Meet Physical Therapy Faculty

Spalding’s physical therapy faculty is knowledgeable, experienced and ready to support you in your learning. As academic leaders, physical therapists and board-certified specialists, our faculty are skilled at providing current, evidence-based instruction in a hybrid and online learning environments.

Kay Tasso, PT, PhD

Program Director
Professor
[email protected]

Dr. Tasso obtained her PhD in Curriculum Leadership from the University of Florida, her Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from Virginia Tech, and her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from Old Dominion University. She has over 20 years of teaching experience both in the traditional on-campus model and the blended model. Dr. Tasso has over 37 years of experience as a physical therapist primarily in early intervention in children’s homes. She has been a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Pediatric Physical Therapy since 1994 and now has emeritus status.

Her professional volunteerism has included local and state components of the American Physical Therapy Association, the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy, the Florida Board of Physical Therapy and pro bono pediatric PT services.

Holly Lookabaugh-Deur, DPT, PT, DSc, GCS, CEEAA

Michigan Licensed Physical Therapist
Assistant Professor
[email protected]

Dr. Holly Lookabaugh-Deur is a physical therapist with 40+ year of patient care experience in a variety of settings, including as owner of a private practice in Michigan. With a BS in Physical Therapy from University of Connecticut, Masters of Health Science from Grand Valley State University, and a Doctor of Science from Rocky Mountain University. She holds specialist certificates in lymphedema management, wound care, LSVT Parkinsons care and is a Certified Exercise Expert for Aging Adults. Lookabaugh-Deur is Board Certified in Geriatric Physical Therapy, and is currently the Director of the Oncology Residency program at Ivy Rehab. Previously a PTA Program Director and adjunct faculty at Central Michigan University and Grand Valley State University, she has served the APTA Michigan in multiple roles: as an instructor for the Aquatic Academy Specialist program; Vice President of the APTA MI Oncology SIG and Director of Education.

Goutam Singh, PhD

Assistant Professor
[email protected]

Goutam Singh, PhD is an assistant professor in the Kosair for Kids School of Physical Therapy. Dr. Singh graduated with a BS from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (2008) and graduated with an MS in exercise physiology (2012) and PhD in physiology (2017) from the University of Louisville. Dr. Singh subsequently completed a postdoctoral fellowship (2021) in the Kosair for Kids Center for Pediatric Neurorecovery at the University of Louisville. Dr. Singh’s research is focused on identifying the multifaceted role of trunk muscles across multiple physiological systems and to investigate therapeutic potential of non-invasive neuromodulation to promote motor recovery in children with spinal cord injury.

Kimberly Sisto, PT, DPT, SCS

Director of Clinical Education
Assistant Professor
[email protected]

Dr. Kimberly Sisto is an Assistant Professor in the Kosair for Kids School of Physical Therapy. She is a board-certified clinical specialist in sports physical therapy. Kim holds a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from University of Michigan – Flint and Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Eastern Michigan University. She has over a decade of experience in outpatient pediatric physical therapy with specialization in the treatment of pelvic health and orthopedic injuries. Kim collaborated to develop the Sports Physical Therapy Residency at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and served as residency faculty. She has presented at many local and national professional conferences on the topics of pediatric pelvic health and rehabilitation of the gymnast.

Elisa M. Zuber, PT, PhD

Professor
[email protected]

Elisa M. (Lisa) Zuber, PhD is Professor and Chair of the Kosair for Kids School of Physical Therapy. She holds a BS degree in physical therapy from the Medical College of Virginia, an MS degree in education from Radford University and a PhD in physical therapy from the University of Central Arkansas. She had a variety of experience in physical therapy practice and education before becoming Associate Director of the Department of Accreditation at the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) for 12 years. She returned to education in 2008 and has become passionate about the delivery of physical therapy curricula in a blended format, earning a certificate in blended learning in 2017. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, the Health Humanities Consortium, and has been active with Hands of Light in Action, a non-governmental organization (NGO) specializing in disaster relief. Dr. Zuber is a 2021 Fellow of the Louisville-based Health Enterprise Network.