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 Interim 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. 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. Jackie Crossen-Sills is the Associate Dean of Physical Therapy for the College of Rehabilitative Sciences. She has been with the University since 2015 and served in varied capacities including a full-time Professor and Academic Program Director for the DPT program for St Augustine and Miami campuses.
Dr. Tia Hughes joined the University of St. Augustine for Health 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 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. Sunddip Aguilar is the Program Director for the Doctorate of Education program in the College of Health Sciences.
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.
Dr. Shannon “Nikki” Clifford is an experienced and accomplished academic leader with 20 years of experience in higher education at both public and private institutions. She joined USAHS in January 2021 as the Program Director of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program on the St. Augustine, FL campus.
Dr. Manuel (Tony) A. Domenech is the Program Director of and an Associate Professor for the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program.
Lori Hankins brings more than 20 years of operational experience to the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences as the Director of Continuing Professional Education and St. Augustine, FL Campus Director.
Dr. Peters-Brinkerhoff is the Program Director for the DPT program at the San Marcos, CA campus.
Dr. Kathleen Polley-Payne has been an early adopter of the online and blended teaching modalities. Her clinical experience lies with the pediatric population having worked with acute care pediatrics, Pediatric ICU, Pediatric Bone Marrow and Oncology, and Pediatric Home Care and Primary Care, in the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Role. Dr. Polley-Payne joined the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences team in December 2020.
Dr. Jose R. Rafols, OTD, MHSA, OTR/L, is the Program Director for Occupational Therapy programs at the Miami, FL Campus.
Michael Roscoe, PhD, PA-C is an experienced physician assistant (PA) educator and clinician. He has been a PA for more than 20 years, with a primary specialty in emergency medicine. He joined the University of St. Augustine in March 2021 and is based at the University’s Austin, Texas campus.
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.
Dr. Karen Snyder, PhD, OTR/L, is the Program Director for the Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy program at USAHS.
Dr. Thom 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. 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. 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. Gabriel Somarriba joined the faculty in 2009 as an adjunct professor on the St. Augustine campus. He is now on the Miami campus serving as Campus Director, Assistant DPT Program Director, and an Assistant Professor.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dr. Melanie Davis, DHED joined the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in March 2021. Dr. Davis worked in K–12 education for 13 years, first in the classroom and then as a curriculum and assessment administrator.
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.
Julie Gonick, Vice President of Enrollment Management joined the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) with more than 15 years of experience in admissions and higher education.
Susan Waugh serves as Vice President of Human Resources for University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences.
With more than 22 years of experience in higher education, Dawn 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.
