About the School of Health Sciences

Rondell Berkeland has his BS degree in Occupational Therapy and MA degree in Public Health from the University of Minnesota. His doctoral degree is in Educational Leadership from the University of St. Thomas. His clinical experience is primarily in acute and chronic mental health. Ron also worked as a quality assurance consultant for a national health care corporation that specialized in long term care. He served on the faculty of the University of Minnesota and as the Director of the Program in Occupational Therapy. He was on the graduate faculty of the College of St. Catherine's Occupational Therapy Department and served for six years as the Chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy at The College of St. Scholastica. Ron is currently the Dean, School of Health Sciences at The College of St. Scholastica. In addition to more conventional work settings, Ron has over 10 years experience as a consultant for third party payers and non-profit social service agencies. Ron’s scholarship and service interests reside primarily around intervention strategies for clients with chronic mental illness; and, exploring, identifying and implementing processes of effective educational leadership.

Academic Degrees

1999 M.A. (Exercise Physiology)
The College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, MN.

1990 Ph.D. (Higher Education)
University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA.

1979 M.S. (Medical Technology)
University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND.

1976 B.A. (Medical Technology)
The College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, MN.

Biography

Larry has been teaching at the college level for over 30 years, which includes two universities, a private college and a community college. Recent courses taught include ECG and Graded Exercise Testing, Cardiovascular Physiology,  Applied Exercise Physiology, and Biomechanics. Larry is the EXP Department Chair and Graduate Program Director. Larry has published five research articles in peer-reviewed journals and has written several articles for online journals.

Larry's teaching philosophy is to try to make course content real for students by including real life applications. If students can associate material with real life situations, they are more likely to understand it and remember it. His door is always open to students.

Larry is an outdoor enthusiast and thoroughly enjoys what the Duluth area has to offer in outdoor activities.

Dr. Gustafson is the Social Work Department Chair and Program Director.  Dr. Gustafson joined CSS in 2004 as the Department. Chair; special interests include addictions, group practice, research and program evaluation

Hal has been teaching primarily in the area of Athletic Training since 1990.  He has previously held posts at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Georgetown College (KY), Purdue University (Doctoral Teaching Assistant), Campbellsville University, and Eastern Kentucky University (Graduate Teaching Assistant). 

Hal’s primary interests include athletic training accreditation; athletic training administration; ethical, legal, and professional practice issues; healthcare entrepreneurship; psychosocial issues in athletic training; and assimilation of athletic training students into the profession of athletic training.

Dr. Wise has been a faculty member in the physical therapy program since 1992. Her primary areas of teaching include ethics, administration, psychosocial issues, and management of patients with multiple system involvement, with ethics being a primary area for research/scholarly activity. She has served as the program director since 2001. The various academic roles Dr. Wise has held helped cultivate her teaching philosophy. Courses she teaches integrate various media and assignments. Students are expected to be active learners through discussion and demonstration. Writing is a critical element in the profession; many of her assignments focus on professional writing whether it is in a patient's chart or a scholarly paper. Infusing humor and fun into class sessions is an important component of Dr. Wise's approach to learning. Dr. Wise has traveled extensively in Asia to learn more about physical therapy education and service provision. Dr. Wise is also dedicated to community service both locally and globally. She is a past member of a local charter school board and volunteered in Bhutan as a physical therapy educator and clinician in summer 2008. Current professional involvement includes Chair of the Ethics and Judicial Committee for the MN Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and member of the Diversity Task Force for the Academic Council of the APTA. She has presented on professional development of students at the 2010 and 2013 Combined Sections Meeting of the APTA. Upcoming publications include a monograph on ethical considerations for physical therapists involved with end of life care and a journal article on the oath for physical therapists.

Mr. Aebli teaches social work practice foundation courses and field practice. Bob is an alumnus of the CSS Social Work Program and has been employed in the community in areas of chemical dependency and mental health.  Bob served several years as the Clinical Director for the Human Resource Center as a therapist/supervisor and joined the Social Work Program in 2001 as an adjunct instructor. We welcomed Bob as a full-time faculty in our program, effective in 2008.

Academic Degrees

Master of Arts (MAM) - Management -- 1999
The College of St. Scholastica
Duluth, MN

Master of Public Health (MPH) - Public Health Education and Administration -- 1993
University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) - Exercise Physiology -- 1975
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Master of Education (M.Ed.) - Health and Physical Education -- 1968
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Health and Physical Education -- 1967
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA

Biography

Professor Boone's primary areas of emphasis are anatomy and cardiovascular physiology. Anatomy with cadaver dissection allows for the unique opportunity to teach students the 3-dimensional approach to applied anatomy. Fortunately, this is possible at St. Scholastica because the Department of Exercise Physiology has access to cadavers during the fall semester of each academic year. The cardiovascular physiology course is also a special course, given that it provides the opportunity to teach students how to collect, analyze, and interpret the physiology of the human body at rest, during exercise, and the effects of different treatment conditions (e.g., posture, gravity, and temperature). Professor Boone's philosophy of teaching is rather simple: Teach the students as much as he can while encouraging them to sit for Board Certification to earn the professional healthcare title, Exercise Physiologist.


Professional Achievements

• Author of the book "Professional Development of Exercise Physiology" with The Edwin Mellen Press, Ltd (2001).
• Co-founder of the American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP); the professional organization of exercise physiologists.
• Member of the Board of Directors of the American Society of Exercise Physiologists.
• Chair, ASEP Board of Certification; the Board that oversees the "Exercise Physiologist Certified (EPC) exam.
• One of 67 Board Certified Exercise Physiologists in the United States.
• Chair, ASEP Board of Accreditation; the Board that governs the accreditation of colleges and universities that seek undergraduate accreditation of the exercise physiology programs.
  Founder of the electronic journal entitled "Journal of Exercise Physiology-online" - a research journal for exercise physiologists.
• Founder of the electronic journal entitled "Professionalization of Exercise Physiology-online" - the only such journal like it in the world to discuss the professionalization of exercise physiology.
• Publishes 15 to 20 professional papers and 2 to 4 research papers per year.
• Author of the licensure bill for exercise physiologists in the state of Minnesota.
• Organizes the ASEP annual meeting each year, and presents papers at the meeting.

Department: H I M
Phone: (612) 325-9742
E-Mail: dbrinda@css.edu

1. Introduction / Background

BA in HIM from The College of St. Scholastica in 2003

BA in Computer Science/Information Systems  from The College of St. Scholastica in 2003

MA in HIM from The College of St. Scholastica in 2006

2. Current Roles, Associations, Affiliations

Danika started her career as a Director of Health Information in a LTC Facility in Minneapolis, MN.  Next, she moved to Alllina Hospitals and Clinics where she worked as a HIM Supervisor, Manager of Revenue Cycle Improvement, and a Regional Manager of Health Information Management.  In 2010, she joined the CSS HIIM Faculty as an Assistant Professor and a HIT Consultant for the REACH Program.

Professionally, Danika has been serving as a Minnesota Delegate Director for the past year on the MHIMA Board.  She has also served as the Secretary of MHIMA in the past.  She has been a co-chair of part of the MHIMA Annual Meeting committee 4 times in the past 6 years. 

 3. Interests / Specialties

Danika's interests include anything Privacy and Security related, specially related to HIPAA and HITECH.  She also is very interested EHR implementation, workflor redesign, physician engagement with an EHR, project management and Meaningful Use.

4. Recent Publications, Presentations and Recognitions

Co-author with Janelle Wapola, MA, RHIA, of the chapter titled: Electronic Health Record: Applications in Practice.Health Information Management: Concepts, Principles and Practices (4th Ed) published by the American Health Information Management Association.  This text is scheduled for publication in 2012.

Recognitions:

2010 Recipient of the AHIMA Triumph Award in the Rising Star Category

5. Teaching philosophy

Danika's is still working on developing her teaching philosophy

A Personal Note

I married my college sweetheart in October 2004.  Together we are on the adventure of raising two little perfect girls, Taylor (4) and Piper (2).  I love watching my children grow and learn more each and every day.  Even when life seems too much and stressful, a hug from my babies is all I need!  I am a lucky mommy.

Ms. Amy Brugge joined The College of St. Scholastica in July 2009 as the department's first Academic Clinical Director. She was hired to develop, oversee, and assess all phases of the clinical education program as well as teaching in the department. She was previously at University of Wisconsin Stevens Point where she served as Lecturer/Assistant Athletic Trainer.

During her tenure there she worked with the Men's Ice Hockey, Women's Soccer, Women's Softball, Women's Tennis, Women's Golf, and Cross Country Teams. Amy also taught in the School of Health, Exercise Science, and Athletics. Prior to that she completed her Post-Certification Master's in Athletic Training at Indiana University in Bloomington in 2005 and her BS in Athletic Training from Minnesota State University-Mankato.

Ms. Brugge is a certified member of the NATA, a registered athletic trainer in the state of Minnesota, a Clinical Instructor Educator, and American Red Cross Emergency Response Instructor. She has also completed the Graston Soft Tissue Mobilization M-1 and M-2 Module and Kinesio Taping Levels 1 & 2.  Previously, Amy has served as the GLATA (Great Lakes Athletic Trainers' Association) Student Senate Advisor and is the current MATA (Minnesota Athletic Trainers' Association) Student Senate Advisor.

Former Child Protection Division Manager for Ramsey County Community Human Services for nine years. Seventeen years in child welfare services with Ramsey County. National presentations/ workshops in Washington, California, Missouri, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Washington, DC and Maryland on disproportionality in child welfare, transformational systems change, kinship care, poverty and neglect issues and anti-racism leadership development, implementation and training. Interests include traveling, child welfare and  authentic race dialogue facilitation.
 

I received my Medical Secretary diploma from the Minnesota School of Business in Minneapolis, MN.  Following graduation, I was employed at the University of Minnesota Hospitals as Departmental Secretary to the Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine; later, I became the Office Manager of the Ashawa Clinic in Cook, MN; most recently, I have been employed as Administrative Assistant in the Health Informatics and Information Management Department, The College of St. Scholastica.

Academic Degrees:

M.A. - Exercise Physiology
The College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, Minnesota; 2000

B.A. - Chemistry
The College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, Minnesota; 1979

Academic appointments:

2007 - Present: Assistant Professor
Department of Exercise Physiology, College of St. Scholastica

2003 - 2007 : Instructor
Department of Exercise Physiology, CSS

2000 - 2003 : Instructor
Department of Chemistry, CSS

1987 - 2000 : Assistant Instructor
Department of Chemistry, CSS

Courses Taught:

EXP 3323 - Sports Nutrition
EXP 3331 - Exercise Physiology
EXP 3332 - Physiological Assessment
EXP 3334 - Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation
EXP 4441 - Advanced Lab Research
EXP 6522 - Biochemistry, Nutrition and Exercise
EXP 6532 - Professional Development of Exercise Physiology
EXP 6540 - Psychophysiology of Health and Exercise
HSC 4700 - Health Care Interdisciplinary Leadership

Exercise Physiology Interest Areas:

• Physiological assessment and evaluation
• The impact of exercise and physical fitness on health
• The use of exercise in the treatment and prevention of "lifestyle" diseases
• The development and delivery of worksite wellness programs

Teaching Philosophy

John believes in recognizing students as individuals with unique abilities, skills and challenges. An outgrowth of this philosophy is to help them recognize and overcome their personal challenges while maximizing their knowledge and abilities and encouraging them to demonstrate the attitude and behaviors of a health care professional. This philosophy also leads to the recognition that learning takes place not only in the classroom but also in the lab and in interactions outside of formal learning situations. Programs such as the SHAPE UP personal fitness program which John developed and currently oversee, allows students to gain experience in a professional setting before their formal internship experience.

Personal Information

John was born and raised in Northern Minnesota and graduated with a degree in chemistry from the College of St. Scholastica. He spent most of the next decade working in chemistry labs in industry, government and academia before returning to CSS to teach and supervise labs in the chemistry department. After being diagnosed with diabetes, John entered the Master's program in exercise physiology to gain a better understanding of the disease and the affect that exercise has on it. Upon completion of the degree John was invited to teach several courses in the Department of Exercise Physiology which ultimately lead to a full-time appointment in EXP.

John tries to maintain his health and fitness through an overall exercise regimen that includes running, strength training and stretching. On a more recreational level, John stays physically active with year-round outdoor activities - in-line skating and kayaking on Lake Superior in the summer and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing when we have snow.

Cindy teaches SWK 4441 Social Work with Communities, focusing on social work with communities/macro systems.  Cindi has worked for several years in community organizing projects, including East Hillside PATCH, is a CSS alumnus, and joined us in 2006.

Since 1995 Mary Lou has taught in the Department of Occupational Therapy at The College of St. Scholastica. As an Assistant Professor, her teaching responsibilities include course work related to gerontology, leadership, documentation, research and the department’s capstone. 

Mary Lou graduated from the University of Minnesota Minneapolis campus with a Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy in 1978. Her early years of working as an OT were with the pediatric population. She taught in the OT Assistant Program at what is now known as Lake Superior College in Duluth, MN for portions of 1981-85, attaining a Minnesota Vocational Teaching License in 1984. Also during this time she transferred her practice focus to working with the adult population.

From 1985 to 1991 Mary Lou was hired as the Director of the Courage Center Duluth Sports and Recreation Programs, and was responsible for the day to day operations, development and administration of community based recreation programs for people with physical disabilities, speech, vision or hearing impairments.  During this time Mary Lou acquired a Master of Education degree from  University of Minnesota-Duluth with an emphasis in Exercise Science for People with Disabilities.  Mary Lou continued practicing as an occupational therapist in a variety of contexts from home health, hospital, and school settings until being hired by The College of St. Scholastica in 1995. In 2006 she acquired a  Doctor of Philosophy in Education, Post-secondary, and Adult Education from Capella University.  

Mary Lou's primary area of interest  for practice is gerontology, and the policy and procedural actions that support philosophies of healthy aging, older adults aging in place, and healthy communities supporting people throughout the entire age span. Mary Lou’s expertise is working with people who have dementia, and their caregivers, and she is trained to instruct other providers in the use of the Allen Cognitive Model tools. 

Mary Lou enjoys travelling and has had the opportunity to practice her OT skills in Haiti, as well as served as the faculty person for the Study Abroad Program in Cuernavaca, Mexico during Fall Semester, 2008. 

She's a beekeeper, fly fisher, gardener, and loves the outdoors.

Nancy has been an Assistant Professor in the Occupational Therapy Program at The College of St. Scholastica for 14 years. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, and her Master of Science degree in Therapeutic Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. From 2000 – 2008 Nancy worked as a consultant for the Fetal Alcohol Diagnostic Program in Duluth, MN. Prior to working at St. Scholastica, Nancy worked for 12 years as an occupational therapist with the Duluth Public Schools. Nancy’s teaching responsibilities have focused primarily on pediatric occupational therapy. In addition, Nancy has taught for four years in St. Scholastica’s Dignitas Program. Nancy’s scholarship and research interests include: the role of occupational therapy in addressing the affects of prenatal alcohol exposure, occupational therapy intervention for children with handwriting needs, and occupational therapy intervention for children with sensory processing disorders.

Dr. Graff teaches a variety of social work major courses on both the Duluth and FDLTCC campus. Dorothy joined the CSS Social Work Program in 2006; special interests include spirituality, women’s’ issues, and international social work.

As the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, Julie’s responsibilities include arranging and overseeing all aspects of Level I Fieldwork and Level II Fieldwork. She also teaches seminars related to fieldwork issues and helps students prepare for the transition from the academic setting to the fieldwork setting. Julie is a regional educator/trainer for the American Occupational Therapy Association's (AOTA) Fieldwork Educator Certificate Program. As a trainer, she is conducting educational workshops that certify Occupational Therapists to work with students as Fieldwork Educators.

Julie has served as the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator since 1995. Over the years, Julie has worked in a variety of settings as an OTR with clients of all ages and with a variety of diagnoses; as well as serving as an Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Director. Her favorite client population has been adults, especially older adults. However, her first love is working with students; helping them mature and develop as occupational therapists. Thus, Julie has enjoyed her role as an academic fieldwork coordinator for so many years.
Julie believes that it is important for the Occupational Therapy Program to graduate occupational therapists who are of the highest quality. She feels that the OT Program provides a solid foundation for students. Then it is the responsibility of each student to take what has been learned and become the best therapist possible. Julie also believes that it is the Program’s responsibility to the profession and clients that only the best students become occupational therapists.

First line of contact and manager of the day-to-day activities of the Department of Occupational Therapy, which has 6 faculty, 64 students and clients involved in an on-site OT clinic.   

Fax: (218)-723-6698.

alternate email: otclinic@css.edu (for on-site clinic clients and observers).

Tracy obtained her MSW from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2006, and her BSW from Concordia College (Moorhead, MN) in 1996.  Her main focus of social work practice has been working with children and families in the school and home settings.  Tracy’s clinical experiences include in-home family therapy, the coordination of an out patient therapeutic program for students K-12 in a school setting and creation of an Adventure Therapy summer program.  Her interests include; Maternal and Infant Mental Health, Community Organizing, and International Practice.  Her international experiences have included the study of social systems in the Ukraine, Germany and Austria as well as working in several children’s homes in Jamaica.

Mr. Kittelson is an assistant professor in the DPT program. Current teaching responsibilities include PTH 5520 and 5521: Physical Therapy Examination and Evaluation I & II; PTH 6540: Musculoskeletal Management; PTH 6912 and 6913: Patient Client Management III and IV. Scholarly activity has included  investigation of student development of professional behaviors in DPT education. Areas of interest include: lower extremity biomechanics, manual therapy techniques including manipulation, shoulder rehabilitation and spinal therapy with emphasis on the pelvic girdle.

Mr. Kittelson  is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT) and an orthopaedic section member of the APTA. He is an orthopedic certified specialist (OCS) as certified by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties.

Prior clinical experiences include: outpatient orthopedics and neurological, home health care, inpatient/acute care, skilled nursing facilities, inpatient rehabilitation, and industry in South Dakota. Current clinical practice is in outpatient orthopaedics at Essentia Fitness and Therapy Center in the Essentia Health System in Duluth, MN. 

      MHIMA presenter                                                                 

M.A., Physical Therapy - The College of St. Scholastica, 2001

Dalerie is new to the physical therapy program with a full time appointment in 2010. She provides students with a fresh clinical perspective from her practice in both acute care and outpatient physical therapy services. She currently practices at Essentia Polinsky providing vestibular rehabilitation in the balance and dizziness clinic.

Areas of clinical expertise include vestibular rehabilitation and integration of Pilates based exercise with rehabilitation. She completed competency based training in vestibular rehabilitation through APTA sponsored coursework at Emory University. Additionally, Ms. Lieberz has completed over 100 hours of training in Pilates exercise methods including completion of Stott mat and reformer coursework. Ms. Lieberz is an active member of the APTA and recognized as a Geriatric Clinical Specialist (GCS).

Her primary teaching responsibilities within the DPT program are coordinating the four course Patient Client Management Series (PCM I-IV). The PCM series is offered across the 1st and 2nd years of the DPT program, emphasizing integration of didactic course work and application of clinical skills to patients, which provides students with opportunities to develop competency prior to clinical internships. Dalerie is also the assistant clinical education coordinator, managing clinical internships for DPT students. Other teaching responsibilities include content in Physical Therapy Interventions I, Multiple Systems Evaluation and Management, and Neuroscience.

Dr. Marden-Lokken, an experienced clinician and academician, is an assistant professor in the DPT program. Her teaching responsibilities include PTH 5405 Professionalism in Physical Therapy, PTH 5513 Lifespan Motor Development, PTH 5910 and 6911 Patient/Client Management I and II, PTH 6545 and 6546 Neuromuscular Evaluation and Management I and II, PTH 5410 PT Administration I, and content in PTH 5521 Physical Therapy Examination and Evaluation II. She is co-lead for the program’s four-course series on professional behavior development. Dr. Marden-Lokken’s scholarly agenda focuses on questions related to rehabilitation of individuals with neuromuscular dysfunction, and more recently on assessment of students’ development of professional behaviors.

Dr. Marden-Lokken has served the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) on a state and national level, having been on the MNAPTA Board of Directors, a MN delegate to the APTA House of Delegates (HOD), chief delegate to the APTA HOD, and most recently is Vice-President of the MN Board of Physical Therapy. In that capacity, Dr. Marden-Lokken has served as a delegate and alternate delegate to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSPBT), is a member of the Licensure and Administration Committees, and Chair of the Continuing Education Committee and Continued Competency Task Force. 

Ms. Marden-Lokken has 37 years of experience focusing on neurorehabilitation. She has presented numerous workshops on topics related to evaluation and treatment of individuals with neurologic dysfunction and practices in neurorehabilitation areas.

Monica is currently studying to be a nurse. She has previously worked for R & M Rehabilitation and Sherwood Medical Solutions. She was also formerly an Assistant Athletic Trainer at University of Minnesota Duluth. She has a MEd from UMD and a Bachelor’s degree from UW Superior.

Teaching responsibilities:  Neuroscience, Functional Anatomy, Biomechanics, Patient Client management I, II, III, and Critical Inquiry III.
Research interests:  Neurophysiology of eye movement, head movement and balance control.

Ms. Oachs is an assistant professor in the Department of Health Informatics and Information Management.   She earned both a Bachelor of Arts degree in Health Information Management and Master of Arts in Management at the College of St. Scholastica.  Prior to beginning a career in education, she spent over fifteen years in the healthcare industry in the areas of clinical quality improvement, patient access, and information technology.

Ms. Oachs teaches undergraduate and graduate students both in the classroom and online. Courses taught consist of content related to management tools and strategies, workflow and process redesign, healthcare technology, and applied research and writing.   Ms. Oachs has previously been in the role of graduate program director and is currently taking on the role of undergraduate program director in the Department. 

Ms. Oachs is an active member of AHIMA and HIMSS and is currently the President of the Northeastern Minnesota Health Information Management Association (NEMHIMA).  She has been a speaker at both regional HIM association meetings as well as at AHIMA’s national educator’s conference, the Assembly on Education.  She has been a contributing author to the premiere HIM textbook by Kathy LaTour and Shirley Eichenwald Maki and is a co-editor for the 4^th edition.

Ms. Oachs teaching philosophy is to bring theory and academic principles into practice successfully by teaching students to think analytically and critically in the practical setting.

Dr. Jena Ogston received her Master s of Physical Therapy degree from Mayo Medical Center s School of Health Related Sciences in 1996.  She then worked as a clinician in a sports medicine setting for 7 years prior to accepting a full-time position in the College of St. Scholastica s Physical Therapy program in 2002.  She completed her PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Minnesota with a focus in shoulder biomechanics and quantitative research methods.  Her focus of teaching within the program is in Biomechanics, Interventions, Musculoskeletal and Critical Inquiry consistently incorporating active learning and open-discussion methods.   She is currently practicing clinically through the campus student health service.  Off-campus, Jena is active in the MN APTA presenting occasionally at state conferences and serving as a member on the Research Committee.  In 2007, Jena was inducted into the Academy of Advanced Item Writers through the FSBPT (Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy).

Michelle is the Social Work Program Field Director.  Michelle joined the CSS faculty in 2004. Michelle is also a Child Welfare Master Trainer through the Minnesota Department of Health and Human Services; special interests include Indigenous populations and foster care.

Marcia provides social work program coordination and student course instruction on the St. Paul –ADEP campus. Marcia graduated from the University of MN- Twin Cities campus with a B.S. in Social Work, with a concentration in child welfare and American Indian studies in 1977 and returned for her M.S.W. in 1980, specializing in children and families, and chemical dependency.  Marcia has had over thirty years of practice experience with children and families in areas of addictions, mental health, domestic violence and special needs. She has been with the C.S.S. Social Work Program for the past 14 years, having an interest in international social work practice, immigrants and refugee populations, Native American services, Veteran PTSD, and families of children with special needs.

An experienced academician, Ms Sheehan is an assistant professor in the entry-level DPT program.  She served as curriculum coordinator for the program and is currently designated as the chair of the DPT Admissions Committee.  Teaching responsibilities include PTH 5100 and PTH 6102: Professional Development I & III; PTH 5520: Physical Therapy Examination and Evaluation I; PTH 6567: Lifespan Applications I-Pediatrics; and pediatric content in PTH 5513: Lifespan Motor Development and PTH 6518: Systems Screening and Management II.  She is a course coordinator and lead faculty for the program’s four-course series on professional behavior development.  The focus of her scholarly activity is on research in the area of pediatric physical therapy regarding effects of strength training programs on skill acquisition, as well as investigation of topics relating to student development of professional behaviors in DPT education.

Ms Sheehan is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) on a state and national level. She is a past director on the MN APTA Board of Directors, and a MN APTA peer reviewer.  She is serving a four year appointment as a commissioner and current PTA Panel Chair on the APTA Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Previously, she was a CAPTE on-site visit team leader for Physical Therapist Assistant programs on a national level.  She is a member of the APTA Section on Pediatrics and completed work on a task force charged with developing recommended pediatric curriculum content in DPT education.

Ms Sheehan is an ABPTS pediatric certified specialist in physical therapy and has practiced in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Oregon, and Washington states.   
 

Ms. Spangler has a Bachelor's degree in Psychobiology and a Masters degree in Physical Therapy.  She has extensive clinical experience in multiple areas, having worked in a number of different clinical settings including out patient therapy, in patient  rehabilitation, and as a travelling therapist. Her main area of teaching and of clinical expertise is in neurological rehabilitation, with a special interest in the rehabilitation of patients with spinal cord injury.

In the Department of Physical Therapy Ms. Spangler serves as the Director of Clinical Education.  In this roll she coordinates the integral and terminal internship experiences for the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, and over-sees the placement of students in clinical sites.  She follows the students while on internship and works with Clinical Instructors to evaluate the performance of the students on internship and their readiness for pressional clinical practice.  Ms. Spangler also teaches in the neurological evaluation and treatment series, and participates in the Patient Client Management series (a course series of progressive clinical application situations where students are evaluated on the application of didactic materials in simulated and controlled clinical conditions).

Ms. Spangler serves as the representative for the Physical Therapy Department in the development of the college's propiratary electronic medical record system.  She has helped to integrate the use of the system within the department and as an intradisciplinary teaching tool.  Beyond campus Lynda enjoys volunteering with Courage Duluth, a regional program supporting sports and recreation for people with disabilities.

Dr. Swanson joined the DPT faculty as an Assistant Professor in 2008. Her current teaching responsibilities include PTH  5521: Physical Therapy Examination and Evaluation  2; PTH 5530 and 5531: Interventions I and II; PTH 6482: Critical Inquiry III;  PTH 6518:Systems Screening & Management II; PTH 6540: Cardiopulmonary Evaluation & Management I; PTH 6911,6913: Patient Client Management II & IV. She is also a member of the adjunct faculty in the Department of Athletic Training. The focus of her research activities includes the investigation of clinical and biomechanical profiles of female athletes with and without patellofemoral pain, biomechanics of the lower extremity, functional assessment of ACL reconstructed knees, and force and pressure measurements and distribution patterns of LE during running. Areas of clinical interest include patellofemoral pain, pelvifemoral instability, biomechanical evaluation of the pelvis and lower extremity, shoulder rehabilitation, and Sports Medicine for the elite level athlete.

Dr. Swanson is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), the Minnesota chapter of the APTA, and is a  member of the Sports and Research sections of the  APTA. She is also an active member of the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA), the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers Association (GLATA), the Minnesota Athletic Trainers Association (MATA.).Her area of clinical expertise is in the areas of Sports Medicine and Orthopaedics. Prior clinical experiences include: clinical supervisor and clinical specialist at University Orthopaedics (University of Minnesota); clinical specialist at PDR-Midway, St. Paul, MN; Head Athletic Trainer at the University of Minnesota and Florida State University and has had athletic training experiences at the Division I College level as well as National, International and Olympic levels of competition.

1. Introduction / Background

BA College of St. Scholastica in 1995

MA College of St. Scholastica in 2006

2. Current Roles, Associations, Affiliations

Janelle started her career holding these types of jobs: HIM consulting, operations manager and release of information specialist.Upon her arrival at St. Scholastica in 2003, she became a  Technology Lead, helping to implement the academic electronic health record into the Health Sciences curriculum (The ATHENS Project).After the grant-funded, ATHENS Project was complete; Janelle became a full time faculty, teaching classes in undergraduate as well as graduate classes.

 At the College, she currently serves as the faculty advisor to the Student Health Information Management Association (SHIMA) and various College committees such as the undergradate admissions, faculty/student group and various departmental committees.

Additionally she is currently a HIT Consultant for the REACH program, serving Minnesota and North Dakota. She is also a member and regularly attends AHIMA, MHIMA and NEMHIMA.

 3. Interests / Specialties

 As she continues to be interested in the various areas associated with the (EHR):  implementation, workflow redesign, privacy & security and meaningful use, she would like to seek out more opportunities for international travel in the HIM arena.

4. Recent Publications, Presentations and Recognitions

Co-author with Danika Brinda, MA, RHIA, of the chapter titled: Electronic Health Record: Applications in Practice.Health Information Management: Concepts, Principles and Practices (4th Ed) published by the American Health Information Management Association.  This text was published in 2013.

Co-author of the textbook entitled, Using the EHR in the Physician Office Practice with two colleagues:  Shirley Eichenwald-Maki, MBA, RHIA, FAHIMA and Bonnie Patterson, Ph.D., RHIA. This text is currently in its 2^nd revision, scheduled for publication in 2013.

Co-authored Case Study: The ATHENS Project: Advancing Technology in Healthcare Education Now at St. Scholastica published in Nursing and Informatics for the 21^stCentury: An International Look at Practice, Trends and the Future, Second Edition. Edited by Charlotte A. Weaver, RN, PHD, FHIMSS; Connie White Delaney, PHD, RN, FAAN, FACMI; Patrick Weber, RN, MA, and Robyn L. Carr, RGON. Published by the Health Information Management Systems Society, Chicago, IL. 2010.

Speaker, AHIMA's Assembely on Education Annual Meeting, HIM, Meaninful Use and Extension Centers:  A View from the Frontline (July 2012)

Speaker, Northeast Minnesota Health Care Forum, Personal Health Records.  (June, 2012)

Participant, AHIMA Capitol Hill Day in Washington, DC.  (March 2012)  

Speaker, NEMHIMA's Annual Meeting, Extending the HIM Geographical Boundaries. (November, 2011)

Recognitions:

Co-recipient along with the College of St. Scholastica’s ATHENS Project Team of Health Data Management Editor’s Choice Award for Innovator of the Year for the ATHENS Project, presented at the World Health Innovation and Technology Congress (WHITv4.0) Washington, DC in 2008.

5. Teaching philosophy

 While developing my teaching philosophy, I believe in emphasizing a healthy balance to life, school and work.  I encourage optimism, compassion and advocacy for those in need.

A Personal Note

My personal joy is in being a mother to Tyler and Daniel and capturing life through pictures. My boys are a whirlwind of energy and knowledge and they teach me many things. The most importantly has been to stop and be in the moment! I am also excited to be a part of international travel with CSS and the HIM Department. My travels to India in January 2011 were extraordinary; visiting hospitals, villages, schools and universities. I was very fortunate to be a part of something so unique and interesting! 

Academic Degrees:

Ph.D. - Kinesiology (emphasis in exercise physiology)
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota

M.A. - Exercise Physiology (emphasis in exercise physiology)
College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, Minnesota

B.S. - Marine Science (emphasis in marine geology)
Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, Florida

Academic Appointments and Experience:

The College of St. Scholastica (Duluth, MN):
• Assistant Professor, Department of Exercise Physiology (2008 - Present)
• Director, Exercise Physiology Laboratories (2008 - Present)

The University of Minnesota (Minneapolis, MN):
• Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Kinesiology (2003 - 2008)
• Lab Manager, Laboratory of Physiological Hygiene and Exercise Science
(2005 - 2008)

Exercise Physiology Interest Areas:

• Strength, speed and power development
• Physiological testing and evaluation
• Exercise program design
• Cardiovascular adaptations to training
• Thermoregulation and exercise

Courses Taught at the College of St. Scholastica:

Undergraduate:
• EXP 3330 - Psychophysiology of Stress and Exercise (with lab)
• EXP 3342 - Strength Training and Conditioning**
• EXP 4431 - Advanced Exercise Physiology (with lab)*
• EXP 4436 - Research in Exercise Physiology*
• EXP 4777-001 - Scientific Foundations of Strength and Conditioning
• EXP 4777-002 - Applied Strength and Conditioning

Graduate:
• EXP 6536 - Clinical Exercise Physiology**
• EXP 6538 - Exercise Testing and Electrocardiography (with lab)*
• EXP 6542 - Strength Training, Conditioning, and Physiological Assessment (with lab)**

* currently teaching Fall 2012 semester
** currently scheduled to teach Spring 2013 semester

Teaching Philosophy:

Lead by example. Yes, it is that simple. In the field of exercise physiology I believe "practicing what you preach" is critical to being able to communicate with students on a different, and crucial, level. I have always tried to model an active and physically responsible lifestyle by exercising and being physically active beyond what is minimally recommended for health. I believe this has enabled me to connect with people in a unique way. I have personally known too many academic exercise physiologists who could have avoided such health issues as stroke, heart disease, and hypertension but instead chose the philosophy of "Do as I say, not as I do." Additionally, it has been my observation that many college professors claim to teach students how to think under the guise of "critical thinking" but instead are only interested in teaching students to think what they think. Unfortunately, many students are told they are not thinking "critically" when they disagree or don't think the way their professor does. My philosophy is to teach students how to think and not what to think. I welcome, and encourage, differing thoughts and perspectives.

Personal Information:

I was born and raised in the Chicago area and first came to Duluth for my masters degree in exercise physiology at the College of St. Scholastica. While finishing my doctorate degree at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis I decided to return to Duluth. I am a nature enthusiast and enjoy fishing, among other outdoor pursuits. Anything related to weather or the earth sciences is very interesting to me (my undergraduate degree is in marine geology). I have been a competitive powerlifter since 1997 and remain active in the sport as a competitor, coach, meet director, referee, USA Powerlifting Executive Committee member, and state chairman of USA Powerlifting of Minnesota. It was my involvement in powerlifting that first sparked my interest in the physiology of exercise, physical activity, and sport. I also enjoy running and have completed races ranging from 5K to the marathon.

Memberships:

• American College of Sports Medicine
• Clinical Exercise Physiology Association
• National Strength and Conditioning Association
• USA Powerlifting

Certifications:

• American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM):
           - Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist [RCEP]
           - Clinical Exercise Specialist [CES]
           - Health Fitness Specialist [HFS]
• American Heart Association (AHA):
           - Advanced Cardiac Life Support [ACLS]
           - Basic Life Support [BLS] for Healthcare Providers - CPR and AED
• National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA):
           - Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist [CSCS]
           - Certified Personal Trainer [CPT]
• USA Powerlifting (USAPL) / International Powerlifting Federation (IPF):
           - Category II International Referee
• USA Track and Field (USATF):
           - Level 1 Coach
• USA Weightlifting (USAW):
           - Level 1 Coach

The information above is current as of September, 2012.

Ms. Watters has a BA in Health Information Administration, a MA in Health Information Management, and a Certificate in Healthcare Informatics from The College of St. Scholastica.  Before moving into academia, Ms. Watters spent over 10 years in the HIM industry, working in the areas of release of information, HIM and admitting management in acute care settings, product management at a software and consulting firm, and HIPAA security at a multi-specialty physician group. She is credentialed as a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) and was awarded Fellowship of AHIMA in 2011.

 As Director of the Health Information Management Graduate Program, Ms. Watters coordinates the activities and leads the ongoing development of the graduate program.  In her role as Assistant Professor, she teaches courses at the graduate level, such as Technology Applications in Healthcare, and Applied Project Research and Writing.  She is an active member of the Minnesota Health Information Management Association, as well as the Minnesota chapter of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) for which she recently served as Member Relations Chair.  She is past-president of the Northeastern Minnesota Health Information Management Association, and has served on the AHIMA Foundation Scholarship Committee.  

Ms. Watters' personal interest lies in life-long learning.  She enjoys assisting students in their growth both educationally, and professionally, as each strive to reach their own personal goals.  She is also interested in online learning principles, and incorporating technology in education. At present, she is very involved in a federal partnership grant with the University of MN called the University Partnership for Health Informatics (UP-HI) to educate the Health Information Technology workforce. In the spirit of life-long learning, she is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Education.

Ms. Watters served as editor of the Instructor Manual for the 4^th edition of the textbook Health Information Management: Concepts, Principles & Practice.  In the 3^rd edition, she and her colleague, Pam Oachs, co-authored the chapter Informatics in Healthcare.  She also co-authored a publication, Launching: University Partnership for Health Informatics, which was accepted to appear in the proceedings of the International Informatics Symposium, Arlington, VA.