Nine athletic training, exercise science, and physical therapy majors helped run the annual fitness challenge during the Nov. 4—5 Mid-Atlantic Chapter for the American College of Sports Medicine regional conference. Dr. Alan Walker, assistant professor of exercise science, annually runs the fitness challenge that has students from numerous colleges and universities compete for a trophy. Alana Antonello ’24, Madi Armstrong ’24, Jacob Bollinger ’24, Danielle Holmes ’24, Elizabeth Leedy ’22, M’23, Cole Lehman ’24, Sorrell Long ’24, Rylee Stahl ’24, and Connor Williams ’23 ran the fitness stations and put the competitors through the challenges. Gabriel Pigeon ’24, Logan Satti ’24, Philip Shemyakin ’24, Rachel Snavely ’24, and Megan Strodoski ’24 also attended the conference.

With research support from LVC undergraduate and graduate students, Dr. Tonya Miller, adjunct instructor in business administration and master of business administration; Dr. Jenna Marx, assistant professor of psychology; Dr. Lori Portzer, assistant professor of exercise science, recently published the “Exploratory study of physical activity programming for women experiencing homelessness.” The researchers found that participants of a four-week physical activity program reported a significant decrease in the number of mentally unhealthy days they experienced. Their work was highlighted in “Research Shows Exercise Can Improve the Lives of Women Experiencing Homelessness.”

Dr. Gabriella McEvoy, chair of languages and professor of Spanish, joined two students in Puerto Rico during spring break to present their research at the XXIX Congreso Internacional de Literatura y Estudios Hispánicos in San Juan, Puerto Rico. 

Julia Resele ’22, early childhood, special education, and Spanish, presented “Mercedes Gallagher de Parks: A Hidden Gem in the Peruvian Feminist Movement,” and Grace Parks ’21, D’23, exercise science, physical therapy, and Spanish, presented “Effects of World War II through the perspective of the Peruvian intellectual, Mercedes Gallagher de Parks.” Their research projects were developed with Dr. McEvoy as part of her current research and work done in her Latin American Cultures class and will be published as a book next year.

Dr. Roger Nelson, professor emeritus of physical therapy, was interviewed by WGAL TV regarding the talking teddy bear he and a colleague developed to help dementia patients connect. Dr. Nelson was the chair of physical therapy who helped the department achieve its inaugural national accreditation.

Dr. Catherine “Kate” Orlando ’19, D’21 (exercise science and physical therapy) recently published “Play Therapy: Purposeful Fun for Your Child,” on the NAPA Center website. Dr. Orlando, a physical therapist who joined the NAPA Center in Los Angeles, Calif., after her sixth-year clinical in spring 2021, works with her colleagues to serve children with neurological and developmental needs.

Dr. Justin Mierzwicki, clinical assistant professor of physical therapy, recently appeared on the Brawn Body podcast, which is hosted by LVC student Daniel Braun ’20, D’22. Dr. Mierzwicki and Braun discussed the importance of exercise in the older adult population. They also discussed the role of overloading, weighted vest training, high-intensity resistance training, and more in this population, in addition to applicable points for physical therapists, trainers, and more!

You can listen to the podcast on Spotify, iTunes, or Google, and follow Braun on social media @brawnbody.

Dr. Justin Mierzwicki, clinical assistant professor of physical therapy, was quoted in the United Healthcare article “How to get over the fear of falling.” Dr. Mierzwicki advised “Don’t be a victim of your fear. Take steps to get your life back,” along with other advice. United Healthcare is the nation’s largest health insurer with a subscribership of almost 50 million people.

Dr. Eva Frank, assistant professor of athletic training; Emily Stratton ’19, D’21; Jacob Dgien ’19, D’21; Lindsey Topper ’21; Dr. Marcia Epler, associate professor of physical therapy; and Dr. Robert Creath, associate professor of exercise science and director of the Lewis Human Performance Lab, presented COVID-19 Quarantine: Impact on Functional Mobility and Pain in Older Adults at the Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers’ Society Virtual Convention, June 12.

Dr. Tonya Miller, assistant professor of physical therapy, represented the American Physical Therapy Association in a roundtable with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid recently. Dr. Miller participated in the conversation comprised of organizations representing health care providers. Participants spoke with Dr. LaShawn McIver, director of the U.S. Office of Minority Health regarding partner experiences, as they relate to the LGBTQ+ population, vaccine rollout, and other Medicare, Medicaid, and Marketplace topics.

Dr. Alan Walker, assistant professor of exercise science, co-authored a chapter, “Exercise, Anxiety, and Depression,” in the recently published book “The Handbook of Sports Psychology, 4th Edition.” He also co-authored “The Relationship between Perceived Wellness, Sleep, and Acute: Chronic Training Load in NCAA Division I Male Soccer Players,” and “Psychological and Physiological Challenges in Response to the Cumulative Demands of a Women’s Division I Collegiate Soccer Season,” in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.