Faculty & Staff

David N. Pevsner, PT, DPT, MOMT, FAFS
Assistant Professor, Program Director
WPEK-21

David N. Pevsner, PT, DPT, MOMT, FAFS has been a physical therapist and educator for over 45 years,
specializing in orthopedics, sports rehabilitation, and fitness. He started gaining the skills for this work in high
school, working under future Los Angeles Lakers athletic trainer Del Tanner, and he went on to learn from
legendary athletic trainer and track coach Elvin C. "Ducky" Drake at UCLA. Dr. Pevsner received his
undergraduate degree in physical therapy from Long Beach State University and later did a two-year manual
therapy residency at the renowned Ola Grimsby Institute in San Diego. He received his doctorate in physical
therapy from A.T. Still University Arizona School of Health Sciences and completed a year-long fellowship in
Applied Functional Science at the world-famous Gray Institute. Dr. Pevsner has been an educator and leader
in the field for most of his career. He has taught continuing education courses, instructed at the doctoral level
in physical therapy training programs, and worked as Director of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program for
ten years at Casa Loma College in Van Nuys, California. In 2022, he began building this program for COC. He
practices at Physical Therapy West in Woodland Hills, California. Dr. Pevsner has been married for 40 years
to his wife Shari, has two grown children Andrew and Aubrey, and is Papa to his grandson Miles. His two biggest
passions are hiking, especially around the family home in the Santa Monica Mountains, and aviation.

Kathrina Almero-Fabros, PT, BS
Assistant Professor, Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education, PTA
HLSH-311

Kathrina Almero-Fabros, BS, PT, or Kat as she prefers to be called, is a physical therapist with a strong passion
for education. Kat obtained her Bachelor of Science in physical therapy from Manila Central University in 2005
and is presently engaged in finishing her Advanced Geriatric Certification with a post-professional doctorate
in physical therapy. Kat has dedicated more than ten years of her professional life to occupying various
instructional and leadership positions within the field of physical therapy. She served as Program Director for
the Physical Therapist Aide Program at Southern California Health Institute in North Hollywood and later as
Clinical Coordinator at the Physical Therapist Assistant Program of Casa Loma College, where she was
eventually promoted to Program Director. Her work was instrumental in acquiring and maintaining institutional
and programmatic accreditation and ensuring excellent student and graduate outcomes. Kat's clinical
practice experience encompasses a range of healthcare settings, including acute care, skilled nursing, home
health, and outpatient orthopedics. Kat is married with a four-year-old daughter, a twelve-year-old son, and
two adopted dogs named Rey and Max. She enjoys traveling and scuba diving.

Ashley Bakhaj, PTA, BS

Ms. Ashley Bakhaj began her academic journey at California State University, Northridge, where she completed her undergraduate studies. After working as a Physical Therapy Aide for five years, she pursued her passion for physical therapy by attending PTA school at Casa Loma College, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Her dedication to the field led her to a tutoring position, where she quickly advanced to the role of instructor.

In addition to her academic achievements, Ms. Bakhaj is trained in Pilates, Redcord, and Kinesiology taping, which enhances her ability to provide comprehensive patient care. She also actively tutors PTA graduates for their national board exam, helping to shape the next generation of PTA professionals. After gaining three years of experience as a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant, she is now furthering her expertise as a student in the prestigious USC Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Her diverse experiences in clinical practice, specialized training, and education reflect her unwavering commitment to advancing the field of physical therapy and improving patient outcomes. 

Susan DiMartini, PT, MSPT, MBA, OCS

Ms. DiMartini has been a licensed physical therapist since 1996 bringing her knowledge and expertise of orthopedic rehabilitation, exercise science, and manual therapy to the Physical Therapy Assistant Program at College of the Canyons.   Originally from Illinois, Susan graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor of Science in General Health Sciences and a Master of Science from the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences (currently Des Moines University).  Susan began her professional career as a staff physical therapist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center where she treated medical and surgical patients in various stages of recovery.  In her role, she gained valuable insight into acute and subacute rehabilitation. It was here that she learned the importance of a collaborative team approach to effective patient care.  Susan eventually transitioned to the outpatient setting, working with patients of all age groups to help them overcome various injuries, surgical procedures, and limiting conditions including joint replacement surgery, traumatic injuries, and overuse syndromes.  Always seeking the most effective treatment strategies, Susan became a Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist in 2008 after completing a year-long seminar series focused on advanced training and manual treatment techniques. In 2013, she became a Certified Clinical Instructor through the American Physical Therapy Association and later acquired a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Health Care Administration from The University of Phoenix.  Throughout her career, Susan has held leadership roles and management positions.  Her favorite part of her job has been empowering people to reach their greatest potential.  Having lived and worked in diverse locales throughout the United States, Susan settled in the Santa Clarita Valley with her husband in 2002.  In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis, hiking, biking, traveling and generally exploring the amazing world we live in. 

Robert Dulay, PT, DPT, OCS, SCS, FAAOMPT

Dr. Dulay earned his Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from Gonzaga University in 2010, and graduated with his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Chapman University in 2013. He subsequently pursued further education and mentorship by completing Kaiser Permanente’s Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency in 2015, and Kaiser Permanente’s Orthopaedic Fellowship and Sports Rehabilitation Program in 2017. He currently practices at Kaiser Permanente’s North Hollywood Medical Offices, where he is also a member of the clinical faculty for the Kaiser Permanente Southern California Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency. He comes to College of the Canyons after helping teach the musculoskeletal curriculum track at an entry level DPT program for 6 years.

Dr. Dulay is an Orthopaedic and Sports Clinical Specialist certified by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialists, and is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists. Dr. Dulay is an avid sports fan and enjoys cheering for the Zags especially in March. He enjoys spending time with his wife Katlyn who is a pediatric physical therapist, and his sons Mason and Kyler.

Amber Gaines, PT, DPT, NCS, CSRS

Dr. Gaines is a seasoned Doctor of Physical Therapy with 9 years of clinical experience, and 8 years of instructing the next generation of physical therapists. She graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with her Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology and a minor in Biology in 2011, and went on to earn her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California in 2015.

Dr. Gaines' clinical expertise lies in the neurologic population, which she discovered her passion for during her final clinical rotation at Rancho Los Amigos. She has since accumulated significant experience in the acute rehabilitation setting and has earned certifications as a Neurologic Clinical Specialist and Certified Stroke Rehabilitation Specialist.

Dr. Gaines is dedicated to educating and mentoring students to become skilled clinicians. She is committed to providing evidence-based instruction and fostering critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and compassion in her students. Dr. Gaines is passionate about empowering her students to improve the lives of their patients, and is excited to continue sharing her knowledge and expertise with the next generation of physical therapist assistants. 

Suzanne Hawson, PT, DPT, OCS

Dr. Hawson is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy with over 20 years of diverse experience spanning clinical practice, education, and innovation. Her expertise includes biomechanics, sports rehabilitation, injury prevention, and strength and conditioning, with significant contributions in each area. As a lifelong athlete, Dr. Hawson brings a personal understanding to her work with individuals at all levels— from beginners to elite and Olympic athletes.

In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Hawson is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Her entrepreneurial ventures include opening a fitness studio and designing a mobility device, for which she successfully navigated the patenting, manufacturing, and distribution process, including obtaining FDA approval.

Currently, Dr. Hawson divides her time between patient care and teaching. She is passionate about educating the next generation of physical therapy professionals and has served as a faculty member in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at California State University, Northridge. She also teaches in the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Casa Loma College. Her dual role as clinician and educator allows her to offer real-world perspectives that enrich the learning experience for students. Dr. Hawson has mentored many students, providing academic guidance and career advice. Her insight is highly valued, and students frequently seek her mentorship for support and direction.

Dr. Hawson earned a Masters Degree in Physical Therapy with distinction from California State University, Northridge, and later completed her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at the College of St. Scholastica. Since joining academia in 2012, she has actively contributed to the field through publications in peer-reviewed journals and as an editorial board member. She is also a contributing author to a forthcoming textbook on Gait Analysis. Dr. Hawson is committed to advancing education and research in the field, continually shaping the future of physical therapy practice.

Gabriel Lacktman, PTA

Mr. Lacktman takes pride in his creative approach to both therapeutic interventions and education. A child of two professors, his own passion for teaching has spanned a multitude of activities from group fitness to mountaineering and wilderness travel to clinical instruction in neurological physical rehabilitation. After nearly two decades as a senior graphic designer, Gabriel repurposed his career as a physical therapist assistant, answering his true calling. He graduated with honors from Casa Loma College in 2021, joining the renowned Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center’s acquired brain injury team for his clinical internship. Gabriel’s current clinical practice is focused inside the hospital in both acute care and inpatient rehab, with an emphasis on neurological and complex orthopedic injuries. As a highly decorated staff member of Providence Saint Joseph’s Medical Center, Gabriel was awarded the highest honor a caregiver can receive, the 2023-24 Values in Action recipient, exemplifying his outstanding commitment to his patients. In his free time, Gabriel is accomplished in alpine mountaineering and rock climbing, summiting all 15 of California’s 14,000’+ mountains. He is an exercise enthusiast, gym buff, spin instructor, fashionista and lives with his K9 best friend Curley.

Robert Louie, PT, DPT, OCS

Dr. Louie graduated from UCLA in 1996 with a degree in Physiological Science and USC in 2000 with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. His clinical experience has been exclusively in Orthopedics, and in 2004 he was certified by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist. Dr. Louie owned and managed an outpatient clinic in Burbank for 11 years prior to opening Unruh Physical Therapy in Santa Clarita in 2014. He is certified as a Clinical Instructor by the American Physical Therapy Association. He uses over 24 years of experience as a physical therapist and his previous athletic background to help his patients feel comfortable working together to reach their goals. Dr. Louie strongly believes that each patient is an individual who deserves his attention to their specific issues and operates his practice with the mission of Treating People, not Problems. He has lived in Santa Clarita since 2004 with his wife, two teenaged children, and one German Shepard who is the real head of household.

Sara Robertson, PTA

With a robust educational foundation and hands-on experience in physical therapy and sports rehab, Ms. Robertson earned her Associate of Applied Science degree from Casa Loma College and an Associate of Arts degree in Kinesiology from Los Angeles Valley College. Her commitment to holistic care is further evidenced by her previous comprehensive experience in Massage Therapy and Sports Rehab. Ms. Robertson is a licensed Physical Therapy Assistant with expertise in neuro rehabilitation, cardiac rehab, pelvic floor rehabilitation, and myofascial decompression. Her skills extend beyond technical abilities, encompassing active listening, empathy, and effective time management. She is known for being assertive, detailed-oriented, and a collaborative team player, dedicated to providing compassionate and patient-centered care, ensuring that she is equipped to handle various patient care scenarios with the highest level of professionalism.

Joanne Schatz, PTA

Ms. Schatz brings over 25 years of expertise to her career, which began in outpatient orthopedics before she found her true passion in pediatric physical therapy. With more than 20 years dedicated to helping children overcome developmental challenges, she specializes in early intervention, addressing conditions like developmental delays, congenital disorders, orthopedic issues, and neuromuscular challenges. In 2021, she supervised the Jumpstart Program at McRory Pediatrics, an intensive early intervention program for children aged 12 months to 3 years with global developmental delays, employing a multidisciplinary approach to foster growth across developmental domains.

Passionate about empowering families, Ms. Schatz combines hands-on care with education, equipping caregivers with strategies to support their child's progress beyond therapy sessions. A lifelong learner and well-respected expert in her field, she is known for her compassionate, collaborative approach. A proud Santa Clarita Valley resident of over 40 years, Joanne enjoys traveling with her husband, two daughters, and their adopted dog, Jax.

Kristin Yates, PT, MEd

Ms. Yates is a physical therapist and educator. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in physical therapy from California State University, Northridge in 1992. Her background in physical therapy includes working in acute care, acute rehab, outpatient, and pediatrics focusing on clients with neurological diagnoses. Ms. Yates earned her Master of Education degree from the University of La Verne in 2017. Kristin is a credentialed teacher in Biology and Career and Technical Education and has a passion for both learning and teaching. She is married and has four adult children and one granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy their free time with family, friends, and their two dogs.