Alumni Publication 2022

THE SUMMIT

PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICAL THERAPY AND ATHLETIC TRAINING

After starting the year with the Omicron wave, students, faculty, and staff continued to demonstrate their resilience by adjusting to the challenges presented by COVID. Thankfully, we have transitioned to a point where educational disruptions due to positive tests and illnesses are now the exception rather than the rule. In 2022 the Department broadened its educational reach. In the summer, we welcomed our first cohort of DPT students at an extension campus in St. George, Utah. Under the attentive leadership of Dr. Cathy Ortega, we look forward to growing this program and contributing to the PT workforce in Southern Utah.

It was also a year of personnel transitions – characterized by welcoming new faculty/staff, congratulating other faculty on their retirements, and celebrating new positions for others. Please note the new faculty/staff listed on subsequent pages. We welcomed Dr. Misha Bradford into her role as Associate Department Chair. The end of the academic year allowed us to congratulate Drs. Robin Marcus and Paul LaStayo on their well-earned retirements. Their engagement over the decades has made the Department a better place and their influence will have a lasting impact. We also had the opportunity to celebrate the naming of two faculty to important leadership positions within the College and U of U Health. Dr. Scott Ward was named Interim Dean of the College of Health and Dr. Justin Rigby was named Director of Interprofessional Education Programs for U of U Health.

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

“Calendar year 2022 proved to be another exciting and eventful year for the Department. If I had to choose a word to characterize it, it would be – transitions .”

In May of 2022, the Department gathered to redefine our Mission, Vision, and Values. We are happy to share these with you now:

Mission

The Mission of the Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training is to: Develop socially responsible health care professionals and scientists who advance preventative and rehabilitation clinical practice and knowledge to meet changing societal needs of Utah and beyond.

We will accomplish this mission through: Excellence and innovation in education, research, and service. Respect and compassion for all individuals. Fostering a sense of inclusivity and belonging. Collaboration and social responsibility. Attention to life balance and wellness.

Vision

The Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training will set the national standard for excellence in the quality and value of health care academics. We will maximize our local, national, and global influence on health and wellness through innovative education, impactful research, collaborative care, and commitment to our community needs.

As the Department transitions into 2023, strategic planning work groups are focusing their efforts to meet specific objectives targeted at progressing towards our vision. Overall, we are working hard to learn the lessons that COVID taught us. Our faculty and staff are working hard to optimize students’ educational experiences through strengthening active learning experiences in all our programs and pathways. With our students’ guidance, we continue to refine the balance of in-person hands on learning with the benefits technology has to offer.

As always, I have a physical and virtual open-door policy and would welcome the opportunity to connect/reconnect. Please reach out and update us on the great things you are doing.

INTERIM DEAN, UNIVERSITY OF UTAH COLLEGE OF HEALTH R.SCOTT WARD, PhD, PT, FAPTA

Written By Sarah Shebek

R.Scott Ward, Ph.D., former longtime chair of the Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, is named the interim dean for University of Utah (U of U) College of Health (COH). Effective July 1, 2022, Ward leads one of the largest colleges on U of U campus, which includes six departments and more than 2,300 students.

He succeeds David H. Perrin, Ph.D., who retired on June 30.

“Dr. Ward has been an integral member of the university community for more than 30 years and is uniquely qualified to assume this important leadership position,” said Michael L. Good, M.D., Senior Vice President for Health Sciences, Executive Dean of the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, and CEO of U of U Health. “He has served in numerous leadership capacities, including as departmental chair. His experience will help guide the College of Health through this period of leadership succession.”

A U of U alum, Ward received both his bachelor’s degree in physical therapy and his Ph.D. in physiology here. He spent his entire teaching career at the U of U, starting as a clinical assistant professor for the Division of Physical Therapy in 1987 and obtaining professor status in 2004. Most recently he chaired the physical therapy department for 24

years, from 1997-2021, and various COH committees over the years. He’s currently a member of the U’s Athletics Advisory Committee.

Throughout his distinguished career, Ward devoted countless hours to—and held numerous leadership positions on—multiple professional organizations. He is a trustee for the American Physical Therapy Association and a site reviewer for both the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education and the World Physiotherapy Accreditation Committee.

Ward was also instrumental in establishing a Doctor of Physical Therapy Program in collaboration with Utah Tech University, the COH’s first satellite professional clinical training program. The new program increased the number of DPT students in the COH to more than 70, with one third learning in St. George. With Ward’s leadership, students and faculty now serve the Southern Utah community.

“I’m proud to lead the College of Health, which focuses on the health of individuals and the health of the communities that it serves,” Ward said. “I’m proud to serve with faculty who work so hard, and I’m excited to work with such great staff who are dedicated to making the college successful.”

“I’m proud to lead the College of Health, which focuses on the health of individuals and the health of the communities that it serves...and I’m excited to work with such great staff who are dedicated to making the college successful.”

Ward also shares high praise for the outgoing dean. “Dave Perrin is an incredible leader,” he said. “While serving as dean, he did an amazing job of making the university and the greater community aware of the strengths and importance of the College of Health. It certainly makes it easier to serve as interim dean after such successful leadership. I’m prepared to keep things moving upward as we search for our next dean.”

Perrin led the COH as dean from 2014-2022. His accomplishments include restructuring the college’s departments, increasing the active grant portfolio from $10.5 million to $75.4 million, and successfully navigating the COVID-19 pandemic with pivots to online learning and telehealth services.

Good also recognizes Perrin’s accomplishments. “Dean Perrin made a tremendous positive impact on the college,” he said. “We are incredibly grateful for his years of leadership. His work has been instrumental to the College’s success—and the overall success of U of U Health.”

A nationwide search for the next dean of the College of Health is underway.

INTERVIEW WITH JOSH LARSON, MA, NRP

Clinical and Simulation Manager

Josh Larson, MA, NRP, is a current Ph.D. student in the Rehabilitation Sciences Program at the U, in the Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training. Josh also teaches the Simulation class to the Masters of Athletic Training students. The class consists of one simulation a week for 12 weeks. Simulations are learning-focused, not performance-focused, and students are given a “critical fail” list to complete before the simulation. Students are exposed to various scenarios, such as a clavicle fracture and concussion, to discussing an athlete’s status with a coach while not violating HIPAA regulations. The scenarios are not meant to primarily focus on psychomotor skills but to layer skills with rapport, professionalism, clinical reasoning, and conflict resolution.

In 2014, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing released recommendations that up to 50% of traditional clinical practice could be replaced with simulation based on the results of the National Simulation Study . (Hayden, Smiley, Alexander, Kardong-Edgren, & Jeffries, 2014).

Simulations have been utilized in the nursing profession for many years. Now, thanks to Mr. Larson the athletic training program uses them, too.

Mr. Larson’s first exposure to simulations was as an EMT and a paramedic. He has since learned that simulations are a very specific learning tool. When asked if he was interested in being the

simulation manager for the AT program, Mr. Larson said yes because it moved in the direction he wanted to go: teaching. He has grown the simulation offering from 8 when it started in 2020 to more than 20 in 2022. Mr. Larson has noted that “Simulations help students visualize whom they want to be as a provider. The classes provide a safe space for students to make egregious mistakes and excellent decisions. They allow for self-reflection and growth from low-stakes successes and vital learning opportunities.”

Student feedback has been positive. Although many are nervous initially, they eventually learn essential skills such as correct verbiage and how to explain diagnosis and prognosis to patients and caregivers. Mr. Larson would love to see simulations integrated into almost every class within the AT curriculum. Katie Faulk, 2nd year Masters of Athletic Training student at the University of Utah, had no experience in student simulations before starting Mr. Larson’s Simulation Class and reflects on the specific HIPAA simulation. She laughs at the fact that most students violated HIPAA and told the “coach” everything from discussing mental health to unnecessary specifics about the injury. Despite her misstep, Ms. Faulk states that this was one of her favorite classes. The low-stakes situation allowed for failure in a safe and controlled environment. She feels it was one of the best ways to learn about HIPAA.

help students visualize whom they want to be as a provider. The classes provide a safe space for students to make egregious mistakes and excellent decisions. They allow for self-reflection and growth from low-stakes successes and vital learning opportunities.”

“Simulations

INTERVIEW WITH JESS TIDSWELL, PT, DPT, ATC

Growing up in upstate New York, Jess Tidswell, PT, DPT, ATC, was a ski racer. She took to alpine skiing as a young girl and competed at the collegiate level during her undergraduate degree at Montana State University. Fate intervened and she skied into a tree and broke her pelvis. She worked with an athletic trainer at her high school during her recovery. After college, Dr. Tidswell pursued a Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Duke University. While at Duke, Dr. Tidswell volunteered for the Paralympics in Salt Lake City in 2002. During this time, she met an assistant US Adaptive Ski Team coach. A year later, this coach was now the head coach and offered Dr. Tidswell a job as the team physical therapist. She accepted the position and moved to Utah.

After working six years as a physical therapist, driven to work with athletes, Dr. Tidswell returned to school to earn her athletic training degree at the University of Utah. During her studies at the U, her clinical placements included two seasons with the U football team. A highlight during this time was standing on the sidelines during their 2008 undefeated season when the Utes beat Alabama at the Sugar Bowl. While she was completing her degree she was still working for the US Adaptive Ski Team.

After graduating with her degree in athletic training, the US Ski and Snowboard Center of Excellence hired Dr. Tidswell as their in-house athletic trainer and physical therapist. Assisting all the various teams affiliated with the organization – out of football back into the winter sports world.

A few years later she saw a job posting at the U Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training for a Clinical Education Coordinator, teaching and working clinically – a perfect combination for someone with her passions and experience. She joined the U faculty in 2015. In her time with the Athletic Training Program, Dr. Tidswell has taught 16 different classes. She currently teaches Intro to Clinical Exam, Lower Extremity Exam, Eval, and Rehab, Spine and Pelvis Exam and Rehab, Behavioral Aspects of Athletic Training, and The Adaptative Athlete in Athletic Training…And she still sees patients 10 hours a week!

Dr. Tidswell’s teaching philosophy is an adventure analogy. She tells her students, “Think of it as if we are in an adventure race, and I am the adventure guide. I am the one who will provide the compass and the map, the one to give the boost over the hurdle and cheer you on along the way, but you must paddle down the river and you must figure it out. Occasionally, I am going to flip the raft over, knowing you have your life preserver on. I’m there to guide, support, challenge, and help you get to the finish line.”

Dr. Tidswell feels lucky that she can make an impact. Being able to share her love and passion with future professionals is what drives her. She comes to class with enthusiasm and vigor to get them excited. It’s said, “the best measure of an educator is if their students are better than themselves.” She loves this quote and tries to make this happen every day.

“Think of it as if we are in an adventure race, and I am the adventure guide. I am the one who will provide the compass and the map, the one to give the boost over the hurdle and cheer you on along the way, but you must paddle down the river and you must figure it out.”

INTERVIEW WITH GINA WOJNAR, SPT

Growing up in Illinois as a dancer, Gina Wojnar, SPT, Class of 2023, found herself in physical therapy for heel pain after dancing en pointe. It was a long process due to a misdiagnosis, but experiencing physical therapy as a patient, working with her PT to get back to what she loved, and realizing that someone else could care about her so much was a powerful experience.

Ms. Wojnar studied dance in her undergraduate career and again worked with a Physical Therapist.

After teaching English in South Korea, Ms. Wojnar decided to pursue physical therapy as a profession. Having a love for the outdoors and having visited some family in Utah, she decided to apply to the University of Utah Doctor of Physical Therapy Program.

Like many other people in 2019, I applied for the program with the expectation of a “normal” grad school experience. With the COVID-19 pandemic changing how education was delivered in the spring of 2020, I realized things would have to change. But she felt like she was at a point in her life where she did not want to delay beginning her physical therapy education, so without really having an expectation of what normal looked like, she decided to take a chance. She started PT school in the summer of 2020. The summer semester was hard to get used to. Knowing how to manage time and how to figure out what the day-to-day schedule looked like online was challenging. For instance, the Class of 2023 did not have access to the gross anatomy lab. It was also difficult to be able to connect with her

classmates to meet in person, study together, chat, tell jokes, and bond with each other. Not to mention the challenge of watching pre-recorded lecture material for hours at a time.

In the Fall Semester, she was introduced to the positions available within her class. She ran for and was elected Pro Bono Board Director. Responsibilities of Pro Bono Board Director include running board meetings, checking in with the other positions of the board, troubleshooting issues, and touching base with faculty as needed, all to try to meet the goal of trying to provide people in the community who do not have the resources to see a physical therapist, to work with an attending PT and to allow students real-world experience in treating patients.

The department is associated with four physical therapy pro bono clinics. The Midvale Community Building Community Clinic, The Maliheh Free Clinic, the Neuro ProBono Clinic, and the Physical Therapy/Athletic Training Clinic. COVID presented many obstacles to delivering care to the patients of the pro bono clinics. Trying to navigate telehealth, learning about how to provide healthcare during a global pandemic, and being creative in the interactions with patients and even other students. Ms. Wojnar vision for the future of the pro bono clinics is to increase interprofessional treatments, OT, AT, etc… to help students not only get experience working with patients but also working and communicating with other clinicians, understanding their approach, and value within patient care situations.

“Like many other people in 2019, I applied for the program with the expectation of a ‘normal’ grad school experience. With the COVID-19 pandemic changing how education was delivered in the spring of 2020, I realized things would have to change.”

PROGRAM UPDATES HYBRID DPT PATHWAY

The Hybrid DPT pathway at the University of Utah was approved by our accreditors (CAPTE) in November 2022 and is getting set to begin May 2023! The hybrid online/on-campus DPT pathway will provide the unique opportunity for students to earn a DPT degree from the University of Utah, a top-ranked school, without having to relocate.

The hybrid pathway will include engaging asynchronous content, live online sessions and mandatory in-person lab immersions through the course of study. Clinical experiences will take place near the students’ communities.

In order to account for this significant growth in our program offerings and student body size, we have bolstered the faculty with 8 new core faculty positions and will be moving to a formal teaching teams model to ensure that each student in each pathway gets the best, most consistent experience possible. Hybrid Pathway Director,

Eric Robertson, PT, DPT, MFA, has extensive experience in hybrid-style DPT education and has been growing the team for some time now, which includes the new faculty, dedicated administrative staff, and our university technology partners, University Connected Learning (UCL). The University leadership has invested heavily in the success of this new option, including building a brand-new media studio with multi-camera functionality to capture our content for labs and lectures.

Faculty have already been hard at work translating their courses into this new hybrid medium.

Importantly, the Hybrid DPT Pathway will have the same admissions requirements, utilize the same curriculum, and produce the same high-quality students that we always have. In addition, much of the planning for the Hybrid pathway provides a benefit to the entirety of our program, including a new student affairs staffing department, an improved admissions process, and a careful review and mapping of our curriculum. We’re very excited to embark on this adventure and encourage anyone with questions to reach out!

2022 MAY Jennifer Hale hired as Associate Director of Pathway

2022 JUNE Course Translation begins

2022 JULY

First applicant submissions

2023 MAY First Hybrid cohort begins classes

2026 MAY Projected date of first hybrid graduating class

Each course takes 20 people to translate

FUN FACTS ABOUT HYBRID:

2 brand new filming studios have been built to help create asynchronous content

9 new faculty hired (6 full time, 3 part time)

Residential students will have access to EVERYTHING developed for hybrid students

“The University leadership has invested heavily in the success of this new option, including building a brand-new media studio with multicamera functionality to capture our content for labs and lectures.”

PROGRAM UPDATES MASTER OF ATHLETIC TRAINING (MAT)

The Master of Athletic Training hit a milestone in May 2022. We had our first graduating class. The 2022 cohort set the bar high as the first class. The nine students in this class did a fantastic job completing their capstone projects. Each student completed a quality improvement project during their second-year clinical immersion experiences.

Students worked with their preceptors to help improve their care in various topics, from movement screening, hydration, ankle and hamstring injury prevention, c oncussion management, and student-athlete rehabilitation compliance.

All students in the class passed the Board of Certification exam and started a job in athletic training. Graduates from this cohort now work in professional (NFL and MLS), collegiate, secondary school, industrial, and clinic athletic training settings. They are doing fantastic things in their respective jobs, and w e look forward to seeing their careers grow.

“Graduates from this cohort now work in professional (NFL and MLS), collegiate, secondary school, industrial, and clinic athletic training settings. They are doing fantastic things in their respective jobs, and we look forward to seeing their careers grow.”

—Justin Rigby, Program Director, AT

PROGRAM UPDATES ST. GEORGE RESIDENTIAL PATHWAY

Our first cohort of students have been enjoying their time in St. George and have become a cohesive family unit. Students have paint nights, go on hikes, and study on campus together in stateof-the art facilities. Overall, the first two semesters have been a success, with faculty traveling between both campuses to get to know students and students moving along the pathway for their DPT edu-cation! We are excited to welcome our second cohort of students in 2023.

Onsite Pathway Director, Dr. Cathy Ortega, PT, EdD, ATC, OCS, has shared that “The most rewarding part of this pathway, is the collaboration on the St. George campus. There has been a great deal of excitement and interest from people all across campus and in the community of St. George. There is

so much good to be done and so many people to be reached with health care services and education that it makes for an exciting place for faculty and our students”. Dr. Ortega adds, “My favorite part has two aspects related to students. One is that our students are SOOOO interested to be of service, to engage with the community, to reach underserved areas of our region. This is so inspiring. The other aspect is that we get to know each other well. Though our PT & AT Department is one of inclusivity and belonging, here in St. George we are a small unit and we get to know each student really well. We meet, we laugh, we chat, we live in all the same spaces and areas so that no one is invisible and all are taken care of as much as possible.”

The St. George residential pathway was approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) in Spring 2022 and our first cohort began June 1, 2022.

“Our students are SOOOO interested to be of service, to engage with the community, to reach under-served areas of our region. This is so inspiring.” —Dr. Ortega

FACULTY AND STAFF

BRANDON ALLEN SENIOR IT SPECIALIST

Brandon Allen is a Senior IT Specialist from Salt Lake City. Brandon was hired in March of 2021, but he has been with the University since 2012. He has a degrees in architecture and linguistics, but enjoys playing with computers enough that he decided to get paid for that instead.

DR. HALEY BENTO PT, DPT, CCS

Haley Bento, originally from Moss Beach, California is a graduate of University of Utah’s DPT program. After graduating, she had a successful career as a clinician in the Cardiovascular ICU at University of Utah Health where she was involved in research and dissemination of information regarding best practice of critical care therapy, early mobility on life-supporting devices and patient prioritization. In addition, Haley de veloped two new PT residency programs in Acute Care and Cardiovascular Physical Therapy. Since being hired as an Assistant Clinical Professor in Summer of 2022, she has worked to bring her experience as a critical care clinician, program-developer, and clinical educator into PT education. Outside of work, Haley enjoys adventuring with her husband and son, skiing, mountain biking, hiking, backpacking, camping, and cooking deliciously fresh veggie-heavy meals while in the wilderness.

STEPHAN BODKIN PHD, ATC

Stephan was raised in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, completing his undergraduate studies at James Madison University before going east of the Blue Ridge Mountains to complete his master’s and doctoral degrees at the University of Virginia. Stephan is an athletic trainer and joined the University of Utah as a tenure-track Assistant Professor in July of 2022. His research line is structured around safely and effectively returning patients to activity following ACL-reconstruction through optimizing returnto-sport decision making and investigating physiologic mechanisms that inhibit skeletal muscle recovery. In his spare time, Stephan enjoys being active in the mountains with his pup, Murphy. They are both ecstatic to call Utah home!

DR.

DR. JENNIFER BOGARDUS PT, DPT

Jennifer Bogardus is from Fulshear, TX and joined the University of Utah as an Associate Clinical Professor and Associate Director of Clinical Education for the Hybrid Pathway in the Department of PT and AT. Fun fact: Jennifer and her husband are raising 5 kids! She has been married to her high school sweetheart for 21 years. She loves to watch ice hockey, practice yoga, and is trying to love golf.

DR. JESSE CHRISTENSEN PT, DPT, PhD

Jesse Christensen is excited to serve as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, Adjunct Research Instructor in the Department of Orthopaedics at the University of Utah and the Director of the Gait Lab at the VA Salt Lake City Health Care system. Jesse was formally hired as Core Faculty within the Department of Physical Therapy in 2022 and a graduate of the physical therapy program (2007). His research focused around addressing physical activity, movement and performance in adults with lower limb pathology. In his spare time, he enjoys skiing, biking and fly-fishing, and a fun fact about Jesse is that he is also a local beekeeper.

DR. MARY DERRICK-MANIS PT, DPT, OCS

Mary Derrick-Manis is an Orthopedic Certified Specialist and Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy who graduated from Texas State University in 2013, and has practiced in Colorado and California. In 2018, she moved to Utah to begin her PhD with a focus on educational research and student low back pain beliefs. With a clinical specialization of orthopedics and prior experience teaching in a hybrid program, Mary was hired in 2022 as a Clinical Assistant Professor to teach in the residential pathway and assist in the development of the upcoming hybrid pathway. When she’s not teaching, learning, or researching, she is generally outside with her husband and dog exploring off-road trails in a Jeep.

NEW FACULTY AND STAFF (continued)

ASPEN FAIRBANKS STUDENT COORDINATOR

Aspen started her position as the Graduate Student Coordinator in June 2022 and is so excited to be here! She is from Sandy, Utah and has lived in St. George for six years. She graduated from Utah Tech University with her bachelor’s degree in psychology. Aspen is a big fan of The Office and loves traveling to new places or reading a good book.

DR. KATHERINE FRANKLIN PT, DPT

Katherine Franklin joined the University of Utah team as a Clinical Assistant Professor on October 1, 2022. Katie lives in San Antonio, Texas, where she practices in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) setting. She will be teaching pediatrics content in the developing hybrid pathway. Katie is also working on her PhD at Texas Woman’s University, focusing on the intersection between disability studies and physical therapy. In her spare time, Katie enjoys waterskiing, wakesurfing, and kayaking— or anything else involving a body of water and a sunny sky!

DR. JENNIFER HALE PT, DPT, PhD, NCS

Dr. Jennifer Hale started as an Associate Professor and Assistant Director of the Hybrid Pathway in the Department of Physical Therapy & Athletic Training on April 1, 2022. She has a BS and DPT from Boston University, completed her residency training at TIRR Memorial Hermann in Houston, TX, is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy, and earned her PhD in Epidemiology from the University of Texas School of Public Health. Prior to joining the U, she was a core faculty member in the hybrid DPT program at Tufts University. Her primary teaching responsibilities at the U will be as Hybrid lead for Neuromuscular Management. Jen is from Austin, TX and in her free time she loves to travel the world, hike, cook delicious food, search for the finest cold brew your city has to offer, spend time on the Olympic Peninsula, and is always planning her next adventure.

ASHLEY JOLLY PROGRAM MANAGER

Ashley Jolly works for the AT program as the Program Manager. Ashley was originally hired as an admissions counselor in 2021 for the DPT St. George pathway. She loves to travel, go to concerts, and is an avid reader. Book club anyone? Ashley is grateful for the opportunity to work at the U and is happy to be a part of the Dept of PT & AT staff!

DR. BURKE JORGENSEN PT, DPT

Burke Jorgensen was hired September 16th, 2022 as the Associate Director of Clinical Education for the DPT Hybrid pathway. Burke was born and raised in Washington D.C. and currently lives in Washington, Utah with his wife and 5 kids. Burke loves baseball! When one of his daughters and he took a trip to D.C. this summer they made sure to see the Orioles and the Nationals.

He also likes to spend his free time cooking/baking and chasing his kids around.

KYLE KING PROGRAM MANAGER

Kyle King is from Tulsa, Oklahoma, but spent a lot of his life in West Jordan, Utah. Kyle is the new Hybrid Pathway Program Manager and was hired on 6/1/2022. He is a big college football and soccer fan and also loves to golf in his free time.

NEW FACULTY AND STAFF (continued)

DR. AMIT KUMAR BPHT, MPH, PHD

Dr. Amit Kumar received his Ph.D. in Population Health from the University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston and completed his postdoctoral fellowship in health services research at Brown University. Amit was born in Patna, India, and grew up in a farming family. He came to the US in 2008 to pursue his master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh. Previously, Amit was Assistant Professor at the Center for Health Equity Research at Northern Arizona University. Amit started his new job as an Associate Professor at the University of Utah on December 16,2022. Amit is a health services researcher who studies healthcare disparities, particularly emphasizing patient socioeconomic status and race/ethnicity. In his free time, Amit enjoys hiking and farming and works voluntarily to serve indigenous populations. Growing up on a farm taught him a lot of life skills and respect for nature and living being.

DR. GENEVIEVE OLIVIER PT, DPT, PhD, NCS

Genevieve Olivier recently transitioned into her new role as a full-time faculty member (Assistant Professor [clinical]) with the Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training in July 2021. Prior to moving to Utah in 2013 to start work on her PhD, she lived all over the US, but she originally hails from the south (Louisiana, Texas, and Georgia). Now, she’s thrilled to be setting down roots in Utah, away from the humidity. In her free time, she loves camping and hiking with her husband and their two dogs.

DR, UCHENNA OSSAI PT, DPT, WCS, CSC

“Dr. Uchenna “UC” Ossai joined the Physical Therapy department as assistant professor on October 1st. She resides in Austin, TX and recently completed 5 years at the University of Texas Dell Medical School in the role of pelvic health program manager at UT Health Austin and assistant professor in the Department of Women’s Health. UC has clinical and research interests in pelvic floor dysfunction, sexual health and equity in marginalized populations. She is also founder of Youseelogic, an intersectional sexual health education and consulting platform for individuals and organizations.

DR. TORI TAYLOR PT, DPT

Tori Taylor is originally from Utah and graduated from the University of Utah with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree in 2009. Tori was hired in July 2021 as the Associate Director of Clinical Education and Assistant Professor at the DPT St. George pathway. She loves to hike, paddleboard and spend time with her family.

LAURA WENGER PT, DPT

KARYN WRIGHT ADMINISTRATOR

ANDREA TELESCO EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

Andrea Telesco was hired for the Executive Secretary position by the University of Utah, St. George Residential Pathway Program. Having lived in the Western U.S. all her life, a passion for outdoor activities, including ranching, kept her family very busy. She also enjoyed Martial Arts. All three of her sons received an excellent education, and have graduated from the University of Utah.

As a UU DPT graduate (2013) and Ortho Residency graduate (2014), Laura was thrilled to join the DPT program in October 2022 as an Associate Instructor in the Hybrid Pathway. Laura spent her youth in the Miami, Florida area, but has been “out west” for over 15 years and has enjoyed calling Durango, Colorado her home since 2014. Professionally, she enjoys her multiple roles as an educator, clinician in an outpatient orthopaedic private practice, student and researcher as she finishes her Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy (DScPT) studies, and committee member promoting Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in both state and national PT organizations. Laura is also a proud wife and mother of two children, and loves chasing her family around their local hiking, biking, and ski trails.

Karyn was born in Oceanside, CA and raised in San Marcos, CA. She has resided in Southern Utah for thirty years, and joined the DPT St. George pathway as the administrator in May 2022. Her hobby job is spending e venings and weekends with the production side of community theat er. Karyn and her husband keep busy spending time with their five sons, several daughters-in-law, niece, and eight grandchildren.

DR.

RETIRED IN 2022 PAUL AND ROBIN

It is with honor and gratitude that the College of Health and Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic training celebrated the retirement of Robin Marcus, PT, PhD, FAPTA and Paul LaStayo, PT, PhD in June 2022.

University with a MSPT and from Northern Arizona University with his PhD. He was a Professor of Physical Therapy and Athletic training. Dr. LaStayo’s adjunct appointments across various departments/operations underlied his collaborative approach in rehabilitation research focused on again, rehabilitation, skeletal muscle and the upper and lower extremities. Dr. LaStayo taught within the department and had influenced future physical therapist, since 2003, and embraced foundational principles in his teaching followed by a modified, problem-based approach.

ROBIN MARCUS PT, PhD, FAPTA

Robin graduated from the University of Utah in 1983 with a BS in PT and in 2000 with her PhD. She was a Professor of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training. In her time with the U, Dr. Marcus served as Chief Wellness Officer for University of Utah Health, Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs within the College of Health, led the Office of Wellness and Integrative Health, and was Director of Wellness Research for the University of Utah Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences. She served as principal or co-investigator on several intramural and extramural grants. Dr. Marcus also taught within the department for more than 35 years, influencing physical therapy practice by challenging students to become better physical therapists and people.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? CLASS OF 2020

SHANNON BALLINGER

I am currently a Partial Owner of a new gym in SLC called RISE4 ( rise-4.com ) where we focus on functional cross training (any and all are welcome). Additionally, I am fortunate to operate my own Physical Therapy/PerformancePersonal Training/Nutritional Coaching ( elevatepfmc.com/ ) within the gym.

In my free time I am still sprinting on the ultimate frisbee field, trail running with my 2 German Short Haired Pointers, hiking, lifting, mountain biking and cooking delicious food with my husband Alex. Cheers to class 2020!

ANNA FARRELL

I’m working full-time at the U on Neuro Critical Care / Neuro Acute Care. Loving the diversity of the patient population and the work/life balance, so can’t complain! I’ve been lucky to help out as the Attending PT for the Neuro Pro Bono Clinic a few times, which I love. Outside of work, always trying to spend lots of time playing outside with my partner, Brett, and our pup, Murphy.

“Loving the diversity of the patient population and the work/life balance, so can’t complain! I’ve been lucky to help out as the Attending PT for the Neuro Pro Bono Clinic a few times, which I love.” —Anna Farrell

MEGAN SMITH

I am living in Sandy and recently started a new job with Primary Children’s Hospital working in their outpatient clinic in Layton. I got married on October 1st! Over the last couple of years we have traveled around the country to catch up and visit with family and friends in Colorado, Alaska, Washington DC, and North Carolina. We also continue to enjoy all the outdoor adventures and have spent most of our summers rafting, backpacking and climbing and our winters skiing and touring around the Wasatch front and surrounding states.

CADE THORNLEY

I am currently working in Surprise, AZ right outside of Phoenix in an outpatient orthopedic clinic (Spooner Physical Therapy) but I do still end up treating quite a few neuro patients. I treat primarily an older population with all of the snowbirds that come here each year. I have also remembered all of Lee’s BPPV training and have been the go to person to fix that at our clinic so thanks!

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? CLASS OF 2020

AUBREY ADAMS

My husband and I are currently in Pullman, WA with our son Ashton. I’m working part time at an outpatient facility and will be spending time observing some women’s health appointments to see if that is an area I would like to learn more about.

WILLIAM COOK

The past 2 years have gone fast. I got a job in July 2020 at the Uof U hospital on the acute ortho trauma floor. They have been good to me and I really like the team over there. My wife and I bought a house in Taylorsville last year and have been learning a ton about homeownership. No major trips yet, but we do try to travel in the region to camp, bike, and explore as often as possible. Have also taken a couple short trips to Southern California which have been fun. Life has been busier than I anticipated (I thought graduation would be the peak), but it has been very good to us. We are grateful for everything my education at the U has allowed us.

MELODY ROGERS

I was hired right out of “graduation” by my first CI and I worked in Utah for a year before starting full time travel PT. So now the hubs and I have been exploring the US and spending some time abroad for almost a year! Definitely missing Utah though. I’ve had several classmates come visit me since I started traveling and I can’t wait to see several of them once I’m back in town. You really do create close friends through PT school! Four of my classmates are some of my closest friendships to date and I’ve kept in contact with another 5-10. You really do create close friends through PT school! Four of my classmates are some of my closest friends!

JENNA STONE

I am working/living in the small town of Newcastle Wyoming, just purchased a house, and loving the challenge of working in so many settings!

“You really do create close friends through PT school! Four of my classmates are some of my closest friendships to date.”

—Melody Rogers

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