Speakers Guide High Point University faculty offer expertise on a variety of subjects and topics. From health sciences, to education, to the HPU Poll and more, faculty members are available to provide commentary on timely issues. Below is merely a snapshot of faculty who serve as reliable sources. Contact Pam Haynes, media relations manager, at 336-841-9055 to coordinate an interview with these experts and many more. Health Sciences Dr. Daniel Erb, founding dean of the School of Health Sciences, knows there is a growing demand for physical therapists, physician assistants, pharmacists and more as 77 million baby boomers begin to retire in the U.S. Erb has diverse experience in leading academic education programs and can talk about the graduate programs he is developing to help meet the growing need of health care providers in the Triad. Prior to joining HPU, he served as director of Graduate Studies and associate professor at Duke University Medical Center. He has clinical expertise in rehabilitating adults who have diseases and injuries to their nervous system. Expertise: Patient care, Aging baby boomers, Chronic diseases affecting the nervous system
Dr. Ronald Ragan, founding dean of the proposed School of Pharmacy, is an expert in pharmacology, toxicology and the importance of patient care in our aging society. Ragan was appointed the director of the Non-Traditional PharmD Program at the University of Kansas in 1998, and was appointed associate dean for Academic Affairs at U.K. in 2005, where he stayed until coming to HPU in 2012. He is a member of many societies and associations and is a delegate in the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy and the American Pharmacists Association. Expertise: Pharmacology, Patient care in aging society More than two-thirds of the adult population and nearly one-third of the child population in the U.S. are classified as overweight or obese. In response to this, Dr. Tony Kemerly, chair of the Department of Exercise Science, has performed extensive research on methods to reduce the obesity epidemic. His most recent book, “Acting Like an Animal: Playful Strengthening and Stretching Activities for Kid People,� focuses on the childhood obesity issue by providing exercises geared toward children combined with facts about animals to give children a fun and educational way to get healthy. His methods battle some of the mainstream ideas to conquer obesity, such as prescription drugs, creams or fad diets. In addition, Kemerly studies human perceptions of the obese individual and how that influences treatment of this growing sector of the population. Expertise: Childhood obesity and treatment and prevention of obesity
Dr. Eric Hegedus is founding chair of the Department of Physical Therapy and a physical therapist. Most recently, Hegedus helped develop software and an app for the iPad called Targeted Enhanced Athletic Movement (T.E.A.M.). The app is designed to help coaches predict sports injuries in players before the injuries occur, thereby saving health care costs and building stronger teams. Sports of particular interest are basketball, lacrosse, golf and track & field. Hegedus is also a certified strength and conditioning specialist who has great interest in preventing injuries and enhancing performance of athletes of all ages and abilities. Expertise: Sports injury prevention, Physical therapy