ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Spotlight Award Recipients
The following are our Spotlight Award Recipients for the 2020-21 academic year:
Travis Armstrong, Clinical Instructor, Department of Radiologic Sciences, was presented with a Spotlight on Service award by Director of School of Allied Health Sciences, Bob Wood on November 9, 2020. Travis was awarded for his outstanding contributions to the community and future and current students. Travis goes above and beyond in recruiting efforts, working with high school students across the community. Thank you, Travis, for your outstanding service to Boise State University, the college, school, department, and community.
Dr. Laura Petranek, Associate Professor in Kinesiology, was presented with a Spotlight on Service award by department chair and professor, Jane Shimon on April 9, 2021. Laura is well known for the countless hours she devotes to numerous service committees, most notably she has been an incredibly active and effective member of the Faculty Senate since 2017, serving on the Senate Steering Committee. Laura serves on a number of other critical committees, including the college’s Policy Committee and the school’s Faculty Affairs Committee and the Kinesiology department’s Policy Committee. Laura has also directed the delivery of the Summer Youth Sports program that has provided the community with wonderful opportunities, and has raised significant financial support for the department. Thank you, Laura, for your outstanding service to Boise State University, the college, school, department, and community.
John Lampignano, Associate Professor in Radiological Sciences, was presented with a Spotlight on Service award by department chair and professor, Joie Burns on April 9, 2021. John’s deep understanding of the Radiological field allows him to teach a number of classes. He is well known for his amazing teaching and his ability and willingness to help students succeed. He regularly holds 3-4 open labs, and went above and beyond last March to ensure students would be able to complete their academic career with so much going on. John constantly takes workshops to improve his teaching and is very renowned by his students for his efforts. Thank you, John, for your outstanding service to Boise State University, the college, school, department, and community.
Michele Kelly, Academic Planning Coordinator in Respiratory Care, was presented with a Spotlight on Service award by department chair and professor, Megan Koster on April 9 2021. Michele has become the go-to person in Respiratory Care, helping all around the department. Michele was a huge help during the COVID-19 pandemic, picking up three jobs to help the department get through the trying times. Thank you, Michele, for your outstanding service to Boise State University, the college, school, department, and community.
Department Recognitions
Department of Kinesiology
Congratulations to Drs. Gen Ludwig, Tyler Brown, and Eric Martin for their recent promotions
- Dr. Gen Ludwig, Clinical Associate Professor
- Dr. Tyler Brown, Associate Professor
- Dr. Eric Martin, Associate Professor
Hannah Dodge was awarded the Craner-Wade 2020 scholarship, the most distinguished student scholarship awarded in the Athletic Training program.
Drs. Gen Ludwig, Phil Ford, and Eric Martin (along with a faculty member at the University of Montana Western) created and delivered an IPE workshop series designed for pre-health care workers during the Spring, 2021 semester.
Department of Radiologic Sciences
Leslie Kendrick was a co-presenter in the online offering, “Research in Action: COVID-19 Vaccines Webinar” on April 6th
Leslie Kendrick delivered a 50 minute continuing education presentation at ISRT on April 24th, “A Discussion on SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines for Imaging Technologists”
Natalie Mourant was appointed to the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) Cardiac Interventional and Vascular Interventional Practice Analysis Committee. (the ARRT is our national certification agency for many medical imaging specialties)
John Lampignano delivered a 50-minute continuing education presentation at the Idaho Society of Radiologic Technologists entitled, “Radiography of the Autistic Patient”
John Lampignano was awarded the SAHS Spotlight Excellence on Teaching award on April 9th
Department of Respiratory Care
Lonny Ashworth Retires. It is with mixed emotions that the School of Allied Health Sciences bids farewell to Lonny Ashworth, Professor of Respiratory Care. Lonny first came to Boise State in 1977, and has been a tremendous part of our university for the last 44 years. During the better part of two decades Lonny also served as the chair of the department, and has nurtured its growth from offering a 2-year Associate’s Degree program to now offering a 4-year entry level Bachelors of Science program, and online Bachelor’s Degree completion and Masters of Science programs that have a national reach. The emergence of Boise State as one of, if not the top respiratory care department in the country can be traced to the leadership and energy that Lonny has brought to the program. Lonny has also made significant contributions in developing a scholarly research presence for the department; routinely bringing numerous students to the annual meeting of the American Association of Respiratory Care to present findings from their work. In addition, Lonny is highly regarded for his work in Japan, where he has been instrumental in moving their healthcare system to embrace respiratory therapy as a critical profession. In Ernest Boyer’s lesser known paper entitled “Scholarship Revisited and Assessed,” he discusses the characteristics of a scholar. A scholar discovers knowledge, applies knowledge, integrates knowledge, and teaches knowledge. Lonny, it is hard for any of us to imagine that the discipline of respiratory care has known a greater scholar than you. Thank you for everything you have done for Boise State, and we look forward to working with you in new and exciting ways!
Genetic Counseling Program
Jen Eichmeyer, director of the Masters of Science program in Genetic Counseling, was named to the National Board for the ACGC. Jen has provided outstanding vision and leadership in Genetic Counseling. While the program is still in its infancy, having recently graduated its first cohort of students, Jen has recently been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling. This is quite an endorsement of the quality of leadership that Jen brings to our school! Congratulations, Jen.
The Master of Science in Genetic Counseling program celebrated the first cohort graduation on May 8, 2021! These students receive rigorous education in clinical genetics and counseling skills which includes both fieldwork and research. Despite all of the stress of a global health crisis these diverse graduates successfully completed their clinical training and produced some amazing capstone projects that will have a significant impact on the genetic counseling community thanks to the guidance and expertise of our Assistant Program Director, Leslie Ordal. Because of the unique program delivery as fully online, all 12 graduates were so excited to be in Boise together to meet in person for the first time as well as meet some of the program faculty. It was a special day for all!
Lightning Round Participants
Below is a list of our 2020-21 Faculty Research Lightning Rounds and a list of all faculty who presented their research:
Resilience and Health – Presented by the College of Health Sciences and School of Public Service on October 21, 2020
Brittany D Brand, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Geosciences, Director for the Boise State Hazard and Climate Resilience Institute (HCRI) A Holistic Approach to Modeling Community Disaster Resilience.
Kelly R. Rossetto, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Communication, Director of University GRADWELL program Undergraduate Student Stress, Resilience, and Campus Support.
Eric Martin, PhD, CMPC, Co-Director of the Center for Physical Activity and Sport, Department of Kinesiology. Resilience for the Rocky Road: Utilizing a resilience-based framework to support first year student-athletes.
James Beauchemin, PhD, LCSW, Assistant Professor School of Social Work. Salutogenic Strategies to Enhance Holistic Wellness.
Kathryn Demps, PhD, Associate Professor, Human Behavioral Ecologist, Department of Anthropology. Behavioral Endocrinology: Perception and Pathways from the External to the Internal.
Saleh Ahmed, PhD, Assistant Professor, School of Public Service. Mapping the Resilience Landscape among the Marginalized Populations: Insights from the Global South.
Kristin Snopkowski, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology. Evolutionary Perspectives on Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors.
April S. Masarik, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychological Science. It’s All About Community in (Resilience) Research.
Longevity, Healthy Aging, and Neurological Disorders in Older Adults – Presented by the College of Health Sciences and School of Public Service on November 12, 2020
Robert T. Wechsler, MD, Ph.D., FAES, FAAN, Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology at the University of Washington, Assistant Professor at the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine. Subspecialty Clinical Research in Private Medical Practice.
Bonnie Kenaley, Ph.D., LMSW, RN, Associate Professor, School of Social Work. Trajectories and Determinants of Successful Aging
Jill Chonody, Ph.D., MSW, LCSW, Associate Professor, School of Social Work. Actively Aging and the Determinants of Aging
Troy Rohn, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Biological Sciences. Unraveling the Mystery of the Greatest Genetic Risk Factor for Alzheimer’s Disease
Luke Montrose, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Community and Environmental Health. Wildfire Smoke and Brain Health: What do we know and where should we go?
Jayne Josephsen, EdD, RN, CCCTM, CHPN, Associate Divisional Dean/Chief Nurse Administrator and Professor, School of Nursing. The Myriad of Non-Motor Symptoms in Parkinson’s Disease.
Cecile Zhao, MD, Medical Director, Movement Disorder Program, St. Luke’s. Deep Brain Stimulation Research.
Shuqi Zhang, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Kinesiology & Biomedical Engineering Program. Automatic Balance Control in Aging Population.
Lucy Zhao, Ph.D., MSN, MPAff, RN, Associate Professor, School of Nursing. Promote Healthy Aging Through Fall Prevention.
Kirk Rasmussen, MBA, RN, ASC-BC, Stoke Program Manager, St. Luke’s. Kirk manages the stroke program for St. Luke’s Boise area Stroke Rehab Through Virtual Reality.
Sarah Toevs, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Community and Environmental Health, Director, Center for the Study of Aging Health and Wellbeing of Family Caregivers: From Relatives as Parents (Kincare) to Partner Care.
Energy, Aging, Behavioral Health and Addiction, and Idaho Policy – Presented by the Energy Policy Institute, the Center for the Study of Aging, the Institute for the Study of Behavioral Health and Addiction, and the Idaho Policy Institute on December 1, 2020
Dr. Sarah Toevs is a Professor in the Department of Community and Environmental Health and Director of the Center for the Study of Aging in the College of Health Sciences. Center for the Study of Aging.
Dr. Kathleen Araújo is the Director of the Energy Policy Institute and Associate Professor of Sustainable Energy Systems, Innovation, and Policy at Boise State University. Energy Policy Institute.
Dr. Susan Esp is an Associate Professor, School of Social Work, Boise State University. She has a Ph.D. in Adult and Organizational Leadership and Development, an M.A. in Counseling Psychology and B.S. in Psychology. Institute for the Study of Behavioral Health and Addiction.
Vanessa Crossgrove Fry is Interim Director and Assistant Research Professor at the Idaho Policy Institute (IPI) in the School of Public Service at Boise State University. Idaho Policy Institute.
Maternal, Child, and Youth, Health and Development presented by the Vice President of Research and Economic Development and the College of Health Sciences on March 19, 2021
Jennifer Weaver, Associate Professor, Department of Psychological Science, College of Arts and Sciences. How we Feed our Babies: Intersections with Parenting and Maternal Well-being.
Ellen Schafer, PhD, MPH, MCHES, Department of Community & Environmental Health, College of Health Sciences. Social Context of Infant and Child Care.
Cynthia Curl, PhD, Director, Center for Excellence in Environmental Health & Safety: Associate Professor, Department of Community & Environmental Health, College of Health Sciences. Agricultural Pesticides: Controlling Pests, Protecting Farmworkers, and Safeguarding Consumers.
Erin Mannen, PhD, Mechanical & Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering. Baby Biomechanics.
Iryna Babik, Department of Psychological Science, College of Arts and Sciences. A Dynamic Cascade from Motor to Cognitive Development During Early Childhood.
Cynthia Campbell, PhD, Psychological Science, College of Arts and Sciences. The Importance of Fathers in the Lives of Children & Supporting their Involvement.
Shaun Gann, Criminal Justice, School of Public Service. Adolescent Development, Competence, and Legal Culpability.
Kelly Chen, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, College of Business and Economics. Public Policies to Promote Child Health.
Megan Smith, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Community & Environmental Health, College of Health Sciences. Building Schools and Communities that Lift all our Children to their Full Potential.
Qizhen Deng, PhD, Literacy, Language & Culture, College of Education. Teacher Education for Working with K-12 Multilingual Students.
Jerry Alan Falls, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science, College of Engineering Designing Technologies with Kids for their Well-being.
Sole Pera, PhD, Associate Professor, People and Information Research Team (PIReT), Department of Computer Science, College of Engineering. Searching for Sven: Challenges and Opportunities to Facilitate Information Discovery for Children.
Lindsey Turner, PhD, Research Professor, Initiative for Healthy Schools, College of Education. Creating Healthy School Environments Where Children and Adolescents can Thrive.
SCHOOL UPDATES
Enrollment
Budget
Strategic Planning Steering Committee
With the support of the School Executive Committee, we are pleased to inform you of the members of the School of Allied Health Sciences Strategic Planning Steering Committee. We will begin our activity in the fall, and our first step will be to align our plan with the University Strategic Plan. The committee will also be tasked to make recommendations to the School Executive Committee regarding how we might best move forward with our plan. Please consider these individuals your liaisons, and we are hoping that they will be able to inform our Executive Committee on your behalf so that we have faculty voice in our plan and that your strategic plans can continually inform the School’s plan.
Committee members are:
- Jody Lester, Associate Professor, Respiratory Care
- Shuqi Zhang, Assistant Professor, Kinesiology
- John Lampignano, Clinical Assistant Professor, Radiologic Sciences
- Kristy Grabert, SAHS Management Assistant
If others become interested in serving, please email Bob at bobwood@boisestate.edu.
DEPARTMENT UPDATES
Program Changes
In the Fall of 2021 the School of Allied Health Sciences will enroll students in a new Masters degree program in Population and Health Systems Management. This program, led by Jenni Gudapati, MBA, is delivered in partnership with the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA). This degree program offers future healthcare leaders the opportunity to earn the Masters degree along with four industry-recognized healthcare finance certificates offered through HFMA. The degree was designed to fulfill unmet needs for an in-depth master’s level program focused on value-based healthcare. The program’s distinctive faculty bring broad experience in clinical, operational and financial management in hospital, health system and health plan settings.
New Certificates
New certificates and emphasis in Kinesiology The department of Kinesiology has recently revised it’s undergraduate offerings to include an emphasis in Rehabilitation Sciences, and certificate programs in Health Coaching and Physical Activity and Health. Having moved into the College of Health Sciences within the last decade, the department of Kinesiology is taking measured steps to grow its “health-related” focus, while maintaining its already strong reputation in human performance. These revisions and new programs will further strengthen the reach and impact of this department that already enjoys tremendous popularity.
Student Highlight
Boise State Diagnostic Radiography students submitted research papers and posters for competition at the Idaho Society of Radiologic Technologists 2021 Virtual Conference held April 23th & 24th. Below are the results:
Investigative Poster
- 1st place: A Comparison Between Two Portable X-Ray Tube Technologies – by Makenna Green, Allison Ramos, Madison Noble, Tiffany Tran, Nicole Wilber
- 3rd place: How Breast Tissue is Affected During Upper Extremity Exams – by Emily Whipple, Kristen Perkins
Investigative Essay
- 1st place: A Comparison Between Two Portable X-Ray Tube Technologies – by Makenna Green, Allison Ramos, Madison Noble, Tiffany Tran, Nicole Wilber
- 2nd place: Effectiveness of Collimation for Reducing Patient Dose and Scatter Production – by Cameron Stamper, Fatima Shafer, Shani Remme, Laurie Buan
- 3rd place: Gonadal Shielding and Its Effect On Dose – by Millie Ibarra, Nykell Mogensen, Ali Woolf
SUPPORT
Adobe Acrobat Pro is now available at no cost to all Boise State faculty and staff – this included student employees! For more details, check out OIT’s news release here. You can contact your School administrator at kristygrabert@boisestate.edu if you need to request an Acrobat Pro license.
As a reminder, our office is also available for department web support. If you need assistance with making edits to your website, please contact kristygrabert@boisestate.edu.
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