Faculty
Core Faculty
Kimberly D. Wynarczuk, PT, DPT, PhD, MPH, CHES
Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Pediatric Physical Therapy, Emeritus
Program Director
Dr. Wynarczuk is an Associate Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. She has been teaching in Doctor of Physical Therapy programs since 2011, first at the University of the Sciences (now St. Joseph's University) and then at Kean University. Prior to teaching, Dr. Wynarczuk worked as a school-based physical therapist with the Bucks County Intermediate Unit for 11 years. She is a Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Pediatric Physical Therapy (emeritus) and is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES).
Dr. Wynarczuk completed her PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences at Drexel University, with a concentration in pediatric physical therapy in 2018. Her research interests include collaboration and related services in educational environments, the lived experiences of individuals with disabilities and their families, and the scholarship of teaching and learning. She has published her research in multiple peer-reviewed journals; presented at many local, state, and national conferences; and has contributed chapters for two pediatric physical therapy textbooks. She has also received research grant funding from the Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy of the American Physical Therapy Association. Dr. Wynarczuk is also an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association, serving as the School-Based Physical Therapy Special Interest Group's liaison to the Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy Research Committee.
Jennifer Elinich, PT, DPT
Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy
Assistant Professor
Dr. Elinich is an Assistant Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program and is the primary academic faculty for the neurologic coursework. She received her Bachelor of Science from the Pennsylvania State University in 2008 with a major in Kinesiology, focusing her studies in the Movement Science option, and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Drexel University in 2011. Dr. Elinich is a clinical expert in neurologic rehabilitation, board-certified as a Neurologic Clinical Specialist by the ABPTS since 2015.
Prior to moving to academia, Dr. Elinich worked in the inpatient acute rehabilitation setting at Moss Rehab for nine years, treating patients of all neurologic diagnoses, though specializing in the treatment of patients following cerebrovascular accidents. She is an APTA-credentialed clinical instructor. Dr. Elinich has served as a lecturer at continuing education courses related to stroke rehab as well as at several DPT programs in the Philadelphia area. Her research interest includes the maximization of walking potential in persons post-stroke with complex functional presentations and diversity, equity and inclusion in DPT education.
Kathleen Madara, PT, DPT, PhD
Assistant Professor
Dr. Madara is an Assistant Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program, focusing on content surrounding Biomechanics and Kinesiology and Exercise Physiology within ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½â€™s program. In 2011, she received her Bachelors of Science from the University of Scranton with a major in Exercise Science, followed by her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Arcadia University in 2014, and her PhD in Biomechanics and Movement Science from the University of Delaware in 2018. In April of 2020, Dr. Madara completed her Post-Doctoral training at Arcadia University where she investigated the effects of shoulder pain on voluntary muscle activation. Dr. Madara’s research focuses primarily on neuromuscular changes associated with lower extremity osteoarthritis, as well as total joint arthroplasty and the impacts of pain processing.
In practice, she specializes in outpatient orthopedics and industrial rehabilitation. She is a member of the American College of Rheumatology, National Strength and Conditioning Association, and an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association, specifically within the areas of Orthopedics, Research, and Neurology.
Maria C. Ryan, PT, DPT
Director of Clinical Education and Assistant Professor
Dr. Ryan is the Director of Clinical Education and an Assistant Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Dr. Ryan has 10 years of full-time experience in acute rehabilitation and was previously a Teaching Assistant with a focus on functional mobility and neurological therapy.
Dr. Ryan's clinical expertise is in the area of neurological physical therapy. She is a Certified Stroke Rehabilitation Specialist and Certified Brain Injury Specialist. Her primary area of research involves understanding relationships between gait speed and cognitive function in individuals who have sustained brain injury.
Dr. Ryan received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Scranton. She is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association.
Michael Steimling, PT, DPT
Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy
Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy
Assistant Professor
Dr. Michael Steimling is an Assistant Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program and is the primary academic faculty for the musculoskeletal series. He received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in Exercise Science in 2010, and his Doctor of Physical Therapy from Drexel University in 2013. Dr. Steimling has distinguished himself as a clinical expert in sports and orthopaedic rehabilitation. He has been an ABPTS board-certified clinical specialist in orthopaedics since 2015 and a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists since completing the Fellowship in Orthopaedic Manual Therapy from Regis University in 2018.
Dr. Steimling's research interests include running biomechanics, risk factors related to running-related injury, and the use of gait retraining in the management of injured distance runners. He has published his research in peer-reviewed journals, presented at local, state, and national conferences, and received funding from the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association.
DPT Associated Faculty
Alexander Brown, PT, DPT
Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy
Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy
Credentialed in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy
Credentialed Mulligan Practitioner
Dr. Alexander Brown is an Adjunct Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program, mainly working with the academic faculty for the musculoskeletal series. He received his Bachelor of Science from DeSales University, majoring in Exercise Science in 2011, and his Doctor of Physical Therapy from Dominican University in 2015. He has been an ABPTS board-certified clinical specialist in orthopaedics since 2017 and a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists since completing the Fellowship in Orthopaedic Manual Therapy from The Manual Therapy Institute in 2020. He treats full-time for St. Luke's University Health Network, where he is also a faculty member for their Spine Fellowship program and provides clinical mentorship in their Orthopedic Residency program.
Dr. Brown is published in the Journal of Student Physical Therapy Research where he focused on treatment of overhead athletes, mainly baseball players, and ways to safely improve their range of motion and prevent shoulder and elbow injury.
Betsy McCormick, PT, DPT
Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy
Dr. McCormick is an adjunct faculty member in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program and teaches within the neurologic coursework. She received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Rhode Island in 2009 with a major in Biology, and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from The University of Rhode Island in 2011. Dr. McCormick is a clinical expert in neurologic rehabilitation and has been board-certified as a Neurologic Clinical Specialist by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) since 2016.
Dr. McCormick works as a physical therapist and neurologic program manager for St Luke's University Health Network in their outpatient neuro rehab program. Additionally, she is the director of the St Luke's University Health Network Neurologic Residency program. She is an APTA-credentialed clinical instructor. Dr. McCormick has served as a guest lecturer at PT programs in the Lehigh Valley area as well as within multiple residency programs. Her research interest includes the post-professional PT education to maximize walking potential in persons post-stroke.
John C. Mikovits, Phd, RN, '08, G'15
Assistant Professor (Nursing)
John C. Mikovits, PhD, RN, ’08, G’15, is a registered nurse with a clinical background in cardiac critical care, mechanical circulatory support, and administration. John pioneered the region’s first Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) program for advanced heart failure patients, which launched in 2014 at St. Luke’s University Health Network. While advancing cardiac care, John pursued further education, earning a master’s degree in Nursing Administration from ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½ in 2015 and a PhD in Nursing Science at Widener University in 2021, where his dissertation explored the experiences of transgender and gender-diverse individuals in healthcare interactions with registered nurses. His work earned him the Dean’s Award for Doctoral Excellence and set the foundation for his ongoing research on LGBTQ+ healthcare disparities and inclusive nursing education.
Dr. Mikovits has also presented research on transgender and LGBTQ+ concerns in nursing, public policy, and clinical education at national and international conferences such as Sigma and GLMA. Recognizing his expertise, the National League for Nursing appointed him as a subject matter expert, tasking him with developing nationwide educational materials to train nurses on inclusive and equitable care for LGBTQ+ patients. In 2016, John joined ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½â€™s faculty full-time, teaching classes in pharmacology, pathophysiology, leadership, and family health management, while also guest lecturing on ethical dilemmas in healthcare and overseeing clinical rotations. Most recently, John has been awarded the Benigna Education Award for outstanding contributions and significant innovations to the field of education and community at large.
Melinda Steimling PT, DPT
Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Women's Health Physical Therapy
Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Oncologic Physical Therapy
LANA-Cerified Lymphedema Therapist
Dr. Melinda Steimling is an Adjunct Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program, providing content on pelvic floor rehabilitation and lymphedema therapy. She received her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from James Madison University in 2012, and her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Jefferson University in 2015.
Dr. Steimling has distinguished herself as a clinical expert in cancer rehabilitation, lymphedema therapy, and pelvic floor rehabilitation in the hospital-based outpatient setting for 10 years. She is an ABPTS board-certified clinical specialist in women's health physical therapy since 2017, an ABPTS board-certified clinical specialist in oncologic physical therapy since 2025, and a LANA-certified lymphedema therapist since 2016.
Dr. Steimling is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association and serves as a Director of Membership and Communication for the Lymphatic Diseases Special Interest Group (SIG) of the APTA Academy of Oncology. She is an APTA-credentialed clinical instructor and has mentored numerous students in full-time clinical affiliations.
Kelly Repka PT, MPT
Certified Lymphedema Therapist
Kelly Repka is a dedicated physical therapist with over 20 years of experience specializing in the care of older adults within the post-acute setting. A graduate of Duquesne University, Kelly holds a Master’s degree in Physical Therapy and has spent her career focused on improving the quality of life for the aging population through evidence-based practice and compassionate care.
A credentialed clinical instructor through the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), Kelly is passionate about mentoring and developing the next generation of physical therapists. Her commitment to education and clinical excellence is her "why" in providing education in the doctorate program.
Kelly's clinical expertise lies within the integumentary system, with a strong focus on wound care and lymphedema management. In 2016, she earned her certification in lymphedema therapy from the Norton School of Lymphatics.
An active member of the APTA, Kelly participates in the Wound Management Academy and the Geriatric and Oncology Section, continually staying engaged with current research, best practices, and interdisciplinary collaboration.