Story by: Sydney Gaines

After spending nearly 20 years in the physical therapy industry, Germanna adjunct instructor Dr. Travis Stoner started noticing a shift in his field.

“I began seeing a lack of care for patients, and I didn’t agree with it,” he says. “I’ve always believed in patient-centered care and really focusing on the individual.”

So, he took a leap of faith and started his own company. One where he could value the patient and foster meaningful and positive relationships.

“I opened Fusion Rehab and Wellness in 2017 to serve the community and help grow my profession. My practice is built on the mission of providing an area of learning, development, and growth for patients, employees, and providers, alike.”

Today, Fusion Rehab and Wellness has seen significant growth, with four locations in the Fredericksburg area, an Alexandria location, and a Reston location coming soon. The company has won “Best of the ‘Burg,” a local award featuring the best businesses in Fredericksburg, every year that it has been open.

Travis
Dr. Stoner facilitating a demonstration at Fusion Rehab and Wellness

It wasn’t until recently that Dr. Stoner brought his expertise to Germanna.

“I was invited to teach a class at Germanna, and ever since, I wanted to be more involved in the physical therapist assistant program. So, when the opportunity to teach as an adjunct instructor came up, I took it.” 

Dr. Stoner was a clinical instructor to Germanna students for four years before officially taking the adjunct position in fall of 2023, teaching the therapeutic exercise, therapeutic procedures, and pathological conditions courses. 

But though he’s still relatively new to teaching at Germanna, Dr. Stoner has been in education for nearly 20 years.

“I graduated from Shenandoah University with my bachelor’s degree in kinesiology in 2002 and went straight to physical therapy school for my doctoral degree, graduating in 2005. I worked as a lab assistant from 2007 to 2009 at the university,” he says.

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Dr. Stoner graduating with his doctoral degree from Shenandoah University in 2005

Dr. Stoner then started teaching for Maitland Australia Physiotherapy Seminars, where he educates physical therapists, chiropractors, and physical therapist assistants around the country.

Now, as a Germanna instructor, Dr. Stoner feels his past experiences have allowed him to bring a unique perspective into the classroom. 

“When I first graduated from physical therapy school, I primarily worked in outpatient adult neurotherapeutics. I also did a bit of home health and in-patient rehab. So, it’s really cool to be able to bring that experience to Germanna and introduce my students to the several different aspects of the industry.”

He also merges his business with his class coursework, bringing his patients into the classroom to give his students hands-on learning experiences.

“Working with someone who has Parkinson’s or spina bifida for the first time can be scary if you’ve never done it before. I added a program where I bring my patients into the classroom so students are able to work with an adult who has some kind of neurological impairment. It allows them to not be as apprehensive when they actually begin working in the field. Getting that fear factor out of the way in the classroom has really paid dividends.”
Dr. Travis Stoner
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Physical Therapy Adjunct Instructor

Moving into the new year, Dr. Stoner is excited to continue growing his business and educating the future generation of physical therapist assistants.

“With education being a part of my business strategy, teaching at Germanna is my way of giving back to the community and furthering my personal mission.”

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