Award-Winning Faculty

The faculty of the University of South Florida tDPT program includes these well-known experts. Click for more information.

	Joseph PH Black, PhD Co-Teaches Professionalism: the Doctoring Profession Co-Teaches Professionalism: the Doctoring Profession Dates November 10-11, 2012 Dr. Black recently retired from the position of Senior Vice President for Education at APTA. Prior to joining APTA in May 1993, Dr. Black was Interim President of Whitworth College (Presbyterian affiliated, 1,850 students) and President of the Deaconess Medical Center Foundation in Spokane, Washington. Dr. Black graduated from Whitworth College and received both professional and post professional degrees in theology from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey. He also holds a PhD in Educational Leadership and Organizational Management from Gonzaga University. Dr. Black is an ordained Presbyterian minister with over 25 years of leadership and management experience in church-related and higher education administration, funds development, and private consulting. [top]
	William Boissonnault, PT, DPT, DHSc, FAAOMPT, FAPTA Teaches Screening for Medical Disorders Dr. Boissonnault is an Associate Professor in the Division of Physical Therapy at University of Wisconsin-Madison. He received his BS in Physical Therapy from University of Wisconsin-Madison, his Master’s in Science, Specialty Track - Orthopaedic Physical Therapy, Institute of Physical Therapy-St. Augustine and DHSc, University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. Dr. Boissonnault is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists, past President of the Orthopedic Section of the APTA. He’s written several books including Goodman C, W Boissonnault, K Fuller. Pathology: Implication for the Physical Therapist, 2nd edition, 2002, Boissonnault W. Primary Care for the Physical Therapist: Examination and Triage, 2004, and Boissonnault W. Examination in Physical Therapy Practice: Screening for Medical Disease, 2nd ed., 1995. In 2005 he was awarded Dorothy E. Baethke-Eleanor J. Carlin Award for Excellence in Academic Teaching. American Physical Therapy Association and in 2004: the Stanley Paris Distinguished Service Award from the Orthopaedic Section, APTA. [top]
	Charles D. Ciccone, PT, PhD, FAPTA Teaches Pharmacology in Rehabilitation Dr. Ciccone, is a full Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York. He received his BS in Physical Therapy from Ithaca College, and his PhD in Physiology from Rutgers University. Dr. Ciccone has published widely on physiological response to drug therapy. He is the author of the textbook Pharmacology in Rehabilitation, 3rd ed., which is used in most physical therapy programs in the US, including the Marymount PT program. He is currently involved in research to determine the clinical implications of prescription and over-the-counter drug use in patients receiving physical therapy. Dr. Ciccone serves as an Editorial Board Member and Editor for Evidence in Practice and reviews for Physical Therapy (the journal of the APTA). [top]
	Jonathan M. Cooperman, PT, DPT, JD, MS-PT Co-Teaches Legal and Ethical Issues for PT’s: Considerations in Risk Management Co-Teaches Professionalism: the Doctoring Profession Co-Teaches Professionalism: the Doctoring Profession Dates November 10-11, 2012 Dr. Cooperman received his Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Maryland and a Master of Science in Orthopedic Physical Therapy from the Medical College of Virginia. He received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) from Northern Arizona University. Jonathan earned his Juris Doctor from The University of Akron School of Law and he is admitted to the Bar in Ohio. Dr. Cooperman is Past President of the Ohio Physical Therapy Association. He currently represents the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) before the American Medical Association’s HCPAC Relative Value Scale Update (RUC) Committee. He is a past Chair, Ethics and Judicial Committee of the APTA. Dr. Cooperman has faculty appointments at several universities, where he teaches courses on Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Care and Human Resource Management. Dr. Cooperman is the 2005 recipient of the APTA Lucy Blair Service Award. [top]
	Jason Craig, M.C.S.P, D.Phil Dr Craig is an assistant professor of physical therapy at Marymount University. He has been with Marymount since 2000 and is responsible for the orthopedic and sports physical therapy content, including medical imaging for orthopedic conditions. He holds a BSc (Honors) and a D.Phil. Degree from the University of Ulster, Jordanstown, Northern Ireland. His research areas are in the area of motion analysis and biomechanics. He is currently a co-investigator of clinical project partnering with National Rehabilitation Hospital and Walter Reed Army Medical Center. [top]
	Carl DeRosa, PT, PhD, DPT, FAPTA Teaches Business and Marketing Dr DeRosa is a Professor of the Physical Therapy at Northern Arizona University and co-owner of DeRosa Physical Therapy in Flagstaff, Arizona. He was the Chair of the Program for 17 years, and one of the three founders of the physical therapy program at that institution. He has received several awards from the university in recognition of his outstanding teaching. Dr. DeRosa completed his physical therapy education at the Mayo Clinic, and earned his masters and doctoral degrees in Human Anatomy. Because of his extensive academic experiences, he has served as a consultant to numerous physical therapy educational programs and has held adjunct faculty positions at the University of Indianapolis, Cleveland State University, and Rocky Mountain University. His scholarly interests have been focused on the anatomy and mechanics of the human spine and shoulder girdle with particular emphasis on their relationship to orthopedics, sport, and rehabilitation sciences. He has co-authored several textbooks including Perspectives in Functional Anatomy series which includes Mechanical Low Back Pain, Mechanical Neck Pain, and Mechanical Shoulder Pain, in addition to several textbook chapters, journal articles, and two home study series. In addition to research and invited presentations throughout the United States, Dr. DeRosa has presented his work at numerous national and international conferences including the International Federation of Manual Therapists, World Congress on Low Back and Pelvic Pain. Dr. DeRosa has served the professional association through numerous roles. He has been a Delegate and Chief Delegate to the American Physical Therapy Association House of Delegate; served on the Taskforce on Normative Model of Physical Therapy Education; served as Chair of the Advisory Panel on Physical Therapy Education; served on the Coalition for Consensus on Post Professional Physical Therapy Education; was a member of the Steering Committee for the Physical Therapy and Society Summit. In recognition of his contributions to the profession of physical therapy, Dr. DeRosa was awarded the Lucy Clair Service Award and in addition, was selected by the American Physical Therapy Board of Directors as a Maley Lecturer. In 2007 he was selected as a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the American Physical Therapy Association. He currently serves as the Chair of the Physical Therapy Business Alliance. [top]
	Cathy S. Elrod, PT, PhD Co-Teaches Medical Imaging in Rehabilitation Dr. Cathy Elrod is a physical therapist, assistant professor at Marymount University, and health policy analyst. She received her B.S. in Biology from Virginia Tech and M.S. in Physical Therapy from the Medical College of Virginia. She completed PhD in public policy from George Mason University’s School of Public Policy. Her dissertation examined the determinants of utilization of physical rehabilitation services for individuals with chronic and/or disabling conditions. She has practiced in home health and at large tertiary trauma hospitals, including the Medical University of South Carolina. She currently continues clinical practice at INOVA Fairfax Hospital. She has extensive experience in acute care, including the management of patients with burns, neurological, medical-surgical, oncology, cardiac, pulmonary, wound, and critical care diagnoses. Her teaching, clinical, and research interests are in the areas of cardiac rehabilitation, the management of acute and critically ill patients, health policy, and the influence of social factors on the ability of patients to receive physical therapy. She continues to be a member of the APTA and VPTA where she is currently research chair of the northern district. She has contributed to a book chapter and publications in Home Health Care Management and Practice and Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy Journal. [top]
	Helene M. Fearon, PT Co-Teaches Coding and Reimbursement Ms. Fearon is a co-owner of Fearon Physical Therapy in Phoenix, AZ. She is President of the Physical Therapy Licensing Board for the State of Arizona, and serves as a member of the Arizona Physical Therapy Association's payer relations committee. She currently is a member of the American Medical Association’s (AMA) Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Editorial Panel. In that role Ms. Fearon represents the needs of non-physician providers in the development and utilization of CPT codes. She is a consultant and peer reviewer for several payers and peer review organizations. Ms. Fearon delivered the 2009 Maley Lecture at the APTA National Conference. [top]
	Tim Fearon, PT, DPT, FAAOMOT Teaches Management of Patients with Musculoskeletal Disorders Timothy Fearon received his PT degree from The Ohio State University in 1978. He completed the graduate program in the Musculoskeletal Sequence at Northwestern University. He completed his Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Northern Arizona University. After doing extensive long term study with the Folsom Physical Therapy he founded Phoenix Manual Therapy, which initially offered courses, based on the Nordic System of orthopaedic manual therapy, progressing to offering a long-term course frame for study of the Australian approach to orthopedic manual therapy and integration of Norwegian techniques over the last 23 years. He has participated as both a student and instructor through out those 23 years. Dr. Fearon is currently adjunct faculty at A. T. Still University where he teaches manual therapy of the spine and extremities. He has been as a guest instructor for NAU, Arizona School of Health Sciences, Langston University, and North Georgia College. He has taught manual therapy courses over the last 15 years, spoken at numerous meetings for the Arizona Physical Therapy Association, and for the APTA. Dr. Fearon currently practices in an outpatient private practice specializing in orthopedic manual therapy and spinal rehabilitation where he has been for the last 25 years. [top]
	Jennifer Gamboa, PT, DPT, OCS Co-Teaches Wellness and Health Promotion Dr. Gamboa is founder and President of Body Dynamics, Inc – a multi-disciplinary physical therapy and wellness center in Arlington, VA that embraces The Rehab-Fitness Continuum. BDI provides integrated, collaborative care to restore, maintain, and enhance physical well-being through the use of physical therapy, massage, acupuncture, fitness physicals and exercise prescription, counseling , personal training, pilates, group fitness and sports enhancement classes. Dr. Gamboa has been practicing for 15 years, and is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist with advanced manual therapy training. Her practice was the recipient of her community’s Best Business Award in 2006, and APTA’s Private Practice Section’s Best Practice Award in 2008. She participated in APTA’s Strategic Thinking Initiative and served as Chairperson for APTA’s Taskforce on Vision 2020. She also serves as a member of APTA’s public relations advisory panel and is a member of the Private Practice Section’s Government Affairs Committee. Dr. Gamboa has lectured extensively on alternative practice models, fitness, wellness, and health promotion, and is interested in helping physical therapists explore and consider new and innovative ways to succeed in practice. She is committed to advancing physical therapy within a holistic health promotion and fitness paradigm in a way that recognizes and supports the inherent value of physical therapy at the center of musculoskeletal health care and brings APTA’s Vision 2020 to life [top]
	Jody S. Gandy, PT, DPT, PhD Co-Teaches Professionalism: the Doctoring Profession Co-Teaches Professionalism: the Doctoring Profession Dates November 10-11, 2012 Dr. Gandy is the Director of the Department of Physical Therapy Education at the APTA. She received her BS degree in physical therapy from Ithaca College, MA in Counseling and Personnel Studies from Glassboro State University, and PhD in Psychoeducational Processes from Temple University. Previously, she was a tenured faculty member and Assistant Chair in the PT program at Temple University. Her published works focus on clinical education, academic and clinical teaching, program applicants, mentoring, professionalism, and adolescent sports injuries. She was the1995 Recipient of the Excellence in Clinical Teaching Award from the New York State Physical Therapy Clinical Education Consortium. [top]
	Andrew Guccione, PT, PhD, FAPTA Co-Teaches Clinical Decision Making: Guide to PT Practice Dr. Guccione, PT, DPT, PhD, FAPTA, is a Scientific Program Manager for the Health Services Research and Development Service in the Office of Research and Development, Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington, DC. Previously he has been the Senior Vice President for Practice and Research, American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)and director of PT Services at Massachusetts General Hospital. He has been on faculty and held academic appointments at Boston University PT Program, Boston University School of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and MGH Institute of Health Professions. He has served on APTA Board of Directors and as APTA Speaker of the House. Dr Guccione holds a BS from Boston College, master’s degrees in both Philosophy and Physical Therapy, a certificate in gerontological studies from Boston University, a PhD from Boston University's Department of Sociology, and a DPT from MGH Institute of Health Professions. He is designated a Catherine Worthingham Fellow, and Dr. Guccione received the highest distinction of the APTA and delivered the Mary McMillan Award lecture at APTA’s National Meeting in 2010. He is primary author of over two dozen professional publications in the areas of geriatrics, arthritis, professional issues and ethics, and is the editor of a textbook Geriatric Physical Therapy. During Dr. Guccione’s tenure on APTA’s Board of Directors, he was a member of the Board Oversight Committee for a Guide to Physical Therapist Practice, Parts One and Two. [top]
	Laurita M. Hack, PT, DPT, MBA, PhD, FAPTA, Dr. Hack has over 35 years experience as a physical therapist. In addition to earning an MBA from the Wharton School in Health Care Administration, she managed a large physical therapist-owned outpatient practice for many years and has taught principles of management of practice for physical therapists in many venues, to both entry-level students and practicing therapists. In her many service activities to the APTA she has served on committees related to reimbursement of care, to legislative affairs in physical therapy, and to workforce issues. [top]
	Donald J. Hobart, PhD Teaches Capstone Project Teaches Capstone Project Completion Dr. Hobart is adjunct associate professor in the University of Maryland Physical Therapy Department and Assistant Director for Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Shenandoah University. He received his undergraduate education at Western Maryland College (now McDaniel College) and his MA and PhD from the University of Maryland. He was on the faculty of the University of Maryland Dental School for nine years and taught in the Medical School’s Department of PT for 17 years, the last nine years as assistant chair. He received the distinguished service award from the Maryland chapter of the APTA and was recently selected to the board of governors of the American Congress of Electroneuromyography. In 1993 the Maryland Physical Therapy Alumni Association endowed the Donald J. Hobart scholarship. [top]
	Stephen M. Levine, PT, DPT, MSHA Co-Teaches Coding and Reimbursement Dr. Levine received his degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Maryland at Baltimore, a master’s in Health Administration (Health Care MBA) from the Medical College of Virginia, and his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Arizona School for Health Sciences. He is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Maryland and Shenandoah University’s transitional DPT program. He is a member of the APTA Board of Directors and serves as Speaker of the House of Delegates of the APTA. He is also the founder of an independent consulting firm focusing on practice management and reimbursement strategies in the outpatient rehabilitation setting. Dr. Levine is a nationally recognized speaker and consultant who has worked extensively with federal investigative and law enforcement agencies in the areas of fraud, abuse, medical necessity, over-utilization, and medical policy review. He is considered one of the foremost experts on development and implementation of the Resource Based Relative Value Scale (RBRVS) under Medicare and other third party payers. He has testified before the Ways and Means Committee, Subcommittee on Health, of the United States Congress on the subject of RBRVS. [top]
	Lynn McKinnis, PT, OCS Co-Teaches Medical Imaging in Rehabilitation Ms. McKinnis graduated from St. Louis University. She has spent the last 24 years working in acute orthopedic and long-term care clinical practice. She is Bobath certified in the treatment of adult hemiplegia, and was the first PT in Pennsylvania to become certified as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist when that designation was established in 1989. She is a visiting professor in several physical therapy programs including University of Maryland, University of St. Augustine, Arcadia University, St. Francis University, and St. Louis University, teaching imaging courses. Ms. McKinnis has authored chapters and home study courses, and is the author of the textbook Fundamentals of Musculoskeletal Imaging, 3rd ed., on medical imaging for PTs. [top]
	Karen Mueller, PT, PhD Co-Teaches Professionalism: the Doctoring Profession Co-Teaches Professionalism: the Doctoring Profession Dates November 10-11, 2012 Dr. Mueller is Professor in the Physical Therapy Program at Northern Arizona University. Dr. Mueller received her BS in physical therapy from University of Missouri, an MS in physical therapy from Northwestern University and a PhD in Health Professions Education from Union Institute. Dr. Mueller developed the Professional Development Seminar at NAU in 2000, the model for which has been adapted by several physical therapy educational programs across the US. Dr. Mueller’s research interests include the development of innovative educational strategies, and she has presented these at national and international conferences. Dr. Mueller is also the author of "Seasons of loss: An experiential process for understanding chronic illness and end of life issues." Dr. Mueller was asked by the APTA to be on their Professionalism task force. [top]
	Ronald Scott, PT, EdD, JD, MS-PT, MS-Law Co-Teaches Legal and Ethical Issues for PT’s: Considerations in Risk Management Dr. Scott is a health law attorney-mediator and educator. He is also the author of nine textbooks, most recently Legal Aspects of Documenting Patient Care, 3rd ed. (Jones & Bartlett, 2005). He is adjunct PT faculty in five programs. His principal teaching interests include health care malpractice, criminal law issues, and professional ethics. Dr. Scott developed two widely-utilized practice tools - a systems approach for ethical decision making and a legal-ethical issues practice grid. [top]
	Steven H. Tepper, PT, PhD Co-Teaches Clinical Decision Making: Guide to PT Practice Co-Teaches Medical Imaging in Rehabilitation Co-Teaches Professionalism: the Doctoring Profession Teaches Basic EKG Interpretation Teaches Endurance Impairments, Differential Diagnosis and Treatment Interventions: A case based approach Co-Teaches Management of Patients with Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Disorders Co-Teaches Wellness and Health Promotion Co-Teaches Professionalism: the Doctoring Profession Dates November 10-11, 2012 Dr. Tepper received his BS in Physical Therapy and a PhD in Experimental Pathology from the University of Maryland. He taught in the PT program at University of Maryland for 12 years and then spent 13 years at Shenandoah University, where he was a professor and Director of the entry-level and transitional DPT programs. His specialty areas include endurance testing, differential diagnosis of endurance impairments, and the effects of exercise training on disease or the prevention of disease. Dr. Tepper has authored numerous chapters and peer reviewed journal articles. His professional highlights include President of the Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Section of the APTA, Task Force Member on Clinical Practice Guidelines III for the APTA, recipient of the Cardiopulmonary Sections Linda Crane Merit Award, University of Maryland Alumnus of the Year 2003, and Robert C. Bartlett Award for Innovation in Fundraising from the Foundation for Physical Therapy, 2005. Dr. Tepper has a passion for teaching. [top]
	Rita Wong, EdD, PT Teaches Critical Assessment and Application of Best Evidence Dr. Wong is Professor and Chair of the Physical Therapy Program at Marymount University. She has over twenty years of teaching experience, with the last six years focusing on research design, evidence-based practice, and scholarship in physical therapy. She is currently President of the Virginia Physical Therapy Association. She has authored book chapters and numerous journal articles on topics of geriatrics, PT education, and evidence-based practice. She currently teaches the entry-level DPT course Evidence-based Practice. This course will be adapted for distance-education delivery for the tDPT. [top]