Meet Our Team
The faculty for the Sports Physical Therapy Residency will consist of a number of therapists from RIM’s staff. The faculty is made up of content experts and ABPTS board-certified specialists. Meet some of our faculty:
Laura Ramus, PT, ATC - Program Director
Laura is currently a physical therapist for RIM and medical director for the WNBA Las Vegas Aces. She has 35 years of experience treating orthopedic/sports medicine injuries in professional, Olympic, collegiate, high school and amateur athletes. Laura shares this wisdom by teaching advanced sports medicine techniques to professionals around the world.Laura received a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy from Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, in 1987. She then completed a fellowship in sports medicine through the University of North Carolina and Health South Rehabilitation Corporation, receiving her certification as an athletic trainer in 1990. During this fellowship, Laura trained under prominent orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews and well-known physical therapist Kevin Wilk in Birmingham, AL. Laura was an athletic trainer at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, and for the 1994 United States Paralympic swim team. She worked in 2015/2016 as a physical therapist/athletic trainer on the Women’s Professional Tennis tour. She served as the head athletic trainer and strength coach for 21 Seasons with the WNBA Detroit Shock, New York Liberty and currently, the Las Vegas Aces.
AJ Avirah DPT, SCS - Program Coordinator / Practice Chair
AJ is a board-certified sports physical therapist at RIM. AJ completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy from India in 1998 and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Michigan in 2015. He has experience in various treatment settings, including acute care, sub-acute care, ICU and outpatient neurologic and orthopedic clinics. He is a dedicated and determined clinician and has spent most of his career perfecting treatment skills in orthopedics and sports. AJ is committed to expanding his already extensive knowledge through ongoing clinical education. He is the coordinator of the Journal Club in outpatient physical therapy at RIM. He is also a member of the Orthopedic Rehabilitation Protocol Committee at DMC Orthopedics and Sports Medicine.
Jim Allen, PT, OMPT- Program Coordinator
James is a senior physical therapist at RIM. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from Wayne State University in 1989 and his graduate certification in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy from Oakland University in 2000. He has extensive experience in acute care, outpatient orthopedics and sports performance rehabilitation and training of the overhead throwing athlete. He has lectured at a DMC Sports Medicine Conference and Wayne State University. He has provided a continuing education course on The Functional Assessment, Rehabilitation and Training of the Overhead Throwing Athlete.