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The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education is a group of 32 individuals, with varied backgrounds, who are charged with:
- determining whether a program meets the standards of quality in physical therapy education
- determining what standards of quality to use (i.e., the Standards)
- setting policy and procedure for the accreditation process
The Commission is divided into three working groups: 10 members comprise the PT Panel, which reviews PT programs; 13 members comprise the PTA Panel, which reviews PTA programs; and 9 members comprise the Central Panel, which makes all candidacy decisions.
In order to serve on CAPTE, most members must have served in the Cadre of On-site Reviewers and have participated in at least three on-site visits. The three public members and the consumer member are exempt from this requirement, though they do observe a visit following their appointment to CAPTE.
Members of CAPTE are physical therapist educators and clinicians, physical therapist assistant educators and clinicians, basic scientists, higher education administrators, and representatives of the public.
Chair: Peggy Blake Gleeson, PT, Ph.D.
Vice Chair: Patricia Gordon Brown, PT, DPT, MS
Central Panel Members
Christine P Baker, PT, EdD, FAPTA, Term 1/1/2022-12/31/2025, Christine Baker has been a licensed physical therapist for more than 40 years, having received her entry level master’s degree in 1978. She served as a faculty member at two Texas physical therapist programs, with primary teaching responsibilities in pediatrics and served as the DCE or Assistant DCE at both. She currently holds the position of Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs at the same institution where she served as a faculty member for more than 35 years. Dr. Baker served as a CAPTE site visitor since 2014. She enjoys the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues across the country and see how program leadership and faculty provide learning experiences for physical therapist students. Dr. Baker notes she carefully reads all materials provided in a self-study and is able to grasp the ‘big picture’ of the institution, the educational program, and the faculty. She works diligently and takes pride in her efforts. Christine P Baker - CP - cbaker@utmb.edu
Frank Bates, PT, DPT, MBA, Term 1/1/2022-12/31/2025, is adjunct faculty and prior physical therapist assistant program director at the University of Indianapolis. He is an outpatient physical therapist with IU Health in Indianapolis, Indiana. He has been an on-site visitor for physical therapist assistant programs since 2014. Dr. Bates serves on the Central Panel as an individual active in the accreditation agency with recent service as an on-site reviewer. Frank Bates - CP - batesf@uindy.edu
Patricia Gordon Brown, PT, DPT, MS, Term 1/1/2021-12/31/2024, is director of physical therapy and therapeutic recreation at National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington, DC. She has been an on-site visitor for physical therapist programs since 2001. Dr. Brown serves on the Central Panel as a PT clinician. Patricia Gordon Brown - CP - patricia.g.brown@medstar.net
Laura Forester, Term 1/1/2023-12/31/2026, Public Member.
Peggy Blake Gleeson, PT, Ph.D., Term 1/1/2020-12/31/2023, is DCE and associate director in the School of Physical Therapy at Texas Woman's University in Houston, Texas. She has been an on-site visitor for physical therapist programs since 1997. Dr. Gleeson serves on the Central Panel as a recent member of the PT Panel. Peggy Blake Gleeson - CP - pgleeson@twu.edu
Janice Haas, PTA, MS, Term 1/1/2021-12/31/2024, serves as program director of the physical therapist assistant program at Mercyhurst University in North East, Pennsylvania. She has been an on-site visitor for physical therapist assistant programs since 2009. Ms. Haas serves on the Central Panel as a recent member of the PTA Panel. Janice Haas - CP - jhaas@mercyhurst.edu
Becky Lynn Keith, PT, MSHS, Term 1/1/2020-12/31/2023, serves as program director of the physical therapist assistant program at Arkansas State University in State University, Arkansas. Ms. Keith serves on the Central Panel as the consumer of accreditation. Becky Lynn Keith - CP - beckeith@astate.edu
Brenda Lyman, OTD, OTR/L, Term 1/1/2023-12/31/2026, has been a licensed occupational therapist for over 40 years and a non-PT CAPTE site visitor since 2016. She has worked over 28 years in education with seven years as an associate dean. Dr. Lyman has administrative and teaching experience in both community college and university settings. She serves on the Central Panel as the higher education administrator. Brenda Lyman - CP - brendaklyman@yahoo.com
Nakiesha Pearson, Term 1/1/2023-12/31/2024, is Assistant Dean of the Chiropractic Medicine Program at National University of Health Sciences in Lombard, Illinois. She has accreditation experience as a site team visitor for chiropractic programs. Dr. Pearson serves on the Central Panel as a public member. Nakiesha Pearson - CP - npearson@nuhs.edu
PT Panel Members
Kimberly Acquaviva, PhD, MSW, CSE, FNAP, Term 1/1/2023-12/31/2023, serves as the Betty Norman Norris Endowed Professor at the University of Virginia School of Nursing As a social worker teaching within a school of nursing, her scholarship is interdisciplinary and collaborative. She has served as a CAPTE on-site visitor since 2014. Kimberly Acquaviva - PT - kda8xj@virginia.edu
Karen Bock, PT, PhD, Term 1/1/2021-12/31/2024, is a clinical instructor at the University of Kansas Medical Center. She has been an on-site reviewer for Physical Therapist programs for CAPTE since 2017. She serves on the PT panel as a physical therapist active in clinical education. Karen Bock-PT-kbock12@gmail.com
Lisa G Bradley, PT, DPT, MSW, Term 1/1/2021-12/31/2024, is director of clinical education and assistant professor at Long Island University in Brooklyn, New York. She has been an on-site visitor for PT and PTA programs since 2014. Dr. Bradley serves on the PT Panel as physical therapist educator (curriculum development). Lisa G Bradley - PT - Lisa.Bradley@liu.edu
Kevin K Chui, PT, DPT, PhD, Term 1/1/2023-12/31/2026, Kevin K Chui endowed chair and professor of the Department of Physical Therapy at Radford University in Roanoke, VA. He has been an on-site visitor for physical therapist programs since 2015. Dr. Chui serves on the PT Panel as chair and physical therapist educator. Kevin K Chui - PT - kchui@radford.edu
Patricia Arnone Deotte, PT, DPT, CEEAA, GCS, Term 9/1/2021-12/31/2023, is owner/director of Ageless Therapeutics, a clinical practice focused on rehab and wellness programs for older adults. She has served CAPTE as an on-site visitor from 2002 through 2018, and a Commissioner on the PT panel as clinician 2018 through 2021, returning in 2022 as an ad hoc member. Patricia Arnone Deotte - PT - pdeot@optonline.net
Marina-Thais Douenat, Term 1/1/2023-12/31/2026, Public Member.
Leah Dvorak, PhD, Term 1/1/2020-12/31/2023, is Professor and Interim Provost at Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon, Wisconsin. She has been an on-site visitor for physical therapist programs since 2001. Dr. Dvorak serves on the PT Panel as vice chair and physical therapist educator (basic sciences). Leah Dvorak - PT - leah.dvorak@cuw.edu
Jamie Dyson, PT, DPT, Term 1/1/2022-12/31/2025, Jamie Dyson has been practicing acute care physical therapy for 30 years. His primary area of practice has been in the intensive care units specializing in trauma and burn care. He is a certified instructor for Advanced Burn Life Support as well as both an APTA Basic and Advanced Credentialed Clinical Instructor. He practices at Central Florida Regional Hospital in Sanford Florida. He is a Courtesy Assistant Clinical Professor with the University of Central Florida Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program; teaching cardiopulmonary physical therapy, integumentary, pathology, pharmacology, and acute care physical therapy. Jamie received his BS in PT from Northeastern University, Boston, MA and completed his t-DPT through A.T. Still University. Dr. Dyson was awarded the Signe Brunnstrom Award for Excellence in Clinical Teaching in 2013, the FPTA Fred Rutan Award for Outstanding Service in 2017 and the APTA Lucy Blair service award in 2021. . He is a member of the APTA Acute Care Practice Committee. He is actively involved with the Florida Physical Therapy Association serving as Chapter President and Delegate. Jamie Dyson - PT - jamiedyson224@gmail.com
Greg Ford, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS, Term 1/1/2022-12/31/2025, is a Professor of physical therapy, Chair of the PT department, and Director of the DPT program at Daemen College in Amherst, New York, has served as an onsite reviewer team lead since 2017. Dr. Ford serves on the PT Panel as a PT educator.Greg Ford - PT - gford@daemen.edu
Sundra Kincey, PhD, Term 1/1/2022-12/31/2025, Sundra D. Kincey, Ph.D. is Assistant Vice President of Program Quality and SACSCOC Institutional Liaison at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU). Dr. Kincey's professional career includes a wealth of experience in higher education that spans over twenty years with combined experiences at the university and statewide system level. As AVP of Program Quality, Kincey provides leadership in the development of new degree offerings, oversight of the university program review process, assistance to academic programs with specialized accreditation for initial and reaccreditation, and policy development and implementation related to academic programming and degree authorization. Kincey was recently promoted and appointed as the SACSCOC Institutional Liaison to provide oversight of the institutional accreditation process. In this role, her collaborative works with both internal and external stakeholders at the University to ensure that compliance with accreditation requirements is incorporated into the planning and evaluation processes of the institution. Kincey’s portfolio responsibility also includes providing institutional oversight for Textbook Affordability. In this capacity, she leads academic unit leaders to develop solutions to increase cost-savings for students during their matriculation at FAMU. This effort is a priority across the State University System (SUS) and Kincey serves as the champion and advocate at FAMU. Dr. Kincey is a member of the inaugural class of FAMU’s Leadership Academy and has research interests in retention, persistence, and academic success of minority students. She also serves as an evaluator for NSF ADVANCE grant, consultant and report writer for summative and formative data evaluation, and reviewer of select peer-reviewed journals. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family, reading, and bowling. Sundra Kincey - PT - sundra.kincey@famu.edu
Catherine Ortega, PT, EdD, Term 9/1/2021-12/31/2023, is an onsite program director for the University of Utah in St. George, and has been a CAPTE Team Leader, performing site visits since 2015. She serves on the PT Panel as a PT educator. Catherine Ortega - PT - Eli.Ortega1608@gmail.com
PTA Panel Members
Sammi Beckmann, PTA, MBA, Term 1/1/2021-12/31/2024, serves as program director of the physical therapist assistant program at NorthWest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville, Arkansas. She has been an on-site visitor for physical therapist assistant programs since 2015. Ms. Beckmann serves on the PTA Panel as a physical therapist assistant educator. Sammi Beckmann - PTA - sbeckmann1@nwacc.edu
Cindy I Buchanan, PT, PhD, Term 9/1/2021-12/31/2023, Cindy Buchanan has held multiple roles in physical therapy education, including Assistant Professor at Northeastern University, PTA Program Director at Technical College of the Lowcountry and department chairperson of the DPT Program at American International College. She has been an on-site visitor for physical therapist assistant programs since 2009. Dr. Buchanan serves on the PTA Panel as an ad hoc member. Cindy Buchanan - PTA - cibuchanan@hotmail.com
Cindy Calmese, MS, Term 1/1/2022-12/31/2025, resides in Fullerton, California, and serves on the PTA Panel as a public member.
Clarence Chan, PT, DPT, Term 1/1/2023-12/31/2026, is the professor and program director of the PTA program at LaGuardia Community College, City University of New York. He has been an on-site reviewer for physical therapist assistant programs since 2015. He serves on the PTA Panel as physical therapist assistant educator. Clarence Chan - PTA - cchan@lagcc.cuny.edu
Neal L Henning, PhD, Term 1/1/2020-12/31/2023, is dean of career education at Florida State College at Jacksonville. He has been an on-site visitor for physical therapist assistant programs since 2008. Dr. Henning serves on the PTA Panel as an institutional member. Neal L Henning - PTA - nhenning@fscj.edu
Charlene S Jensen, PT, DPT, Term 1/1/2022-12/31/2025, Charlene Jensen currently works as the developing Program Director of the Physical Therapist Assistant program at Riverside College of Health Careers (RCHC) in Newport News, VA. She has taught within that program since its inception in 2012. Dr. Jensen serves as the Dean of Allied Health Programs at RCHC, providing administrative oversite for the radiologic technology, surgical technology, and cardiovascular technology programs. Prior to RCHC, Dr. Jensen guest lectured for the Old Dominion University and Hampton University PT programs and served as a clinical instructor for several PT programs. She is a licensed physical therapist with 19 years of clinical experience. She enjoyed teaching as a clinical instructor and guest lecturer prior to the opportunity to develop the PTA program at RCHC. Dr. Jensen is passionate about the physical therapy profession and believes strongly that physical therapy education programs and educators serve as gate keepers to our profession as well as advocates for our patients by developing future healthcare providers who are ethical, professional, caring, compassionate and competent. Dr. Jensen earned her Master of Medical and Health Professions Education from Eastern Virginia Medical School, Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Shenandoah University, and Master of Physical Therapy from Old Dominion University. She demonstrates a record of service to the community including medical careers outreach, community medical presentations and health fairs. Her record of service to the profession includes serving on the APTA Virginia Education Committee as co-chair, participating in the FSBPT Standards Setting Workshop for the NPTAE and participating in the PTA Educators SIG. She has been an APTA member at the national, state, and local level since, 2001. Dr. Jensen has been a CAPTE Site Visit team leader since 2016. Charlene Jensen - PTA - charlene.jensen@rivhs.com
Jonna Mayfield, PTA, Term 9/1/2021-12/31/2023, Jonna Mayfield has been a Physical Therapist for over 20 years and enjoyed the opportunities and experiences this profession has provided. She currently works in an inner-city hospital, Outpatient Rehabilitation Center. She became involved with CAPTE in 2013 as a Site Reviewer and then served on the Commission from 2016 to 2020 as a member of the PTA panel but recently have been called back to the PTA panel to gladly fill an ad hoc position.
Jonna Mayfield - PTA - jmayfield06@gmail.com
Kimberly Crealey Rouillier, PT, DPT, Term 1/1/2020-12/31/2023, recently retired as department chairperson of the Rehabilitative Health Department at Community College of Rhode Island in Newport. She has been an on-site visitor for physical therapist assistant programs since 2008. Dr. Rouillier serves on the PTA Panel as physical therapist assistant educator. Kimberly Crealey Rouillier - PTA - kimberlyrouillier@gmail.com
Richard J Saia, PT, DPT, Term 1/1/2020-12/31/2024, is currently Clinic Supervisor for Gateway Regional Medical Center- Glen Carbon in Glen Carbon, Illinois. He has been an on-site visitor for physical therapist assistant programs since 2016. Dr. Saia serves on the PTA Panel as a PT in clinical practice who supervises PTAs. Richard J Saia - PTA - richardsaia59@gmail.com
Laura A Sage, PT, DPT, MEd, Term 1/1/2022-12/31/2025, Laura Sage began her career with a BS from Boston University. She worked mostly with adults in a variety of settings, acute care, home care & SNF in New York, Massachusetts, California, and Colorado. She continues to keep current PT licenses in CO & CA. At her final clinical position at Longmont United Hospital, Laura performed outpatient wound care, having attained a Wound Care Certification. While at Longmont United Hospital she served as the CCCE & CI for over 25 PT & PTA students. Laura obtained a MEd from U. Mass Boston. While completing student teaching at Boston Latin High School she gained a renewed appreciation for her PT career. During her service as a CCCE, she was an adjunct faculty at Regis University PT program. This affiliation led to her to earn her transitional DPT program. She holds the Geriatric Clinical Specialist certification. Laura served as the clinician team member on four PT site visits before being appointed to the CAPTE PTA panel in fall of 2008. After completing that four-year term, she took a job as the DCE at the Denver campus of Pima Medical Institute. She currently serves as the Program Director of the San Marcos Pima Medical Institute location. Laura Sage - PTA - lsage@pmi.edu
Elane K Seebo, PhD, Term 1/1/2023-12/31/2026, is vice president of external campuses at Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, Texas. She has been an on-site visitor for physical therapist assistant programs since 2001. Dr Seebo serves on the PTA Panel as institutional member. Elane K Seebo - PTA - seeboe@wbu.edu
Lisa L Stejskal, PTA, MAEd, Term 1/1/2020-12/31/2023, is a PTA practitioner and grant director/adjunct faculty at Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner, Massachusetts. She has been an on-site visitor for physical therapist assistant programs since 2014. Ms. Stejskal serves on the PTA Panel as physical therapist assistant clinician and is vice chair of the PTA Panel. Lisa L Stejska - PTA - lstejskal@mwcc.mass.edu
Russell Brent Stowers, PTA, EdD, Term 1/1/2020-12/31/2023, is the director of rehabilitation services at Christus St Vincent Regional Medical Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He has been an on-site visitor for physical therapist assistant programs since 2010. Dr Stowers serves on the PTA Panel as physical therapist assistant clinician. Russell Brent Stowers - PTA - rstowers3@gmail.com
Bradley A Wood, PTA, BHSc, MATL, Term 1/1/2023-12/31/2026, is program director of the physical therapist assistant program at Owens Community College in Toledo, Ohio. He has been an on-site visitor for physical therapist assistant programs since 2016. Mr Wood serves on the PTA Panel as physical therapist assistant educator. Bradley A Wood - PTA - bradley_wood3@owens.edu
Kathryn R Zalewski, PT, PhD, MPA, Term 1/1/2021-12/31/2024, is professor and program director of the developing DPT program at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. She has been an on-site visitor for physical therapist programs since 2011. Dr. Zalewski serves on the PTA Panel as physical therapist educator. Kathryn R Zalewski - PTA - kzalewsk@uwsp.edu
CAPTE-Related Events and Activities
The CAPTE calendar provides information on CAPTE meetings, upcoming site visits, and accreditation workshops.
Developing Program Workshops and Self-study Workshops are held twice a year. These workshops provide support, information, and guidance on obtaining and maintaining accreditation.
CAPTE holds two regularly scheduled meetings each year (in Spring and Fall), where programs are reviewed and accreditation decisions are voted upon
On-site visits are conducted to validate the information submitted by programs seeking or maintaining accreditation in order to facilitate CAPTE's evaluation of the extent of compliance with the Standards and Required Elements.
Access recent actions and updates from CAPTE, including reasons for candidacy decisions, and the Public Disclosures Notices related to CAPTE actions.
For Commissioners
Information, forms, and other key resources, including a link to the Portal.
Explore Commissioner Resources