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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

B.S. Biology, Tennessee State University
D.P.T. Doctor of Physical Therapy, Indiana University
D.H.S.c, 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)

kvarnado [at] csm.edu
Andrea Kessler, PT, DPT, OTR/L, EdD
Director of Clinical Education, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy

B.S. Occupational Therapy, University of Pittsburgh
D.P.T. Physical Therapy,Slippery Rock University
Ed.D. Educational Leadership,  University of New England

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

B.S. Physical Therapy, University of Colorado Boulder 
M.P.H. Health Behavior, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 
Ph.D. Health Promotion and Wellness, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions 

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

B.A. Psychology, Northern Illinois University
D.P.T. Doctor of Physical Therapy, Midwestern University (AZ)
Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist

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

B.A. Kinesiology, Concordia University - St. Paul, MN
D.P.T. Doctor of Physical Therapy, Midwestern University 
Board Certified Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Clinical Specialist

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

B.S. Physical Therapy, University at Buffalo
M.S. Physical Therapy, Old Dominion University
Ph.D. University of Pittsburgh
Post Doctoral Fellowship, Neurological Institute, Oregon Health and Sciences University

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

B.S Kinesiology and Sports and Fitness Management, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, NV
D.P.T. Doctor of Physical Therapy, Midwestern University
Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist

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

B.S. The College of New Jersey
D.P.T Doctor of Physical Therapy, Midwestern University
Board Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist

mross [at] csm.edu
Alex Scharmann, PT, DPT, OCS
Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy

B.S. Exercise Science, Brigham Young University- Idaho
D.P.T. Doctor of Physical Therapy, Midwestern University
Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist

ascharmann [at] CSM.edu
Janet Kneiss, DPT, PhD
Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy

B.B.A. Kent State University 
B.S.  Physical Therapy, Nazareth College
M.S.  Physical Therapy, Nazareth College  
Ph.D. Health Practice Research, University of Rochester
D.P.T. MGH Institute of Health Professions

jkneiss [at] csm.edu
Kyra Gause
Program Clinical Coordinator

B.A  Classics Washington University in St. Louis

kgause [at] csm.edu