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Dr. Richard P. Nielsen
Founding President & CEO
Richard P. Nielsen, PT, DHSc, ECS is the Founding President/CEO of Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. Dr. Nielsen obtained two separate Bachelor of Science degrees from Brigham Young University in 1973 and the University of Utah in 1975, both in physical therapy. Later he earned a Master of Science from the University of Washington, as well as a Doctorate in Health Science with an emphasis in Clinical Electrophysiology from the University of St. Augustine in Florida.
Dr. Nielsen served in the United States Navy for over 20 years and held several esteemed positions, such as the Physical Therapy Consultant to the Surgeon General and White House. After his retirement from the Navy, Dr. Nielsen co-founded and served as president of the Institute of Clinical Electrophysiology, and later became the president of Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions.
Dr. Mark Horacek
Executive VP for Academic Affairs & Provost
Mark Horacek, PT, PhD, MS is the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. A licensed physical therapist, Dr. Horacek earned his professional degrees from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and completed a two-year post-doctoral fellowship in Physiology and Reproduction at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine.
With over 30 years of graduate education experience, Dr. Horacek has progressed through all ranks of the professoriate, received teaching awards, obtained NIH grant funding, mentored graduate students, managed a wide variety of clinical entities, and served as the founding chair of several Doctor of Physical Therapy programs throughout the US.
During his time at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, Dr. Horacek has played an integral part in the growth of the university. He oversaw the development of many academic programs, including the Master of Science in Medical Speech-Language Pathology, Master of Science in School Counseling, Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Master of Science in Athletic Training Practice, Doctor of Medical Science, Doctor of Optometry, and various professional and continuing education certificates. Dr. Horacek was also instrumental in the creation of the University’s learning platform on learn.rm.edu for the advancement of the entire healthcare professional community.
As Provost, Dr. Horacek has overseen the creation and enhancement of various institutional processes including faculty development, faculty promotion, shared governance, student support, academic structures such as instating the college and dean structure, crisis management as with the COVID-19 pandemic, and more.
A valued leader, Dr. Horacek believes in building a culture of trust and collaboration, as well as developing faculty and students so as to equip them to advance the quality and efficacy of healthcare.
Dr. Hina Garg
Interim Director
Office of Research and Sponsored Projects
Hina Garg, MT, MS, PhD is a board-certified neurologic clinical specialist who specializes in optimizing the clinical assessment and treatment practices using implementation science and quality improvement frameworks in individuals with MS and other neurologic conditions. She is an associate professor (Physical Therapy), MS PT & Wellness Center Director, and the Interim Director of the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP). She completed her Bachelor of PT from India, M.S. from Texas A & M University and PhD in Rehabilitation Science from the University of Utah. At RMUoHP and related clinic systems, Hina has developed, implemented, and disseminated multiple care models including those for individuals with MS, vestibular, pelvic, and post-covid rehabilitative needs. In 2019, she was recognized by the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy (ANPT) and the Utah Valley business magazine as an innovative professional for establishing the MS center. She currently co-chairs the ANPT telehealth taskforce, serves within the ANPT DEI and Balance and Falls workgroups, serves as a grant reviewer at the national level, is a current reviewer for multiple neurologic journals, is a published author and has presented and served at the state and national conferences and boards on her clinical and research interests. Her passion is in the use of data in clinical and administrative decision-making, evidence-based clinical practice, and training and development of faculty and student colleagues, clinicians and other staff members.
Dr. Tom Cappaert
Associate Director
Office of Research and Sponsored Projects
Tom Cappaert, PhD, ATC, CSCS is currently a Senior Faculty member of the Ph.D. in Health Sciences program, Associate Director of the Office of Research & Sponsored Projects, and Professor in Biostatistics at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in Provo, Utah. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Toledo and teaches Biostatistics to doctoral students in various post-professional programs and areas of study. He also teaches the Dissertation Preparation and Dissertation Phase courses at RMUoHP. Dr. Cappaert serves on the Editorial Board of the Athletic Training Education Journal, the Journal of College Science Teaching, and is a manuscript reviewer for several other journals in the health sciences. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and an ACSM Certified Exercise Specialist. Research interests include environmental cold injury and techniques to improve critical evaluation of research results in health care professionals.
Dr. Michelle Webb
Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness
Michelle Webb, EdD, OTD, OTR/L, CAPS currently serves as the Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness and as a faculty member within the PhD in Health Sciences program at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP). She received her Post-professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree from RMUoHP in 2015. Dr. Webb obtained her Doctor of Education degree with a concentration in Higher and Postsecondary Education from Argosy University in 2018. She has a diverse background with a focus on leadership and administration, having worked in various directorship positions pertaining to postsecondary education.
Dr. Webb is a licensed occupational therapist and certified aging-in-place specialist with over 25 years of healthcare experience.
Dr. Webb’s research interests include the treatment of clients with neurocognitive disorder resulting from conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias. She is a staunch advocate for persons with dementia and gladly volunteers her time to engage in local and national initiatives with the Alzheimer’s Association.
Mr. Ray Rodriguez
Director of Institutional Equity
Ray Rodriguez, MPH, MCHES, NBC-HWC currently serves as the Director of Institutional Equity with the Department of Student Affairs at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP, or RMU). He received his Master of Public Health degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) School of Public Health in 2014. Mr. Rodriguez has served as an administrator in various leadership roles at Duke University, Iowa State University, UNLV, and Oswego State University (SUNY-Oswego) over the past 32 years with a focus on diversity, equity, reproductive health, violence prevention, ethics, and inclusion. He is also a current doctoral candidate (PhD, Health Promotion and Wellness track) at RMU. He is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) since 1991, a Master CHES since 2017, and a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach since 2019.
Mr. Rodriguez’s professional interests include broadening access to and support for marginalized populations within higher education, including aspects of disability, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, and age. He is a long-time member of the Association of Title IX Administrators and works within his local and national community on initiatives that support an equitable world. Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, when not working, Ray travels extensively and enjoys science fiction, Disneyland, and spending time with his partner, their two children, and their dogs.
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