“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

On Friday, April 15, 2022, the College of Health Science & Public Health hosted the inaugural Celebration of Scholarly Works. Research posters and scholarly work from EWU faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students were on display at the Catalyst Innovation Hub. A panel of judges reviewed and scored the submissions. In total, $3,500 in cash prizes was awarded.

It is a pleasure to announce the 2022 CHSPH Celebration of Scholarly Works award winners:

PRESIDENT/PROVOST’S AWARD $500 – Recognizes the scholarly work that best epitomizes the vision, mission, and values of the university.

Winner: Parent Training on Self-Regulation Strategies for Former Afghan Refugee Children

Authors: Kaitlyn Grunst, Lindsay Roach, Grace Hamill, Lena Lewis

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Danielle DiLuzio, OTD, OTR/L

DEAN’S AWARD $500 – Recognizes the scholarly work that best epitomizes the vision, mission and values of the college.

Winner: The Role of Occupational Therapy in Treating Postpartum Women: A Scoping Review

Authors: Moriah Duenich, Anna Luse, Sydney Sullivan, Sydney Woolley

Faculty Mentor: Kaylynn Garrison, PPOTDc, MOT, OTR/L

COMMUNITY IMPACT $500 – Recognizes community engaged scholarship or service directed at improving community processes, programs or wellness.

Winner: The Impact of Yoga on Dental Hygiene Students’ Perceived Pain and Stress Level

Author(s): Sarah Jackson, RDH, MSDH and Lorie Speer, RDH, MSDH, Carrie Whitfield RDH, MSDH

INTERPROFESSIONAL EDUCATION $500 – Recognizes a faculty member or group engaging in IP education, IP practice or IP research.

Winner: Perceived barriers to early patient mobilization among therapy versus non-therapy providers

Author(s): Elena Crooks, PT, DPT, PhD, Brandon Clem, SPT, Teresa Bigand, PhD, MSN, RN, Tiffanie Rampley, PhD, RN, Nathaniel Nickerson, SPT, Crystal Billings, DNP, MSN, RN, Danell Stengem, MSN, RN, Jennifer Hoople, MSN, RN, Emily Herbster, SPT, Aidan Gallant, SPT, Cameron Chase, SPT, Douglas Weeks, PhD

Faculty Mentor: Elena Crooks, PT, DPT, PhD

FACULTY CHOICE $250 – Selected by a team of faculty evaluators – recognizes exemplary scholarly work of a student or team of students in the health sciences, public health, recreation, physical education, or health administration.

Winner: A Preliminary Descriptive Examination of Divorce and Grief Resolution Portrayed in Children’s Literature

Author(s): Tricia Martin

Faculty Mentor: Elizabeth Wilson-Fowler

FACULTY CHOICE $250 – Selected by a team of faculty evaluators – recognizes exemplary scholarly work of a student or team of students in the health sciences, public health, recreation, physical education, or health administration.

Winner: Predicting Cognitive Outcomes Using Actigraphy-Assessed Sleep in Patients with Neurological Insult

Author(s): Jamie Gable, SPT, Marissa Taylor, SPT, Virgeen Stilwill, PT, Amy Lou Roberg, PT, DPT, Gina Sprint, PhD, Douglas Weeks, PhD, Elena Crooks, PT, DPT, PhD

Faculty Mentor: Elena Crooks, PT, DPT, PhD

FACULTY RESEARCH $250 – Recognizes faculty research in health sciences, public health, recreation, physical education, or health administration. Priority given to projects focused on reduction of disease burden, health promotion, injury prevention or administrative topics responsive to the changing health services environment. Priority given to already (recently) published work.

Winner: Circadian Regulation of Electrocardiography (EKG) in Dayshift and Nightshift Schedules

Author(s): Elena Crooks, PT, DPT, PhD, Shobhan Gaddameedhi, PhD, Hans P.A. Van Dongen, PhD

GRADUATE SCHOLARLY WORK $250 – Recognizes individual or group work at the graduate level that exemplifies application of theoretical knowledge or principles of an area of study to real-world work environments.

Winner: Occupational Therapy Interventions in Forensic Mental Health Settings: A Scoping Review

Authors: Nichole Hudson, Josie Walker, Savannah Roberts

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Danielle DiLuzio, OTD, OTR

UNDERGRADUATE PROJECT/SCHOLARLY WORK $250 – Recognizes individual or group work at the undergraduate level that exemplifies application of theoretical knowledge or principles of an area of study to real-world work environments.

Winner: Neurons: The Inner Communication System

Author(s): Laura Caviness

Faculty Mentor: Hedieh Hashemi Hosseinabad, PhD, CCC-SLP

WORK IN PROGRESS $250 – Recognizes student scholarly work in the health sciences, public health, recreation, physical education or health administration slated to be completed by the end of the academic year.

Winner: Effect of Ultrasound Therapy on Tongue Configuration in Children with Cleft Palate

Author(s): Alison Hood

Faculty Mentor: Hedieh Hashemi Hosseinabad, PhD, CCC-SLP

Congratulations to all the winners! Winners will receive an individual email with instructions for claiming their prize.

We would also like to thank the following individuals who volunteered their time to judge the submissions:

2022 Celebration of Scholarly Works Judges

• Donna Bachand, RN, PhD, Associate Dean, College of Health Science & Public Health
• Christi Brewer, PhD, Associate Professor, Program Director, Exercise Science
• Danielle DiLuzio, OTD, OTR/L, Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy
• Hedieh Hashemi Hosseinabad, PhD, CCC-SLP, Assistant Professor, Communication Sciences & Disorders
• Donna Mann, OTD, Dip ABLM, MEd, BSOT, OT/L, Interim Dean, College of Health Science & Public Health
• Elizabeth Wilson-Fowler, PhD, CCC-SLP, Associate Professor, Communication Sciences & Disorders

The College of Health Science and Public Health is proud to present the Spring 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!

CHSPH Newsletter Spring 2022

Occupational therapy master’s alum Kaela Dewan talks about the lessons she has learned from the community at Eastern Washington University as a student and as a scholarship recipient. “Whether it is in ways that are big or small,” says Kayla, “I have found that being a part of something bigger than yourself is always rewarding. So, to those that have supported me, thank you!”

Eastern Washington Area Health Education Center (EWAHEC)

The newest program to join the Public Health and Health Administration Department is the Eastern Washington Area Health Education Center (EWAHEC). The EWAHEC opened at EWU in September 2015.  Their work is focused on improving the healthcare workforce, particularly in rural areas of eastern Washington.  The EWAHEC focuses on three key functions:

1. Assisting the UW School of Medicine with the Rural/Underserved Opportunities Program (R/UOP). R/UOP is a four-week immersion program conducted during the summer for students transitioning from their first year to second year of medical school. This program gives medical students exposure to working in rural medicine.
2. Providing continuing education opportunities for healthcare professionals working in eastern Washington. Past offerings have included sessions on diabetes, hypertension, mental health, and emergency medicine.
3. Creating a pipeline of youth from rural areas into healthcare professions. EWAHEC’s youth pipeline programs include:
   1. Super Science Saturday: a day camp for fourth, fifth, and sixth-grade students to be educated and inspired to pursue a career in healthcare.
   2. Project HOPE (Health Occupations Preparatory Experience): a summer internship opportunity for high school juniors and seniors.
   3. Health Science Career Day: a one-day session for high school students to learn more about healthcare programs..
   4. EWAHEC in the Classroom: classroom presentations made available to all schools and grades in eastern Washington.
   5. Lending library: Materials that are available to teachers, completely free of charge, to borrow for a month at a time.