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.

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.

Shanice Bennett, MAT, LAT, ATC

Shanice completed her undergraduate degree in Physical Education with a concentration in Exercise and Sports Science at the University of South Carolina Upstate in 2014. She received her Master's degree in Athletic Training from Charleston Southern University in 2019. She is currently the athletic trainer for MUSC orthopedic spine surgery team. She enjoys spending time with her family, dogs and very active 3-year-old son.

Emma Murray-Shanks, ATC, SCAT

Emma completed her undergraduate degree in Athletic Training at Winthrop University in 2013. She currently serves at the Athletic Trainer to the Pediatric Orthopedic Team. In her free time, you may find relaxing at the beach or joining a hot yoga class.

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.

Emily Moore, MA, ATC, LAT

Emily completed her undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training at the University of South Carolina in 2018. She then received a Masters Degree in Health and Physical Education with emphasis in Exercise and Sport Administration from The University of North Carolina at Pembroke. She currently serves and the sole Athletic Trainer and Physician Extender for the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation department of Orthopedics. In her spare time, she loves getting dinner with her friends and playing with her dog, Winnie.

Faith Heyl, MS, ATC

Faith completed her undergraduate degree in exercise science at Auburn University in 2020. She attended The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga for her master’s degree in Athletic Training which she completed in 2022. She currently serves as the Athletic Trainer for the total joint arthroplasty team, specializing in knee and hip replacements. Outside of the clinic, Faith enjoys training for Ironman triathlon and going to the beach.