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Professor Vicki Stemmons Mercer, PT, PhD, a long-time faculty member in the Division of Physical Therapy, is retiring after more than 30 years of distinguished service in the field.

Becoming a Tar Heel

Mercer first came to UNC in 1985 to pursue a master’s degree in physical therapy. At the time, she was interested in pediatrics and received funding from a Maternal and Child Health grant. She enjoyed her time in the program and learned a great deal from the faculty, including Suzann Campbell, Irma Wilhelm, Darlene Sekerak, and Carol Giuliani. Although initially interested in pediatrics, Mercer’s research focus shifted toward neurologic and geriatric physical therapy under Giuliani’s mentorship.

While in Chapel Hill, Mercer also met her future husband, Rex, who grew up in eastern North Carolina, graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill, and was working in Cary at the time.

Mercer’s growing interest in research and a career in academia led her to pursue a PhD in Movement Science at Washington University in St. Louis. In 1993, after Mercer defended her dissertation, she got married and moved back to North Carolina. When a faculty position became available in the Division of Physical Therapy, Mercer was thrilled to get an interview and to be offered the position. “It felt like coming home,” she said.

Mercer’s primary clinical and research focus has been improving balance and preventing falls in older adults and individuals with neurologic disorders. She continues to work on a research project examining the effects of auditory inputs on standing balance in older adults with and without hearing loss.

Throughout her tenure, Mercer witnessed and contributed to several major milestones within the Division of Physical Therapy. These include the transition from the Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree and the initiation of the PhD program, which succeeded the MS program. Another big (and very welcome) milestone was the move from the old medical school wings to Bondurant Hall.

Service Beyond the Classroom

Mercer shares that one of her proudest accomplishments was the work she did in establishing a falls prevention program called the Community Health and Mobility Partnership (CHAMP) in 2009. Although CHAMP ended with the start of the pandemic, the materials can still be useful resources for falls prevention efforts. Additionally, Mercer is proud of the work she did each year over spring break with community partners in Tyrrell County in eastern NC. She was one of the co-leaders for the annual interdisciplinary service-learning trip that included students and faculty from physical therapy, social work, nursing, public health, audiology, and others in promoting the health of Tyrrell County residents. Finally, Mercer is pleased to look back on the accomplishments of all the students and neurologic physical therapy residents she has mentored.

Leaving a Legacy and Looking Ahead

“I feel blessed to have had such a wonderful career as a faculty member in the Division of Physical Therapy,” said Mercer when asked what she enjoyed the most about her career. “I’ve gotten to work with so many good, caring people – fantastic faculty colleagues who are experts in their specific areas of clinical practice and/or research, the best and brightest students, individuals with balance difficulties or neurologic diagnoses seeking physical therapy care at our clinic in Hillsborough, and dedicated community partners in service projects at various locations across the state. I especially enjoyed the one-on-one interactions with students and patients. It was so much fun to see them learning and making progress!”

Mercer hopes that future physical therapists coming through the division will find as much joy in the profession of physical therapy as she has. “I hope they will never lose the love of learning and the commitment to the profession that will make their career journey challenging, exciting, and incredibly rewarding,” she said.

Current and former faculty, students, colleagues, friends and family gathered at The Farm in Chapel Hill on September 21 to celebrate Mercer as she takes her next step into retirement.

Additionally, Mercer and her family have established the Mercer Fund for UNC Division of Physical Therapy Recognition. The fund will be used to provide awards for faculty or staff members, Human Movement Science Curriculum (HMSC PhD) students, or Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students enrolled or working in the Division of Physical Therapy who demonstrate exceptional commitment to the educational, research, and/or service missions of the Division of Physical Therapy while facing challenging personal circumstances.

If you are interested in supporting the scholarship fund you may make a gift here.