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 É«ÖÐɫ’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.
Lori S. Madiara PT, DPT, MSHA
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Dr. Madiara is an Assistant Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program, assisting the Director of Clinical Education in overseeing the students’ Integrated Clinical Education experiences. Dr. Madiara has 17 years of full-time experience in academia as a core faculty member in both PTA and DPT educational programs prior to joining the faculty at É«ÖÐÉ« University. Dr. Madiara’s teaching expertise in is orthopaedic and neurological physical therapy, biomechanics and kinesiology, and clinical pathology.
Her clinical expertise is in the areas of orthopaedics and geriatrics. She is an APTA credentialed clinical instructor and a LSVT Big Certified practitioner. Her areas of research involve best practices in physical therapy clinical education.
Dr Madiara received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Arcadia University, her Masters in Healthcare Administration from St Joseph’s University and her Bachelors of Physical Therapy from Stony Brook University. She is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association, participating in the Education, Geriatrics, and Orthopedics sections.
Mary Anne Riopel, PT, DPT, PhD
Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy, Emeritus
Associate Professor
Dr. Riopel is the founding Program Director and an Associate Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. She has 14 years of full-time experience in academia and has served as a core faculty and Director of Clinical Education in prior institutions. Dr. Riopel has expertise in teaching orthopaedic physical therapy management, biomechanics and kinesiology, modalities, evidence-based practice, ethics, and professional development courses in both entry-level and post-professional DPT programs. Her clinical expertise is in the area of orthopaedics and she is an ABPTS Board Certified Specialist Emeritus in Orthopaedics. She is also an APTA-credentialed clinical instructor with experience mentoring numerous PT students in the clinic.
Dr. Riopel completed her PhD in Physical Therapy in 2015 from Nova Southeastern University. While there, she received the prestigious Adopt-A-Doc Award for her dissertation research on the promotion of professional behavior development in physical therapy students using standardized patient feedback. Dr. Riopel has an active scholarly agenda that focuses on and the use of clinical reasoning and simulation to facilitate learning in physical therapy and health professions students.
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.