Roles at Shenandoah University

Leadership & Impact

Dr. Hale has an extensive background in higher education leadership and professional service. As a licensed Physical Therapist and Athletic Trainer, she brings deep clinical expertise to her leadership roles. Currently serving as the Interim Dean for the School of Health Professions since 2024, she oversees programmatic operations and strategic development. This follows her nearly decade-long tenure as the Division Director of Physical Therapy, where she managed division-level operations, curriculum development, and faculty evaluations. Complementing her academic roles, Dr. Hale co-chaired the NPTE Exam Development Committee for the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy, where she directed national efforts to ensure assessment quality. Dr. Hale also completed the American Physical Therapy Association’s Education Leadership Fellowship, which provided specialized training in higher education administration.

Fields of Expertise

Research Foci: Clinical management of chronic ankle instability, clinical measures of neuromuscular control and lower extremity function

Selected Peer-Review Publications

Dr. Hale has a strong record of peer-reviewed publications and data production, including co-authoring the text Ankle Sprains Course (Human Kinetics Publishers).

Bolton C, Hale S, Telemeco T. The Effects of Therapeutic Exercise With and Without Mobilization in Participants With Chronic Ankle Instability: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, 30(2): 206-213, 2021.
Hartstein A, Lievre AJ, Grimes J, Hale S. The Immediate Effects of Thoracic Spine Thrust Manipulation on Neurodynamic Mobility. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 41(4): 332-341, 2018.
Feldman K, Householder M, Hale SA, Jackson A, McKinney D, McVey L. Physical Therapists’ Ability to Predict Hypertensive Status Based on Visual Observation With and Without Past Medical History. Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy Journal, 27(2): 49-55, 2016.
Hale SA, Fergus A, Axmacher R, Robertson K. Bilateral Improvements in Lower Extremity Function Following Unilateral Balance Training in Subjects with Chronic Ankle Instability. Journal of Athletic Training, 49(2): 181-191, 2014.