Faculty and Staff

Mrs. Jennifer Simon

Operations Administrator/Physical Therapy

Stone Family Center for Health Sciences, Room 3001
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.

Bethany Huebner, PT, DPT, SCS, MTC

Assistant Professor/Physical Therapy and Director of Clinical Education

Stone Family Center for Health Sciences, Room 3015
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 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 has also received her manual therapy certification through Evidence in Motion’s program in 2014. In addition, she is actively engaged in patient care at ProRehab, PC in Evansville, IN and is the Residency Program Coordinator for ProRehab and University of Evansville’s Sports Residency Program. Dr. Huebner’s research interest is with injury prevention through individualized and group training.

Kyle Kiesel, PT, PhD

Professor and Department Chair/Physical Therapy and Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Director

Stone Family Center for Health Sciences, Room 3027
812-488-2646
kk70@evansville.edu

Dr. Kiesel has been at the University of Evansville since 2000. He is currently the Director of the DPT program and teaches within the scientific inquiry and musculoskeletal areas of the curriculum. He conducts research related to core function and functional movement testing related to athletic performance and injury prediction. He serves as a consultant for professional, college, and high school sports teams. He has authored several articles and book chapters on these topics. He has approximately 30 peer-reviewed publications and presented numerous abstracts and invited speaking engagements nationally and internationally. He serves as a manuscript reviewer for several national and international journals. Dr. Kiesel received his B.S. in Physical Education and Sports Medicine in 1990 from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. He then earned his MPT from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Dr. Kiesel earned his PhD from the University of Kentucky. Dr. Kiesel is engaged in patient care in orthopedics and sports at ProRehab, PC and assists in the UE/ProRehab Sports Residency Program.

Jordana Lockwich, PT, DPT

Assistant Professor/Physical Therapy

Stone Family Center for Health Sciences, Room 3012
812-488-2582
jl305@evansville.edu

Dr. Lockwich earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 2010. She graduated in 2006 with her Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington and Jefferson College in Washington, Pennsylvania. Lockwich served as an adjunct clinical faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh with the Doctor of Physical Therapy program and has worked as a physical therapist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in inpatient neurological rehabilitation for seven years. Lockwich has published regarding intervention strategies and management of patients with disorders of consciousness. Her special interests include treatment of the traumatic brain injury population as well as adults with vestibular system dysfunction.

Ling-Yin Liang, PT, PhD

Assistant Professor/Physical Therapy

Stone Family Center for Health Sciences, Room 3005
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.

Tink Martin, PT, PhD, MACT

Professor Emerita of Physical Therapy

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

Professor 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 third edition of the popular textbook was published in 2016. 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”. Professor Martin teaches pathology, human growth and development, and management of children and adults with neurologic conditions in the physical therapy programs.

Kyle Matsel, PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS

Assistant Professor/Physical Therapy

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

Dr. Matsel teaches in the musculoskeletal 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 undergraduate degree in Exercise Science from the University of Southern Indiana in 2008. Dr. Matsel is a graduate of the ProRehab/University of Evansville Sports Physical Therapy residency program in 2012. He is a board certified clinical specialist in sports through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties and a certified strength and conditioning specialist. As a result, Dr. Matsel is actively involved in the sports residency as a curriculum committee member and a mentor to current sports residents.
In addition, Dr. Matsel continues to be involved in patient care at ProRehab as physical therapist specializing in sports and orthopedic rehabilitation with an emphasis in injury prediction and prevention in athletes.

Joni McFelea, PT, MS, PhD

Associate Professor/Physical Therapy and Academic Coordinator of PTA Clinical Education

Graves Hall, Room 211
812-488-2009
jm476@evansville.edu

Professor McFelea is one of two core faculty members for the Physical Therapist Assistant Program. She teaches content within the program specific to foundational physical therapy skills, professionalism, and the treatment of patients with complex medical conditions and pediatric and adult neurologic conditions. Her credentials include Bachelor of Physical Therapy, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees, the latter two with health care administration and health services research focuses respectively. She serves as the Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education for the Physical Therapist Assistant Program and conducts research in the area of quality of life of children who have developmental disabilities and their families and physical therapist assistant education.

Jason Pitt, PhD

Assistant Professor/Physical Therapy

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

Dr. Pitt teaches classes related to neurobiology in the DPT program. He graduated from UE in 2007 and earned his PhD in Neuroscience from Northwestern University in 2012. His research background is in the cell biology of neurodegenerative diseases, focusing on astrocyte-neuron interactions. Outside the lab, Dr. Pitt enjoys science writing, and has written book chapters on a variety of topics related to the nervous system.

Phil Plisky, PT, DSc, OCS, ATC, CSCS

Associate Professor/Physical Therapy

Stone Family Center for Health Sciences, Room 3017
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 a board certified clinical specialist in orthopedics through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. He is also a Certified Athletic Trainer and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. Dr. Plisky has published 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 and has published numerous peer-reviewed manuscripts in leading scientific journals. 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 at ProRehab, PC in Evansville, IN and is the Residency Program Director for the ProRehab and University of Evansville Sports Residency Program.

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

Assistant Professor/Physical Therapy

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

Dr. Schwartzkopf-Phifer teaches within the research, cardiopulmonary 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 is 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 Owensboro, KY, where she also serves as a faculty member in the RPI and University of Evansville Orthopedic Residency Program.

Katie Whetstone, PT, DPT, SCS

Assistant Professor/Physical Therapy and Assistant Director of Clinical Education

Stone Family Center for Health Sciences, Room 3016
812-488-2549
kl68@evansville.edu

Katie 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 continues to serve in the clinic as a physical therapist specializing in the treatment of both traditional and recreational athletes at all levels. Her special interests include the application of injury prevention programs, the female athlete, and the clinical development of sports clinical experts.

Karla Whitaker, PT, MHS, CWS

Instructor/Director Physical Therapist Assistant Program/PT

812-488-2576
kw325@evansville.edu

Karla Whitaker, PT, MHS, CWS, is a 1989 graduate of the University of Evansville Physical Therapy program. Karla graduated from the University of Indianapolis in 2017 with a Master of Health Science degree, with a focus on orthopaedics and education. She has held clinical positions at St. Vincent’s hospital, Evansville; Progressive Sports Rehab, Owensboro, Kentucky; and the former Pocatello Regional Medical Center, now known as Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello, Idaho. Most recently, Karla has worked on a multidisciplinary stroke team at Deaconess HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital. Karla has been certified as a wound specialist by the American Board of Wound Management since 2006. She specialized in management of the diabetic foot and wound care for 17 years at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Evansville.

Kim Moors, PTA

Director of Clinical Outreach/PT&PA

Stone Family Center for Health Sciences, Room 3014
812-488-5043
km339@evansville.edu

Kim’s responsibilities include outreach to clinical sites and external representation for both the Doctor of Physical Therapy and Physician Assistant Programs. She is a graduate of the University of Evansville’s Physical Therapist Assistant program and earned a BS in Health Services from the University of Southern Indiana. Kim has worked in the clinical setting for ProRehab, PC and ProRehab@Home in Evansville and has taught as an adjunct instructor in the UE PTA program. Kim has also worked for Functional Movement Systems, Inc. as the Clinical Implementation Coordinator for the Move2Perform systematic injury prevention software. She is an APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor and has held the APTA Advanced Proficiency Recognition for PTAs. Kim is active in the Evansville community as a volunteer for several community health initiatives, is a volunteer staff member at St. Benedict Cathedral.

Mrs. Jennifer Clausheide

Administrative Assistant for DPT/PTA & Eykamp Center for Teaching Excellence (ECTE)

Graves Hall, Room 311
812-488-5021
jc604@evansville.edu

Ms. Janice Kidder

Administrative Assistant/School of Physical Therapy

Stone Family Center for Health Sciences, Room 3020
812-488-2341
jk272@evansville.edu

Ms. Kidder earned a Bachelor Degree from the University of Southern Indiana (USI) majoring in Art with a minor in Environmental Biology and an Associate Degree from USI in Communications. While attending USI she was awarded an honor scholarship and won a graphic design award. She has worked in the advertising and newspaper profession in charge of production and graphic design.

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