Meet Our
Faculty
Our network of faculty spans the country, from Florida to Texas to California—and beyond. USAHS boasts the country’s largest teams of OT and PT faculty-practitioners, who draw from their diverse expertise to develop our blended learning components—the online coursework and real-world lab activities. Our faculty members have vast experience as clinicians and researchers, and they share a passion for educating and mentoring the next generation of practitioners.
Select from the filter options below to find practitioners that are relevant to your area of interest.
Jacqueline Achon, OTD, MS, OTR/L, CSRS, CFPS
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.
Brent Anderson, PT, PhD
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.
Claribell Bayona, OTD, OTR/L, CSRS
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.
Christina Bertran, OTD, MS, OTR/L, BCP, CAS
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.
Jonathan Bray, PT, DPT, EdD, MS
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.
Sean Brim, OTD, PhD, MOT, OTR/L
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.
Katie Campos, PT, DPT, NCS
Dr. Katie Campos joined the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences as a core faculty instructor for the Hybrid Immersion Program in 2025.
Cody Cox, OTD, OTR/L, MEd
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.
Rose (Rosie) DeFeo, PT, DPT, EdD, PCS, ATP
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.
Marcio Dos Santos, PT, MSc, PhD
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.
Thomas Eberle, PT, DPT
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.
Leonard Elbaum, PT, EdD
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.
Antonette Fernandez, DrOT, OTR/L, CNDT
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.
Christian Garcia, PT, DPT
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.
Miguel Garcia, PT, DPT, EdD
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.
Vanessa Grijalba, OTD, OTR/L, CHT
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.
Kristina Hartsook, DrOT, OTR/L, BCP
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.
Grace-Anne Herard, DPT, EdD
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.
Karina Ingegneri, DPT, ATC/L
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.
Lisa Jenkins, PT, MPT, EdD
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.
Pamela Kasyan-Howe, OTD, OTR/L, EdS
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.
Sabina Khan, PhD, OTD, MS, OTR/L
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.
Kristian Llaca, EdD, OTD, OTR/L, ATP, CSRS, BCTS, CHSE
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.
Arlenys Loffredo, OTD, MS, OTR/L
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.
Khalil Mrabe, OTD, OTR/L, MEd
Dr. Mrabe is an occupational therapist and educator with a specialty in mental health, pediatrics, anatomy and kinesiology.
Mitchell (Mitch) Perez, PT, DPT
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.
Carmina (Minnie) Rafael, PT, DPT
Dr. 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.
Ryan Reed, PT, DPT, PhD
Dr. Reed has worked as an orthopedic clinician and has managed and helped plan, design and open orthopedic clinics including the Brooks Center for Back and Neck Health. In 2008, He completed his orthopedic residency at Brooks Rehabilitation and earned his Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist (OCS) credential. Special interests include pain science, dry needling and evidence-based practice.
Hermes Romero, PT, DPT, PhD
Dr. Romero is a practicing Physical Therapist and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. He’s practiced in multiple settings including with professional sports teams/athletes, outpatient, and home health.
Christine Salmon, PT, DPT, EdD
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.
Laura Siviter, PT, DPT, DSc
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.
Gabriel Somarriba, PT, DPT, EdD
Dr. 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.
Anderston St. Germain, OTD, MS, OTR/L
Dr. St. Germain attained his Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Florida International University in 2005. He has clinical experience working in multiple settings, including mental healthcare, physical dysfunction, skilled nursing care and outpatient care.
Loren Szmiga, PT, DPT, EdD, CHT, MTC
Dr. Szmiga received her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy and Doctor of Education from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences.
Behdad Tahayori, PT, PhD
As a licensed physical therapist actively involved in patient care, Dr. Tahayori is committed to translational research that connects experimental neuroscience with clinical practice.