John A. Nyland, DPT, SCS, EdD, ATC, CSCS, FACSM
Professor and Program Director
Dr. Nyland possesses an extensive résumé of professional training and routinely serves, advocates and teaches around the world. Nyland is an editorial review board member for the Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy (JOSPT), the Journal of Athletic Training, Knee Surgery Sports Traumatology Arthroscopy, Acta Orthopaedica et Traumatologica, the Turkish Journal of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation and Case Reports in Orthopedics. Dr. Nyland is president of the JOSPT Board of Directors. Nyland is a physical therapy consultant with the International Grande Hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal. He is a past recipient of the Excellence in Education Award given by the Sports Section of the American Physical Therapy Association and the John Joyce Award given by the International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery, and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. Nyland developed the books Innovations in Knee Rehabilitation and Clinical Decisions in Therapeutic Exercise: Planning and Implementation; he also developed a home study course, Therapeutic Strategies for Developing Neuromuscular Control in the Kinetic Chain. Nyland served on the 1996 and 2008 USA Paralympic games sports medicine staff and as an International Para-Archery Classifier in 2012 and 2016.
Daniel “Danny” Cobble, MS, LAT, ATC
Assistant Professor, Clinical Education Coordinator
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Native of Louisville and certified as an Athletic Trainer since 2003, Danny earned his bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from the University of Kentucky and his master's degree from the University of South Carolina, where he served as a graduate assistant. Upon graduation, Danny was named the assistant athletic trainer for the Gamecocks football program. During his career, Danny has interned with the NFL Philadelphia Eagles and served as the Head Athletic Trainer for the Western Kentucky Hilltopper's football program. Throughout his career, Danny has gained experience in Policy and Procedures creation, Drug Testing program administration, sales, marketing, and contract negotiations. Danny is currently pursuing his doctorate in Health Professions Education from Bellarmine University.
Kaitlin Niemiec MLA, ATC
Head Athletic Trainer
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Kaitlin Niemiec is the current Head Athletic Trainer at Spalding University. Certified athletic trainer since 2012. Earned Bachelor's degree in Athletic Training at the University of Texas. Worked as a graduate assistant athletic trainer and earned master's degree at Tulane University. Previously was an assistant athletic trainer at Campbellsville University and later Head Athletic Trainer at Campbellsville University Harrodsburg and created the athletic training department.Lauren Schneidtmiller
Administrative Coordinator
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Lauren Schneidtmiller is a native of Louisville, Kentucky, and graduated from Georgetown College with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Throughout her career, she has gained valuable experience in office management, recruiting, sales, and coaching. Following graduation and her years playing collegiate volleyball, Lauren worked in the mental health setting and coached volleyball at her high school alma mater Louisville’s Mercy Academy.
Demetra Antimisiaris, PharmD
Associate Professor
Demetra Antimisiaris, also known as Dr. D, is a graduate of the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy where she received her Doctor of Pharmacy. She then completed a clinical pharmacy residency in Geriatric Pharmacotherapy at the UCLA-West Los Angeles veterans administration program. Dr. D is an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology and leads the Frazier Polypharmacy and Medication Management program which is dedicated to education, research and outreach to help solve the problems associated with polypharmacy. She authors continuing education courses for physicians, pharmacologists, nurse practitioners, social workers and other interdisciplinary learners. She serves on the editorial board of several peer reviewed journals and is dedicated to pharmacology education.Kayla Diamond, MS, LAT, ATC, CSCS, PES
Adjunct Faculty
Kayla Diamond earned her BS in Athletic Training from Eastern Kentucky University and her Master of Science from Western Kentucky University. During her time as an athletic trainer, she has worked in both the collegiate, high school, and outpatient settings. She obtained her Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA-CSCS) as an injury reconditioning specialist in Columbus, Ohio, working with youth athletes to the older adult population in injury prevention and sports performance. Currently, she owns her own online health & performance coaching business where she works specifically with former athletes and those wishing to regain their athleticism post competitive career. Recently, she received her CISSN (Certified Sports Nutritionist through the International Society of Sports Nutrition) as well as receiving a specialization in Functional Nutrition and Metabolism.
Sabrina Pletz, MS, LAT, ATC, PTA
Assistant Professor and Assistant Athletic Trainer
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Sabrina Pletz earned her Bachelor of Science with an emphasis in Athletic Training from Cumberland College, and her Master of Science in Exercise Science from Fort Hays State University. As an assistant athletic trainer at the University of Charleston, she taught athletic training courses and provided care to NCAA Division II athletes. Pletz served as President of the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and was the recipient of their Athletic Trainer of the Year Award in 2011. Prior to coming to Spalding University, Pletz served as the clinical education coordinator for the athletic training program at St. Catharine College. As an assistant athletic trainer, she provides services to Spalding University student-athletes. In conjunction with the school of nursing, she also developed the Spalding University EagleCare student health service.Lisa Potts, PhD
Assistant Professor
Lisa Potts graduated from Centre College with a Bachelor of Science in Psychobiology. She earned her Doctorate in Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology from the University of Louisville. She received training in neurophysiology and neuropharmacology as a post-doctoral scholar at Emory University, studying novel treatment strategies for Parkinson’s disease in non-human primates. She continued training as a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Kentucky, working on studies of neuroprotection in non-human primate and rodent models of Parkinson’s disease and traumatic brain injury. Dr. Potts then expanded her study to spinal cord injury as a senior research associate at the Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center at the University of Louisville. There she worked with patients who had sustained spinal cord injuries, studying the effects of epidural spinal cord stimulation on the cardiovascular system. Dr. Potts oversees the anatomy and neuroscience courses in the MSAT program.Amy Verst PhD, LAT, ATC, RNP
Adjunct Faculty
Dr. Verst received a Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education from the University of Arizona, a Master of Science in Nursing from Indiana University and a Bachelor of Science from Bellarmine University. She is a certified pediatric nurse practitioner and a certified athletic trainer. Dr. Verst is highly experienced in care of children and disabled athletes. She teaches the Medical-Surgical Conditions and Diagnostic Tests course in the MSAT program. Dr. Verst also assists the Spalding University Athletic program as a volunteer assistant athletic trainer.