Faculty & Staff
Core Faculty
Penny G Kroll, PT, PhDChair/Program Director, Professor
Email: kroll@marshall.edu
Phone: (304) 696-5614
Office Location: SOPT 140
Education:
BS, Louisiana State University, 1975
MA, New York University, 1982
PhD, New York University, 1988
Clinical Expertise: Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy
Research/Scholarly Interests:
Measurement methods in physical therapy; interdisciplinary education and training; care of patients with diabetes with subsequent neuropathies and balance issues.
Teaching Philosophy:
An effective physical therapist practitioner must assume a number of important roles: primary care provider in a challenging health care environment, diagnostician of movement dysfunction; interventionist applying evidence-based treatment techniques to restore function; teacher and motivator working with patients and communities to promote optimum health and wellness; team leader and/or participant in patient-centered intra and inter professional teams; patient, professional and community advocate; a consumer and/or producer of clinical research. In order to fulfill those multiple roles to the highest level, the physical therapist must be committed to service to the profession and the community, dedicated to lifelong learning and the pursuit and application of new knowledge, and devoted to seeking excellence in every avenue in their lives. Therefore, a physical therapy faculty should support an educational process that seeks to help students develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviors necessary to become proficient in these various roles. The program administration, faculty and staff should become role models who guide the educational process and encourage formation of a partnership between faculty and students in the quest for the pursuit of professional excellence. As a faculty member, I should accept the responsibility of emulating professional attitudes and behaviors, and providing leadership to students, and the student should accept responsibility for their own professional growth and development.
Curriculum Vitae
C. Eric Arnold, PhDAssociate Professor
Email: arnoldc@marshall.edu
Phone: (304) 696-5615
Office Location: SOPT 128
Education:
PhD, Georgia State University, 2008
(Sport Science/Exercise Physiology)
Clinical Expertise: Exercise Physiology, prediabetes, and Type 2 Diabetes
Research/Scholarly Interests:
Research has addressed questions related to skeletal muscle plasticity (e.g., skeletal muscle adaptations) in the Obese Zucker Rat (Leprfa) Plantaris and Soleus muscles subjected to mechanical overload. Future research will address the effect of Exercise on Insulin Sensitivity, and Glucose Tolerance in patients diagnosed with prediabetes.
Teaching Philosophy:
Teaching physiology and pathology courses (e.g., PT 720 Advanced Clinical Physiology, PT 721 Applied Exercise Physiology and Therapeutic Rehabilitation, PT 741 Medical Pathology I, and PT 743 Medical Pathology III) is a passion and I am intrigued by the study of how the human body functions in maintaining homeostasis under normal conditions, how exercise as a stressor impacts human physiology, and how exercise can be utilized as a therapeutic strategy in the treatment and prevention of specific underlying pathological disease states (e.g., prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes). Challenging integrative lectures and exam questions pertaining to physiological concepts where Doctoral students in Physical Therapy are required to utilize critical thinking skills is paramount in terms of their respective academic training in the 21 century. The objective is to provide students with a learning environment that encompasses various teaching methodologies including a case based approach, group interaction, physiological software, physiological laboratories, and a lecture format that will stimulate and foster learning processes.
Curriculum Vitae
Yi-Po Chiu, PT, MHS, PhD, CEEAAAssistant Professor
Email: chiuy@marshall.edu
Phone: (304) 696-5618
Office Location: SOPT 137
Education:
BS, Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, 1995
MHS, University of Florida, 2001
PhD, University of Florida, 2007
Clinical Expertise: Neurological Physical Therapy; Geriatrics/Gerontology
Research/Scholarly Interests:
Movement analysis in people with neurological dysfunction (Eshkol Wachman Movement Notation); balance assessment/training in people with central and peripheral neurological disorders.
Teaching Philosophy:
The field of physical therapy is evolving every day, so I focus on students’ development of active learning. Evidence-based clinical practice that can improve and advance our profession has been an ongoing emphasis in physical therapy. The graduates of a Doctoral of Physical Therapy program need to develop strong clinical skills, as well as possess the essential abilities to comprehend, interpret, apply existing scientific findings, and conduct clinical research. Learning should be exciting, stimulating and challenging. As an instructor, I believe I should encourage my students to freely ask questions. As I do not always know all the answers, I also expect that, through open/sound discussion, students and I will collaboratively select/decide appropriate solutions to a specific question or situation based on scientific evidence. Besides, critical inquiry can help us organize our thoughts and reflect how much we have learned. This type of exercise always benefits both students and the instructor. I enjoy learning with my students!
Curriculum Vitae
Neil A. Evans, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCSAssistant Professor
Email: evansn@marshall.edu
Phone: (304) 696-5617
Office Location: SOPT 133
Education:
DPT, Slippery Rock University, 2001
APTA Board Certification: Orthopedic Certified Specialist, 2009
Clinical Expertise: Orthopedics with a focus on spinal dysfunction
Research/Scholarly Interests:
Education Research related to the Effectiveness of Blended Learning, and the Influence of human Movement related to Neuromusculoskeletal Dysfunction
Teaching Philosophy:
As a teacher, I feel that my role is to promote learning while engaging the student in critical thinking that is needed in their professional careers. In order for successful learning to occur there must be proper guidance from the instructor as well as proper student involvement. I try and promote learning by first identifying the critical objectives to the students. Secondly, I prefer to use a variety of delivery methods, since many students learn in different ways. Some teaching methods include lecture, laboratory sessions, and small group work with faculty facilitator, and demonstrations. Finally, proper assessment of the skills is critical. Whenever possible I like to assess students’ understanding by using case scenarios or evaluation techniques that require a higher level of understanding. This assures that students are able to apply the knowledge and will be successful as future physical therapist.
Curriculum Vitae
Tamara N. Gravano, PT, DPT, GCSDirector of Clinical Education, Assistant Professor
Email: gravano@marshall.edu
Phone: (304) 696-5616
Office Location: SOPT 135
Education:
MSPT, University of Miami, 2002
DPT, University of Miami, 2003
APTA Board Certification: Geriatric Certified Specialist, 2005
Clinical Expertise: Geriatric Physical Therapy
Research/Scholarly Interests:
Fall prevention in older adults, generational differences, and best practice in geriatrics instruction in higher education
Teaching Philosophy:
My teaching philosophy developed both from my experience as a physical therapist clinical educator and by incorporating case-based Socratic discussions in the classroom. The emphasis on clinical decision making and development of critical thinking skills is the foundation of my teaching philosophy. In my courses, I take students into the hospitals and clinics throughout the semester to practice skills taught in the classroom on actual patients. This method brings to life the patient cases discussed in the classroom. Though a combination of clinical and classroom experiences, I am able to provide students with a comprehensive picture of physical therapy evaluation and treatment.
Curriculum Vitae
Rania Karim, PT, DPT,GCS,CEEAAAssistant Professor
Email: Karimr@marshall.edu
Phone: 696-5604
Office Location: SOPT 146
Education:
BS, Duquesne University 2004
DPT, Washington University in St. Louis 2008
APTA Board Certification: Geriatric Certified Specialist, 2012
Clinical Expertise: Geriatric Physical Therapy
Research/Scholarly Interests:
Interprofessional education and training, frailty, dementia.
Teaching Philosophy:
I am passionate about the profession of PT and want this passion to be noticeable when I teach. By incorporating case examples during class, I aim to convey information in a way that is meaningful to the students. I believe that teaching is a dynamic process that involves adapting methods and styles based on both the content and the audience. By tailoring courses to students, learning should also be a dynamic exchange of information between the student and professor. Lastly, by listening to students, I gain valuable insight into the efficacy of teaching methods and their unique needs.
Curriculum Vitae
Rose Marie Rine, PT, PhDAssociate Professor
Email: rinero@marshall.edu
Phone: (304) 696-5619
Office Location: SOPT 147
Education:
B.S., University of Connecticut 1973
M.S., University of Connecticut 1984
PhD., Northeastern University, 1992
Clinical Expertise: Neurological Physical Therapy: balance disorders, postural control, vestibular rehabilitation for adults and children, pediatrics.
Research/Scholarly Interests:
Postural and motor control, particularly the role of vestibular function in motor development and postural control; efficacy of vestibular rehabilitation for children, correlation of dynamic balance (function and development) with gait abilities.
Teaching Philosophy:
The physical therapist is an integral part of the health care system, being a provider of direct care, an educator of patients, families and communities and a consumer and producer of research related to clinical practice. The health care system is dynamic due to advancement in the sciences and medical and health interventions, changing societal practices and expectations, and administrative and fiscal changes in the provision of health care. To assure that students are prepared to successfully fulfill the multiple and every changing roles, educational programs and faculty should provide an educational environment and process that facilitate the student’s ability to gain knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviors needed for professional excellence, to include optimal patient care, life-long learning and contributions to the profession and professional knowledge base. The role of research, its importance in the preparation of clinicians and growth of the profession cannot be underestimated, as appropriate growth and change in the profession and the individual practitioner can only be achieved by a thorough understanding of processes, the courage and skill to examine the efficacy of the processes and optimal solutions to assure best patient care. As a faculty member I am responsible for mentoring students by emulating professional practice and behaviors and guiding their growth and pursuit of professional excellence. The student, in turn, must accept the responsibility for personal and professional growth and development.
Curriculum VitaeAssociated Faculty
F. Robin O'Keefe, PhDAssociate Professor
okeefef@marshall.edu
Dr. F. Robin O’Keefe, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Science here at Marshall University, is the course coordinator and lecturer in the DPT program course, PT 700 Gross Anatomy.
Dr. O’Keefe completed a BS in Biology from Stanford University in 1992 and a Ph.D. in Evolutionary Biology from the University of Chicago in 2002. He taught Human Anatomy at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, and since his arrival at Marshall in 2006, has taught human anatomy, comparative vertebrate anatomy systemic and biological data analysis. He has extensive honors, publications, and presentations. He has been a graduate student advisor for several years now, and is a well-regarded instructor who regularly achieves some of highest scores on course evaluations within the Department of Biology in the College of Sciences.
Staff
Laura Walker: Program Assistant IEmail: rodouss1@marshall.edu
Phone: (304) 696-5611
Office Location SOPT 143
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