Faculty

Angel Holland

Holland, Angel, P.T, D.P.T., Ed.D., Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy
Associate Professor, Chair and Program Director

Background: Dr. Holland completed her undergraduate Biology degree from Oklahoma Christian University, followed by her Masters in Physical Therapy from Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, Texas and her Clinical Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Arcadia University. She completed her Ed.D at the University of Arkansas.

Certifications & Other Specialties: Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy, Certified in Documentation Auditing, Certified Interprofessional Education Facilitator

Teaching Interests: Clinical Education, Professionalism, Clinical Reasoning

Research Interests: Student wellness, Student success, Student-led Interprofessional Clinic, Teaching and Learning for Generation Y.

Clinical Interests: Home health, Geriatrics, Student-led Interprofessional Clinic

Service Interests: Student wellness, Student success, Student-led Interprofessional Clinic, Teaching and Learning for Generation Y.


John Jefferson

Jefferson, John, P.T., Ph.D, Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy
Professor and Chair of Admissions

Background: Dr. Jefferson received his Bachelors of Science degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Toronto, Masters of Science in Biomechanics from the University of Waterloo, and Ph.D in Orthopaedic and Sports Science from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions.

Certifications & Other Specialties: Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy (APTA), Certified Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapist (Canadian Physiotherapy Association), Certified Weight Trainer (International Weightlifting Association)

Teaching Interests: Anatomy, Biomechanics, Orthopaedics, Manual Therapy

Research Interests: Neck & back pain, Ergonomics, Adverse Neural Tension, Admissions and Student Success & Educational Instructional Design

Clinical Interests: Orthopedics and Manual Therapy

Service Interests: Facilitating student service learning opportunities, Pro bono therapy, Therapy animals, Theatre.


Ruth Ross

Ross, Ruth, P.T. D.P.T, Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy
Assistant Professor & Director of Clinical Education

Background: Dr. Ross received her Bachelor’s of Science in Neuroscience from Pomona College in Claremont California and Clinical Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis

Certifications & Other Specialties: Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy, APTA Certified Clinical Instructor

Teaching Interests: Orthopaedics, Movement Dysfunction, Clinical Education

Research Interests: Identifying and developing appropriate communication strategies for effective exercise instruction.

Clinical Interests: Orthopaedics, Movement Dysfunction, Student-Led Interprofessional Clinic

Service Interests: Student success and Remediation


Laurel Sexton

Sexton, Laurel, P.T., D.P.T, Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Women’s Health Physical Therapy
Assistant Professor

Background: Dr. Sexton received her undergraduate degree from the University of Tulsa and her Clinical Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Des Moines University.

Certifications & Other Specialties: Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Women’s Health Physical Therapy.

Teaching Interests: Orthopedics and Women’s, Men’s and Children’s Pelvic Health

Research Interests: Student success, Remediation, and Education

Clinical Interests: Women’s, men’s and children’s pelvic health and orthopedics

Service Interests: Student retention, Liaison to student success center, CHP scholarship Committee


Heather Vaughn

Vaughn, Heather, P.T., D.P.T.
Assistant Director of Clinical Education and Adjunct Faculty

Background: Dr. Vaughn received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and her Clinical Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in Tulsa.

Certifications & Other Specialties: APTA Certified Clinical Instructor, 500-hour Certified Yoga Teacher, PWR! Parkinsons Rehab Certified, Blood Flow Restriction Rehab Certified, STAR Oncology Rehab Certified

Clinical Interests: Orthopedics, Multi-Joint Trauma Rehab, Scoliosis Management, Chronic Pain Conditions, Falls Prevention

Service Interests: Clinical Education, Student Success and Remediation, Yoga as Therapy, Mental Health Advocacy, Environmental Impact Awareness


Jennifer Vincenzo

Vincenzo, Jennifer, P.T., M.P.H., Ph.D, Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy (CGS), Certified Wound Specialist (CWS), Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP), Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS)
Associate Professor

K76 Paul B. Beeson Emerging Leaders in Aging Career Development Scholar

Background: Dr. Vincenzo received her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from Quinnipiac University in Connecticut, Masters of Public Health from Southern Connecticut State University, and Graduate Certificate in Educational Statistics and Research Methods and PhD in Kinesiology/Exercise Science from University of Arkansas. Dr. Vincenzo was the first KL2 scholar in the College of Health Professions at UAMS and the only scholar to receive an additional 3rd year of funding (2019-2022). She has held several leadership positions at the department, university, state, and national levels and received numerous service and research awards. Most recently she became the first faculty member at UAMS and only the 4th physical therapist ever to receive the prestigious Paul B. Beeson Emerging Leaders in Aging K76 Career Development Award (2022-2027).

Certifications & Other Specialties: Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy, APTA Certified Clinical Instructor, Certified Health Education Specialist, Certified Dementia Practitioner, Certified Brain Injury Specialist, Certified Wound Specialist, former KL2 Mentored Research Career Development Scholar, 2016 Fellow of the Arkansas Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program through the Health Resources and Services Administration. Currently pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Implementation Science at UAMS.

Teaching Interests: Geriatrics, Neurorehabilitation, Wound management, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

Research Interests: Implementation Science, Geriatrics, Falls Prevention, Health Promotion, Disease Prevention, Equitable aging in place, Research mentoring, Clinical-community connections to promote aging in place.

Clinical Interests: Geriatrics, Neurorehabilitation, Wound Management, Health Promotion, Disease Prevention

Service Interests: Chair – Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging in Arkansas, Director – American Physical Therapy Association-Geriatrics Board of Directors, Member of Task Force for APTA-Geriatrics/National Council on Aging, Former Chair of Balance and Falls Special Interest Group and State Advocate of APTA-Geriatrics, Board member of Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging in Arkansas, Member of the National Council on Falls Risk Awareness and Prevention

For more information on research and publications, refer to this link:

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jennifer_Vincenzo


Christopher Walter

Walter, Christopher, P.T, D.P.T, Ph.D
Associate Professor

Background: Dr. Walter received his undergraduate degree and Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree from the University of Central Arkansas. He received his PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences from the University of Utah.

Certifications & Other Specialties: APTA board certified clinical instructor, Certified Brian Injury Specialist, 2018 Fellow of the Arkansas Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program through the Health Resources and Services Administration,

Teaching Interests: Motor control/learning, Neurology & Neurological Rehabilitation, Clinical Reasoning

Research Interests: One of Dr. Walter’s lines of research aims to improve function and quality of life in older adults and individuals following neurological disorders by studying how individuals learn and re-learn motor skills. He is also exploring disparities in physical activity and functional outcomes in vulnerable populations.

Clinical Interests: Stroke, Brain Injury, Complex Neurological Conditions

Service Interests: Student success, Curriculum Development


Staff

 

Dollie Resh

Dollie Resh
Executive Assistant I
Department of Physical Therapy

Dollie is the Executive Assistant for the Department of Physical Therapy.  She has a Ph.D in life experience as a career office manager and administrator.  She has completed training to utilize various computer programs and platforms.  When she is not busy helping faculty, students, and keeping the department running – she teaches sewing, and volunteers at the yearly convention of the Experimental Aircraft Association Airventure.


Additional/Adjunct Faculty

Cathcart, Christopher, PT, DPT, M.B.A. – Adjunct Instructor

Cotten, Chelsea, PT, DPT – Adjunct Instructor

Ferguson, Alishia, Ph.D. – Adjunct Instructor

Gergerich, Erika, Ph.D. – Adjunct Instructor

Myane, Andrea, PT, M.S., CCI, PCS – Adjunct Instructor

Skinner, W. Patrick, PT, M.S. – Adjunct Instructor

Stone, Sean, PT, DPT – Adjunct Instructor

Warmack, Thomas Scott, Pharm.D. – Associate Professor