Faculty and Staff

Deanna Roberts, MS, ATC, SCAT

Program Director

Deanna completed her undergraduate degree in Athletic Training at James Madison University in 2010. She received a Masters Degree in Health Exercise and Sports Science from the Citadel Military College in 2012. She currently serves as the athletic trainer to the sports medicine team. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and children.

Michael Pullen, M.D.

Medical Director

Dr. Pullen is a board-certified, fellowship trained orthopaedic surgeon with a clinical focus in sports medicine. Prior to joining MUSC, Dr. Pullen served as an orthopaedic surgeon and Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy. He received is undergraduate degree from Christopher Newport University and his medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School. He went on to complete his residency training at naval medical Center Portsmouth.

Kailyn Baker MA, LAT, ATC

Kailyn graduated from University of Virginia in 2021 with a Bachelor’s in Kinesiology and in 2022 with a Master of Science in Athletic Training. Following graduation, she moved to Charleston to attend MUSC’s Athletic Training Residency in its inaugural year. After graduation from the residency program, she was hired to work with the Orthopaedic Oncology team as their Athletic Trainer. When she is not at work, she enjoys playing sand volleyball and cooking or baking.

Ciara Atkinson, MS, LAT, ATC, OTC

Ciara completed her Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training at the University of Alabama in 2016. She received a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology in 2018 from Baylor University. She currently serves as the Physician Extender for the Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery Department in both clinical and surgical capacities. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, yoga and spending time at the beach with her husband and dogs.

Missy Durante, PTA

Program Coordinator

Missy received her Physical Therapist Assistant degree in 2007 specializing in treating orthopaedic injuries and conditions earning the Advanced Proficiency in Orthopaedics award from the American Physical Therapy Association in 2014. She has served as an On-Site Reviewer for the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education and as a guest lecturer of Functional Anatomy and Therapeutic Exercise at Trident Technical College. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and dogs as well as competing in endurance cycling and triathlon events.