Catch Up with CHP January 2025 Newsletter by College of Health Professions at Pace University

JANUARY 2025

SUMMER AND FALL 2024 NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS

A MESSAGE FROM THE DEANS

We welcome you to the latest edition of Catch Up with CHP, a reflection of the growth, success, and dedication of our talented community. This compilation of accomplishments gives us an opportunity to pause and celebrate the many ways our students, faculty, alumni, and clinical/community partners have made an impact this past year.

In this edition, we are proud to highlight:

The admirable achievements of our recent graduates, who have demonstrated resilience, innovation, and passion as they step into new chapters of their professional healthcare journeys.

Well-deserved awards and recognitions, honoring students and faculty who are setting new standards in research, leadership, and service.

Impactful scholarly work, including publications and presentations that reflect our community.

Updates from our alumni, whose continued success and engagement remind us of the lasting bonds and shared values that define CHP.

Stories of transformative experiences, where students connect learning with realworld impact, making a difference in the health and well-being of local and global communities.

Each accomplishment noted is a testament to the collective spirit that drives CHP forward a spirit of intellectual rigor, collaboration, and a commitment to creating meaningful change in healthcare. We are grateful for the dedication and passion you bring to our educational programs, research, and community endeavors.

As we begin 2025, we look forward to an exciting year filled with new milestones to celebrate together, and working collaboratively to make this year personally and collectively meaningful and fulfilling.

Wishing you a bright and inspiring 2025!

Beau Anderson, PhD, MA(Ed), LAc Interim Co-Dean

Esma

Paljevic, EdD, RN, CPNP, FNYAM

FEATURE ARTICLES

Advocacy Education Day

Empowering Nurses

This year marked the second annual Advocacy Education Day, hosted by the College of Health Professions Lienhard School of Nursing (LSN) in collaboration with NYU College of Nursing Alumni and the Mt. Sinai Center for Nursing Research and Innovation.

This is Learning. This is Fun. This is Occupational Therapy!

The MSOT 2025 cohort took a field trip to Family of Kidz Sensory Gym, as part of their pediatric course. The students learned about sensory integration in lecture and then participated in experiential learning to reinforce concepts and practice skills.

CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES!

CELEBRATING

2024 Graduations, Ceremonies, and Awards

CONGRATULATIONS, GRADUATES!

We are honored to be a part of your healthcare journey and can't wait to see what is next for you.

Photos from these events and more can be found on our Flickr page!

We hope you keep in touch by joining our CHP Alumni Association or by becoming a preceptor (if eligible). For more information, please contact Nicole Ojeda.

AUGUST

Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing New York City

Lenox Hill Hospital Physician Assistant New York City

Nutrition and Dietetics

DECEMBER

Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Pleasantville

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care

Nurse Practitioner New York City

Family Nurse Practitioner New York City and Pleasantville

Occupational Therapy New York City

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Pleasantville

Physician Assistant Pleasantville

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

Ellayne S. Ganzfried

MS, CCC-SLP

Clinical Associate Professor, Communication Sciences and Disorders Director, Speech, Language, and Hearing Center and Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice Committee Dean's Faculty Service Award

Mary Opfer

MS, RDN

Clinical Associate Professor Nutrition and Dietetics Dean's Award for Teaching Excellence

Peter Anastasiou

Josephine Broccio Physician Assistant, Pleasantville Clinical Excellence Award

Elizabeth Brentano

Physician Assistant, Pleasantville Outstanding Student Award

Emily Fitzgerald

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Outstanding Academic Achievement in Nursing

Vivian Klugah Family Nurse Practitioner

Outstanding Academic Achievement in Nursing

Kyomi Gregory-Martin

PhD, CCC-SLP

Associate Professor Communication, Sciences, and Disorders

Dean's Award for Outstanding Research/Scholarship

Ohnma Kyaw DNP, FNP, ANP-BC, APRN Director

University Health Care Dean's Staff Service Award

Chelsea Bihn

Family Nurse Practitioner Outstanding Academic Achievement and Professional Potential

Christina Casini

Occupational Therapy Outstanding Academic Excellence in Occupational Therapy

Denee Hall

Physician Assistant, Pleasantville Outstanding Achievement Award

Rose Labriola Occupational Therapy Outstanding Leadership in Occupational Therapy

Katelyn Bloss Occupational Therapy Outstanding Professional Development in Occupational Therapy

Jan Hillary Cu

Occupational Therapy Outstanding Clinical Excellence in Occupational Therapy

Zoe Tamar Jacobson Pace University-Lenox Hill

Hospital Physician Assistant Outstanding Student of the Year

Danielle Langdon

Occupational Therapy Outstanding Academic Achievement in Occupational Therapy

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

Artika Loganathan, PA-C

Physician Assistant, Pleasantville Faculty Award

Marina Saad

Occupational Therapy

Outstanding Clinical Excellence in Occupational Therapy

Tara Sheehy

Adult-Gerontology Acute

Care Nurse Practitioner

Outstanding Academic Achievement and Professional Potential

Gertrude Osei

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Outstanding Academic Achievement in Nursing

Calissa Saint Paul

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Outstanding Academic Achievement and Professional Potential

Atibha Ashling Sheoran

Pace University-Lenox Hill Hospital, Physician Assistant Clinical Excellence Award

Vernard Pelage

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Outstanding Student of the Year

Abigail Schmalzel

Occupational Therapy

Outstanding Service in Occupational Therapy

Sophie Anna Boudette

Camryn Elizabeth Craig

Allison Marie DeMeo

Meghan Tracy Gaffney

Zoe Tamar Jacobson

Aldita Lumaj

Alexandra Elena Maluf

Atibha Ashling Sheoran

Samantha Wong

Alyssa Burnham MS, PA-C

Pace University-Lenox Hill

Hospital, Physician Assistant

Pi Alpha

National Honor Society for Physician Assistants

Honor Society inductees

Joshua Blair, MSPAS, PA-C

Kensie Almeida

Brenda Alves-Passoni

Madison Richard Physician Assistant, Pleasantville Pi Alpha

National Honor Society for Physician Assistants

Honor Society inductees

Kristina Soltesz, PA-C

Senior Physician Assistant and PA Student

Preceptor, Neurosurgery; Clinical Coordinator for PA Student Education

Lenox Hill Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery;

Pace University-Lenox Hill Hospital, Physician Assistant Distinguished Service Award

Class of 2024

Physician Assistant, Pleasantville Leadership Award

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

Ellayne Ganzfried, MS, CCC-SLP, Director, Speech, Language, and Hearing Center and Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice Committee, received a Special Recognition Award from Boston University Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Science Alumni Association. This award is presented for the unusual services or contributions of an alumnus/a who has made outstanding contributions to humanity beyond their professional responsibilities.

Jennifer Hoffman, DMSc, PA-C, MS has been selected as a new member of the Journal of Physician Assistant Education Editorial Advisory Board. The role of the PAEA is to advise and provide guidance, recommendations, and insights from the PA education community to help steer the direction of the journal and advance the 2025 strategy.

Jennifer Tokash OTD, OTR/L, CBIS, CPAM received the Merit Award for Service by the New York State Occupational Therapy Association (NYSOTA) for her excellence in service to the field of Occupational Therapy in New York State. Jennifer is the liaison for the communities of practice for NYSOTA.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

Kyomi GregoryMartin PhD, CCC-SLP received the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) Certificate of Recognition for Special Contributions in Multicultural Affairs for excellence in multicultural service, research, and teaching.

Only 3 individuals in the U.S. received this national award on December 6, 2024, in Seattle, WA.

Congratulations to the winners of the NYSSPA 2024 CME Conference Poster Session.

Jean M Covino, DHSc, MPA, PA-C; Sherylyne Toque, MPA; Gina Pontrelli, DHSc; Mark L’Eplattenier, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, PA-C; Jennifer Hofmann, MS, PA-C; and Alison Ismael, MS, PA-C for the poster, Predictors of PANCE Success: A 5-year Retrospective Analysis of Two Institutions.

Elizabeth (Lizzy) Sgambelluri, PA-C for the poster, Idiopathic Hypereosinophilic Syndrome Presenting With Cutaneous Involvement.

Lu Shi, PhD has been named a Wilson Center 2024-25 Faculty Fellow. The members of this talented cohort of Pace University faculty will tackle critical challenges in the social impact sector, engaging Pace students in hands-on research that fosters real-world learning and delivers valuable insights for nonprofits, social enterprises, and government agencies.

PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS

Invited presentations:

We are proud to highlight the impressive achievements of Elijah A. J. Salzer, DMSc, PA-C, NYSAFE, C-EFM, CAQOBGYN who served as an invited presenter at several prestigious conferences in 2024. In addition, he shared his expertise as a speaker across multiple events, showcasing his dedication to advancing knowledge in healthcare and medical education.

Dr. Salzer also recently published, Reproductive and sexual health matters in gender minority patients.

Care of the gender minority patient, Gynecology: back to basics. New York State Society of Physician Associates CME Conference, Saratoga Springs, NY

Gender-affirming hormone therapy and cardiovascular care. Inaugural Cardiology Advanced Practice Providers Conference, Las Vegas, NV

Vulvar disorders. Association of Physician Assistants in Obstetrics and Gynecology webinar

Creating safe spaces and destigmatizing sexual health and well-being. Co-presented at National Reproductive Health Conference, Philadelphia, PA

Menopause 101. LBGT PA Caucus LGBT Health Awareness Week (online presentation)

Reproductive justice. LBGT PA Caucus and African Heritage PA Caucus joint presentation (online presentation)

PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS

Christen Cupples-Cooper, EdD, RDN provides nutritional tips to U.S. News & World Report on healthier holiday snacks and treats, with options for different dietary needs. The 8 Best Holiday Snacks and Desserts.

Alison Rebels, OTD, MS, OTR/L presented a short course at the New York State Occupational Therapy Association (NYSOTA) on her SpiritualOT workshop which she explores the role of spirituality in Occupational Therapy Practice.

Linda Carozza, PhD, CCC-SLP contributed, PTSD and Cognitive Communication Effects to Language Research in PostTraumatic Stress, July 2024

Kyomi Gregory-Martin PhD, CCC-SLP, co-published an article, The Value of CrossCultural Supervision in the Speech-Language Pathology Process: A Viewpoint, in Perspectives of ASHA Special Interest SIG 11 Administration and Supervision.

PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS

Denise Tahara, PhD, MPhil, MBA is the immediate past-president and a board member of the New York State Public Health Association (NYSPHA). Dr. Tahara collaborates with community-based organizations to collect data-driven evidence to improve care quality and innovate the design and delivery of userfocused experiences. She has presented at conferences locally, nationally, and internationally, and has published numerous articles on the strategic redesign of healthcare systems. She recently submitted her poster, The power of community partners to address social determinants of health at the APHA 2024 Annual Meeting and Expo.

Esma Paljevic, EdD, RN, CPNP, FNYAM, interim co-dean, College of Health Professions co-authored a collaborative opinion piece on the nursing faculty shortage in NYNMEDIA titled, Opinion: Addressing the nursing shortage crisis starts with nursing faculty. Increased funding and other solutions were explored that will help to begin addressing this persistent problem.

Martha Greenberg, PhD, RN published her article, Psychoneuroimmunology Theory: Foundation of stress management strategies for holistic nurses, in the August 2024 edition of AHNA Beginnings, Psychoneuroimmunology Holistic Care.

PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS

On October 28, Dr. Amaya presented her poster, Approaches to Universal Health Coverage and Equity Across Contexts: A Scoping Review during the American Public Health Association Annual meeting in Minneapolis, MN. This poster was coauthored by Pace current students and alumni Feruza Esanova, PMHNP ’24, Tiarra Felder, HSC ’24, and Annie Hong, HSC, ‘24.

During the Eighth Global Symposium on Health Systems Research, which took place in Nagasaki, Japan, November 21, Dr. Amaya spoke on the Closing Plenary titled, Knowledge for Just Health Systems on November 22nd and chaired the session, The Future of Health Policy and Systems Funding in a complex Geopolitical Environment.

Related to this she gave an interview to the podcast Connecting Citizens to Science.

Ana B. Amaya, DrPH, MPH, was elected vice-chair of the Board of Health Systems Global, a membership society comprising over 2,000 academics, practitioners, advocates, and decision-makers aimed at advancing the field of health policy and systems research.

Harriet R. Feldman, PhD, RN, FAAN, professor and dean emerita, has had her article, Starting from scratch: Creating a university wellness initiative, published in the Journal of Professional Nursing September 2024.

PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS

Elizabeth A Berro, PhD, RN, CHSE, CNE; Marie Lourdes Charles, EdD, RN-BC, FNYAM; and Sharon Stahl Wexler, PhD, RN, FNGNA, co-authored Disability Education: Leveraging the Expertise of Standardized Patients with Unique Lived Experiences, published in ANA NY Nurse.

Marie Lourdes Charles, EdD, RN-BC, FNYAM co-authored, Perceptions and experiences of Registered Nurses caring for human trafficking victims in acute care settings: An integrative review co-published in, International Journal of Epidemiology and Public Health Research.

Michele Lopez , DHED, RN, MA, CNE, CDE, CHES contributed Nursing Student Perceptions of Incivility in Academia, published in Nursing Education Perspectives.

PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS

Belinda (Beau) Anderson, PhD, MA(Ed), Lac, interim co-dean, College of Health Professions co-authored several publications, Midlife Women's Menopausal Transition Symptom Experience and Access to Medical and Integrative Health Care: Informing the Development of MENOGAP published in Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health.

Acupuncture practice-based research in the age of artificial intelligence: Developments as of May 2024 published in the Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine 2024.

Bringing greater research fluency into our educational vision: A Qualitative Research Study on Improving East Asian Medicine Research Education published in PLOS ONE 2024.

Survey analysis of institutional research partnerships in complementary and integrative health: Identifying barriers and facilitators published in the Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine 2024.

Dr. Anderson is a consultant member of a research group who received an NIH R01 grant from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) titled Acupuncture for Medicare beneficiaries with chronic low back pain: Access, utilization, and outcomes.

Joanne Singleton, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, FAAN, FNAP, FNYAM, published research articles, Healthcare Provider Knowledge of Caring for Individuals with Disabilities Teamed with Service Dogs.

Learning from the Cultural Community of Service Dog Teams: Culturally Congruent Healthcare for Individuals Teamed with Service Dogs both in Medical Research Archives, online.

ALUMNI

Esma Paljevic, EdD, RN, CPNP, FNYAM and Belinda (Beau) Anderson, PhD, MA(Ed.), LAc attended Westchester Community Health Center (WCHC)’s, Still We Rise Gala on December 5th. They were greeted by one of our star alumna Judith Watson ‘94, CEO, Westchester Community Health Center. The evening highlighted the theme of resilience and determination and their mission to elevate community health and extend compassionate care to those in need.

Alumna Paule Valery Joseph, PhD, EMBA, MS, FNP-BC, FTCNS, FAAN, ’10 has released her TED Talk documentary, #TED Fellow Film Series Why smell matters more than you think.

This episode uncovers the hidden power of a sense that is often overlooked, smell. Dr. Joseph dives into the fascinating science behind how our sense of smell can evoke memories and emotions, and even its potential role in early disease detection.

Diana Grinberg ‘24, Health Science, won the first ever Healthcare Leaders of NY 2024 inaugural poster competition at the 8th Annual HLNY MiniCongress. She presented her poster on Covid-19 Impact on Skilled Nursing Facilities.

PhD PROGRAM

The PhD in Nursing Department of the Lienhard School of Nursing had five successful proposal defenses this semester. Congratulations!

Nicole Essien-Amanquanor

The Impact of Doulas on Parental and Newborn Outcomes of Minority Birthing People: A Secondary Analysis of Data

Committee Chairperson

Lin Drury, PhD, RN

Heather Robalino

The Impact of Cardiac Rehabilitation on Heart Failure Self Care Maintenance

Committee Chairperson

Sharon Wexler, PhD, RN, FNGNA

Ebony Samuels-Bakpessi

The Lived Experience of Chronically Ill Black Adults Who Experience Racism in Healthcare

Committee Chairperson

Cathy Finlayson, PhD, RN, OCN

Manuela Rufino

Parental Anxiety and Postoperative Pain in Children with Cerebral Palsy Committee Chairperson

Sharon Wexler, PhD, RN, FNGNA

Esmira Yusofova

From Virtual to Reality: The Impact of Virtual-Reality Simulation on Oncology Nurses’ Spiritual-Care Competence

Committee Chairperson

Cathy Finlayson, PhD, RN, OCN

PACE EXPERIENCES

In September, the CHP Center for Excellence in Healthcare Simulation welcomed the Yorktown BOCES New Visions Health students and their instructors, Caroline Murphy, RN and Jessica Phair, RN, FNP for a tour of the Pace University campus and SIM lab.

Jean O'Connor, MSN, RN, CPAN, RN skills and simulation coordinator, met with and engaged the students in a live escape room simulation where students worked as a team to figure out the clues, problem solve, and save their first patient.

BOCES New Vision Health students are focused in careers in the healthcare field and have been past, present, and future alumni of Pace University.

More photos

PACE EXPERIENCES

National Student Nurses Association

Pace-Pleasantville had a great turn out at their Red Cross Blood Drive. Volunteers helped to check guests in and provide water and snacks. The contribution of donating blood is lifesaving for our community.

Occupational Therapy students participated in Push to Walk’s AccessAbility Day. It was a beautiful day and an amazing opportunity filled with fun activities that included music, food, games, and wheelchair washing.

Pace

University-Lenox Hill Hospital Physician Assistant program Cohort '26 celebrated at PAs on the Plaza, a program that has become a staple during PA Week. This year, hundreds of PAs and PA students from across the country gathered in New York City to show their PA spirit and raise awareness of the profession on ABC’s Good Morning America and NBC’s TODAY Show.

PACE EXPERIENCES

Physician Assistant-Pleasantville students joined Occupational Therapy students for a morning of fun hosted by the Team Nikhil Foundation. They participated in adaptive yoga, music and gardening...interprofessional collaboration at its finest! The Team Nikhil Foundation is an organization created to improve lives of children with disabilities and complex medical needs.

CHP Interim Co-Dean Esma Paljevic, EdD, RN, CPNP, FNYAM and Sophie Kaufman, DPS, director, Center for Strategic Initiatives and Grants (CSIG), were on hand along with with 61 team members to participate in Pace’s incredible turnout for this years 34th Annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. They met up with CHP retiree Dr. Ellen Mandel and thanked her for continuing to bring the Pace community together for this important cause.

Nutrition and Dietetics students participated in a handson culinary workshop at Cibrèo Academy in Florence, Italy. Cibrèo’s values, seasonal and fresh products, ethical food production, simplicity, authenticity, and tradition were the key elements of the learning process, centered around the Sant’Ambrogio market.

The Full Plate

Check out the Nutrition and Dietetics, MS May 2024 newsletter January 2025 newsletter

HONORING RETIREE

Andrea Sonenberg

Long time member of the CHP community, Andrea Sonenberg, PhD, WHNP, CNM-BC, FNYAM, FNAP, participated in the 2 year phased retirement plan for faculty and her last day at Pace was August 31. She holds an appointment of professor emeritus.

Dr. Sonenberg was largely involved in the Lienhard School of Nursing, as both a clinical and didactic professor and as a faculty policy fellow. Since

joining the nursing faculty in 2008, she has taught for the undergraduate programs, the Family Nurse Practitioner graduate program, and both doctoral programs. Additionally, she was appointed the first coronavirus coordination officer for Pace.

Outside of her career at Pace, Dr. Sonenberg is a certified nurse-midwife, women’s health nurse practitioner, health services researcher, and registered lobbyist, improving access to care and health outcomes for vulnerable and underserved populations through practice; policy research and advocacy; and nursing education. Alongside former CHP Dean Marcus Tye, Dr. Sonenberg lobbied for legislation that was ultimately passed in May 2023 by the New York State legislature. It addresses the ongoing nursing shortage and focuses on utilizing clinical simulation educational methods in lieu of up to one-third of the clinical hours required by New York State for nursing students to be eligible to graduate from accredited nursing programs and sit for the NCLEX Licensure exam.

Additionally, she founded public health midwifery practices serving ethnically, racially, and socio-economically diverse communities. Dr. Sonenberg’s research focuses on policies as upstream determinants of health, with international publications and presentations on the impacts of policies on equity, health disparities, and social justice.

Since her retirement from Pace, Andrea was inducted as Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and selected by the American Public Health Association for the Ruth B. Freeman Award in Public Health.

Dr. Sonenberg had a great impact on so many people in the CHP community and beyond, and we wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors!

CAREERS

WELLBEING PARTNERSHIP

Sue Maxam, EdD

Assistant Provost for Wellness

CHP and the Center for Wellbeing: A Vital Partnership in Promoting Health and Wellness

The College of Health Professions (CHP) continues to foster an invaluable partnership with the Center for Wellbeing, consistently demonstrating dedication to encouraging a healthier community for students, faculty, and staff. Their enthusiasm and expertise shine through in every contribution that is made, from consultations and resource sharing to workshops and event collaborations.

This past semester was no exception! CHP’s initiatives showcased a commitment to good health

and nutrition, including the well-received Foods that Help You Detox session, recipe cards and cooking tips tailored for students using the food pantry, and the mindfulness workshops and resources. Their work extended to vital topics like food insecurity and the nutritional impact on trafficked individuals, ensuring holistic support for our community.

CHP’s active involvement on the Wellness Advisory Board and their efforts to publicize and attend wellness-related events underscore their integral role in Wellness programming. Notably, they provided essential support for Pace’s application for the WELL Building Certification, a prestigious recognition that highlights our institution’s commitment to health and wellness. They also continued their Connecting through Food initiative, empowering students in residence halls with tools for healthy, nutritious eating.

This partnership’s impact goes even further with connections like a CHP alumna from the Westchester County Department of Health, who played a pivotal role in our annual Wellbeing Fair.

The Center for Wellbeing is deeply grateful for CHP’s ongoing collaboration and unwavering dedication to promoting a healthier, more vibrant community. We look forward to continuing this essential partnership!