University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
Clinical Excellence Through Graduate Education
Vivian Sanchez brings extensive higher education and business experience to her role as Chief Executive Officer and President for the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. Having worked in public research universities in the United States and private institutions in nine countries, CEO Sanchez brings comprehensive global insights to higher education for both campus-based and digital learning.
Dr. Goldstein is an accomplished teacher, scholar and academic leader with more than 25 years of experience in higher education at public and private universities with multiple locations.
Dr. Jackie Crossen-Sills is the Associate Dean of Physical Therapy and Program Director of the DPT Program at the St. Augustine Campus and Interim Chair of the Institute of Physical Therapy
Dr. Tia Hughes joined the University of St. Augustine for July Sciences in June 2020 as Associate Dean of the College of Rehabilitative Sciences for Occupational Therapy. Dr. Hughes has been a faculty member and academic leader at AdventHealth University in Florida since 2002, serving as the Program Director for the occupational therapy programs.
Dr. Elaine Lonnemann is the interim Associate Dean of the College of Health Sciences and Program Director of the transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. She has served as a contributing faculty member in online courses for the Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy program since 2002.
Dr. Maria Puzziferro’s experience as a transformational academic leader, researcher, and teacher spans more than 25 years at public and private institutions in roles related to the advancement of innovative teaching and learning approaches. She has served as a President, Provost, and Dean with extensive experience developing, launching, and operating online and blended programs.
Dr. Peters-Brinkerhoff is the Program Director for the DPT program at the San Marcos, CA campus.
Dr. Manuel (Tony) A. Domenech is the Program Director of and an Associate Professor for the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program.
Dr. Erin Schwier is an Associate Professor and the Academic Program Director for the Occupational Therapy Programs on the San Marcos campus. She brings more than 15 years of experience working with children with disabilities and their families to her position.
Mary Zadnik, ScD, MEd, OTR/L, is an Associate Professor and Program Director for the entry-level Occupational Therapy programs on the Austin campus.
Dr. Werner is an Associate Professor in and the Program Director for the DPT Program at the Dallas, Texas Campus. In addition, he serves as the Campus Director.
Dr. Stephanie Capshaw is the Academic program Director for the entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate program on the Dallas campus, where she also serves as an assistant professor.
Jose R. Rafols, OTD, MHSA, OTR/L, is the Program Director for Occupational Therapy programs at the Miami, FL Campus.
Dr. Mary Shotwell is the Interim Program Director, MOT/OTD Programs and a Professor at the St. Augustine Campus.
Kathy J. Wheat, PhD., CCC-SLP FASHA, is founding Program Director and Associate Professor for the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences MS-SLP program, Austin Texas.
Dr. Robin Dennison serves as the Director of Nursing programs for USAHS and has extensive experience in critical care nursing, working as a staff nurse, nurse educator, clinical nurse specialist, consultant, and professor.
Dr. Sunddip Aguilar is the Academic Program Director for the Doctorate of Education program in the College of Health Sciences.
Dr. Karen Snyder, PhD, OTR/L, is the Program Director for the Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy program at USAHS.
Dr. Mariesol Wallace joined the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in December 2017 as an academic coordinator of clinical education. Prior to joining the university, she was the program director for a physical therapy assistant program and a practicing clinician in the home care setting.
Dr. Karen Gersten has worked in higher education for more than 25 years, beginning her career as a part-time faculty member and eventually earning a tenured faculty position at Roosevelt University in Chicago. She formerly was the associate provost for academic programs and distance learning at Roosevelt University in Chicago, where she pioneered online programs and other innovative teaching and learning approaches and led assessment efforts.
Terry Rakosky, Chief Experience Officer, joined the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) with more than 30 years of experience in consumer products and higher education.
With more than 22 years of experience in higher education, Ms. Werling has served in numerous operational leadership positions, including Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of Operations during which she oversaw all student and administrative functions, developed and launched new programs, and planned and opened numerous new campuses. Prior to her career in higher education, she served as an Ordnance Officer in the US Army where she worked in operations, training, and logistics before retiring.
Julie Gonick, Executive Director of Enrollment and Field Recruitment joined the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) with more than 15 years of experience in admissions and higher education.
Cindy Syracuse is the Chief Marketing Officer at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. She is an award-winning marketing executive with over 20 years of experience achieving aggressive growth for global retail and hospitality brands in marketing and agency environments.
Jose Torres joined USAHS as Chief Financial Officer on April 2019 and is based in our Miami, Florida office. Jose has over 23 years of experience in public company accounting, financial planning & reporting, treasury, and audit.
Damien Cooper serves as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and provides leadership and direction for University-wide IT strategies and initiatives to meet the complex needs of the University.
Deborah Zimic, General Counsel and Senior Vice President of Compliance, provides cross-divisional legal and compliance support to the University. Deborah has practiced law for more than 30 years, with over 20 years of specialized higher education legal experience. Prior to joining the University, she spent a number of years working in law firm and in-house legal positions with both public companies and private institutions of higher education.
Susan Waugh serves as Executive Director of Human Resources for University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences.
Jeffrey Lagasse is the Executive Director of University Finance with the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. In this role, he leads a team providing all aspects of finance, including financial analysis, accounting, and bursar.
