Frank C. Kava

Frank C. Kava, MS, PT, OCS, OMPT, believes in the importance of our primary devotion to our patients in providing care which is in their best interest of improving their physical and emotional well-being.  He has always focused on the patient centered practice.  Placing the patient first requires the therapist to be compassionate, caring, and maintain excellence in practice.  He received his physical therapy degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine in 1974.  Having a desire to teach at the university level, he attended the University of Kentucky and graduated with a Master's Degree in Allied Health Education with an Advanced Specialty in Orthopedic Physical Therapy.  Frank has had the unique opportunity to work and learn from some of the most world-renowed practitioners in manual therapy in the the United States, Norway, and other European countries.  While building the private practice, Frank also taught Orthopedic Physical Therapy at Oakland University for over seventeen years.  Frank was one of the first to achieve advanced certification from the International Seminar and Manual Physical Therapy Program at Oakland University in 1992.  He has also been recognized as a Certified Specialist in Orthopedics by the American Physical Therapy Association since 1993.  He has taught extensively at the university level, as well as many continuing education courses for the Michigan Physical Therapy Association and the community.  Frank has continued to be actively involved with hands-on patient care, as well as directing a very competent staff at Oakland Physical Therapy. P.C.

Kristie Sherman Kava

Kristie Sherman Kava, MS, PT, DScPT, OMPT, is a graduate of the physical therapy program of the Wayne State University Medical School, and has also received a Masters Degree in Allied Health Education with a specialty in orthopedic physical therapy from the University of Kentucky.  She was one of the first to achieve advanced Certification in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy from the International Seminar at Oakland University.  Kristie has taught extensively at the university level, as well as education courses for the Michigan Physical Therapy Association, while actively engaged in her private practice.  In pursuit of post-graduate education, she returned to Oakland University, and received a Doctorate of Science in Physical Therapy.  Concurrently, Kristie became a certified Stott Pilates instructor, and has recently also achieved certification in Rehabilitative Pilates.  Her doctoral research investigated the effects of Pilates exercise on instrumental muscians.  Kristie has worked in performing arts medicine for many years in evaluation, treatment, and prevention of performance injuries.  Kristie is a member of the Performing Arts Medicine Association, and has presented her research both nationally and internationally.  She is also serving in an advisory capacity on the Musician Wellness Team at Michigan State University.

Beth Burkel

Elizabeth "Beth" Uitti-Burkel, received a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Oakland University in December 2005.  Beth was awarded the Academic Excellence Award given to the student with the highest grade point average.  She holds a Bachelors degree in Biology from Cedarville University in Ohio with a minor in Psychology.  Beth has experience as a clinical instructor, assisting graduate students in their clinical education.  In May 2010, she completed the certificate program in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy from Oakland University.  Her primary interest is in outpatient orthopedics.  She is a member of the orthopedic section of the American Physical Therapy Association.  Outside of physical therapy, Beth is active in her community, working with elementary age children, facilitating special events through her local church.

Linda Erickson

Linda Erickson, PT, MS, OMPT graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1976 with a B.A. in psychology.  She then attended Georgia State University and completed a B.S. degree in Physical Therapy in 1978.  Linda was one of the first physical therapists in Michigan to be certified in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy through Oakland University in 1992.  She then continued with academic coursework and received her M.S. degree in Physical Therapy from Oakland University in 2004.  Linda has had experience working in a large suburban hospital with a varied caseload, including inpatient rehabilitation.  She also spent several years working with patients suffering from repetitive motion injuries in onsite clinics in the automotive industry.  Posture and body mechanics were a major component of the patient teaching in the industrial setting.  Her primary interest has always been in outpatient orthopedics.  Her continuing education coursework has included myofascial techniques, manual therapy, exercise physiology, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation and orthopedic updates.  Linda is a member of the orthopedic section of the American Physical Therapy Association.  She serves as Assistant Director and Clinical Education Coordinator.  Her hobbies include singing in a choir, fitness workouts, golf, and attending theatre productions.

Dale Waltman

Dale Waltman, MPT, graduated with a Masters degree in physical therapy from Oakland University in 2000.  He had clinical internships at Henry Ford Hospital, Providence Hospital, and William Beaumont Hospital.  Prior to coming to Oakland Physical Therapy, P.C., Dale served on the physical therapy staff of Henry Ford Cottage Hospital as clinical instructor.  He has a wide range of experience in the treatment of orthopedic and neurological disorders.  His post-graduate education includes over two years of study with the North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy. 

Dale believes the physical therapist has the privilege of treating each patient as a unique presentation of symptoms which demands an individual manual therapy approach.  He values manual therapy as an art of healing through the treatment of joints, soft tissue, and the nervous system.  He is currently interested in spinal traumatic injuries and applying the Norwegian System of manual therapy.  Prior to becoming a physical therapist, Dale worked for over thirteen years in the automotive industry.   

Cathy Jamrog

Cathy Jamrog, MPT, received her Masters degree in Physical Therapy from Oakland University in May 1999. She also holds a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education from Eastern Michigan University and has taught in the Novi and Livonia areas. Cathy is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association. Cathy is married and has a seven-year old daughter. She enjoys walking for exercise and reading.