Brett Neilson PT, DPT, DSc

ASSOCIATE PROGRAM DIRECTOR 

Education:

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Biology, University of Washington

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), University of Puget Sound

Doctor of Science (D.Sc.), Bellin College

Dr. Neilson lives in Seattle, WA, and works remotely as the Associate Program Director and Associate Professor of Hawai'i Pacific University's Doctor of Physical Therapy Program in Honolulu. He has previously served as the Director of Admissions for the HPU DPT program in Honolulu from 2021 - 2025. 

Dr. Neilson has served his community as a licensed physical therapist since 2009 through activities in clinical practice, research, and education. He maintains part-time clinical practice, helping adults with musculoskeletal and pain conditions. He was a contractor for the U.S. Air Force and has served as Trial Coordinator, coordinating the day-to-day activities of two large, multi-center randomized controlled trials in knee osteoarthritis and low back strengthening. He has a passion for teaching his patients, community members, and physical therapists in his specialty areas of musculoskeletal and pain care.  

Dr. Neilson is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists. He is also a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy. Dr. Neilson has additional training in treating chronic and persistent pain, sleep health interventions, and dry needling. 

Dr. Neilson has served the physical therapy profession as a leader in the American Physical Therapy Association, including as Nominating Committee Chair for the Pain Special Interest Group. Additionally, he has served on the Board of Directors and as a Delegate for APTA Washington, and is currently the Chair of the Nominating Committee. He has published peer-reviewed research articles and presented at state, national, and international conferences.

Recent Publications: 

• Neilson BD, Parr RE, Yeung MJ, et al. Forming meaningful connections: a cross-sectional survey of hybrid doctor of physical therapy students’ belonging, well-being, and program recommendations. BMC Med Educ. Published online March 3, 2026. doi:10.1186/s12909-026-08910-8

• Shepherd MH, Neilson BD, Siengsukon CF. The pain of poor sleep: A clinician’s guide to assessing and addressing sleep dysfunction in people with musculoskeletal pain conditions. JOSPT Open. Published online November 11, 2025:1-27. doi:10.2519/josptopen.2025.0198

• Shepherd MH, Neilson B, Siengsukon C, Young JL. Restless sleep is associated with increased anxiety in physical therapy students: a cross-sectional survey study. BMC Med Educ. 2024;24(1):1170. doi:10.1186/s12909-024-06140-4

• Feda J, Miller T, Young JL, Neilson B, Rhon DI. Measures of sleep are not routinely captured in trials assessing treatment outcomes in knee osteoarthritis: a scoping systematic review and call to action. Osteoarthr Cartil Open. 2023;(100400):100400.

• Neilson BD, Dickerson C, Young JL, Shepherd MH, Rhon DI. Measures of sleep disturbance are not routinely captured in trials for chronic low back pain: a systematic scoping review of 282 trials. J Clin Sleep Med. 2023;19(11):1961–1970.

• Neilson BD, Shepherd MH, Dickerson C, Chaconas EJ, Young JL, Rhon DI. Relationship Between Attitudes and Beliefs About Sleep, Sleep Disturbance, and Pain Interference in Patients With Spinal Pain. Clin J Pain. 2022;38(8):541-549.