Core Faculty and Staff
Core faculty has direct responsibility for teaching, student advising, and supervision of independent student learning and critical exploration. You can find more specific information on the core faculty on each individual faculty member’s page.
Faculty
Jean Fitzpatrick Timmerberg, PT, PhD
- Associate Professor & Vice Chair of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine (Physical Therapy) at CUIMC; Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist
- Director, Programs in Physical Therapy; Assistant Dean, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
Laurel Daniels Abbruzzese, PT, EdD
- Associate Professor of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine (Physical Therapy) at CUIMC
- Director of Diversity Equity & Inclusion, Director of Performing Arts Fellowship
Colleen M. Brough, PT, DPT
- Assistant Professor of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine (Physical Therapy) at CUIMC; Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist
- Associate Director of Student Retention & Advancement, Director of Columbia RunLab, Programs in Physical Therapy
Lobna S Elsarafy, PT, DPT, PhD
- Assistant Professor of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine (Physical Therapy) at CUMC
Wing Fu, PT, PhD, MA
- Assistant Professor of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine (Physical Therapy) at CUIMC
Michael Gevertzman, PT, DPT, NCS
- Assistant Professor of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine (Physical Therapy) at CUIMC
Michael Johnson, MPT, DsC, OCS, SCS
- Assistant Professor of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine (Physical Therapy) at CUIMC
- Director of Orthopedic Residency, Programs in Physical Therapy
Stacy Kinirons, PT, PhD, MPH
- Assistant Professor of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine (Physical Therapy) at CUIMC
- Associate Director, Programs in Physical Therapy
Jacqueline Montes, PT, EdD, NCS
- Professor of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine (Physical Therapy) at CUIMC
- Director of Research, Programs in Physical Therapy
Ashwini K. Rao, OTR, EdD
- Professor of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine (Physical Therapy) at CUIMC
- Director of EdD Program, Programs in Physical Therapy
Rami M. Said, PT, DPT, MEng
- Assistant Professor of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine (Physical Therapy) at CUIMC, Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist
- Director of Clinical Faculty Practice, Physical Therapy Faculty Practice
Samantha A Sawade, PT, DPT, PCS
- Assistant Professor of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine(Physical Therapy) at CUMC
Mahlon Stewart, PT, DPT, GCS
- Assistant Professor of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine (Physical Therapy) at CUIMC
- Director of Clinical Education, Programs in Physical Therapy
Danielle Struble-Fitzsimmons, PT, DPT, PhD
- Assistant Professor of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine (Physical Therapy) at CUIMC
- Associate Director of Student Recruitment
Christopher Kevin Wong, PT, PhD
- Professor of Rehabilitation & Regenerative Medicine (Physical Therapy) at CUIMC; Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist
- Coordinator of Curriculum, Orthopedic Residency
Lisa Yoon, PT, DPT, PCS
- Assistant Professor of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine (Physical Therapy) at CUIMC
Admin Support Staff
Gina Frassetto, MPA
- Administrative & Business Manager
Gina keeps our finances and administrative matters in order. She is responsible for the overall administrative and business management of the physical and occupational therapy programs including finance and budget, human resources issues, and contract review for clinical education.
Stephanie Henkin Buraczewski
- Administrative Coordinator, Clinical Education
Born and raised in Manhattan, Stephanie attended Indiana University's Sports Medicine/Athletic Training Program and has a background in many sports. Over the years she sustained several injuries that sent her to physical therapy. She uses her experience to assist students with their clinical choices and always offers an ear and sense of humor should they need to talk. Stephanie is an avid equestrian and proud mom of a 18-year-old-horse named Pony Danza, aka Skyler. She also has a rescue dog named Benny who is studying to be the DPT program's first therapy dog! She is a die-hard Broadway fanatic and is always ready to recommend a show.
Aimee DeGrazia
- Admissions Coordinator, Executive Assistant
As a proud New Yorker, with Dominican roots, Aimee was raised in Queens and has called Manhattan and Brooklyn home. She graduated from UMASS Amherst with a major in Spanish and minor in Communications. After dedicating 22 years to working at a plastic surgeon’s office, she brings her strong work ethic, deep compassion and knack for witty banter to her role as an admissions coordinator. A knee injury led her to physical therapy which inspires her commitment to supporting the next generation of PT’s in their educational journeys. Outside of work, she loves to read, especially Jack Reacher novels, enjoys salsa dancing (where she met her fiancé) and meal preps weekly to stay healthy.
