Higher Education

Matthew (Matt) Daugherty, PT, DPT, OTR/L, MOT, DBA

Dr. Matthew Daugherty is an Associate Professor for the Doctor of Physical Therapy program and a former program administrator. He has been a licensed, practicing physical and occupational therapist since 2007. He received his Manual Therapy Certification in 2009 and completed his American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT) fellowship in 2010. In 2012,

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Heather Disney, PT, DPT, PhD

Dr. Heather Disney is a board-certified Orthopaedic Physical Therapist specializing in rehabilitation of both orthopaedic injuries and pelvic floor dysfunctions. She has experience working with both an adult and pediatric population. Dr. Disney received her Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences and an undergraduate degree from San Diego

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Shannon Groff, PhD

Dr. Shannon Groff is a contributing faculty member for the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) Online programs. She currently teaches in the Post-Professional programs. Prior to joining USAHS, Dr. Groff  taught full time for Florida State College at Jacksonville. Dr. Groff has worked in higher education for more than 10 years of

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Laurie Shimko, PT, MPT

Shimko earned her Master’s in Physical Therapy 1996 at Barry University. She has been a member of the American Physical Therapy Association/Florida Physical Therapy Association member since 1990 (PTA 1992-1996). Shimko has 10 years’ experience serving in elected and appointed positions for the FPTA Board of Directors. She served on the FPTA Board of Directors

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Pamela Kasyan-Howe, OTD, OTR/L, EdS

Dr. Pamela Ann Kasyan-Howe received a Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of Florida in 1993, Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Florida International University in 1997, and a post professional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from South University in 2016. She received an Education Specialist degree for Computing Technologies in Education from

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Sunddip Aguilar, EdD

Dr. Sunddip Aguilar is the Program Director for the Doctor of Education program in the College of Health Sciences. Prior to working at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, she had been in the field of education for more than 15 years. She started her career teaching students in middle school, high school

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Jorge E. Sarmiento, PT, MS, MBA-HCM

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

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Cody Cox, OTD, OTR/L, MEd

 Dr. Cody Cox joined the Occupational Therapy program’s core faculty in 2017. With clinical experience in geriatrics, mental health and student education, she has worked in rehabilitation, acute care, outpatient and home health settings. Dr. Cox was the occupational therapy assistant program director at South University in Richmond, VA, and Kaplan College in Jacksonville,

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Lakeisa (Keisa) Boykin, DHSC, MBA/HCM, OT/L

Dr. Keisa Boykin joined the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences Occupational Therapy department in August 2017. Prior to joining the University, she worked as an occupational therapist in the home health setting. She has also worked in academia as a program director and instructor. She has worked clinically as a rehab director in

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Meghan Savage, PhD, CCC-SLP

Meghan Savage, PhD, CCC-SLP is the Senior Program Director and an Associate Professor in the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) program. Dr. Savage, who is located on the Austin, TX campus, was previously the Program Director and served as core faculty, Clinical Director and Assistant Program Director since joining the University of St.

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Claire Uke, MOT, OTR/L

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

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Deborah Jackson, PT, PhD, CMP, ATC

Dr. Deborah Jackson earned her Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and Athletic Training in 1980, from Lock Haven State University. She completed a Master of Education in Sport Medicine from the University of Virginia in 1981. She completed her Doctor of Philosophy, in 1992, in Exercise Physiology/Physiology from the University of Kansas. Dr. Jackson

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