DScPT Faculty
Eric Chaconas PT, DPT, PhD, FAAOMPT
Program Chair
Eric Chaconas is an orthopaedic physical therapist, researcher and educator. He is the program director of the Bellin College Doctorate of Science in Physical Therapy Program. Dr. Chaconas has taught previous courses on the topics of differential diagnosis, research, exercise prescription and orthopaedic manual therapy.
He completed the DPT from the University of St. Augustine (2005), Fellowship in Orthopaedic Manual Therapy (2008) and PhD from Nova Southeastern University (2015).
Dr. Chaconas currently serves the Florida Physical Therapy Association (FPTA) as chair of the research committee and has held prior positions as the FPTA speaker of the assembly, federal affairs liaison, government affairs committee chair and vice speaker of the assembly. Eric was honored with the FPTA committee service award in 2011 and APTA emerging leader award in 2010. Eric resides in St. Augustine, Florida with his wife Cindy and two children.
Dan Rhon, PT, DPT, DSc, OCS, FAAOMPT
Research Chair
Dan Rhon is a physical therapist and active researcher and the new Research Director for the Bellin Doctor of Science program. He graduated with his Masters in Physical Therapy from Baylor University, followed by a DPT from Temple University and DSc from Baylor University. He completed a clinical fellowship at Brooke Army Medical Center (orthopaedic manual physical therapy) and a postdoctoral research fellowship at the University of Utah. He has served as the Director of Research, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Madigan Army Medical Center; and both the Director of Physical Therapy and then the Director of Clinical Outcomes Research at the Center for the Intrepid, Brooke Army Medical Center. He has over 50 publications indexed in Medline/PUBMed and he has received collectively over $10 million in research funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the U.S. Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP). Outside academics and research, anything outdoors and being an intentional and involved member of his family’s life (3 kids) keeps him busy!
Jodi Young, PT, DPT, PhD
Research Director
Jodi Young is the Director of Research for the Bellin College DSc in Physical Therapy program. She is also a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy. Jodi completed her PhD through the University of Newcastle in Australia where she researched physical therapy dosing in patients with lower extremity musculoskeletal injuries. She has taught in entry-level DPT, residency and fellowship programs for over ten years, teaching in the areas of orthopedics, manual therapy, differential diagnosis and research.
Rebecca Bliss, PT, DPT, NCS
Adjunct Faculty
Becky Bliss, PT, DPT, NCS is an Adjunct Faculty member at Bellin College, an Assistant Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of Missouri and is a board certified in Neurological Physical Therapy. She holds her Certificate in Vestibular Rehabilitation from the APTA and is an Impact Trained Physical Therapist. Becky graduated from Ithaca College Department of Physical Therapy with a combined undergraduate-graduate Master of Physical Therapy in 2001. She completed her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Des Moines University in 2014 and graduated with her Doctorate of Health Science from the University of Indianapolis in May 2019. Her dissertation focus and advanced training is in educational research, specifically self-reflection ability among DPT students and educational best-practice. Becky has been actively practicing in the field of physical therapy for 18 years with specialization in concussion management. Becky is active within the Academy of Neurological Physical Therapy, Academy of Physical Therapy Education as well as teaches national continuing education courses specific to sport related concussion. Her husband is retired military of 25 years and they have 3 children who are active in dance and swimming.