FranU will be closed all day on Wednesday, September 11 and Thursday, September 12. Please continue to monitor your email, social media and website for important updates.
Dr. Kirk Nelson serves as the program director and primarily teaches professionalism, integumentary, and research related content in the program. He completed his graduate degree in physical therapy in 2000, and PhD in Curriculum and Teaching from the University of New Orleans in 2010. His professional background includes expert legal testimony, facilitation of case based learning, and his clinical background includes orthopedics and wound care.
Dr. Jeffrey Thompson is an Associate Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program, specializing in orthopedics, biomechanics and clinical education. Dr. Thompson has diverse clinical experience spans orthopedics, acute care, rehabilitation and administration. He has an established research agenda in the areas of clinical practice efficacy and musculoskeletal ultrasound. Dr. Thompson has served Louisiana as a medical malpractice expert in the area of neuromusculoskeletal cases and is an onsite reviewer with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
Dr. Page is an Assistant Professor and Research Director. He has a Masters degree in exercise physiology and doctorate in Kinesiology from LSU. He is a certified athletic trainer and strength and conditioning specialist. Dr. Page is a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, and received the Lifetime Excellence in Education award from the Academy of Sports Physical Therapy. Dr. Page has extensive teaching experience, presenting lectures and publishing articles on sports medicine and rehabilitation topics around the world. His clinical and research interests include muscle imbalance and electromyography (EMG), as well as musculoskeletal therapeutic interventions. Dr. Page also serves on the Louisiana Physical Therapy Board.
Jaime Caillet has been in orthopedic practice for 18 years and is certified by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties as a specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy. She completed a post graduate clinical doctorate in 2012 with emphasis in orthopedic patient management. She has authored and taught continuing education of Foot and Ankle Conditions. Dr. Caillet is certified in Dry Needling and has additional training in various manual therapy techniques. Her primary teaching interest include Orthopedic Physical Therapy.
Dr. Mari Kantrow joined the FranU DPT Core Faculty in the fall of 2020 as an assistant professor following 10 years of clinical practice. Dr. Kantrow specializes in the management of patients with neurological conditions including spinal cord injury, stroke, brain injury, and degenerative neurological disorders. She has an extensive understanding of the spectrum/lifespan/progression of neurological conditions as she has practiced both in the in-patient rehab setting as well as within an outpatient day-neuro program. Dr. Kantrow was head of the spinal cord injury program at Touro Hospital in New Orleans until 2014 when she moved to Baton Rouge and was lead Physical Therapist at Sage Outpatient Day Neuro Program until 2020. She will assist in teaching Neuroanatomy, Neurological PT, Orthotics and Prosthetics, and PT Seminar.
Dr. Jessica Otis obtained her B.S. in Psychology from Millsaps College in 2010. Continuing her education, she holds a DPT from LSU Health Science in New Orleans, LA . Prior to her arrival to Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University, Dr. Otis gained extensive understanding of the continuum of PT care with clinical practice in acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing, home health, and outpatient settings. Dr. Otis is certified in Dry Needling and has additional knowledge in leadership, neurological care, orthopedics, and inter-disciplinary coordination. In her free time, Dr. Otis is involved in the New Orleans soccer community to promote opportunities for engagement and physical activity.
Dr. Michael Ludwig holds a PhD in anatomy from Penn State University and is a classically trained anatomist. He completed a number of cadaveric dissections for the education of the medical students at Penn State University College of Medicine, and has published several peer reviewed publications and poster presentations. Dr. Ludwig will teach Structural and Functional Anatomy.
Dr. Bert Swafford is a cardiovascular physiologist, and specifically teaches physiology in the nurse anesthesia, physician assistant and human medicine programs. He completed his PhD in Physiology from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in 2003, and has numerous peer reviewed publications and presentations over the course of his tenure in academia. Dr. Swafford teaches Human Physiology I & II.
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