Faculty and Staff
Admissions
Mrs. Jennifer Simon
Operations Administrator/Physical Therapy
Graves Hall 207
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.
Faculty
Dr. Chen's teaching responsibilities are related to geriatric population and neurologic rehabilitation. Her research interests include biomechanics, motion analysis, fall prevention, and geriatric populations. Her past and current research projects related to elderly population include quantifying muscle activities using electromyography, balance control during transitional tasks, prospective fall predictions and balance training. Dr. Chen received an M.S. and Ph.D. degree in biomechanics from the University of Oregon. In 2004, she earned a B.S., in physical therapy from the National Yang Ming University (Taipei, Taiwan). She served as a graduate teaching fellow and research assistant in the Department of Human Physiology, University of Oregon, and worked as a physical therapist at the Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan.
Bethany Huebner, PT, DPT, SCS, MTC
Assistant Professor/Physical Therapy and Director of Clinical Education
Graves Hall 205
812-488-4062
bh212@evansville.edu
Dr. Huebner teaches within the area of musculoskeletal, foundational sciences and clinical coursework 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.
Scott Jones, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS
Assistant Professor/Physical Therapy
812-488-2549
sj123@evansville.edu
Dr. Jones’s teaching responsibility is related to kinesiology and musculoskeletal imaging. His research interests include injury prevention, athletic performance, organizational development, and process improvement. He received his Bachelor of Allied Health Science from Creighton University, and graduated from Creighton’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program in 2001. He is a board certified orthopedic specialist through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. Dr. Jones worked as a healthcare administrator and director in various rehabilitation settings including cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and direct-access outpatient orthopedic clinics throughout his military physical therapy career.
Kyle Kiesel, PT, PhD
Professor and Department Chair/Physical Therapy and Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Director
Graves Hall 203
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.
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/Physical Therapy and Associate Department Chair
Graves Hall 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. She is acting Chair of the PT Department for Fall 2014 and will assume the Associate Chair in Spring 2015.
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. She is acting Chair of the PT Department for Fall 2014 and will assume the Associate Chair in Spring 2015.
Kyle Matsel, PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS
Assistant Professor/Physical Therapy
Graves Hall 212
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.
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 Director of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program
Graves Hall 211
812-488-2009
jm476@evansville.edu
Professor McFelea is one of two core faculty members of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program. She teaches content within the program specific to 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 Director of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program, maintains an active clinical practice with expertise in pediatrics, and conducts research in the area of quality of life of children who have developmental disabilities and their families.
Phil Plisky, PT, DSc, OCS, ATC, CSCS
Associate Professor/Physical Therapy
Graves Hall 206
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, OCS, CSCS
Assistant Professor/Physical Therapy
Graves Hall 213
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 currently working on a PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Kentucky, with 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 ProRehab, PC in Evansville and serves as a manuscript reviewer for several scientific journals.
Janet Szczepanski, PT, MHS
Assistant Professor/Physical Therapy and Director of Clinical Education, Physical Therapist Assistant Program
Graves Hall 216
812-488-2576
js64@evansville.edu
Professor Szczepanski teaches content within the Physical Therapist Assistant Program specific to clinical education and the treatment of patients with complex medical and neurologic conditions. Her credentials include Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy and Master of Health Science degrees, the latter with a neurologic focus. She is an APTA Credentialed Clinical Trainer and serves the program as its Director of Clinical Education. As such, she connects clinicians who have the skills and resources to create effective learning experiences in today’s clinical practice environment with students in need of those experiences. She maintains an active clinical practice with expertise in geriatrics and the treatment of adults with neurologic conditions.
Staff
Ms. Janice Kidder
Administrative Assistant/School of Physical Therapy
Graves Hall 233
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.
Office Phone:
812-488-1209
Office E-mail:
pt@evansville.edu
Office Location:
Room 233, Wallace Graves Hall
