Main Content:

SHRS Blog

December 18, 2024

Sports Medicine and Nutrition Provides Mentorship to Girls Advancing in STEM

Faculty from the Department of Sports Medicine and Nutrition joined forces with Department of Athletics staff to bring the world of Pitt sports medicine to participants of the Girls Advancing in STEM (GAINS) conference, a three-day event that brought together high school girls from across the United States to meet with STEM role models and professionals.  
December 18, 2024

Inclusive App Accelerator Launches Grant Program to Empower Individuals with Disabilities

This groundbreaking initiative administered by the Accessible SmartTech Research Group is accepting proposals for the development of mobile apps designed to improve the lives of people with disabilities. It is funded by a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research, is a collaborative partnership between academic researchers, app developers, disability advocates and accessibility experts.
December 16, 2024

The Accessible SmartTech Research Group at the University of Pittsburgh partners with Hello Robot and the ALS Association to Advance practical robotic assistance for people living with ALS

The partnership will advance the development of Stretch, a user-friendly robot with the potential to enhance the quality of life of people living with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). The two-year project is funded by a $400,000 investment from the ALS Association.
December 13, 2024

How Shayaana Ubhayaratne’s Health Informatics Internship Led to a Full-Time Job Before Graduation

Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics student Shayaana Ubhayaratne completed her internship with the UPMC IT Summer Associate Program. 
December 13, 2024

How Shayaana Ubhayaratne Found a Sense of Place in Health Care in the Health Informatics Program

Now a senior, Shayaana Ubhayaratne has reflected on the journey that brought her to the Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics program.
December 11, 2024

Pitt Doctor of Chiropractic Program Director Michael Schneider Named Dynamic Chiropractic 2024 Person of the Year

When the inaugural cohort of the new University of Pittsburgh Doctor of Chiropractic program comes together next fall, they will be greeted by Professor and Program Director Michael Schneider—who can now add Dynamic Chiropractic 2024 Person of the Year to his accolades. 
November 25, 2024

Meet the University of Pittsburgh Doctor of Chiropractic Staff: Debra Utterback

Debra Utterback is the program administrator for the new University of Pittsburgh Doctor of Chiropractic program at SHRS. Utterback brings with her a robust background in administration and programming. 
November 25, 2024

Doctor of Clinical Science in Occupational Therapy Student Is Driving Change

Melissa Aleksak, the director of SHRS' Adaptive Driving Program, is an established occupational therapist and driver rehabilitation specialist who found the perfect flexible, 100% online doctoral program that would provide her with the skills and knowledge to develop professional and leadership growth in her clinical practice.
November 21, 2024

How to Become a Physical Therapist in 6 Steps

Are you looking to have a profound effect on people’s lives through improving their mobility and function? A career as a physical therapist could be for you! Our experts at Pitt PT give you all the insight on the steps needed to join the profession.
November 21, 2024

Occupational Therapy Faculty Make the 2024 Fieldwork Educator Series a Success

Assistant Professor and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator Ann Marsico and Assistant Professor Cara Lekovitch took the lead in advancing fieldwork education for clinical fieldwork educators by developing a series of an annual virtual professional development sessions. Their work has focused on enhancing the skills of practitioners who guide students through the fieldwork process.
November 19, 2024

Interprofessional Education Seed Award: The Birmingham Free Clinic Improves Community Access to Health Care

Once a month, an interprofessional team of volunteers comes together to provide free health care services to uninsured and medically underserved individuals at the Birmingham Free Clinic, transforming both student education and community health.
November 12, 2024

Dietitian Nutritionist Accelerated Master of Science Program Adopts Updated Tuition Model

The program has been converted to 4+1, allowing in-state students to save both time and money!
November 5, 2024

Meet Tim Suchomel: Pitt’s School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences New Sports Science Program Director

The SHRS Sports Science program welcomes its new director, Tim Suchomel, who is ready to guide the already successful program into its next chapter with his established record in student mentorship, course and curriculum development, program administration, and creative and innovative instruction strategies and learning enhancements.  
October 29, 2024

Meet the University of Pittsburgh Doctor of Chiropractic Staff: Christine McFarland

Christine McFarland is the project assistant director for the new University of Pittsburgh Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) program at the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. McFarland has many years of experience in research and is very excited to welcome the Doctor of Chiropractic students. 
October 25, 2024

Senior HUD officials visit to unveil Pitt Healthy Home Lab study with the Allegheny County Housing Authority and Age-Friendly Greater Pittsburgh

Matt Ammon, director of the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes, visited Pittsburgh on Wednesday, October 23, to formally announce a new project and deliver a $1 million HUD grant to the University of Pittsburgh Healthy Home Lab, an interprofessional initiative led by the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.   
October 23, 2024

SHRS Interprofessional Star: Assistant Professor Kathryn Reed 

Department of PA Studies Assistant Professor and interprofessional inspirer Kathryn Reed leads by example in inspiring her peers and students to support community-engaged research in the interprofessional areas of health disparities and inequities, preventative care services and patient education in underrepresented groups. 
October 23, 2024

University of Pittsburgh Now Offering DMSc for Physician Assistants

The University of Pittsburgh’s established doctoral program for practicing physician assistants/associates, which originated as the Doctor of Physician Assistant Studies (DPAS), is now the Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc)!  
October 22, 2024

Pamela Toto Awarded ROC Spirit Award by University of Pittsburgh Alumni Association

Pamela Toto, director of the University of Pittsburgh’s Doctor of Clinical Science in Occupational Therapy program and Healthy Home Lab, was awarded the 2024 ROC Spirit Award from the Pitt Alumni Association (PAA) in recognition of her outstanding enthusiasm, loyalty, pride and Pitt spirit.  
October 22, 2024

SHRS Bolstering Partnership with David C. Frederick Honors College

Among the many highlights of the growing partnership between SHRS and the David C. Frederick Honors College is a plan to create more streamlined pathways for undergraduate students to earn Honors designations.
October 22, 2024

Meet the University of Pittsburgh Doctor of Chiropractic Faculty: Mike Wiles

Mike Wiles is the associate director of Academic Affairs and visiting professor for the University of Pittsburgh Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) program at the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. Wiles has spent his career working in higher education and in chiropractic care. 
October 18, 2024

Pitt Alumni Support Continued Research at the Neuromuscular Research Laboratory

Barry D. Rhoads, Esquire (LAW ’80), and his wife, Jean Rhoads (PHARM ’81), have pledged $100,000 to support the Neuromuscular Research Laboratory/Warrior Human Performance Research Center (NMRL).
October 17, 2024

Meet the University of Pittsburgh Doctor of Chiropractic Faculty: Joel Stevans

Joel Stevans is the associate director of Clinical Education and associate professor in the University of Pittsburgh Doctor of Chiropractic program at the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS). With over 30 years of experience as a chiropractor, Stevans will be focusing on research and professional education.
October 10, 2024

Christina Davis Named Chair of University of Pittsburgh Physician Assistant Studies Department

Assistant Professor Christina Davis has been appointed the new chair of the Department of Physician Assistant (PA) Studies, effective October 1, 2024.
October 9, 2024

Meet the University of Pittsburgh Doctor of Chiropractic Faculty: Shireesh Bhalerao

Shireesh Bhalerao is an associate professor in the University of Pittsburgh Doctor of Chiropractic program at the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. Based in Portland, Oregon, Bhalerao has been a chiropractor since 2001 and is very excited to usher in the 2025 cohort of students. 
September 26, 2024

Pitt Dietitian Nutritionist Program Granted Seven Years of Full Reaccreditation

The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)  of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recently granted the University of Pittsburgh Dietitian Nutritionist program with full reaccreditation for seven years!