N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
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Michael Nieraeth, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS
Monica Nelsen, PT, DPT
Monica Nelsen is an assistant professor of clinical physical therapy. She is project director for the Interdisciplinary Comprehensive Arm Rehabilitation Evaluation (ICARE) project, a multisite, randomized clinical trial funded by the National Institutes of Health. She has clinical experience in a broad range of settings, with a focus on neurorehabilitation. (see Monica Nelsen’s full profile)
Lisa Noceti-Dewit, PT, DPT, OCS, ATC, SCS
Lisa Noceti-Dewit is an adjunct instructor of clinical physical therapy. A board-certified specialist in orthopedic physical therapy and member of the orthopedic section of the American Physical Therapy Association, she serves as rehabilitation coordinator at the USC Galen Center. Her research focuses on preventive and rehabilitative strategies for jumping athletes, specifically volleyball. She is also interested in the biomechanics and motor control aspects of volleyball jumps, with a special interest in how altered movement strategies contribute to sports injury risks and injury prevention. (see Lisa Noceti-Dewit’s full profile)
Chukwuemeka Nwigwe, PT, DPT, OCS
Adjunct Instructor of Clinical Physical Therapy (see Chukwuemeka Nwigwe’s full profile)
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Jennifer Okuno, MPT, GCS
Jennifer Okuno is an instructor of clinical physical therapy. She also volunteers for Operation Walk, a nonprofit medical humanitarian organization performing pro bono total hip/knee replacements on patients in the local community and abroad. (see Jennifer Okuno’s full profile)
Jill Ordorica, PT, DPT, PCS
Adjunct Instructor of Clinical Physical Therapy (see Jill Ordorica’s full profile)
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Marissa Perdomo, DPT, CLT
Marisa Perdomo is an assistant professor of clinical physical therapy who specializes in orthopedics, manual therapy, primarily oncology and cancer rehabilitation. She is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association and its oncology and orthopedics sections. (see Marissa Perdomo’s full profile)
Andrew Piraino, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS, PES
Andrew Piraino is an adjunct instructor of clinical physical therapy and residency faculty member for USC’s orthopedic physical therapy residency. He is a board-certified clinical specialist in orthopedics by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties; a member of the APTA’s orthopedic, sports physical therapy, education and research sections; and a certified strength and conditioning specialist. (see Andrew Piraino’s full profile)
Amy Pomrantz, PT, DPT, OCS, ATC
Amy Pomrantz is an assistant professor of clinical physical therapy. She practices at USC Physical Therapy and is a board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist and a certified athletic trainer. She specializes in the treatment of orthopedic conditions, sports-related injuries and pain management. She also teaches in the division and participates in clinical education. (see Amy Pomrantz’s full profile)
Liz Poppert, PT, DPT, MS, OCS
Liz Poppert blends academics, as an adjunct assistant professor of clinical physical therapy and clinical work at her Santa Monica private practice. Her university teaching, continuing education courses and publications aim to educate practitioners to apply best evidence, biomechanics and principles therapeutic exercise to maximize patient outcomes with rehabilitative exercise programs especially for individuals with low back pain and running-related injuries. (see Liz Poppert’s full profile)
Christopher Powers, PhD, PT, FAPTA
Christopher Powers is a professor whose research and teaching interests relate to the biomechanical aspects of human movement. Specifically, his research focuses on how altered kinematics, kinetics and muscular actions contribute to lower-extremity injury. He is particularly interested in the pathomechanics underlying knee and patellofemoral joint dysfunction. He is co-director of the Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Research Laboratory and director of the division’s biokinesiology program. (see Christopher Powers’ full profile)
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Susan Mais Requejo, PT, DPT, OCS
Volunteer Faculty (see Susan Mais Requejo’s full profile)
Cheryl Resnik, PT, DPT, MSHCM, FNAP, FAPTA
Cheryl Resnik is an associate professor of clinical physical therapy and director of community outreach. She oversees the pro bono USC Fit Families clinic, which is dedicated to wellness and prevention for the local community. She has a long history of leadership in the profession, including serving as president of the California Physical Therapy Association and vice president of two sections. In the classroom, Dr. Resnik incorporates mindfulness meditation and motivational interviewing as both personal and clinical skills for first-year doctoral physical therapy students. (see Cheryl Resnik’s full profile)
Pamela Ressler, PT, DPT, NCS
Adjunct Instructor of Clinical Physical Therapy (see Pamela Ressler’s full profile)
Terry Richardson II, PT, DPT
Terry Richardson II is an instructor of clinical physical therapy. He is a wound care specialist at the Keck Hospital of USC, providing clinical instruction for physical therapy doctoral students in best practices for wound care. He is also the faculty advisor for USC’s Physical Therapy Multicultural Leadership Alliance. (see Terry Richardson’s full profile)
Eric Robertson, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT
Adjunct Associate Professor of Clinical Physical Therapy (see Eric Robertson’s full profile)
Joseph Robinson, PT, DPT, NCS
Adjunct Instructor of Clinical Physical Therapy (see Joseph Robinson’s full profile)
K. Michael Rowley, PhD
Clinical Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy (see K. Michael Rowley’s full profile)
Elizabeth (Elise) Ruckert, PT, DPT, NCS, GCS
Elizabeth Ruckert is an associate professor of clinical physical therapy and a board-certified clinical specialist in neurology and geriatrics through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. Her research interests relate to education pedagogy, instructional design in both online and face-to-face environments, clinical reasoning and mindset. She has more than 10 years of experience in entry-level physical therapy programs related to neurology, aging, clinical reasoning and differential diagnosis. (see Elizabeth Ruckert’s full profile)
Scott Russell, PT, DPT, GCS, CCS
Scott Russell is an assistant professor of clinical physical therapy and the lead physical therapist at the Keck Hospital of USC, specializing in the management of patients with cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. A board-certified clinical specialist in geriatric and cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapy, he teaches the management of cardiovascular and pulmonary disease and pathology of cardiopulmonary disease and general medical conditions courses in the doctor of physical therapy program. (see Scott Russell’s full profile)
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Kyan Sahba, PT, DPT, CMPT
Kyan Sahba is an adjunct instructor of clinical physical therapy who specializes in oncology physical therapy. She is studying for a PhD in physical therapy at Loma Linda University and working on an introductory paper for physical therapists who want to incorporate psychoneuroimmunology into their practice. (see Kyan Sahba’s full profile)
Andrew Saldivar, PT, DPT, SCS
Andrew Saldivar is a physical therapist who specializes in treating sports and orthopedic injuries, as well as postoperative rehabilitation. He is a clinical instructor for first-year students in the doctor of physical therapy program. (see Andrew Saldivar’s full profile)
George J. Salem, PhD
George J. Salem is an associate professor and director of the USC Institute for Senior Golf Science. He is also co-director of the Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Research Laboratory and oversees its exercise and aging biomechanics research program. This program recognizes the growing importance of exercise and activity interventions to improve health and quality of life across the lifespan. (see George Salem’s full profile)
Daniel Salinas, PT, DPT
Daniel Salinas is an instructor of clinical physical therapy who practices at the Keck Hospital of USC, where he treats patients with orthopedic, neurological, cardiovascular and cancer diagnoses, among others. (see Daniel Salinas’ full profile)
Natalia Sánchez, PhD
Natalia Sánchez is an assistant professor of research. Her research focuses on understanding how walking adapts to novel environments in healthy individuals and how it adapts and recovers from central nervous injury such as stroke using experimental and machine learning methods. (see Natalia Sánchez’ full profile)
Barbara Sargent, PhD, PT, PCS
Barbara Sargent is an assistant professor of clinical physical therapy whose research focuses on motor development, motor learning and the rehabilitation of infants and children with movement dysfunctions. A board-certified clinical specialist in pediatric physical therapy, she teaches lifespan content throughout the curriculum, including human development and lifespan considerations for patient/client management. (see Barbara Sargent’s full profile)
E. Todd Schroeder, PhD
E. Todd Schroeder is an associate professor of clinical physical therapy whose research focuses on anabolic interventions (androgen therapy and resistance training) to increase muscle mass and strength, ultimately improving physical function and quality of life in older adults. He investigates the mechanisms whereby progressive resistance training and testosterone treatment stimulate protein synthesis and improve muscle quality in older persons. (see E. Todd Schroeder’s full profile)
Nicolas Schweighofer, PhD
Nicolas Schweighofer is an associate professor whose research focuses on neuro-computational models to understand the neural bases of motor learning. This includes investigations into motor plasticity in the cerebellum, cortical map plasticity and reorganization in the sensorimotor cortex, multiple task learning and adaptive decision-making during motor learning in healthy and lesioned brains. Predictions are tested through behavioral and/or brain imaging (fMRI and TMS) experiments at USC and with international collaborators. He aims to optimize relearning of motor skills in patients with stroke. (see Nicolas Schweighofer’s full profile)
Chris Sebelski, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS, CSCS
Chris Sebelski is an adjunct associate professor of clinical physical therapy whose research focuses on self-efficacy, leadership, clinical reasoning and visual analysis of movement. (see Chris Sebelski’s full profile)
Frank Shellock, PhD
Frank G. Shellock is a physiologist with 25 years of experience conducting laboratory and clinical investigations in the field of magnetic resonance imaging. He is an adjunct professor of clinical physical therapy and an adjunct clinical professor in radiology and medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. (see Frank Shellock’s full profile)
Don Shimabukuro, PT, MPT, GCS
Don Shimabukuro is an instructor of clinical physical therapy who specializes in joint replacements and other orthopedic diagnoses at the Keck Hospital of USC. He is a board-certified clinical specialist in geriatrics and volunteers for Operation Walk, a nonprofit that performs pro bono hip and knee replacements locally and abroad. (see Don Shimabukuro’s full profile)
Erica Sigman, PT, DPT, OCS
Erica Sigman is an assistant professor of clinical physical therapy and director of USC’s orthopedic physical therapy residency program. She is also a physical therapist at USC Physical Therapy on the Health Sciences Campus. She specializes in treating patients with headaches, TMJ-related issues, facial pain and weakness, orthopedic disorders and chronic pain. (see Erica Sigman’s full profile)
Susan Sigward, PhD, PT, ATC
Susan Sigward is an associate professor of clinical physical therapy whose research focuses on the identification and amelioration of impaired mechanics as they relate to lower-extremity injuries, with a focus on knee injuries. Her work has contributed to the understanding of how factors such as experience, age, training and sex influence the development of movement strategies that contribute to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. Current studies are focused on rehabilitation following ACL reconstruction, with an emphasis on the effects of early rehabilitation interventions on long-term outcomes. Dr. Sigward is director of the division’s Human Performance Laboratory at the Competitive Athletic Training Zone, Physical Therapy Institute and Sports Performance Center in Pasadena, Calif. (see Susan Sigward’s full profile)
Michael Simpson, PT, DPT, CCS
Michael S. Simpson is an associate professor of clinical physical therapy and director of the clinical education program. A board-certified cardiovascular and pulmonary clinical specialist, he primarily practices in acute care and critical care settings. He teaches clinical management of cardiovascular, pulmonary and general medical conditions and integrates acute care patient/client management skills into the curriculum. (see Michael Simpson’s full profile)
Beth Smith, PT, DPT, PhD
Beth Smith is an assistant professor of research who focuses on the development of neural control of movement during infancy. As director of the Infant Neuromotor Control Laboratory, she evaluates interventions for neural and functional development in infants who have or are at risk for developmental delays. (see Beth Smith’s full profile)
Jo Armour Smith, PhD
Jo Armour Smith is an adjunct assistant professor who is interested in postural control of the trunk during dynamic activities. Her research focuses on how trunk postural control is modified by musculoskeletal pain, aging and skill acquisition. She is interested in investigating the relationship between the functional organization of the motor cortex and anticipatory postural adjustments in young and older adults, with an aim to improve evaluation and treatment of patients with movement disorders. (see Jo Armour Smith’s full profile)
Shawn Sorenson, PhD, CSCS
Shawn C. Sorenson is an adjunct assistant professor of research and an interdisciplinary health and exercise scientist and educator who specializes in the health and well-being of elite athletes. As a PhD student at USC, he led the first formal study of lifetime health, exercise and quality of life among competitive athletes. He also served as founding director of the Trojan Lifetime Champions research and education program, a joint initiative between the division and the USC Department of Athletics. He embraces wide-ranging knowledge in epidemiology, exercise physiology, sports biomechanics, strength and conditioning, personal development and the behavioral sciences as key to promoting whole-person health and well-being. Dr. Sorenson is a former engineer and project manager in the NASA Space Shuttle Program, a member of the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Strength and Conditioning Association, and founder of S. C. Sorenson Consulting. (see Shawn Sorenson’s full profile)
Gary Souza, PT, DPT, OCS
Gary Souza is an adjunct assistant professor of clinical physical therapy with specialties in orthopedics and sports physical therapy. He works with athletes in the rehabilitation of back injuries and sports-specific training programs and performs functional capacity evaluations for workers post-rehabilitation and prior to their return to work after an injury. (see Gary Souza’s full profile)
Ricardo Suarez, PT, DPT
Jonathan Sum, PT, DPT, OCS, SCS
Jonathan Sum is an assistant professor of clinical physical therapy and director of USC Physical Therapy on the Health Sciences Campus. He specializes in treating patients with orthopedic disorders, sports-related injuries, postsurgical rehabilitation, pain management and musical performance-related injuries. In the physical therapy doctorate program, he coordinates the shoulder module for patient management courses and is a clinical mentor in the orthopedic and sports physical therapy residency and Sports Physical Therapy Residency programs. (see Jonathan Sum’s full profile)
Marc Surdyka, PT, DPT, OCS
Marc Surdyka is an adjunct instructor of clinical physical therapy who teaches in the musculoskeletal anatomy and analytical anatomy courses as part of USC’s residential and hybrid doctor of physical therapy programs. He is also a board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist who works with a diverse population that spans all ages and conditions. He promotes evidence-based care on a local, national, and international level. (see Marc Surdyka’s full profile)
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Lisa Tan, PT, DPT
Lisa Tan is an instructor of clinical physical therapy who practices at the Keck Hospital of USC, with a focus on inpatient and outpatient wound care and pelvic floor physical therapy. She is a member of the clinical electrophysiology, wound management and women’s health sections of the APTA. (see Lisa Tan’s full profile)
Jennifer Tanaka, PT, DPT, NCS
Jennifer Tanaka is an instructor of clinical physical therapy and practices at the Keck Hospital of USC and in the acoustic neuroma program in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. (see Jennifer Tanaka’s full profile)
Valerie Teglia, PT, DPT
Assistant Professor of Clinical Physical Therapy (see Val Teglia’s full profile)
Sharae Tejada, PT, DPT, OCS, SCS
Adjunct Instructor of Clinical Physical Therapy (see Sharae Tejada’s full profile)
Jeff Thompson, PT, DPT
Jeff Thompson is an instructor of clinical physical therapy and is the lead outpatient wound care physical therapist at the Keck Hospital of USC. He treats a wide range of patients with complex surgical wounds, traumatic wounds, arterial and venous wounds, diabetic neuropathic wounds and atypical wounds. He is a member of the APTA and a credentialed clinical instructor. He is also a member of the Association for the Advancement of Wound Care. (see Jeff Thompson’s full profile)
Julie Tilson, PT, DPT, MS, NCS
Julie Tilson is a professor of clinical physical therapy who specializes in effective methods for translating rehabilitation research into clinical practice. She is the director of DPT@USC, the division’s hybrid online/on-campus doctor of physical therapy program. She teaches evidence-based practice and vestibular rehabilitation to doctoral physical therapy students at USC and to clinicians nationally and internationally, with an emphasis on active learning and the integration of scientific research, clinical expertise and patient perspectives into clinical decision making. (see Julie Tilson’s full profile)
Rachel Tabak Tran, PT
Adjunct Instructor of Clinical Physical Therapy (see Rachel Tabak Tran’s full profile)
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Jared Vagy, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS
Jared Vagy is an instructor of clinical physical therapy and a board-certified orthopedic specialist. (see Jared Vagy’s full profile)
Francisco Valero-Cuevas, PhD
Professor Francisco Valero-Cuevas directs the Brain-Body Dynamics Lab, which focuses on the fundamental mechanisms of interactions between the brain and the body that give rise to versatile physical function. His team’s conceptual approach is that machines and organisms are part of a continuum of solutions that have evolved to respond to the demands of the physical environment. (see Francisco Valero-Cuevas’ full profile)
Jena Van Loo, MPT
Jena Van Loo is an adjunct instructor of clinical physical therapy. She practices at the Keck Hospital of USC, specializing in orthopedic disorders. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association. (see Jena Van Loo’s full profile)
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Cooper Wardell, PT, DPT
Cooper Wardell is an instructor of clinical physical therapy who practices at the Keck Hospital of USC, working with patients with orthopedic, vascular, cardiovascular, neurological and other diagnoses in the acute care setting. He has a particular interest in wound care and works with the wound care team at Keck Hospital of USC on both inpatients and outpatients. (see Cooper Wardell’s full profile)
Chad Waterbury, PT, DPT
Clinical Instructor of Physical Therapy (see Chad Waterbury’s full profile)
Carolee J. Winstein, PhD, PT, FAPTA
Carolee J. Winstein is a professor of biokinesiology and physical therapy and a faculty member in the interdisciplinary Neuroscience Graduate Program. She oversees an interdisciplinary research program focused on understanding rehabilitation outcomes at the systems level and promoting optimal recovery of goal-directed movement behaviors that emerge from a dynamic brain-behavior system in brain-damaged conditions. (see Carolee Winstein’s full profile)
Stephanie Woelfel, PT, DPT, CWS, FACCWS
Stephanie Woelfel is an assistant professor physical therapy and surgery at USC Physical Therapy at the Keck Hospital of USC. She treats inpatients and outpatients in her specialty area of wound management and is a center coordinator for clinical education at Keck Hospital. A board-certified wound specialist and a Fellow of the American College of Clinical Wound Specialists, she is active in the American Physical Therapy Association and serves as APTA’s liaison to the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel. (see Stephanie Woelfel’s full profile)
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Kimiko Yamada, PT, DPT, OCS, ATC, CLT, CSCS
Kimiko Yamada teaches content related to the oncology curriculum and therapeutic modalities in the physical therapy doctoral program and is a faculty mentor in the orthopedic physical therapy residency program. She is involved in clinical physical therapy research with a focus on self-efficacy and low back pain and on lymphedema management and physical therapy after head and neck cancer treatment. She heads the USC Head and Neck Rehabilitation Program to help uninsured and under-insured patients get physical therapy after cancer treatment. (see Kimiko Yamada’s full profile)
Noriko Yamaguchi, PT, DPT, GCS, CSCS
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Clinical Physical Therapy (see Noriko Yamaguchi’s full profile)
Jennifer Yue, PT, DPT
Jennifer Yue is a board-certified neurologic specialist who focuses on treating various neurologic diagnoses in patients with spinal cord injuries, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, limb amputations and brain tumors. (see Jennifer Yue’s full profile)