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Greetings!
Summer is always an exciting time in the School of Health Professions. With several of our programs starting up in the summer, there’s lots going on in our classrooms and labs, with the presence of students, faculty, and staff.
The last academic year brought many events and celebrations! We hosted several interprofessional education events, including our Pediatric IPE Day, a collaborative event with our Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech-Language Pathology programs, and our annual IPE Day, with over 300 students learning about the values of the roles of all member of the healthcare team. We also hosted our annual Research Day complete with poster presentations sessions and an AI panel presentation. In addition, we held our first Giving Day Student Appreciation event to give thanks to our students for engaging in philanthropy. Lastly, this May, we celebrated the accomplishments of over 750 graduates at our annual convocations ceremonies.
I hope that you can take some time to read our newsletter. I’m so proud to share our accomplishments with you. If you have any news items you'd like to submit for our next newsletter, please contact us.
Whether you’re a student, faculty member, staff member, alumni, or part of our SHP community, I wish you a happy and healthy summer.
Sincerely,
Stacy Jaffee Gropack, PT, PhD, FASAHP
Dean and Professor
Stony Brook School of Health Professions
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School of Health Professions
Interprofessional Education Day
| Over 300 students from Stony Brook University's School of Health Professions, along with students from the School of Social Welfare, participated in Interprofessional Education Day. | | | |
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SHP Offers New
Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program
| The School of Health Professions converted its occupational therapy educational offerings to a new doctoral program that began with its first cohort of students in June 2024. | | | |
Dean of the School of Health Professions Advocates for Key Workforce Development Initiatives on the Hill | On February 29, Stony Brook University's Dean of the School of Health Professions, Stacy Jaffee Gropack, met with New York congressional delegation members and staff on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. During the meetings, Gropack urged members and staff to expand STEM federal financial aid opportunities for all students studying health professions. | | | |
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SHP Faculty and Staff Recognized
for Years of Service
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Congratulations to our faculty and staff who were recognized for their years of service at Stony Brook's Service Recognition Luncheon on January 24, 2024. Thank you for your dedication to the school, our students, and your support and advancement of healthcare education!
- 40 years: Lisa Johnson and Kathryn Koshansky
- 35 years: Dawn Blatt and Edward Giarrusso
- 30 years: Donna Ferrara, Traci Thompson, and Lynn Timko-Swaim
| (L-R) Lynn Timko-Swaim, Kathryn Koshansky, Lisa Johnson, Stacy Jaffee Gropack, Edward Giarrusso, Dawn Blatt, Donna Ferrara, and Traci Thompson | |
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Faculty Promotions and
Staff Permanent Appointments
Promoted to Professor
- Gloria Viboud - Clinical Laboratory Sciences
Promoted to Clinical Professor
- Ann Cuccia - Respiratory Care
Promoted to Clinical Associate Professor
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Afrinash Ahamad - Clinical Laboratory Sciences
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Hana Fukuto - Clinical Laboratory Sciences
- Hants Williams - Applied Health Informatics
Granted Permanent Positions
- Teresa Blaskopf - Dean's office
- Angela Scauso - Dean's office
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Center for Public Health Education
Peer Worker Certification Graduation
The Center for Public Health Education recently held its Peer Worker Certification Graduation ceremony on April 26, 2024. This was the first live ceremony since COVID. Twenty-eight peers were certified and graduated, and over 250 have been certified through the program since its inception. The NYS Health Department and the AIDS Institute have recognized the important role that peer workers can play in improving health outcomes. The NYS Peer Worker Certification Program is highlighted in the NYS Blueprint for Ending the AIDS Epidemic – peer-delivered services play a key role in meeting the state’s goals of increasing linkage and retention in care, rates of viral suppression, and preventing new infections. Congratulations to all of the graduates!
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Wellness Wednesday
On April 17, 2024, the Stony Brook School of Health Professions Dean’s Advisory Board hosted its first-ever Wellness Wednesday event. The student-led event was held at both the Health Sciences Galleria and the Stony Brook Southampton campus with more than 300 attendees.
Event participants included representatives from the Center for Prevention and Outreach (CPO), Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Student Accessibility Support Center (SASC), Student Health Services, Campus Recreation, the CARE Team, Financial Aid, East and West Side Dining, Student Life, the University Police Community Relations Team, Faculty Student Association (FSA), Environmental Health and Safety, Fire Safety, FoodLab and the IT Department, with additional presentations from the School of Health Professions faculty and students.
The day was packed with free giveaways, lawn games, food and music. Wolfie even made a surprise visit to greet the attendees!
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Giving Day Student Appreciation Event
This Giving Day, we celebrated our students! All SHP students were cordially invited to our Giving Day Student Appreciation Event on March 27, 2024, with events taking place simultaneously at both the Health Sciences Center and the Southampton Campus. We had raffles for swag and snacks to enjoy, all while promoting philanthropy and the spirit of giving!
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Spreading the Word About
Clinical Laboratory Sciences:
Young Scientists in the Making
At the Science Olympiad Junior Division Regional Tournament in March 2024, over 500 middle schoolers from all across Long Island competed in a series of competitive events. One such event was “Crime Busters”, coordinated by Jeannie Guglielmo, Chair and Clinical Associate Professor of our Clinical Laboratory Sciences (CLS) Department. In a 50-minute session, participating students were tasked with evaluating evidence to help solve a mock scenario. Working in pairs, teams engaged in hands-on lab testing and answered questions about the samples. Not only was this a great learning experience for the students, it also helped spread the word about the CLS profession and Stony Brook University.
Jeannie has been coordinating this event for the last 20 years.
| Jeannie Guglielmo (far right) with two middle school student participants during the Crime Busters event | |
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2024/25 Lecture Series
Calling all subject matter experts! The School of Health Professions is continuing its lecture series, and for the upcoming academic year 24/25, we'd like to present a total of four lectures--two in the Fall and two in the Spring.
Lectures will take place here in the HSC lecture halls, and will be approximately 40-45 minutes with time at the end for Q&A.
To submit your request to participate, please use this google form. The deadline to submit is July 15, 2024.
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Community Service & Engagement | | |
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Applied Health Informatics Student Project Assists Our Community
Utilizing Python programming language, Applied Health Informatics students created a dashboard for Stony Brook Medicine to display Social Determinants of Health resources across Long Island to promote health equity. The Long Island Communities Resources dashboard allows the user to search by location and distance for resources in several categories, including domestic violence, emergency housing, food pantries, health clinics, mental health services, transportation, and veterans assistance.
To visit the dashboard, please click here.
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Just for Kicks
Senior Instructor Training
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On Saturday, March 2, 2024, six health science major students who are part of the disability studies and human development concentration, and three Doctor of Physical Therapy students assisted health science major faculty in the Just for Kicks (JFK) Senior Instructor Training. Over 22 high school students participated in the training which included both classroom, role play and practical work with JFK players.
Just for Kicks is an adaptive soccer program run through the East Islip Soccer Club that incorporates a buddy volunteer model to provide instruction, support, and a positive experience for children with autism and other types of developmental delays to promote an interest in soccer. This program is free for children between the ages of five through 16 and provides an opportunity to learn basic soccer skills while building self-esteem and having fun. Since many players are sensitive to sensory input, JFK provides a distraction-free area to promote a more comfortable environment.
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(Back row) Erik Flynn, Chris Burke, Edith Herrera, Vidhi Shah, Esrin Acar, Zonglin Teng, Emily Benincasa, Elana Ruisi, Uma Mohan
(Front row) Kathleen McGoldrick, Anne Hutzler, Stephanie Alvarez, Sharon Cuff
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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | | |
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James Pierre-Glaude, PT, DPT, EdD, ATC, CSCS
Named New Assistant Dean of
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
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We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Dr. James Pierre-Glaude as the school's new Assistant Dean of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. In his previous position as Director of DEI, he brought a wealth of experience, passion, and dedication to our school. In this critical role, Dr. Pierre-Glaude will work closely with faculty, staff, and students to advance our commitment to fostering a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all community members. He will further lead initiatives to promote awareness, understanding, and appreciation of diversity in all its forms while also implementing strategies to ensure equity and inclusion are woven into the fabric of our school.
Dr. Pierre-Glaude has brought a unique perspective, fresh ideas, and a collaborative spirit that will undoubtedly enrich our community and propel us forward in our diversity and inclusion efforts. We are confident that in his new role he will continue to contribute significantly to our shared goals and help us create a more inclusive and equitable environment for all.
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UNITI Cultural Center
Health Professions Meet and Greet
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In celebration of Black History Month, faculty participated as panelists in the Health Professions Meet and Greet, a collaborative event on February 29, 2024 between the School of Health Professions, the Office of Diversity and Intercultural and Community Engagement, and the UNITI Cultural Center. Panelists included Black and Latinx faculty, administrators, and clinicians who shared their stories and gave valuable insights into the admission requirements for various health profession programs.
The event provided attendees with a unique opportunity to expand their understanding of potential career paths, connect with professionals in the field, and celebrate the contributions of Black and Latinx individuals to the health professions, fostering dialogue, sharing knowledge, and building connections within our vibrant community.
| (L-R) Rasheed Davis, Elisabel Chang, Lisa Johnson, Dale Coffin, Hyacinth Spence, James Pierre-Glaude, and Shawn Edouard | |
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Lacey Kaufer '24
Health Science
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In April 2024, Lacey Kaufer was chosen as the winner of the Stony Brook University Community Impact Award. She has had quite an impact on everyone around her these past four years at Stony Brook!
Lacey was a teaching assistant for health science courses such as HAN 312 (Medical Terminology), and HAN 251 (Research Methods). She was also two-term president for the Pre-PA Club. The club partners with programs to provide hygiene boxes to homeless shelters. Lacey has helped decorate and pack boxes for these shelters, gathered volunteers and coordinated meetings. She has volunteered for the past three years at the Long Island State Veterans Home in Stony Brook
where she assisted with the transport of veterans to and from appointments, helped with feedings, and assisted with recreational activities. Lacey also completed Stony Brook University's Peer Bystander Intervention QPR training. The training helps peers to understand, recognize, and respond to fellow students in suicidal crisis. In addition to this, she volunteers with the Sunshine Alternative, an education and prevention center that works to build drug-free and violence-free communities on Long Island. Lacey also works with children facing medical challenges in hospitals. She is certified in Narcan/Overdose prevention, and runs training sessions to teach others how to use Narcan.
Lacey graduated this May with her Bachelor of Science in Health Science. She hopes to
continue her studies in a physician assistant graduate program. Congratulations, Lacey!
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School of Health Professions Alumni Honored at our Annual Outstanding Alumni Awards Ceremony | |
A great time was had by all who attending our 2024 Outstanding Alumni Awards event on March 20, 2024, where our recipients were recognized and awarded for their distinguished careers. What a great way to honor our alumni and the differences they're making in their fields. Congratulations to Holly Asaro '19, '22, Clinical Laboratory Sciences; Claribell Bayona '99, Occupational Therapy; Angelique Collado '15, '16, Applied Health Informatics; Laura Coombs '92, Athletic Training; Shawn Edouard '05, Health Science; Christina Elefante '00, Respiratory Care; Mark Saraceni '08, Health Science; and Lyndsie Watkins '12, Physician Assistant. | |
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Kathryn Koshansky, MS, ATC
Emeritus Associate Professor
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Congratulations to Kathy Koshansky on her recent retirement!
Kathy retired from the university in March 2024 after over 40 years of service in several capacities of athletic training and has received well-deserved emeritus academic rank. She started at the university in 1983. For 28 years she served as head athletic trainer/assistant athletic director for sports medicine while also a faculty member and athletic training program director. In July 2011, her position changed to chair of the program.
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Katherine Hackett
Staff Assistant
Occupational Therapy &
Physical Therapy Programs
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Since graduating from Saint Michael’s College, Katherine has worked in educational settings, so when the chance came up for her to join the same institution as her husband and sister, she seized the opportunity to work in the School of Health Professions. Katherine enjoys working with both the occupational therapy and physical therapy programs. She also lends a hand outside of her clinical education-related duties whenever possible. She has assisted with the first ‘Inclusion Done Right!’ conference, and planned the inaugural (and now annual) Occupational Therapy Summer Social. In addition, Katherine had a weekly volunteer shift in the Ronald McDonald Family Room outside of the hospital’s NICU for a little over a year, and has donated at least six pints of blood in the donor center. She was happy to wrap and sort gifts for the physician assistant program’s Blessings in a Box at Christmastime.
Working in the School of Health Professions has also allowed Katherine to keep a healthy work/life balance. She works hard during the day, so in her free time she can enjoy playing volleyball and basketball, baking, going to the beach, and playing with her nieces and nephews. She also jumped at the chance to join the Stony Brook Medicine Dragon Boat team in 2022 and 2023 because she paddled competitively for Dragonheart Vermont. She was recruited during the Burlington, VT festival when she worked at Saint Michael’s College, so it really came full circle for her to represent Stony Brook in the Port Jefferson Village Dragon Boat Race Festival.
Katherine is currently pursuing her master's degree in our applied health informatics program, after a lot of “technologically savvy” compliments from her colleagues in the school (not to mention her husband), and supportive encouragement from her supervisor, Dr. Dale Coffin. After interviewing to become a student in the program, Katherine was invited to join Program Chair, Rajiv Lajmi's Stony Brook University intramural volleyball team, and they went undefeated until the finals!
Katherine has been traveling more post-COVID than she has in her entire life pre-pandemic, including her honeymoon to Costa Rica after her July 2023 wedding. She is so grateful to our school community for the outpouring of love at her surprise bridal shower. We were her and her husband's first audience after eight months of practicing the choreography of their first dance waltz.
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Dr. Brooke M. Ellison
1978 - 2024
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The School of Health Professions is deeply saddened by the loss of our friend and faculty member, Dr. Brooke Ellison, who passed away on February 4, 2024 from complications of quadriplegia at the age of 45. Dr. Ellison played a pivotal role in bringing advocacy and awareness to inclusive practices and rights for those with disabilities. Her steadfast work was evidenced in the breadth and depth of her teaching and research, and her partnerships with the community, both here at Stony Brook, and beyond. While she may no longer be with us, we know that Dr. Ellison's contributions will continue to have an impact on the world.
In honor of Brooke’s impact and legacy, Stony Brook University has created the Brooke Ellison Legacy Scholarship. To contribute, please visit the giving page.
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Welcome New Faculty and Staff | | |
We welcome the following new faculty and staff to the School of Health Professions | |
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Muhammad Sikandar Aslam, MBBS (MD), MPH
Clinical Assistant Professor
Health Science
Dr. Muhammad Sikandar Aslam received his medical degree from Foundation University and also holds an MPH degree. Moreover, he also has completed his residency in community medicine and public health for the M.Phil degree program.
Dr. Aslam has served as a physician and clinical instructor at the state health department of Pakistan. He has been actively involved in teaching undergraduate medical, nursing and health science students internationally and in the United States as well. In regards to his field work he has been instrumental in eliminating polio in District Sialkot Pakistan within two years by serving as desk officer responsible for providing operational and management assistance to the country's polio eradication initiative. He partnered with polio and routine immunization medical epidemiologists and senior managers assigned to the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF sub-offices in District Sialkot on developing and launching national vaccine campaigns.
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Christoper Hawkins
Staff Assistant
Applied Health Informatics &
EMS programs
Christopher has recently joined the School of Health Professions as a Staff Assistant, supporting both the Applied Health Informatics and EMS programs. Christopher has worked for Stony Brook for over five years in both clinical and administrative roles. He graduated with a dual baccalaureate degree in Psychology and Sociology from Stony Brook in 2020.
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Stephanie Olin, PT, DPT
Director of Clinical Education
Clinical Assistant Professor
Physical Therapy
Dr. Stefanie Olin graduated magna cum laude from Rutgers University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Sport Studies and a minor in nutrition. She furthered her education to obtain her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons in 2008, and was recognized as a Columbia University Merit Scholar.
Dr. Olin began her career at Mount Sinai Medical Center where she gained experience in acute care and inpatient rehabilitation. She transitioned to working in the outpatient orthopedic setting and in 2012 became a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist. She has over 15 years of experience working with patients with various orthopedic, neurologic, and cardiopulmonary conditions.
Dr. Olin’s affiliation with Stony Brook University began in 2013 when she began serving as a teaching assistant for numerous courses within the DPT Program. Over time, Dr. Olin began assisting the DCEs in following students during clinical experiences, conducting site visits and, in 2024, she joined the faculty full-time as a Clinical Assistant Professor and Director of Clinical Education.
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Olapeju Osunkayode
Program Coordinator
Center for Public Health Education
Ola has a background in HIV/AIDS, Family Life and adolescent reproductive health education. She joins us from a previous role as the program coordinator at the François-Xavier Bagnoud Center at the Rutgers School of Nursing Newark NJ, where she coordinated the statewide and regional HIV education programs.
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Rachana Thippeswamy
Office Assistant
Dean's Office
Rachana is our new office assistant in the Dean’s Office. She is dedicated to making our visitors feel welcomed, and is always willing to assist her fellow colleagues. She is very ambitious and eager to learn new tasks. She is looking to grow and accomplish more in her career by being here at Stony Brook.
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School of Health Professions
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