Faculty
Sue Falsone, PT, MS, SCS, ATC, CSCS, COMT, RYT®, SFDN
OwnerBorn in Buffalo, NY, Sue received a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Daemen College in Amherst, New York. She continued her education by earning a master’s degree in human movement science, with a concentration in sports medicine, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Sue is the current owner of Structure & Function Education, an education company dedicated to educating health care professionals dry needling, as well as, how to clinically Bridge the Gap from Rehab to Performance and has authored a book by the same name. Sue has presented at state, national and international level conferences in areas focusing on dry needling, pillar strength, integration of physical therapy and performance training, and comprehensive kinetic chain assessment and rehabilitation. She’s a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Sports Physical Therapy (SCS), a certified athletic trainer (ATC), certified orthopedic manual therapist for the spine (COMT), a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association and a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT- 200) through Yoga Alliance.
Sue worked at Athletes’ Performance for 13 years, last serving as the Vice President of Performance Physical Therapy and Team Sport. She worked with the Los Angeles Dodgers for 6 years, last serving as head athletic trainer and physical therapist. She holds the distinction of being the first female head athletic trainer in any of the four major sports in the United States (MLB, NFL, NHL, NBA). She served as Head of Athletic Training and Sport Performance with US Soccer’s Men’s National Team. She was also named a Distinguished Alumni at Daemen College and has been inducted into her high school’s Athletic Hall of Fame (Kenmore West).
Brian Hortz, PhD, ATC, SFDN
InstructorBorn in Camden, NJ, Brian received a B.A. in physical education with a concentration in sports medicine. Upon graduation from Denison University, he pursued a master’s degree in sports medicine from Ohio University. He continued his post-graduate studies at the Ohio State University where he completed his doctoral degree in Exercise Science.
Dr. Hortz was part of the athletic training staff at Denison University from 1995-2019, he served as the Head Athletic Trainer from 1997-2010, and the Director of Sports Medicine from 2010-2019. His primary responsibilities at Denison University included, a professor in the Department of Health, Exercise and Sports Studies Major, as well as, directing the sports medicine program. Dr. Hortz started using dry needling several years ago with his athletes and it has become a primary treatment modality with many of the collegiate and high-performance athletes he treats. He has presented at state, national, and international level conferences in different areas focusing on dry needling, athletic training, medical ethics, regulatory issues, health, and physical activity. He served on the Ohio State PTOTAT licensure board for 9 years and has served in many roles from Joint Board Chair, Chair of the AT section, and other board assignments. Dr. Hortz was inducted into the Ohio Athletic Trainers Hall of Fame in 2018 and has received the NATA Service Award in 2015, The Board of Certification Dan Liberia Award in 2009, and was the Ohio Athletic Trainer of the Year in 2008. Included among his professional affiliations are memberships in the National Athletic Trainers Association, the Great Lakes Athletic Association, and the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association.
Dr. Hortz is an Instructor and the Director of Research and Education for Structure & Function Education. He has been teaching with Structure & Function Education for several years. Dr. Hortz teaches the Foundations and Advanced courses.
In addition to his work with Structure & Function Education, he also has a concierge practice and continues to work one-on-one with athletes to make them well.
Christian Compean, PT, FAAOMPT, SFDN
InstructorBorn in El Paso Texas Christian has been a native to Texas is entire life and continues to enjoy the great state of Texas to this day. Christian and his wife are the founders of of Foundation Physical Therapy and Foundation Human Performance Institute in San Antonio Texas.
He is a Fellow in the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists, he currently educates and mentors aspiring fellows as faculty with the Institute of Athletic Regeneration. Christian obtained his masters in physical therapy from the University of Texas Medical Branch after completing his undergraduate work in Biology at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio.
As a clinician Christian continues to be involved in patient care daily utilizing dry needling to compliment the manual therapy he provides to get excellent results for his patients. Along with patient care he is actively involved in improving performance with athletes from all levels, including high school, college, NBA, and PGA.
Christian is our newest instructor and is teaching the Advanced Dry Needling Concepts: Comprehensive Approach to the Cervical and Thoracic Spine.
Colleen Whiteford, PT
InstructorDr. Colleen Whiteford, physical therapist, owns and operates Appalachian Physical Therapy with husband and partner, Bill. The practice has been providing outpatient physical therapy services since 1987 with local offices in Broadway and Harrisonburg. Their perspective utilizes a non-traditional, total body approach with a focus on fascia, movement, and early intervention/prevention. They address a wide variety of orthopedic, neurologic, gynecologic, and internal medicine problems with Fascial Manipulation®, dry needling, and educating people as to their options for maximizing and maintaining health before it is lost.
Dr. Whiteford is a 1984 graduate of St. Louis University’s program in physical therapy. She has been in private outpatient orthopedic practice since 1986. Her emphasis on the role of the connective tissues has grown her practice to encompass diagnoses not typically included in outpatient orthopedic practice, including pelvic health. She attributes this to attention to the fascia and embracing a total-body approach in the management of musculoskeletal and orthopedic problems.
Erik Marsh, MS, ATC, SFDN
InstructorOriginally from Parker, Colorado, Erik has a bachelor’s degree in physical education/sports medicine from Iowa State, he then continued his education and earned a master’s degree in sports management from The University of Oklahoma in 1993. While in college he spent five years as a student athletic trainer at Iowa State and two years as a graduate assistant at Oklahoma, where he worked with the football, wrestling, and baseball teams.
Following school Erik served as the assistant athletic trainer at the United States Military Academy for a year and worked with the lightweight football team and gymnastics. In 1994, he went to the Air Force Academy, his primary assignments have been with the Ice Hockey, Golf and Football teams. In 2020 Erik worked his 1,000th game with the Ice Hockey team. While at the Academy he has had the opportunity to work with several of the USA hockey programs to include a World Championship with the USA Inline team in 2010. Erik has been using dry needling as his primary pain modality since 2015.
He is pursuing research interests in the effects of dry needling on swelling, performance/ recovery, and post-surgical rehabilitation benefits and is teaching our Foundations and Advanced Courses.
Jennifer Allen, PT, DPT, OCS, SCS, CHT, SFDN
InstructorJennifer Allen graduated from West Virginia University in 1994 and completed her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at AT Still University. She holds two Board Certified Clinical Specialist Certifications – one in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy, and one in Sports Physical Therapy. She is also a Certified Hand Therapist. She Co-Founded Bodycentral Physical Therapy in 2001, and co-founded the Bodycentral Sports Residency Program in Tucson, Arizona. Over her career, she has served as a consultant to the US Naval ROTC program at the University of Arizona, the Arizona Heat Women’s Professional Fastpitch Softball Team including members of the US Olympic Softball Team, Baseball Pitchers/Coaches, the Professional Dancers of Ballet Tucson, Professional Musicians, and FC Tucson Soccer. She has a biomechanical approach to treatment and utilizes manual therapy, dry needling, cupping, video analysis, and functional exercise to reach patient and client goals. Her specialties include upper extremity rehabilitation, as well as Lower Chain Biomechanical evaluation and treatment. Jen teaches the OT/ CHT and DPM courses
Jeremy Hudson, PT
InstructorJeremy graduated from University of Connecticut with a MS in Physical Therapy in 2004. Practicing privately in Boston for 16yr, Jeremy has built his practice around the concept of treating a person as a unified whole. Fascial Manipulation by Stecco and feet on the ground mechanics combined with high standards of PT practice have been the primary drivers of success. Jeremy attended the first fascial manipulation class taught in the US in 2012. Jeremy has been had the privilege of teaching with courses with Larry Steinbeck, Colleen Whitford and Antonio Stecco. Fascial Manipulation has been Jeremy’s reason for visiting Italy several times. He even met his wife Lina studying at the Stecco Institute. Armed with the accumulated skill and experience Jeremy seeks to help the greatest diversity of patients who are at their most complex.
Justin Hildebrand, DC
InstructorJustin Hildebrand is the co-owner of NXT Rehab & Wellness and IV Nutrition -Liberty in the Kansas City Metro Area. He graduated from Cleveland Chiropractic College with his Doctorate of Chiropractic and currently is adjunct faculty instructing palpation and manipulation courses. Dr. Hildebrand is board certified and licensed Chiropractor in Kansas and Missouri.
Justin works as a sports and orthopedic chiropractor seeing runners, triathletes, and powerlifters of all levels. He previously was the chiropractor for the Missouri Comets professional indoor soccer team and for the 2x NWSL Champion FC Kansas City female soccer team. Dr. Hildebrand works with and instructs for chiropractic state organizations on orthopedic and assessment strategies.
Kellie C. Huxel Bliven, PhD, ATC
InstructorA native of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, she received her doctoral degree in kinesiology with an athletic training emphasis from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. Since joining A.T. Still University (ATSU) in 2008, Dr. Bliven has been a faculty member in various programs, including anatomy, kinesiology (formerly human movement), and athletic training. She currently serves as the professor and director of clinical anatomy in the Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences at ATSU. Her primary role at ATSU is directing the clinical anatomy unit which involves all aspects of development and delivery of anatomy to health sciences and dental students, including lectures, gross anatomy labs, cadaver dissection, and diagnostic ultrasound. Her current line of research is on understanding and improving shoulder function and health, with a focus on overhead athletes.
Dr. Bliven is also involved in professional service, including the BOC exam development committee and editor of the Journal of Sport Rehabilitation. Given Dr. Bliven’s experience in anatomy, she joined the Structure & Function Education team to assist with teaching the Anatomical Dissection & Dry Needling course.
Larry Steinbeck, PT
InstructorLarry Steinbeck, PT graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Ball State University in 1985 with degrees in physical therapy(major) and athletic training (minor). In 1986 he earned a Master of Science degree in physical education/athletic training from Ohio University. He was a participant in the first English language Fascial Manipulation course that took place in 2010 in Thiene, Italy. He has been fortunate to take many trips to Italy to learn from the Stecco’s directly and his primary mentors, Julie Ann Day, Giorgio Rucli and Lorenzo Copetti. Larry currently works in a general outpatient setting in Jasper, GA.
Lindsay Becker, PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS, CGFI-M3, SFDN
InstructorLindsay Becker is the Owner and Director of Performance at Buckeye Performance Golf in Columbus, Ohio. She graduated with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Northwestern University after completing her undergraduate work in Medical Dietetics at The Ohio State University. She is a Board Certified Specialist in Sports Physical Therapy specializing in movement evaluation and correction.
Lindsay works extensively with golfers utilizing 3D motion analysis and movement evaluation to address physical and swing limitations. She works with the prestigious Muirfield Village Golf Club to provide rehabilitation and performance services to members, as well as Tour players during the annual Memorial Tournament. Lindsay is an instructor with Selective Functional Movement Assessment and Titleist Performance Institute and has taught extensively both nationally and internationally. She has written several peer-reviewed publications and chapters on golf injuries, hip pathologies, and movement screening.
Lindsay started using dry needling several years ago with her Tour players. It has become a primary modality in her toolbox for the treatment of pain and musculoskeletal dysfunction in patients of all ages and levels of sport. To learn more about Lindsay Becker you can visit her website www.buckeyeperformancegolf.com. Lindsay teaches our Foundations course.
Tonya L Bunner, PT, DPT, OCS, WCS, BCB-PMD, SFDN
InstructorDr. Bunner is Board Certified in Orthopedic Physical Therapy, Women’s Health/Pelvic Health Physical Therapy and is certified in Pelvic Muscle Dysfunction by the Biofeedback Certification Institute of America. She specializes in complex injuries of the lumbar spine, hip and pelvis and speaks on these topics and dry needling on a national level. She treats patients of all ages and has a specialty in return to sports following sports hernia, groin injury, groin strain, and hip impingement. She works extensively with athletes of all abilities from youth to professional and has experience with pelvic floor physical therapy and sports hernia treatment.Tonya teaches the Lumbo-Pelvic-Hip and Pelvic Floor courses.
Danielle LaFata, MA, RD, CSSD
InstructorDanielle is a Registered Dietitian who earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Central Michigan University and also has a Master’s degree in nutrition and food science from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, and is a Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics. She is passionate about furthering her knowledge and education to help her client’s and is currently working towards a Certificate of Training in Integrative and Functional Nutrition. Starting in 2018 she has been a clinical consultant for Spectracell Laboratories helping various practitioners interpret the micronutrient test among others.
Danielle was the Director of Performance Nutrition for the Pro/Elite division of EXOS (formerly Athlete’s Performance Inc.). Her mission is to maximize athletic performance and recovery potential through the integration of smart and effective nutrition, supplementation, and culinary solutions. She is deeply committed to working with individual athletes and teams working with a wide and diverse range of athletes from collegiate football players, soccer players to professional baseball players. In her 8 years at EXOS, Danielle has also counseled the youth, military and executive populations as well as create and deliver nutrition education to these populations and other industry professionals.
Danielle has enjoyed tremendous success especially with the San Francisco Giants who won World Series titles in 2012 and 2014 with Danielle on board. During that time, she also worked with the U.S. Men’s National soccer team, traveling with them to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Finals in Brazil. She also worked with the Arizona Coyotes Hockey & Arizona Cardinals Football teams to help upgrade their nutrition, culinary, supplementation deliverables. Danielle works closely with the performance and medical staffs to set up evidence based recovery strategies and solutions through whole food options as well as smart and safe supplementation. Her duties when working with team also consisted of working closely with hotel and team staffs to create flavorful menus and strategic training tables that support the team’s training and recovery efforts.
Danielle is very passionate about nutrition and is a terrific athlete herself. While at Central Michigan she was a member of the cheerleading team and after graduating Danielle competed in national dance and fitness competitions.
In her spare time Danielle is very active and loves to get out into the various mountains and terrain that surround Phoenix to mountain bike, run, hike, camping, or golfing Danielle is a foodie at heart and has a knack and – love for -discovering local restaurants and cuisines where and whenever she is traveling the U.S. and the world. Danielle teaches as part of our Online CEU program.
S&F EDUCATION STAFF
Katie Anderson
Continuing Education ManagerKatie Anderson joined the Structure & Function Education team as the Continuing Education Manager. Katie graduated from St. Mary’s College of California with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, and a minor in Communication. She has more than 13 years of experience in continuing medical education for sports medicine professionals. She is excited to join the Structure & Function team to enhance our accredited educational offerings and improve patient care!
Richard Falsone
Chief Snuggle OfficerPaw-moted to CEO of snuggles. Richard has been part of the Structure & Function Team since fruition. He’s dedicated to his work and continues to support Sue and the team in each endeavor. When you meet Richard, be sure snap a picture and tag @richardthewienerdog on Instagram. If you need an appointment with Richard, please have your people contact his people.