Physical Therapy Faculty and Staff

Dr. Quiben serves as the interim chair of the department and as director of the clinical medicine series, cardiopulmonary physical therapy and CAPSTONE courses. Dr. Quiben is a dual board-certified clinical specialist in Neurologic and Geriatric Physical Therapy (NCS, GCS), through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties, and is a Fellow of the APTA Education Leadership Institute, the National Academies of Practice, and the Texas Physical Therapy Association’s Leadership Program. She obtained her PhD in Physical Therapy and postprofessional Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Central Arkansas, Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of the Philippines, and MS in Clinical Investigation from the University of Texas Health Science Center, as part of her postdoctoral training in geriatric research. An active member in many APTA components, Dr. Quiben’s current scholarly activities include geriatric outcome measures, movement system, simulation and interprofessional education, and therapeutic interventions for neurological populations.

Dr. Yolanda M. Rangel PhD is an Associate Professor and the Director of Academic Education for the Department of Physical Therapy. Dr. Rangel received her master’s degrees in biology with a concentration in neurodevelopment from the University of Texas at San Antonio and her PhD in neuroscience with a concentration in ischemic neurotolerance from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA graduating in 2001. She completed post-doctoral training in the field of neural activity and neuroprotection at the University of Miami in FL and Washington University in Saint Louis, MO. Prior to coming to UNTHSC, Dr. Rangel was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at UT Health San Antonio. Dr. Rangel’s current research interests are in fluid and electrolyte balance and cardiovascular function regulated by the opioid system in hypothalamic nuclei.

Dr. Brandy Schwarz PT, EdD, DPT, OT, MBA received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Saint Augustine for Health Sciences in Florida in 2007. She also received a Master of Occupational Therapy from University of Saint Augustine for Health Sciences in 2006. In 2010, she completed her Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in healthcare administration. She graduated from the University of Portland in Oregon in 2004 with a B.S. degree in Biology. She completed her EdD in Higher Education Leadership at Texas Christian University in 2017. She is a Certified Health and Wellness Coach and Certified Lymphedema Therapist. In 2018, she was inducted as a Distinguished Scholar and Fellow of the National Academies of Practice. Prior to coming to UNTHSC, Dr. Schwarz practiced as a physical therapist and occupational therapist at Baylor All Saints Medical Center in Fort Worth.

Dr. Ayres is a graduate of Angelo State University PT school in 2008 and received her tDPT from Hardin-Simmons in 2012. She has 11 years of clinical experience practicing at Texas Health Resources Fort Worth where she developed her passion for cardiac and pulmonary care in the acute setting. She is a graduate of Brigham and Women’s Cardiovascular and Pulmonary residency program located in Boston and DPT Board Certified Specialist in Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy. Prior to transitioning to UNTHSC full time Dr. Ayres served for 4 years as an adjunct lab instructor in the cardiovascular and pulmonary class at UNTHSC.

Dr. Mindy Brummett will be assisting in the Therapeutic Exercise, Applied Anatomy and Kinesiology. She will also be helping in the Musculoskeletal content. Dr. Brummett graduated from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in 2009. She obtained her Orthopedic Clinical Specialist from the APTA in 2013. She has treated in an outpatient orthopedic setting for 10 years. She served as an adjunct faculty for the program for 2 years in the musculoskeletal, anatomy, therapeutic interventions, and therapeutic exercise classes. Current research interests are fall prevention in the elderly population and concussion management in the athletic/sports population.

Dr. Hao (Howe) Liu received his MS (Neuroanatomy) and MD degrees in China, PhD (Anatomy) and MPT degrees from the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He joined the Physical Therapy Program at the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC) in January 2010 from the University of Central Arkansas. As a Professor of Physical Therapy at the UNTHSC, he teaches, as the course coordinator, Functional Anatomy, Neuroanatomy, and Evidence-Based Practice (II). In addition, he taught EBP I, III, and IV, as well as Pharmacology in Physical Therapy, Interprofessional Education (IPE) at UNTHSC. Also he taught Gross Anatomy, Neuroscience, Research Design, Applied Histology, Pathology, & Physiology, Differential Diagnosis, Cardiopulmonary Rehab, and International Study (Alternative Medicine) of Physical Therapy when he was in the University of Central Arkansas.

Kenneth L Miller, PT, DPT, is a board-certified geriatric specialist, certified exercise expert for aging adults and credentialed clinical instructor from APTA. He is an assistant professor at the University of North Texas Health Science Center serving in the department of physical therapy. His clinical focus is on best practices and optimal care of the pre-frail and frail populations. Current teaching responsibilities include evidence-based practice, pharmacology and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. Dr. Miller is an international and national speaker presenting topics related to gerontology in Australia and across the United States at national level conferences including the combined sections meeting and NEXT conferences of the American Physical Therapy Association. He has multiple peer-reviewed publications on clinical pharmacology and has recently been a guest editor for the Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation peer-reviewed journal issue focusing on medications and nutrition. He serves the physical therapy profession as director of practice for the Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy and additionally as the Chair of the Practice Committee for the Home Health Section of the APTA. In this capacity, he led the development of the Providing Physical Therapy in the Home handbook and other resources such as home health student roadmap and toolkit and the home health section’s objective test toolbox.

Charles Nichols, PT, DPT, M.Ed., Sc.D. is an Assistant Professor for the Department of Physical Therapy.Dr. Nichols is the course director of the Musculoskeletal classes of the Physical Therapy program. He is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) by the APTA, and a Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist (COMT) by Evidence in Motion and the International Academy of Orthopaedic Medicine-US. His primary interest is in the evaluation and treatment of orthopedic physical therapy patients with a special interest in treatment of the spine.Degrees: Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from Texas Tech University, Master of Education from the University of Texas at Tyler, Doctor of Physical Therapy from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and Doctor of Science degree from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Certifications: Functional Dry Needling, Functional Movement Screen and Selective Functional Movement Assessment screens and also completed training as a Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES) through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Dr. Nichols is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapist.

Dr. Richardson is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Health Science program at University of Indianapolis. He earned his post-professional Doctor of Physical Therapy from University of Montana in 2013. He received his Masters of Physical Therapy from University of Evansville in Indiana in 1998. He also earned a Certification in Orthopedic Manual Therapy from the Maitland-Australian Physiotherapy Seminars in 2003. He became a Geriatric Certified Specialist through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties in 2015. Two years prior to taking a full time position at UNTHSC, Dr. Richardson served as an adjunct lab instructor in the UNTHSC's DPT program & practiced as a home health physical therapist in Fort Worth. He started his career as a physical therapist at Texas Health Resources Fort Worth in 1998.

Dr. Yasser Salem PT, PhD, MS, NCS, PCS, is a Professor at the Department of Physical Therapy, the School of Health Professions, University of North Texas Health Science Center. He is a Pediatric Certified Clinical Specialist and Neurology Pediatric Certified Clinical Specialist. Dr. Salem has been an educator for over 20 years. He teaches contents in the areas of neurology, pediatrics, motor control and clinical reasoning. Dr. Salem research agenda focuses on the development of effective treatment strategies for the rehabilitation of children and adults with neurological deficits. He is also interested in developing evidence-based practice. Dr. Salem has been consistently engaged in research, having published numerous peer-reviewed articles. He has over 25 peer-reviewed scientific publications and has authored scientific book and book chapters. He has over 300 peer-reviewed presentations at state, national, and international conferences. He is the first author on many of the published articles and presentations. He has successfully received several grant funding. He is the principle investigator on several of those grants. Dr. Salem has been serving as a journal coeditor, editorial board member, and associate editor for scientific journals. He has been a reviewer for numerous scientific journals and state, national, and international level conferences. Over the past few years, he has received several professional state and national research, teaching and service awards. Dr. Salem is the recipient of the 2018 Academy of Physical Therapy Education of the APTA. He received additional teaching and research awards including a national research award and two state awards including the 2016 Outstanding Physical Therapy Researcher Award from the Texas Physical Therapy Association. He received the 2015 and 2018 Exemplary Teaching Awards from the School of Health Professions, University of North Texas Health Science Center. He received the 2019 SHP Faculty Achievement Award in recognition of excellence in Teaching, Scholarship, Service and Leadership.

Dr. Miller is involved in PT and TCOM curriculum related to emotional intelligence, clinical communication, learning and study habits, patient motivation and adherence, and pain management. She serves on a number of university committees, including the Institutional Review Board and the President's Research Council, and chairs the Early Career Development Council. Dr. Miller is a psychologist with specific expertise in autism and developmental disorders. Prior to joining UNTHSC, she trained at UT Southwestern, UT Arlington, and Vanderbilt University. She leads a program of federally-funded research as a principal investigator in the Human Movement Performance Lab and director of the Autism & Developmental Disorders Research team, an interdisciplinary group of students and staff with training in kinesiology, medicine, physical therapy, clinical research management, and public health.