Meet Our Teaching Faculty

Gail Apte, PT, ScD, OCS, FAAOMPT, graduated from the Mayo School of Health Related Sciences, Minnesota in 1981. She completed certification by the IAOM in orthopedic medicine and manual therapy in 1992. In 2006, Dr. Apte completed her Doctorate of Science in Physical Therapy through Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC). Dr. Apte is an assistant professor at TTUHSC, and maintains a clinical practice in orthopedic manual therapy with a special interest in chronic pelvic pain.
Amy Hay, PT, ScD, COMT, graduated from the Northern Arizona University with a Bachelors of Science in Exercise and Sports Science. She received his master's degree in physical therapy from Northern Arizona University in 2000. She completed her Doctorate of Science (ScD) from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in 2011. She completed IAOM-US certification in 2004. Amy worked with Valerie Phelps for 4 years at Advanced Physical Therapy of Alaska. Amy and her husband, Esteban, own an outpatient physical therapy clinic, Modern Physical Therapy in Kansas City, Missouri.
Esteban Azevedo, PT, ScD, COMT, graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelors of Science in Exercise and Sports Science. He received his master's degree in physical therapy from Northern Arizona University in 2000. He completed his Doctorate of Science (ScD) from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in 2011. He completed IAOM-US certification in 2004. Esteban worked with Valerie Phelps for 4 years at Advanced Physical Therapy of Alaska. Esteban and his wife, Amy, own an outpatient physical therapy clinic, Modern Physical Therapy in Kansas City, Missouri. Esteban has presented lectures on combining physical therapy with interventional pain management at pain conferences (Society for Pain Practice Management) on physical therapist and interventional pain physician teamwork. He has been teaching for the IAOM since 2005.
Jean-Michel Brismée, PT, ScD, OCS, FAAOMPT, graduated in 1985 from the Catholic University of Louvain, in Belgium. He received a MS in Sports Medicine – Exercise Physiology from Texas Tech University (TTUHSC) in Lubbock Texas. In 2003, Dr. Brismée received his Doctorate of Science in Physical Therapy from TTUHSC. Dr. Brismée completed IAOM-US certification in 2000. Along with working in an outpatient orthopedic clinic, he is an Associate Professor of the Doctorate of Science (ScD) Program in Physical Therapy at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX. He has lectured over 100 IAOM-US courses in the United States and abroad. He is the director of the IAOM-US Fellowship Program in Advanced Clinical Diagnostics and Orthopaedic Manual Therapy.
Julie Bruce PT, ScD, MAT, ATC, COMT, graduated from Texas Tech University Health Science Center (TTUHSC) in Lubbock, Texas with a Bachelors of Physical therapy in 1995, Masters of Athletic Training in 2002, and completed her Doctoral Degree of Physical Therapy in May 2008. She completed her spine certification in 2004 through the IAOM. Julie is an employee of University Medical Center in Lubbock and works with Dr. Phil Sizer in a out-patient hospital based facility.
Peter Burke, CT, has been a certified trainer since 1988 from the Fitness and Health Institute of Tucson. He graduated from the University of Arizona with a fine arts degree in 1982. Peter holds a certificate for trunk stabilization training from Mariano Rocabado and is one of the few certified hydrotone instructors nationwide. He has been involved in exercise for cardiac care, and health and fitness for all ages in a variety of settings for the past 13 years. Peter has worked with IAOM-US since 1997, specializing in development and implementation of trunk and cervical stabilization. He is currently working with Advanced Physical Therapy in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Mat-Su Valley, Alaska.
Beth Haggerty, LCSW, Peak Performance Consultant, merges over twenty years of clinical expertise with background in pain management and biopsychosocial integrative processes. Ms. Haggerty specializes in training health practitioners to create powerful healing alliances so healing of patients is facilitated and patient satisfaction is increased. Ms. Haggerty is a Certified Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming, as well as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She is currently working to develop and present the IAOM-US Beyond Manual Therapy courses with John Woolf and Terry Hickey.
Terry Hickey, MS, is Director of Business Success Coaching. He provides seminars on communicating and peak performance to clients in professional sports and business. Mr. Hickey is a certified Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), is certified in Health Applications of NLP, is a certified Hypnotherapist, and is licensed in the state of Arizona as an Addictions Counselor. Mr. Hickey has taught graduate counseling classes at the University of Phoenix, Chapman University and Northern Arizona University. Currently, Mr. Hickey is working with Beth Haggerty and John Woolf to develop and present the IAOM-US Beyond Manual Therapy courses.
Mary Kremer, PT, MOMT, graduated from the Mayo School of Health Related Sciences, Minnesota in 1977. Ms. Kremer was certified by the IAOM in orthopedic medicine and manual therapy in 1991. She completed a clinical masters with Ola Grimsby in 1993. She is currently a Senior Therapist at the Institute for Athletic Medicine in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Omer Matthijs, PT, MOMT, graduated from the Higher Institute for Medical Professions, Gent, Belgium in 1975. Since then, he has become a recognized researcher, practitioner, author, and teacher specializing in non-surgical orthopedic medicine and manual therapy. He continues to treat patients in private practice in Austria and provides consultation services to physicians and physical therapists.
Mike McGalliard, PT, ScD, COMT, graduated from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) with a Masters of Physical Therapy in 1997. He completed IAOM certification in 2006. Along with working in an outpatient orthopedic clinic, he is an assistant professor of physical therapy at TTUHSC in Amarillo, TX.
Robert Moss, PT, ScD, OCS, FAAOMPT,graduated from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) with a Masters in Physical Therapy in 1998 and graduated from the Doctorate of Sciences Program in Physical Therapy in 2007. Dr. Moss certified with the IAOM-US in 2002 and currently owns his own practice in Springtown, Texas.
Patricia Nelson, PT, ScD, OCS, FAAOMPT, graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor's of Science in Exercise Physiology and then completed her Bachelor's of Science in Physical Therapy. She achieved her IAOM-US certification in orthopedic manual therapy in 1993 and 1995.In 2008 she completed her ScD in Advanced orthopedic manual therapy from Texas Tech University and went on to earn her Fellowship in manual therapy in 2009. Currently she teaches in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Eastern Washington University and pursues research related to women's health conditions.
Mirka Normand, OTR, MA, CHT, COMT, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Laval University in Quebec, Canada in 1991. She completed the Hand Therapy Fellowship program of Texas Women's University and Baylor College of Medicine in 1999 and was certified as CHT by the Hand Therapy Certification Commission that same year. She received her Advanced Masters degree in Occupational Therapy with hand Therapy Specialty in 2003 from Texas Women's University. In 2006 she joined IAOM-US after obtaining her Manual Therapy Certification for the upper quadrant. She now works as Supervisor of the Hand Therapy Clinic of Meriter Hospital in Madison, WI.
Chris Owens, PT, ScD, OCS, FAAOMPT, graduated from the University of Connecticut receiving a BSc in Allied Health Sciences Program in Physical Therapy in 1993, and completed the IAOM-US Fellowship Program in 2002. Dr. Owens completed his Doctorate of Science in Physical Therapy from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in 2008. Dr. Owens currently teaches the Musculoskeletal Management and Research curriculum at Hampton University in Hampton Virginia.
Valerie Phelps, PT, OCS, FAAOMPT, graduated with a degree in physical therapy from the University of Minnesota in 1981. She was certified by the IAOM in orthopedic medicine and manual therapy in 1989, and became an international instructor for the IAOM in 1994. At that time she also received recognition as a specialty instructor in manual therapy by the German Physical Therapy Association. Along with being the founder and current director of the IAOM-US, she also instructs for IAOM courses in the USA and Europe. She is the owner and practice director of Advanced Physical Therapy, located in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Mat-Su Valley, Alaska.
Keith Poorbaugh, PT, ScD, OCS, CSCS, FAAOMPT,graduated from the Mayo School of Health Related Sciences, Minnesota in 1997. Dr. Poorbaugh completed his Doctorate of Sciences in Physical Therapy from Texas Tech University in 2006. He is a clinical director at Advanced Physical Therapy in Anchorage, Alaska. He completed the IAOM-US residency program in 2002.
Ann Porretto-Loehrke, PT, DPT, CHT, COMT, graduated from Marquette University in 1994. She became a Certified Hand Therapist in 2002 and completed IAOM-US certification for the upper quadrant in 2003. She completed her post-professional doctorate of physical therapy (DPT) degree with a specialty in hand and upper quarter rehabilitation from Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ms. Porretto-Loehrke is employed as the therapy manager at the Hand and Upper Extremity Center of Northeast Wisconsin, located in Appleton, Wisconsin. Ann is one of the creators and lead instructors of the new Hand and Upper Extremity Track.
Charter Rushing PT, MPT, PCS, graduated in 1997 from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. He is currently perusing a Doctor of Science at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Currently, he is the lead therapist at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas, TX and serves as an adjunct professor at Texas Women's University teaching the pediatric curriculum. Charter is an educator and clinician focused on improving conservative treatment options for pediatric patients with orthopedic conditions. Mr Rushing strives to bridge the knowledge gap that exists between adult manual and pediatric therapists in the basic and clinical sciences of pediatric orthopedics and manual medicine. He accomplishes this via innovative ideas and high quality educational experiences.
Denise Schneider, MPT, COMT, ATC, graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelors of Science in Athletic Training in 1997. She received her certification of athletic training in 1998. In 2002 she graduated from Midwestern University in Illinois with a Masters of Physical Therapy. She completed the IAOM-US certifications of the spine and extremities and is currently enrolled in the IAOM-US Fellowship program. She is employed as a physical therapist and a facility manager at an outpatient orthopedic clinic in the Chicago-land area. She is actively involved with her company in other roles including mentorship, staff development, and program development.

Phillip S. Sizer, Jr, PT, PhD, OCS, FAAOMPT, graduated in 1985 from the University of Texas, Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas. He received a MEd. in exercise science from Texas Tech University in 1993. He received a PhD with an emphasis in motor control from Texas Tech University in 2002. Along with working in an outpatient orthopedic clinic, Dr. Sizer is a Professor and the Program Director of the Doctorate of Science (ScD) Program in Physical Therapy, as well as the Director of the Clinical Muskuloskeletal Research Laboratory at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, Texas. Additionally, he is an active member of the faculty of the PhD Program in Rehabilitation Sciences and the Pain Fellowship in the Department of Anesthesiology at the same institution. He has taught in over 285 IAOM-US courses and conference lectures in the United States and Europe.
Matt Stump, PT, ScD, CSCS, COMT, graduated from Abilene Christian University with a Bachelors of Science in Biology in 1997. In 2001 he graduated from Hardin-Simmons University with a Masters of Physical Therapy. He completed the Doctorate of Science (ScD) from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) in 2010. Matt completed the extremity certification in 2006 through the IAOM-US and is currently enrolled in the IAOM-US fellowship program. He has worked in an outpatient physical therapy clinic (George Erb Physical Therapy, Inc) in Camarillo, CA since 2002.
Gary Tayag, PT
Didi van Paridon
Megan S. Vaught, PT, ScD, OCS, Megan Vaught, PT, ScD, OCS, graduated from Texas Woman's University. Ms. Vaught was certified by the IAOM-US in orthopedic medicine and manual therapy in 1995. She works in outpatient physical therapy at Abbott Northwestern Hospital/Sister Kenny Insitute, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

John Woolf, MS, PT, ATC, COMT,received his Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from Northern Arizona University and his Masters of Science from the University of Arizona in Exercise Science with an emphasis in biomechanics and motor control. He is the former Director of Medical Services for Athletics at the University of Arizona and currently the owner of ProActive Physical Therapy and ProActive Performance Institute in Tucson. He serves as a clinical instructor in the University of Arizona Sports Medicine Fellowship Program and is the Administrative Director of IAOM-US.

Meet Our Editorial Faculty

Greg Dedrick, Pt, ScD, OCS, COMT, graduated from the University of Texas, Medical Branch, in Galveston/University of Texas, El Paso cooperative program with a Master of Physical Therapy in 1996. He certified with the IAOM-US in 2000. He worked in an outpatient orthopedic and sports medicine clinic in Lubbock, Texas for 7 years. Currently, Dr. Dedrick is an Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, Texas.
John Hoops, PT, COMT, graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1989. He is currently a therapist with Allina Health Systems in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He became certified in orthopedic medicine and manual therapy with the IAOM in 1998.
Tanya Smith, PT, ScD, COMT, graduated from the University of the Pacific with a Master of Science physical therapy degree in 1994. She completed her terminal professional degree, Doctor of Science in Physical therapy at Texas Tech University Health Sciences in 2006. Tanya furthered her clinical education by completing an orthopedic manual therapy residency program in Perth Western Australia in 2000 and a certification through the IAOM in orthopedic medicine and manual therapy for both the spine and extremities. Tanya is currently a senior physical therapist at APTAK, senior editor and contributor to the International Academy of Orthopedic Medicine-US. She has published original research on upper extremity neurogenic pain disorders in the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine and The Journal of Manual and Manipulative Medicine.