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. She holds a Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree from Shenandoah University, where she graduated with a 4.0 GPA, and a Master of Occupational Therapy degree
Dr. Alayna E. Townsend is an Assistant Professor in the Master of Speech-Language Pathology program at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences on the Dallas, TX campus. Dr. Townsend began her journey in higher education in 2015, combining her clinical experience with teaching, mentorship and service. She has spent the last 10 years
Dr. Albert Villanueva-Reyes is a bilingual, American Speech Language Hearing Association-certified (ASHA) speech-language pathologist with more than 30 years of experience in academic, administrative and clinical areas. He has taught at several academic institutions across the United States and Puerto Rico. He holds a master’s degree in speech-language pathology, a doctorate in teaching and curriculum
Dr. Penny joined the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) as a contributing faculty member in 2023. He teaches the Research Methods II class and serves as committee chair for students working on their Doctor of Education (EdD) dissertation research. At USAHS and in other settings, Dr. Penny has guided more than 85
Dr. Gagandeep Gill is a public health researcher and professor who has instructed as contributing faculty at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences since 2017. He is also a senior research and health services consultant for the National Environmental Health Association. Dr. Gill holds a Master of Public Health in Biostatistics and a
Dr. Grzina, who joined the University in April 2024, has worked in pediatric medical settings, including the neonatal intensive care unit, pediatric intensive care unit, acute care and outpatient, and has served on cleft and craniofacial anomalies teams. She has specialized in working with infants and children with feeding and swallowing disorders, cleft lip and
Dr. Cynthia (Cyndi) Haynes is a pediatric therapist with more than 20 years of experience. She has worked as a clinician and director across diverse settings, including a regional pediatric hospital, pediatric rehabilitation facility, outpatient clinics, early intervention and community preschools, as well as home- and school-based services. As occupational therapy regional director with Employer
Dr. Michelle Sawtelle has served as a physical therapist since 2007 and has taught in higher education since 2013, with her primary expertise focusing on the evaluation and treatment of adults with neurologic movement disorders. Dr. Sawtelle is a board-certified clinical specialist in neurologic physical therapy and serves as a board member for the Stroke
Based at the Austin, TX campus, Dr. Maya Clark joined the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) in July 2023. She has experience in Communication Sciences and Disorders programs and has served in leadership roles including program director, graduate coordinator and director of clinical education. Within higher education, Dr. Clark was elected as
Dr. Dana Kolbfleisch earned her Doctor of Occupational Therapy from Chatham University. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in psychology and Master of Occupational Therapy from the University of Pittsburgh. She earned a specialty certificate in health and wellness in occupational therapy from Salus University and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education in Health
Dr. Mark Kelso became a contributing faculty member at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) in 2018. Before joining USAHS he taught undergraduate, graduate and doctoral classes with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for eight years. He has a Doctor of Philosophy in Education from Northcentral University. Dr. Kelso also has a Juris Doctorate
Dr. Heather Bushnell earned her Master of Physical Therapy, transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) and Doctor of Education from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) St. Augustine, FL campus. Dr. Bushnell has more than 10 years of clinical practice in acute care and seven years in a hospital-based education position. Before