Physical Therapy Faculty and Staff
Contact Physical Therapy Department
- PT Office: 817-735-2510
- PT Email: DPHT@unthsc.edu
- Admissions: 817-735-2003 PTAdmissions@unthsc.edu
Our Leadership
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Myles Quiben, PT, PhD, DPT, MSBoard-Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy
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Yolanda Rangel, PhDAssociate Professor, DAE817-735-7651BioDr. 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. |
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Brandy Schwarz, PT, EdD, DPT, OT, MBACertified Lymphedema TherapistFellow of the National Academies of PracticeAssociate Professor, DCE817-735-2977BioDr. 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. |
Our Faculty
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Leslie Ayres, PT, DPTAssistant ProfessorBoard Certified Specialist in Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy817-735-2984BioDr. 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. |
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Mindy Brummett, PT, DPT, OCSAssistant Professor817-735-BioDr. 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. |
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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 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, 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. |
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Mike Richardson, PT, DPT, DHScBoard-Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy, Certified Orthopedic Manual TherapistAssistant Professor817-735-2375BioDr. 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. |
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Yasser Salem, PT, MS, PhDBoard-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy
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Haylie L. Miller, PhDAssistant Professor817-735-7602BioDr. 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. |
Our Staff
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Shelley Smith
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Alexandria Zimmer
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Ana Rodriquez
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This page was last modified on September 18, 2020