Philip A. Fabrizio

Professor Fabrizio, a Pittsburgh native, returns to Duquesne with 40 years of teaching experience and clinical experience as a physical therapist. His career began at the University of Pittsburgh where he received a bachelor’s degree in Education and a Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology.  He then turned toward more clinical endeavors and received a Masters in Physical Therapy as part of the second cohort at Duquesne’s Physical Therapy program and his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Marymount University. To enhance his abilities as an educator he received a Doctoral Degree in Education from the University of St. Augustine for the Health Sciences specializing in Teaching and Learning.

Dr. Fabrizio’s student-centered teaching style combines active learning, game-based learning, and whole-body donor dissection to guide learners to answer the “so what” question leading to the clinical significance of anatomical relationships. During his career, Dr. Fabrizio has received awards for teaching, scholarship, and discovery, including an Innovative Teacher of the Year award. He is an active member of the American Association for Anatomy where he attends and presents regularly at Anatomy Connected. He has also served as a Special Councilor for the American Association of Clinical Anatomists. His contributions to anatomy include manuscripts and presentations about learner motivation in anatomy, teaching, assessment and dissection techniques, and human morphology. He has also served as part of an International Federation of Associations of Anatomists Delphi Panel concerned with initiating the development of a core anatomy syllabus for physiotherapy students.

Dr. Fabrizio’s research involves two main areas. One area of study is anatomic variations where students are regularly invited and guided to take the lead. The second area is pedagogical and involves studying teaching techniques and student motivation. 

Dr. Fabrizio also enjoys participating in community outreach promoting anatomy and health sciences with presentations to grade school, middle school and high school and college undergraduate students.