Geriatric Physical Therapy Residency Program Faculty

Program Director

Suzanne RodriguezSuzanne Rodriguez, PT, DPT, MS, GCS, GTCCS, LSVT
Geriatric Residency Director
Clinical Physical Therapist
Center for Healthcare Education, N178
203-396-6891
rodriguezs13@sacredheart.edu

Suzanne is the Director of the Geriatric Residency Program at Mozaic Senior Life and is a Clinical Physical Therapist at Sacred Heart University. Suzanne teaches in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Sacred Heart University as a lab instructor and tutorial leader/senior tutor in the neurology and cardiopulmonary semesters, and is an online instructor in the Geriatric Health and Wellness program. Suzanne is a member of the Geriatric section of the APTA as well as a founding member and co-chair of the Geriatric Special Interest Group for the Connecticut Physical Therapy Association. Suzanne is a board-certified clinical specialist in Geriatrics through the APTA since 2009 and served as a member for the Specialized Academy of Content Experts in the area of Geriatrics for eight years. She has presented at the state level in topics of Geriatric physical therapy. Suzanne received her Masters of Science in physical therapy from Sacred Heart University in 2006, her Masters of Science in Geriatric Health and Wellness from Sacred Heart University in 2009, and her doctorate degree in physical therapy from Temple University in 2012. Suzanne is a graduate of a Geriatric Residency Program (2007) and has worked across multiple settings including: acute care, acute rehab, sub-acute care, long-term care, home care, outpatient, and home-based outpatient. 

Faculty

Jaclyn DiasJaclyn Dias, PT, DPT, GCS
Clinical Mentor/Instructor/Lecturer

Jaclyn graduated from Sacred Heart University with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and went on to further her education and earn her Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy. Jaclyn completed a geriatric residency program in physical therapy through collaboration with Mozaic Senior Life and Sacred Heart University in which she gained a wealth of knowledge and clinical experience by practicing in various settings including short-term rehabilitation, long-term care, home health care, and outpatient therapy. Jaclyn currently is a physical therapist at Mozaic Senior Life, has served as a clinical instructor for students, and is an adjunct faculty member for the DPT program at Sacred Heart University.

Stefanie BondStefanie Bond, PT, DPT, GCS
Instructor

Dr. Stefanie Bond is an assistant professor in the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of South Florida. She earned her Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science (2011) followed by her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree (2013) at Sacred Heart University. She became a board certified geriatric clinical specialist after completing her residency through Mozaic Senior Life in 2014. Stefanie currently teaches professional Doctor of Physical Therapy students in topics in geriatric physical therapy. Stefanie also currently treats patients at the Morsani Center of Advanced Healthcare, a component of USF Health, but also has experience in inpatient rehabilitation and long term care.

Roseanne GillespieRoseanne Gillespie, PT, DPT, GCS
Lecturer

Dr. Roseanne Gillespie is a graduate of the JSS geriatric residency program in 2012. Roseanne has been working as an acute care physical therapist since 2012. She also continues to see patients in the home health and the subacute rehab settings. Roseanne teaches an acute care lecture to the geriatric residents each year. The lecture focuses on the current geriatric population seen in the hospital by physical therapists. This lecture includes common diagnoses, medications, lab values and various treatment approaches etc. Since completing the residency, Roseanne continues to be actively involved in mentorship as she sees its value for our profession. Geriatric residents will have the opportunity to also experience the acute care setting through this residency program under Roseanne’s mentorship.

Sheila WattsSheila Watts, PT, DPT
Lecturer

Dr. Sheila Thomas Watts received her Bachelor of Science in physical therapy from The Ohio State University and a master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in health care from University of New Haven. Dr. Watts also received a Master of Science degree in geriatric health and wellness and a doctorate in physical therapy from Sacred Heart University.

Dr. Watts began her professional career as an acute care physical therapist at Yale New Haven Hospital, advancing to the level of supervisor for many years. Her extensive experience included rehab, cardiology, neurology and wound care.

Dr. Watts joined the Sacred Heart faculty in 1998, providing clinical physical therapy services to older adults and instructional activities in the entry-level master’s program and later the doctoral program in physical therapy. Dr. Watts has also been an instructor for geriatric courses for the Geriatric Health and Wellness program.

Dr. Watts was the director of the Geriatric Residency Program at Mozaic Senior Life in Bridgeport until December 2020. She has continued to provide instruction to the program.

Dr. Watts is a board-certified geriatric specialist in geriatrics. She was awarded the Alumni Leadership Award from Sacred Heart University and the Outstanding Clinical Excellence in Geriatrics Award from the Geriatric Section of the American Physical Therapy Association. Dr. Watts was the recipient of the Sacred Heart University College of Health Professions Clinical Preceptor Award in 2020.

Rachel TriplettRachel Triplett PT, MPT
Clinical Mentor

Rachel Triplett is the lead outpatient physical therapist for Mozaic Senior Life. Rachel has been working for Mozaic Senior Life for the past 15 years and has been involved with the Geriatric Residency program since its inception. Rachel graduated from Quinnipiac University with her MPT in 2002 and has worked in the outpatient setting throughout her career as a physical therapist with individuals across the lifespan. Rachel began her career at Mozaic Senior Life in 2006 to initiate an outpatient therapy program geared for seniors. Rachel has been active as a mentor in the residency program during the resident’s outpatient rotation to successfully fulfill the Geriatric Residency Program requirements.