Physical Therapy

Dr. McAuliffe is a clinically focused faculty member who provides care to patients across the lifespan with complex orthopedic conditions at University Physical Therapy Durham. She specializes in the management of individuals on the hypermobility spectrum, using a pain mechanisms-based approach to treatment. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. McAuliffe serves as the course director for PHYT 734 – Musculoskeletal Interventions II and contributes to post-professional education through teaching and mentorship in the UNC Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency Program.

Dana McCarty is a pediatric physical therapist and clinical researcher dedicated to improving outcomes for high-risk infants and their families through developing and testing innovative physical therapy interventions in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Her research began with a focus on cranial molding deformities, particularly dolichocephaly in preterm infants, where she led the first study to track its development and risk factors during hospitalization. She later demonstrated the effectiveness of a Midliner Positioning System in improving cranial outcomes. Building on her clinical insights, Danadeveloped and tested a therapist-led, parent-centered intervention to support both infant development and maternal mental health while pursuing a PhD in Maternal and Child Health. Her dissertation used mixed methods to identify barriers to maternal presence in the NICU, resulting in actionable, community-informed recommendations for institutions to increase maternal access to their infants in the NICU.

Dana’s work has also contributed to the broader field through her involvement in a multidisciplinary research consortium, where she helped identify key components of effective NICU-to-home interventions. Her current research, funded by the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research, explores an Immersive Therapy Model (ITM) designed to increase therapy dosage and parent-therapist interaction in the NICU. This model addresses disparities in care access, particularly for families with low socioeconomic status, by enabling more flexible and frequent engagement. Her research trajectory reflects a strong commitment to family-centered, evidence-based care that bridges clinical practice and public health.

I’m a public school product, advocate and supporter – and have enjoyed training future physical therapists at UNC for many years. Neurologic PT practice has been my focus since a rehab rotation as a student, I’m especially interested in cognitive processes and how they interact with motor function. This is an area that I’ve researched in older adults and in individuals with brain injury, with recent efforts emphasizing mTBI in the military population.

The majority of my work is to serve as a resource for anyone with questions or concerns about their practice, school-based physical therapy, ethical concerns, appropriate funding, and evidence-based practices. I work for and with many stakeholders: school-based and other physical therapist practitioners, NC board of physical therapy examiners, Exceptional Children program directors, parents and family members of students, case workers, school nurses, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, special education teachers, adapted physical education specialists, general physical education teachers, policy makers, finance and compliance staff and other DPI staff, among others. The focus of all these collaborations are to ensure students with disabilities are well served in NC public schools.
I hope my work supports public schools in all parts of NC and beyond, to provide every student with a disability receives excellent services and education. We must facilitate their learning and participation so each student leaves school prepared to work, continue their education and/or participate in their communities.

Areas of Interest:

Neuroimaging, neuroplasticity, and neurorehabilitation.