Heather Roberts

Clinical Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy

Bio

Dr. Heather Roberts is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. She has been a practicing clinician in the Hudson Valley for over 30 years. Dr. Roberts has worked in both inpatient and outpatient hospital settings and long-term care, however her primary focus has been outpatient orthopedics across a life span. She has been a private practice owner for 17 years and is a board certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist. She has worked with several specialty areas including cycling and running biomechanics, scoliosis and complex orthopedic spine management, and chronic pain care. Her most recent area of interest is the use of diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound in patient care and research development. When she is not at work she enjoys cycling and hiking the Catskills with her family and friends.

DPT, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, 2011
Advanced Masters Orthopedic PT, Touro College, Bay Shore, NY, 2003
PT, Russel Sage College, Troy, NY, 1994
B.S. Biology, Fordham University, Bronx, NY, 1991

Research Interests/Areas of Focus

Physical therapy management of orthopedic sequelae in patients with scoliosis
Integration of MSK US into physical therapy practice and research

Selected Publications

Roberts, H. Physical Therapy Management of Hip Pain in Adults with Scoliosis: A Case Series. Front Med Case Rep 2023:4(2):1-16

Selected Presentations

Sume N, Powers ME, Roberts H. Is negative accentuated training superior to traditional resistance training for increasing muscle strength and hypertrophy. Poster presentation at the Eastern Athletic Trainers’ Association Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA, January 10, 2025.

Roberts H, Mende K. Musculoskeletal Ultrasound to Teach the Valgus Stress Test at the Knee: A Pilot Study. Poster presentation NYAPTA state conference, Albany, NY, June 1,2025

Roberts H, Geiser M, Goodman J. “Scan a Palooza – Peer to Peer and Experiential learning through MSKUS “Presenter at ACAPT Education Leadership Conference, Kansas City MO, October 17, 2025

Rawat M, Roberts H, Rizopoulos K “Case-Based Insights into Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Imaging across Diverse Clinical Presentations” Presenter at APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Anaheim, CA February 14, 2026

Goodman J, Roberts H, Geiser M “Sound Learning: Enhancing Doctor of Physical Therapy Curriculum with Musculoskeletal Ultrasound” Presenter at APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Anaheim CA February 12 , 2026

Certifications

ABPTS Board Certification in Orthopedics 2015-Present

Image of Heather Roberts.

Contact Information

Academic School

School of Science

Office

Science and Allied Health 207

Email

heather.roberts@marist.edu

Phone

(845) 575-3000 ext. 3543