Physical Therapy Faculty and Staff

Dr. Sillevis began as a faculty member at FGCU in 2017 and currently holds the position of Assistant Program Director of Physical Therapy. Dr. Sillevis earned his Bachelors degree in Physical Therapy in the Netherlands. He received his Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of St Augustine and his PhD in Physical Therapy from Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Sillevis received his manual therapy fellowship at Regis University. Dr. Sillevis is a fellow in the American Academy of Manual Physical Therapy.

Dr. Donald joined the faculty at FGCU in 1996 as the founding department chair of Physical Therapy. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from Boston University in 1985, and a Master of Science in Adult Education from Syracuse University in 1995. In 2016, she earned her PhD from the University of South Florida in Curriculum and Instruction with focus on Educational Measurement and Research. Prior to coming to Florida Gulf Coast University, she was Director of Clinical Education for the Physical Therapy Program at the University at Buffalo. Dr. Donald’s clinical expertise is in pediatric physical therapy.

Dr. Ahmed Samir Elokda joined the faculty at Florida Gulf Coast University in 2014. Dr. Elokda earned his Bachelors Degree in Physical Therapy from Cairo University, Advanced Masters Degree, PhD, and Post-Doctorate Training in Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physiology and Rehabilitation from the University of Iowa. Clinically, Dr. Elokda is a Certified Expert of Exercise in Aging Adults and Certified Lymphologist from the renowned Földi Clinic in Germany. Dr. Elokda is a Prestigious Fellow at The American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. Dr. Elokda has published several book series, independent monograms, and textbook chapters, with over 150 peer-reviewed abstracts and articles. Dr. Elokda served on the editorial board of prestigious medical journals as well as a keynote speaker at national and international-level conferences. Dr. Elokda has been an active and tenured professor in rehabilitation and medical sciences across a number of American campuses for over twenty-five years. Dr. Elokda has served as Chairperson for the t-Doctor of Physical Therapy Program and interim University Vice President for International Affairs at the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) and continues to serve as a Senior Faculty Member at Cairo University in Egypt.

Dr. Shamus, professor,  began as a faculty member in 2011 at FGCU. Dr. Shamus earned his Bachelors degree in Physical Therapy from Florida International University. He went on to earn a Masters degree in Biomechanical trauma from Lynn University/University of Miami, a PhD in Educational Leadership from Lynn University and his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Sage University. Dr. Shamus has previous teaching in a Physical Therapy Assistant Program (Lynn University), Doctor of Physical Therapy program (Nova Southeastern University), and Osteopathic Medicine program (Nova Southeastern University). 

Dr. Shamus has participates in numerous national and international presentations as well as authoring multiple textbooks, book chapters, and journal articles. Dr. Shamus has an extensive background in biomechanics, orthopeadics, and sports medicine. 

Professor, received his bachelors degree in physical therapy in June of 1987 from the Academie voor Fysiotherapie in Leiden, The Netherlands, his post-professional master's degree in physical therapy in August of 1998 from the University of St. Augustine, and his doctoral degree in education from the University of Central Florida in 2004. Dr. van Duijn received certification in manual therapy by the University of St. Augustine in 1992 and Board certification as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist from the ABPTS in 1997, and received recertification in 2007. His current area of practice is in general outpatient physical therapy with a special interest in orthopedic manual therapy of the spine and the extremities.

Dr. Templeton graduated with her Doctor of Physical Therapy. She went on and received her American Physical Therapy Geriatric certification specialist. Dr. Templeton also specializes in pelvic health.

Dr. Walsh earned her Master of Science Degree in Physical Therapy, from Misericordia University in Dallas, Pennsylvania in 2002.  In 2019, she graduated with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Florida Gulf Coast University.  She is recognized as a Board Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist by the American Board of Physical Therapy, and is Certified in Neurodevelopmental Training (NDT) by the Neurodevelopmental Training Association (NDTA).  She brings over 20 years of Clinical Experience to students as both an Adjunct Professor since 2021, and a Clinical Instructor.  She has worked for Lee Health since relocating to Florida from Hawaii, in 2008, and currently serves the patients of Healthpark Medical Center and Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida.

Adjunct professor, received his bachelors degree in physical therapy from the University of Iowa. He received his masters of business administration from the University of Illinois at Chicago and his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from University of St. Scholastica, Duluth, Minnesota. Dr. Rausch is a member of the APTA Public Policy Advocacy committee. Dr. rausch is the founder and President of Sovereign Rehabilitation of Illinois.

Dr. Wallace has been an Adjunct Professor for the Physical Therapy Practice Series in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at FGCU since the spring of 2015. He is originally from Detroit, Michigan, but came to Florida for his post-secondary schooling. Dr. Wallace graduated cum laude from Florida Southern College in Lakeland, FL in 1997. He went on to complete his Masters in Physical Therapy in 1999 and his Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2005 from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. He passed a specialty board in 2008 to become a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist. Currently, Dr. Wallace is also serving in the Spine Center at Lee Health’s Sanctuary Campus. He specializes in spine cases, but has treated various orthopedic cases over his career. Before joining Lee Health in August of 2016, he worked in a private practice in Bonita Springs for over 13 years.