Physical Therapist Faculty
Kelly Nash, PT, MS
Chair, PTA Program
PTA 1010 Introduction to PTA
PTA 2460 Advanced Habilitation/Rehabilitation
Born in Maryville, TN, Ms. Nash joined South College as an adjunct in 1998. She became a full-time instructor in 2000 and took over the chair position in 2006. Ms. Nash earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Zoology from the University of Tennessee – Knoxville in 1984 then went to Georgia State University where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy in 1986. In 1995 she received a Masters of Science in Exercise Science from the University of Tennessee – Knoxville in preparation for her entrance into academia.
After graduating from physical therapy school, Ms. Nash worked in various clinical settings from 1986-2006. She has experience working with clients of all ages in acute, sub-acute, out-patient, and home health environments.
Ms. Nash maintains membership in the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) as well as the Tennessee Physical Therapy Association (TPTA). She is a member of the Education and Neurology sections of the APTA.
C. Denise Griffin, PT
ACCE, PTA Program
PTA 2000 Habilitation/Rehabilitation
PTA 2410 Clinical Experience & Documentation
PTA 2520 Clinical Internship I
PTA 2530 Clinical Internship II
Ms. Griffin earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Tennessee – Knoxville in 1980 then went to The University of South Alabama where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy in 1986. After graduating from physical therapy school, Ms. Griffin worked in various clinical settings from 1986-2002. She has been a Credentialed Clinical Instructor since 2004 and has experience working with clients of all ages in acute, sub-acute, out-patient, and home health environments.
Ms. Griffin first came to work at South College in 2002. She was the Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education (ACCE) and thus handled all the clinically-related courses. She also taught PTA 1030 Pathophysiology and PTA 1080 Modalities during her tenure from 2002-2007. Ms. Griffin returned to full-time clinical practice from 2007- 2009 during which time she served as a Clinical Coordinator of Clinical Education (CCCE) for her employer. She returned to teaching at South College as well as resuming the duties of the ACCE in 2009.
Ms. Griffin maintains membership in the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) as well as the Tennessee Physical Therapy Association (TPTA). She is a member of the Educational and Federal sections of the APTA.
Mike Spadafora, PT, MPT, OCS
Instructor, PTA Program
PTA 1040 Kinesiology for the PTA
PTA 1080 Modalities
PTA 2200 Exercise Therapy & Muscle Testing
PTA 2510 Special Topics in PT
Mike Spadafora is originally from Charleston, West Virginia and has lived in Knoxville since 1990 with the exception of three years. Prior to physical therapy school, Mike received his undergraduate degree in Exercise Science (Kinesiology) at The University of Tennessee in Knoxville and then went on to be a University of Tennessee Graduate Assistant and Certified Athletic Trainer. During 1997 to 2000 he achieved his Masters of Physical Therapy degree in Winchester, VA at Shenandoah University. Since his graduation he obtained an American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Board Certification Specialty in Orthopedic Physical Therapy and completed a yearlong manual physical therapy residency program through The Ola Grimsby Institute.
Mike has worked for over a decade in orthopedic physical therapy settings, mostly private. He became an adjunct instructor at South College in the fall of 2008 and transitioned to a full-time instructor in the summer of 2010. He continues to work part-time in a local private orthopedic clinic and primarily pursues continuing education through the OGI and the North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy. He maintains membership in the APTA, Mid-Atlantic Physical Therapy Association (MAPTA) and the Tennessee Physical Therapy Association (TPTA). He is also a member of the Education section in APTA.
