Physical Therapy

Job Title

Associate Professor and Chair, Division of Physical Therapy

Background and Training

DSc, Rocky Mountain University, 2003; MPT, Gannon University, 1995; MS, California University of Pennsylvania, 1993

Dr. Mulligan is a board-certified clinical specialist in sports physical therapy and certified athletic trainer.  His areas of specialty include the evaluation and treatment of athletes with shoulder dysfunction, and non-athletes with orthopedic conditions.  He has worked with athletes from all levels (Little league to Olympic) for rehabilitation, performance and wellness programs.

Job Title

Professor and Vice Dean Professional and Undergraduate Programs

Background and Training

PhD, Developmental Psychology, West Virginia University, (Kathleen McCluskey, PhD) major: infancy; minor: developmental neurobiology, 1985; MS, Physical Therapy, Medical College of Virginia, certification in therapeutic exercise curriculum, 1979; BS, Physical Therapy, Medical College of Virginia, summa cum laude, Adolph D. Willaims Scholar, 1976

Dr. Mandich is a pediatric physical therapist with specialization in neonatal care and high-risk development. She is a member of our multi-disciplinary team in the WVU Medicine pediatric high-risk clinic and provides physical therapy services for the West Virginia Birth to Three program. Dr. Mandich also provides services to children in our multi-disciplinary clinic in conjunction with our speech and occupational therapy pediatric specialists.

Job Title

Professor & Assistant Dean of Clinical Operations

Background and Training

BS, Physical Therapy West Virginia University, 1985; PhD, West Virginia University, 1994

Dr. Mancinelli is an orthopedic physical therapist with specialization in physical therapy evaluation and rehabilitation for individuals with arthritic and non-arthritic hip dysfunction and other musculoskeletal conditions. She also has specialty practice in vestibular rehabilitation and evaluation and treatment of dancers.

Job Title

Assistant Professor, Residency Program Director

Background and Training

DPT, West Virginia University - Morgantown, West Virginia, 2007

Renee McGinnis is a board-certified clinical specialist in orthopedic physical therapy with emphasis in physical therapy evaluation and rehabilitation for individuals with cervical spine and temporomandibular dysfunction and lumbar spine dysfunction. She also has advanced training in manual therapy and specialty practice in the management of chronic pain. Ms. McGinnis is the director of the residency physical therapy programs at WVU and is the coordinator of the orthopedic residency training program.

Job Title

Assistant Professor

Background and Training

MS, Ithaca College - Ithaca, New York, 2003; BS, Ithaca College - Ithaca, New York, 2002

Cheryl Brandmeir is a neurorehabilitation physical therapist with emphasis in evaluation and intervention of individuals with movement disorders. She has advanced specialty training in Parkinson disease and is part of a multi-disciplinary team of providers in our Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute.

Job Title

Assistant Professor

Background and Training

DPT, West Virginia University, 2013

Megan Burkart is a board-certified clinical specialist in oncologic physical therapy with advanced training in physical therapy evaluation and rehabilitation for individuals with breast and lung cancers, head and neck cancers and bone marrow transplantation. She also has advanced specialty training in lymphedema and chronic pain management and is coordinator of our oncology physical therapy residency program.

Job Title

Assistant Professor

Background and Training

BS, Fairmont State University, 2010; DPT, West Virginia University, 2013

Melissa Henry is a board-certified clinical specialist in orthopedic physical therapy with emphasis in physical therapy evaluation and rehabilitation for individuals with musculoskeletal conditions. She has specialty practice in rehabilitation following ACL reconstruction of the knee and shoulder arthroscopic surgery, as well as overuse syndromes.

Job Title

Assistant Professor

Background and Training

BS, University of Northwestern, 2006; DPT, Marquette University, 2010

Justin Payette is a board-certified clinical specialist in sports physical therapy with emphasis in concussion rehabilitation and other sports related injuries. He has spent a large part of his professional career working with NCAA Divison One athletes for rehabilitation following knee and shoulder injuries as well as neurocognitive and balance deficits in collegiate aged football players with and without a clinical diagnosis of concussion.

Job Title

Associate Professor

Background and Training

BS, Exercise Physiology, West Virginia University, 1996; BS, Physical Therapy, West Virginia University, 1998; MS, Special Education and Brain Injury, George Washington University, 2007; MS, Public Health, WVU, 2012; EdD, West Virginia University, 2018

Dr. Rice is a board-certified clinical specialist in neurologic physical therapy with emphasis in physical therapy evaluation and rehabilitation for individuals with vestibular dysfunction, balance disorders, traumatic brain injury, stroke and spinal cord injury. She is part of a multi-disciplinary team that provides comprehensive vestibular and balance assessments for dizziness and other balance disorders.

Job Title

Associate Professor

Background and Training

PhD, West Virginia University, 1995; PT, West Virginia University, 1980

Dr. Waggy is a certified hand therapist who specializes in trauma and other conditions affecting the elbow, wrist and hand. She has expertise in tendon injury and repair and complex wrist conditions. Dr. Waggy is a member of the WVU Medicine multi-disciplinary hand surgery team.