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Meet the Doctor of Physical Therapy Faculty and Staff

Kimberly Varnado, PT, DPT, DHSc
Director, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
Associate Professor of Physical Therapy

BS Biology, Tennessee State University
DPT Doctor of Physical Therapy, Indiana University
DHSc, Doctor of Health Sciences, A.T. Still University
Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist
Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists
Credentialed Fellowship Graduate of the APTA Education Leadership Institute (ELI)

Areas of Expertise
Clinical problem solving, musculoskeletal rehabilitation and physical therapy examination.

kvarnado [at] csm.edu
Anne Mejia-Downs, PT, MPH, PhD
Associate Professor of Physical Therapy

BS Physical Therapy, University of Colorado Boulder 
MPH Health Behavior, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 
PhD Health Promotion and Wellness, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions 

Areas of Expertise
Cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapy, public and population health, health promotion and wellness, psychological resilience, social determinants of health

Accomplishments and Published Articles
Linda Crane Memorial Lecture Award, Cardiovascular and Pulmonary, Education, and Pediatric Sections of APTA, 2016.
Dunleavy K, Mejia-Downs, A, Green Guerrero H, Wentzell E, Rucker-Bussie VM, Davenport TE, Magnusson D. Embedding Population Health in Physical Therapist Professional Education, Physical Therapy. 2021
Mejia-Downs, A. An Intervention Enhances Resilience in Entry-Level Physical Therapy Students: A Preliminary Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Physical Therapy Education. 2020.

Involvement
American Physical Therapy Association
Prevention, Health Promotion, and Wellness Council: Component Ambassador
Manuscript Reviewer: Pacific Journal of Health, Journal of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy Journal
Abstract Reviewer: Annual American Public Health Association Conference Presentations
Pro Bono Patient Care, WSSU DPT Student Supervision and Spanish Translation, Community Care Clinic, Winston-Salem, NC

amejia-downs [at] csm.edu
Nipaporn Somyoo, PT, DPT, OCS
Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy

BA Psychology, Northern Illinois University
DPT Doctor of Physical Therapy, Midwestern University (AZ)
Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist
EdD, College of Saint Mary, August 2025

Areas of Expertise
Orthopedic

Involvement
American Physical Therapy Association Member and Orthopedic Section Member
National Strength and Conditioning Association

nsomyoo [at] csm.edu
Eder Alejandro Garavito, PT, DPT, CCS
Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy

BA Kinesiology, Concordia University - St. Paul, MN
DPT Doctor of Physical Therapy, Midwestern University, Arizona 
Board Certified Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Clinical Specialist
PhD North Carolina State University, December 2024

Areas of Expertise
Cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapy

Accomplishments and Published Articles
Bolden A, Shaw DK, Garvito E. Comparison of arterial blood pressures obtained following four different rest intervals
Garavito E, Varnado K, Shaw DK, Dichraff B, Glew D, Somyoo N. Comparison of resting pulse and heart rate values obtained on the same subjects over four time intervals: What are the clinical implications?
Varnado K, Shaw DK, Garavito E, Gadagkar S. Do four different pulse and heart rate methods employed simultaneously render the same results in subjects measured at rest?

Involvement
Member of Academy of Education (APTA)
Member of Academy of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy (APTA)
Member of American Physical Therapy Association
Specialization Academy of Content Experts (SACE) Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Section

egaravito [at] csm.edu
Diane Wrisley, PT, PhD
Professor of Physical Therapy

BS Physical Therapy, University at Buffalo
MS Physical Therapy, Old Dominion University
PhD University of Pittsburgh
Post Doctoral Fellowship, Neurological Institute, Oregon Health and Sciences University

Areas of Expertise
Neurological Physical Therapy, Vestibular and Balance Deficits, Evidence-based Practice, Research

dwrisley [at] csm.edu
Shannon Richardson, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS
Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy

BS Kinesiological Sciences, University of Nevada-Las Vegas
BS Sports and Fitness Management, University of Nevada-Las Vegas
DPT Doctor of Physical Therapy, Midwestern University
EdD Educational Leadership, College of Saint Mary
Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist

Areas of Expertise
Movement Science, Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy, Differential Diagnosis

Accomplishments and Published Articles
Kaiser Permanente Excellence in Research 2016
MediFit Bronze Star Award 2008

Involvement
Simms/Mann Health & Wellness Center
Special Olympics Arizona

srichardson [at] csm.edu
Monica Dial, PT, DPT, NCS
Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy

BS The College of New Jersey
DPT Doctor of Physical Therapy, Midwestern University
Board Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist
EdD, Vanderbilt University, Fall 2024

Areas of Expertise
Online learning, balance

Accomplishments and Published Articles
Selby-Silverstein L, Dial M., Anderson H, Wrisley D. CPG+ Team for Vestibular Hypofunction Guidline PTNow. Online Knowledge Translation Portal of the American Physical Therapy Association, December 2023.

Involvement
Education Committee Co-Chair, Nebraska Physical Therapy Association, vice president
American Physical Therapy Association, PT Moves Me Education Ambassador
Nebraska Stroke Task Force Rehab Committee

mdial [at] csm.edu
Alex Scharmann, PT, DPT, OCS
Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy
Co-Director of Clinical Education

BS Exercise Science, Brigham Young University- Idaho
DPT Doctor of Physical Therapy, Midwestern University
Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist

ascharmann [at] CSM.edu
Mica Mitchell, PT, DPT, C/NDT
Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy

BS Sports Medicine, Methodist College (University)
MPT Physical Therapy, East Carolina University
DPT Pediatric Science,  Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions
Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Pediatric Physical Therapy

mmitchell [at] csm.edu
Janet Kneiss, DPT, PhD
Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy

BBA Kent State University 
BS  Physical Therapy, Nazareth College
MS  Physical Therapy, Nazareth College  
PhD Health Practice Research, University of Rochester
DPT MGH Institute of Health Professions

jkneiss [at] csm.edu
Kristy M.B. Keefner, PT, DPT, EdD, OCS, MTC
Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy
Co-Director of Clinical Education

BS Exercise Science, Auburn University
DPT University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, St. Augustine, FL
EdD Creighton University
Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist
Manual Therapy Certification

kkeefner [at] csm.edu
Kendra Bryant
Program and Clinical Coordinator, Doctoral of Physical Therapy Program

BS Professional Studies,  Austin Peay State University

kbryant [at] csm.edu
Alexandra Burdyny
Administrative Assistant, Doctor of Physical Therapy
aburdyny [at] csm.edu