SHRS Blog

The Administrative Elective Course prepares Doctor of PA Studies (DPAS) candidates for leadership roles in their places of practice. The course focuses on the U.S. health care system, health care reform, payment models and how the U.S. health care system compares to others in the world. Candidates also learn about different types of leadership styles and how to analyze their own strengths and opportunities to lead positive change. 

Are you a student with your eyes on applying to a physician assistant (PA) program? If so, consider getting your undergraduate degree in Emergency Medicine at Pitt!

Lori Cherok, program director of the Nutrition Science program, lists the top 5 reasons to join the SHRS Nutrition Science program! ...

What is Rehabilitation Psychology? About two years ago, I asked this question myself while selecting an elective course to complete my undergraduate psychology degree at Pitt. At the time, my heart was set on becoming a mental health counselor, and I didn’t understand how “rehabilitation” could factor into counseling and therapy. Nevertheless, this course in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS) broadened my interests by providing a well-informed, holistic and functional approach to counseling and mental health. 

The University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS) has received international recognition for its bold moves in advancing health care. Department of Physical Therapy Associate Professor Michael Schneider was awarded the Sheikh Zayed International Award for Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine for his academic expertise in chiropractic research and education. The award gives recognition to eminent TCAM (Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicine) academics and scientists for their distinguished contributions to improve the quality of life for humanity, and who have contributed significantly in enhancing TCAM knowledge and practices around the world. ...

At Pitt’s School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS), the Master of Science in Sports Medicine offers a limited number of Experiential Opportunities positions that combine academic scholarship and professional practice. The positions offer a scholarship or funding support that varies each year. The early application deadline for these competitive positions is in mid-January, well ahead of the regular Sports Medicine admission deadline in mid-March. These invaluable opportunities provide qualified students with real-world experience during the Sports Medicine program, putting them ahead of the game as they work hands-on with local Pittsburgh sports clubs, research labs and community centers. ...

Groundbreaking research, investment in education, community engagement, clinical excellence and advocacy are all areas that Professor Elizabeth Skidmore embodies in her work as an occupational therapist. Her leadership in the field and her dedication to the mission of the University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS) has made her a tremendous asset to the school as associate dean for Research. Her own extensive research portfolio has recently earned her the 2022 Women in Rehabilitation Science Award from the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. ...

When I came to the University of Pittsburgh in the fall of 2020 I had plans to go into sports medicine. “Sports medicine” is an umbrella term with many different specialties under it, such as athletic training, physical therapy, and sports physicians—really it describes any clinician treating athletes. When planning my classes for the second semester of my first year, I saw a course called Basic Athletic Training that looked interesting, but unfortunately, I had a conflict. When it came time to schedule courses for my third term at Pitt, I knew I had to take it. Through the course, I quickly fell in love with athletic training. ...

For over twenty-five years, the University of Pittsburgh has been training new generations of disability advocacy and health care leaders as part of the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities and Related Disorders (LEND) Center of Pittsburgh. This training grant brings together graduate students from different corners of Pitt’s campus to form an interdisciplinary training cohort. ...

The University of Pittsburgh Department of Physician Assistant Studies (PAS) continued its bold moves across the academic landscape as two faculty members earned prestigious awards at the 2022 Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants (PSPA) conference. ...

Eric Meyer, professor and director of the University of Pittsburgh’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, has worked as a researcher and clinician treating veterans and emergency responders with PTSD for nearly 20 years. Like so many who experienced the events of September 11, that day turned out to be a pivotal turning point in his career. ...

Change comes from within. Its implementation doesn’t happen overnight and can be even more difficult in an environment as complex as the health care industry. Pamela Toto, however, is leading a new paradigm of change as director and professor of the University of Pittsburgh online post-professional Doctor of Clinical Science (CScD) in Occupational Therapy (OT) program. ...