The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Accreditation Department is comprised of 10 individuals who provide support for the activities related to on-site visits and CAPTE meetings. Staff are also available to respond to questions about the accreditation process.
Our offices are located at:
APTA Headquarters
Accreditation Department
1111 North Fairfax Street,
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Hours: The Department of Accreditation is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, ET.
Staff Contact List
Sandra Wise, PhD (Senior Director)
Phone: 703/706-3240 | Email: sandrawise@apta.org
Sandra brings several decades of experience in various capacities in higher education to the Department of Accreditation. In addition to her service on CAPTE as a Commissioner (2007-2011) and participating as a member of on-site teams since 2000, Sandra has served as a University President, Provost, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dean, and faculty member at several different institutions. Her breadth and depth of experience as both a health care and higher education professional will be extremely helpful in managing the Commission and Department staff, and navigating the higher education regulatory landscape while providing leadership for a USDE and CHEA recognized accrediting agency.
Candy Bahner, PT, DPT, MS (Accreditation - Lead PT Programs Specialist)Phone: 703/706-3242 | Email: candybahner@apta.org
Candy brings many years of experience in physical therapy education, accreditation, leadership and practice to the Accreditation team. She previously served CAPTE as Commissioner, on-site team leader, and candidacy reviewer. Candy has been a Chair of a DPT program and has experience as the Assistant Chair and Director of Clinical Education. She also has many years of experience as the Director of a Physical Therapist Assistant Program.
Lisa Finnegan, PTA (Accreditation - Lead PTA Programs Specialist)Phone: 703/706-3241 | Email: lisafinnegan@apta.org
Lisa relocated to CAPTE offices from a PTA program in Las Vegas, Nevada. For the past 10 years she has been the ACCE in a city with three PTA programs and two PT programs. She also taught lecture, lab, and distance education courses in Anatomy and Kinesiology, Orthopedic and Neurologic Pathophysiology, Observation and Measurement, Introduction to Physical Therapy and Aquatics. She has a passion for excellence in education and is a proponent of active learning techniques. She is the author of a medical terminology textbook used by many PTA programs and a peer reviewer for other PTA textbooks. Lisa enjoys being in the water and has designed and led aquatic wellness programs for clients with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, stroke and arthritis. Her community service also includes leading Stepping On workshops which have been proven to help reduce falls and increase confidence in community dwelling adults over 65 years old.
Anastasia DiCicco (Accreditation - Lead Pre-accreditation Specialist)Phone: 703/706-8593 | Email: anastasiadicicco@apta.org
Anastasia joined the Accreditation Department in 2014 and works with PT and PTA programs in the development process. She possesses a BFA degree from DePaul University in Chicago, IL and has completed post-graduate coursework at
Hunter College's School of Social Work in NYC. Prior to joining the Accreditation Department staff, she worked at the Yoga Alliance in Arlington, VA as a Credentialing and User Enhancement Specialist (after starting with the same organization as a Communications and Finance Specialist a couple of years earlier). She has also worked as a Crisis Counselor at the Southern Arizona Center against Sexual Assault and as an Executive Media and Technology Recruiter with Bond Street Group, LLC.
Tim Artis (Sr. Accreditation Projects Coordinator)
Phone: 703/706-3173 | Email: timartis@apta.org
Tej Chana (Sr. Database Specialist)
Phone: 703/706-3236 | Email: tejchana@apta.org
Mike Chevalier (PTA Programs Specialist)
Phone: 703/706-3385 | Email: michaelchevalier@apta.org
Eva Donley (Accreditation Office Manager)
Phone: 703/706-3243 | Email: evadonley@apta.org
Alicia Dupree (Sr. Accreditation Office Coordinator)
Phone: 703/706-3244 | Email: aliciadupree@apta.org
Tasha Johnson (Sr. Accreditation On-site Visit & Travel Coordinator)
Phone: 703/706-3247 | Email: tashajohnson@apta.org