Physical Therapy
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Chair Biography
Dr. Farris is the Department Chair and Associate Professor. Jim's Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education, 1987 and Master’s degree in Exercise Science, 1989 were received from California State University, Fresno; Bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy, 1999 at Arkansas State University. His doctoral degree was conferred by The Ohio State University 1995 where his studies focused on nutrition and the physiology of exercise. Dr. Farris joined the ATSU faculty in 2009 and is now in his 17th year of physical therapy teaching. His research interests are in cardiovascular disease prevention and human performance. His current scholarship efforts are aimed at childhood obesity and prevention of the related cardiovascular disease risk factors, submaximal aerobic fitness testing in children, and chronic ankle instability. He also has interests in nutrition and has written a chapter on “meal timing” in a sport nutrition book and maintains an online nutrition continuing education course for physical therapists. He is very glad to be back in the West where outdoor activity and sunshine is abundant. His teaching areas in the curriculum are therapeutic exercise, cardiopulmonary, physiology, research, and prevention and wellness.
Core Faculty Biographies
Lori Moist Bordenave, PT, DPT, MEd
Dr. Bordenave is the Director of Progression and Retention and an Associate Professor in physical therapy. Lori has over 20 years of experience in physical therapy. She received her Bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from St. Louis University, a Master’s in education from Arizona State University, and her DPT from ATSU. Her teaching responsibilities include the areas of critical inquiry, professionalism, and education. Research interests include evaluating admissions criteria for physical therapy programs, clinical education, and professional development. She is a credentialed trainer for the American Physical Therapy Association’s Clinical Instructor Certification program. She joined the Physical Therapy faculty in 1996.
Dr. Davis
is the Director of Clinical Education. Lora graduated from ATSU with the inaugural physical therapy class in 1998. She holds both a Master's degree and Doctoral degree in Physical Therapy from ATSU. Lora returned to A.T. Still in 2007 to serve as one of the academic coordinators of clinical education. She has worked exclusively with geriatric patients in the skilled nursing environment since graduation, both in the treatment of geriatric patients and in the management of the rehab departments that serve that population. She continues to treat geriatric patients on a per diem basis. Her professional interests are heavily rooted in documentation standards and in the standards of clinical practice.
Deanne Fay, PT, MS, DPT, PCS
Dr. Fay is the Director of Curriculum and an Associate Professor of physical therapy. Deanne is also a board certified pediatric clinical specialist of the American Physical Therapy Association. Deanne has over 20 years of experience primarily in neurological and pediatric settings. She received her professional education form Marquette University and a master's degree in kinesiology with an emphasis in motor development from the University of Wisconsin. She has her pediatric NDT certification and extensive training in PNF. She is currently enrolled in a PhD program at Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Fay's teaching areas are human development, pediatrics, and gait analysis. Her research interests include assessment in pediatrics, community based pediatric programs, and teaching in evidence-based practice. She is also involved with sports for the physically disabled, serving as a National Classifier for both Arizona Disabled Sports and the Junior National Disability Championships. She joined the Physical Therapy faculty in 1995.
John Heick, PT, DPT, OCS
Dr. Heick is an Assistant Professor in physical therapy and is board certified in orthopaedics. John received his clinical Doctorate and Master's degree in Physical Therapy from Shenandoah University and an undergraduate degree in Exercise Science from Northern Arizona University. Prior to his physical therapy education, Dr. Heick was a medic in the Air Force for 12 years providing medical care for patients in a primary care clinic and during aero medical evacuation in various aircraft. As a physical therapist he has worked in various settings to include: emergency department, sports, orthopaedics, neurologic, wound care, aquatics, inpatient rehabilitation, acute care and in a balance center. In 2010, John received national recognition from the American Physical Therapy Association as an Emerging Leader. John is a second year PhD student at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions with a focus in Orthopaedics and Sports Science. John is active and engaged in his professional association currently serving as first vice president and as delegate representing all physical therapists for the state of Arizona.
Cheri Hodges, PT, DPT, MAppSc, OCS, FAAOMPTT
Orthopedic Residency Program Director
Cheri is the program director of the Physical Therapy Orthopedic Residency Program and is an Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy in the Arizona School of Health Sciences at A.T. Still University. She has over 25 years of clinical experience in orthopedic physical therapy, and has been teaching in the entry-level program at A.T. Still University since 2008. Cheri’s research interests are in the lumbo-pelvic region.
Dr. Lynskey is an Associate Professor of Physical Therapy in the Arizona School of Health Sciences at A.T. Still University. Jim received a Master of Physical Therapy degree from Duquesne University, and a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Georgetown University. In addition to his faculty appointment, Dr. Lynskey holds the position of Assistant Research Scientist in the Center for Adaptive Neural Systems at Arizona State University. He has over 17 years of clinical experience with expertise is in the areas of acute and sub-acute neurorehabilitation. His academic and research interests focus on promoting and understanding recovery and neuroplasticity after traumatic injuries in the central nervous system. To date, Dr. Lynskey's work has resulted in numerous peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national and international conferences. He joined the Physical Therapy Faculty in 2005
Dr. Nee is an Associate Professor of Physical Therapy in the Arizona School of Health Sciences at A.T. Still University. He has over 25 years of clinical experience in orthopedic manual therapy and over 10 years of experience in entry-level Physical Therapy education. Bob completed his Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy at Boston University in 1985 and obtained a Master of Applied Science in Manipulative Physiotherapy from the University of South Australia in 1993. He completed his PhD at The University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia in 2012. His PhD research focused on the value of neurodynamic techniques in examination and intervention for patients with peripheral neuropathic pain. Additional research interests include outcomes and mechanisms related to manual therapy interventions and development of models that predict patients’ responses to physical therapy interventions. Bob’s teaching interests are in musculoskeletal physical therapy and evidence-based practice. He joined the Physical Therapy Faculty in 2012.
James Roush, PT, ATC, PhD
Dr. Roush
is a Professor of Physical Therapy.
Jim is dually-credentialed as an athletic trainer and a physical therapist in Arizona. He holds a Bachelors of Science in Physical Education from the University of Arizona (1976), a Master of Science in Physical Education with a specialization in Athletic Training from the University of Arizona (1977), a PhD in Physical Education with a Specialization in Kinesiology/Biomechanics from the University of Southern California (1984), and a Bachelors of Science in Physical Therapy from Northwestern University (1988). He currently is an Associate Professor in Physical Therapy at the A. T. Still University of Health Sciences - Mesa, Arizona Campus; where he teaches Biomechanics, Kinesiology, and Research Design/Statistics. He has also taught in the Athletic Training program at Rocky Mountain University, where he was also a research advisor for dissertations in the Physical Therapy program. He currently resides in Gilbert, Arizona.
Cecelia Sartor-Glittenberg, PT, MS, NCS
Cecelia is an Associate Professor and has been a full-time faculty member of the ASHS Physical Therapy Program since 1996. She received her initial professional education from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and holds an Advanced Masters in Physical Therapy with an emphasis in neurology from Northwestern University, Chicago. She is a certified neurological clinical specialist of the American Physical Therapy Association and has extensive clinical and teaching experience in neurorehabilitation. Her primary teaching areas in the residential program are neurological assessment, rehabilitation and geriatrics.
Tawna Wilkinson, PT, DPT, PCS
Dr. Wilkinson is an Assistant Professor and a board certified pediatric clinical specialist of the American Physical Therapy Association. She joined the full-time faculty in 2007. Her primary teaching responsibilities are within professional practice, basic patient care skills, human development, pediatrics, evidence-based practice, and neurological conditions. She has over 13 years of experience in a variety of pediatric settings and continues to be active in clinical practice. Her research interests are within the areas of clinical education and pediatrics. She received a Master of Science in Physical Therapy degree from A.T. Still University in 1999, completed her transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2004, and is currently enrolled in a doctoral program.
Amisha Klawonn, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT
Dr. Klawonn is an Assistant Professor in physical therapy and is a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist through the American Physical Therapy Association and a Fellow in the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists. She received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Slippery Rock University and completed the Kaiser Hayward Physical Therapy Fellowship in Advanced Orthopedic Manual Therapy. Amisha has over 10 years of physical therapy experience, is Pilates certified and incorporates spinal rehabilitation and Pilates in her current clinical practice. Her primary teaching areas are in the musculoskeletal curriculum. She joined the faculty at A.T. Still University in 2008.
Cory Manton, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS
Dr. Manton is an Assistant Professor in physical therapy. Cory is a faculty member for the Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency Program also. He is a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist through the American Physical Therapy Association. He specializes clinically in orthopedic manual therapy. Dr. Manton received his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from ATSU in 2001. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University in exercise science. His teaching areas include musculoskeletal conditions, therapeutic exercise, spinal conditions, and manual therapy. He has been involved with teaching in the physical therapy program at ATSU since 2008.
Associate Faculty Biographies
Curt Bay, PhD
Dr. Bay is an Associate Professor of biostatistics, Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences. Curt has worked in the medical and the ancillary health sciences fields for more than 20 years. He received his PhD in psychology from Arizona State University, with a focus on research methodology and statistical application. He joined the ATSU faculty in 2005, after serving as Director of Medical Research Support at Maricopa Medical Center for 12 years. Dr. Bay teaches courses in research methods and statistics, as well as evidence-based practice, medicine and dentistry. His research interests include the application of generalized linear models to correlated data, and the use of simultaneous structural equations in causal analysis.
Elton Bordenave, MEd
Elton is an Assistant Professor, who has 20 years of experience in medical administration and professional healthcare education. He is a graduate of Grand Canyon University with a Master of Education degree and a BA in Management Information Systems and Marketing from Baylor University. Bordenave teaches practice management, Medicare compliance regulations, and HIPAA privacy regulations. He joined the Physical Therapy faculty in 2001.
Sue Hillman,
M.S., ATC, M.A.
Ms. Hillman, a NATABOC certified athletic trainer and a California licensed physical therapist, and is an Associate Professor in health sciences. Ms. Hillman received a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education from Purdue University and a Master of Science degree in exercise and sports science from the University of Arizona. She completed her Master of Arts degree in physical therapy at Stanford University. Ms. Hillman's career includes three years as head athletic trainer for women at Purdue University and 12 years as director of athletic medical services and head athletic trainer at the University of Arizona. She has the honor of being the first woman to be invited to NFL camps as she served as consultant to the Pittsburgh Steelers (1996-1998) and the Philadelphia Eagles (2000) and served as the Head Athletic Trainer for the NFL Europe team the Scottish Claymores (1996). As the Director of Human Anatomy at the Arizona School of Health Sciences, Sue has over 30 years of teaching experience in human anatomy at schools such as: Stanford School of Medicine, The University of Arizona, Northern Arizona University, Arizona School of Dental and Oral Health, and her present position with the Arizona School of Health Sciences. Voted "teacher of the year" for the PT program, the AT program, the ATSU student body and the ATSU administration gives proof that Sue's talents in education are well recognized. In addition to her role in the classroom, Sue has utilized the electronic media to supplement the typical classroom education, authoring several CD-ROM packages of courses at ASHS and her internationally acclaimed, "Interactive Functional Anatomy" published by Primal Pictures, London, England; a DVD now in its second edition. Sue has also published a textbook "Introduction to Athletic Training" (May 2000) and an On-Line Anatomy Review offered by Human Kinetics. Her most recent work was as author/editor of a new athletic training textbook called "Core Concepts of Athletic Training and Therapy". When not teaching or writing, Sue stays busy in the National Athletic Trainers Association in various leadership capacities and speaking engagements.
Dr. Johnston joined the faculty at A. T. Still University as an Assistant Professor of Human Movement in September, 2011. Sarah's teaching emphases are the physiological adaptations to exercise, evidence-based practice in sport, and research methods. Dr. Johnston graduated with a PhD in Kinesiology from Arizona State University. Her dissertation research, conducted in the Center for Metabolic Biology, focused on the molecular mechanisms responsible for insulin resistance and type II diabetes. Dr. Johnston has studied the effects of an infusion of branched chain amino acids in human subjects on insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle. Her current research interests focus on bioenergetics testing methodology and the effect of aging on exercise performance.
In addition to graduate and undergraduate teaching and research, Johnston works with equestrian athletes of all levels. Previously from Oregon, but now a resident of Arizona, she is thankful for the many athletic opportunities available year-round in the Valley of the Sun.
Tammy Roehling, PT, DPT
Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Director
Dr. Roehling is an Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy and Director of the transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Tammy received her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University of Arizona, her Master of Physical Therapy from Emory University, and her Doctor of Physical Therapy from ATSU. She has worked in a variety of settings with a focus on wound management and women’s health, and currently owns a private practice specializing in pelvic floor dysfunction. She has taught wound care for a national CEU company and has co-authored a chapter in Abernathy's Medical Secrets: Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing Secrets. Dr. Roehling teaches wound management and gender healthcare in the residential and transitional programs.
In addition to the full-time faculty, several teaching assistants and adjunct faculty are used to deliver the curriculum. These individuals will be introduced as appropriate in the individual courses.
