Celebration of Scholarly Works

The CHSPH Celebration of Scholarly Works took place at the SIERR building in Spokane on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. Research posters and scholarly works were on display, where faculty, students and guests had the opportunity to visit and view scholarly works from Communication Sciences and Disorders, Dental Hygiene, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Public Health. The event was a great success that provided exciting opportunities for EWU authors, students and guests to share and learn about research and community projects produced from CHSPH.

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Department of Physical Therapy Chair Filmed on Popular Public TV Show

Dr. Kimberly Cleary, chair of the Department of Physical Therapy, served as a physical therapy guest expert on the Sit & Be Fit show. For its more than 37 years on Public Television, Sit & Be Fit, a non-profit organization, has been committed to encouraging healthy aging and improved quality of life for its audience. Dr. Cleary participated in two separate segments on balance training for older adults. The episodes will be featured on KSPS this spring during the new season of the program.

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The Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) National Physical Therapy Conference

This year, over 12,000 professionals attended CSM, hosted by the American Physical Therapy Association in Boston. Physical therapy students and faculty contributed to CSM with five poster presentations from the research laboratories of Drs. Cleary, Crooks, and LaPier. All presentations went very smoothly, and most were well attended.

Presenter and second-year physical therapy student, Kyanna Bren, noted that the conference was “a great opportunity to learn from those at the forefront of evidence-based practice in physical therapy.” Bren reported: “I really enjoyed attending the various educational sessions provided, and of course, I also had a blast exploring the conference and city with my cohort! Being able to present my research was an extremely rewarding experience.” Bren’s research identified methods of sleep assessment in people with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Bren noted that she “was able to discuss findings with others who are treating and researching this condition.”

Second-year physical therapy student, Rachel Park, presented on the effect of sleep apnea on pain and aerobic outcomes within the cardiac rehabilitation setting. Park noted that her experience attending the conference “was a reminder that the profession is a living, breathing being; presenting research there made me proud to be part of something so much bigger than myself.”

Two faculty members, 24 second-year physical therapy students, and four third-year physical therapy students attended the conference in February.

Physical Therapy Student Receives Fellowship Award

Third-year physical therapy student Katarina Sanchez was recently awarded a $5,000 fellowship from the Latino Center for Health at the University of Washington. This fellowship, which includes matching funds through the College of Health Science and Public Health, will provide Sanchez with financial support to advance her career goal of promoting the health and wellness of Latinx communities. Sanchez was one of just 13 graduate students in the state to receive the honor. With support from this fellowship, Sanchez hopes to provide pro bono services for Spanish-speaking laborers throughout the state of Washington.

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American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Conference

Faculty, staff and students from the Department of Physical Therapy attended the Northwest American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) conference at the University of Idaho in Moscow, last February. Students presented posters from faculty research collaborations related to running performance metrics and activity monitoring within the context of sternal precautions.

Faculty member Dr. Joel Sattgast presented an educational symposium aimed at providing an evidence-informed guide to answering every runner’s most pressing question, “When Can I Run?” With faculty, staff and students from undergraduate and graduate programs across the nation, the conference provided an opportunity for learning, growth, community and connection. Excitement is already building as EWU prepares to host the 2025 Northwest ACSM conference in Cheney.

Adaptive Climbing

The Department of Physical Therapy teamed up with Wild Walls Climbing Gym in Spokane to host an adaptive rock-climbing program. Athletes of all ages with physical disabilities interested in rock-climbing were encouraged to participate in this program. The program consists of a weekly 90-minute appointment on Thursday afternoons over five consecutive weeks. During the program, second-year physical therapy students, supervised by a licensed physical therapist, complete an evaluation and then work with participants to determine the best adaptive equipment needed to support rock-climbing skills. The team crafts a unique weekly exercise plan to encourage progression of the participant’s strength, flexibility, and climbing technique. Clients who have completed the program report improved overall function and quality of life.

Physical Therapy Legislative Impact Week

This January, EWU physical therapy students attended the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Legislative Impact Week (LIW). During LIW, students, physical therapists, APTA board members and state representatives met to address critical issues within the field of physical therapy. This year, LIW focused on a bill that sought to address the effects of price inflation in private-sector physical therapy by increasing reimbursement for physical therapy services, thereby increasing patient access to physical therapy. The bill’s urgency is especially significant, as physical therapy private practices have seen a 42% increase in cost and 15% decrease in reimbursement, with 33% of clinics operating in the red and 21% of physical therapists leaving the workforce over the last 4 years. Physical therapy students Jacob Hangartner and Conner Moyer described the importance of being involved in LIW to ensure the accessibility of physical therapy services for future patients. An additional opportunity for student involvement in APTA to advocate for the profession, beyond LIW, includes participation in a Student Special Interest Group (SSIG). The SSIG includes a meeting, every third Thursday, at 7 PM PST via Zoom. Students interested in participating should contact EWU APTA Liaison, Dr. Jenny Jordan (jjordan22@ewu.edu).

Physical Therapy Licensure Examination

Out of over 250 accredited physical therapy programs in the United States, EWU’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program is one of only four programs nationwide with a 100% first-time pass rate on the national physical therapy licensing exam (NPTE).

Congratulations to the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program for their top nationwide student performance on the NPTE!

Wellness & Movement Sciences (WAMS): New Lifestyle Medicine Degree Offered by EWU

The Department of Wellness and Movement Sciences is offering a new and exciting Bachelor of Science (BS) in Lifestyle Medicine. The BS in lifestyle medicine allows students to pursue a degree path that looks holistically at health and well-being. Six pillars of health outlined by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) provide the foundation of the lifestyle medicine degree – (1) a whole-food, plant-predominant eating pattern, (2) physical activity, (3) restorative sleep, (4) stress management, (5) avoidance of risky substances, and (6) positive social connections. Students with career goals in public health, health care, and wellness should consider pursuing the BS in lifestyle medicine. This spring quarter, LMED 201: Introduction to Lifestyle Medicine will be offered for any students interested in learning about lifestyle medicine. Please contact program director Chris Cindric, at ccindric@ewu.edu, or view the BS in LMED web page for more information.

Wellness & Movement Sciences (WAMS): Exercise Science Club Attends American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Northwest Conference

Eighteen EWU Exercise Science Club student members and four faculty members attended the ACSM Northwest conference this February at the University of Idaho in Moscow. Three students and three faculty showcased their research in either a poster or verbal presentation. In addition, four teams of students (12 total) competed in the student knowledge bowl, a Jeopardy-style game testing sports medicine knowledge. One of EWU’s teams placed fourth out of 20 teams. EWU students and faculty earned positions on the ACSM Northwest Executive Board. At the conference, Dr. Katie Taylor began her tenure as president of the chapter, Dr. Kristyne Wiegand was elected as president-elect, and Yazmean Inman was elected as regional student representative. Finally, it was announced that ACSM Northwest Conference 2025 will be hosted by EWU, which is an exciting opportunity for the EWU’s programs and the institution as a whole.

Eastern Washington Area Health Education Center (EWAHEC) Hosts “On Track Academy”

On January 26, Eastern Washington Area Health Education Center (EWAHEC) Scholars Jenna McDonald, Emilie Crawford, and Madison Cloninger hosted an event for high school students at On Track Academy. The day began with a Kahoot game that helped to familiarize students with medical terminology and learn about different healthcare career options. Students then had the opportunity to play with “glow germ,” which showcases the importance of handwashing, by illuminating the germs present on an individual’s hands. Students practiced the process of donning personal protective equipment (PPE), where they learned how to put on the necessary equipment to keep themselves and patients safe from pathogens. While dressed in their gowns, students then got to practice suturing chicken breasts — which many mentioned as their favorite part of the day. After suturing practice, students injected sterile water into the chicken to practice giving injections. EWAHEC hosts events to promote health and wellness in underserved populations, as well as encourage rural students to consider careers in medicine.

Outreach to International Students Teaching New Methods of Research

Nicholas Swope, professor in public health, recently broadened the learning horizons of psychology students in Bali, Indonesia. Professor Swope discussed traditional qualitative research techniques of interviews and focus groups, then lectured and had students informally try newer methods, including Photovoice. Photovoice originated in public health and participatory research and is designed to spark change. This powerful tool weaves the visual method of photography together with a narrative to give greater context and depth to human experience. Displays of Photovoice at community exhibitions have been successful in raising awareness of various health topics. Students’ excitement was palpable as they viewed various Photovoice projects and informally engaged in the technique. They shared research articles and held lively meaningful discussions surrounding ethics, empowerment of the researchers, and impact of the technique. The exchange successfully motivated students to explore newer innovative methods in qualitative research.

Dental Hygiene Hosts Career Fair

In February, senior dental hygiene students participated in a department career fair with local and statewide dental offices. Many of the dental clinics that attended brought alumni of EWU’s dental hygiene program to highlight their practices to the graduating seniors. Students in the dental hygiene program met with potential employers, explored career options and networked with leaders in the field. This was a high-energy, fun and supportive event to connect students with local and statewide career opportunities and clinicians.

EWAHEC CHSPH Students Volunteer at Teddy Bear Clinic

On February 10th, the Eastern Washington Area of Health Education Careers (EWAHEC) along with a group of occupational therapy, nursing, dental hygiene, and communication science students came together in partnership with PBS to run a Teddy Bear Clinic for preschool and elementary-aged students. This event provided children with the opportunity to become comfortable with healthcare appointments and allowed them to treat their own “patient” – a teddy bear. Children documented the teddy bear’s condition and learned how to listen for heart rate and respirations using stethoscopes. EWU students in health science disciplines assisted the children in charting, taking note of vital signs, and weighing and measuring their stuffed animals. Children, their families, and the EWU student volunteers reported that the event was a great community learning experience.

Nursing Program Grand Opening

This year, Eastern Washington University launched its very own Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), welcoming its first cohort of 40 nursing students to the Spokane-based program. The program is housed in the SIERR Building in the University District, near EWU’s other healthcare programs. The BSN program aims to prepare more nursing students for entrance into the field, who can meet diverse healthcare needs and treat patients across the region. EWU’s BSN program strives to provide educational, direct experiences to help cultivate excellence within their discipline, as well as create life-long learners dedicated to providing holistic care for their patients across a variety of healthcare settings. Though the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 application cycle is now closed, prospective nursing students for the Fall 2025 semester should look for the next application cycle to open December 1, 2024.

Occupational Therapy Students Run Pediatric Mock Clinic

During this past spring semester, second-year occupational therapy students treated clients in a mock clinic at Joya Child and Family Development Center. The mock clinic allowed students to apply practical skills they have learned through their coursework, such as conducting an evaluation, planning interventions and managing full therapy sessions. Students collaborated with clients and their families for six sessions. The first session was an evaluation, followed by four treatment sessions, and finishing with a discharge session. A home program handout was designed and provided to the families to teach interventions and activities that could be implemented by parents or caregivers. Many families expressed their appreciation for the mock clinic and the positive impact the experience provided their children. Regarding her experience at Joya, one student said it was nice to “get a taste of what it is like to meet with clients, make goals, implement interventions, and see progress in action.”

Occupational Therapy Students Volunteer at Riverview Retirement Community

Second-year occupational therapy students had the opportunity to collaborate with individuals in the Riverview Retirement Community during “OCTH 533/535: Occupational Performance and Older Adults.” Students developed a variety of group protocols to run with the residents, including a book club meeting while making bookmarks, decorating vases, creating paper flowers, completing jigsaw puzzles with tea, and engaging residents in reminiscence therapy. Many students discussed later what a terrific opportunity it was to engage with the residents at Riverview and learn more about their life stories.

Public Health

Dr. Daryl Traylor is a professor in the College of Health Science and Public Health who teaches in the Master of Public Health program. He has not allowed the recent Supreme Court decision to prohibit utilizing diversity as a criterion for acceptance into higher education programs — nor a court decision to allow insurance companies to use religion as a reason to deny services — to detract him from a passion for improving diversity and inclusion. He is the lead author for a recently published (2023) review article titled Unmasking Structural Racism in Medical Education: Advancing Equity for Under-Represented Minority Students published in Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences. Dr. Traylor and co-authors cite studies identifying persistence of structural racism in many aspects of medical education. Examples of structural and personal racism include persistence admission processes whereby equally qualified people of color are less likely to obtain interviews, experience a lack of appropriate diversity in mentors, and persistence of false racist medical concepts of physiology that continue to be inappropriately applied to African Americans. Dr. Traylor and his co-authors propose various solutions including increasing diversity among mentors, addressing implicit race bias in admissions programs, increasing education geared toward cultural competence. Dr. Traylor also wrote a blog post in Pulse, regarding the unethical nature of a policy to use religion as a valid reason to deny PrEP prophylaxis, as this policy disproportionately affects minorities. Dr. Traylor is working on creating a pipeline program to help underrepresented minorities gain acceptance into medical schools.

The CHSPH semi-annual newsletter is produced by the student-led CHSPH Newsletter Committee. Special thanks to student members Alaina Hines, Rachel Peters, Keith Shulman, and Jocelyn Simpson for their efforts in collecting and coordinating these stories, and for faculty reviewers for their final review.

The CHSPH Celebration of Scholarly Works took place at the SIERR building in Spokane on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. Research posters and scholarly works were on display, where faculty, students and guests had the opportunity to visit and view scholarly works from Communication Sciences and Disorders, Dental Hygiene, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Public Health. The event was a great success that provided exciting opportunities for EWU authors, students and guests to share and learn about research and community projects produced from CHSPH.

A special thank you to faculty and/or judges: Drs. Donna Bachand, Ann Wetmore, Kaylynn Garrison, Wendy Holmes, Lorie Speer, Laurie Morley, Brian Donahue and Lindsay Williams for their time and expertise in reviewing and scoring all submissions. Thank you to the event planners and organizers, Interim Dean David Bowman, Assistant Dean Brian Donahue, Special Assistant to the Dean Ann Wetmore, College Financial Officer Rose Knight and Executive Administrative Assistant to the Dean Michele Thompson, for their dedicated efforts in making this event possible. Finally, a special thank you to the following individuals and their teams for all their support and hard work: Brent Seeberger and the EWU trucking team; Samantha Stragier from event planning; Aaron Brenton, interim executive assistant; Leslie Swannack, administrative assistant; Partners at Emerald Initiative; Emily Crawford and Jenna McDonald from AHEC, and Greg Eastman from CMSD.

Congratulations to the Celebration of Scholarly Works Award Winners!

Education Impact Award: Samantha Siems from CSMD; Project Title: School-Based Speech Language Pathologists’ Confidence of Return to Learn Protocol in Childhood Concussion.

Critically Appraised Topics: Shannon Gillespie, Katherine Ayerdis, Shannon Posey from OCTH; Project Title: The Impact of Music on Agitation in Dementia Patients: A Critical Appraisal.

Dean’s Award: Krista Unangst, Sonja Henderson, Jessica Jadin from OCTH; Project Title: A Holistic Approach to Education: A Focus Group.

Provost’s Award: Taya DeFrance, Maria Rios, Helen Robinette from OCTH; Project Title: Occupational Therapy and Dating for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: A Scoping Review.

Undergraduate Scholarly Work Award: Kataryna Deaton, Carlee Kopp, Vanessa Mendez, Megan Yorlano from DNHY; Project Title: Oil Pulling: Do or Don’t?

Work in Progress Award: Leah Walters from PHHA; Project Title: Nutritional Health Relationships between Cats and their Owners.

Faculty Research Award: Joel Sattgast, Brittany Grant, John Fox from PHTH; Project Title: Knee Mobility Demands Minimally Impacted Following Step Rate Changes in the Recreational Runner.

Graduate Scholarly Work Award: Kelsey Gonwick, Alyssa Gonzalez from CMSD; Project Title: A National Survey of General Ed Elementary Teachers Knowledge and Perceptions of Interprofessional Collaboration with SLP’s.

Interprofessional Impact Award: Marissa Ribeiro from CMSD; Project Title: A Survey of AAC Preservice Training for SLP, PT, OT, and Nursing Students for Future Work with Patients with Complex Communication Needs: An Interprofessional Educational Opportunity.

President’s Award: Sydney Brownlee, Alaina Hines, Taylor Kenney, Lindsay Smith from OCTH; OT’s Role in Treating Individuals Experiencing Homelessness: A Community Engaged Project.

The College of Health Science and Public Health is proud to present the Fall 2023 newsletter. The newsletter was designed and created by a team of CHSPH students in collaboration with faculty and staff. We are excited to share stories from the College and hope that you enjoy this issue. We welcome your feedback and would love to hear from you! Contact us as chsph@ewu.edu with story ideas or suggestions!

“Choosing Eastern Washington University’s Occupational Therapy program has been a life-changing decision for me. It’s opened doors to incredible opportunities and shaped my future in ways I couldn’t have imagined. The program’s well-designed curriculum and passionate educators have nurtured my interests, fostering personal and professional growth. The supportive community and diverse clinical field experiences have built my confidence and skills as a future practitioner. Thanks to this program, I’ve found my true calling, and I’m excited to embrace the challenges that lie ahead with confidence and enthusiasm. I can genuinely say that choosing EWU’s OT program has been one of the most impactful and rewarding decisions of my life.”

Amber W. Class of 2023

The College of Health Science and Public Health is proud to present the Fall 2022 newsletter. The newsletter was designed and created by a team of CHSPH students in collaboration with faculty and staff. We are excited to share stories from the College and hope that you enjoy this issue.  We welcome your feedback and would love to hear from you! Contact us as chsph@ewu.edu with story ideas or suggestions!

EWU dental hygiene was very well represented at the 2022 Annual Session of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association meeting in Louisville, KY. Student advisor Sarah Jackson MSDH, RDH took 7 recent graduates  and 2 seniors from the BSDH program. Ruth Paszkeiz presented undergraduate research. Our recent MSDH graduate Emily Penberthy presented her research on Confidence of Statistics in undergraduate dental hygiene students. She won 3rd place in the Dentsply/Sirona competition.

Way to promote dental hygiene and Eastern Washington University!

The College of Health Science and Public Health is proud to recognize the recipients of the 2021-2022 Frances B. Huston Medallion Award.

This award recognizes graduating seniors for excellence in academics, leadership, and service. Recipients of the Frances B. Huston Medallion Award will have established themselves as exceptionally capable individuals in both academic and extracurricular activities. The faculty and administration of Eastern Washington University acknowledge their great pride in the accomplishments of these students during their college experience and expect even greater accomplishments in the years that lie ahead.

Kasey Hermens, Public Health

Kasey Hermens has been an extraordinary leader for the undergraduate public health program. She was nominated to receive the Frances B. Huston Medallion Award by Dr. Sarah Mount who wrote “In my twenty years as an educator, I have not had a student that exemplifies leadership and an unyielding work ethic as Kasey has demonstrated in the undergraduate public health program at EWU. I fully expect that she will continue to make a significant impact in our community and in the field of public health.”

During her time at Eastern, Hermens was a member of the EWU Honors Program, Honors Program Newsletter Team, and the Honors Student Advisory Board. She was also a member of the STEM Advice and Support Club and the Easy Come, Easy Grow Garden Club. She started and maintains a Discord channel for public health students to build connections during the pandemic. She maintained a 4.0 GPA while working part-time as a patient care assistant, and has served as a mentor and scholar-lead as the recipient of the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship. Volunteer activities include serving as co-leader for Telehealth Access for Seniors, as a COVID-19 vaccination clinic volunteer for Providence Health & Services, as an inpatient CVA therapy gym assistant at St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute, and as a Washington Student Association Higher Education Funding volunteer.

Hermens is the recipient of several scholarships and awards, and was nominated for the Washington State Association of College Trustees 2019 ACT Transforming Lives Award.

After graduation, Hermens plans to pursue a master’s degree in both physician assistant studies and public health. Her goal is to practice as a PA-C with a health equity lens, pulling from her background in public health while simultaneously serving underserved populations and expanding healthcare access.

Kaylin Sheley, Communication Sciences & Disorders

Kaylin Sheley is a service-oriented scholar athlete who has excelled at Eastern Washington University. Sheley was nominated to receive the Frances B. Huston Medallion Award by Dr. Lesli Cleveland who remarked “Kaylin embodies EWU’s mission through her engagement in all areas of university life, expanding her opportunities for personal transformation at every level.”

Sheley was a member of the EWU Honors Program and an athlete on EWU’s track and field team and cross-country team. She was named the 2021-2022 team captain, an honor voted on by coaches and teammates. She served as an executive board member for Health Science Education Outreach Club, and was an active member of Eastern’s chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association and the department’s Multicultural Club.

Sheley has also worked as an undergraduate research assistant in Dr. Hedieh Hashemi Hosseinabad’s Cleft Lip and Palate Lab gaining valuable experience that will support her research endeavors in graduate school. Currently, she conducts newborn hearing screenings at various hospitals in Spokane. She performs the hearing tests, communicates results to
parents and educates caregivers on the importance of screenings, early intervention and speech and language milestones.

After graduation, Sheley plans to pursue her Master’s in Communication Sciences and Disorders at EWU. Her goal is to become a certified Speech-Language Pathologist.

Eastern students will soon be able to explore the intricacies of ales, lagers and other brews while gaining experience that can help them land jobs in the booming craft brewing industry.

EWU’s new 15-credit Craft Beer Industry Professional Certificate will launch this fall, thanks in part to a generous $10,000 seed gift from No-Li Brewhouse. The certificate program’s timing couldn’t have been better: With 64 breweries located within a 100-mile radius of Spokane, the region is experiencing a beer boom that is fueling a surge in hiring.

“It’s a significant opportunity for kids in this region, because there are so many positions available within craft beer,” says Chris Cindric, a lecturer in wellness and movement sciences who will oversee the program.

Craft breweries are small, independent businesses that produce 6 million barrels of beer or less each year, according to the Brewers Association, a trade association representing craft brewers. As start-ups gain a customer following and expand operations, Cindric says, they look to hire people with expertise in human resources, accounting, production, communications, marketing, and other areas — opening up all kinds of possibilities for graduates. Eastern’s certification program will not only help those larger professional pursuits, it will also appeal to beer connoisseurs who simply want to learn about their favorite sudsy beverages.

Cindric introduced Eastern’s first craft brew class, Craft Beer Evaluation and Service, in the fall of 2020. The goal, he said at the time, was to broaden students’ understanding of craft beer, from grain to glass, and its connection to agriculture and recreation.

Cindric’s passion for beer keeps him rooted in the Spokane-area brewing industry. When he’s not teaching classes at Eastern, he hosts a monthly podcast, Wheat, Wheat, Don’t Tell Me! To celebrate American Craft Beer Week on May 16-22, the podcastwill feature John Bryant, who owns No-Li with his wife, Cindy.

The Bryants are well-known for their generosity to the greater Spokane community, and for serving up award-winning brews at their popular riverfront brewhouse. John has a strong connection to Eastern that stretches back to when his parents, Bill and ElWanda Bryant, earned degrees from the university in the 1950s.

After spending years honing his brewing skills in different U.S. cities, John is excited to partner on a program that opens doors for students close to home. He’s also psyched about supporting workforce needs in the craft beer community that he and Cindy love.

“We’re creating a brewing program at Eastern Washington University. How amazing is that?” Bryant says.

EWU Students honor alum while raising awareness

On June 12 at 8am, EWU’s Exercise Science Club is hosting a 5k walk/run on the red turf in order to raise awareness and funds to fight domestic violence in our community.

The event is being held in honor of Sativa Transue, an Exercise Science alumni who lost her life while on vacation to domestic violence a year ago.  Funds raised by the event will be used in the community to help domestic violence survivors.

The Department of Wellness and Movement Sciences is located within the College of Health Science and Public Health. This newsletter was designed and created by a team of CHSPH students in collaboration with faculty and staff. The WAMS Department is excited to share stories from the College.

CHSPH Newsletter Spring 2022