Faculty

Dawn Brown-Cross, PT, MBA, EdD

Certified Lymphedema Therapist 

dawn.browncross@famu.edu 

Dawn Brown-Cross is a tenured Associate Professor who joined the physical therapy division in February 2013. Dr. Brown-Cross received a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy degree at Kean College/UMDNJ, a MBA at the University of South Florida, and a Doctorate in Education at Nova Southeastern University specializing in Instructional Technology and Distance Education. Dr. Brown-Cross actively contributes to the physical therapy profession having formerly served on the Florida Physical Therapy Association‘s (FPTA) Board of Directors, as a Florida Assembly representative, and as chair and member of various committees at the chapter level. Additionally, Dr. Brown-Cross continues to participate in FPTA/APTA activities and committees that inform and propagate the multicultural agenda of the professional organization.

Dr. Brown-Cross’ research interests are curriculum design, cultural diversity, and post-mastectomy lymphedema management.  She has co-authored related articles that have been published in Lymphology, Isokinetics and Exercise Science, Indian Journal of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice, Home Health Care Management and Practice, and the Journal of Clinical Physiological Function Imaging.  She has presented posters and educational sessions at the American Physical Therapy Exposition, Combined Sections Meetings, the World Confederation for Physical Therapy 15th International Congress, and the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care and Medical Forum. Her primary teaching responsibilities are Special Topics, Professional Behaviors, and Prosthetics & Orthotics.

Rajiv Dalal, PT, ScD

Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist 

rajiv.dalal@famu.edu

Rajiv Dalal is a tenured Associate Professor, who joined the physical therapy faculty in 2014.  Dr. Dalal earned a Master of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of South Florida.  He then received a Doctor of Science in Orthopedic Physical Therapy from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, as well as Certification in Orthopedic and Manual Therapy specializing in the Spine from the International Academy of Orthopedic Medicine (IAOM-US). Dr. Dalal is a Certified Clinical Instructor and a member of the IAOM-US.  He also serves as the Florida Physical Therapy Association Northern District/ Tallahassee Sub-District Chair.  Dr. Dalal’s research interests are in the areas of orthopedics, complementary and alternative medicine and educational outcomes.  His current teaching responsibilities include Clinical Integration, Orthopedics, and Diagnostic Imaging

Sherif Gendy, MD, PhD

sherif.gendy@famu.edu

Sherif Gendy is an Assistant Professor who joined the faculty in 2014 having previously taught in the Biological Science Department at FAMU for two years. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from Minya University, Egypt in 2003, and his Ph.D. at FAMU's School of The Environment with a concentration in Biomolecular Sciences in 2019.

His research interests are 1) Developing antitumor agent from natural products targeting Prostate and Breast cancer, 2) Disease Progression in Barrett’s Low-grade Dysplasia with Radiofrequency Ablation. His current teaching responsibilities in the DPT curriculum include Gross Anatomy, and Neuroscience. He also teaches the Fundamental Medical Sciences courses for the undergraduate health science major students.

Kurt Gray, PT, DPT

kurt.gray@famu.edu

Kurt Gray is an Assistant Professor who joined the faculty as an adjunct professor in Fall of 2013, and as full-time faculty in 2016.  Dr. Gray received his Bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy from Florida A&M University in 1986 and his transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Utica College in 2015.  He serves as the Director of Clinical Education (DCE) for the DPT program.  His current teaching responsibilities include Clinical Education, Patient Care Skills, Healthcare Systems and Administration, and Physical Agents and Electrotherapy.

Dr. Gray is a Certified PWR (Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery) Provider, Certified Clinical Instructor and is certified in manual therapy and functional capacity evaluations.  He has extensive experience in the treatment of work-related injuries and chronic pain.  His research interests include the treatment of chronic low back pain, clinical education, and Parkinson’s disease.

Saungaylia Randolph, PT, MHA, DPT

board-certified clinical specialist in geriatric physical therapy

saungaylia.randolph@famu.edu

Saungaylia Randolph is a tenured Associate Professor who joined the faculty in 2015, having earned her transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at the University of South Florida College of Medicine in 2014.  She also holds a Master of Health Administration from the University of Florida School of Allied Health (2005), and a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy, from Florida A&M University School of Allied Health (1998). Her teaching responsibilities are Neurological PT, Health and Wellness, Teaching and Learning, and Gerontology.

Phyllis Reaves, PhD

phyllis.reaves@famu.edu 

Phyllis Reaves is a tenured Associate Professor who joined the physical therapy faculty in August 2003 from the University of Florida, College of Medicine Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics where she performed cardiovascular research, as well as taught human physiology, involving pharmacological effects and intervention. Dr. Reaves teaching responsibilities are in the basic sciences, including physiology, pathophysiology, and pharmacology. Her research interests involves the development of (1) distinct gene therapy strategies and (2) animal models of angiotensin II-dependent forms of hypertension for the long-term attenuation of high blood pressure.

Tracy A. Thomas, PT, DPT, PhD

tracy.thomas@famu.edu

Tracy A. Thomas is a tenured Professor who joined the faculty in 2014 having previously taught at Alabama State University for six years. She earned her Doctor of Philosophy at Florida A&M University in 2008, majoring in Pharmaceutical Sciences (Cardiovascular Pharmacology emphasis).

Her research interests are 1) pelvic floor dysfunction, (2) the impact of pharmacological agents on physical therapy outcomes, (3) the racial disparities in treatment of cardiovascular & pulmonary diseases, diabesity (diabetes obesity, especially in children), sickle cell anemia and metabolic syndrome in females. She has co-authored related articles that have been published in Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation, Journal of the National Society of Allied Health, US Pharm, Molecular Cell Biochemistry, American Journal of Physiology Heart Circulation Physiology, Journal of Molecular Cell Cardiology, Journal of Applied Physiology, and the American Journal of Physiology Heart Circulation Physiology. Current teaching responsibilities in the DPT curriculum include Cardiopulmonary, Exercise Physiology, Pharmacology, and Scientific Inquiry.

Deidra L. Russell, PT, MS, DPT

deidra.russell@famu.edu

Deidra L. Russell is an Assistant Professor who joined the physical therapy faculty in 2020. She is a three-time alumna of Florida A&M University. After receiving her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, she earned a Master of Science in Molecular/Cellular Biology with a thesis centered around bacterial vaginosis, a common vaginal infection that disproportionately affects African American women (Characterization of Gardnerella Vaginalis Biofilm and Adherence, and Evaluation of Chemokine Expression Associated with G. Vaginalis Infection of Vk2 Vaginal Epithelial Cells). This thesis research helped spark a passion for women’s health. Dr. Russell received her Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2015 with a goal to practice Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy. She has clinical experience in Acute Care, Orthopedics, and Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy. Her research interests include 1) pelvic floor dysfunction in special populations, (2) barriers to seeking care for pelvic floor dysfunction in minorities, (3) healthcare professional competence with pelvic floor dysfunction

 

Adjunct Faculty

Kyle Gaines, MPT
Mary Pope-Grattan, PT, PhD.
Nicole Moltimore, PT, MPA

Senior Secretary

Ms. Antonita Bryant (850) 412-7866