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.
Anas (Sal) Ababneh, PT, PhD, MSc
Mansoor Alameri, PT, MPT, PhD
Faris Alshammari, PT, MPT, NCS, PhD
Kefah Alshebber, PT, MS, PhD
Brent Anderson, PT, PhD
Hazel Anderson, PT, DPT
Catherine Andrea, PT, MPT, EdD
Mohammed Ata, PT, DPT, PhD, NCS, C/NDT
Bindu Balakrishnan, MSc, PhD
William (Allan) Besselink, PT, DPT, PhD, Dip. MDT
Edward (Ed) Bezkor, DPT
Fabian Bizama, PT, MPT, PhD
Elise Bjork, PT, DPT, SCS
Yvonne Body, PT, DHSc
C. Alex Bonhomme, PT, DPT, DSc
Blaise Bourgeois, PT, DPT, MTC
Jonathan Bray, PT, DPT, MS
Kaelee Brockway, PT, DPT, EdD
Heather Bushnell, PT, DPT, EdD, MPT
Eilish Byrne, PT, DSc
Derrick Campbell, PT, DPT, DSc
Ashley Hall Campbell, PT, DPT
Fernando Castillo, PT, DPT, PhD
Lisa Chase, PT, PhD
Demetrius Collins, PT, DPT, LAT, ScD
Zoe Crawford, PT, DPT, NCS
Jacqueline (Jackie) Crossen-Sills, PT, PhD
Edla da Silva, PT, MSc, PhD
Matthew (Matt) Daugherty, PT, DPT, OTR/L, MOT, DBA
Rose (Rosie) DeFeo, PT, DPT, EdD, PCS, ATP
Kristen (Kristy) Demers, PT, DPT
Brent Denny, DPT
Todd Dickman, DPT, PT
Heather Disney, PT, DPT, PhD
Joseph Donnelly, PT, DHSc
Marcio Dos Santos, PT, MSc, PhD
Natonya Early, PT, MSPT, PhD
Thomas Eberle, PT, DPT
Leonard Elbaum, PT, EdD
Elizabeth (Beth) Ennis, PT, EdD, PCS
Shannon Estes, PT, DPT
Eman Fayed, PhD, MS
Brittani H. Freund, PT, DPT, PhD
Mohan Ganesan, PT, PhD
Christian Garcia, PT, DPT
Miguel Garcia, PT, DPT, EdD
Pedro Gonzalez-Cabrera, PhD, MS
Melissa Green, PT, DPT
Kristine (Kristi) Hanks, PT, DPT
Marianne Hanover, PT, DPT
Nancy Hellman, DPT, EdD
Janis Henricksen, PT, DPT, ScD
Grace-Anne Herard, DPT, EdD
Claudia Herrera, PT, ScD
Jerome Higgs, PT, DPT, PhD
Melanie Hill, PT, DPT
Karina Ingegneri, DPT, ATC/L
Christopher Ingstad, PT, DPT, MTC, ATC
Hatem Jaber, PT, MPT, DSc
Deborah Jackson, PT, PhD, CMP, ATC
Amie Marie Jasper, PT, DPT, PhD
Lisa Jenkins, PT, MPT
Mohamed Kamel, PT, PhD
Edward J. Kane, PT, PhD
Mohamed Khallaf, PT, DPT, MS, PhD
Heather King, DScPT
Neeraj Kumar, PT, DPT, PhD
Nicholas (Nick) LaRosa, PT, DPT, EdD
John Layne, PT, DPT, MTC
Karen Leyva, PT, DPT
Shannon Logan, PT, DPT, ATC, PhD, MS
Elaine Lonnemann, PT, DPT, MTC
Scott Love, PT, DPT, DHSc, MPT
Kathleen A. Luedtke-Hoffmann, PT, PhD, MBA
Garrett Mandel, PT, DPT
Tamala (Tammy) Marcin, PT, DPT, EdD, MBA
James (Jim) Mathews, PT, DPT, PhD, MBA
Warren McAdams, PT, DPT
Erin Menefee, DPT
Marilyn Miller, PT, PhD
Jacqueline Moore, PT, MPT, DSc
Matthew (Matt) Morretta, PT, DPT
Lisa Nichols, PT, EdD, MHS
Cory Parker, PT, DPT
Amanda Parrish, PT, DPT
Mitchell (Mitch) Perez, PT, DPT
Jessica Phung, DPT
Evan Pucillo, PT, DPT, EdD
Caprice Quinones, PT, DPT
Dr. Caprice Quinones has taught at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences since 2020 as a contributing faculty member and transitioned to core faculty at the Miami, FL campus in 2022. She began her career in 2018 as a physical therapist specializing in stroke and spinal cord rehabilitation at West Gables Rehabilitation Hospital
Carmina (Minnie) Rafael, PT, DPT
Dr. Carmina “Minnie” L. 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. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy
Madeline Ratoza, PT, DPT
Ryan Reed, PT, DPT, PhD
Dr. Reed attended Tulane University in New Orleans and received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 1997. Dr. Reed then attended the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) and received his Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) in 2000. He returned to USAHS to complete a transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2003
Whitney Reese, PT, DPT
Felicity Macahilig-Rice, PT, DPT
Dr. Rice joined the University in 2017 as contributing faculty in the Cardiovascular and Pulmonary, Biophysical Agents, Integumentary and Analytical Anatomy courses. She became a full-time faculty member as Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education in November 2021. She is the Director, Physical Therapy Clinical Education Coordination. Dr. Rice graduated with a Bachelor of Science in
Andrew Rodriguez, PT, DPT
Bonnie Rogulj, PT, DPT
Dr. Bonnie L. Rogulj completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Virginia, graduating with honors, and her Doctor of Physical Therapy at Old Dominion University. Presently, Dr. Rogulj is an assistant professor at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences and a licensed staff physical therapist in Florida and Virginia. She completed an
Hermes Romero, PT, DPT, PhD
Dr. Romero received his Bachelor of Science from the Cuban University of Sports Sciences and his Master of Science from California University of Pennsylvania, and then received his Doctor of Physical Therapy from A. T. Still University of Health Sciences and his Doctor of Philosophy from University of Baja California. He is a practicing Physical
Danielle Rosenzweig, PT, DPT
Dr. Danielle Rosenzweig is a physical therapist, educator, mentor and researcher focused on neurological rehabilitation and National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) success. She is passionate about helping students launch their careers. She uses creative, unique and innovative techniques to individualize her approach for each student. Dr. Rosenzweig is the NPTE Success Specialist for the University
Jeffrey A. Rot, PT, DHSc
Dr. Rot graduated from Shenandoah University in 1993 with a Masters in Physical Therapy. He completed the Institute of Physical Therapy’s Manual Therapy Certification program in 1996. In 1997, he completed a one year Orthopaedic/Manual Physical Therapy Residency/Fellowship program at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USHAS) under the mentorship of Dr. Stanley
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.
Robert (Bob) Salvatori, PT, DPT, DSc, MBA
Dr. Robert (Bob) Salvatori joined the Austin, TX campus Doctor of Physical Therapy program core faculty in 2022. He possesses more than 40 years of clinical experience specializing in general orthopedics, spinal dysfunction, persistent pain management and vestibular rehab. Dr. Salvatori has served in a variety of clinical settings including acute care, rehab, home health
Summer San Lucas, PT, DPT, DSc
Dr. Summer San Lucas received her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology degree from Westmont College in 2001. She graduated from Loma Linda University with her Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2005 and Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy in 2012. She is an American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) board-certified clinical specialist in neurologic and pediatric
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
Michelle Sawtelle, PT, MPT, PhD
Chad Schmeeckle, PT, DPT
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
Kunal Singhal, PT, PHD
Dr. Kunal Singhal joined the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in 2021. He is a licensed physical therapist, active researcher and passionate educator who has taught in Doctor of Physical Therapy program for more than five years. He completed his physical therapy education in India, followed by Doctor of Philosophy in Kinesiology (Biomechanics)
Laura Siviter, PT, DPT, MTC
Kayla Smith, PT, DSc
Gabriel Somarriba, PT, DPT, EdD
Dr. Gabriel 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. As an assistant professor of clinical
Cathleen (Kate) Soper, PT, DBA, MS
Rudie Spigarelli, PT, DPT
Dr. Rudie Spigarelli has practiced in several outpatient clinical settings including multi-disciplinary, mobile, orthopedic and vestibular clinics. She has experience and certification in concussion management, manual therapy, visual-vestibular functional integration training, clinical instruction and practice management. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, Texas Physical Therapy Association and Vestibular Rehabilitation Special Interest Group
Peyton Sykes, PT, DPT, EdD
Loren Szmiga, PT, DPT
Loren Szmiga, PT, DPT received her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and earned her doctorate in Physical Therapy and Manual Therapy Certification from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS). She worked in outpatient orthopedic clinics and then began to specialize in the upper extremity.
Tania Tablinsky, PT, DPT
Behdad Tahayori, PT, PhD
Born and raised in Iran, Dr. Tahayori studied physical therapy at Master’s level at Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. He did his PhD in Kinesiology and Neuroscience at Indiana University Bloomington (IUB) examining spinal plasticity and its mechanisms in CNS diseases. At IUB, he did some basic science studies to better understand the
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. He received his OCS certification
Amy Walters, PT, DPT
Amy Walters graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in Psychology in 1996. She then went on to physical therapy school at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas. She moved to Seattle after graduation and worked in sports medicine with a focus on treating adolescent athletes. She received her sports
Thomas (Thom) P. Werner, PT, PhD, MA
Margaret Wicinski, PT, DPT, EdD
Dr. Margaret Ann Wicinski is an assistant professor in the Flexible Doctor of Physical Therapy program on the St. Augustine campus. Before joining the university full time, she worked as a physical therapist in outpatient and acute care settings. Dr. Wicinski is an active member of the APTA, the FPTA, and the AAOMPT. She previously
Christopher Wise, PT, DPT, MTC, ATC, PhD
Sean Witkin, PT, DPT
Ryan Wooley, PT, DPT
Ryan Wooley, PT, DPT is a physical therapist (PT) and educator who is passionate about delivering individualized, evidence-based physical therapy care to diverse populations. Dr. Wooley received his Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in 2015. He has completed the Evidence in Motion’s Orthopedic Residency program and