Faculty and Staff

Admission

Mrs. Jennifer Simon, MSL

Operations and Admissions Administrator, Pre-PT Advisor

Room 3001, Stone Family Center for Health Sciences
812-488-1209
js698@evansville.edu

As operations administrator, Jennifer is responsible for admissions, advising, and operations for the Department of Physical Therapy. She has over 25 years of experience in public relations and marketing, including work in the entertainment, consumer, and nonprofit industries. During her time at University of Evansville, she has served as senior administrator in the Office of Financial Aid and project coordinator in the Office of Marketing and Communications. Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism from Murray State University and a Master of Science in Leadership from University of Evansville.

Faculty

Bethany Huebner, PT, DPT, PhD, SCS, MTC

Associate Professor of Physical Therapy and PhD in Health Professions Education
Department Chair of Physical Therapy

Room 3027, Stone Family Center for Health Sciences
812-488-4062
bh212@evansville.edu

Dr. Huebner teaches within the area of musculoskeletal, foundational sciences, and clinical course work in the DPT program. She received her Doctor of Philosophy degree in Health Professions Education from Bellarmine University in 2022, her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Indiana University in 2009, and her Bachelor's degree in Biology from The University of Alabama in Huntsville in 2006. Dr. Huebner graduated from the ProRehab and University of Evansville's Sports Residency program in 2010. She is a board-certified clinical specialist in sports through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. She also received her manual therapy certification through Evidence in Motion's program in 2014. Dr. Huebner's research interest is in injury prevention through individualized and group training and physical therapy education with an emphasis on feedback for learning.

Hannah LaMar, PT, DPT, NCS, ATC

(she/her/hers)

Clinical Assistant Professor
Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy

hl38@evansville.edu

Dr. Lamar teaches neurorehabilitation content at UE. She graduated from the University of Evansville's Athletic Training program in 2016 and the Doctoral Physical Therapy program in 2019. Following graduation, she completed St. Vincent Evansville & University of Evansville's Neurologic Residency Program and continues to serve as a clinical mentor within the residency program. Dr. Lamar became a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy in 2021 and continues to practice in inpatient rehabilitation at Ascension St. Vincent Evansville. Her research interests include locomotor recovery after stroke and spinal cord injuries, as well as knowledge translation projects in the inpatient rehab setting.

Nicolette Leach, PT, DPT, PCS

Clinical Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy

812-488-3502
nj41@evansville.edu

Dr. Leach teaches within the pediatric and neurological content area in the DPT program. She graduated from the University of Evansville in 2017 with her Bachelor of Science in Public Health and received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from UE in 2019. Most of her clinical expertise has been devoted to outpatient pediatric and early intervention therapy but has experiences with aquatic therapy and skilled nursing care. Dr. Leach became a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Pediatric Physical Therapy in 2023 and continues to practice as a pediatric physical therapist at Easterseals Rehabilitation Center. Her interests include early intervention physical therapy in children with neurological or musculoskeletal diagnoses and exercise program benefits for children with special needs.

Ling-Yin Liang, PT, PhD

Associate Professor/Physical Therapy

Room 3005, Stone Family Center for Health Sciences
812-488-3100
ll137@evansville.edu

Dr. Liang's teaching responsibility is related to neurological rehabilitation. She received her Bachelor and Master degrees of Physical Therapy from the National Cheng Kung University (Tainan, Taiwan) and her PhD degree in Biomechanics & Movement Science (BIOMS) from the University of Delaware. She served as a research assistant at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Check Kung University and teaching assistant at the Department of Kinesiology & Applied Physiology, University of Delaware. Her research focuses on neuroimaging and movement control in children with disabilities.

Kyle Matsel, PT, DPT, PhD, SCS, CSCS

Associate Professor of Physical Therapy
Program Director, PhD in Health Professions Education
ProRehab and University of Evansville Sports Residency Program Director

Room 3009, Stone Family Center for Health Sciences
812-488-5105
km218@evansville.edu

Dr. Matsel is faculty at the University of Evansville where he teaches in the musculoskeletal content areas of the Doctor of Physical Therapy curriculum. He received his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Evansville in 2011 and his PhD in rehabilitation sciences from the University of Kentucky in 2021. His research interests are in the identification of musculoskeletal injury risk factors and the implementation of arm care exercise programs for baseball players. He is the Director of the ProRehab & University of Evansville Sports Physical Therapy residency program. He is a board-certified clinical specialist in sports through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties and a certified strength and conditioning specialist. Dr. Matsel is engaged in patient care at ProRehab specializing in sports and orthopedic rehabilitation. Additionally, Dr. Matsel presents nationally on topics related to comprehensive, systematic movement-based assessment and testing and is a consultant with a number of collegiate and professional sports teams regarding injury prevention strategies.

Charlene Nolen, PT, DPT, CWS

Clinical Assistant Professor
Acute Care Residency Program Director

Room 3014, Stone Family Center for Health Sciences
812-488-5110
ck39@evansville.edu

Dr. Nolen teaches cardiopulmonary, acute care, gross anatomy, and neurorehabilitation courses. She received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Physical Therapy degrees from the University of Evansville in 2004. She received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Montana in 2022. Her clinic time is spent in the acute care setting with exposure to multiple diagnoses, with a focus in wound care and the intensive care units. She received her Certified Wound Specialist (CWS) designation in 2013 through the American Board of Wound Management. She served as adjunct faculty for the UE Doctor of Physical Therapy beginning in 2014 and became assistant professor in Fall 2021. She is the program director and a clinical mentor for the Progressive Health of Indiana and the University of Evansville Acute Care Residency which received accreditation in 2023. Her research interests include many topics in acute care and the prevention/management of venous disease in at-risk individuals.

Jason Pitt, PhD

Associate Professor/Physical Therapy and PhD in Health Professions Education

Room 3008, Stone Family Center for Health Sciences
812-488-5042
jp351@evansville.edu

Dr. Pitt teaches classes related to neurobiology and scientific inquiry in the DPT program. He graduated from UE in 2007 and earned his PhD in Neuroscience from Northwestern University in 2012. His graduate and postdoctoral work centered around the cell biology and physiology of neurodegenerative diseases and was supported by several federal and institutional grants. His current academic interests are in education and writing about the nervous system.

Phil Plisky, PT, DSc, ATC, CSCS

Professor of Physical Therapy and PhD in Health Professions Education
Director of UE Residency Programs

Room 3017, Stone Family Center for Health Sciences
812-488-2348
pp2@evansville.edu

Dr. Plisky teaches within the musculoskeletal and leadership/practice administration areas of the curriculum. He received his Master of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Evansville and his Doctor of Science degree in Orthopedic Physical Therapy from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. He is also a Certified Athletic Trainer and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist.

Dr. Plisky has published research in leading scientific journals and lectured internationally on injury prevention and field expedient movement testing. He has received research grants from multiple federal and private agencies for injury prevention studies. His current research is focused on comprehensive movement testing and interventions in athletes, military personnel, and school-aged children. Dr. Plisky consults with collegiate and professional teams for injury risk identification and injury prevention. In addition, he serves as a manuscript reviewer for several scientific journals. He is also actively engaged in patient care in his own private practice in Evansville, IN and is the Director of UE Residency Programs.

Kate Schwartzkopf-Phifer, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS, CSCS

(she/her/hers)

Associate Professor/Physical Therapy and PhD in Health Professions Education

Room 3013, Stone Family Center for Health Sciences
812-488-2453
ks148@evansville.edu

Dr. Schwartzkopf-Phifer teaches within the research and musculoskeletal areas of the DPT program. She received her Bachelor and Master of Physical Therapy degrees from the University of Evansville and her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Regis University. She completed an orthopedic residency through Evidence in Motion and is a board-certified clinical specialist in orthopedics through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. She received her PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences from the University of Kentucky, with a specialization in motor control. Her research interests are in injury prediction and prevention, and performance in athletes. Dr. Schwartzkopf-Phifer remains actively engaged in patient care at Rehabilitation & Performance Institute, PSC (RPI) in Newburgh, IN, where she also serves as a faculty member in the RPI and University of Evansville Orthopedic Residency Program.

Katie Whetstone, PT, DPT, SCS

Clinical Associate Professor of Physical Therapy
Assistant Director of Clinical Education

Room 3007, Stone Family Center for Health Sciences
812-488-2549
kl68@evansville.edu

Dr. Whetstone is a 2012 graduate of the University of Evansville Doctor of Physical Therapy program and a 2013 graduate of the University of Evansville/Pro Rehab Sports Residency Program. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in exercise science and is a Board-Certified Specialist in Sports Physical Therapy through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. She continues to be involved in the sports residency program as a clinical mentor and assists with curriculum development. Katie remains active in the clinical setting as a sports and pelvic health physical therapist at Rehabilitation and Performance Institute (RPI) where she specializes in the treatment of females with pelvic floor dysfunction and athletes at all levels. Her special interests include the application of injury prevention programs, the female athlete, and the postpartum female.

Clinical Education

Mark Marchino, PT, DPT, MHS

Director of Clinical Education / Assistant Professor

Room 3004, Stone Family Center for Health Sciences
812-488-5107
mm429@evansville.edu

Dr. Marchino serves as Director of Clinical Education supervising the clinical course work in the DPT program. He also has teaching responsibilities and has taught course content in many areas including orthopaedic and sports physical therapy, modalities, industrial rehab, research, management, healthcare administration, health policy, and leadership. He received his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Montana, Master of Health Science degree from University of Indianapolis, Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy degree from University of Evansville and an Associate of Science degree from Olney Central College. Dr. Marchino has served in healthcare executive leadership roles and has management expertise in hospital and healthcare operations. Clinically, he achieved Board Certification as an Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (1995-2015). He is actively involved in orthopaedic patient care at ProgressiveHealth. Dr. Marchino has served on the Board of Directors for several school, church, and community based non-profit organizations. He has served as a member of the University of Evansville Physical Therapy Advisory and Selection Committees, and was the 2014 University of Evansville's Friend of PT Award recipient.

Professor Emeritas

Kyle Kiesel, PT, PhD

Professor Emerita of Physical Therapy

kk70@evansville.edu

Kyle Kiesel, PT, PhD, a former Professor and Program Director of the Department of Physical Therapy, retired in May 2021 after 21 years of service to the University. He started at UE in 2000 and contributed to the success of the University in many ways including receiving initial accreditation of the Athletic Training Program, the growth of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program where he served as Chair from 2014-2019 and the transition to the Stone Family Center for Health Sciences in 2018. He has over 30 peer-reviewed publications with numerous abstracts, recognized globally for his research related to core function and functional movement testing in athletic performance and injury prediction, and has been a guest speaker at many national and international conferences. Kyle impacted the lives of hundreds of physical therapy students over his two decades as a passionate educator and advisor.

Tink Martin, PT, PhD, MACT

Professor Emerita of Physical Therapy

Room 202, Graves Hall
812-488-2582
tm22@evansville.edu

Dr. Martin is a renowned authority in the areas of pediatric physical therapy and normal growth and development. She has been recognized for her teaching, scholarship and service, having received the Bud Dehaven Award from the Pediatric Section of the American Physical Therapy Association, the Fran Ekstam Award from the Indiana Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association, and the Sadelle and Sydney Berger Award for scholarly activity. She received the Dean's Teaching Award in Spring 2014. She is the co-author of two entry-level textbooks, Functional Movement Development across the Life Span and Neurologic Interventions for Physical Therapy. The latter textbook has been translated into Korean, Polish and Greek. A fourth edition of the popular textbook was published in 2019. She received the Lucy Blair Service Award from the American Physical Therapy Association for her exceptional contributions to the Indiana Chapter and the Section on Pediatrics in 2010. Professor Martin received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Tulane University, a certificate of physical therapy from Duke University and a Master of Arts degree in pediatric physical therapy from the University of North Carolina. She earned a PhD in Rehabilitation Services with a concentration in pediatrics from the University of Kentucky in August 2014. Her dissertation was “Play in Children with Motor Disabilities”. Dr. Martin retired in 2017 after 35 years of dedicated service to the university and continues to guest lecture in the physical therapy program.

Staff

Mrs. Jennifer Clausheide

Clinical Administrative Specialist – College of Education and Health Sciences

Room 205, Graves Hall
812-488-5021
jc604@evansville.edu

Mrs. Jeri Mattix

Administrative Assistant/School of Physical Therapy

812-488-2341
jm862@evansville.edu

Academic Programs Physical Therapy