Dr. Jette is an Adjunct Professor in the Physical Therapy Department at MGH Institute of Health Professions. She formerly held the position of Associate Chair and Professor. She holds a doctorate in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from Boston University’s School of Public Health, a master’s in Physical Therapy from Boston University’s Sargent College, and a baccalaureate and certificate in Physical Therapy from Simmons College in Boston.

Dr. Jette has been teaching in professional physical therapy programs for nearly 40 years and has been a department chair for over 20 years.

Her research interest is in exploring the relationships among processes and outcomes in the delivery of rehabilitation services and their interactions with patients' performance and participation in daily life activities. She has collaborated successfully with many researchers, clinicians, and students to explore questions about these relationships and has nearly 50 peer-reviewed publications.

Dr. Jette was on the editorial board of PTJ for nearly 20 years and has been named Deputy Editor-in-Chief beginning in January 2016.

Dr. Jette is a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the APTA, has twice been honored with the Dorothy Briggs Memorial Scientific Inquiry Award and received the Chattanooga Research Award in 2013. She is also a recent recipient of the Jules Rothstein Golden Pen Award for Scientific Writing, given by PTJ, and was named the 2016 Cerasoli Lecturer by the APTA Education Section.

  • DSc, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Boston University, 1994
  • MS, Physical Therapy, Boston University, 1984
  • BS, Physical Therapy, Simmons College, 1972
  • BS and Certificate, Physical Therapy, Simmons College, Boston, MA
  • MS, Physical Therapy, College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College, Boston University
  • DSc, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Boston University

Research Interests

Exploring the relationships among processes and outcomes in the delivery of rehabilitation services and their interactions with patients' performance and participation in daily life activities.

 Heath AE, Altenburger P, Brechter J, Chleboun G, Jette D, Pike G, Schilling D, Topp K, Tschoepe B. (June 2018) Developing a Tool to Assess Physical Therapist Educational Program Quality With Engagement Theory: The American Council of Academic Physical Therapy Benchmarks for Excellence Task Force. J Phys Ther Educ. 32(2):109-117.  DOI: 10.1097/JTE.0000000000000048

Curry, AL, Goehring M, Bell, J, Jette, DU. (March 2018) Effect of Physical Therapy Interventions in the Acute Care Setting on Function, Activity, and Participation After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Systematic ReviewJournal of Acute Care Physical Therapy.​ DOI: 10.1097/JAT.0000000000000079

Jette DU. How should we determine the importance of research? Phys Ther. 2018; 98:149–152

Jette DU. Unflattening. J Phys Ther Educ. 2016; 30(3): 4-10.

Dewhirst RC, Ellis DP, Mandara EA, Jette DU. Therapists' Perceptions of Application and Implementation of AM-PAC “6-Clicks” Functional Measures in Acute Care: A Qualitative Study. Phys Ther. 2016; 96:1085- 1092

Jette DU. Physical therapist student loan debt. Phys Ther. 2016;96:1685–1688.

Jette DU, Halbert J, Iverson C, Miceli E, Shah P. Use of Standardized Outcome Measures in Physical Therapy Practice: Perceptions and Applications. Phys Ther. 2009;89:125-135.

Jette DU, Brown R, Collette N, Friant W, Graves L. Physical therapy management of patients in the acute care setting. Phys Ther, 2009;89:1158-1181.

Jette DU, Bourgeois MC, Bookbinder R. L.E.A.P. – Linking Evidence and Practice. Pulmonary Rehabilitation Following Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Phys Ther 2010 90:9-12.

Litterini A, Jette DU. L.E.A.P. – Linking evidence and practice: Exercise for Managing Cancer Related Fatigue. Phys Ther .2011 91:301-304.

Masley P M., Havrilko CL, Mahnensmith MR, Aubert M, Jette DU. Physical Therapist Practice in the Acute Care Setting: A Qualitative Study. Phys Ther. 2011;91:906-919

Jette DU, Jewell DV. Use of Quality indicators in physical therapist practice: An observational study. Phys Ther.2012;92:507-524.

Palombaro KM, Black JD, Buchbinder R, Jette DU. Effectiveness of Exercise for Managing Osteoporosis in Women Postmenopause. Phys Ther. 2013;93:1021-1025.

Grignon T, Henley E, Lee K, Abentroth M, Jette DU. Expected Graduate Outcomes in U.S. Physical Therapist Education Programs: A Qualitative Study, Journal of Physical Therapy Education, in press.

Jette DU, Stilphen M, Ranganathan V, Passek S, Frost F, Jette AM. Validity of the AM-PAC ‘6-clicks’ in-patient daily activity and basic mobility short forms. Phys Ther. 2014;94:379-391.

Jette DU, Stilphen M, Ranganathan V, Passek S, Frost F, Jette AM. AM-PAC “6-Clicks” Functional Assessment Scores Predict Acute Hospital Discharge Destination. Phys Ther. 2014;94:1252-1261.

Jette DU, Nelson L, Palaima M, Weterbee E. How do we improve quality in clinical education? Examination of structures, processes and outcomes. J Phys Ther Educ. 2014;28(1b):6-12.

Jette DU, Stilphen M, Ranganathan V, Passek S, Frost FS, Jette AM. Interrater reliability of AM-PAC "6-Clicks" basic mobility and daily activity short forms. Phys Ther. 2015;95:758-766.

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