Arvie Vitente, PT, DPT, PhD, MPH, GCS, FNAP, CEEAA

Program Director and Professor
(he/him/his)
Email: avitente@lewisu.edu

Dr. Vitente serves as Program Director and Professor of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Lewis University, where he oversees academic operations, clinical education partnerships, and program evaluation. His leadership philosophy centers on belonging, equity, and purposeful collaboration to advance personal, professional, and community impact.

A Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy, Dr. Vitente completed the APTA Fellowship in Higher Education Leadership (previously called Education Leadership Institute.) He has held roles including campus director, program director, director of admissions, academic coordinator of clinical education, and core faculty across PT and PTA programs.

His professional service includes the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy Examination Development Committee (2022–2025); Commission Secretary for ACAPT’s Clinical Education Commission (2023–2025); member of the ABPTS Specialization Academy of Content Experts in Geriatrics (2023–2025); elected member of the APTA Academy of Education Board of Directors (2025–2027); and elected member of the APTA Academy of Leadership and Innovations PT Proud SIG’s Secretary (2023-2026). He previously served as a Florida delegate and New Mexico delegate and chief delegate to the APTA House of Delegates.

Dr. Vitente’s contributions have been recognized with multiple honors, including Faculty of the Year (Angeles University Foundation, 2007); Amedisys National Therapist of the Year (2016); ACAPT Innovation Award (2025); National Academies of Practice Interprofessional Member of the Year (2025); APTA New Mexico Physical Therapist of the Year (2024); FPTA Fred Rutan Excellence in Service (2022); and FPTA Outstanding Neurologic Physical Therapist in Education (2023).

He is Associate Editor for the Journal of Interprofessional Education & Practice and the Journal of Innovation in Health Sciences Education, and co-founder and Deputy Editor of the Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy.

Colleen Hanlon, PT, DHSc, MA, OCS

Co-Director of Clinical Education and Assistant Professor of Practice
Email: chanlon@lewisu.edu

Dr. Hanlon serves as Co-Director of Clinical Education and Assistant Professor of Practice. She brings nearly 30 years of clinical experience in orthopedics, along with progressive leadership, scholarship, and academic expertise dedicated to training skilled, collaborative physical therapists.

Dr. Hanlon’s teaching philosophy fosters dynamic, collaborative learning through guided discovery and critical thinking, preparing students to deliver exceptional patient care across disciplines.

Before assuming her full-time faculty role at Lewis University, Dr. Hanlon spent 15 years as associated faculty in the Department of Physical Therapy at Northwestern University, where she taught throughout the curriculum, served as a co-course coordinator, and contributed to course content development in the entry-level DPT program.

She continues to practice and complete research at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. She served as a Senior II clinician, Clinical Administration Lead, and orthopedic residency mentor within the combined Northwestern University–Shirley Ryan AbilityLab program.

Dr. Hanlon is a board-certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist and an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), contributing to the Orthopedic, Education, and Neurology Sections. She has also served as Secretary and Assembly member of the Illinois Physical Therapy Association Eastern District. Beginning in 2026, she will join the Specialization Academy of Content Experts (SACE). Additionally, she is an Illinois golf medical assessor for the European Disabled Golf Association and the United States Golf Association and continues to serve as a journal reviewer.

She earned her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Illinois at Chicago, a Master’s in Grant Writing, Evaluation & Management from Concordia University, and a Doctorate in Health Science Education from Midwestern University. Her scholarship focuses on injury prevention among youth athletes and on performance differences among golfers with disabilities.

Colleen Krambeck, PT, DPT, OCS

Director of Assessment and Assistant Professor
Email: ckrambeck@lewisu.edu

Colleen Krambeck, PT, DPT serves as Director of Assessment and Assistant Professor at Lewis University's Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. Dr. Krambeck received her Bachelor's degree from University of Illinois Chicago and her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Midwestern University. After completing her doctorate, she became a Certified Manual Physical Therapist through the Institute of Manipulative Physiotherapy and Clinical Training (IMPACT, James Meadows). She is a board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist and currently working towards completing a Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy with Andrews University.

Dr. Krambeck has more than 10 years of clinical experience which also includes administrative roles in outpatient centers. She focuses her treatment with utilizing interprofessional relationships to ensure the most comprehensive approach to physical therapy. Her specialty training includes Vestibular Rehabilitation, Orthopedics, and Dry Needling. Her passions include vestibular pathologies, cervicogenic dizziness, temporomandibular dysfunction.

Dr. Krambeck has served as an Adjunct Faculty member at several institutions both undergraduate and graduate levels, assisting in coursework including Anatomy, Exercise Science, Evaluation in Physical Therapy and Clinical Education. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (Illinois Chapter, Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy, Academy of Education and Academy of Orthopaedics) and American Association of Anatomy. She serves the profession as an East Central District Representative for the Illinois Physical Therapy Association.

Michael Maninang, PT, DScPT, DPT, MHS, MBA, MOMT, OCS, FAAOMPT

Director of Research and Faculty Development and Associate Professor
Email: mmaninang@lewisu.edu

Dr. Maninang serves as Director of Research and Faculty Development and Associate Professor at Lewis University's Doctor of Physical Therapy program. He is dedicated to nurturing a sense of community among students, understanding that their success in this program is deeply connected to feeling valued and included. He has been a practicing physical therapist for more than 35 years working mainly in the orthopedic physical therapy setting.  He obtained his entry-level physical therapy degree from Cebu Doctors’ University in the Philippines.  His post-professional education started with the Ola Grimsby Institute (OGI) based out of San Diego, California where he spent four years of manual therapy training doing Part I manual therapy residency program from 1995 to 1996 and Part II manual therapy fellowship program from 1998 to 1999.  He obtained a Master of Orthopedic Manual Therapy degree when he finished the Part I program with the OGI.  He was recognized as a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists in 2001 and became board-certified in Orthopedic Physical therapy with the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties in 1999. In addition to his manual therapy education, he also pursued a Master of Health Science degree from the University of Indianapolis, which he obtained in 1998.  His quest for continued learning led him to study at Boston University where he graduated with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2008.  He also obtained a Master of Business Administration from Walden University in 2011 and a Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy from Andrews University in 2020.

Dr. Maninang has worked in various positions in the physical therapy field having work experience in both the clinical and administrative arenas.  He was also active in teaching Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy (OMPT) courses for the Ola Grimsby Institute from 2000 to 2009. He was the Founding Program Director of the Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy Fellowship Program at the University of Chicago Medicine where he developed, implemented and oversaw its dual accreditation and re-accreditation with the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE) and the Accreditation Council on Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy Education (ACOMPTE).  He served as the Program Director of the OMPT Fellowship and Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency programs for the University of Chicago Medicine before coming to Lewis University.  He is also one of the Founding Fellows and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Philippine Academy of Orthopedic Manual and Musculoskeletal Physical Therapists (PAOMPT), which is a Member Organization of the International Federation of Manual and Musculoskeletal Physical Therapists (IFOMPT).

Jennifer Reft, PT, DPT, DHSc, MS

Director of Curriculum and Assistant Professor of Practice
Email: jreft@lewisu.edu

Dr. Reft serves as the Director of Curriculum and Assistant Professor of Practice in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. She has over 30 years of clinical experience, including roles as a clinical instructor and clinical lead in various areas of practice across the Chicagoland area. Her primary focus has been in inpatient rehab, day rehab, and home health.

As a movement specialist, Dr. Reft believes therapists should explore their own movement potential, which she has done through active practice in Pilates, Tai Chi, and silks. She is committed to best practices in both clinical and educational settings to achieve optimal outcomes for patients and students.

Dr. Reft taught full-time in the PTA program at Morton College from 2008 to 2019, focusing on kinesiology, neurological physical therapy, and research methods. From 2017 to 2019, she served as the Academic Coordinator for Clinical Education. During her tenure at Morton College, she was awarded multiple faculty development grants and received recognition for pedagogy and assessment. She played a key role in curriculum assessment and revision in preparation for the college’s CAPTE visit in 2018.

In 2018, Dr. Reft earned her Master of Online Instruction certificate through the Illinois Online Network. She further enhanced her teaching skills by obtaining her Flipped Learning 3.0 Higher Ed Certification in April 2020. Her commitment to innovative teaching methods is evident through her work, including her YouTube channel. She has presented at local and national conferences on neurology and education and has published in peer-reviewed journals.

Dr. Reft earned her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from Marquette University in 1993. She was a Board-Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist from 1999 to 2019 and is currently a certified LSVT clinician. She earned her MS in kinesiology with a specialization in motor control and learning from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2000, completing a thesis on arm movement patterns in patients with spinal cord injuries. In 2019, she earned her transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy from College of St. Scholastica, and in 2024, she completed her Doctorate of Health Science from the University of Indianapolis. Her dissertation explored the relationship between participation and various characteristics of individuals diagnosed with stroke. As participation in life activities is essential for all individuals, she aims to further explore this concept in her teaching and research at Lewis University.

Dr. Reft is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association (Illinois Chapter, Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy, and APTA Geriatrics). As of January 2025, she serves as the Vice-Chair of the Illinois Physical Therapy Association Geriatrics Section.

Robert Sweet, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT

Co-Director of Clinical Education and Assistant Professor
Email: rsweet@lewisu.edu

Dr. Sweet serves as Director of Clinical Education and Assistant Professor at Lewis University's Doctor of Physical Therapy program. He is committed to fostering an environment that prepares students to be proficient clinicians and lifelong learners.

After completing his clinical residency in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy at St. Ambrose University in 2018, he became a Board-certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy. He then pursued and completed the Northwestern University Fellowship in Advanced Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Practice, Research, and Education in 2021.

Dr. Sweet's clinical expertise is centered in the outpatient orthopaedic setting, where he has extensive experience in treating patients across a broad age spectrum, ranging from 8 to 100 years old, with a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. His teaching experience encompasses both entry-level DPT program and post-professional fellowship level, with a focus on cultivating strong clinical reasoning skills at various stages of a learner's development.

His professional affiliations include memberships in the American Physical Therapy Association (Illinois Chapter, Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy, and Academy of Education), American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists, and International Association for the Study of Pain.

Michelle Walaszek, PT, DPT, PhD

Director of Admissions and Student Affairs and Assistant Professor of Practice

Dr. Michelle Walaszek PT, DPT, PhD, serves as an Assistant Professor in Lewis University's Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. Dr. Walaszek received her bachelor of science in Physiological Sciences from Marquette University in 2014, her master of science  in Kinesiology and Health Promotion from the University of Kentucky in 2016, her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Creighton University in 2019, and her Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Virginia in 2025.

Dr. Walaszek has over 10 years of research experience including lower extremity biomechanics, return to sport following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction functional and patient-reported assessment, and physical activity tracking. She has published several peer reviewed research articles and presented original research work at local and national conferences. Dr. Walaszek received the Gansneder Dissertation Award for Quantitative Research in 2025 for her dissertation work focused on the influence of social determinants of health onreturn to sport outcomes following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. She engages in collaborative, multisite research opportunities and welcomes the opportunity to work with internal and external research collaborators. She plans to continue her work in understanding the influence of social determiants of health on sport performance and return to sport in adolescents and adults, and welcomes the opportunity to collaborate in other areas of clinical research. Additionally, Dr. Walaszek seeks to build relationships within and external to Lewis University to enhance engagement of students, clinicians, and researchers to contribute to the advancement of evidence-informed practice.

Dr. Walaszek gained clinical and clinical research experience in general orthopedics and physical activity in people with Parkinson's disease, respectively. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (Illinois and Michigan chapters, and the Research section).

Christopher Dela Rosa, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT

Adjunct Faculty, DPT Program
Email: cdelarosa@lewisu.edu

Dr. Christopher Dela Rosa, PT, DPT serves as adjunct faculty for Lewis University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program. He received his Bachelors of Science in Physical Therapy from University of City of Manila and earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Des Moines University.

Dr. Dela Rosa is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy and a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists. He completed his post-professional training through Northwestern University’s Fellowship in Advanced Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Practice, Research, and Education. He is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists. He is currently practicing in a hospital-based outpatient clinic, treating post operative, sports injuries, musculoskeletal and neurological conditions.

Amy Hemkendreis, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT

Adjunct Faculty, DPT Program

Amy Hemkendreis PT, DPT serves as adjunct faculty for Lewis University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Dr. Hemkendreis received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from University of Illinois Chicago and completed post-professional training through Northwestern University’s Fellowship in Advanced Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Practice, Research, and Education. She is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy and a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists.

Dr. Hemkendreis continues her clinical practice in an outpatient orthopedic setting where she enjoys working with patients of all ages and abilities. Her clinical interests include dizziness, concussion, headaches and spinal pathology. She has pursued extensive training in manual therapy and is a Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist through Maitland-Australian Physiotherapy Seminars, which provides the basis for her methodical, patient-centered treatment philosophy centered on continuous assessment and patient-clinician collaboration.

Carly Jones, ATC, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT

Adjunct Faculty, DPT Program

Dr. Jones serves as adjunct faculty in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences and the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology and Athletic Training from Iowa State University and her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from St. Ambrose University. After completing her doctorate, she completed a clinical residency in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy at St. Ambrose University. Carly then completed the Northwestern University Fellowship in Advanced Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Practice, Research, and Education in 2024. Carly specializes in treating orthopaedic and post operative conditions in an outpatient clinic

Dr. Jones has served as a laboratory assistant at various universities and has instructed students as an adjunct faculty teaching Development and Analysis of Human Movement and PTs as First Providers.  She serves as a mentor for Orthopaedic residency students as well as a clinical instructor for DPT students. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (Illinois Chapter, Academy of Orthopaedics), and American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists.

Benjamin Kim, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT

Adjunct Faculty, DPT Program

Benjamin Kim, PT, DPT serves as adjunct faculty for Lewis University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Dr. Kim received his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from University of Illinois Chicago and completed post-professional training through Northwestern University’s Fellowship in Advanced Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Practice, Research, and Education where he currently serves as a lecturer and a mentor. He is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy and a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists

Dr. Kim’s clinical expertise is in an outpatient orthopedic setting where he has experience in treating patients with a variety of musculoskeletal conditions across all ages. His clinical interests include TMJ dysfunction, spinal pathologies, and sports injuries and performance.

He is currently a private practice owner for Alliance Physical Therapy and Performance in Lombard, IL.  He is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (Illinois Chapter, Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy) and American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT).

Art Lubinski PT, DPT, OCS

Adjunct Faculty, DPT Program

Art Lubinski, PT, DPT serves as adjunct faculty for Lewis University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Dr. Lubinski received his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from University of Illinois at Chicago and completed post-professional training through University of Indianapolis. He is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Oncologic Physical Therapy and a Member of the APTA Academy of Education.

Dr. Lubinski’s continues to practice in home care for Advocate Health.  He is been a constant patient advocate with an interest of oncologic considerations affecting family dynamics at home.

He is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association Academy of Oncologic Physical Therapy and the APTA Oncology Special interest Group.