Emil Euaparadorn
Director of Physical Therapy Program and Associate Professor of Physical Therapy
Mark Amir
Assistant Professor, Director of Clinical Education
Phone: 845-848-6045
Email: mark.amir@duny.edu
B.S., Physical Education in Secondary Education, Brooklyn College
B.S. Health Sciences, Touro College
M.A., Masters in Physical Therapy, Touro College
MPH, Masters in Public Health, City University of New York
t-DPT – Executive Private Practice Management, EIM
DipMDT, Diploma in Mechanical Diagnosis & Therapy, McKenzie Institute International
Mark Amir helps students integrate newly acquired didactic skills that match their innate strengths, to a clinical setting, which can positively impact the lives of their clients, themselves, and their community. Matching clinical affiliations with a student-centered focus allows graduates to seek career opportunities that best fit their needs.
Dr. Amir has hired, trained, and mentored hundreds of clinicians and aspiring clinicians over his 25+ year experience as a physical therapist, business owner, teacher, and advocate of our profession. He uses his passion of learning topics related to leadership, management, professionalism, and customer service to educate new student professionals who are ready to tackle the challenges of their new career.
Dr. Amir was a private practice, multi-state outpatient physical therapy owner for over 20 years. He managed several clinic mergers and acquisitions and consulted several clinicians through the same process. Dr. Amir is currently a managing partner of a company that provides innovative workplace injury prevention services to large and midsize companies in New York State. From 2010 to 2015, Dr. Amir was a contractor to APTA’s Payment & Policy Department advising members and staff on regional and national health care issues. He remains active in NYPTA and APTA advocacy and legislative initiatives currently serving as the Bk/SI district’s Legislative Liaison and Treasurer. Dr. Amir served in multiple NYPTA roles as Director, delegate to the House of Delegates and Legislative Chairperson. He attended numerous NYPTA Delegate Assemblies representing the interest of Bk/SI and multiple Lobby Days and Federal Affair Days in Albany and Washington DC, representing the interest of the physical therapy profession.
Being a lifelong learner, Dr. Amir is working on his PhD with a special interest in administration and clinical education. He is also currently coediting a textbook on inter-professionalism in healthcare.
Dr. Amir continues to enjoy hobbies of boating, running, biking, boxing, and martial arts training. He was a Krav Maga martial arts instructor, a High School football coach and coached his own kids in flag football.
Stefanie DiCarrado
Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy
Email: stefanie.dicarrado@duny.edu
B.S., Information Technology, Marist College
D.P.T. Hunter College Masters in Physical Therapy, Touro College
Dr. Stefanie DiCarrado received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Hunter College (NY) in 2014. Dr. DiCarrado is the owner of and physical therapist at DiCarrado Physical Therapy, PLLC a home based outpatient orthopedic and neurological rehab practice in Westchester County and New York, NY. She is board certified in Neurologic Rehabilitation (NCS), a Multiple Sclerosis Certified Specialist (MSCS), and a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES), and Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES) through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). Dr. DiCarrado is passionate about the blend of neurologic and orthopedic rehabilitation and the use of technology to improve patient care; her research activities involve the effects of fatigue in individuals with neurologic diagnoses and the use of different cues to improve rehabilitation potential. Dr. DiCarrado is currently studying to become a CMPT (Certified Manual Physical Therapist) through the North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy.
Ayse Ozcan Edeer
Associate Professor of Physical Therapy
Phone: (845) 848-7615
Email: ayse.edeer@duny.edu
B.S., Hacettepe University School of P.T. and Rehab (Turkey)
M.S., Institute of Health and Sciences Dokuz Eylul University (Turkey)
Ph.D., Institute of Health and Sciences Dokuz Eylul University (Turkey)
Dr. Edeer has more than 20 years of experience providing physical therapy for adults and older people with various orthopedic conditions and serving as faculty in professional entry level physical therapy in Turkey and USA. She has published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at both national and international scientific meetings. Dr. Edeer’s primary research interests involve management of shoulder pathologies, preventing fall in geriatric population, exercise intervention in various conditions. Dr. Edeer joined the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program as full time core faculty in 2012. She teaches PT 639 Research I, PT 789 Research II and PT 889 Research III courses. She is on the NYPTA’s Research Committee and Dominican University IRB Committee. She is a reviewer for Disability and Rehabilitation, ISRN Rehabilitation Journal, Gulhane Medical Journal, Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, Turkish Journal of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation and she is rater for MORE Rehab.
Duane Grell
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Email: duane.grell@duny.edu
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, English, Colgate University
Bachelor of Arts, Spanish Literature, Hunter College
Doctor of Physical Therapy, Touro College, School of Health Sciences
Board Certified Clinical Specialist, Neurological Physical Therapy (OCS)
Board Certified Clinical Specialist, Orthopedic Physical Therapy (NCS)
Multiple Sclerosis Certified Specialist (MSCS)
Certified Manual Physical Therapist (CMPT)
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
LSVT BIG Certified Clinician
Dr. Duane Grell received his Bachelor of Arts from Colgate University, and received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Touro College, in New York City. Dr. Grell is Board Certified in both Neurology and Orthopedics, and is currently pursuing his Fellowship in Manual Physical Therapy, as a way of continuously advancing his clinical skillset. Dr. Grell has a passion for teaching and recognizes the importance of promoting skilled physical therapy throughout the profession. As a professor, Dr. Grell recognizes the importance of blending orthopedic and neurological assessments in the classroom, as he believes that the dynamic interflow between the two systems is what guides movement.
As a clinician based in NYC, Dr. Grell’s treatment approach is centered around driver assessment and movement analysis, addressing any underlying movement dysfunctions or arthrokinematic issues that may be causing the musculoskeletal dysfunction. When working with clients with neurological impairments, Dr. Grell follows an ICF (International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health) based approach, identifying and addressing the specific body function or movement that is causing the activity and participation limitations.
Annemarie Lee
Administrative Assistant & DPT Operations Coordinator
Phone: (845) 848-6049
Email: annemarie.lee@duny.edu
Karen Miller
Administrative Assistant & tDPT Operations Coordinator
Phone: (845) 848-6050
Email: karen.miller@duny.edu
Stephen Rodriguez
Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy
Phone: (845) 848-6047
Email: stephen.rodriguez@duny.edu
B.S., Health Science, Upstate Medical University @ Syracuse, NY
MPS PT, Masters of Professional Studies in Physical Therapy, Upstate Medical University @ Syracuse, NY
DPT, Upstate Medical University @ Syracuse, NY
DSc, Doctor of Science of Physical Therapy, Andrews University, MI
Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy (OCS)
Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists (FAAOMPT)
Certified Manual Physical Therapist (CMPT)
Certified Orthopedic Manipulative Therapist (COMT)
Stephen Rodriguez has been a practicing physical therapist since 2000 and has worked in a variety of settings with a eclectic patient population. Dr. Rodriguez currently practices in NYC at a manual therapy and neuromuscular re-education specialty clinic. He believes in an integrated approach to physical therapy that combines many perspectives to help patients work towards a more optimal and efficient movement pattern.
Dr. Rodriguez has dedicated his post graduate studies to develop an advanced understanding of various schools of thought in clinical reasoning, differential diagnosis, manual therapy, neuromuscular re-education, neurodynamic treatments, and pain processing. Dr. Rodriguez has had the privilege of studying under many accomplished international lectures and mentors. He has achieved certification in manual and manipulative therapy. He completed a Fellowship program with the North American Institute of Orthopaedic Manual Therapy, where he has qualified as a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists.
Dr. Rodriguez believes in Evidenced Based Practice and instructs integrating the three pillars to benefit from contemporary research as well as innovative ideas from past experts. He believes in a dynamic classroom that encourages clinical reasoning along with a systematic approach to differential diagnosis for patho-anatomical issues as well as movement dysfunctions.
Karl Rusch, PT, DSc, DPT, ATC, CMPT, COMT, FAAOMPT
Associate Professor of Physical Therapy
Phone: (845) 848-6046
Email: karl.rusch@duny.edu
B.S., Quinnipiac University
D.P.T., Sacred Heart University
DSc, Doctor of Science of Physical Therapy, Andrews University, MI
Board Certified Clinical Specialist, Orthopedic Physical Therapy (OCS)
Certified Manual Physical Therapist (CMPT)
Certified Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapist (COMT)
Karl Rusch, PT, DSc, DPT, OCS, ATC, CMPT, COMT completed his undergraduate coursework from Quinnipiac University with a bachelor’s of science in Athletic Training/ Sport’s Medicine. He graduated from Sacred Heart University in 2012 with his Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy. Dr. Rusch completed his terminal doctorate of science in Physical Therapy in 2021. His focus is in sports medicine and orthopaedic rehabilitation.
Dr. Rusch was an assistant for two years in Gross Anatomy at Dominican University and a lab instructor at New York Medical College before he became a part of the full time faculty in 2015. Dr. Rusch is chair of admissions and is responsible for the anatomy and orthopaedic courses in the program.
He is a fellow in training for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy (FAAOMPT) which is the highest clinical distinction you can obtain in Physical Therapy.
Dr. Rusch continues to work part time at New York Sports and Spinal PT in Scarsdale, NY. Dr. Rusch is a board Certified Orthopaedic Specialist, Certified Manual Physical Therapist and Certified Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapist that focuses on a variety of manual therapy techniques with appropriate therapeutic exercise. He is also a Certified Athletic Trainer who specializes in sport specific injury prevention and rehabilitation.
Justine Ward
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Email: justine.ward@duny.edu
B.S., Clinical Health Studies, Ithaca College
D.P.T., Physical Therapy, Ithaca College
Board Certified Clinical Specialist, Women’s Health Physical Therapy (WCS)
Certified Breathing Behavior Analyst (CBBA)
Dr. Justine Ward graduated with her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Ithaca College in 2013, where she achieved the coveted distinction of summa cum laude. She is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Women’s Health (WCS), showcasing her dedication to providing specialized care in this critical area of physical therapy. Additionally, her credentials include certification as a Certified Breathing Behavior Analyst (CBBA). Dr. Ward has been a core faculty member in the Department of Physical Therapy at Dominican University New York since 2019. She teaches the foundational PT classes in semesters 1 and 2 of the program, as well as Physical Agents/Modalities, Special Topics and Health Promotion and Wellness.
Having competed as a gymnast at the collegiate Division III level in the past, Dr. Ward possesses a discerning ability in movement analysis. This expertise enables her to guide students in honing their observation and clinical reasoning abilities within the academic setting. Furthermore, Dr. Ward underscores the significance of delivering empathetic, inclusive, and compassionate care to patients. Her objective is to cultivate a new cohort of clinicians committed to a patient-centered, biopsychosocial approach.
Dr. Ward initiated the Pelvic Health Program at Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, NJ, where she continues to provide compassionate care and innovative solutions to patients seeking specialized treatment. Her dedication to the field of physical therapy extends beyond the classroom and her clinical practice. She has recently been elected as the Director of the Pre-Natal/Postpartum Special Interest Group through the Academy of Pelvic Health, a prestigious position recognized nationally within the American Physical Therapy Association. In this role, she will be at the forefront of advancing knowledge and expertise in prenatal and postpartum care.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Dr. Ward enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, including teaching her daughter gymnastics skills.