Physical Therapy Faculty and Staff
Contact Physical Therapy Department
- PT Office: 817-735-2510
- PT Email: DPHT@unthsc.edu
- Admissions: 817-735-2003 Admissions@unthsc.edu
Our Leadership
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Leslie Ayres, PT, DPTBoard Certified Specialist in Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical TherapyAssistant Professor, DCE817-735-2984BioDr. Ayres is a graduate of Angelo State University physical therapy school in 2008 and received her DPT from Hardin-Simmons University in 2012. She has 12 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, MA and a DPT Board Certified Specialist in Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy. Dr. Ayres’ research interests include Generation Z students’ learning preferences and developing teaching strategies for Generation Z students. She currently serves as course director for cardiovascular and pulmonary content, integumentary physical therapy, and rural and underserved populations. |
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Mindy Brummett, PT, DPTBoard-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical TherapyAssistant Professor817-735-5466BioDr. Mindy Brummett is course director for Applied Anatomy and Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology, Evidence Based Practice, and Therapeutic Interventions II courses. She also assists 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 12 years. Currently, Dr. Brummett is pursuing her Doctor of Science degree from Texas Tech University. Research interests are accuracy of information used in social media content and concussion management. |
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Myles Quiben, PT, PhD, DPT, MSBoard-Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy
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Our Faculty
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Lee Atkins, PT, PhDAssistant Professor817-735-2982BioDr. Atkins received his Bachelors degree in Exercise and Sport Science from Texas Tech University, his Masters degree in Physical Therapy from Angelo State University, and his Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Science (clinical biomechanics emphasis) from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Additionally, he received advanced clinical training in functional lower quarter biomechanics at the Movement Performance Institute in Los Angeles, CA. Dr. Atkins’ research is aimed at understanding biomechanical factors associated with knee dysfunction. In particular, he is interested in identifying kinematic, kinetic, and muscle activation abnormalities associated with patellofemoral pain. Currently Dr. Atkins serves as director or co-director of the Applied Exercise Physiology, Gait, Prosthetics, and Orthotics, and Clinical Medicine courses. Additionally, he assists with teaching the Biomechanics, Anatomy, and Orthopaedics courses. |
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Carling Butler, PT, DPT, MSCIBoard-Certified Orthopaedic Clinical SpecialistAssistant Professor817-735-BioDr. Butler graduated from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO with dual Doctor of Physical Therapy and Master of Science in Clinical Investigation degrees. She is passionate about blending her expertise in the management of both musculoskeletal and cardiopulmonary conditions. Dr. Butler will begin directing evidence-based practice and clinical medicine coursework. Prior to joining the team at UNTHSC, she worked in acute and critical care at UT Southwestern Medical Center, outpatient orthopedic and geriatrics at a private practice in Dallas, and was an Adjunct Faculty member at Baylor University for four years. Her research interests include early mobilization and higher-intensity exercise interventions in the acute care setting; the overmedicalization of common musculoskeletal conditions; cardiovascular disease prevention and wellness promotion efforts in community settings; burnout and resilience in health care professionals and students. |
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Kimberly Lemmons, PT, DPT, NCS, CSRSAssistant Professor817-735- 7651BioDr. Kimberly Lemmons is a course director for core Neuromuscular content and has assisted with Motor Control coursework. She is also a course director for Clinical Reasoning I. Dr. Lemmons maintains her clinical practice of more than 17 years as a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy and as a Certified Stroke Rehabilitation Specialist. Her current research interests involve acute post-stroke recovery, the critical care setting, and improving student experiences in acute care. She graduated with her Masters of Physical Therapy from California State University, Northridge, and her Doctorate from the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga. |
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Howe Liu, PT, PhD, MS, MDProfessor817-735-2457BioDr. 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. |
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Kenneth Miller, PT, DPT, MABoard Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist, Certified Exercise Expert for Aging Adults, OASIS Specialist-ClinicalAssistant Professor817-735-5466BioKenneth 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 the home health student roadmap and toolkit and the home health section’s objective test toolbox. |
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Charles Nichols, PT, DPT, MEd, ScDBoard-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical TherapyAssistant Professor817-735-2681BioCharles Nichols, PT, DPT, Sc.D. is an Assistant Professor for the Department of Physical Therapy. Dr. Nichols is the course director of the Musculoskeletal classes and Imaging class 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 along with a certification in Functional Dry Needling. Research interests include orthopedic examination, nutrition, and tissue mechanics/anatomy. |
Our Staff
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Shelley Smith
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Ana Rodriquez
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Tikeya Calhoun
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