Michael Sutcliffe
Fall 1980 - Fall 2120
Current Position
Biography
Dr. Michael Sutcliffe is a licensed physical therapist and core faculty member in a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, where he also serves as Assistant Director of Clinical Education. He brings over a decade of clinical experience in outpatient orthopedics and sports rehabilitation, with a background in working with high-level athletes, including professional skateboarders, surfers, volleyball players, and baseball players.
Dr. Sutcliffe completed an orthopedic residency through Kaiser Permanente and has advanced training in movement analysis, injury prevention, and performance-based rehabilitation. His teaching focuses on integrating clinical reasoning, biomechanics, and patient-centered care, with an emphasis on preparing students for real-world practice. He is particularly interested in active learning strategies, clinical decision-making, and bridging the gap between foundational science and applied movement analysis.
In addition to his academic role, Dr. Sutcliffe remains engaged in clinical practice and is committed to advancing physical therapy education through innovative curriculum design and experiential learning opportunities. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Leadership, with a focus on curriculum and instruction in hybrid learning environments.
Degrees
D.P.T., Physical Therapy , Mount Saint Mary's University , Los Angeles , California, United States