Faculty
Arvie Vitente, PT, DPT, PhD, MPH, GCS, FNAP, CEEAA, CDP
Program Director and Professor
(he/him/his)
Email: avitente@lewisu.edu
Dr. Vitente serves as a Program Director and Professor at ȺpÎÞÂë's Doctor of Physical Therapy program. He is responsible for overseeing the program's development and ensuring its success. Dr. Vitente believes that providing a sense of belonging to everyone is a key factor in achieving success and understands the criticality of meaningful collaboration in attaining personal and professional goals.
Dr. Vitente has received accolades throughout his career, including recognition as Faculty of the Year at Angeles University Foundation in the Philippines in 2007 and the Therapist of the Year Award at the national level from Amedisys Home Health in 2016. He has also been honored with the Physical Therapist of the Year in 2024 by the APTA New Mexico, Fred Rutan Excellence in Service Award in 2022 and recognized as an Outstanding Neurologic Physical Therapist in Education in 2023 by the Florida Physical Therapy Association. These awards highlight his dedication and expertise in the field.
He is a Board-certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy and has completed the APTA Fellowship in Higher Education Leadership, emphasizing his commitment to academia and higher education leadership.
With extensive experience in physical therapy, Dr. Vitente has held positions such as Campus Director, Program Director, Director of Admissions, Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education, and Core Faculty at PT and PTA programs. These experiences enable him to effectively educate and mentor future physical therapists.
Dr. Vitente actively participates in the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and served as a Florida and New Mexico State Delegate to the APTA House of Delegates in the past years, contributing to shaping the future of the profession. His appointment to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) Examination Development Committee further demonstrates his commitment to service and upholding high standards in the field. Additionally, Dr. Vitente holds the position of Commission Secretary of the Clinical Education Commission of the American Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT) and Member of the Specialization Academy of Content Experts in Geriatrics of the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS).
Recognized for his knowledge and contributions to interprofessional collaboration, Dr. Vitente serves on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Interprofessional Education & Practice, the official journal of the National Academies of Practice. He is also a co-founder and the current Deputy Editor of the Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy, showcasing his ability to contribute valuable insights to the field through research and publications.
Colleen Krambeck, PT, DPT, OCS
Co-Director of Clinical Education and Assistant Professor
Email: ckrambeck@lewisu.edu
Colleen Krambeck, PT, DPT serves an Assistant Professor and Co-Director of Clinical Education at ȺpÎÞÂë's Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. Dr. Krambeck received her Bachelor's degree from University of Illinois Chicago and her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Midwestern University. After completing her doctorate, she became a Certified Manual Physical Therapist through the Institute of Manipulative Physiotherapy and Clinical Training (IMPACT, James Meadows). She is a board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist and currently working towards completing a Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy with Andrews University.
Dr. Krambeck has more than 10 years of clinical experience which also includes administrative roles in outpatient centers. She focuses her treatment with utilizing interprofessional relationships to ensure the most comprehensive approach to physical therapy. Her specialty training includes Vestibular Rehabilitation, Orthopedics, and Dry Needling. Her passions include vestibular pathologies, cervicogenic dizziness, temporomandibular dysfunction.
Dr. Krambeck has served as an Adjunct Faculty member at several institutions both undergraduate and graduate levels, assisting in coursework including Anatomy, Exercise Science, Evaluation in Physical Therapy and Clinical Education. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (Illinois Chapter, Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy, Academy of Education and Academy of Orthopaedics) and American Association of Anatomy. She serves the profession as an East Central District Representative for the Illinois Physical Therapy Association.
Michael Maninang, PT, DScPT, DPT, MHS, MBA, MOMT, OCS, FAAOMPT
Director of Student Affairs and Associate Professor
Email: mmaninang@lewisu.edu
Dr. Maninang serves as Associate Professor and Director of Student Affairs at ȺpÎÞÂë's Doctor of Physical Therapy program. He is dedicated to nurturing a sense of community among students, understanding that their success in this program is deeply connected to feeling valued and included. He has been a practicing physical therapist for 35 years working mainly in the orthopedic physical therapy setting. He obtained his entry-level physical therapy degree from Cebu Doctors’ University in the Philippines. His post-professional education started with the Ola Grimsby Institute (OGI) based out of San Diego, California where he spent four years of manual therapy training doing Part I manual therapy residency program from 1995 to 1996 and Part II manual therapy fellowship program from 1998 to 1999. He obtained a Master of Orthopedic Manual Therapy degree when he finished the Part I program with the OGI. He was recognized as a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists in 2001 and became board-certified in Orthopedic Physical therapy with the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties in 1999. In addition to his manual therapy education, he also pursued a Master of Health Science degree from the University of Indianapolis, which he obtained in 1998. His quest for continued learning led him to study at Boston University where he graduated with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2008. He also obtained a Master of Business Administration from Walden University in 2011 and a Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy from Andrews University in 2020.
Dr. Maninang has worked in various positions in the physical therapy field having work experience in both the clinical and administrative arenas. He was also active in teaching Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy (OMPT) courses for the Ola Grimsby Institute from 2000 to 2009. He developed, implemented and oversaw the accreditation and re-accreditation of the Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy Fellowship program at the University of Chicago Medicine. He served as the Program Director and faculty member of the OMPT Fellowship and Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency programs for the University of Chicago Medicine.
Briana Partee, PT, DPT
Director of Admissions and Assistant Professor of Practice
(she/her/hers)
Email: bpartee@lewisu.edu
Dr. Briana Partee is the Director of Admissions and Assistant Professor of Practice for ȺpÎÞÂë's Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program. She earned both her Bachelor’s degree and DPT degree from Saint Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri. After completing her doctorate, Dr. Partee worked primarily in hospital-based sports orthopedic settings in Cleveland, Ohio. With over 10 years of clinical experience, Dr. Partee has also held administrative roles at two different medical schools. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Partee has served as faculty at several institutions, while also assisting with Clinical Education. Dr. Partee joined ȺpÎÞÂë in 2024, bringing a deep passion for providing care to underserved communities with complex care needs. Her scholarly interests include justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) within physical therapy education, as well as health equity issues. Dr. Partee is committed to advancing teaching and learning in the field, with a focus on improving belonging in the physical therapy profession. A former Division 1 collegiate athlete, Briana enjoys swimming and weightlifting with her husband and three children.
Jennifer Reft, PT, DPT, DHSc, MS
Director of Curriculum and Assessment and Assistant Professor of Practice
Email: jreft@lewisu.edu
Dr. Reft serves as the Director of Curriculum and Assessment and Assistant Professor of Practice in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. She has over 30 years of clinical experience, including roles as a clinical instructor and clinical lead in various areas of practice across the Chicagoland area. Her primary focus has been in inpatient rehab, day rehab, and home health.
As a movement specialist, Dr. Reft believes therapists should explore their own movement potential, which she has done through active practice in Pilates, Tai Chi, and silks. She is committed to best practices in both clinical and educational settings to achieve optimal outcomes for patients and students.
Dr. Reft taught full-time in the PTA program at Morton College from 2008 to 2019, focusing on kinesiology, neurological physical therapy, and research methods. From 2017 to 2019, she served as the Academic Coordinator for Clinical Education. During her tenure at Morton College, she was awarded multiple faculty development grants and received recognition for pedagogy and assessment. She played a key role in curriculum assessment and revision in preparation for the college’s CAPTE visit in 2018.
In 2018, Dr. Reft earned her Master of Online Instruction certificate through the Illinois Online Network. She further enhanced her teaching skills by obtaining her Flipped Learning 3.0 Higher Ed Certification in April 2020. Her commitment to innovative teaching methods is evident through her work, including her . She has presented at local and national conferences on neurology and education and has published in peer-reviewed journals.
Dr. Reft earned her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from Marquette University in 1993. She was a Board-Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist from 1999 to 2019 and is currently a certified LSVT clinician. She earned her MS in kinesiology with a specialization in motor control and learning from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2000, completing a thesis on arm movement patterns in patients with spinal cord injuries. In 2019, she earned her transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy from College of St. Scholastica, and in 2024, she completed her Doctorate of Health Science from the University of Indianapolis. Her dissertation explored the relationship between participation and various characteristics of individuals diagnosed with stroke. As participation in life activities is essential for all individuals, she aims to further explore this concept in her teaching and research at ȺpÎÞÂë.
Dr. Reft is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association (Illinois Chapter, Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy, and APTA Geriatrics). As of January 2025, she serves as the Vice-Chair of the Illinois Physical Therapy Association Geriatrics Section.
Robert Sweet, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT
Co-Director of Clinical Education and Assistant Professor
Email: rsweet@lewisu.edu
Dr. Sweet serves as Assistant Professor and Director of Clinical Education at ȺpÎÞÂë's Doctor of Physical Therapy program. He is committed to fostering an environment that prepares students to be proficient clinicians and lifelong learners.
After completing his clinical residency in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy at St. Ambrose University in 2018, he became a Board-certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy. He then pursued and completed the Northwestern University Fellowship in Advanced Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Practice, Research, and Education in 2021.
Dr. Sweet's clinical expertise is centered in the outpatient orthopaedic setting, where he has extensive experience in treating patients across a broad age spectrum, ranging from 8 to 100 years old, with a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. His teaching experience encompasses both entry-level DPT program and post-professional fellowship level, with a focus on cultivating strong clinical reasoning skills at various stages of a learner's development.
His professional affiliations include memberships in the American Physical Therapy Association (Illinois Chapter, Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy, and Academy of Education), American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists, and International Association for the Study of Pain.
TO BECOME A CLINICAL SITE FOR THE LEWIS UNIVERSITY DPT PROGRAM
Contact the Co-Directors of Clinical Education
Robert Sweet, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT
Email: rsweet@lewisu.edu
Colleen Krambeck, PT, DPT, OCS
Email: ckrambeck@lewisu.edu