Elon School of Health Sciences welcomes new faculty members

Elon’s School of Health Sciences is welcoming 12 new faculty members across multiple disciplines in the 2025-26 academic year.

“I’ve been especially energized by Elon’s collaborative culture and the momentum within the School of Health Sciences,” said Veronica Marciano, associate professor of physician assistant studies in Charlotte, who joined the faculty in 2025. “The emphasis on student-centered, innovative teaching and interprofessional learning aligns strongly with my approach, and I’ve appreciated how supportive colleagues are as we build a program designed to support and serve the community.”

New Faculty Members

Department of Physical Therapy Education

• Aidan Gallagher, assistant professor of physical therapy, earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from Duke University. In spring 2026, Next semester, he will be assisting in a sport orthopedic elective in the DPT program.
• Gary Johnson, assistant professor of physical therapy education, earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and a PhD in health education at William Carey University. He will be teaching Clinical Imaging, Psychological Aspects of Physical Therapy, and the Orthopedic Selective in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program.
• Megan Kim, assistant professor of physical therapy education, earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from Nova Southeastern University.
• Robert Nithman, program director of physical therapy and professor of physical therapy education, earned a Master of Physical Therapy at Duquesne University, Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from Chatham University, and a Ph.D from Nova Southeastern University.

Department of Physician Assistant Studies

• Ashley Fort, associate professor of physician assistant studies, earned her Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) in physician assistant studies at the University of Lynchburg, and will be lecturing in the PA program’s reproductive medicine courses in fall 2025.

Department of Physician Assistant Studies – Charlotte

Elon University is developing a two-year physician assistant studies program in Charlotte, with a tentative launch date of January 2027. The new program is separate from an existing graduate program established in 2012 on the university’s main campus.

Though the two will eventually share common features – a commitment to experiential education, a holistic approach to preparing future healthcare professionals, and more – they will run independently of each other within the university’s School of Health Sciences.

• Dr. Tim Lietz, inaugural medical director for the Charlotte Physician Assistant Studies Program, earned a Doctor of Medicine n (MD) from The Ohio State University and completed his internship and residency at Eastern Virginia Medical School in emergency medicine. Lietz joined Elon in February 2025.
• Veronica Marciano, associate professor of physician assistant studies and founding chair/program director of the Physician Assistant Studies program in Charlotte, earned a Master of Science as a physician assistant from Stony Brook University, and a DMSc in physician assistant education and leadership from SIU School of Medicine. Marciano joined Elon in February 2025.
• Lavette Shirley, assistant professor of physician assistant studies, earned a Master of Science in physician assistant studies from Kettering College, and her Doctor of Science in physician assistant studies from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
• Robyn Wolfosky, assistant professor of physician assistant studies, earned a Master of Science in physician assistant studies at Duke University.

Department of Clinical Mental Health Counseling

• Raychelle Lohmann, associate professor of human service studies, earned her Master of Science in counselor education from North Carolina State University, her education specialist degree (Ed.S) in school counselor and guidance services from the University of Alabama, and her PhD from North Carolina State University.

Department of Nursing

• Kristin Boddu, assistant professor of nursing, earned her Master of Nursing at Samford University and her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at East Carolina University. She will be teaching undergraduate pharmacology and a health assessment lab.
• Tavondia Burdett, assistant professor of nursing, earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a Master of Art in health education and promotion from East Carolina University, a Master of Science in Nursing from University of North Carolina Wilmington, and her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Wake Forest University. She will be teaching nursing pathophysiology and pathways to practice this semester.

About Elon’s School of Health Sciences

Established in 2011, the School of Health Sciences offers an array of programs for students at the undergraduate and graduate level. With over 36 faculty and staff teaching and assisting 312 students, it maintains a close-knit learning community dedicated to innovation and new learning opportunities. They have successfully taught and developed their students from young learners to empathetic healthcare professionals.

The School of Health Sciences includes four different academic departments: the Department of Physical Therapy (DPTE), the Department of Physician Assistant Studies (DPAS), the Department of Nursing and the developing Department of Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC).