Author Bios
Psychologically Informed Physical Therapy for Musculoskeletal Disorders
Travis C. Gunderson, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT
Travis C. Gunderson, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT is a physical therapist at TRIA Orthopaedic Center in Bloomington, MN where he specializes in caring for patients with a wide range of musculoskeletal injuries, post-surgical conditions, and acute/chronic pain disorders. Dr. Gunderson received his undergraduate degree from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN and his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Regis University in Denver, CO. He went on to residency training in orthopaedics at University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics/Meriter Hospital in Madison, WI and fellowship training in orthopaedic manual physical therapy at Regis University. He is board certified in orthopedic physical therapy and is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy. He also has advanced training in pain management and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Along with patient care, Dr. Gunderson oversees clinical education and mentorship for recently graduated physical therapists, residents, and fellows-in-training. He is also adjunct faculty with Bellin College's Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy Fellowship where he teaches pain science and psychosocial implications in musculoskeletal care. He is an invited speaker nationally and was recently awarded a grant from the Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy to examine physical therapist perspectives and clinical behaviors related to fear of re-injury after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
Terese L. Chmielewski, PT, PhD, SCS
Terese L. Chmielewski, PT, PhD, SCS is a Physical Therapist/Research Scientist at TRIA Orthopedic Center and Affiliate Associate Professor in the Division of Rehabilitation Science, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Medical School, at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, MN. She completed her undergraduate and graduate physical therapy degrees at the College of St. Scholastica. She worked in outpatient practice prior to completing a sports physical therapy residency at HealthSouth Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation in Birmingham, AL. She went on to complete a PhD in Biomechanics and Movement Science at the University of Delaware. Dr. Chmielewski has researched the psychological response to injury for almost 20 years and has given lectures locally, regionally, and nationally on the considerations for physical therapy assessment and treatment. She has co-authored 69 peer-reviewed publications, 3 prior monographs, and 11 book chapters. Her research has been funded by the Foundation for Physical Therapy, National Institutes of Health, NFL Charities, Brooks Rehabilitation Research Endowment, and HealthPartners Institute. She has twice been awarded Excellence in Research Awards from the American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy and has received Excellence in Education/Teaching awards from the American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy and Academy of Orthopedic Physical Therapy. Dr. Chmielewski is a past board member and Vice President for the Journal of Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy. She has extensive experience providing research and education mentorship to undergraduate students, graduate students, physical therapy residents, and clinicians.
Zachary R. Stearns, PT, DPT, OCS
Zachary Stearns, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT is a licensed physical therapist and board-certified orthopaedic clinical specialist practicing in Durham, NC. Zachary works full-time as a provider for the Access to Integrated Management for Back Pain (AIM-Back) Program, an NIH-funded program that provides psychologically-informed care for veterans through the Veterans Administration and Duke Clinical Research Institute. Zachary is also a PhD student in Health Sciences through Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, where he is studying the use of psychologically-informed practice in the emergency department. He received a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Florida and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Vanderbilt University. His previous career experience includes working in outpatient orthopaedic clinics as a physical therapist. Prior to his physical therapy training, he worked in psychiatric hospitals and clinical psychology laboratories. Zachary has presented at the state and national level, served as the Nominating Committee Chair for APTA North Carolina, has been a teaching assistant at Duke University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program, mentored for Duke University's Orthopaedic Physical Therapy residency, and co-developed a cognitive-behavioral training program for physical therapy professionals at Duke University Health System.
Keri Markut, PT, DPT, OCS
Keri Markut, PT, DPT, OCS graduated with her doctorate in physical therapy from the University of Florida in 2015. She completed an orthopedic residency program through ATI Physical Therapy in Greenville, South Carolina and became a board-certified orthopedic specialist in 2017. She has taken extensive training with Adriaan Louw’s team through Evidence in Motion with affiliation with Purdue University to earn her certification as a Therapeutic Pain Specialist in 2022. She currently holds a staff Physical Therapist position at UF Health Orthopedic Sports & Medicine Institute, and she is also the UF Health Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency site coordinator, mentor, and didactic coordinator. Keri also owns a private Physical Therapy practice, Reframe Rehab & Wellness. Keri’s clinical interest specialty is spine pain and chronic pain disorders. She participates in community outreach presentations in Gainesville regarding reframing the understanding of pain. She has also created a self-paced continuing education course for nurses at UF Health.
Giorgio Zeppieri Jr., PT, SCS, CSCS
Giorgio Zeppieri Jr., PT, SCS, CSCS graduated from the University of Florida with a Master’s in Physical Therapy in 2005 and completed an orthopedic rehabilitation residency at the UF Health Orthopeadics and Sports Medicine Institute in 2006. He is employed by UF Health and has been in clinical practice for 18 years, where his primary focus is the rehabilitation of post-operative sports related injuries and overhead athletes. During the 2008 and 2009 seasons, he served as a rehab liaison for the Cincinnati Reds and in 2016 was named as the University of Florida Athletic Association Physical Therapist, providing rehabilitation to all varsity sports. He received his Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialization (CSCS) in 2002 and Sports Certification Specialist (SCS) through the American Physical Therapy Association in 2012 and was recertified in 2022. In 2012, Giorgio was named the UF Health Orthopeadic and Sports Medicine Institute Clinical Rehabilitation Research Coordinator and has since authored over 20 peer reviewed manuscripts with a research focus on clinical outcome prediction following orthopedic surgery and musculoskeletal pain, biopsychosocial approaches to the treatment of musculoskeletal pain, identification of clinical subgroups in physical therapy based on patient reported outcomes of importance and their response to treatment, and the rehabilitation of the overhead athlete. In 2021, he received the Lynn Wallace Clinical Education and Professional Award from the American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy. He currently serves as the UF Health Sports Medicine Physical Therapy Residency Site Coordinator. Giorgio is an active member of the American Society of Shoulder and Elbow Therapist, American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy, and American Orthopeadic Society for Sports Medicine.
