Health Alumni Connection Medical Imaging to launch online BPS degree programs Health Professions Alumni Association News Winter 2020 Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) will follow, with an online program beginning in Fall 2021. All coursework will be delivered through the University’s online learning system, with video and audio presentations from Upstate faculty. Clinical components of the degree will be offered at various locations throughout New York state. Medical Imaging alumni routinely work with students at Upstate University Hospital. From left, with a new GE scanner installed last summer at the hospital are: Joe Santos ’16, Class of ’20 students Ashley Kodjo, Morgan Gagliostro and Amanda Brady, Jen Robbins ’06, Jen McBurnie ’00/’04, Dana Mills ’94, and MIS Program Chair Kerry Greene-Donnelly ’95. Robbins and McBurnie are clinical instructors. The Medical Imaging Sciences department announced the first online degree offering in the College of Health Professions. The Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS) in Computed Tomography (CT) online program will begin in Fall of 2020. The BPS degree is designed for Radiologic Technologists who have an associate degree or higher, to provide additional education for specialization in advanced imaging modalities. The flexibility offered through online education will allow the MIS program to service individuals in their home communities, thereby decreasing the cost of education, providing clinical rotations and opportunities for employment close to home, while also assisting clinical partners in employee recruitment. For more information on the online degree programs or becoming a clinical affiliate, contact Kerry Greene-Donnelly, department chair, at greenek@upstate.edu or 315-464-6928. Alumni Association unveils new strategic plan The Health Professions Alumni Association is proud to be the first of Upstate Medical University’s alumni associations to complete a Tier 2 Strategic Plan aligned with the overall institutional strategic plan. The College completed its own Tier 2 in late 2018, where it identified “enhancement of alumni relations” as a strategic priority. The Alumni Association’s new plan dovetails well in support of this and other College priorities. The Health Professions Alumni Association has adopted new vision, mission, and values statements, and selected three primary objectives to focus on over the next several years. Implementation strategies are underway. “Our purpose is to ignite a sense of alumni pride by enhancing opportunities for graduates to engage with the alumni association, which will serve as a resource to enhance their professional career,” said Health Professions Alumni President Anthony Kurec, MS ’86, MASCP, MLT(ASCP) DLM. “This strategic plan is a living document that will help us achieve these goals.” Watch your mailbox – we may be contacting you for your insights as we prepare for the future of the alumni association. Vision The Health Professions Alumni Association is the primary resource to connect, strengthen, cultivate, and nourish the College of Health Professions. Mission The mission of the Health Professions Alumni Association is to foster lifelong relationships to ensure financial support for the College and its mission to educate a continuous source of quality health care professionals. Values Integrity Engagement Tradition Service Generosity Inclusion Mentorship Stewardship www.upstatefoundation.org/chpalumni Professions
Health Professions Alumni Connection Alumni Connection is published by the SUNY Upstate Medical University Health Professions Alumni Association. Distribution is free to college alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends. Alumni Director: Mary Knepper Writer: Kristen Penfield Design: John Danial Design BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Anthony Kurec, MS ’86 Vice President Joseph Nicoletti, RRT ’76, RN Treasurer Robert Sunheimer, CLS ’74 Erik Boergesson, BS ’95, RRT-NPS Joseph Colello, RRT ’12 Susan Corieri, MT ’84 Laura Dell’Aiera, CP ’14 Trevor Farnsworth, MS, PA-C ’12 Mary Gleason, RT ’18 Brian Goodrich, RT ’14 Thomas Grady, RT ’88 Allison Lewis, PA ’12 Christine Pastore, DPT ’13 Josephine Przepiora, MT ’00/MS ’10 Nicole Tomasello, CP ’11 Jim Vossler, MT ’81 Gabriel Yankowitz, DPT ’83 Emeritus David Clemente, MIS ’93 Michelle Pisik, MIS ’72 Ex-Officio Members Mantosh Dewan, MD Interim President, Upstate Medical University Eileen M. Pezzi, MPA VP for Development, Upstate Medical University Katherine Beissner, PhD, PT Dean, College of Health Professions Mary Knepper Health Professions Alumni Director Send address corrections to: Health Professions Alumni Office Upstate Medical University 750 E. Adams Street – CAB 326 Syracuse, NY 13210 315-464-4416 chpalum@upstate.edu RT student remembered as strong and compassionate Lucy Reff proudly takes a selfie on her first day of clinical It is especially difficult when the Upstate campus experiences the untimely loss of a student who is on the threshold of a new stage in life, almost ready to begin their professional career. In January, second year Respiratory Therapy student Lucy Reff lost a brief battle with a sudden illness. Lucy’s name will live on at Upstate, though. Her family and friends are raising funds for an endowed scholarship as a tribute to her many accomplishments. The Clayton, NY, community where she grew up has been especially supportive. The scholarship will be awarded to a second year RT student based on excellence in clinical performance. “This was an area where Lucy really shined,” said RT Program Chair Claire Aloan, MS, RT, RRT-NPS, FAARC (AAS ’74). “She was just wonderful with patients and had a gift for teaching.” Her family noted that Lucy was “strong, tough, and spoke her mind with ease and respect.” She loved the outdoors, dance, and animals, and was an accomplished equestrian. Lucy’s desire to help others led her to choose the path of Respiratory Therapy, and also made it easy for her family to make the decision to donate her organs. Lucy was a 2014 graduate of Thousand Islands High School and a 2017 graduate of Jefferson Community College with an Allied Health Degree. She was set to graduate from Upstate Medical University in May of 2019. She and Skyler Weston had set a wedding date for the following August. The first Lucy Reff Scholarship was awarded last summer to Suad Velic, RT Class of 2020. “I very much appreciate this award,” said Suad. “I may have only known Lucy for a short period of time, but this award will allow her memory to be everlasting. I am proud to be the recipient of the Lucy Reff Scholarship.” To help grow the scholarship endowment, call 315-464-4416 or give online at www.upstatefoundation.org/chpalumni/ donate Grant award will help launch summer program for urban high school students The Green Family Foundation awarded a $23,000 grant to support a five-week summer pilot project at Upstate’s College of Health Professions. The program will introduce underrepresented and/ or economically disadvantaged Syracuse city high school students to the wide array of health care professions – not just jobs but lifelong careers that can provide a secure economic future for these students while helping to increase diversity in the local health care workforce. Using a case-based design structured around human organ systems, students will explore anatomy, physiology and pathology as well as diagnostic and therapeutic interventions that expose them to a variety of health careers. Classes will include library skills, communication/presentations, leadership development and ongoing interaction with Upstate faculty and students. Give online at 2 | SUNY Upstate Medical University www.upstatefoundation.org/chpalumni or call 315-464-4416. Health Professions Alumni Connection Winter 2020
Upstate opens new state-of-the-art simulation center Upstate Medical University has opened a new $11 million teaching center that will simulate real-time responses to medical emergencies in the ICU, labor and delivery, the operating room and in any setting where health care is delivered. The aim of the Upstate Simulation Center is to improve patient safety and patient care, as well as build highly-trained multidisciplinary health care teams. This new and sophisticated learning environment, totaling about 8,600 square feet, will become a hub of teaching and training for students from all areas of the health professions. The patients in the Simulation Center are eight high-tech manikins that can be programmed to reflect a seemingly endless range of medical complications. They can have convulsions, breathing difficulties, pharyngeal swelling, cardiac issues or another warning sign or symptom that learners might face in a real patient. An expectant mother Dr. Erik Rufa works with DPT student Quinn Searles in the new Simulation Center. Rufa is director of education in the University’s new Simulation Center. manikin can exhibit difficulties during delivery. Rounding out the family of manikins are a baby and child. “The skills that will be examined and taught here won’t simply be limited to the practice of intubation or other invasive procedures,” said Director of Interprofessional Education and University Simulation Darren Carboni, MBA, CAS-HSMP. “We’ll address things that actually happen in the patient room, such as visit from a case worker or from a clergy member.” “It’s a learning center for everyone,” Carboni said. Health professionals and learners from throughout the region will be able to take advantage of the Upstate Simulation Center. Carboni went on to note that opportunities for regional partners are limitless. For example, a small regional hospital may use the space for training on new procedures, or perhaps to address new protocols for a small hospital emergency room. The Upstate Simulation Center is part of a coordinated network of simulation resources that, together, provide realistic intra- and inter-professional experiential learning at Upstate. The center complements Upstate’s Clinical Skills Center that features 22 exam rooms, closed-circuit monitoring, and state-ofthe-art medical equipment. In this space students shape their “bedside manner” and clinical skills with standardized patients or actors role-playing as patients. Excerpted from Upstate Online Students hear message of collaboration at White Coat Ceremony The College of Health Professions welcomed 174 incoming students last Fall – more than any other college at Upstate. The annual White Coat Ceremony was held in August at the Oncenter Convention Center in downtown Syracuse. Event sponsor Nascentia Health was represented by Chief Clinical Officer Andrea Lazarek-LaQuay, MS, RN. “As students learn together, lean upon each other and find success in their individual programs, they will need to apply that same collaboration to their practice,” Lazarek-LaQuay said. “By approaching patient care as a team we can leverage our individual talents and knowledge to provide patients with the best care possible.” Andrea Lazarek-LaQuay of Nascentia Health, right, with alumni association President Tony Kurec and Dean Katherine Beissner New students by program were: Behavior Analysis Studies (4), Clinical Perfusion (12), Clinical Laboratory Science (30), Medical Imaging Sciences (29), Physical Therapy Education (40), Physician Assistant Studies (34), Radiation Therapy (12) and Respiratory Therapy Education (13). Looking for a leadership opportunity? The Health Professions Alumni Association Board of Directors provides important oversight and guidance, and is a key connection with alumni, the college, our students, and the community. It is possible to participate long-distance if you do not live in Central New York. Contact us at chpalum@upstate.edu or call 315-464-4416 for information about serving on the board. SUNY Upstate Medical University Health Professions Alumni Connection Winter 2020 | 3
Thank You to our 2019 Donors! We extend our gratitude to the alumni, faculty, students and friends who contributed to the Upstate College of Health Professions Alumni Association 2019 annual campaign, including restricted funds and endowments. Donors are listed below according to gifts received between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019. A.C. Silverman Society* Named in honor of respected pediatrician, epidemiologist and public health administrator A. Clement Silverman, the society recognizes donors who have given cumulative lifetime gifts of $2,500 or more to the alumni association and/or have given annually for 10 or more consecutive years. Special thanks to Founding Members who have given for 27 years – every year since the alumni association was formed. PLATINUM SOCIETY Gifts of $15,000 - $24,999 Green Family Foundation* -new member The Upstate Foundation, Inc.* GOLD SOCIETY Gifts of $5,000 - $14,999 Drs. Michael and Colleen O’Leary* SILVER SOCIETY Gifts of $1,000 - $4,999 College of Health Professions Dean’s Office Jacqueline M. Kerschbaum* Sandra L. Madejski*-26 years New York State Society of Perfusionists, Inc.* Ryan and Jamienne Price Mr. Robert E. Purcell Mr. and Mrs. Carl O. Reistrom* SpecialtyCare, Inc. Robert L. Sunheimer*-12 years James L. Vossler* Gabriel E. Yankowitz, DPT Lynn M. Cleary, MD and David B. Duggan, MD Mr. and Mrs. Mo Cleaver Mr. and Mrs. Timothy J. Colbert Ms. Lori M. Durand Kathryn Furgal* Pamela R. Gramet, PhD* Mr. and Mrs. Michael A. Mammolito Joan E. O’Brien*-21 years James C. and Margaret W. Pontious Foundation Mr. Joseph Rappa, Jr. Laura and Mark Reff Ms. Genevieve Saya Mr. Amar Varma Dr. and Mrs. Howard L. Weinberger BENEFACTOR Gifts of $100 - $499 Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Amo Anonymous* Deborah M. Augustine David L. Bacon*-12 years Allison M. Bagnell*-27 years Kevin J. Reistrom Memorial Scholarship “Kevin J. Reistrom left a legacy of compassionate, knowledgeable and personalized care, which I hope to emulate while I practice. Thank you for considering me worthy of this honor.” Girolamo “Gino” Mammolito DPT Class of ’20 BRONZE SOCIETY Gifts of $500 - $999 Claire A. Aloan Dale L. Avers, PhD, DPT Sandra M. Banas 4 | SUNY Upstate Medical University Barbara J. Bartynski*-26 years Zackary Beckman Katherine L. Beissner, PhD Mr. Miles Bintz Mr. George Bogenschutz Mr. Todd R. Bogenschutz John F. Boland David A. Boyland, DPT Mr. John Brady Kimberly L. Brisson Colette Calame Mr. Robert Cantwell Eugene Hannah Brian J. Harnett Cheryl M. Haskins Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Heneka Marie Horan Nedda J. Howk*-24 years Teresa Ierlan The Thomas Grady Scholarship for Radiation Therapy “I am happy to have the alumni association and the Grady family who believe in me and are willing to assist financially in order for me to continue working toward my dream. I am beyond thankful.” Natalya Danylyshyn Radiation Therapy Class of ’20 David J. Caponera Mr. and Mrs. Harold G. Carpenter Cerow Agency, Inc. Cheney Tire, Inc. Katherine E. Constable Susan B. Corieri Genevieve J. Covelli Mr. and Mrs. Bruce P. Coyne Amy C. DeBlois, DPT Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Dillenback Anne DiStefano Mr. and Mrs. Robert Dixon Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Docteur Jill A. Dungey, DPT Tierney L. Dygert Mr. Frank Gall Brian Goodrich Helen C. Goreham Mrs. Elizabeth M. Grady* Susan S. Graham*-18 years Linda W. Graves Barbara Haas Health Professions Alumni Connection Karen Jaeger-Summers* Patricia A. John Johnny D’s Maria A. Kaminski* Terry R. Kaminski* Bokkyu Kim, PhD Mary Knepper Anthony S. Kurec L. P. Thompson Insurance Agency LTD LabCorp Mr. Thomas LaClair Rev. Reginald V. Lancaster and Dr. Karen R. Wilkinson Rhoda Lange Glenn K. Lee George C. Maihafer Mr. and Mrs. Chester Massari Mary C. McCann Nancy L. McManus Kerry J. McNiven*-24 years Craig M. McRobb Kathryn Messinger Kathleen A. Miller Winter 2020
Barbara Gonnella Memorial Scholarship “I am proud to attend a school with such a supportive alumni community. I will do my best to merit this recognition from the Gonnella family and the alumni association.” Jessica Mabile, MT ’19 Mr. William Munn and Ms. Elizabeth Chapman Dr. and Mrs. Rudolph J. Napodano Robert J. Nettle Kevin M. Neville, DPT James M. O’Connor Heather E. Odden, DPT Dr. and Mrs. Stuart B. Paster* Mr. and Mrs. Christopher T. Peck Ms. Candie Pecor Michelle M. Pisik* Jesse A. Reap*-20 years Robinson Farms Mr. and Mrs. Gary H. Rushmer Seco Industrial Rehabilitation Inc. Ms. Kimberly Sekel Ms. Katherine A. Semelsberger Fawn A. Spagnola Timothy J. Stayer Mr. and Mrs. Gordon L. Stiefel Wendy S. Stockwin Marie L. Stuart*-27 years Patricia Sullivan Leisy Mr. and Mrs. David E. Taylor Martha S. Tepperberg* -new member Ms. Anelyn Tolentino Tricia’s Rondette Restaurant, LLC United Technologies W.D. Mechanical, Inc. Monica Wang Mr. Roger W. White, Jr. Fritz K. Winderl Sheila A. Young Mr. and Mrs. Martin Zonnenberg FRIEND Gifts Up to $99 Kyle R. Adams, DPT L. James Aikens, Jr. Ms. Jill D. Bach Ms. Linda L. Bach Mr. and Mrs. E. Jefferson Bannister John O. Barr, PhD Sheree Lyn Batson Stacy B. Benner Bergeron Health Care Flocast LLC Cara M. Bernard Erik Jon Boergesson Jennifer Boergesson Ms. Gail Bogenschutz Ellyn J. Brinsko*-27 years Ms. Marcia Campany Robert W. Carlson* -new member Elizabeth Carnevale Finch* -23 years Mr. and Mrs. Duane Chalk Sue and Ron Clark*-12 years Margaret A. Clifton Ms. Amanda Colon Ms. Kaleigh Comstock Anthony P. Cusano Michael D. Darrow Ms. Stephanie E. Davies Terry E. Davis-Clark Ms. Rhada O. Decker Ms. Carolyn C. Delaney Mr. and Mrs. Steven DeMay Michelle R. Dolphin, DPT Linda F. DuLong*-27 years Patricia L. Eggleston*-23 years Thomas J. Eggleston*-23 years William M. Eklund Joanne E. Estey-Gomber Caitlin M. Farruggio, DPT Mr. and Mrs. Mark Favret Ms. Petra Ferguson Mr. and Mrs. David Flanders Mr. and Mrs. Matthew C. Foisy Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Fox Teresa A. Futia Marra Mr. and Mrs. Russell A. Gallup Karen A. Gebo Linda L. George Mr. and Mrs. Daniel L. Grant Dr. Rebecca and Mr. Benjamin Greenblatt Ms. Laura G. Hall Mark F. Harvey Ashley R. Hein Kelle J. Matthews Mr. Edward A. Maziarz Homer H. Merrifield Ms. Jane E. Meyers Michael W. Morris Mr. and Mrs. William N. Mott Dr. and Mrs. Christopher G. Neville Ms. Elizabeth J. O’Brian Mr. and Mrs. Arnie O’Reilly Elizabeth A. Palumbo Larry T. Peacock*-27 years Kristen Penfield Ms. Bonnie Perkins Ms. Deborah J. Phinney Josephine Przepiora*-14 years Susan M. Rauer Carol A. Recker-Hughes, PhD Robert J. Councilman Scholarship “This alumni support means more than just receiving a monetary gift to help with school. This support means being accepted into the Upstate family, knowing you are not alone on your journey. I am honored to have been chosen for this award.” Jacob Naples Respiratory Therapy Class of ’21 Mr. and Mrs. Harvey C. Hurley Mark F. Jackson, DPT Ms. Christine P. Jaspersohn Mr. and Mrs. John D. Joensen Mary C. Kilpatrick* -new member Jon J. King Kailey C. Kinsella Susan M. Lawlor Ms. Dana Levitt Mark Liberti Gerard C. Lubitz Brenda M. Luther Elie Mala* Meenakshi Malhotra, PhD Ms. Kristine Martin Mr. and Mrs. Ted Mascott Jeannine Masucci Carol V. Mattheis Ifrah Saleem Mr. and Mrs. Clifford E. Schell Bernd-Ulrich Schwarz Kathryn A. Shaw Deacon Bernard E. Slate Gary M. Smith Jean M. Stewart*-11 years Pamella S. Swierczek Stephen F. Swierczek Beth A. Tschorke*-23 years Mr. and Mrs. Stephen J. Turcotte Susan A. Vlahakis Mr. and Mrs. Daniel A. Weatherstone Kenneth P. Weber*-21 years Richard L. Withington, MD David F. Wolfe*-22 years Robert J. Wright Publications Awards Promotions Mission Trips Send your news to: chpalum@upstate.edu SUNY Upstate Medical University Health Professions Alumni Connection Winter 2020 | 5
CLS professor named Academy Fellow of the American Association for Clinical Chemistry Paul Johnson, PhD, MBA, DABCC, FAACC, associate professor in the Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, has been named an Academy Fellow of the American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC). It is the academy’s highest honor. The AACC is an international scientific and medical professional organization dedicated to clinical laboratory science and its application to health care. Johnson joined the Upstate Medical University faculty in 2012, where his primary research focus has been on diagnostic utility of concussion injury biomarkers in human subjects with a goal of improving early diagnosis. He developed an online training module for clinical biochemists for which he was honored with co-authors on a featured cover story in the December 2018 issue of Clinical Chemistry journal. Radiation Therapy program gets new treatment planning system Dana Betti and Chelsea Merine, Class of 2021, work on one of the Radiation Therapy program’s treatment planning systems. “We are lucky to have just installed this February a brand new radiation therapy treatment planning system for our students to use,” said Tierney Dygert, RTT, RT ’09, clinical education coordinator for Radiation Therapy. The feature sheet for the Varian Eclipse workstation notes that “the system simplifies radiation therapy planning for the standard treatment modalities and allows clinicians to efficiently create and verify the optimal treatment plan for their patients.” With the new system, Radiation Therapy students are exposed to the actual system they will be utilizing during their clinical rotations. “Our students have the advantage of practicing on the computer at any hour while on campus, so they can feel ready to tackle their clinical requirements,” Dygert continued. “Without these treatment planning systems, and dosimetry in general, we wouldn’t be able to accurately or safely deliver radiation to our patients.” 6 | SUNY Upstate Medical University Health Professions Alumni Connection Winter 2020 ACCOLADES At the Fall Faculty Convocation in September, the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching was awarded to Michelle Dolphin, DPT ’06, PT, MS, OCS, of the Physical Therapy Education department. Dolphin received the award from Upstate Medical University Interim President Mantosh Dewan, MD, left, and Dr. Stephen Glatt, chair of the Upstate Faculty Council. The President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching was awarded to Bruce Searles, MS ’93, LP, CCP, right, chair of Cardiovascular Perfusion. Also honored was Anne Starowicz from the dean’s office in the College of Health Professions, who received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service. Sheri Tooley, BSRT ’09, RRTNPS, CPFT, AE-C, FAARC, has been named president-elect of the American Association of Respiratory Care (AARC), the professional association serving Respiratory Therapists in the US and around the globe, with over 50,000 members. Tooley has been an active member of AARC since 1982. She is a 2009 graduate of Upstate’s advanced program in Cardiorespiratory Sciences and is an adjunct professor for the College of Health Professions. She is a member of the Upstate Medical University Chapter of the Lambda Beta Society and is completing her thesis for an MS in Respiratory Education.
Alumni Association supports faculty enrichment The Health Professions Alumni Association awards funds in support of faculty and staff professional development through two alumnisupported endowments, the Donald C. Goodman Endowment for Faculty Enrichment and the Cynthia Anne Novak Memorial Endowment for Professional Development. The 2020 recipients were announced in February. The Donald C. Goodman Award will go to Carol Sames, PhD, and Erin Wentz, PhD, of the Physical Therapy Education department. The award will support their Starting Pregnancy with Robustness for Optimal Upward Trajectories (SPROUT) project to collect pilot data for a moderate intensity prenatal exercise program. The project will actively involve DPT students. From left, 2020 faculty enrichment award recipients Erin Wentz, Mark Spooner and Carol Sames Mark Spooner, MIS ’86, MRI Instructor and Clinical Coordinator for Medical Imaging Sciences, was selected to receive the Cynthia Anne Novak Memorial Award. He will attend via live simulcast the 4-Day Basic MRI/Registry Review course taught by William Faulkner, to help him better prepare students for the ARRT advanced level certification in MRI. Trevor Farnsworth, MS, PA-C ’12, chair of the alumni board’s review committee, said, I am excited about this year’s recipients. Both applications carried the spirit each award embodies. I am confident each will contribute to student preparation, contribution to the medical literature, and overall advancement of the already high caliber of the College of Health Professions. Congratulations Mark, Carol and Erin!” Upstate PT professors, students, alumnae present at national conference Upstate’s Physical Therapy Education program was proudly represented at the American Physical Therapy Dr. Dale Avers gave the Carole B. Lewis Lecture at the APTA Combined Sections Meeting in Denver Association’s (APTA) 2020 Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) in Denver in February. Faculty, alumnae and students presented at CSM, the largest physical therapy conference in the country. Upstate PT Professor Dale Avers, PhD, DPT, PT, FAPTA, delivered the prestigious Carole B. Lewis Lecture. Her topic was “We Can Do Better – Aging and the Value of Physical Therapy.” Dr. Avers is past associate editor of the Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy and past president of the Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy. Dr. Avers noted, “Effectively treating aging individuals requires a paradigm shift from a mechanistic “fix it” approach (you can’t fix aging) to a management approach; whereby the physical therapist coaches a SUNY Upstate Medical University person through various manifestations of their chronic diseases, building capacity to achieve the desires of the person.” George Fulk, PhD, PT, FAPTA, Upstate PT program chair, DPT professor and deputy editor of the Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy, presented work in collaboration with students of the Upstate DPT Class of 2020, Raktim Ghosh, Samantha Romano and Jonathan Thomas. Also involved in the presentation were Upstate Library Reference Librarian Amy Slutzky, PhD, MSLIS, AHIP, and Karen Klingman, PhD, RN, associate dean and professor at Upstate’s College of Nursing. Dr. Fulk said “Students from the PT program presented their research findings on the impact of sleep disorders on recovery of function after stroke. In their systematic review, the students found that people with stroke who also had a sleep disorder generally had poorer functional outcomes and participation outcomes than people with stroke without a sleep disorder.” Upstate Associate Professor Christopher Neville, PhD, PT, president of the Foot and Ankle Special Interest Group (FASIG) within the Academy of Orthopedic Physical Therapy, presented educational sessions in collaboration with Anne Reilley, DPT ’14, PT, MS, GCS, and Marianna Wingood, DPT ’12, PT, GCS, CEEAA. The American Physical Therapy Association is a US-based individual membership professional organization representing more than 100,000 member physical therapists, physical therapist assistants and students of physical therapy. Respiratory Therapy profession loses a “gentleman” Associate Professor Emeritus Robert R. Fluck, Jr., 69, died on October 13, 2019. Robert began his career at Upstate in 1975 as an instructor in the Respiratory Therapy program where he was promoted to associate professor and served as the department’s director of clinical education from 1984 to 2001. Claire Aloan, MS, RT ’74, RRT-NPS, FAARC, associate professor and interim Respiratory Therapy program director said, “Bob will be fondly remembered by his students and professional colleagues as a highly intelligent gentleman with a wonderful sense of humor and outstanding dedication to his chosen profession.” Health Professions Alumni Connection Winter 2020 | 7
Alumni Connection Health Professions Alumni Association News SUNY Upstate Medical University 326 Campus Activities Building 750 East Adams Street Syracuse, New York 13210 www.upstatefoundation.org/chpalumni/ VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY Do you like to organize? The Health Professions Alumni Association is looking for volunteers to help organize and archive our photo library. This includes digital and hard copy photos, recent and from years past. If interested, please contact us at chpalum@upstate.edu or 315-464-4416. Behavior Analysis Studies students integral to new center The new Golisano Center for Special Needs will provide comprehensive, coordinated and scientifically based medical and behavioral care for children and adolescents with many types of intellectual and developmental disabilities. Along with significant expansion of capacity for clinical services will come the need for additional skilled professionals. To that end, the College of Health Professions has developed a new Behavior Analysis Studies (BAS) master’s degree program. The six-semester (24-month) program includes didactic instruction and practicum experience, and is designed to prepare students to apply data collection and analysis to implement evidence-based treatments for individuals with autism. Hank Roane, PhD, center back, and the team from the Family Behavior Analysis Clinic welcomed Dean Katherine Beissner, seated right, Alumni Director Mary Knepper, standing left, and several Upstate Foundation staff members for a tour. The clinic will move into the Golisano Center for Special Needs when it is completed. Roane is the clinic director and chair of the BAS program. When the Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital marked its 10th birthday last September, officials announced a new $3 million gift from Paychex founder and philanthropist Tom Golisano toward establishing a center for special needs at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital to help meet an urgent and growing community need. Behavior analysts are licensed health care professionals who provide therapeutic services for individuals with autism and related disorders. Service delivery might include conducting assessments of problem behavior or language deficits, developing treatments to reduce problem behavior and increase pro-social behavior, consulting, and caregiver training. The Center will also promote ongoing research into the root causes of and new treatments for intellectual and developmental disabilities, especially autism. Students in the BAS program are active participants in the research. The first cohort of three BAS students will graduate in May.
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