CORE Academy

Kacey Burrus PT, DPT attended Ohio State for Physical Therapy school with a specialization in Global Health and was involved with the student-run physical therapy pro bono clinic. After graduating from Ohio State in 2022, she moved to Richmond, Virginia and started working with Sheltering Arms Institute. She participated in the Neurologic Residency Program through VCU-Sheltering Arms Institute and is currently working with both neurologic and orthopedic clients at the Hanover outpatient clinic. Kacey enjoys working with these populations as it allows her to help patients with a variety of diagnoses and impairments. Kacey is also interested in pain neuroscience education and serve as the PNE Ambassador for the Hanover clinic.

Preeti Verma MS, PT, Certified Vestibular Specialist is an outpatient therapist at Sheltering Arms in Richmond, VA. Her Clinical practice is focused on treating patients with vestibular and balance disorders. She is one of the principal therapists involved in the development and implementation of the vestibular disorders program and in the writing of a clinical practice guideline for treatment of patients with vestibular and balance disorders. She is also considered a “VR Champion” for the use of the virtual reality based Virtualis system at Sheltering Arms to treat patients with vestibular disorders. Preeti has previously worked at HealthSouth Rehab Hospital in Richmond VA and in Morgantown WV as well as Virginia Commonwealth University Health Systems. She has also worked at WVU School of Physical Therapy, Morgantown, WV as an Adjunct Professor while teaching physical therapy students the “Rehabilitation” course with emphasis on Vestibular Disorders, Traumatic Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Injury. Preeti graduated with a BS in Physical Therapy from GS Medical College in Mumbai, India. She obtained her Advanced Masters in Physical Therapy from the Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia. She has attained her competency certification in “Vestibular Rehabilitation” through the APTA at Emory University Atlanta, Ga.

Alyssa Dillard MS, CCC-SLP, CBIS is a dedicated and compassionate Speech Language Pathologist with over a decade of experience in the field. Since 2017, Alyssa has been a part of Sheltering Arms Institute and providing comprehensive speech and language services, specializing and brain injury rehabilitation as a Certified Brain Injury Specialist, reflecting advanced knowledge and commitment to delivering high-quality care to individuals affected by brain injury. Alyssa earned a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from James Madison University in 2011, followed by a Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology in 2013. Throughout her career, Alyssa has worked with a diverse range of patients, helping them to achieve meaningful improvements in communication, cognition and quality of life, utilizing continued professional development and staying at the forefront of research and best practices in speech language pathology.