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“I can sum up RMU’s vision in five words: to improve the human condition. At RMU, we are dedicated to educating compassionate and highly skilled healthcare professionals who embody this vision.”
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PRESIDENT CAMERON K. MARTIN
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Message from President
Dear Friends,
I reflect on 2024 as a year marked by remarkable growth and outstanding achievements across our entire community — students, faculty, staff, and alumni alike.
Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMU) continues to expand its reputation as a leading graduate healthcare institution, both locally and nationally. This growth is not only due to our excellent programs but also because we are meeting the evolving needs of the healthcare industry. Our collaboration with Utah Valley University, for instance, in educating future occupational therapists, exemplifies how we are leading the way in addressing critical workforce demands.
One of our most exciting milestones was the grand opening of our RMU Health Clinics. These clinics provide pro bono, low-cost, and insured services because we believe no one should be denied care due to cost. They also offer invaluable handson learning for our students, who gain real-world experience treating patients from diverse backgrounds with unique healthcare needs.
I encourage everyone reading this report to visit healthclinics.rm.edu to learn more about our clinics and discover how we provide compassionate, high-quality healthcare services to our community.
If 2024 was a year of growth, it was also a year of achievement. Our students, faculty, and alumni received awards, scholarships, and fellowships in recognition of their innovative work. RMU was honored to receive three 2024 Utah Best of State awards, including one for best educational institution, and was recognized as an Honoree in Education at the statewide 2024 Education Gala.
While awards are certainly an honor, our greatest accomplishment remains our students. In August, we celebrated the largest graduating class in RMU’s 26 year history, and this fall, we welcomed our biggest incoming cohort. These students are emerging as leaders in their fields, and we are eager to see the positive impact they will have on the world.
Looking to 2025, we are committed to continuing our strategic growth — creating new, in-demand educational programs and offering flexible learning models to future students.
I sincerely hope that anyone who has an RMU experience feels the spirit of our vision “to improve the human condition” reflected in every conversation, every treatment, and every interaction.
Dr. Cameron K. Martin PRESIDENT & CEO
ROCKY
MILESTONES OF SUCCESS
FAST FACTS | 2024
4,631
4,869
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RMU
and UVU
Launch
Accelerated Pathway to a Doctorate of Occupational Therapy, Saving Students Time and Money While Meeting High Demand Workforce Needs
In a unique higher education partnership, RMU and Utah Valley University (UVU) signed an agreement to enhance educational opportunities for students to enter the field of occupational therapy. This program is designed to help students obtain an advanced occupational therapy education and enter the workforce earlier than traditional pathways.
In 2024, occupational therapy was the #4 ranked job in healthcare, with a projected 16,100 new jobs.* Over the next ten years, 9,600 occupational therapist positions will open each year.**
*2024 U.S. News & World Report
**2024 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Report
The 3 + 3 Program offers students a pathway to obtaining a doctorate in six years. Students begin their educational journey at UVU, completing their first three years in the Bachelor of Health Sciences program. The first year in the RMU Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program count toward the upper-division courses to complete the BS. At that point, students would graduate from UVU with a BS and have just two more years to complete their RMU OTD degree.
Nursing Department Experiences Surge of New Students
Coinciding with RMU’s blossoming enrollment, the graduate-level nursing programs had a record-breaking year, with an alltime high of 263 students in Fall 2024.
This partnership creates nimbleness and needed healthcare expertise by widening access to community members while helping fill the shortage of healthcare providers in our area.
— Utah County Commissioner Brandon Gordon
RMU Expands Healthcare Reach with Opening of Community Health Clinics and Research Facilities
RMU celebrated the opening of a new home for the RMU Health Clinics and advanced academic and research facilities. This healthcare hub improves access for those in need while providing exceptional learning opportunities for RMU students.
The RMU Health Clinics feature six community clinics, five on RMU’s campus: the Eye Institute, the Counseling Clinic, the Center for Communication Disorders, the Physical and Occupational Therapy Clinic, and the Electrophysiology Clinic. The RMU Physical Therapy Clinic (formerly CRC) will continue to offer its pro bono physical therapy services at 587 S. State Street, Provo.
In 2024, almost 10,000 patients received care at the RMU Health Clinics.
• Eye Institute
Pro Bono Services
$7.34 Million & 26,910 Volunteer Hours (Since 2014)
• Counseling Clinic
• Physical & Occupational Therapy Clinic
• Center for Communication Disorders
• Electrophysiology Clinic
• Physical Therapy Clinic (formerly CRC)
RMU Selected as Education Leader at 2024 Utah Education Gala
RMU was recognized as an Honoree in Education at the statewide 2024 Education Gala, part of the Utah Show Up for Teachers initiative. This prestigious award, presented by Utah First Lady Abby Cox, Deseret News, and Utah Business Magazine celebrates outstanding contributions to Utah’s education system.
RMU’s dedication to community support, educator involvement, academic excellence, and student success was recognized through its various initiatives and partnerships including: Parkview Elementary Vision Clinic, free healthcare delivery, supporting the Navajo Nation, and community service.
Show Up for Teachers is an inspiring statewide initiative which perfectly aligns with RMU’s vision and purpose.
— President Cameron K. Martin
RMU Shines at Best of State Awards with Top Honors in Education and Leadership
As a testament to RMU’s vision of advancing the quality, delivery, and efficacy of healthcare, the University received medals and accolades from the Best of State organization, Utah’s premier recognition and awards program, for the following categories:
BEST EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION IN UTAH Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions
BEST UNIVERSITY STUDENT IN UTAH Kirsten Thornhill, PhD student
BEST UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATOR IN UTAH President Cameron K. Martin
Record-Breaking Year: RMU Welcomes Largest Student Enrollment Since Its Founding
In 2024, RMU welcomed its largest group of new students — combined winter, summer, and fall semesters — since its founding in 1998. A total of 695 new master's and doctorate-level students from across the nation embarked on their healthcare education journeys at RMU.
Left to right: RMU President Cameron K. Martin, RMU student Kirsten Thornhill, RMU co-founder Dr. Richard P. Nielsen
The August 2024 commencement ceremony included a significant milestone for the graduate healthcare institution. RMU graduates were awarded 143 doctorate degrees, 158 master’s degrees, and 16 certificates. At the largest assembly of graduates in the University’s 26-year history, students came from 42 states and eight countries to celebrate their educational achievements.
STUDENTSUCCESS
JOSUE PUENTE, Doctor of Optometry
A Vision for the Future: Childhood Experiences Lead Student to Choose Optometry and Community Service
When Josue Puente was seven, he found himself in the role of translator at his Spanish-speaking grandmother’s (lovingly called abuela) optometry appointments. It was a transformative moment. “I remember vividly how the doctors helped her regain her vision, allowing her to see her family and continue her daily life,” he said. “That experience ignited my passion for eye care.”
Two decades later, Puente is on a path to becoming an optometrist — a career choice that is deeply rooted in his childhood experiences in Chicago. While growing up, Puente was acutely aware of the healthcare challenges faced by those around him, including his beloved abuela. His Mexican heritage shaped both his aspirations and his commitment to serving underserved communities. The second-year RMU student has now embarked on a mission to earn a degree and bridge healthcare disparities in his community.
GREESHMA RAGHAVAN
Master of Science in Medical Speech-Language Pathology
RMU Medical Speech-Language Pathology Program
Attracts Ambitious Students from Southern Asia
Greeshma Raghavan’s life began amid humble circumstances in southern India. After her father suffered complications from a brain tumor, Raghavan saw firsthand the need for healthcare professionals trained in medical speech-language pathology techniques in her home country.
During her research of programs around the world, she was impressed with what RMU offered, including patient simulations, computerized speech lab validation, endoscopy, stroboscopy, clinical swallow evaluations, videofluoroscopy, and more. Raghavan envisions opening up her own training center back home that will allow her to collaborate with U.S. professionals and empower and educate speech-language professionals, in India.
BISSELL Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences
Shooting for Success: PhD student Receives 2023 Doc Counsilman Science Award
RMU student and Smith College archery coach Kyle Bissell was awarded the 2023 Doc Counsilman Science Award, a coach of the year award presented by USA Archery. Bissell, a Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences (PhD) student, received this award for his outstanding work in constraints-based coaching, which helps archers improve their form and competitive performance. Bissell’s real passion is helping others. “I like archery, but what I really love is movement, people, and the process of motor learning and human development that leads to elite levels of performance.”
KYLE
KINDEE DIXON, Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Like Father, Like Daughter: Counseling Grad Has Heart for Service Like Her Dad, President Nielsen
When Kindee Dixon received her master’s degree in counseling at graduation this summer, one of the University’s co-founders was the proudest person there. Former RMU president, Dr. Richard P. Nielsen, isn’t only associated with her through the healthcare institution — he’s also her dad. Dixon was the first person with whom her dad shared his
vision for RMU almost 30 years ago, so she is aware of the hard work required to build a university from a lofty idea. As RMU prepared to begin a counseling program, Nielsen suggested she return and earn a second master’s degree. She completed the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program with the University’s first counseling cohort.
JENNIFER HAMSON
Master of Physician Assistant Studies (now Master of Medical Science)
From WNBA Court to Care: Accomplished Athlete Transitions to Healthcare as a Physician Assistant
BYU athletic great Jennifer Hamson, a former WNBA and professional volleyball player, has turned her focus to loving and lifting by providing healthcare as a physician assistant. Shortly after graduating from RMU in August, Hamson was inducted into the BYU Athletic Hall of Fame. She still relies on valuable lessons learned from her accomplished sports career. “It’s a team aspect in medicine as well,” she said. “There’s a bunch of people on your team trying to help you stay healthy and get better. I think they just meld really well together.”
ACADEMICSUCCESS
RMU Eye Institute Enhances Vision Care with Cutting-Edge Technology Donation
The RMU Eye Institute was gifted a significant equipment donation from EssilorLuxottica of America, Inc., creating new possibilities for patient care and enhancing the eye care education of RMU’s Doctor of Optometry students. The equipment enables eye clinics to conduct exams through trained onsite technicians, with data transmitted to remote doctors for virtual examination and consultation via live video. Students will undergo comprehensive training, ensuring they harness the full potential of this technology.
All PA students are taught to conduct a medical exam in Spanish.
RMU’s Entry-Level Master of Occupational Therapy Program Connects OTAs with Future Opportunities
RMU’s new entry-level Master of Occupational Therapy bridge program provides an avenue for certified occupational therapy assistants to become licensed occupational therapists. The hybrid model provides students with flexibility as working professionals. Students will have three onsite visits to campus for collaborative learning opportunities with other occupational therapists and interprofessional collaboration with the University’s optometry and counseling programs.
RMU offers high-quality healthcare education, founded on evidence-based practices. I’m proud of our faculty who are leaders in their fields, both in practice and in research.
— Dr. Malissa Martin, Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs & Provost
RMU Welcomes Emergency Nurse Practitioners to Salt Lake City
Real-World Skills: RMU’s Medical Speech-Language Pathology Program Enhances Learning Through Simulations
The Master of Science in Medical Speech-Language Pathology students did simulation training at Utah Valley Hospital, utilizing actors role-playing as non-verbal patients who experienced medical conditions such as stroke. These hands-on scenarios are a highlight of the RMU experience and provide students opportunities to practice assessing and treating patients in a hospital setting.
RMU was the host university for the annual American Academy of Emergency Nurse Practitioners Conference (EmergNP) in Salt Lake City in March. Bringing in emergency medicine professionals from across the nation, EmergNP helps nurses “increase their knowledge, make new connections, and learn how to develop patient-centered, efficient, team-based care in the emergency department.”
In his welcoming remarks, President Martin thanked nurses for their dedication to advancing emergency healthcare and shaping the future of the field.
ENP Nursing Students
Successfully Pass Board Exam at 100% Rate
The Post-Master’s Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP) Certificate program maintained its 100% first-time certification pass rate for the board exam by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board. The ENP program has maintained that 100% passing proficiency since its inception in 2020. In contrast, the mostrecent national pass rate for ENP stands at 86%, demonstrating the effectiveness of the University’s innovative approach and the dedication of RMU students.
Collaborative Research Project to Improve Mental Health Outcomes After Traumatic Brain Injuries
Dr. Matt Malcolm, director of the Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program and Chair of the Academic Leadership Council, is a dedicated researcher and key partner in the Proactive Minds project. This collaborative initiative is between Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (Malcolm), Colorado State University (Dr. James Graham), and University of Colorado Health (Amanda Hoffman).
Funded by the Mindsource Brain Injury Network, the project seeks to create a practical tool for predicting an individual’s risk of facing significant mental health challenges after a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The tool utilizes data gathered during the patient’s hospital stay, allowing healthcare providers to identify individuals at high risk for post-traumatic psychopathology. By proactively addressing potential mental health issues, this tool can empower patients, their families, and clinicians to secure necessary resources and support systems well before these challenges become deeply rooted.
Using data from more than 9,000 patients hospitalized for TBI, the project team has developed the beta version of the Proactive Minds tool and is now refining the predictive model for accuracy and ease-of-use by healthcare professionals. This tool will aid clinicians from diverse disciplines in offering timely interventions that improve patients’ mental health outcomes, ultimately supporting their journey toward independence and reintegration into society.
Dr. Malcolm’s expertise in rehabilitation and his contributions to research on TBI care underscore RMU’s commitment to advancing knowledge and improving patient care in meaningful ways.
Evidence-based is a key part of RMU’s mission, and faculty are leading the way in finding the most up-to-date and evidence-based practices to enhance student learning.
Top Journals Featuring RMU Research
American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
American Physical Therapy Association
Archives of Rehabilitation Research and Clinical Translation
European Journal of Sport Science
Holistic Nursing Practice
Intermountain Journal of Translational Medicine
International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy
International Journal of Strength and Conditioning
Journal of Acute Care Occupational Therapy
Journal of American College Health
Journal of Athletic Training
Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine
Journal of Occupational Therapy Education
Journal of Physical Therapy Education
Journal of Speech-Language, and Hearing Research
Journal of Sports Sciences
Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research
Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine
Photobiomodulation, Photomedicine, and Laser Surgery
Physiotherapy Canada
Journal of the British Contact Lens Association
Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology
West Coast University Journal of Health and Wellness
FACULTY HIGHLIGHT
Pioneering Telehealth and Advancing Health Sciences Education
Dr. Erin (Miller) Florkiewicz, RMU PhD Health Sciences program director, demonstrated significant contributions to health sciences research in 2024. She authored or co-authored eight peer-reviewed journal publications, including a groundbreaking clinical trial on telehealth running gait retraining, which was published in the Journal of Clinical Biomechanics.
Dr. Florkiewicz and her teams delivered 12 platform and poster presentations at national conferences. She also personally served as an invited speaker for the U.S. Military Academy and the Advanced Medical Technology Initiative. Her expertise and speaking topics spanned evidence-based assessment of quadriceps function after knee injury or surgery, wearable health technology integration, and active learning in higher education, cementing her role as an industry leader. These scholarly activities highlight her dedication to advancing evidence-based practice and education.
Top Conferences Featuring RMU Presenters
Neurological Physical Therapy Conference
2nd Global Virtual Forum on Pediatric and Neonatology
American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
American Occupational Therapy Association Conference
American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting
American Society of Biomechanics Annual Conference
Association for Institutional Research
Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Conference
California Association for Institutional Research
Movement Disorder Society Congress
National Athletic Training Association Clinical Symposia & Expo
National Black Association of Speech-Language and Hearing Annual Conference
Southeast American College of Sports Medicine
Utah Optometric Association Mega CE Event
West China International Myopia Control and Eye Care Symposium
World Congress of Performance Analysis of Sport
RESEARCH
FACULTY & STAFFACHIEVEMENTS
DR. CINDY MATHENA
Adjunct Professor, Post-professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy
RMU Educator named National American University President
In December 2023, Dr. Cindy Mathena, an RMU Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy adjunct professor, was appointed National American University’s president. In early 2024, she was also inducted into the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Roster of Fellows for her significant contributions to the field of occupational therapy. Her valuable expertise brings an elevated level of learning and leadership to RMU’s occupational therapy students.
DR. HINA GARG
Faculty, Doctor of Physical TherapyTherapy
PT Faculty Member Receives APTA Utah Excellence in DEI Award
Dr. Hina Garg, a dedicated RMU physical therapy faculty member, was honored with the 2024 Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Award from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Utah chapter. Known for her commitment to cultural competence within physical therapy, Dr. Garg’s impact spans across academia, clinical practice, community outreach, and research. A founding member of APTA Utah’s DEI committee, she also tirelessly contributes to community education and engagement. This award highlights Dr. Garg’s unwavering dedication to building a more inclusive, just, and welcoming physical therapy community.
JESSICA RYAN
Assistant Director of RMU Clinics & Revenue Cycle
DR. MIRIAM CORTEZ-COOPER
Faculty, Doctor of Physical Therapy
RMU’s Heathcare Heroes Earn Statewide Recognition
Two outstanding members of the RMU team were honored with Utah Business Magazine’s Healthcare Hero Awards in 2024. Jessica Ryan (pictured on the right), assistant director of RMU clinics & revenue cycle, received the Administrator Award for her exemplary leadership in healthcare administration.
Dr. Miriam Cortez-Cooper (pictured on the left), a dedicated faculty member in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program, was awarded the Healthcare Educator Award for her efforts to share knowledge and foster student growth in both classroom and clinical settings.
MICHAL
COOMBS Coordinator, Doctor of Medical Science
RMU Coordinator Explores Psychology of Ultrarunning in PhD Thesis
Part of RMU’s mission is “advancing knowledge,” and Michal Coombs, Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) coordinator, is an excellent example of that. She is a double-threat at RMU: an excellent employee and a PhD candidate. In 2024, she successfully defended her thesis, “Exploring the Relationship Between Psychological Constructs, Gender, and ACE Scores in Trail and Ultrarunners: A Mixed-Methods Study.”
Coombs explored how ultrarunning influences self-efficacy across various psychological backgrounds. Her findings indicate that ultrarunning can boost self-confidence regardless of gender or adverse childhood experience (ACE) scores, suggesting that self-efficacy plays a significant role in shaping performance and persistence within endurance activities.
DR. TYLER SOMMER Program
Director, Master
of Medical Science (formerly Master of Physician Assistant Studies)
DR. ADAM HICKENBOTHAM Dean, College of Optometric Medicine
RMU Dean Named Utah Optometric Association’s Educator of the Year
From Classroom to Clinic: Influencing RMU’s Physician Assistant Graduates and Patient Care
Dr. Tyler Sommer, physician assistant (PA) program director and department chair, was recognized as one of BusinessQ Magazine’s 40 Under 40. Sommer blends his experience of medicine and education into one comprehensive role at RMU. With almost 350 graduates from the PA program since 2015, the students he has helped train at RMU provide nearly two million patient clinic visits annually — a number that grows by more than a quarter million each year.
Dr. Adam Hickenbotham, (pictured above, right) founding dean of RMU’s College of Optometric, was lauded as Educator of the Year in 2024 by the Utah Optometric Association for his years of dedicated service and commitment to the education and profession of optometry. Dr. Hickenbotham, a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley and Harvard Medical School’s One-Year Post-Graduate Medical Education Surgical Leadership Program, has a zeal for teaching students to clearly see the vision of the eye care profession.
Along with 20-plus years of clinical experience, Dr. Hickenbotham has owned and operated a private optometry clinic, overseen the delivery of on-site medical care at more than 20 skilled nursing facilities, and managed refractive surgery clinics. He also develops surgical procedures and devices, having been awarded laser patents in the U.S. and internationally.
ALUMNISUCCESS
“DR. VICTORIA ELIA
Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences, 2021
Breaking Barriers: Alumna Impact on NCAA Division I Athletic Training
Dr. Victoria Elia is an RMU alumna who earned her PhD in Health Sciences in 2021. An athlete from a young age, Dr. Elia transitioned into a professional career in athletic training, focusing on NCAA Division I baseball at Tulane University, where she has worked for four seasons. Her passion for sports medicine drives her commitment to providing top-notch healthcare for student-athletes. Dr. Elia’s background includes a bachelor’s degree in athletic training from Lasell College and a master’s in kinesiology from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. She has also engaged in research on connective tissue disorders and has published articles in scientific journals. Through her work, she addresses stereotypes in the athletic training community and emphasizes the importance of collaboration and understanding among athletes.
What prepared me the most for my job was the blend of being a strength coach and my education. RMU was a great place to get a solid, evidence-based education.
— Dr. Terrance Motley
DR. TERRANCE MOTLEY
Doctor of Physical Therapy, 2020
From the Gridiron to Physical Therapy: The Journey of BYU’s Football Rehabilitation Director
Dr. Terrance Motley, the director of football rehabilitation at Brigham Young University (BYU), has a remarkable journey from player to a key medical team member. A former offensive lineman, Dr. Motley is now responsible for the rehabilitation and return-toplay processes for injured BYU football players, ensuring they recover fully and regain peak performance levels. He attributes his success in this role to his education and experience as a strength coach.
“
DR. SAM WILKINS Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences, 2021
RMU Alumnus Named 2024 Athletic Trainer Educator of the Year
Dr. Sam Wilkins was honored as the 2024 Athletic Trainer Educator of the Year by the Mid-America Athletic Trainers’ Association. Currently an assistant professor in the Department of Health and Kinesiology at the University of Nebraska Omaha, Dr. Wilkins earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences with a focus on athletic training from RMU in 2021. This prestigious award recognizes his exceptional contributions to the field of athletic training education, highlighting his dedication to fostering the next generation of healthcare professionals. Dr. Wilkins’ innovative teaching methods and commitment to student success have made a significant impact within the academic community and beyond.
— Dr. Katie Pierson “
It’s really incredible to look back and see what doors open for you if you’re interested in something.
“DR. KATIE PIERSON
Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology, 2018
Taking Speech-Language Pathology to New Heights in Aviation
Dr. Katie Pierson has a unique interest in combining speech-language pathology with aviation. This began when she recognized a need in the aviation and aerospace industries for specialized training to meet International Civil Aviation Organization English proficiency mandates. This experience led her to pursue a Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology degree at RMU. During her studies, she developed innovative techniques focusing on vowel sounds rather than consonants, aiming to enhance speech intelligibility for non-native English speakers in aviation, ultimately improving safety margins.
After graduating from RMU, Dr. Pierson’s work with Chinese pilot candidates and her research on accent modification have garnered significant recognition. Her groundbreaking article on accent modification in the Journal of International Aerospace Psychology marked the first time a speech therapist’s research had been published in the aerospace industry. She was also recognized as a 2024 Pioneer Winner for the Women’s Space Awards by the Women’s Aerospace Network.
Alumni Relations Brings Together Alumni Across the Nation
In 2024, the Office of Alumni Relations facilitated five alumni reunions nationwide to reconnect alumni with each other, faculty, and current students.
Boston, MA, February 2024
Orlando, FL, March 2024
Provo, UT, June 2024
Baltimore, MD, July 2024
Seattle, WA, December 2024
COMMUNITYSUCCESS
Health Access for All: RMU Partners with United Way for Community Health Fair
In September, RMU partnered with the United Way of Utah County and the South Franklin Community Center in Provo to host a health fair for underserved and uninsured individuals and families in Utah County. Every year, RMU faculty and students provide healthcare assessments, testing, and information, referring some attendees to community clinics for further care.
“By working together to offer free healthcare services and information to our local community, we are helping to improve the lives of hundreds of local families in need.
— President Cameron K. Martin
RMU Teams Up with Seva Foundation to Support Native American Health Initiatives
The RMU Doctor of Optometry program was awarded $20,000 from the Seva Foundation to support technology and learning for Native communities in the United States. A select team of optometric researchers, translational biochemists, and RMU optometry students work with the Navajo Nation and Tsé Bii’ Ndzisgaii Community Center in Monument Valley, Utah, to conduct a series of studies focused on improving diabetic eye care for Native Americans. This generous grant allowed the program to acquire a fundus camera. This will help improve care for diabetic patients as well as perform mass spectrometry-based plant proteomics experiments in collaboration with Brigham Young University.
Strength in Community: RMU Students Support Parkinson’s Patients
Twice a week, RMU’s campus is visited by community members with Parkinson’s disease for an exercise class. Students from the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) and the Master of Science in Medical Speech-Language Pathology programs are on hand to volunteer their time and expertise to help the patients with physical therapy and speech exercises. With supervision of professors, students design a class session that addresses the major mobility, speech, and cognitive concerns for these individuals in a fun and engaging way. “While Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurologic disorder without a cure, research suggests that regular, high-intensity activity can slow the progression and improve quality of life,” explained DPT associate professor Dr. Christa Young, who helps run the exercise sessions. “This program provides an opportunity for regular activity while training student healthcare providers to deliver excellent, effective, and evidence-based care.”
...research suggests that regular, high-intensity activity can slow the progression and improve quality of life (in Parkinson's patients).
— Dr. Christa Young, speaking about the Parkinson's Program
“ “
Words in Action: Enhancing Academic Skills at RMU’s Readers Theater Summer Camp
Readers Theater is an annual summer camp run by RMU’s Master of Science in Medical Speech-Language Pathology (MS MedSLP) students and the RMU Center for Communication Disorders, (CCD) to help children develop academic and reading skills. Under the guidance of MS MedSLP students and CCD clinicians, the children rehearsed and performed in the play “The Three Pirate Pigs” this summer. The cast and crew used creativity to make props and costumes, had fun while learning vocabulary and improving articulation, and bravely stepped out of their comfort zone.
UNIVERSITYLEADERSHIP
Experienced Clinician and Educator Appointed Program Director of MS MedSLP Program
Wendy Chase was named program director for RMU’s Master of Science in Medical Speech-Language Pathology (MS MedSLP) program this year. Chase joined RMU as a professor and clinic director in July 2017. She has three decades of experience in clinical positions, treating clients from infancy through geriatrics and in locations from home care to hospitals.
Over the years, Chase has focused on interprofessional education and practice, communication and voice treatment with transgender or gender fluid clients, and assessment of swallowing in clients with ventilator dependency. Her classroom teaching has focused on dysphagia and clinical methods. She believes that critical thinking and evidence-influenced practice are hallmarks of an excellent speech-language pathologist and strives to support student acquisition of these core skills through quality clinical education.
Chase’s appointment came after Dr. Linda Spencer retired from RMU after serving as MS MedSLP program director from 2016-24. Dr. Spencer was a cornerstone of the program, which she helped build from scratch.
Change of Guard in SLPD Leadership
Dr. Sandra Shigetomi-Toyama retired as program director of the Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology (SLPD) program in late December, a position she held since 2021. She had been with RMU since 2016, including roles as a teacher’s assistant, an instructor for the capstone courses and as capstone coordinator. In 2016, Dr. Shigetomi-Toyama earned a Doctorate of Clinical Science in Speech and Language Pathology at RMU.
In a smooth transition, Dr. Sandra Combs accepted the position as the new SLPD program director. Dr. Combs, a graduate of the University of Kentucky and the University of Cincinnati, has been the SLPD capstone coordinator and an associate professor at RMU since 2021. She has more than 30 years of clinical experience and almost 20 years of teaching and research experience.
Dr. Sandra Combs
Wendy Chase
Welcoming New Trustees
The Board of Trustees directs Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in its mission to educate current and future healthcare professionals for outcomes-oriented, evidence-based practice. This year, the RMU Board of Trustees welcomed new members — Dr. Michael Nelson, Roy Zwhalen, and James Suel.
Michael Nelson, DHSc, DMSc, MPAs, PA-C
Dr. Nelson is a Certified Physician Assistant (PA-C) who specializes in orthopedic medicine and has 16 years of experience working as a physician assistant. He was one of RMU’s physician assistant program founding faculty. He assisted in the development and accreditation of the program, and served as program director. Under his leadership, the physician assistant program was granted Accreditation-Continued status in 2019 by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant for 10 years. Dr. Nelson was instrumental in starting RMU’s Doctor of Medical Science degree program. He was one of the first deans of the former College of Medical Sciences at RMU.
Roy Zwhalen, JD
Roy Zwahlen has an extensive background in innovation. Most recently, he has been serving as the chief strategy officer at the Eshelman Institute of Innovation, where he led the restructuring and launch of new translational capabilities in therapeutics and digital health. He led partnership development efforts as the assistant dean for innovation & strategy at the University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy. In this position, he also provided intrapreneurship support, including strategic planning, design-thinking, due diligence, and operational support to navigate barriers inherent in a university environment.
James Suel
James Suel has been a senior financial leader and chief financial officer (CFO) for more than 45 years. He has a background in growth companies, turn-arounds, start-ups, private equity, and Big Four public accounting, as well as over 10 years in a premier Fortune 200 company as a Group CFO. Suel understands end-to-end processes, operations, treasury, risk management, raising capital, SEC reporting, and a wide and deep knowledge of mergers and acquisitions.
In 2024, the Rocky Mountain University Alumni Association Board (AAB) partnered with the RMU Foundation to launch the RMU Legacy Fund, a giving campaign inviting alumni to contribute to their alma mater. The initiative encourages alumni to give back through small, impactful actions by donating an amount equivalent to their graduation year. For example, a 2016 graduate is encouraged to donate $20.16. Alumni can pledge their legacy by visiting the RMU website and selecting their donation preferences, knowing their contributions will help improve the quality of life for many.
The RMU Legacy Fund directs donations towards student scholarships and the RMU Health Clinics. The Alumni Student Scholarship Fund, managed by the AAB, provides scholarships to deserving students, aiding their pursuit of healthcare education.
