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Marco Campello, PT, MA, Earns Doctoral Degree-PhD-from New York University On June 28, 2002, Marco Campello, Associate Clinical Director at the Occupational and Industrial Orthopaedic Center (OIOC) of the Hospital for Joint Diseases Orthopaedic Institute (HJD), successfully defended his doctoral thesis to become a Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Health Sciences with a specialization in Ergonomics and Biomechanics from New York University, Graduate School of Arts and Science. Dr. Campello's thesis is titled, "Physical and Psychosocial Predictors of Work Retention after a Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation Program for Non-Specific Low Back Pain Patients." Dr. Campello's objective was to identify physical and psychosocial factors that predict work retention 24 months after treatment completion in patients with non-specific low back pain (NSLBP). The study design that he used was a retrospective case series of patients who participated in a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program. Dr. Campello found that both psychological factors and physical factors are associated with work retention for NSLBP patients; specifically, somatization and obsessive compulsive scores from the SCL-90R and post-test trunk flexion were predictive of work retention. Dr. Campello's study is unique and novel as it reflects over the complexity of work retention after a low back injury over a period of two. The uniqueness lies in that a large number of variables were included that form a database for future potential studies and recommendation for necessary treatment and successful outcomes. Dr. Campello has been instrumental in convincing industry and insurance to participate in the study. His clinical in-depth knowledge on the topic has also enabled over 80% of the participants to remain at work after more than 9 months work absenteeism. This is significantly higher results other published work retention outcomes. These results support the use of multidisciplinary treatment protocols for occupational NSLBP. Ongoing studies are being conducted to confirm these findings. Dr. Campello's future goals include integrating these findings into clinical practice to enhance work retention and well-being. Dr. Campello came to the OIOC in 1989 as a physical therapist, leaving behind a well-established career in Brazil in order to pursue research. He became the Clinical Coordinator of the OIOC in 1994 and the Associate Clinical Director of the OIOC in 1997. Dr. Campello has 15-peer reviewed publications and is a role model for other physical therapists. His intelligence and kindness coupled with a multicultural background and professional experience have affected the OIOC team, his peers and his patients. Dr. Campello is the ninth Afro-Brazilian to earn a Doctor of Philosophy degree.
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