Dr. Sheila Thomas Watts received her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from The Ohio State University, a Master in Business Administration with concentration in Health Care from University of New Haven. Dr. Watts also received a Master of Science degree in Geriatric Health and Wellness and a doctorate in Physical Therapy from Sacred Heart University.

Dr. Watts began her professional career as an acute care physical therapist at Yale New Haven Hospital advancing to the level of supervisor for many years. Her extensive experience includes rehab, cardiology, neurology and wound care.

Dr. Watts joined the Sacred Heart faculty in 1998, providing clinical physical therapy services in a long-term care facility and instructional activities in the entry level masters and doctoral program in physical therapy. She is lab instructor in the second and third semesters for the neurological and acute care content. Dr. Watts is also the instructor for the Physiology of Aging course in the Geriatric Health and Wellness graduate program. She was awarded the Alumni Leadership Award from Sacred Heart University in 2006. Dr. Watts also received the Outstanding Clinical Excellence in Geriatrics Award from the Geriatric Section of the American Physical Therapy Association on 2010.

Dr. Watts is a Certified Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy. She is currently the Director of the Clinical Physical Therapy Residency Program in Geriatrics at the Jewish Home for the Elderly, located in Fairfield, Connecticut.

Dr. Watts has presented on the state and national level. Her research on exercise and cardiac risk factors has been presented on the national level. She is professionally active in the following professional associations: the American Physical Therapy Association, Connecticut Physical Therapy Association, the Geriatric Section of the American Physical Association and the Site Review Committee for the Residency Specialty Board.