Faculty

Assistant Professor
Office: Ann Arbor North Building 306
Phone: (734) 995-7318

Bio

Experienced PA with 10+ years in clinical practice, with recent transition into academia. Passionate about teaching and simplifying complex medical concepts a clear and concise manner.

Assistant Dean - School of Health Professions, Professor
Office: Ann Arbor North Building 303
Phone: (734) 995-7596

Bio

Dr. Chreston is an occupational therapist since 1994, experienced in physical rehabilitation and community re-integration. She lives in Grass Lake with her husband of 30+ years and their two dogs.

Visiting Faculty
Office: Ann Arbor North Building 304
Phone: (734) 995-7535

Assistant Professor
Office: Krieger 105
Phone: (734) 995-7446

Bio

Professor Haglund earned her PhD from the Institute for Clinical Social Work. She also works in the field clinically, focusing on trauma, grief/loss, and chronic illness.

Assistant Professor
Office: Ann Arbor North Building 340

Assistant Professor

Bio

Hi, I’m Dr. LaKreese Johnson. I’ve been a physician assistant for over 16 years, and even before that—five years prior—I was a passionate patient advocate, which ultimately led me back to school to pursue my PA career path. With a Doctor of Medicine, a Master’s in Physician Assistant studies, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, I’ve built my career on combining clinical expertise with genuine compassion for the patients I serve. When I’m not caring for patients, you can find me traveling, skating, or soaking up the peace of nature—experiences that keep me grounded and continually inspired in my work.

Coordinator - Doctoral Capstone, Assistant Professor
Office: Ann Arbor North Building 210D
Phone: (734) 995-7479

Bio

Dr. Kehoe earned his OTD from the University of Toledo in 2014 and a BA in exercise science from Adrian College in 2011. He has practiced OT for over a decade across acute care, inpatient behavioral health, traditional outpatient, and outpatient pediatric settings.

Assistant Professor
Phone: (734) 995-3466

Bio

Dr. Kieffer is a Board-certified specialist in Geriatrics with over 17 years of experience in physical therapy. She has worked in diverse clinical settings, including acute care, subacute, outpatient, and home care. She is passionate about a holistic approach to patient care as she specializes in managing complex health conditions. Dr. Kieffer is an Assistant Professor at Concordia University Ann Arbor, where she teaches Cardiopulmonary and Integumentary, Lymphatics, and Limb Loss content. She recently earned her PhD in Health Science from Youngstown State University, focusing on healthy aging and fall prevention.

Director of Clinical Education, Assistant Professor
Office: Ann Arbor North Building 307
Phone: (734) 995-7511

Bio

I enjoy wellness adventures which includes being out in nature with my camera taking photos of landscape, wildlife, pets, and sports action shots.

Assistant Professor
Office: Ann Arbor North Building 308
Phone: (734) 995-7445

Bio

I graduated from Central Michigan University PA Program in 2020 and my clinical experience thus far has been in Internal Medicine, primarily Hospital Medicine. I am passionate about sharing my experiences and knowledge with the next generation of physician assistants.

Assistant Professor
Phone: (734) 995-7392

Bio

Dr. Emily Paul earned a post-professional occupational therapy doctorate from Chatham University in 2020, an MOT in Occupational Therapy in 2014 from Baker College of Graduate Studies, and a BS in Psychology from Kennesaw State University in 2001. She has practiced OT for 11 years in outpatient pediatric and school settings. She is certified in the Nurturing Parenting Program, Trauma Smart, and Mental Health First Aid youth and adult. Research interests include Kindergarten readiness skills and technology, Vestibular dysregulation and ADHD, and pediatric community engagement and behavior.

Assistant Professor
Office: Ann Arbor North Building 201S
Phone: (734) 995-7361

Bio

Dr. Renner has been a practicing occupational therapist since 2013, spending a large part of her clinical career as a traveling therapist. She finished her Ph.D. in 2021 with a research focus on complementary health approaches and integrative health practices among occupational therapists.

Program Director - Physician Assistant Studies at CUAA, Assistant Professor
Office: Health Services 308
Phone: (734) 995-7489

Bio

I have been a licensed PA for 32 years in the specialty of Emergency Medicine. My degrees are BS PA from WMU, MS PA from Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln and a DMSc from Lynchburg University. I teach Skills, Patient Care, and Emergency Medicine.

Associate Professor
Office: Ann Arbor North Building 305
Phone: (734) 995-7492

Bio

Dr. Shuman-Donnelly joined the faculty of CUAA in August 2017. She is currently an Associate Professor of Physician Assistant Studies and Physical Therapy teaching Anatomy and Physiology for the School of Health Professions (May 2025-present). Prior to this appointment, she ran the undergraduate Exercise Science program (BS) and the implementation of the programs curriculum from 2017-2025. Prior to CUAA, Dr. Shuman-Donnelly was the Director of Strength and Conditioning at Idaho State University, where she designed, implemented, tested, and evaluated over 300 student-athletes. Her experience in the weight room, as well as the copious amount of time spent performing research in the Human Performance Lab translated directly into the classroom. A Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach (RSCC), a well deserved recognition, as well as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), both through the National Strength and Conditioning Association, makes Dr. Shuman the resident expert on sport performance and injury prevention.

Coordinator - Occupational Therapy Academic Fieldwork, Assistant Professor

Assistant Director - Clinical Education, Assistant Professor
Office: Ann Arbor North Building 315
Phone: (734) 995-7381

Assistant Professor
Office: Ann Arbor North Building 301
Phone: (734) 995-7327

Bio

I am a Michigan native from the "downriver" area. I have been practicing occupational therapy since 2015. I was introduced to occupational therapy as a child as my mother was a certified occupational therapy assistant. I have experience in adult and geriatric rehabilitation.

- Medical Director - Physician Assistant Studies

Director - Interim - Physical Therapy, Assistant Professor
Office: Ann Arbor North Building 315A
Phone: (734) 995-7472

Bio

Dr. Steele has been a practicing clinical PT since 1999 largely focused on pediatrics and actively teaching in DPT programs since 2014.

Director of Clinical Education - Physician Assistant Studies - CUAA, Clinical Assistant Professor
Office: Ann Arbor North Building 314
Phone: (734) 995-7306

Bio

I am passionate about sharing my clinical experience with the next generation of Physician Assistants and showing Christ's love where He places me to serve.

Adjunct Professor
Phone: (616) 780-7143

Bio

Katrena Froh is a child life specialist at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Katrena earned her bachelor's degree from Grand Valley State University and her master's in Family and Consumer Sciences from Western Michigan University. She is certified in infant massage and child passenger safety. Katrena is honored to educate and mentor future child life specialists and looks forward to sharing her experience with students.

Child Life Program Coordinator, Adjunct Professor
Office: Krieger 115
Phone: (734) 995-7426

Bio

Kara is the Child Life Program Coordinator. She supports the graduate and undergraduate Child Life students while also serving as an adjunct professor at CUAA. Kara worked as a Certified Child Life Specialist at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital for 10 years. In the last 2.5 years at Mott she provided administrative support to the department. Kara is also a mom to three beautiful children.

Adjunct Professor
Phone: (734) 368-2907

Bio

A Certified Child Life Specialist and educator for over 30 years serving both pediatric inpatients and outpatients and their families in large academic medical centers, Julie Piazza has collaborated with numerous multidisciplinary teams to facilitate and research patient and family centered initiatives hospital and system-wide. Many of these now global initiatives have been related to reducing pain and anxiety with needlesticks and procedures.

Adjunct Professor
Phone: (734) 355-2634

Bio

Lauren Thomas has been a Certified Child Life Specialist for 17 years. She currently works as a Manager for The Child and Family Life Department at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. She has served as a child life specialist for medical missions in Nicaragua, India, and Mozambique as a member of Operation Smile. In addition to her clinical and leadership experience, Lauren has enjoyed teaching child life focused courses at Concordia since 2008.