Update Your ProfileAcademic Title:
Assistant Professor
Primary Appointment:
Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science
Secondary Appointment(s):
Orthopaedics
Additional Title:
Program Director, UMSOM Fellowship in Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy Academic Director, University of Maryland Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency Program
Email:
Location:
AHRB, 315B
Phone (Primary):
(410) 706-4544
Fax:
(410) 706-6387
Education and Training
• PhD student in Epidemiology, University of Maryland Baltimore
• Master of Physical Therapy, Temple University, 1996
• Doctor of Physical Therapy, Temple University, 2012
• Board-Certified Orthopaedic Certified Specialist since 2007
• Fellow, American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists since 2006
• Certified Ergonomist since 2002
Biosketch
Dr. Roy Film is an assistant professor and Director for Residency & Fellowship Education at the UMSOM Department of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science (PTRS) where he teaches primarily in the areas of orthopedic PT, manual therapy, chronic pain, and evidence-based practice. Roy’s interests focus on the conservative management of musculoskeletal conditions and helping to elevate clinical practice by teaching throughout the full spectrum of the field by teaching doctoral students, practicing clinicians, residents, and fellows. His personal mission is to help minimize the burden of the opioid crisis via promoting the use of evidence-based nonpharmaceutical pain management approaches such as physical therapy.
He is also the Director of the UMSOM Fellowship in Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy as well as the Academic Director for the University of Maryland Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency. He has been a recipient of the PTRS Faculty of the Year Award three times and the Adjunct Faculty of the Year Award twice. Roy was the 2017 recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the American Physical Therapy Association of Maryland. He is the current Vice President of the APTA of Maryland and serves on accreditation bodies for PT residency and fellowship programs both nationally and internationally. Dr. Film has served as the national taskforce leader for increasing access to non-pharmacological pain management through US Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) for the National Opioid Crisis Community Summit. He works with the United Nations World Health Organization Peer Review Group for Musculoskeletal Conditions as a reviewer for recommendations on the management of Low Back Pain, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Fractures. On campus, he has served on the UMB Faculty Senate and the SOM Diversity Advisory Committee in addition to the many departmental service roles he has played in PTRS over the years.
Research/Clinical Keywords
Non-pharmaceutical pain management, conservative orthopedic management, opioid crisis, epidemiology
Highlighted Publications
Film RJ. Frontiers in Chronic Pain: Nonpharmacological Presurgical Management to Reduce the Risk of Chronic Postsurgical Pain, Part 2. Topics in Pain Management. 2021, 36(7):1-10. doi: 10.1097/01.TPM.0000732816.12506.58
Film RJ. Frontiers in Chronic Pain: Nonpharmacological Presurgical Management to Reduce the Risk of Chronic Postsurgical Pain, Part 1. Topics in Pain Management. 2021;36(6):1- doi: 10.1097/01.TPM.0000725600.07662.43
Film RJ. Chasing the Dragon: Driving the Paradigm Shift to Move Beyond Opioids. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2020 Dec;50(12):661-663. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2020.0611. PMID: 33256511.
Mitchell JM, Reschovsky JD, Film RJ, Franzini L. Examining Drivers of Health Care Spending: Evidence on Self-Referral Among a Privately Insured Population. Med Care.2017 Jul;55(7):684-692. doi: 10.1097/MLR.0000000000000732.
Additional Publication Citations
Wiman K, Film RJ. Preparing a Transgender Woman for Vaginoplasty. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, Washington, DC, 2019.
Caruso M, Film RJ. Emphasizing Fascia in the Treatment of a Former Weightlifter with Low Back Pain after Five Years of Stalled Functional Progress: A Case Report. American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists Annual Conference, Orlando, FL, 2019.
Cunningham H, Skolky R, Film RJ. A Comprehensive Treatment Plan for a Male Patient with Chronic Pelvic Pain: A Case Study. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, Washington, DC, 2019.
Film RJ, McGee T. Physical Therapy Management of a Patient with a Five-Month History of Bisphosphonate-related Midthoracic Back Pain - A Case Report. American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists 2014 Annual Conference, San Antonio, TX.
McGee T, Film RJ. The Use of Nonthrust Thoracic Spinal Manipulative Therapy in an Adolescent Swimmer for the Treatment of Traumatic Neck and Shoulder Pain: A Case Report. American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists 2014 Annual Conference, San Antonio, TX.
Awards and Affiliations
AWARDS
Faculty of the Year, Department of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science - 2015, 2017, 2018
Adjunct Faculty of the Year, Department of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science - 2010, 2012
Distinguished Service Award, American Physical Therapy Association of Maryland - 2017
Outstanding Reviewer Award, Musculoskeletal Science and Practice - 2017
Elite Reviewer Award, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation - 2017
AFFILIATIONS
APTA of Maryland, Vice President, 2019 to present
National Opioid Crisis Community Summit, US Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) national taskforce leader for increasing access to non-pharmacological pain management - 2018 to 2020
UMB Faculty Senate - 2019 to present
SOM Diversity Advisory Committee - 2017 to present
Grants and Contracts
A Better Way to Manage Pain: An Interprofessional Student Symposium on Pain Management and Mitigating Risk for Opioid Misuse and Addiction. 2019 IPEC Interprofessional Faculty Development Institute. May 22-24, Washington, DC. PI: Liberto J; Co-I: Welsh C, Film R, Fornili K, McPherson ML. $15,000.
In the News
Film RJ. Preparing to Apply to a Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, Rehab 2 Perform podcast, December 2020.
Film RJ. Postural Correction, interview by Tony Dormann. Men’s Health, July/August issue, 2015.
Community Service
US ARMY - MEDCOM, National Opioid Crisis Community Summit, Nonpharmacological Pain Mgmt Access National Taskforce Leader - 2018-2020
Kids Mini-Med Day, physical fitness presentations, 2013-2020
APTA of MD representative at local highschool and college Career Day - 2011-12
US Bone & Joint Initiative, Presenter at various local community centers - 2011
Howard County Public Schools, Gifted & Talented program mentor - 2009-2012
Professional Activity
World Health Organization, Peer Review Group for Musculoskeletal Conditions, 2021-present
APTA Maryland, Vice President, 2019-present
APTA Maryland, Opioid Task Force, Chair, 2020-present
APTA Maryland, HEAL Committee, Board Liaison, 2021-present
United States IFOMPT Bid Committee, 2019 to present
APTA House of Delegates, Maryland Delegate - 2010-13,’15,’18-present
IFOMPT External Assessor of US Fellowship Programs - 2018-present
ABPTRFE Accreditation Services Committee, Lead Accreditation Specialist - 2016-present
ABPTS Specialty Academy of Content Experts, orthopaedics content expert - 2016-present
AAOMPT Nominating Committee - 2017-present
AAOMPT Media & Marketing Committee - 2015-2017
AAOMPT Conference Committee - 2009-2016
AAOMPT International Affairs Committee - 2007-2009