Directory

Andrea Criss, RN, MSN, is a clinical instructor at Marshall University School of Nursing. She completed her Master's of Science in Nursing with an area of emphasis in nursing education from Marshall University in 2008. During her master's program, she completed her thesis titled "The Effect of a Nurse-respiratory Therapist Weaning Protocol on the Duration of Mechanical Ventilation and the Incidence of Ventilator-associated Pneumonia." Her clinical nursing background is in Adult Intensive Care. She is certified in Trauma Nurse Core Course, Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support, and Advanced Burn Life Support. She is a member of Nu Alpha chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. She is teaching in the undergraduate nursing program as a senior level clinical instructor and as a First Year Seminar instructor. She also coordinates the senior practicum for the RN to BSN senior practicum. Currently Professor Criss is pursuing her PhD in nursing at the University of Nevada Las Vegas.

Barbie Adams is the administrative secretary for the Marshall University School of Nursing. She has worked in this position since May 2011; prior to this, Adams worked in the Bursars Office through Kelly Services. As administrative secretary, she is responsible for maintaining daily administrative operations for the MSN and BSN departments. Adams serves as the liaison between agencies, faculty and students.  She has her associate’s degree in business management through Huntington Junior College. Adams said she is always surprised by how much people don’t know about the university and loves to talk with students about the opportunities Marshall University has in store for them.

Beverly Anawalt Miller, MA, CCC-SLP, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Disorders in the College of Health Professions at Marshall University. Her graduate work was completed at Ohio University, and she has over 20 years of experience as a speech-language pathologist, specializing in the assessment and treatment of communication and swallowing disorders in adults with neurological, motor speech, and/or voice deficits. She teaches courses in anatomy/physiology of speech and hearing, neurogenic communication and swallowing disorders, and voice. Her research includes projects that cultivate an appreciation for research in both undergraduate and graduate students and that address voice therapy service provision. Professor Miller serves on the Board of Directors for Radical Rehab Solutions (transitional living program for survivors of traumatic brain injury) and is an active member of the departmental Community of Research Practice.

Carolyn Massie is the Pre-Health Freshman and Pre-Communication Disorders academic advisor for the College of Health Professions.  She received her Baccalaureate degree in Psychology with a minor in communications and an AA in social sciences from Ohio University.  She has over 10 years of experience working in the educational field including academic advising to new incoming freshmen and undecided students. During her time as an academic advisor she has planned and implemented several events for current and incoming freshman that included: new student orientation and the development of a revised student orientation; assisted with student recruitment efforts (Campus Days, New Student Orientation, Campus Tours, Community Outreach, Open House, etc.).   She also has experience in implementing campus-wide on and off-campus student activities including Welcome Week, Back to School Barbecue, Block Party, Game Night, Karaoke Night, American Red Cross, and various cultural events. She has also conducted and participated in several research projects regarding testosterone levels in females, Blackfork, and Attachment Styles in adults.

Craig Coleman is an assistant professor at Marshall University.  Craig is a Board-Recognized Specialist in Fluency Disorders.  Prior to joining the Marshall faculty, Craig spent over twelve years serving as Clinical Coordinator and Co-Director of the Stuttering Center at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.

Deanna R. Pope, DNP, RN, is an Associate Professor of Nursing at Marshall University School of Nursing. She is the director of the nursing program at the Mid-Ohio Valley Center (MOVC) located in Point Pleasant, WV and teaches courses and clinicals in the BSN and RN to BSN programs. She received her BSN from Mount Carmel College of Nursing in Columbus, Ohio, her MSN from University of Phoenix, and her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University. She is a member of Nu Alpha chapter and Rho Omicron chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. Dr. Pope is interested in research involving health promotion and disease prevention as well as nursing education.

Denise Landry, EdD, RN, is Department Chair and Professor of Nursing at Marshall University. She received her BSN and MSN from the University of Kentucky. In 1985 she came to Marshall University and participated in the development of the four-year BSN program as well as the MSN programs. Dr. Landry received her EdD from West Virginia University and her Post Masters Certificate from the Marshall University Family Nurse Practitioner Program.

Diana Skeans is the administrative secretary senior for the Marshall University School of Kinesiology. Since 2005, she has served as the liaison between the students and chair of the department as well as maintained coursework databases, financial operations and general administrative duties for the School of Kinesiology.

Prior to this position, Diana retired from Union Carbine in 2001 but soon discovered retirement did not suit her and chose to go back to work at Marshall in 2003. Since then, she has worked in several locations on campus including the Registrar’s Office, Autism Services and the College of Education.

            Skeans earned her Associate’s Degree in Applied Sciences with a focus in legal studies from Marshall University in 2012. Growing up as an army brat, Diana has always been interested in the efforts of our military veterans. She and her husband run the national veteran’s museum, POW MIA KIA, which contains memorabilia donated by various war veterans from across the U.S.

Diana R. Stotts, PhD, FNP-C, RN, is Professor of Nursing at Marshall University. She is director of the Graduate Nursing program and teaches classes in the family nurse practitioner program. She received her MSN from the University of Texas Health Center at San Antonio and her PhD from the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Stotts is interested in clinical research which involves effective ways to treat patients in a primary care setting.

Eric Arnold, PhD,  Associate Professor, who has 7 years of academic experience teaching in the Marshall University, School of Kinesiology, BS and MS academic programs in Exercise Science (Exercise Physiology concentration area), joined the School of Physical Therapy in January, 2012. Dr. Arnold earned his PhD in Sport Science/Exercise Physiology with a cognate area in Biology/Endocrinology in 2008 from Georgia State University. Since joining Marshall University, he completed additional research training and work with the Robert C. Byrd Biotechnology Science Center, Center for Diagnostic Nanosystems under the guidance of Eric R. Blough, Ph.D., (Associate Professor and Director)  in the area of Integrative Physiology learning and utilizing tools, such as tissue histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, protein assays, gel electrophoresis, performing animal surgery, and tissue processing for addressing research questions related to skeletal muscle plasticity (adaptations). Developing a strong relationship with the center's personnel will help forge significant research ties/interaction between the Physical Therapy Department faculty and students and the Center for Diagnostic Nanosystems.  Dr. Arnold also completed additional research training in learning and utilizing Gel Electrophoresis for separating Myosin Heavy and Light Chains in skeletal muscle at The Ohio State University, College of Dentistry, Department of Oral Biology, Muscle Biophysics Laboratory under the guidance of Peter J. Reiser, Ph.D., (Professor and Director).  Dr. Arnold has published two peer reviewed journal articles, coauthored two book chapters, six abstracts and had eleven peer reviewed presentations, and received 11 internal and external grants. His doctoral dissertation addressed research questions related to skeletal muscle plasticity in the Obese Zucker Rat (Leprfa) Plantaris muscle subjected to mechanical overload. His most recent area of research addressed the impact of mechanical overload on myosin light chain expression in the Obese Zucker Rat (Leprfa ) Plantaris and Soleus muscles, respectively. Consequently, in his future line of research, he plans to pursue the impact of resistance training on skeletal muscle plasticity at the molecular level in patients with type 2 diabetes. Dr. Arnold's background education in both exercise physiology and biological science, research, teaching and practical/clinical experience in exercise physiology, exercise testing and prescription, and human performance have prepared him well to teach the Advanced Clinical Physiology, Exercise Physiology and Therapeutic Rehabilitation as well as aspects of Medical Pathology within the DPT program.  He has successfully developed and taught advanced graduate level courses in Advanced Exercise Physiology (Cardiorespiratory, Metabolic, Neuromuscular and Environmental Adaptations), Cardiovascular Exercise Physiology, and Respiratory Exercise Physiology, all areas that are vitally important to be included at an advanced level in a physical therapy curriculum.  His students have consistently given him high marks on course evaluation scores and have commented on his enthusiasm in the classroom.

Gary Mcilvain, EdD, LAT/ATC, serves as the College of Health Professions Associate Dean of Student Affairs, School of Kinesiology Department Chair and Associate Professor at Marshall University. He received his Bachelors of Science from Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN, Masters of Science degree from Middle Tennessee State University and completed his Doctorate in Kinesiology and Health Promotion at the University of Kentucky. He started at Marshall in the fall of 1999 and has taught in the CAATE accredited athletic training education program serving as clinical coordinator and program director. Dr. Mcilvain's research interests are in injury prevention, specifically in regard to athletic injury prevention.

Girmay Berhie, Ph.D., MSW, MS-IS,is a tenured professor and the director of the Health Informatics Department at Marshall University.  Dr. Berhie received his Ph.D. in public policy and administration with a concentration in research methodology. He received his master’s of social work from Saint Louis University. Additionally Dr. Berhie has a master’s of science in information systems from Marshall University and took several courses such as biostatistics, principles of epidemiology, intermediate-biostatistics, regression analysis in public health research, applied multivariate methods courses from the John Hopkins University, School of Hygiene and Public Health: Graduate Program in Epidemiology, Baltimore, Maryland.  Berhie also specializes and lectures in the following areas: global health, program planning and evaluation, biostatistics, public health research, health service research, hospital information systems, health informatics and electronic health records (EHR).

Currently, as chair of the department of Health Informatics Advisory Group, he is directing his efforts towards the development of a first of its kind “West Virginia Health Informatics Innovation Center: The Center of Excellence in Health Innovation.” Berhie was the former Director of West Virginia Statistical Center and presently owns and is chair and CEO of “Sheba International, Inc.,” a consulting firm that conducts innovative research, evaluation, grant development, IT services and web development.

Dr. Berhie was a consultant and evaluator for Bluefield College Minority Health Institute on the development of proposal entitled “Establishing Exploratory NCMHD Research Centers of Excellence” and Project EXPORT Center of Excellence, funded by the National Center on Minority Health Disparities/National Institutes of Health (NIH)/NCMHD.

In the fall 2012, Dr. Berhie co-authored a book titled, “The multi-dimensional developmental evaluation model: a conceptual schema for evaluating developmental programs.”

Dr. Berhie’s research interests include quality improvement in the health care system, eHealth technology applications, health information systems interoperability and health information exchange. A list of Dr. Berhie’s research and grants can be found below.

Research & Grants

National Initiatives Model: As a former Director of West Virginia Statistical Center (WVSAC) he has successfully written and was awarded grant funding from the National Institute of Justice and National Institute of Health. He has served as Principal Investigator and Project Researcher and Evaluator for numerous other grant supported programs. In 1992, Berhie assisted in the development of a Title IV-E training grant that is still operational today at Marshall University.

Global Initiative Model: As an executive director of the non-profit organization, “International Medical & Academic Alliance (IMAA),” Berhie serves as active supporter of a “T team” for the Summit International Health Clinic (SIC) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In January 2009, the IMAA developed a partnership with the Florida Hospital Corporation.  Berhie applied to US-AID program for $3.5 million for the expansion of the Summit International Clinic into a specialized hospital and this project expansion is still under development. Currently, he is working on the development of a partnership with Mekelle University, Ethiopia to foster an innovative research agenda, exchange of faculty and students, etc. He plans to assist like-minded people in attracting federal, state, and private funds and making research a potent arm for the Health Informatics Department, both in the U.S. and abroad.

Gregg Twietmeyer, PhD, received his Master of Arts degree in Sport Management from the University of Michigan in 2003 and his doctorate from the Pennsylvania State University in 2008. While at Penn State, he studied under Dr. R. Scott Kretchmar, one of the leading sport philosophers in the world. Before returning to graduate school Dr. Twietmeyer worked in various capacities in the world of sport including sports information, sports camps, high school coaching, web-design, and graphic arts. He came to Marshall University in January of 2008 and teaches sport philosophy, sport history, and sport sociology at the graduate and undergraduate level. Dr. Twietmeyer's research interests are the nature of play, sports ethics, the history and philosophy of kinesiology, the mind/body problem, sport and religion. In 2010 he was awarded Marshall University Junior Faculty Distinguished Artists and Scholars Award (DASA) for Excellence in Scholarship and the College of Education and Human Services Dr. Dorothy Dot-Hicks Annual Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Jana A. Hovland, MS, RD, LD, is Assistant Professor of Dietetics and Director of the Didactic Program in Dietetics at Marshall University. She completed her Dietetic Internship at Virginia Tech, received her Master of Science in Nutrition from East Carolina University, and is currently pursuing a Doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Ohio University. Her dissertation research focuses on the impact of the FoodMASTER Intermediate (3rd-5th grade) curriculum on students' nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Her primary interests are nutrition education, childhood obesity, and local food systems. She has experience as a clinical dietitian, nutrition education curriculum developer, and Associate Director of the FoodMASTER Initiative.  Professor Hovland is involved with evaluating Marshall's Nutrition Education Program.

Jarrod Schenewark, MA, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Sports Management and Marketing in the School of Kinesiology at Marshall University. He earned a Master of Arts (Human Biodynamics) from the University of California, Berkeley. While at Berkeley he worked with Dr. Roberta Park and focused on the history of exercise science and sport. In August of 2003 he entered the Graduate School of the University of Texas. While at Texas he has twice been awarded the Alderson Graduate Instructor Award. Professionally, he has spent six years working as a collegiate football coach at all levels of the NCAA, and has spent an additional five years as head coach of high school track and field and boys and girls volleyball. He worked as an instructor or graduate instructor of basketball, golf, racquetball, weight lifting, and aerobic fitness at Texas, California, and Eastern New Mexico University. Currently he teaches sport law, sport history, facility management, and sport organization and administration. Dr. Schenewark's research interests are work-family conflict and enrichment among sport professionals, development of coaches, and the history of health, human performance, and fitness

Jeanne Widener, Ph.D., RN, CCRN is an associate professor at the Marshall University School of Nursing. Since 2010, Dr. Widener has been responsible for teaching the courses NUR 323 “Nursing Human Responses III” and NUR 324, “Nursing Human Responses IV” (Junior level Medical-Surgical nursing). She is a registered nurse in the states of Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia and has been a critical care registered nurse (CCRN) since 1979. Dr. Widener received her BSN from East Tennessee State University in 1980, her MSN from Vanderbilt University in 1983 and her Ph.D. in nursing with a focus in psychophysiology from The Ohio State University in 2008. When she was working on her Ph.D., Dr. Widener worked as a research assistant at OSU with heart failure human and animal research. In 2011, Dr. Widener published her research on peripheral arterial disease and disability in the Journal of Vascular Nursing.

Dr. Widener is the Phi Gamma Chapter Leadership Succession Chair for Sigma Theta Tau International Society. She is also a member of the National League of Nurses, the American Diabetic Association, the Nurses Christian Fellowship, the American Association of Critical Care Nurses and serves as advisor for the Student Nurse Association of Marshall University. She previously taught nursing at Eastern Kentucky University and Kentucky Christian University. As an educator, Dr. Widener loves seeing those moments of understanding in a student after what she’s been teaching starts to make sense, making it all worthwhile.

Jennifer Baker, MA, CCC-SLP, is a clinical faculty member in the Department of Communication Disorders at Marshall University. She received her master’s degree in speech-language pathology from Miami University in 2007 and has practiced as a pediatric speech-language pathologist in outpatient rehab, public schools, and early intervention settings since that time.  Her clinical interests include parent education and pediatric language disorders associated with hearing loss, autism spectrum disorders, and developmental delays. At Marshall, she provides intervention for children with hearing loss in the Luke Lee Listening, Language, and Learning Lab, supervises graduate student practicum, and provides services through the West Virginia Birth to Three Program.

Dr. Jennifer Y. Mak, is a Full Professor and Director of Sport Management at Marshall University. Mak received her M.S. and Ph.D. from Indiana University, an MBA from Marshall University and B.A. (hons) with 1^st honor from Hong Kong Baptist University. She has been at Marshall since August 2000.

As a prolific researcher, Dr. Mak has over 50 refereed publications in highly respected and recognized journals and book chapters. She has delivered close to 100 scholarly keynote presentations around the world. Qualitatively, her research interests center on applied behavioral science with focuses in consumer behaviors, marketing management and organizational behavior in the sport and leisure industry.

In addition to her scholarly activities, Dr. Mak has served as a reviewer and editorial board member in respected and recognized journals such as Journal of Applied Marketing Theory, International Journal of Sport Management and Marketing, Sport Management Education Journal, and Event Management: an International Journal, etc.

In recognition of her scholarship and professional contributions, she has received a number of prestigious academic awards. Some of these awards include: the Marshall University Distinguished Artists & Scholars Award; the Best Paper Award from the Association of Marketing Theory and Practice; the Mabel Lee Award, which is awarded annually to the outstanding young professor in the nation by the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD); the Ray O. Duncan Award, which is the highest honor of the West Virginia Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance in recognition of long and distinguished service to a leader who exemplifies the best in service, research, teaching and administration. In addition,Dr. Mak was recognized as an AAHPERD Research Consortium Fellow and the induction announcement was published in the Chronicle of Higher Education. Moreover, she was named as a University Fellow from Hong Kong Baptist University, an honor for which only limited internationally renowned scholars.

In 2013, Dr. Mak was named the No. 1 leading contributor to Research Consortium in the discipline of Leisure and Recreation between 1992 – 2011, according to the Measurement in Physical Education and Exercise Science Journal. 

Jennifer Perry, MS, BSMT (ASCP), is Department Chair and Associate Professor of Clinical Laboratory Sciences at Marshall University. She joined the faculty in August 2005.  She received her Associate Degree in Applied Science in Medical Laboratory Technology, her Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology, and her Master of Science in Health Care Administration from Marshall University. During her tenure at Marshall University, she has taught a variety of courses in the CLS program and coordinated and implemented the online Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Laboratory Science, for which she designed many of the courses. Currently, she is pursuing a Doctorate degree in Educational Leadership, and is in the dissertation phase with research dealing with quality issues of online degree programs. Prior to coming to Marshall, Professor Perry spent twelve years in hospital clinical laboratories where she served as a supervisor in the Chemistry and Hematology sections. In her supervisory role, she was responsible for the clinical education of CLS students from Marshall University and Southern West Virginia Community College. She currently teaches Clinical Biochemistry (CLS 200), Laboratory Management and Education (CLS 460), Laboratory Instrumentation (CLS 464), and Seminar in Laboratory Medicine (CLS 499). She is also the Clinical Coordinator for MLS clinical experiences (CLS 472 and 473). 

Jessica Billups-Leighty began her service at Marshall University in 2004, joining the Student Services Staff at the College of Health Professions in 2005.  She has been advising Pre-Health students interested in all COHP majors since that time.  Currently, she works with Sophomore-Senior students in Pre-Health, Public Health, and Health Science programs.  Mrs. Leighty developed the Living Learning Community for the COHP in conjunction with The Department of Residence Services and takes an active role in the programming within the halls.  She is involved with new student recruitment and participates in various University events such as Freshman Orientation, Week of Welcome, and Green & White Days.  She has an Associate Degree in Business Management from Coastal Carolina, and a Regents Bachelor of Arts with a Minor in Communications Studies from Marshall University.

Jessica Maynard, RN, MSN, is a clinical instructor at the Marshall University School of Nursing. Since 2011, Maynard has taught clinical in the area of community and medical-surgical nursing to sophomore and junior students at the VA Medical Center in Huntington. She was a preceptor for students in the Senior Practicum for the School of Nursing and worked as adjunct faculty while working toward her degree at Marshall. Professor Maynard earned her BSN from Morehead State University in 2005, her MSN in Nursing Education from Marshall University in 2011 and is currently pursuing her doctorate in Nursing Leadership.

Prior to her position at Marshall, Maynard worked as an RN at Kings Daughters Medical Center in the Cardiovascular and Intensive Care Unit (2005-2008) and at Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital (2008 to present). Professor Maynard has a clinical background in Medical-Surgical and Cardiovascular Critical Care as well as emergency room experience.  She completed a Cardiovascular Critical Care fellowship for nurses at King’s Daughters Medical Center in September 2006. Professor Maynard has several research interests including alternative therapies in ICU psychosis, high-fidelity simulation and factors that influence clinical reasoning skills. She is a member of the National League for Nursing and Secretary of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

As a young girl growing up in Greenup, Ky., Jessica said a tragic event in her family shaped the way she felt about the medical field and helped her to realize how important it is to be compassionate and motivated as a medical professional.

Jo Dee Gottlieb, MSW, LCSW, is a Professor in the Social Work Department at Marshall University. She earned her MSW at University of Pittsburgh and has been a licensed social worker for over 30 years. Her practice experience includes work in mental health, family preservation, children's services, and medical social work. She has directed grants related to curriculum development on older adulthood, disabilities, and child welfare. She is primary investigator for the Title IVE Child Welfare project and provides training to potential and current foster/adoptive parents as well as training on a variety of topics to child welfare workers. Currently, she serves as a commissioner on the Council on Social Work Education and on the board of directors for TEAM for WV Children. She has served on the Baccalaureate Program Directors board as well as on many national, state, and community agency committees. She has published a chapter in a Case Study's textbook related to Appalachian culture and has published in the area of curriculum development. She teaches Social Work Practice I & II, Human Behavior and the Social Environment, and a variety of other topical courses.

Jodi Cottrell, Au.D., CCC-A, is the program director of The Luke Lee Listening, Language and Learning Lab (The “L”) at Marshall University in the Department of Communication Disorders. The “L” a program which focuses on teaching listening and spoken language to hearing impaired children. She received her Master of Science degree in Audiology at West Virginia University and her Clinical Doctorate of Audiology through Salus University. In July of 2008, Dr. Cottrell became the program director and classroom teacher at The “L” where she provides auditory verbal education services to the students in the preschool program and in the parent infant program, as well as audiological services including hearing aid programming, cochlear implant mapping, and pediatric audiological evaluations. Prior to her position at Marshall she was the Director of Audiology at River Cities Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialists, PLLC for 8 years.  Currently Dr. Cottrell is participating in a mentorship program to become a certified Listening and Spoken Language Specialist through the Alexander Graham Bell Academy (Cert. LSLS AVEd).  

Johnna Gaunch is the teaching assistant in The Luke Lee Listening, Language and Learning Lab (The “L”) at Marshall University in the Department of Communication Disorders. The “L” is a program which focuses on teaching listening and spoken language to hearing impaired children. She received her B.A. in Communication Disorders from Marshall University. 

Jonathan Brown serves as director of instructional technology in the Marshall University College of Health Professions. Since 1984, Brown has worked as the instructional technologist responsible for maintaining operations of faculty computer equipment, distance learning equipment and the nursing learning lab. Prior to 1984, Brown was communication director with the state department of labor in Charleston, W.Va.  He received his B.A. in English from Marshall University and his M.A. in Instructional Technology, also from Marshall University. Brown came back to Marshall for graduate school in 1982 and was assigned a graduate assistance position in the instructional technology department and has been there ever since.  Brown said he enjoys working in a university setting where there are new ideas and change happening every day. He is currently a member of the Elks Post 313 and the Mason Huntington Lodge 53.

Joy Cline, RN, is an Associate Professor of Nursing at Marshall University’s School of Nursing.  Since 2002, Professor Cline has been responsible for teaching the courses: NUR 221, NUR 222, NUR 418 and NUR 419. Prior to her education career at Marshall, Professor Cline worked as an RN manager and nurse executive in acute care hospitals for 36 years. She earned her RN Diploma from Charleston General Hospital School of Nursing, her BSN from Marshall University and her MSN from Bellarmine University. She is currently completing her Ed.D. in Nursing from Marshall University. Professor Cline is a member of the University Faculty Personnel Committee, College Promotion and Tenure Committee (P&T), Nursing Division P&T Committee and the Nursing Division Undergraduate Academic Planning Committee (UGAPS). Professor Cline said she enjoys the dynamic environment of working at a university and looks forward to helping create a nursing simulation laboratory on Marshall’s campus.

Karen L. McComas, EdD, earned a BA (1977) and MA (1978) in Speech Pathology and Audiology at Marshall University. She worked as a speech-language pathologist in the public school systems of Carter County, Kentucky, and Lincoln County, West Virginia, from 1978-1986. She joined the faculty of Marshall University in August of 1986, teaching and supervising in the undergraduate and graduate programs.  In 2011, she earned a doctoral degree, majoring in Curriculum and Instruction with an area of emphasis in social inquiry.  Dr. McComas's teaching areas include research methods, phonological disorders, and fluency disorders. Her research interests include investigations into the development of research identities in women and an ethnographic study of a community of research practice.

Karen McNealy serves as Chair of the Department of Communication Disorders and Program Director. She holds an undergraduate degree in Speech and Hearing from Marshall University, a master’s degree in Audiology from the University of Tennessee and she completed her doctoral degree in Audiology at Salus University. She teaches courses in audiology, aural rehabilitation and speech science. Dr. McNealy has an interest in program development which supports the clinical education of students while serving community needs. She is actively involved with the Scottish Rite Speech Language Program at Marshall, The Luke Lee Listening, Language and Learning Lab at Marshall, and a new program the Pat and Dolly Oshel Parent Education Program all which are housed in the Marshall University Speech and Hearing Center.

Kelli J. Williams, PhD, RD, LD, is Department Chair and Associate Professor of Dietetics at Marshall University. She received her doctorate degree from The Ohio State University and has worked in various settings as a dietitian. Her primary interests are in health promotion/disease prevention and obesity. She has conducted research on food availability for rural elderly, perceptions of healthy diet and weight among Appalachian adolescents, and the impact of nutrition education in schools. Currently, Dr. Williams is involved with Marshall's Nutrition Education Program and serves as the grant's principal investigator. 

Kelly Harlow, MA, CCC-SLP, is an Assistant Professor in the Communication Disorders Department in the College of Health Professions at Marshall University. She is a member of American Speech and Hearing Association and a member of West Virginia Speech and Hearing Association. She serves on the Autism Training Board for the state of West Virginia. She has worked in the field of communication disorders in a variety of settings for over 20 years before coming to Marshall University. Her past experiences have included hospitals, long term care facilities, home-health, pre-school settings, and outpatient clinics. It was during her clinical work that she became interested in the disorder of autism. Her interest grew and naturally evolved to a specialized expertise in the autistic child. She also has expertise in the areas of child speech and language disorders and pediatric dysphagia. Her duties at Marshall have included teaching and advising as well the clinical teaching of Marshall’s graduate clinicians within the university’s speech and hearing clinic. She teaches classes at the graduate and undergraduate level concentrating on phonetics, developmental speech and language disorders, augmentative/alternative communication, and pediatric dysphagia. She has been a member of one of the tri-state’s first multidisciplinary clinics for the diagnosis of autism. She conducts a pragmatic group at Marshall University for children and adolescents who have social communication issues. Her scholarly efforts include studies in the area of augmentative and alternative communication strategies and autism. Professor Harlow also serves on the West Virginia Autism Training Center Board.

Klara Kovacs, BSN, MSN, RN, CM, is Clinical Faculty in the Marshall University School of Nursing. Since 2009, she has been course coordinator for obstetrical NUR 321 and responsible for clinical in NUR 319 Lab and NUR 321. Prior to her position at Marshall, Kovacs was employed by the United Health Professionals (2002-2008) and the Riverside OB GYN (1997-2002). She received her Bachelor’s of Music from Westminster College in Pa. (1971), her Diploma in Nursing from Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing in Evansville, Ind. (1987), BSN (1990) and MSN (1994) from Marshall University and her certificate in midwifery from Frontier Nursing in Hyden, Ky. (1997). Kovacs is a registered nurse in the state of West Virginia and faculty advisor for the Nurses Christian Fellowship.

As a certified nurse and midwife, Kovacs delivered over 1100 babies in her lifetime. As an educator, Kovacs said teaching her students is like watching a birth for the first time; it’s amazing to watch them learn, grow and develop into nursing professionals.

Lacee Carmon-Johnson, M.Ed., received her Master of Education degree in Kinesiology from Stephen F. Austin State University in 2010 and is currently pursuing her doctorate specializing in Athletic Administration from North Central University (expected graduation spring 2013).  Professionally, she has spent three years working as a collegiate track and field coach at the Division I and III levels of the NCAA. She is a level I USATF certified coach.   She has also worked as a teaching fellow at Smith College as an instructor of Applied Exercise Science, Resistance Training for Women, and Physical Conditioning.  In addition, she has worked as an Adult Education Instructor at the Nacogdoches Adult Learning Center Angelina College.

Laura Walker is the program assistant for the School of Physical Therapy at Marshall University. She came to Marshall full-time in 1997 with a bachelor of art’s degree in english literature from Marshall University. Within the School of Physical Therapy, she serves as the fiscal manager of departmental budgets, handles all purchases, accounts payables and receivables and oversees and coordinates shipping and receiving of goods and equipment. Walker is also responsible for maintaining all student records, class schedule entry, student registration, managing all personnel records and procedures as well as providing administrative support for the community, faculty, students and to Dr. Penny Kroll, chair of the School of Physical Therapy.

Loukia Zikkos Dixon, M.A., CCC-S, received her Master of Arts degree in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology from Marshall University. In subsequent years, she worked as a speech language pathologist at the Geiger Easter Seal Speech and Hearing Center in Ashland, Kentucky where she served a variety of clients in evaluation and treatment ranging in ages from infancy to geriatrics, in settings such as outpatient clinic, acute care/rehabilitation, long term care facilities, Head Start, elementary, middle, and high school, and home health services. Her experiences branched out to clinical supervision of graduate clinicians as well as clinical fellows. Her ties with Marshall University continued to strengthen as she served many roles between 1994 and 2003 as an adjunct clinical supervisor, temporary full-time assistant professor, and service provider to an area Head Start. In August of 2003, Mrs. Dixon took a full time teaching position in the Marshall University Department of Communication Disorders, where she currently teaches undergraduate courses in diagnostic processes, phonetics, and observation lab. She provides clinical education to graduate students in the Marshall University Speech and Hearing Center. In addition to academic and clinical teaching, she is one of the speech language pathologists in the “Luke Lee Listening, Language, and Learning Lab,” a program, which focuses on teaching listening and spoken language to hearing impaired children and she has contributed to the reestablishment of a clinical practicum site in “the L” in the spring semester of 2010. Professor Dixon has 22 years of experience in the field of communication disorders and received tenure status in April of 2010. 

Lynda F. Turner, Ed.D., MSN, RN, ACNS-BC, is an Associate Professor at Marshall University School of Nursing.  She completed her Bachelor of Science with a major in nursing at Olivet Nazarene University in Kankakee, Illinois, in 1978.  She earned her Masters in Nursing at West Virginia University in 1984 after completing her thesis called 'A Self Care Client Educational Program for Elderly Clients in an Appalachian Community.'  

Marilyn Fox is the Director of Student Services for the College of Health Professions.  She is responsible for the three advisors who with Ms. Fox are members of the Student Services team.  Students in the St. Mary’s Center for Education Cooperative programs (Associate Nursing, Medical Imaging and Respiratory Care) are Ms. Fox’s responsibility.  She works with these students from admission through graduation.  Administrative functions including preparing graduation lists, reviewing records of students on academic probation and suspension. 

Marilyn has a Master’s of Business Administration from Marshall and over thirty years’ experience working with health professions students. 

Mary Kathryn Gould, EdD, RD, LD, is an Associate Professor of Dietetics and Dietetic Internship Director at Marshall University. She completed her dietetic internship at University Hospitals of Cleveland and received her master's degree in Human Nutrition from Case Western Reserve University and her doctorate degree in Leadership Studies from Marshall University. Before her career as an educator, she worked as a dietitian in the community, acute care, and long-term care settings. Her primary interests are in clinical nutrition and nutrition education. She has conducted research on preceptor training programs for supervised practice as well as weight perceptions of adolescents in an afterschool program. In addition, Dr. Gould has developed and presented nutrition education programs for employees of local and state businesses in the Tri-state area.

Michael Prewitt, PhD, RRT, has a doctorate degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He is also a Fellow in the American College of Chest Physicians. Currently, Dr. Prewitt serves as Dean of the College of Health Professions at Marshall University. He served as Associate Vice Provost, Vice Provost of Undergraduate Studies, and Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs in the School of Health Professions at the University of Missouri-Columbia. As Associate Dean, he coordinated student support services, developed and implemented strategic enrollment plans, facilitated academic program planning and development, faculty development, program assessment, and monitored distance education. In addition he was Chair of the Department of Cardiopulmonary and Diagnostic Sciences and was instrumental in developing the Missouri Mobile Health project. He was the principal investigator of a grant entitled "Innovative Curriculum Design in Allied Health Education" funded by Health Resources and Services Administration, Bureau of Health Professions. He was co-principal investigator of a Rural Community Asthma-Environmental Control Training Project funded by the Missouri Foundation for Health-Services Improvement Initiative. He has conducted numerous workshops and community training events on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma education for public school teachers. He served as President of the Missouri Rural Health Association. 

Muhammad Amjad, Ph.D., SM (ASCP), is an Associate Professor of Clinical Laboratory Sciences at Marshall University; he joined the faculty in August 2009. He earned a Master of Science in Microbiology in 1991 and a PhD in Microbiology in 1998 from the University of Karachi, Pakistan. He has experience in the clinical laboratory and earned a Specialty Certification in Microbiology through ASCP in 2003 and a Diplomat of American Board of Microbiology through the American Academy of Microbiology in 2009. Prior to coming to Marshall University, Dr. Amjad was an Assistant Professor and an active research in the Clinical Laboratory Sciences Department and School of Medicine at Wayne State University, in Detroit, Michigan.  He currently teaches Medical Laboratory Terminology (CLS 105), Clinical Microbiology (CLS 220), Advanced Clinical Chemistry (CLS 400), Advanced Clinical Microbiology (CLS 420), Clinical Immunology and Molecular Diagnostics (CLS 310), and Senior Research/Capstone (CLS 468).

Nancy Elkins, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN, is an assistant professor at Marshall University School of Nursing. She is the course coordinator for the NUR 322 Nursing and Human Responses II and provides clinical experiences for students in the undergraduate program. She received her ASN from University of Kentucky in 1999, BSN from Ohio University in 2003 and her MSN from Walden University in 2008 with an emphasis in nursing education. She has completed her doctorate degree courses in higher education, also from Walden University. Professor Elkins is currently finishing her dissertation research, which focuses on academic variables and the HESI exams as predictors of completing the baccalaureate nursing program and passing the NCLEX-RN exam. Her primary research interests include student retention, health promotion practices, prevention of diabetes and the use of technology in nursing education. She is a member of the West Virginia League for Nursing, the American Nurses Association and the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. Professor Elkins said she loves interacting with her students and helping them discover their potential in the field of nursing.

Nancy Heffernan is the Administrative Associate for the Department of Communication Disorders.  She came to Marshall in 1998 with ten years of extensive experience in medical office management as well as insurance coding and billing. Within the Marshall University Speech and Hearing Center (MUSHC) she serves as the patient account liaison which includes patient scheduling, financial counseling, billing and collections. She provides oversight in medical office procedures, policies and guidelines as well as ensuring that all HIPAA guidelines adhered to. In addition, Nancy acts as the fiscal manager for the Department of Communication Disorders.  

Neil A. Evans, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS, Assistant Professor, received his degree in Biological Sciences from Ohio University and his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Slippery Rock University.  His primary clinical, research and teaching focus is in the area of anatomy, kinesiology, and the identification and intervention of postural imbalances and movement dysfunction.  He received his Orthopedic Clinical Specialist certification in May of 2009 from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties, and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

Pamela Holland, MA, is an Assistant Professor and currently serves as Director of Clinical Education in the Department of Communication Disorders in the College of Health Professions at Marshall University. She has a master’s degree from Marshall University. She coordinates graduate clinical placements within the community and facilitates clinical educational opportunities for speech-language pathologists in the Tri-State area. She teaches courses which encompass service learning pedagogical strategies. Professor Holland was named Volunteer of the Year in 2006 by Huntington’s City Mission and was the recipient of the Pickens-Queen Teacher Award in 2007. She was the first speech-language pathologist for the Scottish Rite Childhood Speech and Language program, an entity within the Marshall University Speech and Hearing Center. Her clinical expertise is childhood speech, language and feeding disorders and currently she provides services for the West Virginia Birth to Three Program whereby development is fostered within children’s natural environment.  She served on the West Virginia Interagency Coordinating Council and presently serves on the West Virginia Speech-Language Hearing Association Board as the Marshall University representative. Professor Holland was appointed the Director of the Service Learning Program at Marshall.

Pamela Meadows, MT (ASCP),is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Laboratory Sciences at Marshall University Professor Meadows joined the MU faculty in August 2012. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology in 1999, and will graduate with her Master of Science in Health Care Administration in December 2012.  Professor Meadows has fifteen years of experience in the clinical laboratory, and still works part time as a technologist at CAMC.  She currently holds the rank of Assistant Professor and teaches CLS 230, Clinical Hematology, CLS 410, Advanced Immunohematology, CLS 430, Advanced Hematology, CLS 210 Clinical Immunohematology, CLS 255 Clinical Laboratory Problems, CLS 466, Diagnostic Physiology, and coordinator for MLT clinical experiences (CLS 270, 271, 272, and 273).  

Penny Kroll, Ph.D., is the director and chair of the School of Physical Therapy at Marshall University. Dr. Kroll received her B.S. in Physical Therapy from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in 1975 and her M.A. (1982) and Ph.D. (1988) degrees in Physical Therapy from New York University.   She lived and worked in New York City from 1975-1991, four years of which she served as a 1^st Lieutenant in the United States Public Health Service. After leaving the service, she held staff and supervisory positions in a number of orthopedic settings including the position of Director of Rehabilitation at the Hospital for Joint Disease. During that time, she also held positions as an adjunct or full-time faculty member at New York University, Long Island University, Ithaca College-Bronx Campus, and Hunter College.In 1991, she took a full-time faculty position at the University of Miami in Miami, Fla., and remained in that position until 2003 when she became Department Chair of the Physical Therapy Department at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. In that position, she was responsible for management of 11 full-time, and numerous adjunct faculty members, and approximately 145 entry-level and transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students.  In 2007, Dr. Kroll served as Academic Physical Therapy Department Head at LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, as well as Coordinator/Overseer of the physical therapy clinical services aspect of the LSU System Health Care Services Division Contracts.  In August 2010, she was hired to develop the new Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Marshall University, which achieved candidacy for accreditation and admitted its inaugural DPT degree class in May 2012.    

Dr. Kroll’s clinical focus has been inpatient and outpatient orthopedics; although, she has taught in a number of subject areas, her teaching focus has been primarily in the movement sciences, specifically kinesiology and biomechanics.  Her research interests have been in measurement methods in physical therapy. Dr. Kroll has a strong interest in interdisciplinary education and training, which can be seen through her participation in various venues in which interdisciplinary curriculum design and content were developed. This interest in interdisciplinary education is also evident in her work as co-investigator at Thomas Jefferson University when she attained a U.S. Department of Education training grant to provide interdisciplinary training to entry-level physical and occupational therapy students in the area of early intervention in pediatrics. As an American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) member since 1974, Dr. Kroll has served in various leadership positions in state and national American Physical Therapy Associations.

Phillip W. Carter, MSW, is a Professor of Social Work for the Marshall University College of Health Professions.  Since 1980, Professor Carter has been responsible for teaching and developing coursework in the areas of social welfare in Appalachia, human behavior in social work, social welfare legislation and various other culturally and politically focused social work courses on Marshall’s campus. At one time, Professor Carter coordinated the only NAACP course taught on any campus in the U.S.  His accomplishments in his role as chairperson of the Social Work Department led him to receive tenure after 20 years of the program’s existence and become the first social work professor to do so at Marshall University. He is also responsible for establishing an Africana social work minor and instituted approximately 60 Afrocentric courses from 1985-2008. Prior to his tenure at Marshall, Professor Carter was the executive director for the Ford Foundation’s Congress of Racial Equality in Cleveland, Ohio. He was also an instructor for the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh from 1970-1979.

            Professor Carter earned his ­­B.A. in political science from Marshall University and his master’s of social work from the University of Pittsburgh. He completed his doctoral work in the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, also through the University of Pittsburgh.  

Since 1996, Professor Carter has been the executive secretary and co-founder of Black Legends, an organization of former black athletes at Marshall University. He established the Black Legends Marshall University Hall of Fame, which identified and recognized 100 recipients.  In 2007, Carter was nominated by West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Starcher to play the role of bailiff in the state presentation of the play “J.R. Clifford and the Carrie Williams Case.” Professor Carter is also the founder of the first undergraduate and graduate chapters of Kappa Alpha Psi Black Greek fraternity on Marshall’s campus.

In addition to his numerous services to the university, Professor Carter was the first Martin Luther King “Living the Dream” award recipient in 1986. In 1993, he was recognized as an outstanding African American basketball player at Marshall University in Arthur R. Ashe, Jr.’s book, “A Hard Road to Glory: Basketball.” At the end of the millennium in 1999, Professor Carter was selected by The Herald-Dispatch as one of the “50 Top Influential Leaders in the Tri-State for the 20^th century.”  Today he is extremely appreciative and humbled for the nomination by hall of famer and good friend, Frank Beech, to the 2011 West Virginia All Black School Sports and Academic Hall of Fame for his highest honor as a “Lifetime Achievement Award” winner.

Professor Carter is currently finishing his first book and hopes to raise the level of cultural and political consciousness of those who will read it. When asked why he chose social work as a lifelong endeavor, he said he it was for three simple reasons: To care, to counsel and to change.

Rebecca S. Appleton, Ph.D., MS, RN is a professor at the Marshall University School of Nursing.  She has been teaching at Marshall since 1996.  Dr. Appleton currently serves as coordinator of the MSN education program and teaches MSN core classes. Originally from Portsmouth, Ohio, Dr. Appleton completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio and a Master of Science degree with a major in Nursing at The Ohio State University, after completing her thesis called ‘A Secondary Analysis of First Time Fathers.’  Her primary mentors were Dr. Edna Menke and Dr. Nancy Ryan.  

  In 1995, she earned her Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Utah after defending her dissertation entitled “Validity of Pulse Oximetry during Ventilator Weaning of Adult Open Heart Surgery Patients.” Dr. Appleton’s primary mentors were Dr. Ann Voda and Dr. Sue Huether.  She has taught nursing at The Ohio State University, Ohio Wesleyan University, the University of Utah and Westminster University in SLC, Utah.                                     

She has taught undergraduate classes between 1996 and 2010 and they were: Nursing Fundamentals I and II for 14 years, delivering didactic and clinical content while serving as course coordinator; Junior Medical-Surgical Nursing I; Pharmacology; Nursing Management; as well as Evidence-Base Practice in Nursing.   In 2010, she began teaching graduate classes and managing the MSN Nursing Education Track.   She has received several teaching and research awards including Fabulous Faculty and Gamma Beta Phi Professor given by undergraduate students at Marshall as well a two summer research awards and an INCO grant given by Marshall University.                                                                                                                                  

She has served on many university and professional committees: Library, MUDASA, Faculty Senate, University Functions, P & T, and Curriculum. She has been a member of Sigma Theta Tau International since 1985, and serves as the current president of NU Alpha Chapter.  She has also served as treasurer, historian and counselor for NU Alpha.  She holds memberships in the National League for Nursing and Phi Kappa Phi. Dr. Appleton’s current research interests are in the area of evidence-based practice in which she is currently working collaboratively on a project with nurses at Cabell Huntington Hospital called, “Beliefs of Registered Nurses in Central Appalachia Regarding the use of Evidence-Based Practice.”

Robin Walton, Ed.D., MSN, BSN, FNP, is a professor of nursing at the Marshall University School of Nursing. She serves as coordinator for nursing administration with an area of emphasis in the MSN program. Dr. Walton came to Marshall in 1990 and has worked for the School of Nursing for the past 23 years. Prior to her tenure at Marshall, Walton worked in staff development for Mildred Mitchell Bateman Hospital and served as director of nursing for Huntington Hospice. She received her doctorate in leadership studies from Marshall in 2002. In 1990, she received her MSN from Bellarmine University in Louisville, Ky., and received her BSN from Marshall in 1987.  Walton received her Post Masters Certificate from the Marshall University Family Nurse Practitioner Program. She is currently president of the West Virginia Board of Examiners of Professional Registered Nurses, a member of the West Virginia Nurses Association and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

Sandra Kemper, M.S. CCC-SLP, is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication Disorders at Marshall University. She received her master's degree in speech-language pathology from Fort Hays State University in 2003. Since that time, she has provided speech-language therapy services across the age span and in a variety of settings. Her expertise areas include autism, augmentative and alternative communication strategies, and pediatric speech and language disorders. She currently teaches undergraduate courses focusing on developmental speech disorders and student teaching experiences. 

Sandra K. Prunty, Ph.D., RN has been teaching in the Marshall University School of Nursing since fall 2005. Dr. Prunty teaches in the undergraduate nursing program and is coordinator of the RN to BSN Program. She was a member of the first MSN degree class at Marshall University and completed her MSN degree with an emphasis on the Family Nurse Practitioner in 1992. She received her Ph.D. in Nursing in 1999 from the University of Kentucky.  Her doctoral research was entitled “Symptoms of Myocardial Infarction by Sex and Gender Identity.” Since 2008, Dr. Prunty has served as primary investigator for a research initiative related to obesity in children, which focuses on “body mass index percentile, body image perception, and learning about ways to have a healthy body” in children participating in an after school program. This research was presented alongside her co-investigator, Dr. Mary Catherine Gould, at several international, national, and regional conferences. Dr. Prunty also has a research interest in beliefs and use of evidence based practice. Dr. Prunty is a member of Sigma Theta Tau, International Honor Society of Nursing and has served on the Marshall University Faculty Senate since 2006. She has also been actively involved in the West Virginia League of Nursing, serving as board member and treasurer.

Sharon Peters has been at Marshall University for the last 17 years, first working in the Office of Records and Research, then in the MU Alumni Office. In 2003 she became part of the College of Health Professions, serving as Records Officer for the next 3 years. She joined the Office of Student Services in 2006, continuing to perform duties in record maintenance while also advising students, conducting junior and senior reviews and overseeing graduation for the College. A regard for the success and well-being of students prompted her decision to become advisor to the School of Kinesiology in 2010, a special challenge because the school had just been incorporated into the COHP. She now advises students in Athletic Training, Exercise Science and Sport Management and Marketing. She finds advising kinesiology students especially rewarding, primarily because they are so diverse and motivated by such a wide range of career objectives. Ms. Peters is also involved in a number of student service activities including Freshman Orientation, Green & White Days and on-site recruiting. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy with minors in English, German and Ancient Greek from Marshall University.

Sue Linnenkohl, PhD, RD, LD is a registered dietitian, a licensed dietitian with the state of West Virginia, and a member of The American Dietetic Association. She is also a member of Phi Upsilon Omicron and Kappa Omicron Nu, national honoraries. While serving on the state board for WVAFCS in various capacities, Sue served as President of the West Virginia affiliate of Family and Consumer Sciences. National, regional, state and local meetings are attended to remain current in her field of expertise. Graduate degrees, from Oklahoma State University and Kansas State University, focus on food and nutrition management and institutional management, respectively. Dr. Linnenkohl has been teaching in higher education for over 30 years, became a full professor in 1996, and has worked as a hospital dietitian and as a consultant for food service institutions, food and nutrition programs, and dietetic education programs. She oversees internships and capstone experiences for students enrolled in the programs housed in FCS and has supervised students completing a master's thesis in FCS. In addition she teaches basic nutrition, family resource management, and courses integrating food and nutrition principles throughout the life cycle. Sue is responsible for developing the initial qualifying experience needed by Marshall's dietetic students to become registered dietitians in accordance with The American Dietetic Association.

Susan E. Booton, RN, ASN, BSN, CCRN, MSN, FNP-BC, is a clinical instructor at the Marshall University College of Health Professions School of Nursing. Currently she provides clinical experiences for students at the sophomore and junior levels in the undergraduate program. She has over 25 years of experience in the critical care setting with an emphasis in cardiovascular critical care and has served as an employee preceptor. She is also a certified BLS instructor. Professor Booton holds an active license as a Family Nurse Practitioner and a CCRN certification. Her areas of research interest include cardiovascular and critical care, particularly the assimilation of new graduates into the role of critical care nursing.

Susan Thomas Frank,PhD, CCC-SLP, is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication Disorders where she teaches courses related to language development and childhood language disorders. She received a BA degree in speech pathology from Marshall University, a MA in speech-language pathology from The George Washington University, and received her PhD from the University of Kentucky. She has been a practicing speech-language pathologist for 30 years. Currently Professor Frank is a candidate for the PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Kentucky. Her areas of research interest include the prevention of literacy failure in children with language disorders and how interest in research is promoted during undergraduate education experiences. Professor Frank is an active member in the Community of Research Practice (CORP) in the Department of Communication Disorders where she works with graduate and undergraduate students on developing their research identities.

Susan Imes, RN, MSN, is an Associate Professor at the Marshall University School of Nursing. Since 2006, Professor Imes has been responsible for teaching the courses NUR 318: “Family and Chronic Illness,” NUR 400: “Transcultural Healthcare,” and the clinical course NUR 422 Lab. Prior to her position at Marshall, she spent nine years at King’s Daughters Medical Center working as a staff nurse and eventually as Director of Medical Nursing Services. She also spent time as an RN at the VA Medical Center working in intensive care nursing, case management and staff development.

Professor Imes defended her dissertation: “Discovering the cultural care meanings and care expressions of men with a spinal cord injury from the Appalachian region of WV: An ethnonursing study” in December 2009.  In 2013, she will finish her data collection and earn a Ph.D. in Nursing from Duquesne University. She received her Post Masters Certificate in Transcultural Nursing from Duquesne University in 2004, her MSN from Bellarmine University in 1996, and her BSN in 1986 and ASN in 1983, both from Marshall University. Her research interests include the effects of caregiver stress, Alzheimer’s disease and the benefits of Hospice care. Professor Imes is a member of the West Virginia League for Nursing, the National League for Nursing, the Transcultural Nurses Society, the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and the American Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals.

Professor Imes is a strong believer in understanding a patient’s culture in order to understand how best to care for them. She loves watching her students put the puzzle pieces together in a clinical setting and being witness to their own “Ah-HA!” moments of understanding.

Suzanne M. Konz, PhD, ATC, CSCS is an Assistant Professor of Biomechanics with the School of Kinesiology at Marshall University. She serves as the Lab Director for the School of Kinesiology’s Biomechanical Lab. Suzie received a PhD in Exercise Science from Brigham Young University, a Master’s of Science in Kinesiology from Indiana University – Bloomington, and a Bachelor of Science from Iowa Wesleyan College. Suzie was a member of Wesleyan’s cross country and track teams. She was an Academic All-American in Indoor and Outdoor Track. She earned All-American honors in Outdoor Track as well. Suzie worked as a certified athletic trainer and as a certified strength and conditioning specialist in clinical, high school, collegiate, and professional athletic settings. She worked with soccer, football, softball, and track at the D-I level. Suzie was an athletic trainer for the 2002 SLC Olympic games where she was assigned to bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton. As part of her duties with SLOC, she was assigned to the same events for the test events in the years prior to the Games. She is involved with USA Track & Field as a member of the Sport Science Biomechanics group; specializing in the throwing events and is specifically assigned to hammer throw. Suzie has worked the NFL Combine performing isokinetic testing on NFL prospects. Besides researching hammer throw technique, Suzie’s other areas of research include the biomechanical effects of weight change in athletes from the ages of 12-21, re-injury rates of overweight and obese athletes, and improving lower extremity dysfunction. 

Tamara N. Gravano, PT, DPT, GCS, is an Assistant Professor and Director of Clinical Education at Marshall University's Department of Physical Therapy. She earned both her Master of Science in Physical Therapy and Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. Dr. Gravano completed a residency in Geriatric Physical Therapy in Miami, Florida and is dedicated to the promotion and advancement of Geriatric Physical Therapy. Dr. Gravano currently serves on the American Physical Therapy Association's Credentialing Services Council, which helps credential Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Programs, as well as the Geriatric Specialty Council of the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties, which oversees the Board Certification and Recertification process for Geriatric Physical Therapy specialists. Her research interests are fall prevention in the elderly, telehealth, and generational differences. Currently Dr. Gravano is engaged in securing and maintaining DPT program clinical affiliations with local and national healthcare facilities and is assisting with the creation and establishment of the new Physical Therapy Program at Marshall University.

Dr. Terry Shepherd earned his Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology with emphasis in exercise biochemistry and metabolism from the University of Utah in 1987.  He directed the Marshall University Exercise Physiology Research Laboratory for 14 years (1987 - 2001). Dr. Shepherd founded HIT Centers Inc., a national franchise system for athletic human performance, weight loss, and adult fitness. Dr. Shepherd will be acting as the coordinator for the exercise science program while teaching exercise science classes (Exercise Physiology, Fitness Evaluation, and Exercise Leadership and Prescription, etc.). He will also be directing all research and learning experiences in the Exercise Physiology Laboratory.

Tricia Leonard, MA, CCC-S, received both her Bachelor of Arts degree and Master of Arts degree in the field of Speech Language Pathology from Marshall University. She has worked in various settings including long term care, early intervention, home health, outpatient and the public schools. Since working at Marshall University, her primary role has been clinical education of graduate students who provide services to children and adults with communication disorders at the MU Speech and Hearing Center. She teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses involving field experiences and student teaching experiences. Currently Professor Leonard provides speech/language services to preschool children at Sybene Head Start, which often serves as a clinical practicum site for graduate clinicians. Her clinical interest is in the area of pediatric speech and language disorders.  Professor Leonard provides speech, language, and swallowing services at River Park Hospital and speech/language services at Sybene Head Start.  Both of these facilities often serve as clinical practicum sites for graduate clinicians.

Vickie Ours is a clinical instructor for the Marshall University School of Nursing. Since 2009, she has been responsible for doing clinicals at the hospitals as well as advising and facilitating classes such as Senior Practicum 422 and Clinicals 325.

Ours has worked at Hozler Medical Center in Gallipolis, Ohio as a registered nurse on the floor. Ours received her LPN from Buckeye Hills Career Center in 2002, her RN from Hocking University in 2004, her BSN at Rio Grande University in 2007 and her MSN at Marshall University in 2009.  Ours said she enjoys doing clinicals with her students and teaching the future nurses of tomorrow. 

William “Chip” Wood, MA, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Disorders in the College of Health Professions at Marshall University. He has a master’s degree from Marshall University. He was the School Based Speech-Language Pathologist for Jackson County West Virginia for three years and then the School Based Speech-Language Pathologist and supervisor of SLP assistants in Mason County West Virginia for seven years. He teaches Foundations of Neurogenic Communication Disorders, Introduction to Communication Disorder, and Therapeutics II. He also supervises student clinicians in the Marshall University Speech and Hearing Center.

William P. Marley, PhD, FACSM, FAACVPR, returned to Marshal University in 1993 after almost 20 years in the clinical setting. As a scientist and administrator, his work with cardiovascular research, health promotion, disease prevention, rehabilitation, and sports science included a client/patient base of almost 35,000-on a continuum from transplant patients and those with chronic disease to the elite athlete, men and women, the young, the senior population, the recreational athlete, and those simply wishing to stay healthy by living sensibly. With the National Exercise and Heart Disease Project, he assisted in the development of principles that govern contemporary exercise therapy in the clinical setting and subsequently played an important role in the development of position papers and clinical practice guideline publications as well as chairing national symposia for cardiac rehabilitation and preventive medicine. As Professor, Director, and Principal Investigator of Human Performance Laboratory Programs that includes the Graduate Exercise Science Program, he manages the Diabetes Exercise and Cardiac Rehabilitation Center and a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program. Dr. Marley has published and lectured extensively at international, national, regional, and state conferences. One of his publications was selected by an international committee for publication in a collection of 8 rare and exceptional rheumatology cases in the world. He has served on the Admissions Committee for the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. Dr. Marley has been accorded Fellow status by both the American College of Sports Medicine [FACSM] and the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation [FAACVPR] and served on the Board of Directors for the latter Society. He has received the prestigious Healthy American Fitness Leader Award, presented by the President's Council for Physical Fitness and Sports for, his significant contributions to the promotion of health and fitness for the benefit of individuals, communities, and the country. He has received a Career Achievement Award from the American Heart Association (AHA) for his many contributions to the AHA including serving as President of the Cabell-Wayne (WV) Regional Heart Association for five years. Dr. Marley has been recognized by the American Diabetes Association in its publication, Who's Who in Diabetes Treatment, Education & Research for the past eighteen years.

Dr. Bae is an assistant professor in Sport Management at Marshall University. He is teaching Sport Finance, Business of Sport Agent, Seminar in Sport Management, and Research Methods in Sport Studies. Dr. Bae received his Ph.D. in Sport Management at Indiana University. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Sport Administration and Facility Management from Ohio University. Dr. Bae received his B.A. in Marketing at the University of Utah and B.S. in Japanese Literature at Dan Kook University in Korea. He played Basketball for four years at Dan Kook University (e.g., Division I) on a full athletic scholarship.  Dr. Bae’s primary areas of scholarly interest are sport marketing, sponsorship, sport media, and sport agency. Dr. Bae is now researching, publishing, and presenting about the golf participation motivation of Korean and American students who attend universities in the United States, and the reasons why Korean professional female golfers have been successful in securing such a dominant position on the LPGA Tour. Dr. Bae is also interested in examining the influence of marketing and brand image of Social Network Service (e.g., facebook and twitter) on the interaction between sports teams and fans. Furthermore, Dr. Bae is a basketball agent for the Korean Professional Basketball League. He is representing many American basketball players and working with prestigious sport agencies in U.S. He has placed several players in Korea over the last three years and also helps other players to secure contracts with various Asian and European teams. 

Yi-Po Chiu, PT, MHS, PhD, CEEAA, Assistant Professor, joined the Marshall faculty in January, 2012.  Dr. Chiu received his PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences (2007) and an MHS (2001) in Physical Therapy both from the University of Florida, and a BS in Physical Therapy (1995) from National Cheng Kung University in Tainan, Taiwan and he holds a Graduate Certification in Gerontology.  In addition, he obtained his Certified Exercise Experts for Aging Adults (CEEAA) certification 2011.  Since 2008 Dr. Chiu has been a full-time faculty member in US Physical Therapy education, including LSUHSC in New Orleans, LA and Angelo State University in San Angelo, TX.  He has been teaching curricular content related to anatomy, neuroscience, motor behavior, and neurological physical therapy and clinical research.  Dr. Chiu is licensed in Taiwan and Delaware.  Dr. Chiu has over 8 years' experience in the investigation of the effects of therapeutic interventions in patients with neurologic dysfunction and his expertise is corroborated by the 3 publications and over 30 peer reviewed professional presentations and abstracts.  He has been PI or Co-PI on two grants and Project Research Physical Therapist and Project Evaluator on two additional grants.  Dr. Chiu is a research peer reviewer for American Heart Association and a manuscript reviewer for the Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, the Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development, the Journal of Biomechanics, and the Physiotherapy Research International.  Dr. Chiu also serves on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Novel Physiotherapies.