Fellowship in Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy

Jon Carling, MS, MSPT, DSc., OCS (Fall 2018) - Jon Carling is currently practicing as a staff physical therapist for St. Vincent Healthcare’s Physical Therapy West in Billings, Montana after serving as clinical supervisor for 3 outlying smaller rural clinics for 12 years. Jon filled a tenure track position in department of Health and Human Performance at Montana State University Billings from 2012 to 2015 teaching courses including; Motor Learning, Biomechanics, Research Methods for graduate athletic training students, and Evidence Based Principles in Health Care.

Mr. Carling graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1995 with an MSPT degree after completing a Master’s degree at Brigham Young University in Exercise Physiology in 1992. Jon completed his DSc from Rocky Mountain University of Health Related Professions in 2006 completing his dissertation comparing Pre-motor time and Electromechanical delay in quadriceps muscle in subjects after ACL reconstruction from 3 weeks to 3 months post surgery. He has completed certifications in level 1 Dry Needling through Kinetacore in 2018, and OCS specialization in 2011. He is a member of the APTA, MAPTA, and the AAOMPT.

Jon has been drawn to teaching both in the clinic and the classroom as he has experienced more opportunities to learn in his career and is passionate about giving students opportunities to excel. He also enjoys the beautiful open spaces in “Big Sky Country” and participates in backpacking, hiking, mountain biking and skiing in the Beartooth and Big Horn mountains. He and his wife Megan recently celebrated a 30th wedding anniversary and attended high school graduation of the two youngest or their five children (Anna and Sam —who are twins). They also travel frequently to visit their adult children who live in California (Ethan), Utah (Mallory) and Idaho Aaron).

Danielle Cooper, PT, DPT, OCS (Fall 2018) - Danielle graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science and a concentration in Strength and Conditioning. She went on to graduate with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree in 2014 and earned her Board Certification in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy in 2016.

Danielle spent the first few years of her career working in outpatient orthopedics at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, treating patients with a wide range of conditions. During her time there, she coordinated community-based running programs and volunteered on the medical team for the Boston Marathon. She took advantage of great mentors to expand her knowledge in pain science education and collaborative concussion management. She and her husband recently relocated to southern California where she continues to work in outpatient orthopedics.

She is an APTA-Certified Clinical Instructor and a member of the APTA, APTA Orthopedic Section, and AAOMPT. Outside of the clinic, Danielle enjoys spending time with her husband and family, hiking, running, biking, and exploring new places.

Heath Crist, PT, DPT, OCS (Fall 2018) - Heath currently lives in Phoenix, AZ and practices at HonorHealth Hospital in outpatient therapy services. He began his education at Asbury University where he graduated in 2013 with a bachelor’s of science in Exercise Science. Heath then attended physical therapy school and earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy from Southwest Baptist University in 2016. He went on to complete The Johns Hopkins Hospital and George Washington University Orthopaedic Residency in 2017. Heath is a Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist as of 2018.

Heath is a current member of the American Physical Therapy Association (Orthopedic Section) and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy. He is an APTA credentialed clinical instructor. He is certified in functional dry needling and incorporates it into his clinical practice. His clinical interests are manual therapy and treating running injuries. Before becoming a physical therapist, he was a high school track and cross country head coach.

Outside of work, Heath enjoys running on the track and the trails. He loves going on hikes and playing sand volleyball with his wife, Katie. They are both passionate about evangelism and have been on medical mission trips to multiple countries including Peru, Haiti, Nicaragua, and El Salvador.

Brent Davis, PT, DPT (Fall 2018) - Brent is currently practicing at Select Physical Therapy in Houston, TX. He received his Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology at Kansas State University in 2013. He then went on to graduate with his Doctor of Physical Therapy at Wichita State University May of 2017. Brent then went on to complete an orthopedic residency at University of Texas Medical Branch in League City and Galveston, TX.

During his residency, Brent gained experience working with a wide variety of orthopedic pathologies. He also gained experience with medical screening for athletes, providing medical treatment on the sideline at sporting events, teaching physical therapy students and providing running analysis. Brent is a member of the APTA, TPTA and AAOMPT and will be sitting to take his examination to become an orthopedic certified specialist May 2019.

Outside of the clinic, Brent enjoys staying physically active. He and his wife, Kristine, stay busy traveling, being outdoors, hiking, and playing with their dog, Bailey.

Michelle Dolphin, PT, DPT, MS, OCS (Fall 2018) - Michelle Dolphin is an Associate Professor and Associate Program Director at State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY. She has a background in Biology (SUNY Binghamton) and Exercise Science (University of Massachusetts (UMASS) Amherst). Michelle’s MSPT degree is from UMASS Lowell and her post professional DPT is from Upstate Medical. She completed residency at the Institute of Orthopaedic Manual Therapy and obtained initial ABPTS Board Certification in Orthopaedics in 2001 (recertification in 2011).

Dr. Dolphin is the orthopedic curriculum coordinator at Upstate Medical University and practices in adult orthopedics and performing arts PT (primarily adolescent dancers). She also serves as a consultant for touring performing artists (dancers and musicians). Michelle is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Therapy (AAOMPT). Her research interests include pain neuroscience education and patient reassurance, physical activity, and cultural competence. She developed and co-teaches specialty electives in Pelvic Floor and Sports PT. Michelle received a President’s Award for Teaching Excellence at Upstate in 2013 and is a member of the Academy of Upstate Educators.

Michelle enjoys travel and exploring food and culture with her teenage daughter.

Mark Lundblad, DPT, MPH, OCS, Cert. MDT, CSCS (Fall 2018) - Mark is the Clinical Rehab Manager at the Cleveland Clinic Rehab and Sports Therapy Dept. in Broadview Heights, Ohio. Mark received his Physical Therapy degree from Cleveland State University, Master’s Degree in Public Health from University of Akron, and Doctorate in Physical Therapy from D’Youville University. He also has a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science from Kent State University and worked in Cardiac Rehab for four years. For the past 20 years he has focused on Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine. He is a certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (OCS), credentialed in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy by the McKenzie Institute (Cert. MDT), certified in Vestibular Rehabilitation and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS).

His clinical interests are focused on sports-related concussion management and the treatment of dizziness utilizing combined vestibular and cervical rehabilitation. In 2017, he published an article titled: A Conceptual Model for Physical Therapist Treating Athletes with Protracted Recovery Following a Concussion. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy 2017, 12 (2): 286-296.

Mark is proud to be starting the OMPT Fellowship at Regis. He looks forward to meeting new professional colleagues and working to expand the profession of Physical Therapy.

Ray Lunasin PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS (Fall 2018) - Ray received his Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science from Rutgers University in 2010 and went on to obtain his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences in Rochester, MN in 2015. Shortly after graduation Ray began working as a staff physical therapist at the Mayo Clinic Health System (MCHS) in Austin, MN.

Ray earned his board-certified clinical specialty in Orthopaedics (OCS) in 2018. He is a current member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic and Manual Physical Therapists and the American Physical Therapy Association (Minnesota Chapter) with membership within the Orthopaedic section. Ray is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). He has a strong interest in research development demonstrating the effectiveness of joint manipulation for various neuromusculoskeletal ailments. Ray has served as a clinical instructor while working at the MCHS and plans to become an APTA certified clinical instructor in the near future. He aspires to transition into academia and become a professor at some point in his career path.

Outside of work, Ray enjoys volunteering with his wife Shanna at her non-profit organization, Brighter Tomorrows, which helps families facing pediatric cancer at the Mayo Clinic. He also enjoys being outdoors for hiking, cycling, swimming, fishing and countless other activities.

Joseph Allen, PT, DPT, OCS (Spring 2018) - Joseph Allen, PT, DPT, OCS is currently the partner and director for Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Center’s (PTSMC) Newington office in CT.

In 2009 Joe graduated from Sacred Heart University (SHU) with his Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Soon after he returned to SHU where he completed their Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency Program with a focus on teaching and Manual PT. Joe became a Board Certified Orthopaedic Specialist (OCS) in 2014 through the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).

Since beginning his career with PTSMC in 2011 Joe took on many leadership roles and was active in furthering his knowledge. Clinically Joe is certified to perform Graston Technique and Trigger Point Dry Needling (CDN) for the management of soft tissue injuries. Additionally, he is certified to perform the Functional Movement Screen (FMS), the Selective Functional Movement Screen (SFMA), and the Y-Balance Test. Joe has also served as an adjunct faculty member for SHU’s DPT program.

Currently Joe serves as the co-chair for CTAPTA’s Orthopaedic and Manual Therapy (OMPT) Special Interest Group where he assists his colleagues in organizing and presenting quarterly throughout the state. The Special Interest Group has participated at CTAPTA’s annual fall conference for ongoing years. In 2017 Joe earned the APTA’s Emerging Leadership Award for his participation with the CTAPTA and as a mentor for new graduates.

Outside of the clinic Joe enjoys spending time with his wife Tracey and daughter Madalyn as well as their golden retriever Finley. Joe has a passion for teaching and learning and enjoys working with students both in the clinic and classroom.

Charles “Chuck” Barker, PT, DPT, OCS, ATC (Spring 2018) - Chuck graduated from the University of Delaware in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science and Certificate of Proficiency in Physical Therapy and was awarded a Degree with Distinction for his senior thesis titled “Functional Electrical Stimulation: Are Currently Used Frequency Parameters Best?”. He was certified as an athletic trainer by the National Athletic Trainers Association in 1991 and became a Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties in 1995. He later received a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Arcadia University in 2003.

Active professional memberships include the NATA, DATA, APTA, DPTA and AAOMPT. Chuck owned and operated several outpatient orthopedic therapy clinics including The Spine Center, Delaware Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy, Barker Therapy and Rehabilitation and American Therapy & Rehabilitation all located in Delaware. Work experience has included working in the outpatient orthopedic setting for over 25 years. He has worked as an adjunct professor at Arcadia University where he taught physical therapy practice management and related topics to entry level doctoral students and at Delaware Technical & Community College where he taught Anatomy and Physiology I to allied health professionals.

Publications include “The Effects of a Variable Rate, Short Duration Train of Electrical Stimulation on the Force Output of the Human Quadriceps Femoris Muscle” in the Physical Therapy Journal and “Use of the Catch-Like Property of Human Skeletal Muscle to Reduce Fatigue” in the journal of Muscle and Nerve. Chuck served as a Content Writer for the Specialization Academy of Content Experts for the ABPTS and has served as treasurer and legislative committee key contact for the Delaware Physical Therapy Association. Chuck resides in Delaware with his wife, two children and six grandchildren and has a vacation home in South Fork Colorado where he enjoys hiking, 4 wheeling, hunting and fishing.

Brandon Cruz, PT, DPT (Spring 2018) - Dr. Brandon Cruz is the Founder of Pursue PT. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from Temple University and continued his postgraduate work at UMDNJ, now Rutgers University, where he went on to graduate with his Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree. Continuing his pursuit of excellence, Dr. Cruz pursued a residency program to sharpen and fine-tune his orthopedic skills at Temple University’s highly respected Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency program. Dr. Cruz has obtained an elite distinction holding duel Board Certifications in Orthopedic and Sports Rehabilitation (OCS), (SCS) putting him in the top 1% of all practitioners in the country. During his time at Temple, Dr. Cruz was fortunate enough to work side-by-side with the university's top physical therapist and strength coaches to help facilitate rehab programs for their Division 1 athletes. Another experience to note is his time spent at The University of Florida’s Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Institute. It was here where Dr. Cruz had the opportunity to work with rising NFL, NBA, and MLB prospects.

Dr. Cruz is published in the Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy and has presented at the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Therapy (AAOMPT) on the treatment of chronic low back pain. Brandon is also an active member and advocate for the APTA sports, orthopedic sections, and (AAOMPT). Additionally, Brandon is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and certified in Integrative Dry Needling. Dr. Cruz draws upon his own experience as an injured collegiate basketball player to relate to his patient’s and formulate the most favorable rehab protocols to return to sport.

Dr. Cruz is an Adjunct Professor at Rutgers University’s Physical therapy program as well as APTA-Certified Clinical instructor via APTA. Here he is able to Mentor the future of tomorrow. Brandon is currently a fellow in training for orthopedic manual therapy at Regis University.

Ryan Cummings PT, DPT, OCS (Spring 2018) - Ryan is a physical therapist currently practicing at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. Ryan earned his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in 2015, after completing his undergraduate degree with a Bachelor’s of Science in Biomedical Sciences from Texas A&M University in 2011. Following graduation from physical therapy school, he went on to complete his orthopaedic residency from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Ryan received his Orthopaedic Specialist Certification in 2017. He is a current member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic and Manual Physical Therapists and the American Physical Therapy Association (Maryland Chapter) with membership within the Orthopaedic section. Ryan has been practicing for over two years, most recently in an outpatient orthopaedic clinic for Johns Hopkins Hospital. During his time at Johns Hopkins he has become involved in The Johns Hopkins and George Washington Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency Program as a member of the clinical faculty. He is actively helping with mentoring and providing didactic education to the current cohort of orthopaedic residents.

Outside of work, Ryan enjoys hiking with his Golden Retriever named Stella, swimming, golfing with friends, and travelling.

Carrie Eckenhoff, PT, DPT (Spring 2018) - Carrie graduated from the University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2013, and earned her board-certification in Orthopedic Physical Therapy in 2016. Her background is in psychology, having earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with highest honors from Emory University in 2005. Carrie is also certified in Functional Dry Needling through Kinetacore and Selective Functional Movement Assessment. Carrie values professional membership and is an APTA, APTA orthopedic section, and AAOMPT member. Carrie has spent the first five years of her career working full-time in an outpatient orthopedic private practice in a mountain town. She sees patients with a wide range of conditions and goals, ranging from high level athletes wanting to return to their sport to individuals with advanced neurological conditions. She has a strong interest in treating patients with concussion and has done training through the APTA neurology section. She is also fluent in Spanish and treats many native Spanish-speakers due to the prevalent immigrant population in the Vail Valley. Carrie also likes to mentor physical therapy students and enjoys her role as a clinical instructor in her clinic.

Carrie works part-time as an adaptive ski instructor in the winters, and volunteers for the Forest Service Adopt-A-Trail program in the summers. She has played soccer for 30 years, including four years at the collegiate division III level. She loves to backcountry ski, mountain bike, camp, run, do yoga, hang with her dog, Charlie.

Ross Fargnoli, PT, DPT, OCS, Cert. MDT (Spring 2018) - Ross earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 2015. Upon graduation, Ross went on to complete Good Shepherd Penn Partners Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency Program in 2016. He continues to work for Good Shepherd Penn Partners (University of Pennsylvania Health System) in Center City Philadelphia in the outpatient orthopedic setting. During his time here, Ross has developed a special interest in treating patients with complex spine disorders using manual therapy and a motor control/movement coordination treatment approach.

Ross is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, Orthopedic Section, and American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists. He is recognized as a Board Certified Specialist in Orthopedics, and is also certified in the McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy. Ross currently enjoys mentoring students in both the clinical and academic setting as a clinical instructor and adjunct faculty member at University of the Sciences DPT program.

Steven Hnat, PT, DPT, OCS (Spring 2018) - Steven serves as a full time clinician and clinic director at Kentucky Orthopedic Rehab Team’s (KORT) New Albany, Indiana location. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Louisville and his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from The Ohio State University. Steven is a graduate of Select Medical’s Orthopedic Residency program and a board certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) through the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). He is a member of the Indiana Physical Therapy Association and American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapist. He serves as a credentialed clinical instructor for Regis’s Clinical Education Scholar Program mentoring DPT students as well as a member of the Professional Advisory Board for Ivy Tech Community College’s Physical Therapy Assistant program. In his free time he enjoys traveling and being outdoors with his wife and children. Steven is excited to continue his education as part of Regis’ Manual Therapy Fellowship Program so he may better serve his patients and community.

Ashley Hoath PT, DPT, OCS (Spring 2018) - Ashley is Orthopedic Clinic Specialist. She is currently working on certifications in electrodiagnostic testing, including EMGs and Nerve Conduction Studies, as well as Diagnostic Ultrasound. She is certified in Functional Dry Needling and Graston Technique. She has been working in the outpatient orthopedic clinical setting for 5 years and currently serves as a clinical manager and CCCE for a private practice orthopedic clinic in Louisville Colorado.

Her outside interests include soccer, backpacking, skiing and trail running. She has been in Colorado for two and a half years after leaving her home in Virginia for the Rocky Mountains.

Steven G. Kinney PT, DPT (Spring 2018) - Dr. Kinney earned a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Columbia University in 2011. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and certified in the Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA). In addition, he completed extensive training in Neuro-Developmental Treatment, becoming certified under Recovering Function (RPSFC). Currently, he is working towards certification as an Integrated Manual Therapist (CIMT) with Great Lakes Seminars. He is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists.

Dr. Kinney has practiced in outpatient, subacute rehab, inpatient rehab, and acute care hospital settings with diverse patient populations. He employs a wide scope of physical therapy interventions, including manual therapy, to help his patients return to function. He pursues a broad spectrum of continuing education and other educational opportunities. He has been involved in the continuing education and training of physical therapists and other healthcare professionals. He has also volunteered as a physical therapist locally and abroad.

Outside of work, Dr. Kinney enjoys exploring new places, activities, food, and craft beer with his wife, Sarah. He enjoys participating in outdoor activities and sports, particularly endurance events.

Evan Liu, PT, DPT (Spring 2018) - Evan was born and raised in Portland, OR. He received his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Pacific University of Oregon in 2015, after completing his undergraduate degree in physiology at Pacific University, where he also played tennis. Upon completing his DPT, Evan worked in an orthopedic and sports clinic for one year, prior to deciding to pursue an Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency at the University of Illinois in Chicago.

Currently, Evan works at a hospital-based outpatient clinic and is adjunct faculty at Pacific University’s DPT program. He currently assists with clinical biomechanics, gross anatomy lab, and therapeutic exercise. He has a large passion for teaching and feels that it is important in his growth as a clinician. Additionally, he is currently working to start a Probono Pediatric Physical Therapy clinic in the Portland-metro and Hillsboro areas for underserved children with neurodevelopmental disabilities.

He is currently a member of the Oregon Physical Therapy Association and American Physical Therapy Association, orthopedics and sports sections. Outside of the clinic, Evan enjoys the outdoors of all kinds, tennis, cycling, photography, exploring new cities via the food they offer, and local microbreweries.

Devin Christman, PT, DPT, OCS (Fall 2017) - Devin Christman is practicing at Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation (STAR) in Washington, D.C. Originally from Pennsylvania, Devin has practiced in outpatient orthopedics for five years. He received his Bachelor's degree in Biology from Shippensburg University in 2009 and continued on to receive his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Widener University in 2012. He is a board certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) through the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Devin is also a member of the Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. Physical Therapy Associations. In 2017, Devin became certified through the Titleist Performance Institute for the evaluation and treatment of golfers. He is also trained in the Graston Technique for the treatment of soft tissue impairments. Devin is an avid sports enthusiast who enjoys playing basketball, running, golfing, and weightlifting in his free time.

Mahnan Darban PT, DPT, OCS (Fall 2017) - Mahnan earned his doctorate in physical therapy from Northern Arizona University in 2013. Since then, he has been working at a rural outpatient hospital clinic on the Navajo Reservation with Indian Health Services in Chinle, Arizona. He also helps coordinate and run PT services at the local high school and performs occasional inpatient coverage at the hospital. Mahnan is an APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor and thoroughly enjoys mentoring physical therapy students during their internships.

Since beginning his PT education, Mahnan has had a strong interest in clinical reasoning and incorporating manual therapy with therapeutic exercise and education. As a lifelong student, he attends continuing education courses as often as he can, continues to treat patients full-time, an continues to teach and learn from other students and colleagues.

Mahnan became a Board Certified Orthopaedic Specialist (OCS) in 2017 and is near completing his coursework towards becoming a Certified Orthopaedic Manual Therapist (COMT) through Phoenix Manual Therapy. He is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), and American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT).

His extracurricular activities include outdoor adventures, summer sports, winter sports, traveling, and photography. Mahnan is excited to be a part of Regis’ Manual Therapy Fellowship Program in his pursuit of clinical excellence.

Chelsea David PT, DPT, OCS (Fall 2017) - Chelsea is a physical therapist currently practicing at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. Chelsea earned her doctorate in physical therapy from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and then went on to complete her residency in Orthopedic and Manual Physical Therapy at The Johns Hopkins and George Washington Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency Program. Chelsea is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic and Manual Physical Therapy and the American Physical Therapy Association (Maryland Chapter) with designated membership in the Orthopedic section as well as the Performing Arts section.

Chelsea has been practicing for two years in the outpatient orthopaedic clinics at Johns Hopkins. Chelsea has recently been performing clinical research presenting case studies for clinical pearls at the 2016 AAOMPT Annual Conference and at the Johns Hopkins Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinical Expo. Chelsea is currently working with the JOSPT to translate the Clinical Practice Guidelines into a Spanish version, and she also teaches at the University of Maryland Baltimore during their gross anatomy and musculoskeletal courses.

In her free time, Chelsea enjoys dancing, hiking with her fiancé Matt and their dogs Jones and Henry, as well as traveling to new countries.

Andrew Feher, PT, DPT, OCS (Fall 2017) - Andrew Feher is a physical therapist currently practicing in Allentown, Pennsylvania. His undergraduate career consisted of a Bachelor of Science from DeSales University and being a member of the university baseball team. He later earned his doctoral degree in physical therapy from Arcadia University in Glenside, Pennsylvania in 2014. Upon graduation, he completed the St. Luke’s Orthopedic Physical Therapy residency in 2015 and later obtained his Orthopedic Clinical Specialist certification in 2016.

Professional memberships include the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT). He is also a member of the orthopedic section of the APTA.

Currently Andrew is the facility director of an outpatient clinic, focusing on orthopedic and sport related rehabilitation. Additionally, he is a faculty member of St. Luke’s Physical Therapy Orthopedic Residency for the cervical spine manipulation unit and is a current mentor for incoming residency cohorts.

Outside of work Andrew enjoys spending time with his wife, 10 month old daughter, and their labradoodle “Max” they rescued in 2012.

Zachary Kernan, PT, DPT, OCS (Fall 2017) - Zach attended the University at Buffalo where he obtained his Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2011. Upon graduation, he settled in Utah and has spent his time as an outpatient physical therapy staff therapist and clinic director. He is a full-time physical therapy for Intermountain Healthcare and takes pride in providing evidence-based, cost effective treatment programs to his patients. He has extensive background in treating running-related injuries.

Zach received his Orthopedic Specialist Certification in the spring of 2015. He is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, Orthopedic Section, American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists and Utah Physical Therapy Association.

Personally, Zach competed in alpine ski racing at the NCAA Division I level at Bates College. He continues his passion for skiing through backcountry skiing in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah. Zach also enjoys mountain biking, rock climbing and hiking with his wife, daughter and yellow lab.

Ger Moua, PT, DPT, OCS (Fall 2017) - Ger received his doctorate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison DPT program in 2012, after completing his undergraduate degree in Kinesiology from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He is practicing outpatient orthopedics in Sheboygan, WI, and resides with his wife, daughter, and pets. He is board certified in orthopedics through APTA, certified in manual therapy through Maitland Australian Physiotherapy Seminars, and a member of the following associations: American Physical Therapy Association, Wisconsin Physical Therapy Association, and American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists.

Outside of the clinic, Ger enjoys cooking and trying new foods, working on his home and yard, gardening, and spending time with family. He also enjoys physical exercise, traveling, as well as shows and concerts with his wife.

Shane O’Malley, PT, DPT, OCS (Fall 2017) - Shane graduated with his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Ithaca College in 2012 and has been working in outpatient orthopedic practice since that time. After two years of practicing in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fl with a concentration in sports medicine rehabilitation, he ventured to Colorado to join the Denver VAMC therapy team. Shane has a passion for learning and teaching orthopedic manual therapy and has focused his post graduate studies in this specialty area of physical therapy. In 2014, he graduated from the Florida Institute of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy and earned his manual therapy certification (CFMT). In 2015, he graduated from the Denver VAMC Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency Program and now serves as a clinical faculty member and mentor. Shane became board certified in orthopedic practice through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties in June of 2016. He currently works as an assistant instructor through the University of Colorado’s DPT program and serves as a clinical instructor for DPT students. Shane became certified in functional dry needling this past year, and is actively involved in two intervention based research studies through the University of Colorado.

Whitney Russo PT, DPT, OCS (Fall 2017) - Whitney graduated Sacred Heart University earning a degree in Exercise Science in 2010 and her Doctorate of Physical therapy in 2012. Over the past 5 years, she has worked in the outpatient orthopedic setting as a full time physical therapist and has been the clinical director of her office for the past 2 years.

In 2015 Whitney became a board Certified Specialist in Orthopedics through the ABPTS. Whitney is also certified in Applied Functional Science, Mulligan Upper and Lower Quarter Mobilizations, Functional Dry Needling and HVLAT techniques for the cervical and thoracic spine.

Whitney has also served as an adjunct faculty member for Sacred Heart University in the advanced orthopedic semester. She is also a Clinical Instructor and has a strong passion for teaching and learning. Whitney is also one of the founders of the clinical mentorship program within her company and focuses on new hire training and clinical advancement.

Eric Trauber, PT, DPT, OCS (Fall 2017) - Eric Trauber graduated with his doctorate in physical therapy from Utica College in 2010. Eric is an orthopedic clinical specialist through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties, a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, an orthopedic section member, and a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists. Eric is a certified strength and condition specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He is certified in instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization from the Graston Technique, functional movement screen level 1 from Functional Movement Systems, and a certified ergonomic assessment specialist level 1 from The Back School of Atlanta.

Eric currently practices at NYU Langone Health - Preston R. Tisch Center for Men’s Health, an outpatient facility where he primarily treats orthopedic and neuromuscular populations. Eric’s professional experience also includes experience working for private practices and working with school systems as a First Responder during team practices and athletic matches. He provided on-field emergency care as well as concussion management for all students.

A former college varsity soccer player, Eric’s love of sports fuels his interest in orthopedics. Eric is an avid fitness enthusiast, enjoys traveling and picnics with his wife and their toy poodle, Kirby

LovieJay E. Arguelles PT, DPT, OCS (Spring 2017) - Dr. Arguelles earned his bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Emilio Aguinaldo College- Manila Philippines in 1998. He started his professional career in PT as a part time teaching faculty and clinical supervisor at Emilio Aguinaldo College of Physical Therapy. He became part of the school’s community based rehabilitation program which provided free physical therapy services for people with disabilities. He has practiced physical therapy in California since 2004 in multiple clinical settings such as skilled nursing facilities, acute hospital setting, home health services, neurologic rehabilitation and orthopedic outpatient clinic.

Dr. Arguelles earned his doctoral degree in Physical Therapy from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California in 2016. He became board certified in Orthopedic Physical Therapy in May 2015. He is a member of American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT). He is also a member of the orthopedic section of APTA and the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

Dr. Arguelles is currently practicing outpatient PT at Kaiser Permanente in Ontario California where he's been for the past 10 years, with emphasis on sports and orthopedic cases. He is also an APTA credentialed instructor responsible for clinical training for DPT students.

LJay lives in Riverside, California. He enjoys being a dad taking care of his three wonderful kids. He also loves playing basketball, volleyball and mountain biking in his spare time.

Mark Bertch, PT, DPT, OCS (Spring 2017) - Mark Bertch is a physical therapist currently practicing in Omaha, Nebraska. He attained a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Creighton University, and is also a graduate of the University of Nebraska earning a degree in nutrition science. Mark is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists, American Physical Therapy Association (Nebraska Chapter), and National Strength and Conditioning Association. He is an Orthopaedic Certified Specialist, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and Credentialed Clinical Instructor.

Mark has practiced in inpatient, private practice, and outpatient settings for approximately 15 years. He has also explored clinical research. Mark’s research interest involves overhead throwing athletes, and injury prevention. He recently completed a study as primary investigator in this area, and presented findings at CSM 2016. He is also interested in the utilization of manual therapy as an intervention to treat sports-related injuries.

Mark’s pride is his family. He finds great joy in hanging out with his beloved wife. Both enjoy simple things such as gardening, going for walks, doing household projects, and taking their corvette for a drive. Mark treasures being an active part of his son’s life and watching him grow into a young man. He served honorably in the United States Navy, and is a Gulf War Veteran with service during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.

Michelle Bruneau, PT, DPT, OCS (Spring 2017) - Michelle is a physical therapist in the Department of Rehabilitation at UConn Health where she treats a combination of spine and extremities/sports-related conditions. She first became interested in physical therapy after incurring a shoulder injury while playing college basketball and going through the rehabilitation process herself. She earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Columbia University in 2014. After graduating from Columbia, Michelle completed an Orthopedic Residency at University of Virginia-HealthSouth Sports Medicine Clinic, where she gained advanced training in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic and sports-related injuries with an emphasis on manual therapy. Both of her residency mentors are Fellows and inspired her to pursue a Manual Therapy Fellowship following residency. She obtained her OCS in summer 2016. Michelle is a member of the APTA, Orthopedic and Sports section member, AAOMPT, and CT Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy SIG. She has completed numerous continuing education courses in orthopedic and sports-related injuries, manual therapy and clinical reasoning. Michelle is fluent in Spanish and enjoys working with a diverse patient population.

In her spare time, Michelle enjoys running and hiking with her dog Ollie, traveling, cooking, reading, playing tennis, and following sports including UConn basketball, European soccer, and the New England Patriots.

J.D. Garbrecht PT, DPT, OCS, SCS (Spring 2017) - J.D. Garbrecht entered military service as an enlisted Marine in 1984 and has served on active duty or in the reserves for the last 32 years. Currently he serves in the U.S. Navy and is the Department Head for Physical and Occupational Therapy for Camp Pendleton, California and has a staff of 55 people over a system of nine clinics. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Wisconsin in 1997. He subsequently completed an MBA from Boston University, a Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy from Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions as well as a Master’s Degree in Applied Exercise Science from Concordia University-Chicago. He is a board certified specialist in both Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy. He is also a distinguished graduate of the United States Marine Corps Command and Staff College. He is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (Sports, Orthopedics, and Hand), American Academy of Orthopedic and Manual Physical Therapy, National Strength and Conditioning Association, American Institute of Ultrasound Medicine, and the International Society of Sports Nutrition.

His clinical interests are in manual therapy, sports performance, and integrative medical techniques within the scope of Physical Therapy. His wife is retired from the Navy and they have four children as well as two grandchildren. He currently resides in sunny Southern California and enjoys hiking, weight training, as well as sampling the craft beers and wines of the local area when he has free time. He looks forward to moving to the next phase of his life and career as a teacher within the field of Physical Therapy.

Zachary Goodwiler PT, DPT, CSCS (Spring 2017) - After growing up in Cedarburg, WI, Dr. Goodwiler attended and graduated from Concordia University - Mequon WI DPT program in 2015. While in school he had the opportunity to learn manual therapy techniques through an elective course specializing in cervical, thoracic, and lumbo-pelvic thrust techniques taught by a fellowship credentialed instructor. While in school he continued learning manual therapy techniques during his orthopedic clinical rotation under a clinician that was a fellow in manual therapy. Both experiences in school pushed Dr. Goodwiler to pursue excellence in orthopedics by pursuing and ultimately graduating from an orthopedic residency in Grants Pass, OR where his wife, he and his four dogs currently live. After residency Dr. Goodwiler took on the position of Residency Coordinator at Riverside Physical Therapy, which allowed him to mentor PT Residents, PT students, teach continuing education to PT, OT and PTA's as well as facilitate and lead evidence based learning for PT and PTA's during monthly journal clubs. He currently works for Asante Outpatient Rehab in Grants Pass, OR, which is a hospital based outpatient orthopedic facility. He is currently a member of APTA and AAOMPT and hopes to begin doing research within his current job.

Outside of the clinic Dr. Goodwiler’s interests are road/mountain biking, running, hiking, weight training, and spending time with his wife and four dogs.

John Hagan PT, DPT, OCS (Spring 2017) - John attended Drexel University where he obtained his Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2013. While pursuing this degree, John had the opportunity to intern at Champion Sports Medicine with renowned surgeon Dr. James Andrews. After graduation, he was accepted into an Orthopaedic Residency program through Drexel University that focused on treating Division 1 athletes, student body, and faculty members.

Currently, John is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT). He is also a Board Certified Orthopaedic Specialist (OCS) and an APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor. John is looking forward to extending his clinical and manual therapy skills during the completion of the Manual Physical Therapy Fellowship at Regis University.

John strives to stay up to date with current research in order to best serve his patients. He has recently presented a case study at a national conference on the implementation of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to resolve a patient’s low back pain. He is also certified in Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA), which screens for underlying mobility and motor control dysfunction above and below the site of injury.

In John’s free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, especially exploring new hiking trails. His hobbies also include road and trail biking and running. He enjoys learning about healthy ways of living through reading books and watching documentaries. John can often be found trying a new local craft beer with friends or a new restaurant with his family around Philly.

Katherine Kulp, PT, DPT, CFMT, CSCS (Spring 2017) - Dr. Kulp received her doctorate in physical therapy from the University of Colorado in 2011. As a student, Katherine had the opportunity to work on an RCT spearheaded by Dr. Josh Cleland, investigating manual therapy in ankle sprain. As a therapist at Children's Hospital Colorado, she worked in tandem with rehabilitation physiatrists to initiate and implement a multi-disciplinary clinic for complex concussion management in children, emphasizing OMPT. Katherine has pursued a broad spectrum of continuing education, and achieved the designation of Certified Functional Manual Therapist in 2014. She was then selected to work with a U.S. based manual therapy organization to provide clinical instruction and guidance to a group of 20 physical therapists in New Delhi, India.

Although a Denver native, Katherine currently works in Anchorage, Alaska, in outpatient orthopedics. She sees a diverse patient population, and particularly enjoys working with patients with lumbopelvic and cervicogenic dysfunction. She is currently working on program development and community outreach in dance medicine, concussion management and women’s health. Katherine is pursuing fellowship to continue to hone her clinical reasoning and expand her skill set. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists.

Trained as a ballet dancer, she has an abiding love of movement that continues to fuel her interest in rehabilitation. She enjoys traveling, biking, reading and cooking in her free time, and has finally learned to cross country ski after wintering in Alaska.

Michael Loumeau, DPT, CSCS (Spring 2017) - Michael is a physical therapist, originally from New York, who is currently living and working in Walnut Creek, CA with his wife and two children. He works at a sports medicine clinic with an emphasis on Pilates based rehabilitation. He has a special interest in analyzing movement impairments and incorporating manual therapy and Pilates in his treatment approach in order to improve patients’ movement and function.

He attained his Pilates rehabilitation certification with Polestar, manual therapy certification with University of Saint Augustine, and completed a manual therapy residency with Kaiser Permanente.

He received his M.S. in physical therapy from Boston University, a doctorate in physical therapy from Virginia Commonwealth University, and completed a fellowship in Movement System Impairments from Washington University. He has worked with varied patient populations and developed pulmonary rehab and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome rehab programs at a previous clinic he managed in Virginia.

He is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, the Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy, and the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with family, jogging, exercising, visiting the vineyards, traveling, and playing with his children.

Jesse C. Resari, DPT, OCS, CSCS (Spring 2017) - Jesse Resari has been a physical therapist for 23 years with a primary focus in orthopedics and geriatrics. He is a part time physical therapist at Kaiser Permanente Fontana Medical Center in Southern California. Previously, he served as the Clinical Specialist II for the hospital’s Center for Acute Back Care, providing evidence-based primary care to patients with acute back pain.

Dr. Resari began his physical therapy career in the Philippines after graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy in 1994. He moved to the United States in 1997 and worked as a traveling therapist in the Midwest, New York City and New Jersey. In 2004, he completed a Master’s degree in Advanced Orthopedics at Touro College School of Health Sciences. He then attended MGH Institute of Health Profession and earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2008. He is board certified in orthopedic physical therapy and a certified strength and conditioning specialist.

Dr. Resari is actively engaged in his post-professional development. He regularly attends continuing education courses with a particular interest in spinal manipulative therapy, pain science and clinical reasoning. In 2012, he completed a yearlong fellowship in movement science at Washington University in St Louis. The didactic training and mentoring he received from the expert faculty of Washington University provided him an indispensable knowledge in the evaluation and management of movement impairment syndromes. In 2014, he presented a poster at the Combined Section Meeting in San Diego titled “Motor Control Training for a Cross Country and Track Runner with Scapular Pain: A Case Report.” His next goal is to take the COMT credential examination with Maitland Australian Physiotherapy Seminars this year.

He is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association, Orthopedic Section, American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists, and California Physical Therapy Association.

Outside of his professional endeavors, he enjoys cooking and traveling with his wife and three kids. He tries his best to play basketball and ride his road bike on a regular basis but always finds an excuse to do something else. He is looking forward to finishing the Game of Thrones series eventually.

Ty Schmidt, PT, DPT, OCS (Spring 2017) - Ty graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a B.S. in Nutrition Science in 2010. He received his doctorate in physical therapy from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 2013. Following graduation, he returned to his hometown area in the Nebraska panhandle to serve the rural population at Sidney Regional Medical Center, a critical access hospital. He has developed a passion for rural healthcare and bringing high quality physical therapy to the rural population while working with a variety of patients throughout the lifespan.

Ty’s interest in strength training and movement led him to become a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) during graduate school. He became a board certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) in 2016. The demands of the rural population led Ty to become wound care certified (WCC). He is certified in dry needling through Kinetacore. He is currently a member of the Orthopedic section of the APTA and a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT).

Ty lives in Sidney, NE with his wife and son. They enjoy the outdoors including camping, hiking, and mountain biking.

Brian Arvizo, PT, DPT, OCS (Fall 2016) - Dr. Arvizo received his B.A. in Biology from Newman University in Wichita KS in May of 2010 and his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Regis University in May 2013. After graduating from Regis University he was accepted into an orthopaedic physical therapy residency at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics and Meriter (UWHC-Meriter) in Madison, WI. There he worked in multiple outpatient settings including a spine clinic and a TMJ clinic. While at UWHC-Meriter he became direct access certified which enabled him to not only see patients without a provider referral, but also allowed him to order imaging when deemed necessary. He completed his residency at UWHC-Meriter in May of 2014.

After completing his residency in Madison, WI, Dr. Arvizo took a staff position at Presbyterian Healthcare Services in Albuquerque, NM in June of 2014. During his time there, he has participated in a low back pain program designed to expedite physical therapy services while reducing unnecessary imaging. He has developed and implemented a new graduate mentoring program for PT’s and PTA’s, and updated surgical protocols company wide. He also co-instructs, with psychologists, a group class devoted to quality of life for persistent pain patients.

Dr. Arvizo became board certified in orthopaedic physical therapy in May of 2015. He also presented a poster at the AAOMPT annual meeting in November 2015 titled "Manual Therapy and Exercise for a patient Suspected of having Osteolysis of the Distal Clavicle." 

Dr. Arvizo is very active in New Mexico State chapter of APTA. In 2014 he joined the NMAPTA legislative committee and was able to help the committee secure direct access in the state of New Mexico. In 2015 he became a New Mexico Delegate and in 2016 was asked to be a part of the Educational Committee for NMAPTA. His most recent project includes being appointed to the #ChoosePT task force, which is designed to publicize APTA’s efforts at raising awareness of the harmful effects of prescription opioids, while encouraging the public to choose a safer alternative, PT. He hosted New Mexico’s 1st ever PT Pub Night, and continues to co-host these events.

Dr. Arvizo’s strong desire to pursue clinical excellence in order to aide patient’s recovery is what motivates him to pursue his clinical fellowship at Regis.

In his spare time, you can find him enjoying the high desert of Albuquerque, New Mexico with his wife and daughter. He enjoys playing soccer, snowboarding, and hiking.

Matt Broussard, PT, DPT, OCS, COMT (Fall 2016) - Matt, a native of Abbeville, LA, graduated from Texas Woman’s University in 2010 with his DPT. Following graduation, he moved to Nashville, where he has worked in various roles for Results Physiotherapy, including his current position as a District Clinical Quality Leader. In 2015, Matt moved to the Mobile, AL area to open and operate a new region for the company.

Matt became board certified in Orthopaedics in 2012. In that same year, he completed his COMT through Maitland Australian Physiotherapy Seminars. In 2015, he completed requirements for COMT through the Institute of Advanced Musculoskeletal Treatment (IAMT). He is also certified through IAMT in dry needling and has a level I CEAS (certified ergonomic assessment specialist) through the Back School of Atlanta.

Matt’s current practice includes working and mentoring in a general orthopaedic clinic, focusing mainly on spine and chronic pain. He also serves as an Instructor for IAMT in various continuing education courses. Matt is passionate about manual therapy and its role in the integrative model of therapeutic alliance. Matt also has a strong interest in modern neuroscience and pain mechanisms.

Matt has been married to his wife, Kristen (also a PT) for 5 years. They live in Daphne, AL and enjoy fishing, golf, and chasing their 2-year-old son, Will.

Tommy Busemeyer, PT, DPT (Fall 2016) - Growing up in Cincinnati, Ohio, Dr. Busemeyer always had a passion for health, wellness, and sports biomechanics. Late in his undergraduate education, following a baseball-related injury, he decided to pursue physical therapy as a career. He graduated from Miami University (Ohio) with a B.S. in Exercise Science in 2006. From there, he attended Marion Technical College where he received a degree in Physical Therapist Assisting (PTA) in 2008. This allowed him to gain invaluable hands-on clinical experience as a PTA before returning to graduate school. In 2010, he returned to the University of Findlay (PTA to DPT Bridge Program) where he received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) in 2013.

Dr. Busemeyer has clinical experience in a wide variety of settings including outpatient, acute, and subacute rehab; however, his passion lies in the outpatient/orthopaedic setting. He currently works for a hospital based outpatient clinic where he is a clinic supervisor and treats patients of all ages and conditions (spine, extremities, orthopaedic, and sports rehabilitation). He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT), a Credentialed Clinical Instructor (CCI) through the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), and is also a member of the Ohio Physical Therapy Association (OPTA). Dr. Busemeyer has particular interests in manual therapy, manipulation, sports rehabilitation, and functional movement patterns. He prides himself on keeping current with evidence in orthopaedics and manual therapy and continually strives to provide high quality/ evidence based care to each patient.

Dr. Busemeyer lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with his wife, Alysse, newborn daughter, Everly, and two dogs, Max and Wesley. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his newly expanded family, traveling, and other outdoor pursuits.

Brandon Ellison PT, DPT, OCS, COMT (Fall 2016) - Brandon received his doctorate in physical therapy from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 2010. He has practiced in an outpatient, orthopaedic, manual therapy setting throughout his career. He started out as a staff PT in Brentwood, TN and developed into teaching a manual therapy curriculum for new PTs coming onboard to his company's team. His clinical practice has had an emphasis on direct access, chronic pain, and endurance athletes. He started teaching continuing education in 2013 with the Institute of Advanced Musculoskeletal Treatments, emphasizing skills related clinical reasoning and manual therapy.

Brandon received his COMT in 2012 from Maitland Australian Physiotherapy Seminars, his OCS in 2013, and a running coach certification from the Road Runners Club of America in 2012. He is a member of the APTA and AAOMPT. He is also a member of the Orthopaedic Section of the APTA.

Brandon currently practices in Nashville, TN where he sees patients as well as teaches and mentors PTs. He enjoys running and new physical challenges. His favorite part of the week is getting out for a long run with his wife and new son.

John Hagan PT, DPT, OCS (Fall 2016) - John attended Drexel University where he obtained his Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2013. While pursuing this degree, John had the opportunity to intern at Champion Sports Medicine with renowned surgeon Dr. James Andrews. After graduation, he was accepted into an Orthopaedic Residency program through Drexel University that focused on treating Division 1 athletes, student body, and faculty members.

Currently, John is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT). He is also a Board Certified Orthopaedic Specialist (OCS) and an APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor. John is looking forward to extending his clinical and manual therapy skills during the completion of the Manual Physical Therapy Fellowship at Regis University.

John strives to stay up to date with current research in order to best serve his patients. He has recently presented a case study at a national conference on the implementation of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to resolve a patient’s low back pain. He is also certified in Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA), which screens for underlying mobility and motor control dysfunction above and below the site of injury.

In John’s free time, he enjoys spending free time with his wife and daughter, especially exploring new hiking trails. Hobbies also include road and trail biking and running. He also enjoys learning about healthy ways of living through reading books and watching documentaries. John can often be found trying a new local craft beer with friends or a new restaurant with his family around Philly.

Lauren Hogan, PT, DPT, OCS, ATC (Fall 2016) - As an injury-prone competitive gymnast, Lauren had her first bout of physical therapy at age 12 and has been fascinated by the field ever since.

Lauren has spent her career working in orthopaedics and sports medicine and has a special interest in the treatment of post-concussive syndrome, gymnasts, and runners. She currently treats patients at Spinal Dynamics & Body Dynamics of Wisconsin. She also enjoys working with students as a lab instructor at Marquette University. She has given several continuing education lectures on the treatment of post-concussive syndrome in athletes.

A native of the Green Bay, Wisconsin area, Lauren now lives with her husband Joe in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. When she is not treating patients, she enjoys trail running, reading, cooking and traveling.

Sara Hourihan, PT, DPT, OCS (Fall 2016) - Dr. Hourihan first became interested in physical therapy through her career as a competitive soccer player. She graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 2009 where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and competed on the Women’s soccer team. From there she went to the MGH Institute of Health Professions and received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2012. After completing her doctorate, she began working at Massachusetts General Hospital in their outpatient physical therapy department and has been working there ever since.

Dr. Hourihan is a board-certified clinical specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy. She is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association, along with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists. She treats patient with orthopaedic injuries and has experience in vestibular therapy including completing the APTA’s Advanced Practice in Vestibular Therapy course. She has a particular interest in the treatment and diagnosis of cervicogenic dizziness.

She has a passion for helping patients lead active, healthy lives. She is also passionate about teaching future generations of physical therapist and feels fortunate to be able to channel that passion through her certification as an APTA clinical instructor and work as a lab instructor at the MGH Institute of Health Professions.

She lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts and in her free time enjoys biking, hiking, running and playing soccer recreationally along with spending time with friends and family.

Aaron Knighton, PT, DPT (Fall 2016) - Aaron has been practicing physical therapy for four years. He received his Bachelors of Arts in Business Management from Hope College in 2008, followed by his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences in Rochester, MN in 2012. Aaron started his Physical Therapy career in Denver, CO at Craig Hospital, where his clinical focus was on the neurologic recovery of spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury. Through his experience he observed the impact manual therapy can have on functional gains with individuals recovering from neurologic injury leading him to pursue Fellowship training.

Aaron continues to work with individuals recovering from neurologic injuries at Craig; however, he is also pursuing a separate passion with sports performance and recovery. He enjoys partnering his skills of neurologic recovery and manual therapy with athletes by assisting them to move efficiently, enhance performance and facilitate recovery.

Aaron lives in Denver, CO and enjoys spending as much time in the mountains as possible. In his spare time he enjoys playing volleyball, cycling, kayaking, snowboarding or backpacking. Aaron is also passionate about serving with international medical missions programs; both providing physical treatment to individuals as well as teaching local therapists evidence based practice to enhance their impacts locally.

Kimberly A. McCole PT, DPT, OCS (Fall 2016) - After having two ACL reconstructions as a teenager and spending countless hours in physical therapy herself, Kim quickly decided being a physical therapist was what she wanted to do with her life. Kim attended Gannon University in beautiful Erie, Pennsylvania, for their 3+3 DPT program, and graduated in 2010. She has been practicing in outpatient, orthopedics since then. Currently, she is treating in Baltimore, Maryland. She enjoys treating all orthopaedic conditions, but she finds rehabbing patients post operatively including total knee replacements to be very rewarding.

Kim is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and part of the Education, Orthopaedic, and Maryland sections. She is also a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapists. Kim recently became a board certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist and an APTA certified clinical instructor. She greatly enjoys having students in the clinic, she loves witnessing and being an active part of their progress through their clinical rotations.

In her spare time, Kim loves to bake, kayak, and spending time with her fiance and her crazy, rescued dog, Jax. She is so very excited to be a part of Regis University’s Fellowship and to visit Denver for the first time!

John Morris, PT, MS, OCS, Cert. MDT (Fall 2016) - John received his master’s in physical therapy from Ithaca College in 2002. He is a member of the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy, as well as the McKenzie Institute, USA. He received his board- certification in orthopedics in 2009.

John currently works in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as a Clinical Manager of a MossRehab at an outpatient, orthopaedic clinic. He is also the Residency Director for the MossRehab Orthopaedic Residency Program.

John’s main areas of interest are in orthopaedics, education, and manual therapy; he is especially interested in treating patients with neck and back pain. Outside of work, John enjoys golf, softball, and spending time with his wife and two little girls.

John enrolled in the Regis Manual Therapy Fellowship in order to strengthen his manual skills, become a better educator and mentor for his residents, and continues his pursuit of lifelong learning.

Piyush Madani, PT, DPT, OCS (Fall 2016) - Piyush has been working for the renowned Henry Ford Health System’s Center for Athletic Medicine in Detroit, Michigan since 2012 as a staff physical therapist. He is a proven expert for rehabilitation of adolescents, adults and geriatric sports and orthopaedics related dysfunctions with special interest in treatment of shoulder, knee and spine disorders. He enjoys working in team environments with athletic trainers, PTA’s and fellow clinicians. He also mentors undergraduate students.

Piyush graduated from Indore Institute of Medical Sciences, India with a bachelor in physiotherapy in 2003 and a Masters in physiotherapy in 2006. He was honored by various organizations for honorary services to earthquake victims in India and through various charitable health camps. After coming to the USA in 2007, he finished his PP-DPT from Loma Linda University in California in 2008. He acquired his board certification in orthopaedics in 2015. He is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and its orthopaedics and sports sections and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT).

Piyush strives to become an expert clinician and use effective manual therapy skills to help his clients and believes that the fellowship program is a beginning step towards his journey. He plans on becoming a strength and conditioning specialist in the near future and would like to continue to gain manual therapy experience through continuing education.

As a student and research assistant at Loma Linda University, Piyush contributed to publications related to the effect of hydrotherapy on skin blood flow, diabetes and changes in autonomic nervous system. Piyush will be involved in research related the the prediction rule for successful outcome after lumbar decompression and stabilization surgeries. His special interests are ACL reconstruction and rehabilitation, rotator cuff surgeries and rehabilitation, and patellofemoral dysfunctions.

Piyush lives in Troy, Michigan with his wife and a 4-year-old daughter. He enjoys playing cricket, table tennis and love spending time with his family. He is looking forward to participating in his first marathon relay leg of 5k in the Detroit Free Press Marathon in October 2016.

Bob Salvatori, PT, DPT, OCS, Cert. MDT (Fall 2016) - Dr. Salvatori grew up in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and earned an Associate in Arts Degree in Education in 1976 from Northampton County Area Community College. Interests in weight-training & fitness, coupled with a brief hospitalization for removal of an osteoid osteoma from his left femur, led him to his career as a physical therapist. Bob graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Temple University in 1979. He has worked in a variety of settings over a thirty-five plus year career including acute care, home health and outpatient orthopaedics, with most of his career spent in the outpatient setting. Dr. Salvatori received his MBA from Oklahoma City University in 1990.

Bob has always had a special interest in spinal dysfunction inspired by meeting Dr. James Cyriax on a clinical affiliation. He became certified in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy by The McKenzie Institute, USA in 1998. He went on to obtain his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of St. Augustine in 2013. Dr. Salvatori pursued certification as an Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist which he achieved in 2015. Bob is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists.

Dr. Salvatori currently resides in Bartlesville, Oklahoma with his wife Stephanie and son Tyler. Bob & Stephanie have a blended family of seven, six boys and a girl, ranging in ages from 35 to 14. He is an avid sports “fanatic” enjoying the Phillies, Eagles, Sixers, Flyers and Penn State Nittany Lions. He spends most of his free-time enjoying family and church activities. He also enjoys fitness and weight-training activities, playing his guitars and is a singer-songwriter.

Patrick Smith PT, DPT (Fall 2016) - After growing up in Williamsport, PA, Patrick attended and graduated from the University at Buffalo DPT program in 2015. While in school he had the opportunity to spend a 3-month clinical rotation working with Division 1 athletes at Temple University. The combination of this clinical rotation and his athletic history sparked Patrick’s interest in sports and orthopaedics. Upon graduation Patrick pursued and completed a sports residency through St. Francis University (PA). Many of the residency mentors in the SFU program had extensive backgrounds in manual therapy, and encouraged Patrick to continue to develop the clinical reasoning and skills associated with manual therapy. He is a member of AAOMPT as well as both the sports and orthopaedic sections of the APTA. He currently works for Elite Therapy, privately owned orthopaedic outpatient clinics in Mansfield, PA and Horseheads, NY.

Outside of the clinic Patrick’s interests include golfing, playing soccer, racing triathlon and supporting the Buffalo Bills.

Rufino P. Aquino, PT, DPT, OCS, Cert. MDT (Spring 2016) - Dr. Aquino, born and raised in the Philippines, started working in the U.S. as a contract physical therapist in 1998. He received his bachelor’s degree in physical therapy in 1997. He went on to complete his post-professional doctorate degree from Des Moines University in 2014.

Dr. Aquino is a board-certified clinical specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy. He gained McKenzie certification status in 2013. Currently, he holds professional licenses in the states of Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Colorado. He is a member of American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and its Orthopedic Section, as well as of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT). He volunteers in the APTA-sponsored IMAP program.

Most of his work experience has been in the outpatient orthopedic setting with great interest in spine management. Dr. Aquino has been working at Barrington Orthopedic Specialists since 2004, serving as a clinical instructor/mentor. He regards himself as a therapist with an eclectic approach employing various manual therapy principles. He continues to strive to become a better clinician and an effective manual therapist by embarking on this journey attending Regis University’s fellowship program. He also plans to sit for the COMT certification exam through Maitland-Australian Physiotherapy later this year.

Dr. Aquino enjoys the company of his dogs, Teddy and Lily. In his spare time, he enjoys watching movies and engages in retail therapy on weekends. He plays “ping pong” and has an interest in playing recreational tennis.

Joseph Castelli, PT, DPT (Spring 2016) - Dr. Joseph Castelli has been offering outpatient orthopedic and sports physical therapy services in New York City’s metro region for more than 15 years. After receiving his B.S in Finance from St. John University, he had a brief stint on Wall Street and some acting before pursuing a career in physical therapy. He received his first Physical Therapy degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1998. He went on to attend the University of Colorado, Denver, School of Medicine, where he was awarded his clinical doctoral degree in Physical Therapy (DPT) in 2011.

Dr. Castelli received an advanced certification in Manual Therapy with the Evidence in Motion Institute of Health Professions (EIM) specializing in orthopedic manual therapy. He is also a Maitland and Mulligan Concept trained Manual Therapist. Currently, he is pursuing a fellowship in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy.

In early 2013, he founded S.P.O.R.T Physiotherapy & Wellness on the upper east side of Manhattan which is a private concierge physical therapy practice. In June 2014, he opened his second location in the burgeoning lower west side region called Chelsea or “Tech Alley” in some circles. His patients include a wide variety of New Yorkers including professional, collegiate and high school athletes, dancers and law enforcement personnel. He treats kids too. During his time in New York City, he has also worked closely with surgical and non-surgical orthopedic specialists from the Hospital for Special Surgery, Lenox Hill, Mt. Sinai, Beth Israel, St. Luke’s and NYU on a variety of cases that include but are not limited to rotator cuff, labral injuries, adult joint replacement, fractures and other musculoskeletal disorders.

Additionally, for the past 15 years, Dr. Castelli is skilled in the identification of occupational risk factors that contribute to work-related musculoskeletal disorders and has successfully provided practical ergonomic intervention to control risk and exposure; workstation and return to work job/ergonomic accommodations for injured and disabled persons. Currently, he is a vendor for the New York State Education Department and works closely with over 180 vocational rehabilitation counselors in the 5 boroughs including Westchester County in performing Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCE) for potential employment candidates. Additionally, he is retained by the Traveler’s Corporation and numerous disability attorneys.

In today’s ever-changing healthcare industry, Dr. Castelli’s motivation for success in his practice is the application of the best evidence-based approaches to patient care combined with his vast clinical experiences to provide the most appropriate individualized care possible for his patients.

When Dr. Castelli is not working, he enjoys live music, restaurants, and in sports he follows the Yankees and the Denver Broncos. He is an avid sports enthusiast and continues to play competitive fast pitch softball, golf, cycling and powerlifting.

Nancy Craven PT, DPT, OCS (Spring 2016) - Dr. Craven pursued a career in physical therapy due a strong interest in the medical field and helping people with disabilities. She received her physical therapy degree from Northwestern University Medical School in 1981 and completed her doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) at Des Moines University in 2007.

She has worked in numerous outpatient private practices or clinics in Los Angeles, Minneapolis, and Hartford, CT. She has specialized in the treatment of orthopedics, including extremity and spine patients. In addition to orthopedics, she has treated TMD patients and has lectured to the University Connecticut Dental School on the treatment of TMD.

Dr. Craven is board certified in Orthopedic Physical Therapy. She has strong interest in improving her clinical diagnostic and manual therapy skills. She is an adjunct professor for the Doctor of Physical therapy program at the University of Connecticut having taught Anatomy for three year and is currently teaching the clinical course Integrated Musculoskeletal Practicum.

Dr. Craven co-authored the chapter, Non-surgical rehabilitation of AC Joint Sprain/Separation and AC Joint Arthrosis in the book Orthopaedic Rehabilitation of the Athlete: Getting Back in the Game. ed Reider B, Provencher MT, and Davies G. in production Elsevier 2012.

With an interest in helping her colleges, Dr. Craven has been active in her professional organization. During her working career in Los Angeles, she served as several different officers in the Greater Los Angeles District of the California Physical therapy Association. She currently serves as Treasurer for the Connecticut Physical Therapy Association. In addition, she has served as Secretary and Delegate to the House of Delegates for the State of Connecticut Physical Therapy Association. 

Dr. Craven lives in Connecticut with her husband. She has a son who is in his 20s and a new daughter in law. In her spare time, she loves to sail, bicycle, run, kayak, and has a new found interest of golfing.

Rob Drenning, PT, MSPT (Spring 2016) - After growing up in West Virginia, Rob received his Master of Science in Physical Therapy from Boston University in 2005. He has been working in out-patient orthopedic clinics since then. Rob has been living in Taos, NM and working at the Center for Physical Health since 2011. He has experience treating patients of all ages and activity levels, from the weekend warrior to professional athletes. Rob has a particular clinical interest in manual therapy, spinal manipulation and functional movement analysis. His goal is to empower each patient to be an active participant in their own recovery and work toward each individual’s goals to live a pain-free, healthy lifestyle. 

Rob is a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists, as well as the Sports section and New Mexico Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association. He is a board certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist. He recently co-authored a text book chapter on evidence-based shoulder adhesive capsulitis rehab, which was presented at the international conference of orthopedic surgeons. Rob is a certified Clinical Instructor and enjoys mentoring PT students getting ready to enter the profession. 

Outside of the clinic, Rob enjoys mountain biking, snowboarding, and basically doing anything outdoors with his wife, son and two dogs.

Seth Hagymasi, PT, DPT, OCS (Spring 2016) - Seth Hagymasi has been practicing physical therapy for 10 years. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in exercise science from Skidmore College in 2002, followed by a Master of Science in physical therapy from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT in 2006. Seth then returned to complete a doctorate of physical therapy from Regis University in 2012. His career has been focused on outpatient orthopedic practice and has included multiple settings, including private practice, the academic. He currently works at the University of Connecticut Health Center, a hospital-based outpatient practice. The focus of his practice at UCHC is treatment of individuals with cervical and lumbar pathology, with particular emphasis on a chronic pain population. Seth is board certified in Orthopedic Physical Therapy, and he has a strong interest in developing his manual therapy skills through Fellowship to improve patient outcomes.

Seth lives in Torrington, CT with his wife, Betty, and two children. In his spare time he enjoys spending as much time as possible with his wife and children hiking, exercising and playing music.

Amy Stone Hammerich PT, DPT, Ph.D., OCS (Spring 2016) - Dr. Hammerich's interest in physical therapy was not a direct route. After several years of working in a business career in Chicago, she returned to graduate school for physical therapy. She received her Master of Science in physical therapy from Regis University in 2000, and went on to complete her tDPT at Regis University in 2003. She completed her Ph.D. from the University of Colorado in Health and Behavioral Science in 2013.

She is currently working in the School of Physical Therapy faculty practice called Regis Cares at Regis University. For many years she worked in an outpatient practice in Boulder, CO at PRO Physical Therapy and later at Waldron’s Peak Physical Therapy. She enjoys treating patients with orthopedic conditions, particularly in spine, pelvis and hip dysfunction as well as aging related joint conditions. Dr. Hammerich worked as an Affiliate Faculty at Regis University starting in 2003 until 2007 and was an Adjunct Faculty at University of Colorado in 2006-7. She then joined Regis University as ranked faculty in 2007 and is currently an Associate Professor teaching in the musculoskeletal, exercise, complex patient management and neuromuscular physiology content.

Dr. Hammerich is board certified in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy. She has a passion for the profession of physical therapy and has a desire to continually advance the profession through education and research. She has spent many years on the Colorado Chapter APTA Board of Directors including President of the Chapter from 2009-2012. Dr. Hammerich maintains an active research agenda in the areas of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), knee osteoarthritis (OA), aging joints and exercise related topics. She is currently completing a RCT on LSS with Dr. Julie Whitman, Dr. Josh Cleland and Dr. Paul Mintkin. This team was awarded a grant by the Orthopedic Section of the APTA for this research project titled “Epidural Steroid Injection versus Epidural Steroid Injection and Manual Physical Therapy and Exercise in the Management of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis; a Randomized Clinical Trial.” She is also completing a multi-cohort study on exercise and knee OA with Dr. Wendy Anemaet and Dr. Mike Bade involving traditional strengthening, eccentric strengthening, balance and aerobic training interventions. She received the Outstanding Physical Therapist Award in 2011 from the Colorado Chapter APTA and received 2 Bob Doctor Service Awards for her service to the Colorado Chapter APTA.

Dr. Hammerich has a 2-year-old son and a 6-year-old daughter. She lives with her children and husband in Boulder, CO and enjoys hiking, cycling, and Nordic skiing whenever she gets a chance to be out of the office and in the beautiful environment found in Colorado.

Jay Harpp PT, DPT, OCS (Spring 2016) - Jay realized he had a passion for healthcare while he was studying Biology at the University of Vermont. It wasn’t until after he graduated, while training and racing as a competitive cyclist, that he discovered the field of physical therapy. Jay went on to get his DPT from Regis University, graduating in 2010.

He has been working in outpatient orthopedics since 2010, and spent most of his time with Rocky Mountain Spine and Sport in Littleton, CO. He worked as a staff therapist and then clinical director, before moving to a new company, ATI Physical Therapy, in the heart of downtown Denver. Jay is very passionate about manual physical therapy and he continued his education with local seminars through University of St Augustine, working towards a manual therapy certification. Jay obtained his OCS in the winter of 2013. Jay is also trained in bike fitting, running gait analysis, and Level 1 and 2 dry needling through Kinetacore in Brighton, CO. Jay has served as a CI for students from Regis and CU and is currently a Level 2 educator with Regis, slated to take two students a year.

Jay has 2 year old twins, and a dog name Pancake. His lovely wife is a Lawyer and published author of sports fiction/romance novels. Jay likes to stay fit by running, cycling, and Nordic skiing; along with chasing his twins on their balance bikes.

Erin Probert PT, DPT (Spring 2016) - Erin is originally from Southern California. She received an athletic rowing scholarship and completed her B.S. in Exercise Science from San Diego State University in 2006. She went on to complete a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at the University of Utah in 2010. After finishing her DPT, she started her career in neurologic rehabilitation and acute care at the University of Utah Hospital.

In 2012, she started her career in orthopedics for an outpatient clinic with the University of Utah. While her clinic sees a wide variety of orthopedic diagnoses, her primary interests include athletic injuries of the hip for conservative or post-operative treatment. She has received her certification in Selective Functional Movement Assessment and trained in Graston level 1 and 2. Erin was looking for a way to continue to improve her assessment and manual skills, which led her to apply for a fellowship through Regis University.

Erin has participated in community education, marketing and presentations at sports core orthopedic grand rounds within the University of Utah health care system. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and orthopedic section member, Utah Physical Therapy association and American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Therapists.

Erin lives in Salt Lake City, UT with her husband and she enjoys playing in Utah’s great outdoors skiing, mountain biking, road cycling, hiking and her original passion, rowing.

Matthew Pugliese MS, DPT, OCS, MTC, Cert. MDT, SFMA (Spring 2016) - Matthew Pugliese is a physical therapist working at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. He graduated from Ithaca College in 2007 and has been working predominately in an outpatient orthopedic setting. He is currently an instructor in the HSS orthopedic residency program and an adjunct professor at Hunter College and Columbia University. 

He is an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist and has received certifications through the University of St. Augustine, The McKenzie Institute, The Selective Functional Movement Assessment and The Titleist Performance Institute. Matthew has a special interest in chronic pain, manual therapy and biomechanics. 

He is an avid Buffalo Bills fan and enjoys running, golfing and cooking in his free time.

Praneeth Purimetla, PT, DPT (Spring 2016) - Dr. Purimetla was born, raised and currently resides in Chicago, Illinois. After several injuries that put his basketball career on hold, he went on to receive an undergraduate degree in Finance from DePaul University in 2004. Although working in Finance afforded him invaluable experiences, a career in physical therapy seemed to be a better fit. He attended PT school at the University of Illinois at Chicago, graduating in May of 2013.

Upon graduation, Dr. Purimetla began working in a hospital based outpatient orthopedic clinic, transitioning into private practice as of 2015. Throughout his academic and clinical career, he was surrounded by many great clinicians and sought to follow in their footsteps. He understood that structured learning with likeminded, motivated individuals was the best path to take in order to improve his clinical reasoning and manual therapy skills.

Dr. Purimetla’s household consists of his loving wife, Venesa, and their two incredible sons, ages 5 and 1. His free time is spent running around with his boys and playing as much basketball as possible.

Sean P. Riley PT, DPT, ScD, OCS, SCS, ATC, COMT (Spring 2016) - Sean is a physical therapist in the Department of Rehabilitation at UConn Health. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army as an Infantry Sergeant after four years of service. He attended Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) from 1994-98, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education - Option in Athletic Training. Sean earned a Master of Science degree in Biology with a Health Sciences Specialization, 1998-2000 at CCSU. He then entered the UCONN Physical Therapy Program where he earned a Master's Degree in 2004. Sean completed his Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Simmons College in 2006 and his Doctor of Science from Texas Tech University in 2013. 

He became board certified in Orthopedics through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties in July of 2007 and completed his sports certification in July of 2009. He also completed training through the International Academy of Orthopaedic Medicine-US to become certified in Orthopaedic and Manual Therapy (COMT) of the Extremities in 2012. 

Sean has a strong passion for education and a desire to teach and mentor students as well. He has been a clinical instructor for the physical therapy program at the University of Connecticut, providing clinical instruction to the physical therapy students involved in PT 5462-Internal Integrated M/S Clinical Practicum I and PT 5463-Internal Integrated M/S Clinical Practicum II since 2010. Sean feels that students are peers at the start of their journey. Although educators may have more experience and working knowledge they are also burdened by the biases related to their individual journey. He feels that educators should allow themselves to educate, listen, and direct, in a way to gain a perspective from novice colleagues that may otherwise be unattainable. Sean feels that educators need to develop the students’ ability to apply didactically attained knowledge using logical frameworks and metacognitive processes. Metacognitive processes may be improved through an understanding and working knowledge of abductive reasoning, inductive reasoning, deductive reasoning, and the ability to recognize logically fallacious thought processes and arguments. This type of reflective metacognitive process may allow students to integrate the best available evidence, clinical experience and address complex biopsychosocial factors. Sean feels that this is important to facilitate the student’s ability to apply their foundational knowledge. Sean’s academic (research) interests and professional (clinical interests) are focused on conducting clinical research utilizing the Assessment-Diagnosis-Treatment-Outcome (ADTO) research model first described by Spratt. The model creates a logical clinical research framework by connecting the Assessment to the Diagnosis; the Diagnosis to the Treatment; and Treatment to the Outcome. His research endeavors have provided us with three publications in 2015, three papers that have been accepted for publication, one paper that is presently under review and one ongoing project that is in data collection.