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.
Mohammed Ata, PT, DPT, PhD, NCS, C/NDT
As a Certified Therapist in Neuro Developmental Treatment for pediatrics and adults, Dr. Ata’s specialties include neurologic physical therapy, acute care, and spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries. With expertise in neurological disorders and rehabilitation, his studies focus on virtual reality applications, balance evaluations and treatment.
Erin Beasley, MS, CCC-SLP
Erin Beasley is a speech-language pathologist specializing in pediatric speech and language therapy, diagnostics, and supporting individuals with hearing loss across the lifespan.
Lakeisa (Keisa) Boykin, DHSC, MBA/HCM, OT/L
Dr. Boykin specializes in acute care, adult rehabilitation, chronic disease management, clinical education, health administration and mental health. She has extensive experience in academia, home health and rehab director roles. Her research emphasizes OT interventions with mental health patients.
Nichel Brunder-Allen, OTD, MOT, OTR/L, CLT
Dr. Brunder-Allen specializes in adult rehabilitation and oncology, with a focus on lymphedema. As an occupational therapist, she has fostered relationships with healthcare professionals and patients to establish community-based programs focused on education for underserved populations.
Heather Bushnell, PT, DPT, EdD, MPT
Dr. Bushnell is an experienced physical therapist with specialties in acute care, anatomy and higher education. She has 10+ years of clinical practice in acute care and more than five years in a hospital-based education position.
Daniel (Dan) Calvo, OTD
Dr. Calvo specializes in acute care, health administration, and clinical, higher and interprofessional education. He brings experience in various healthcare settings and focuses on optimizing patient outcomes through biophysical agents, virtual reality and therapeutic tools.
Helen Carey, PhD, MSc Adv OT, OTR
Dr. Carey is an occupational therapist with a focus on adult rehabilitation and neurology. Since 1993, she has expanded clinical services in acute, outpatient and community care with a focus on neurological rehabilitation.
Lisa Chase, PT, PhD
Dr. Chase specializes in cardiovascular and pulmonary and orthopedics. She has a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Exercise and Wellness and was part of the University’s second physical therapy graduating class prior to joining as faculty in 2000.
Teka Clark, OTD, MOT, OTR/L
Dr. Clark, an experienced occupational therapist, specializes in adult and neurological rehab, dementia care, geriatrics, spinal cord injuries and long-term/rehabilitation nursing. She has an interest in non-pharmacological interventions for behavioral and psychological symptoms in elderly populations.
Janice Dunlap DNP, ARNP, AGPCNP-BC, ACNS-BC
Dr. Dunlap is a nurse practitioner and academic nursing professor who focuses on offering comprehensive treatment and holistic care to adult gerontology populations. She has worked in critical care and neurology for more than 25 years.
Natonya Early, PT, MSPT, PhD
Dr. Early specializes in clinical education and has worked as a clinic director in private practice and outpatient clinics. Experienced as a travel therapist, she holds certifications in skilled dry needling, vestibular rehabilitation and human performance evaluations.
Mary (Sheena) Estalilla, MOT, OTR/L, CNS
As a certified neuro specialist, Sheena Estalilla brings extensive clinical experience in the acute care setting, with expertise in clinical education, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, neurological rehabilitation and early mobilization in the intensive care unit.
Jessica Fagan, OTD, OTR/L
Dr. Fagan is an occupational therapist specializing in adult and geriatric rehabilitation, with a focus on stroke rehabilitation and reducing falls in the community. She has experience in acute care, subacute rehab and home health.
Valerie Faul, MOT/L
With an emphasis in adult rehabilitation, geriatrics and orthopedics, Valerie Faul specializes in upper extremity dysfunction, particularly of the shoulder. She has experience working with orthopedic surgeons to deliver comprehensive therapies, including the creation of bespoke orthotics.
Katelyn Fell, MOT, OTR/L
Katelyn Fell is an OT specializing in geriatrics. With extensive clinical experience in acute care, inpatient rehab, skilled nursing, home health and as a travel therapist, her research interests include health and wellbeing among older adults and community-based programs.
Maureen Fischer, OTD, OTR/L
Dr. Fischer has extensive clinical experience in acute care, NICU, outpatient and rehabilitation settings in addition to a level 1 trauma center, schools and telehealth with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She is passionate about early intervention and has worked in this field for more than 10 years.
Sharon Glover, OTD, OTR/L, ECHM
Dr. Glover is an occupational therapist with 30+ years’ experience in chronic disease management, clinical education, geriatrics, mental health and neurological disorders. With clinical experience in settings including long-term and rehabilitation nursing, she has also managed OT and rehabilitation departments.
Melissa Green, PT, DPT
Dr. Green specializes in neurological disorders and rehabilitation. With 10+ years of experience, she is passionate about neurologic recovery and continues to treat individuals with neurologic disorders while instructing in the neuromuscular curriculum.
Raquel Guarino, OTD, OTR/L, CHT
With expertise in acute care, adult rehabilitation, anatomy, orthopedics and clinical education, Dr. Guarino is a certified hand therapist and educator. She has more than 16 years’ experience in hand therapy, pediatric sensory integration and neuro rehabilitation. Her clinical specialties include laser therapy and she is certified in Kinesio taping and the Graston Technique. She is passionate about holistic wellness.
Zeida Gutierrez, PhD, MHS, OTR/L
Dr. Gutierrez is an occupational therapist, educator and a lifelong learner with a passion for technology. In addition to healthcare higher education and instructional design, she specializes in anatomy kinesiology, mental health, neurological disorders and orthopedics.
Cecelia Hammond, DNP, MSN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC
Dr. Cecelia Hammond has many years of experience as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and has been an American Nurses Credentialing Center certified FNP since 2008. Her FNP background includes working several years in a community clinic caring for patients across the lifespan. She has been in a faculty role for the 15+ years teaching within nursing undergraduate and family nurse practitioner graduate programs.
Kristine (Kristi) Hanks, PT, DPT
Dr. Hanks is a practicing physical therapist with 25+ years of experience in acute care, outpatient (pediatrics to geriatrics), school-based pediatrics and home health. Certified in Mechanical, Diagnosis and Treatment, her specialties are acute care, clinical education, orthopedics, pediatrics and wound management.
Nicolas (Nick) Harrington, OTD, MOT, OTR/L
With expertise in adult rehabilitation, anatomy and neurological rehabilitation, Dr. Harrington is a USAHS alum whose research interests include the neurologic system and COVID-19.
Cynthia (Cyndi) Haynes, OTD, MBA, MEd, OTR/L
Dr. Haynes is a pediatric therapist specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorder, clinical education, pediatrics and school systems, and higher education. With 20+ years of experience, she’s contributed to training initiatives, scholarly work and national speaking engagements.
Amy Herrington, DNP, RN, CEN, CNE
With 30+ years of experience, Dr. Herrington specializes in emergency medicine, higher education and interprofessional education. Her passion for patient safety and evidence-based solutions has led to improved outcomes and quality metrics in her practice.
Melanie Hill, PT, DPT
Dr. Hill is a board-certified clinical specialist in pediatric physical therapy and specializes in outpatient pediatrics. She has worked in a variety of pediatric settings including outpatient, school-based and acute care.
Rebekah Jarrar, OTD, MA, MOT, OTR/L
Dr. Jarrar is an occupational therapist and educator specializing in improving the lives of children and adolescents with and at risk for mental illness and their families. She has established practices emphasizing sensory integration therapy, extending pediatrics support.
Amie Marie Jasper, PT, DPT, PhD
Dr. Jasper is a specialist in geriatrics and neurological disorders and has clinical experience in neurologic physical therapy. She is actively involved in various professional committees and is certified in multiple areas, including vestibular rehabilitation and balance-based torso weighting.
Dana Kolbfleisch, EdD, OTD, OTR/L
Dr. Kolbfleisch is an expert in acute care, adult rehabilitation, chronic disease management, geriatrics and healthcare higher education. With experience in various occupational therapy settings, she has taught at the graduate level for five years.
Nicholas (Nick) LaRosa, PT, DPT, EdD
As a recognized physical therapist, educator and researcher, Dr. LaRosa’s specialization includes orthopedic residency and manual physical therapy fellowship. He teaches musculoskeletal components of the program, and his research interests are clinical reasoning and orthopedic physical therapy.
John Layne, PT, DPT
Dr. Layne specializes in anatomy, manual therapy, orthopedics and sports medicine. He obtained the Manual Therapy Certification through USAHS and is also a Titleist Performance Institute Level 2 Certified Medical Professional.
Blanche Leeman, EdD, OT/L, CHT
Dr. Leeman specializes in acute care, adult rehabilitation, hand certification, health administration, neurological disorders, neurological rehabilitation and orthopedics. She is a Certified Hand Therapist and has expertise in 3D printing applications for OT.
David Liguori, DNP, NP-C, ACHPN
Dr. Liguori is a nurse practitioner with expertise in chronic disease management, clinical education, end-of-life care, healthcare higher education and mental health. Having earned multiple certifications, his clinical areas of interest include palliative and end-of-life care, diabetes, anxiety and depression.
Shannon Logan, PT, DPT, ATC, PhD, MS
Dr. Logan is a board-certified clinical specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy with specialties in kinesiology and orthopedics. With her undergraduate degree in sports medicine, she has extensive experience working with collegiate wheelchair athletes and Paralympic athletes.
Scott Love, PT, DPT, DHSc, MPT
Dr. Love has a diverse background and specializes in acute care, adult rehabilitation and anatomy. He holds multiple degrees and has expertise in joint degeneration following lower limb amputation.
Dana Madalon, OTD, OTR/L
Board-certified in pediatrics, Dr. Madalon is an occupational therapist with a focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder and community mental health. With 25+ years of experience, she is dedicated to addressing functional communication to decrease problem behaviors.
Garrett Mandel, PT, DPT
Specializing in orthopedics, Dr. Mandel’s expertise includes manual therapy and extensive experience in outpatient care. He spends time annually providing physical therapy services pro bono to individuals in underprivileged countries.
Mayra Mendez-Schiaffino, OTD, MS, OTR/L
Dr. Mendez-Schiaffino specializes in management and neurorehabilitation settings focusing on patients who have suffered a stroke or traumatic brain injury. She joined the University after serving the adult and geriatric populations in various healthcare settings.
Shelbi Moxley, PT, DPT
Dr. Moxley has practiced in a variety of pediatric settings including Outpatient, NICU, Early intervention, and Inpatient Rehab.
Kaylee Munch, MOT, OTR/L
With a specialty in hand therapy, Kaylee Munch has experience in nursing facilities, outpatient rehabilitation and home health. She focuses on orthotic fabrication and upper extremity rehabilitation within private pay, federal pay and worker’s compensation injuries.
Lisa Nichols, PT, EdD, MHS
Dr. Nichols specializes in clinical education. With a teaching career spanning more than two decades, she has taught a wide range of courses in occupational therapy and physical therapy programs.
Katherine (Katie) O’Hara, MSOT, OTR/L
Katie O'Hara is a pediatric occupational therapist specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorder, pediatrics and sensory integration. She has treated children with various diagnoses, including Down syndrome, Sensory Processing Disorder, ADHD and cerebral palsy.
Nishi Patel, OTD-PP, MOTR/L, CAPS, CDP
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.
Evan Pucillo, PT, DPT, EdD
Dr. Pucillo specializes in anatomy, healthcare higher education, neurological disorders and neurological rehabilitation. He is actively engaged in research on physical therapy education, interprofessional collaboration and global health.
Ana Rivera, PhD, CCC-SLP
Dr. Rivera is an expert in neurogenic communication disorders, bilingualism and the brain within adult/geriatric populations. With experience in various medical settings, she specializes in neurologic disorders.
Bonnie Rogulj, PT, DPT
Dr. Rogulj is an assistant professor and a licensed staff physical therapist in Florida and Virginia. She completed an accredited geriatric residency at Brooks Institute for Higher Learning and is a board-certified geriatric specialist. She is interested in research with an emphasis on aging, wellness and higher education.
Jeffrey A. Rot, PT, DHSc
Dr. Rot is an associate professor with teaching responsibilities in Anatomy, Spine Examination and Manipulation (introductory and advanced), and the Clinical Integration course where he practices and mentors students at the First Coast Rehabilitation Clinic.
Cheryl Sheffield, OTD, OTR/L, ATP, CHAMP, CDP, FPS
Dr. Sheffield has experience working with clients of all ages and diagnostic groups with a special focus on providing assistive technology solutions to help maximize communication, mobility, home accessibility and independence.
Cathleen (Kate) Soper, PT, DBA, MS
In addition to sports medicine, Dr. Soper specializes in manual therapy for adults and health administration. She has more than 30 years of clinical expertise, and both her clinical and research work focuses on interventions that are supported by the best available scientific evidence.
Victoria (Tori) Sweat, OTD, OTR/L
Dr. Sweat has prior clinical experiences in an inpatient hospital and other fieldwork experiences in both traditional and non-traditional settings.
Tania Tablinsky, PT, DPT
Dr. Tablinsky brings clinical education and physical therapy leadership experience to the University. Her specialties include dementia care, geriatrics, long-term/rehabilitation and neurological rehabilitation.
Michael Valenti, PhD, RN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, NEA-BC
Dr. Valenti is an experienced nurse practitioner and academic nursing professor passionate about improving access to high-quality, integrated healthcare for vulnerable populations. Specializing in health administration, healthcare higher education and mental health, his clinical expertise encompasses psychiatric crisis stabilization for adults and geriatrics.
Albert Villanueva-Reyes, EdD, CCC-SLP
Bilingual speech-language pathologist Dr. Villanueva-Reyes specializes in higher education, oncology and pediatrics. He brings 30+ years of experience in academic, administrative and clinical areas, with expertise in voice disorders, speech and sound disorders, linguistics and multicultural issues.
James A. Viti, PT, MSc, DPT
A graduate from the University of Maryland in Baltimore in 1984, Dr. Viti received his Manual Therapy Certification from the Institute of Physical Therapy in 1991. He completed his manual therapy fellowship training in 1996 and received a Master of Science degree in 1997 from the Institute of Physical Therapy.
Helene Vossos, EdD, DNP, MSN, APRN, ANP-BC, PMHNP-BC
Dr. Vossos is a nationally board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, adult nurse practitioner, nurse educator, author and nursing leader. She began her journey caring for others 30 years ago, became a nurse educator in 2004 and a dually boarded nurse practitioner in 2010.
Sally Waters, MA, CCC-SLP
With specialties in acute care, adult rehabilitation, clinical education, interprofessional education and neurological rehabilitation, Sally Waters has a keen interest in neurogenic communication disorders, tracheostomy management and dysphagia as an aerodigestive disorder.
Taylor West, MA, CCC-SLP
Taylor West is a pediatric speech-language pathologist with experience across outpatient, private practice, school-based, and teletherapy settings. Her areas of interest in speech-language pathology include early intervention, language development, and speech sound disorders.
Margaret Wicinski, PT, DPT, EdD
Dr. Margaret Ann Wicinski is Senior Program Director of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program for the Miami, FL and St. Augustine, FL campuses and Associate Professor in the Flexible Doctor of Physical Therapy program on the St. Augustine campus.
Christopher Wise, PT, DPT, ATC, PhD
With robust experience in academics and physical therapy clinical practice, Dr. Wise has specialties in manual therapy, orthopedics, kinesiology and sports medicine. His clinical interest is orthopaedic manual physical therapy of the spine.
Heidi Woolley, OTD, MSOT, OTR/L
Dr. Woolley is an experienced educator and occupational therapist with 20+ years of clinical and administrative experience in various clinical settings. Her primary area of clinical practice is outpatient pediatrics and school-based practice.
Natalia Zborovsky, PT, DPT, DMD
Dr. Zborovsky is a Lymphedema Certified Therapist with a special interest in treating patients with Lymphedema disorders related to cancer. Her specialties include cardiovascular and pulmonary, chronic disease management and geriatrics.