had taught upper limb prosthetics within CSP’s prosthetic program for a decade, but he waited for the perfect moment to advance his own education. That moment arrived when he received the announcement for the PhD in Kinesiology.
“With my professional career and employment, a traditional doctoral program was not an option,” Dr. Stevens explains. “The demands on my time during working hours simply didn’t allow that level of flexibility. The flexibility of Concordia’s program was the only way I could have successfully pursued a PhD.”
For working professionals asking “how do you balance a PhD with a full-time job?”, Dr. Stevens proves that a flexible, online format is the key. Although he had been involved in clinical research throughout his career, the program allowed him to step into the role of primary investigator for the first time.
Impactful Publications and Industry Leadership
Dr. Phil Stevens (right) as the Keynote Speaker at the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists in 2024.
The program’s applied research model allowed Dr. Stevens to serve as a primary investigator on major studies, resulting in seven peer-reviewed publications in journals like Disability and Rehabilitation, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and the Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics during his tenure as a student.
Dr. Stevens has presented his findings at major conferences, including the AAPM&R Annual Assembly and the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP) 51st Annual Meeting. Additionally, his latest textbook, Atlas of Amputations and Limb Deficiencies, remains an authoritative source on surgical and prosthetic management.
A Flexible, Global Classroom
Thanks to CSP’s 100% online format, Dr. Stevens participated in discussion boards from all around the world. While working and traveling for Hanger Clinic, he logged into courses from England, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Guadalajara, and Rwanda.
His perspective as both a CSP educator and a student is unique. He credits the program for its value as a “non-traditional, flexible solution” for professionals who cannot enroll in on-site education programs.
“I appreciated the way that CSP provided a flexible option for non-traditional students and eventually hired a lot of these students as residents within our organization,” says Dr. Stevens.
Advice for Future Doctoral Researchers
As a recent graduate, Dr. Stevens encourages the next cohort of doctoral students to choose work that matters. His advice is simple: “Find a dissertation topic that impacts real people in a meaningful way and genuinely interests you.”
Whether you are a clinician looking to publish research or an executive seeking to lead with evidence, an research-intensive online PhD kinesiology program can provide the platform you need without pausing your career.
Follow in Phil’s Footsteps
Dr. Stevens utilized the PhD track to publish peer-reviewed research while working full-time. Not looking to publish? Our EdD track focuses on applied leadership. Compare the PhD and EdD tracks here.