Faculty

With specialties in acute care, adult rehabilitation, geriatrics, anatomy, cardiovascular and pulmonary, Dr. Ababneh brings expertise from a diverse career spanning clinical practice, education and advanced research.

Dr. Achon has experience as an occupational therapy practitioner in adult and geriatric settings, including inpatient acute rehab and skilled nursing/home health. With a spinal cord injuries specialty, she has certifications in stroke rehab and fall prevention.

Dr. Alameri has worked in outpatient, home health and inpatient physical therapy settings. With specialties in clinical education and manual therapy, he is a credentialed level II clinical instructor with the American Physical Therapy Association.

Dr. Alateeq specializes in neurological disorders, traumatic brain injuries and adult rehabilitation. Her research focuses on bilingualism, concussion, cognitive-communication abilities and how language skills are affected by neurological impairment.

Dr. Alshammari has authored 25+ research articles on physical therapy and spoken at numerous international PT conferences. He has 15+ years of clinical expertise working with neurologic patients. Specialties include geriatrics, neurological disorders, neurological rehab, and spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries.

With specialties in anatomy and neurological rehabilitation, Dr. Alshebber has a robust scholarship agenda in vestibular disorders. She has contributed to disseminations through peer-reviewed publications and scientific and professional presentations globally.

Dr. Anderson has experience working in hospital and outpatient clinic settings and enjoys outpatient orthopedics and incorporating general wellness and health promotion into her education. Specialties include acute care, adult rehabilitation, anatomy, orthopedics, pelvic health and professional ergonomics.

As an Orthopedic Certified Specialist, Dr. Anderson has more than 25 years’ experience and is a recognized authority in movement science, performing arts medicine, chronic pain management, real-time ultrasound, manual therapy and manipulation. Additional specialties are family medicine and kinesiology.

Dr. Andrea specializes in pediatric and adult neurologic physical therapy. She is passionate working with individuals after brain injury and is experienced in acute care, outpatient, skilled nursing and inpatient rehabilitation settings. Additional disciplines include healthcare higher education and interprofessional education.

Dr. Ascher is a licensed physical therapist and educator specializing in cardiovascular and pulmonary care, geriatrics, orthopedics and sports medicine. With certifications in strength and conditioning, and golfer rehabilitation, he empowers older adults to achieve optimal health by enhancing mobility.

As a Certified Therapist in Neuro Developmental Treatment for pediatrics and adults, Dr. Ata’s specialties include neurologic physical therapy, acute care, and spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries. With expertise in neurological disorders and rehabilitation, his studies focus on virtual reality applications, balance evaluations and treatment.

Dr. Balakrishnan has expertise in mental health, neurological disorders and neurological rehabilitation. With a doctorate in Neurophysiology, she has done extensive research on maternal infection and fetal brain development.

Elizabeth Wagner has 20+ years’ experience in various occupational therapy settings, including developing a mild traumatic brain injury program for the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy. She has expertise in sensory integration, traumatic brain injuries, neurological rehabilitation and geriatrics, including dementia and cardiovascular and pulmonary care.

With certifications in stroke rehabilitation and peer visitor training, Dr. Bayona is an expert in treating patients with neurological conditions and limb loss. She has 20+ years’ experience working in acute care, hand therapy, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, and school-based practice.

Erin Beasley is a speech-language pathologist specializing in pediatric speech and language therapy, diagnostics, and supporting individuals with hearing loss across the lifespan.

With a health administration specialty, Dr. Beauvais is an expert in healthcare management, quality improvement and executive leadership development. He retired from the U.S. Army as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2015 and is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Dr. Bertran specializes in pediatrics, Autism Spectrum Disorder, sensory integration and early intervention. As a certified fieldwork educator, she is passionate about interdisciplinary collaboration and promoting pre-linguistic skills in children.

With specialties in anatomy, orthopedics and sports medicine, Dr. Besselink’s expertise is in sport- and fitness-related injuries. He is a certified practitioner of the McKenzie Method, with a focus on applying it to a sports population.

Dr. Bezkor has 15+ years of clinical care experience in orthopedics, neurology, vestibular, respiratory and hand therapy. He is a member of APTA and CPTA and has received awards for excellence in education and professional service.

Dr. Bizama is a pediatric specialist with more than 15 years of clinical experience. His areas of interest include motor learning, task attention and the effects of distraction on gait. Dr. Bizama has developed continuing education courses for development of clinical skills, critical thinking and professionalism.

Dr. Bjork is a Sports Clinical Specialist with expertise in orthopedics, manual therapy, population health and adult rehabilitation. Research interests include upper extremity return-to-sports testing and physical therapy practice influenced by trauma.

Dr. Blackwell's passion for occupational therapy centers around pediatric care and the promotion of important childhood occupations in authentic environments. Her specialties include pediatrics and school systems.

Dr. Body is an expert in orthopedics, anatomy and healthcare higher education. She has experience in outpatient orthopedics and has worked in different clinical settings.

Dr. Bonsall specializes in pediatrics and has experience teaching courses related to research and theory. His work focuses on family-centered care and helping parents of disabled children, as well as supporting parents.

As a geriatrics and pediatrics specialist, Nicole Summers is an occupational therapist with experience working with children and the elderly. She has LSVT BIG certification for Parkinson’s Disease and is presently concentrating on pelvic floor and female health.

Dr. Bourgeois is a seasoned physical therapist specializing in adult rehabilitation, kinesiology, manual therapy and orthopedics. With a background as a firefighter, he established BB Physiotherapy & Wellness, providing comprehensive in-clinic and mobile outpatient services in Austin, TX.

Dr. Boykin specializes in acute care, adult rehabilitation, chronic disease management, clinical education, health administration and mental health. She has extensive experience in academia, home health and rehab director roles. Her research emphasizes OT interventions with mental health patients.

As ab AAOMPT Fellow, Dr. Bray specializes in orthopedics and manual therapy. His experience includes teaching for an orthopedic manual therapy program in Kenya and lecturing on various topics related to occupational medicine.

Dr. Brim has extensive clinical experience in early intervention, pediatrics, acute care, home health and orthopedics, serving individuals across their lifespan. As a Certified Ergonomics Assessment Specialist, his specialties include anatomy, kinesiology, professional ergonomics, sensory integration and wound management.

As a therapist, researcher and educator, Dr. Broussard focuses on enhancing the lives of older adults. She has worked in a variety of settings and has clinical and research interests in low vision, balance, pain and psychosocial challenges. Specialties include chronic disease management, dementia care, geriatrics, mental health and vision rehabilitation.

Dr. Amber Brown has more than a decade of experience in outpatient and private practice, including seven years as the owner of a private practice before transitioning to full-time academia and virtual physical therapy.

Dr. Brunder-Allen specializes in adult rehabilitation and oncology, with a focus on lymphedema. As an occupational therapist, she has fostered relationships with healthcare professionals and patients to establish community-based programs focused on education for underserved populations.

Adrian Bueno earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Occupational Therapy from Texas Woman’s University. She has a longstanding passion for upper extremity rehabilitation and earned her Certified Hand Therapist credential in 2020.

As a certified Autism Specialist, Dr. Burr is an occupational therapist with expertise in population health, pediatrics, kinesiology, health administration and school systems. She has published research on the advantages of animal-assisted therapies and is a qualified handler of therapy dogs.

Dr. Bushnell is an experienced physical therapist with specialties in acute care, anatomy and higher education. She has 10+ years of clinical practice in acute care and more than five years in a hospital-based education position.

Dr. Byrne is a physical therapist with a focus on improving developmental outcomes in neonatal and cardiac intensive care units. She has a passion for neuromotor rehab with specialties in acute care, cardiovascular and pulmonary, neurological rehabilitation and pediatrics.

In addition to sports medicine, Dr. Cadra has a specialty in interprofessional education. She holds advanced degrees in sports training programs and has experience working in the clinical setting.

With more than 25 years’ experience, Dr. Cale is a mentor, consultant, personal development expert and educational leader. He holds degrees in counseling, education and supervision, and educational leadership. His specialities include higher education leadership, instructional design, interprofessional education, mental health and school systems.

Dr. Calvo specializes in acute care, health administration, and clinical, higher and interprofessional education. He brings experience in various healthcare settings and focuses on optimizing patient outcomes through biophysical agents, virtual reality and therapeutic tools.

With more than 30 years of clinical practice experience, Dr. Campbell is a skilled physical therapist with expertise in orthopedics, pediatrics, geriatrics, and acute care. As a national delegate and nominating committee member, he participates in advocacy and policymaking. Delivering his findings internationally, research activities include clinical decision-making and factors facilitating successful clinical experiences.

Dr. Hall Campbell specializes in geriatrics, traumatic brain injuries and neurological disorders and rehabilitation. Her clinical experience includes the neurorehabilitation of adult clients with Parkinson’s disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis, vestibular dysfunction and brain injury. Interests include balance-fall prevention in the aging adult population.

Dr. Katie Campos joined the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences as a core faculty instructor for the Hybrid Immersion Program in 2025.

Dr. Carey is an occupational therapist with a focus on adult rehabilitation and neurology. Since 1993, she has expanded clinical services in acute, outpatient and community care with a focus on neurological rehabilitation.

Dr. Cartwright is a doctoral-level registered nurse with expertise in clinical outcomes, informatics nursing and pain management. With specialties in health administration and population health, she has presented at numerous conferences, written chapters for multiple textbooks and published journal articles.

Rebecca Caudrillier is an occupational therapist specializing in acute care, adult rehab, hand therapy, anatomy and clinical education. With diverse skills and experience, she has a background in lymphedema and breast cancer rehab.

Dr. Chase specializes in cardiovascular and pulmonary and orthopedics. She has a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Exercise and Wellness and was part of the University’s second physical therapy graduating class prior to joining as faculty in 2000.

Dr. Clark, an experienced occupational therapist, specializes in adult and neurological rehab, dementia care, geriatrics, spinal cord injuries and long-term/rehabilitation nursing. She has an interest in non-pharmacological interventions for behavioral and psychological symptoms in elderly populations.

With a background in speech-language pathology, Dr. Clark specializes in clinical education, higher education, higher education leadership and pediatrics. She brings expertise in multicultural issues in communication and healthcare and has held multiple leadership roles focusing on inclusion, equity and access.

With a specialty in pediatrics, Dr. Cooper is a certified Speech-Language Pathologist, Listening and Spoken Language Specialist and Auditory-Verbal Therapist. Her expertise is in interventions for children who are deaf or hard of hearing, having participated on cochlear implant and educational audiology teams.

With concentrations and clinical expertise in geriatrics, mental health and long-term and rehabilitation nursing, Dr. Cox also specializes in healthcare higher education. She served in OT program leadership roles for several universities prior to joining USAHS.

Dr. Crawford specializes in geriatrics and in neurological disorders and rehabilitation. This includes treating patients with Parkinson's Disease, vestibular dysfunction and movement disorders. She practices in home health and outpatient settings and conducts research on cognitive load in Parkinson's Disease.

Dr. Crowder brings 15+ years of expertise in school-based occupational therapy to her role. As a published author, she specializes in pediatrics, sensory integration and interprofessional education, along with healthcare higher education and school systems.

Dr. da Silva specialties include acute care, adult and pediatric rehabilitation, dementia care and neurological disorders. Her expertise lies in post-stroke patients, muscle tone dysfunction, neuropsychomotor development in early childhood, and cognitive and behavioral neuroscience.

Cat Daniel has more than 10 years of experience as a civil servant in the public school system. Daniel is an expert in pediatrics and school systems. Research interests include integrative/classroom therapy and self-regulation/sensory modulation.

As an AAOMPT Fellow, Dr. Daugherty is an authority in higher education administration, manual therapy, orthopedics and sports medicine. He has presented his research at national conferences and published on several different subjects.

Dr. De Brun’s specialties include community mental health, pediatrics, mental health and population health. She has extensive experience working in emerging practice, and community-based pediatric and adult mental health services.

In addition to neurological rehabilitation and professional ergonomics, Dr. DeFeo has expertise in acute care, clinical teaching, instructional design and interprofessional education. She is a pediatrics board-certified specialist and certified as an assistive technology professional with more than 10 years of clinical experience.

With multiple certifications, Dr. DeLuca-Berg focuses on dementia care and geriatrics. She has more than five years of clinical experience in adult and geriatric settings, including home health, skilled nursing facilities, veterans affairs and inpatient psychiatric hospitals.

As an orthopedic specialist, Dr. Demers has experience diagnosing and treating mobility limitation diseases, repetitive strain injuries and women's health issues. She is qualified in Pilates and integrates wellness and holistic health into her work.

In addition to being an expert in manual therapy and orthopedics, Dr. Denny has years of experience working as an outpatient orthopedic surgeon in Texas, New Hampshire and Alaska.

With expertise in Kinesio Taping ® and industrial medical testing, Dr. Despain is a physical therapy expert with specialties in pediatrics, pelvic health, wound care, manual therapy and orthopedics. He serves as a consultant on fraud investigations for the Physical Therapy Board of California.

With specialties in adult rehabilitation, geriatrics, long term/rehabilitation nursing and neurological rehabilitation, Dr. DiGrado has worked in various clinical settings and primarily focuses on serving individuals with neurological impairments throughout the lifespan.

Jennifer Diminuco is an occupational therapist specializing in adult and neurological rehabilitation, as well as orthopedics. She has worked in multiple outpatient clinics and has experience mentoring and building hand therapy programs.

Dr. Disney is a board-certified orthopedic physical therapist with a focus on pelvic floor dysfunctions and orthopedic injury rehabilitation. She has experience working with both an adult and pediatric population. Her expertise includes higher education, manual therapy, pelvic health and sports medicine.

Dr. Domville is an occupational therapist with expertise in adult rehabilitation, community mental health, geriatrics, neurological rehabilitation and orthopedics. She has treated a variety of diagnoses in the rehab setting, including spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries.

Dr. dos Santos is an expert in orthopedics, neurological rehab, kinesiology, clinical electrophysiology, adult rehabilitation and manual therapy. He has extensive clinical experience and has published more than 50 peer-reviewed articles in the physical therapy, biomechanics and motor control fields.

Dr. Dunlap is a nurse practitioner and academic nursing professor who focuses on offering comprehensive treatment and holistic care to adult gerontology populations. She has worked in critical care and neurology for more than 25 years.

Dr. Early specializes in clinical education and has worked as a clinic director in private practice and outpatient clinics. Experienced as a travel therapist, she holds certifications in skilled dry needling, vestibular rehabilitation and human performance evaluations.

With expertise in adult medical speech-language pathology, Dr. Eaton’s background spans research, clinical work and advocacy, including founding a group that offers speech therapy to adults with aphasia at no cost. She specializes in acute care, adult rehabilitation, anatomy, neurological rehabilitation and traumatic brain injuries.

With more than 15 years of experience as a physical therapist, Dr. Eberle is an expert in manual therapy and orthopedics. He is an AAOMPT Fellow and the creator of an orthopedic manual for the examination and treatment of orthopedic disorders.

Christopher Ebner, a medical professional with 15+ years’ experience, specializes in orthopedics, low vision rehabilitation and outpatient therapy. With expertise as an OT in the Department of Defense, active-duty U.S. Army officer and Army civilian, he is passionate about working with individuals with sustained amputations and poly trauma.

Dr. Elbaum is a renowned expert in kinesiology, neurological rehabilitation, pediatrics and spinal cord injuries. He has published more than 150 research papers and serves as a clinical practitioner and consultant to various health care providers and regulatory agencies.

As a certified neuro specialist, Sheena Estalilla brings extensive clinical experience in the acute care setting, with expertise in clinical education, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, neurological rehabilitation and early mobilization in the intensive care unit.

As a wheelchair and seating therapist, Dr. Estes is a skilled physical therapist with specialties in adult rehabilitation, neurological disorders and rehabilitation, spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries. She is a board-certified neurologic clinical specialist and a vestibular rehabilitation specialist, bringing expertise in balance and vestibular disorders.

Dr. Evans has more than 40 years of experience in clinical and management roles in multi-disciplinary adult and geriatric physical disability settings, including acute care, rehabilitation, long-term/rehabilitation nursing and home health care.

Dr. Fagan is an occupational therapist specializing in adult and geriatric rehabilitation, with a focus on stroke rehabilitation and reducing falls in the community. She has experience in acute care, subacute rehab and home health.

Dr. Faghihifar is an Associate Professor specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorder, interprofessional education, pediatrics, school systems and sensory integration. With 20+ years of pediatric clinical practice, she focuses on OT care, interprofessional education and curriculum development.

With an emphasis in adult rehabilitation, geriatrics and orthopedics, Valerie Faul specializes in upper extremity dysfunction, particularly of the shoulder. She has experience working with orthopedic surgeons to deliver comprehensive therapies, including the creation of bespoke orthotics.

Dr. Fayed specializes in kinesiology, adult rehabilitation, and cardiovascular and pulmonary. With 10+ years of experience in education, she has served in administrative roles and has a special interest in pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases related to geriatric patients.

Katelyn Fell is an OT specializing in geriatrics. With extensive clinical experience in acute care, inpatient rehab, skilled nursing, home health and as a travel therapist, her research interests include health and wellbeing among older adults and community-based programs.

Dr. Fernandez has extensive clinical and leadership experience in rehabilitation services, orthopedics and geriatrics. She has worked in acute and post-acute care, inpatient and outpatient settings, and contributed to evidence-based programs for fall prevention in the geriatric community. Additional specialties include neurological rehab, spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries, wound management and community transition.

As a certified low vision therapist, Dr. Fielder’s clinical experience includes working with adults with brain injuries. Her specialties include community transition, neurological disorders, traumatic brain injuries and vision rehabilitation.

Dr. Fiestas’ clinical specialty areas include assessment and treatment of developmental language disorders, fluency disorders and assessment of language-based reading disorders. She has published research in the areas of dynamic assessment and bilingual early literacy screening measures.

Laura Finkel is a Clinical Coordinator with specialties in higher education, interprofessional education, pediatrics and school systems. Her interests in speech-language pathology include human-centered authentic assessment and treatment practices for bilingual individuals.

Dr. Fischer has extensive clinical experience in acute care, NICU, outpatient and rehabilitation settings in addition to a level 1 trauma center, schools and telehealth with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She is passionate about early intervention and has worked in this field for more than 10 years.

Kathryn Flurry is a speech-language pathologist specializing in autism spectrum disorder, clinical education, mental health, pediatrics and school systems. Her clinical expertise includes pediatric communication disorders, augmentative and alternative communication, and neurodiverse communication issues.

As a certified healthcare simulation educator, Dr. Frank has held academic leadership positions focused on curriculum design, interprofessional education initiatives, healthcare simulation and faculty development. Her areas of expertise are higher education leadership, adult and neurological rehabilitation, and population health.

Dr. Freund is a sports medicine expert with extensive experience in physical therapy, athletic training and clinical education. She serves as a United States Olympic team sports medicine volunteer and was head PT/ATC at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

Dr. Gabbert-Downs is a speech-language pathologist with 20+ years of experience specializing in dementia care, geriatrics and interprofessional education. She has worked with individuals with complex communication needs and helped develop training in assessing and treating patients with dementia.

Having authored/co-authored 40+ peer-reviewed manuscripts, Dr. Ganesan is a recognized authority in neurological rehabilitation who has a strong background in research and education. His areas of interest in study are balance and movement in older adults with neurological problems.

Dr. Garcia specializes in adult rehabilitation, neurological disorders and rehab, spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries. A primary interest is falls prevention with the adult population.

Dr. Garcia is an Assistant Professor specializing in adult rehabilitation with a focus on cardiopulmonary, and neurological physical therapy. He has presented original research nationally and received certification in cardiovascular and pulmonary PT.

Dr. Gerardi is a retired Lieutenant Colonel with a 33-year career in the U.S. Army. He is a certified hand therapist with experience working with clients with upper extremity neuromusculoskeletal conditions and mental health conditions.

Dr. Gildersleeve-Neumann specializes in higher education leadership and pediatrics, focusing on severe speech sound disorders and multilingualism. Her expertise includes childhood apraxia of speech, bilingual speech development and assessment and intervention for monolingual and multilingual individuals.

Dr. Gill is a public health researcher specializing in healthcare higher education, higher education, instructional design and population health. His research spans diverse areas, including the Adventist Health Study-2, health studies and geospatial studies.

Dr. Glover is an occupational therapist with 30+ years’ experience in chronic disease management, clinical education, geriatrics, mental health and neurological disorders. With clinical experience in settings including long-term and rehabilitation nursing, she has also managed OT and rehabilitation departments.

Anna Golombek, MS, CCC-SLP (she/her/hers), is a Clinical Coordinator for the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences Master of Speech-Language Pathology program on the San Marcos, CA campus. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics and Music (Vocal Performance) from the University of California, Berkeley, and her Master of Science in Clinical Speech-Language

Dr. Gonzalez-Cabrera specializes in community mental health and pharmacology. He co-reported fundamental discoveries that led to the development of a small molecule therapeutic approved in the United States and Europe.

Dr. Green specializes in neurological disorders and rehabilitation. With 10+ years of experience, she is passionate about neurologic recovery and continues to treat individuals with neurologic disorders while instructing in the neuromuscular curriculum.

As a pediatrics specialist, Dr. Greer has 20+ years’ experience in various pediatric therapy settings, including acute care, outpatient, NICU, home-based early intervention and schools. She has a particular interest in researching spirituality in occupational therapy.

With specialties in anatomy, clinical education and hand therapy, Dr. Grijalba’s expertise lies in orthopedic rehabilitation. Having worked in acute care and home-health settings with adult populations, she is passionate about innovation in OT and created a role for OTs in the care of women in obstetrics and gynecology.

Dr. Groff has 10+ years of experience in higher education and specializes in instructional design, course development, e-learning and faculty training. Her research has focused on how audio feedback and innovation in online education generate motivation in adult learners.

Dr. Grzina excels in pediatric speech pathology, focusing on feeding and swallowing disorders, and preparing future clinicians through interprofessional education, clinical education and higher education. She brings experience from pediatric medical settings, including NICU, PICU, and cleft and craniofacial anomalies teams.

With expertise in acute care, adult rehab, anatomy, orthopedics and clinical education, Raquel Guarino is a certified hand therapist and educator. She has more than 10 years’ experience in hand therapy, pediatric sensory integration and neuro rehabilitation. She specializes in laser treatments and is kinesio-tape and Graston-technique certified.

Dr. Gutierrez is an occupational therapist, educator and a lifelong learner with a passion for technology. In addition to healthcare higher education and instructional design, she specializes in anatomy kinesiology, mental health, neurological disorders and orthopedics.

Dr. Cecelia Hammond has many years of experience as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and has been an American Nurses Credentialing Center certified FNP since 2008. Her FNP background includes working several years in a community clinic caring for patients across the lifespan. She has been in a faculty role for the 15+ years teaching within nursing undergraduate and family nurse practitioner graduate programs.

Dr. Hanks is a practicing physical therapist with 25+ years of experience in acute care, outpatient (pediatrics to geriatrics), school-based pediatrics and home health. Certified in Mechanical, Diagnosis and Treatment, her specialties are acute care, clinical education, orthopedics, pediatrics and wound management.

Dr. Hanover has 25+ years of expertise providing children with outpatient treatment and early intervention. Her study focuses on therapeutic approaches those with Spina Bifida and Down Syndrome with a particular interest in neurological rehabilitation, pediatrics and school systems.

With expertise in adult rehabilitation, anatomy and neurological rehabilitation, Dr. Harrington is a USAHS alum whose research interests include the neurologic system and COVID-19.

Dr. Hartsook specializes in Autism Spectrum Disorder, clinical education, pediatrics and sensory integration. As a certified fieldwork educator, her clinical practice and interests focus on early intervention and early identification of Autism.

Dr. Haynes is a pediatric therapist specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorder, clinical education, pediatrics and school systems, and higher education. With 20+ years of experience, she’s contributed to training initiatives, scholarly work and national speaking engagements.

Dr. Hellman has expertise in pediatrics, clinical education and acute care. With a background in physical therapy and educational leadership, she focuses her research on DPT student mental health and interprofessional education.

Dr. Herard is a physical therapist, educator and researcher with a focus on motor learning and control in neurological disorders. She specializes in adult rehabilitation, cardiovascular and pulmonary care, neurological disorders and pediatrics.

Dr. Hernandez excels in teaching graduate nursing courses with a focus on primary care and pharmacology. She has expertise in simulation-based education and has played key roles in certification exams and professional committees.

Dr. Herrera specializes in clinical education, manual therapy and orthopedics. As a physical therapist and athlete, she has a strong interest in sports medicine and is dedicated to promoting quality movement and empowering individuals on their health journeys.

With 30+ years of experience, Dr. Herrington specializes in emergency medicine, higher education and interprofessional education. Her passion for patient safety and evidence-based solutions has led to improved outcomes and quality metrics in her practice.

Specializing in kinesiology and vision rehabilitation, Dr. Hicks possesses extensive clinical experience and research interest in low-vision rehabilitation, assistive technology and cultural diversity.

With 20+ years’ experience, Dr. Hilchey is an experienced speech-language pathologist with a diverse clinical background. She has worked with adults, children and veterans in multiple settings and specializes in neurological disorders and traumatic brain injuries.

Dr. Hill is a board-certified clinical specialist in pediatric physical therapy and specializes in outpatient pediatrics. She has worked in a variety of pediatric settings including outpatient, school-based and acute care.

Dr. Hoffman is an accomplished occupational therapist with international experience and a focus on complicated rehabilitation technologies and assistive technology. Specialties include adult rehabilitation, geriatrics, neurological disorders and rehabilitation, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries.

Dr. Hutson has vast experience across the care continuum, working in the acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, and home and community settings.

Dr. Ingegneri specializes in anatomy, clinical education and manual therapy. She brings extensive experience in inpatient and outpatient settings, and is a certified stroke rehabilitation specialist.

Specializing in manual therapy, orthopedics and sports medicine, Dr. Ingstad brings experience in outpatient physical therapy, particularly in sport rehabilitation and preventing sports injuries. He is a certified athletic trainer and a member of the American Physical Therapy Association’s Sports, Orthopaedic and Education sections.

Dr. Jaber is an expert in kinesiology, orthopedics and sports medicine and is dedicated to bridging the gap between biomechanics and psychosocial dimensions of musculoskeletal disorders. He focuses on sport-related injuries, musculoskeletal disorders and biopsychological factors in spine rehabilitation.

Dr. Jarrar is an occupational therapist and educator specializing in improving the lives of children and adolescents with and at risk for mental illness and their families. She has established practices emphasizing sensory integration therapy, extending pediatrics support.

Dr. Jasper is a specialist in geriatrics and neurological disorders and has clinical experience in neurologic physical therapy. She is actively involved in various professional committees and is certified in multiple areas, including vestibular rehabilitation and balance-based torso weighting.

Dr. Lisa Jenkins is a licensed physical therapist specializing in clinical education. She has experience in management and healthcare education and is recognized as an expert in her field.

Dr. Johnson’s specialties include adult rehabilitation, orthopedics, spinal cord injuries, sports medicine, neurological disorders and interprofessional education. She has 30+ years’ expertise working with patients with neurological impairments and is a frequent presenter on OT education and rehabilitation practice.

With specialties in clinical education, cardiovascular and pulmonary, chronic disease management, geriatrics and pediatrics, Dr. Kamel is a physical therapist with 25 years of academic and clinical experience. With an interest in lifestyle and weight management, he is skilled in home health, outpatient PT, neurological rehabilitation and musculoskeletal PT.

Dr. Kasyan-Howe is a highly skilled occupational therapist with expertise in a wide range of specialties, including acute care, adult rehabilitation, neurological rehabilitation and spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries. She is dedicated to improving fieldwork education, promoting leadership, and addressing legal and ethical concerns in occupational therapy.

Dr. Keck is a certified speech-language pathologist who has worked on interdisciplinary neurorehabilitation teams in pediatric outpatient settings. With expertise in cognitive-communication skills, her specialties include neurological disorders and rehabilitation, traumatic brain injuries, pediatrics and community transition.

Dr. Kelso is an expert in higher education with advanced degrees in education, law, and air and space law. His background as a Chief Warrant Officer and U.S. Army Master Aviator adds a unique perspective to his teaching approach.

Dr. Kessack is an experienced healthcare professional and educator with expertise in acute care, emergency medicine, healthcare administration, higher education leadership and interprofessional education. With a background in nursing and past leadership roles, she has launched various nursing programs.

With expertise in neurological rehabilitation, Dr. Khallaf has conducted research on task-specific training for stroke rehabilitation and utilized new technology to analyze posture in patients with Parkinson’s disease and herniated lumbar discs.

Dr. Khan specializes in adult rehabilitation, geriatrics, mental health, neurological disorders, neurological rehabilitation and pelvic health. She has a deep understanding of psychoneuroimmunology and the interconnectedness of the immune, endocrine and nervous systems.

Dr. Khan-Farooqi has extensive experience working in various healthcare settings and has served on the board of the American Society of Hand Therapists.

Dr. King is an occupational therapist, educator and researcher with 20+ years of experience, specializing in adult rehabilitation, chronic disease management, geriatrics, dementia care, end-of-life care and more. She’s dedicated to fostering evidence-based, patient-centered practitioners.

Dr. Kolbfleisch is an expert in acute care, adult rehabilitation, chronic disease management, geriatrics and healthcare higher education. With experience in various occupational therapy settings, she has taught at the graduate level for five years.

Dr. Kollmann is an occupational therapist passionate about eHealth literacy and technology. Specializing in adult rehabilitation, dementia care, geriatrics, neurological disorders, and mental health and addictions, she brings diverse expertise in adult care to the classroom.

Specializing in adult rehabilitation, geriatrics, neurological disorders, and spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries, Dr. Kumar’s experience and research focus on improving balance, function and fall risk reduction. He is a board-certified specialist in neurologic physical therapy and a certified vestibular rehabilitation specialist.

Beth Lambert is an occupational therapist specializing in adult rehabilitation, geriatrics, dementia care, end-of-life care and neurological disorders and rehab. With experience in various healthcare settings, she is a certified practitioner in Lee Silverman Voice Treatment-BIG and a Certified Dementia Practitioner.

As a recognized physical therapist, educator and researcher, Dr. LaRosa’s specialization includes orthopedic residency and manual physical therapy fellowship. He teaches musculoskeletal components of the program, and his research interests are clinical reasoning and orthopedic physical therapy.

Dr. Laughlin is an occupational therapist specializing in dementia care and mental health. With a strong focus on geriatrics and behavioral health, she empowers individuals to engage in meaningful occupations and provides trauma-informed care for chronic pain management.

Dr. Layne specializes in anatomy, manual therapy, orthopedics and sports medicine. He obtained the Manual Therapy Certification through USAHS and is also a Titleist Performance Institute Level 2 Certified Medical Professional.

Dr. Leeman specializes in acute care, adult rehabilitation, hand certification, health administration, neurological disorders, neurological rehabilitation and orthopedics. She is a Certified Hand Therapist and has expertise in 3D printing applications for OT.

Dr. Leyva has been a physical therapist (PT) for more than 30 years and specializes in manual therapy, orthopedics and sports medicine. She is a certified orthopedic clinical specialist and a strength and conditioning specialist, and is an active member of multiple PT organizations.

Dr. Liguori is a nurse practitioner with expertise in chronic disease management, clinical education, end-of-life care, healthcare higher education and mental health. Having earned multiple certifications, his clinical areas of interest include palliative and end-of-life care, diabetes, anxiety and depression.

Kristian Llaca is an occupational therapist specializing in acute care, adult rehabilitation, mental health, neurological disorders, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries and vision rehabilitation. He has expertise in neurological rehabilitation and assistive technology and has earned several certifications.

Dr. Loewen is a board-certified family nurse practitioner with expertise in geriatrics. She has experience in various clinical settings and is actively involved in research on virtual classroom engagement, clinical readiness and community health.

As a former tutor to children with learning and developmental disabilities, Dr. Loffredo’s specialties include Autism Spectrum Disorder, community mental health, pediatrics and sensory integration. Having worked in home health, outpatient, hospital and school-based settings, her clinical practice interests include parent education, telehealth and early intervention.

Dr. Logan is a board-certified clinical specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy with specialties in kinesiology and orthopedics. With her undergraduate degree in sports medicine, she has extensive experience working with collegiate wheelchair athletes and Paralympic athletes.

Dr. Vickie Skinner has more than 25 years of experience in operations and training with the U.S. Army Reserve. As a Lieutenant Colonel, she  serves the 11th/ 108th Training Battalion with responsibility for instructing, training, educating and developing mid-career officers in leadership and strategy to be agile, innovative and adaptive leaders. Dr. Skinner received her

Dr. Love has a diverse background and specializes in acute care, adult rehabilitation and anatomy. He holds multiple degrees and has expertise in joint degeneration following lower limb amputation.

Dr. Lucente has 30+ years of experience as a healthcare leader. Her area pf expertise includes the impact of socioeconomic status on health outcomes and enhancing care delivery models.

Dr. Luedtke-Hoffmann is an expert in acute care, wound management, health administration and healthcare higher education. She has conducted research on leadership, administration, management and professionalism in physical therapy education.

Dr. Lyons-Brown is an Assistant Professor and Doctoral Coordinator with over 20 years of experience. Her specialties include neurological populations and prevention of intimate partner violence.

As an experienced practicing therapist and educator specializing in community mental health and mental health, Dr. MacDermott has expertise in chronic pain management and occupational science.

Board-certified in pediatrics, Dr. Madalon is an occupational therapist with a focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder and community mental health. With 25+ years of experience, she is dedicated to addressing functional communication to decrease problem behaviors.

Specializing in orthopedics, Dr. Mandel’s expertise includes manual therapy and extensive experience in outpatient care. He spends time annually providing physical therapy services pro bono to individuals in underprivileged countries.

Dr. Marcin specialties include acute care, healthcare higher education and wound management. Her expertise extends to curriculum development and education assessment.

Robyn Martin is an accomplished speech-language pathologist specializing in clinical education and pediatrics. With a focus on fluency disorders, she has practiced as a SLP in public schools, hospital settings, pediatric outpatient clinics and university settings.

Dr. Martinez is an occupational therapist with a focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder, clinical education, pediatrics, school systems and sensory integration. She has extensive experience in the public school system and opened her own private practice.

With a specialty in geriatrics, Dr. Mathews is dedicated to preparing students for clinical practice by fostering critical thinking and creating safe learning environments.

Dr. McAdams is a dynamic physical therapist, healthcare consultant and educator. As a probationary firefighter and EMT, he dedicates time to community improvement, highlighting his commitment to specialized areas, including emergency medicine, end-of-life care, interprofessional education, geriatrics and pediatrics.

Dr. Michelle McCraney joined the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in 2019 and currently serves as a Contributing Faculty and dissertation chair/committee member in the Doctor of Education (EdD) program. Dr. McCraney has worked in education for more than 30 years. She began her career teaching special education K-12 students and at Florida’s

As a certified bilingual speech-language pathologist with more than a decade of experience, Dr. McGill specializes in clinical education, healthcare higher education and pediatrics. She is engaged in advocacy efforts, with her research focused on reducing healthcare disparities between rural and urban populations.

Dr. McIntyre is an occupational therapist with a specialization in community-based mental health settings, particularly working with adults experiencing psychosis. Her scholarly work focuses on trauma-informed education, hoarding disorder and the inclusion of experts by experience in academic settings.

As an expert in adult rehabilitation, dementia care, geriatrics and health administration, Dr. McKay brings 10+ years of experience in serving older adult populations. His passion for leadership and collaboration drives his commitment to educating and mentoring aspiring occupational therapists.

Dr. McNulty, an expert in geriatrics, is a passionate educator, researcher and clinician. With a background in psychosocial occupational therapy and geriatric rehabilitation, she has dedicated her career to improving the lives of individuals with complex conditions.

Dr. McWilliams is an innovative occupational therapist with experience in brain and spinal cord injury treatment and research, oncology treatment and management. He specializes in client-centered care, training/program development and family relations.

With a specialty in pediatric speech-language pathology, Dr. Meaux concentrates on exploring the growth of language and literacy with a focus on caregiver contact. As an early intervention provider and school-based clinician, her research interests include early childhood language and literacy development.

Dr. Mendez-Schiaffino specializes in management and neurorehabilitation settings focusing on patients who have suffered a stroke or traumatic brain injury. She joined the University after serving the adult and geriatric populations in various healthcare settings.

Dr. Menefee is a board-certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist with expertise in orthopedics and movement science. She joined the University as contributing faculty and moved to a full-time faculty position in 2022.

Dr. Meyer is an expert in fieldwork education and supervision with 35+ years of experience specializing in adult rehabilitation and clinical education. She created international fieldwork experiences and is nationally recognized for her work with OT students with disabilities.

As a board-certified Geriatrics Clinical Specialist, Dr. Miller specialties include orthopedics, adult rehabilitation, healthcare higher education, interprofessional education, neurological rehabilitation and wound management. She has worked in multiple areas of physical therapy including military hospital clinics and Veterans Administration hospitals.

With expertise in multi-sensory learning approaches, sensory regulation programs, and handwriting and keyboarding programs, Laura Moe’s specialties include pediatrics, school systems, healthcare higher education and neurological disorders.

Dr. Montgomery is an experienced medical speech-language pathologist (SLP) specializing in acute care, adult rehabilitation, clinical education, end-of-life care and interprofessional education. She mentors students and young professionals nationwide.

Dr. Moore is an orthopedic board-certified physical therapist specializing in adult rehabilitation and orthopedics. With a background in the U.S. Army and extensive clinical experience, she has expertise in amputation and polytrauma.

With specialties in clinical education and pediatrics, Dr. Morris is a prolific speech-language pathologist and educator with 20+ years’ clinical experience. She is passionate about advising, recruiting and retaining students from marginalized groups in the fields of speech-language pathology and audiology.

Dr. Morris is a Certified Hand Therapist and expert in healthcare higher education, orthopedics and professional ergonomics. Her expertise focuses on upper extremity rehabilitation, lymphedema treatment and outcomes of upper extremity injuries.

Dr. Mrabe is an occupational therapist and educator with a specialty in mental health, pediatrics, anatomy and kinesiology.

With a specialty in hand therapy, Kaylee Munch has experience in nursing facilities, outpatient rehabilitation and home health. She focuses on orthotic fabrication and upper extremity rehabilitation within private pay, federal pay and worker’s compensation injuries.

Dr. Angelina Muñoz is a pediatric occupational therapist with expertise in diverse population pediatrics. She has worked in various settings, including sensory-based clinics, school districts and pediatric hospitals.

Maeve Murtagh specializes in acute care, adult rehabilitation and geriatrics. With experience in outpatient, skilled nursing and acute care settings, she has performed diagnosis and treatment of voice, swallowing and cognitive-communication disorders, progressive neurological disorders and head-neck cancer.

Dr. Nelson is an OT, researcher and educator focused on improving the lives of individuals through holistic, client-centered treatment. She holds numerous certifications in various specialties, with expertise in acute care, neurological rehabilitation, oncology, orthopedics and pelvic health.

Dr. Nichols specializes in clinical education. With a teaching career spanning more than two decades, she has taught a wide range of courses in occupational therapy and physical therapy programs.

Katie O'Hara is a pediatric occupational therapist specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorder, pediatrics and sensory integration. She has treated children with various diagnoses, including Down syndrome, Sensory Processing Disorder, ADHD and cerebral palsy.

Dr. Orozco Arteaga is a specialist in Autism Spectrum Disorder, chronic disease management, community mental health, pediatrics, population health and sensory integration. She has a background in interdisciplinary collaboration, and her research and academic interests center on health disparities, equity and inclusion.

Erica Ortiz specializes in pediatrics and has experience in providing speech-language pathology services to children in various settings including home health, outpatient and public schools.

Board-certified in pediatrics, Dr. Park specializes in Autism Spectrum Disorder, clinical education, higher education, mental health and sensory integration. She has lectured globally on interdisciplinary approaches to feeding assessment and intervention and holds advanced practice certification in swallowing assessment, evaluation and intervention.

Dr. Parker specializes in manual therapy, neurological rehabilitation, orthopedics and sports medicine. With a passion for sports and teaching, his career has included helping others as a CrossFit trainer, where he developed skills in functional movement with proper load and form.

An AAOMPT Fellow, Dr. Parrish specializes in manual therapy and orthopedics. Her expertise focuses on interprofessional education, best practice simulations and online education in the field of orthopedics.

Dr. Parry, an experienced instructional designer, specializes in orthopedics and sports medicine. Her expertise focuses on integrated learning, community collaboration and interprofessional education.

Dr. Parten is an occupational therapist specializing in geriatrics, neurological disorders and rehab, dementia and traumatic brain injuries. With 20+ years of clinical experience, she has worked in a variety of adult settings including inpatient rehabilitation and long-term acute care.

Dr. Nishi Patel, OTD, OTR/L is a licensed occupational therapist and educator with more than 15 years of clinical, academic, and leadership experience across diverse practice and educational settings.

Dr. Penny is a higher education leader specializing in clinical education, higher education and school systems and higher education leadership. A former vice chancellor, he has guided more than 85 doctoral students on their EdD dissertation research.

Dr. Perez has 15+ years of clinical experience working with pediatric populations in outpatient, home health, early intervention and school-based settings. His specialties include Autism Spectrum Disorder, interprofessional education and school systems.

Dr. Perez is a specialist in manual therapy and orthopedics. With a background in physical therapy and extensive clinical experience, he focuses on the treatment of tendon pathology, mechano-transduction and movement dysfunction.

Holding multiple certifications, Dr. Perez specializes in adult rehabilitation, neurological disorders, spinal cord injuries and more. With a background in higher education and instructional design, she brings expertise in interprofessional education.

Dr. Petersen specializes in pediatrics, school systems and sensory integration. With more than 10 years of experience in clinical practice and academia, he is dedicated to transitioning individuals with intellectual disabilities, developmental disability and Autism into adulthood.

With specialties in adult rehabilitation, clinical education, kinesiology and orthopedics, Dr. Phung’s experience includes delivering concierge PT care to adult populations. She is an advocate for community development and health education and is a mentor and speaker in various capacities regionally and internationally.

Dr. Pucillo specializes in anatomy, healthcare higher education, neurological disorders and neurological rehabilitation. He is actively engaged in research on physical therapy education, interprofessional collaboration and global health.

Specializing in pediatrics, Monica Putt is a speech-language pathologist with diverse clinical experience, having worked in homes, schools, clinics and hospitals. She is an international board-certified lactation consultant, integrating her pediatrics expertise with lactation consulting.

Dr. Carmina “Minnie” L. Rafael is a physical therapist with more than 25 years of professional experience. She has been a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy since 2012 and an American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Geriatrics Certified Expert for Aging Adults since 2011. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy

With a specialty in clinical education, Rossana Ramires has worked with children and adults as a speech-language pathologist for 20+ years. Fluent in three languages, her interests include bilingualism and multiculturalism, speech and language disorders, orofacial/craniofacial development and function, feeding disorders and orofacial myofunctional therapy.

Specializing in clinical education and population health, Dr. Ratoza is a dynamic physical therapist who serves on multiple committees, boards and associations. She has diverse clinical experiences, including outpatient pediatrics, outpatient orthopedics, acute care, and adult and pediatric home health.

Dr. Reed attended Tulane University in New Orleans and received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 1997. Dr. Reed then attended the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) and received his Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) in 2000. He returned to USAHS to complete a transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2003

With certifications in orthopaedics and sports medicine, Dr. Reese specialties are clinical education, kinesiology and manual therapy. Her research interests include exercise prescriptions for post-concussion syndrome, advanced exercise prescriptions for return to sport and motor learning for exercise selection.

Heather Rennerfeldt completed her bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from the University of Sioux Falls in Sioux Falls, SD in 2005. Following a year as an adjunct instructor in the Exercise Science department at the University of Sioux Falls, she earned her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of South Dakota in

Dr. Rice joined the University in 2017 as contributing faculty in the Cardiovascular and Pulmonary, Biophysical Agents, Integumentary and Analytical Anatomy courses. She became a full-time faculty member as Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education in November 2021. She is the Director, Physical Therapy Clinical Education Coordination. Dr. Rice graduated with a Bachelor of Science in

Dr. Courtney Rivadeneira is an Instructor and Associate Director of Clinical Education with over a decade of experience as a practicing physical therapist, and clinical instructor.

Dr. Rivera is an expert in neurogenic communication disorders, bilingualism and the brain within adult/geriatric populations. With experience in various medical settings, she specializes in neurologic disorders.

With 20+ years of clinical experience and specialties in manual therapy and oncology, Dr. Roberts is an occupational therapist practitioner with expertise in lymphedema, burn therapy and hand therapy.

As a board-certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy, Dr. Rodriguez has expertise both in the classroom and clinical practice. His specialties include traumatic brain injuries, chronic disease management and neurological disorders and rehabilitation.

Dr. Bonnie L. Rogulj completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Virginia, graduating with honors, and her Doctor of Physical Therapy at Old Dominion University. Presently, Dr. Rogulj is an assistant professor at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences and a licensed staff physical therapist in Florida and Virginia. She completed an

Dr. Romero received his Bachelor of Science from the Cuban University of Sports Sciences and his Master of Science from California University of Pennsylvania, and then received his Doctor of Physical Therapy from A. T. Still University of Health Sciences and his Doctor of Philosophy from University of Baja California. He is a practicing Physical

Dr. Rot graduated from Shenandoah University in 1993 with a Masters in Physical Therapy. He completed the Institute of Physical Therapy’s Manual Therapy Certification program in 1996. In 1997, he completed a one year Orthopaedic/Manual Physical Therapy Residency/Fellowship program at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USHAS) under the mentorship of Dr. Stanley

Kelly Roy joined University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in 2019. Her clinical and research interests include speech sound disorders, literacy and clinical education. Before focusing on full-time clinical education, she worked in various settings, including public and private schools, outpatient clinics and private practice.

Dr. Christine Salmon has more than 11 years of combined teaching and clinical experience in physical therapy, including more than five years providing clinical instruction for students from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences and other institutions. Her clinical work focuses on evaluating and treating the geriatric, orthopedic, cardiac, and neurological patient population.

Dr. Robert (Bob) Salvatori joined the Austin, TX campus Doctor of Physical Therapy program core faculty in 2022. He possesses more than 40 years of clinical experience specializing in general orthopedics, spinal dysfunction, persistent pain management and vestibular rehab. Dr. Salvatori has served in a variety of clinical settings including acute care, rehab, home health

Dr. Summer San Lucas received her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology degree from Westmont College in 2001. She graduated from Loma Linda University with her Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2005 and Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy in 2012. She is an American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) board-certified clinical specialist in neurologic and pediatric

Jorge Sarmiento joined the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in the spring of 2013 as a contributing faculty member teaching Administration and Management. He became a core faculty member in fall 2017 teaching Therapeutic Exercises, Biomechanics, and Administration and Management. He also assists in gross anatomy lab. Prior to joining the university, he

Dr. Sawtelle is a board-certified clinical specialist in neurologic physical therapy specializing in adult rehabilitation, spinal cord injuries, higher education, and neurological disorders and rehab. She is a national board member for the Stroke SIG within the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy.

As a clinician-scientist and educator, Dr. Schaffer Mendez specializes in adult neurogenic communication disorders and focuses her research on psychosocial factors in aphasia/primary progressive aphasia. She values interprofessional practice and is an advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion.

Dr. Schmeeckle is a sports physical therapist, educator and researcher specializing in anatomy, kinesiology, manual therapy, orthopedics and sports medicine. His expertise spans various sports rehabilitation areas, including return-to-sport protocols and post-operative rehab for athletes of all ages and skill levels.

Dr. Schwier specializes in sensory integration, pediatrics, community integration and the influence on academic performance and social skills. She is a frequent presenter, published author and researcher in occupational therapy education and student self-efficacy.

Dr. Cheryl Sheffield has 30 years of experience as an occupational therapist in Canada and the United States. She joined the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) in 2018, where she transitioned from a contributing faculty member in the post-professional Doctor of Physical Therapy program to core faculty in the Master of Occupational

Christine Sibley has been a Contributing Faculty member since January 2018.  She is currently the Assistant Vice-President, Reimbursement for Atrium Health (Carolinas HealthCare System) in  Charlotte, NC. Christine entered the healthcare finance field in 2005 working for WakeMed Health & Hospitals in Raleigh, NC and joined her current employer in 2010.  Prior to transitioning to

Lacey Sims earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Occupational Therapy from Texas Woman’s University. Sims began her career in acute care at a level one trauma center and later transitioned to outpatient working with both neuro and orthopedic patients. In 2015, she earned her

Dr. Kunal Singhal joined the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in 2021. He is a licensed physical therapist, active researcher and passionate educator who has taught in Doctor of Physical Therapy program for more than five years. He completed his physical therapy education in India, followed by Doctor of Philosophy in Kinesiology (Biomechanics)

Dr. Siviter specializes in manual therapy, orthopedics and sports medicine. Her clinical experience includes outpatient manual therapy and neurological settings and in treating high-level athletes. She holds manual therapy and dry needling certifications from USAHS.

With 25+ years of experience in orthopedic PT, Dr. Smith specializes in adult rehabilitation, manual therapy and orthopedics. She holds certifications in manual therapy, manipulative therapy and orthopaedics.

Dr. Gabriel Somarriba joined the faculty in 2009 as a contributing faculty member on the St. Augustine, FL campus and moved to core faculty in 2015. His area of clinical specialization is pediatrics, with a focus on cerebral palsy. Dr. Somarriba has more than 10 years of clinical experience. As an assistant professor of clinical

In addition to sports medicine, Dr. Soper specializes in manual therapy for adults and health administration. She has more than 30 years of clinical expertise, and both her clinical and research work focuses on interventions that are supported by the best available scientific evidence.

Dr. Sorce specializes in adult rehabilitation, orthopedics and clinical education. With extensive clinical experience in acute care, outpatient orthopedics and mobile concierge services, she is passionate about post-operative rehabilitation and empowering patients through education.

Lacey Spark attended the University of Oregon and Pacific University for her undergraduate career before earning her Master of Occupational Therapy from Pacific University in 2010. After graduation, she worked in community mental health practice and presented at the annual American Occupational Therapy Association conference on occupational therapy groups for early intervention and treatment of

Dr. Rudie Spigarelli has practiced in several outpatient clinical settings including multi-disciplinary, mobile, orthopedic and vestibular clinics. She has experience and certification in concussion management, manual therapy, visual-vestibular functional integration training, clinical instruction and practice management. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, Texas Physical Therapy Association and Vestibular Rehabilitation Special Interest Group

Dr. St. Germain received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Biology from Concordia College in Minnesota. From 1999 to 2005, he worked in an inpatient pediatric psychiatric mental health facility. Dr. St. Germain attained his Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Florida International University in 2005. He has clinical experience working in multiple

Jenna Street is the coordinator of Sports Medicine Clinic Operations for the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). After finishing her master’s degree, Street completed a Sports Medicine Fellowship with the USOC, where she’s worked full time since 2009. She currently works in a clinical setting with both Olympic and Paralympic athletes, and routinely travels internationally

Dr. Peyton Sykes has worked primarily in the Austin community as an outpatient orthopedic clinician, where he also garnered experience in various acute care hospitals as a travel physical therapist.

Dr. Tablinsky brings clinical education and physical therapy leadership experience to the University. Her specialties include dementia care, geriatrics, long-term/rehabilitation and neurological rehabilitation.

Born and raised in Iran, Dr. Tahayori studied physical therapy at Master’s level at Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. He did his PhD in Kinesiology and Neuroscience at Indiana University Bloomington (IUB) examining spinal plasticity and its mechanisms in CNS diseases. At IUB, he did some basic science studies to better understand the

Dr. Bansari Thakkar is a physical therapist with more than 15 years of clinical, specializing in geriatric rehabilitation. She is a board-certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist having integrated clinical expertise with rigorous inquiry into functional outcomes and aging-related impairments.

As a board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist, Dr. Tizon specializes in geriatrics, manual therapy, orthopedics and sports medicine. With pain management and higher education expertise, he mentors future physical therapists and provides patient care in outpatient and home health settings.

As a certified speech-language pathologist, Dr. Townsend has provided pediatric services across various settings and began her higher education journey in 2015. Her specialties include autism spectrum disorder, apraxia of speech, pediatrics and higher education.

With 35 years of occupational therapy experience, Dr. Tremaine specializes in autism, pediatrics, school systems and sensory integration. Her expertise spans sensory processing, therapeutic listening and feeding development.

Dr. Tsang-Wu brings more than 30 years of experience in clinical education and neurological rehabilitation, with specialized expertise in spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries and community transition. Her extensive background includes working in acute care, outpatient and inpatient settings.

Dr. Tu is a former high school math teacher turned occupational therapist who specializes in adult rehabilitation, clinical education and mental health. With experience in various healthcare settings and military service, he now focuses on clinical education.

Claire Uke is a licensed and registered occupational therapist with school-based experience serving parents and children from diverse backgrounds. She has dense technical knowledge on a variety of topics and is passionate about sharing information and finding solutions. She is currently pursuing a certification in assistive technology. Uke began teaching as an Assistive Technology Lab

Lynea Upson specializes in Autism Spectrum Disorder and pediatrics, with 20 years of experience across clinical and academic settings. She is certified in neuroscience and innovative therapies, and advances pediatric care through Interactive MetronomeⓇ and rebound therapy expertise.

Dr. Valenti is an experienced nurse practitioner and academic nursing professor passionate about improving access to high-quality, integrated healthcare for vulnerable populations. Specializing in health administration, healthcare higher education and mental health, his clinical expertise encompasses psychiatric crisis stabilization for adults and geriatrics.

Dr. Archana Vatwani is the Program Director and Professor of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in Dallas, TX. Dr. Vatwani holds a Doctor of Physical Therapy, a Master of Business Administration, and a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Education and Leadership in Healthcare.

Bilingual speech-language pathologist Dr. Villanueva-Reyes specializes in higher education, oncology and pediatrics. He brings 30+ years of experience in academic, administrative and clinical areas, with expertise in voice disorders, speech and sound disorders, linguistics and multicultural issues.

A graduate from the University of Maryland in Baltimore in 1984, Dr. Viti received his Manual Therapy Certification from the Institute of Physical Therapy in 1991. He completed his manual therapy fellowship training in 1996 and received a Master of Science degree in 1997 from the Institute of Physical Therapy. He received his OCS certification

Dr. Helene Vossos is a nationally board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, adult nurse practitioner, nurse educator, author and nursing leader. She began her journey caring for others 30 years ago, became a nurse educator in 2004 and a dually boarded nurse practitioner in 2010. She joined the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences

Amy Walters graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in Psychology in 1996. She then went on to physical therapy school at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas. She moved to Seattle after graduation and worked in sports medicine with a focus on treating adolescent athletes. She received her sports

With specialties in acute care, adult rehabilitation, clinical education, interprofessional education and neurological rehabilitation, Sally Waters has a keen interest in neurogenic communication disorders, tracheostomy management and dysphagia as an aerodigestive disorder.

As a certified bilingual speech-language pathologist, Deanne Wayt has expertise in autism, pediatrics and clinical education. In addition to higher education, her experience includes working with culturally and linguistically diverse pediatric populations in early intervention, clinical and school-based settings.

Brooke Weber is an experienced occupational therapist with a specialty in Autism Spectrum Disorder, pediatrics and sensory integration. She is dedicated to serving populations dealing with sensory-processing differences and learning disabilities.

Dr. Margaret Ann Wicinski is Senior Program Director of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program for the Miami, FL and St. Augustine, FL campuses and Associate Professor in the Flexible Doctor of Physical Therapy program on the St. Augustine campus.

Dr. Jenny Williams joined the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences as an Academic Fieldwork Coordinator in 2025. Prior to that, she was an adjunct instructor at Maryville University for seven years while working full-time as an occupational therapist since 2008.

Dr. Liz Wilson became an Academic Fieldwork Coordinator at the University in 2018. She started at the University as a guest lecturer and then contributing faculty before transitioning into her current full-time position. She has worked in a variety of occupational therapy settings including inpatient acute hospitals, outpatient clinics, home health, pediatric school systems and

With robust experience in academics and physical therapy clinical practice, Dr. Wise has specialties in manual therapy, orthopedics, kinesiology and sports medicine. His clinical interest is orthopaedic manual physical therapy of the spine.

As a certified strength and conditioning specialist, Dr. Witkin expertise includes acute care, orthopedics and sports medicine.

Dr. Kathy Wood’s experience in higher education spans more than 20 years. In addition to her leadership roles, Dr. Wood has taught extensively in the fields of health care administration, business and health care finance.

Ryan Wooley, PT, DPT is a physical therapist (PT) and educator who is passionate about delivering individualized, evidence-based physical therapy care to diverse populations. Dr. Wooley received his Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in 2015. He has completed the Evidence in Motion’s Orthopedic Residency program and

Dr. Woolley is an experienced educator and occupational therapist with 20+ years of clinical and administrative experience in various clinical settings. She graduated with honors in 1994 with her Bachelor of Science in Special Education from BYU with certifications in mild/moderate and severe/profound disabilities. She started her career teaching special education in a junior high

With a specialty in pediatrics, Dr. Yang is a certified, bilingual speech-language pathologist with teaching experience in phonetics, speech science, speech-language development and speech sound disorders. Her research emphasizes speech production and perception in monolingual and bilingual children.

Dr. Zborovsky is a Lymphedema Certified Therapist with a special interest in treating patients with Lymphedema disorders related to cancer. Her specialties include cardiovascular and pulmonary, chronic disease management and geriatrics.