Susan LeLacheur in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies has been promoted to full professor in recognition of her excellence in teaching, research and service to GW. LeLacheur has been a dedicated teacher in the PA program for nearly 25 years. Her scholarly interests include bias and stereotyping in health care interactions. She is currently studying the impact of mindfulness training on student stress. LeLacheur has provided patient care to underserved communities since completing her PA education from Howard University in 1982 and currently volunteers as a PA at Whitman-Walker Health. Congratulations, Professor LeLacheur!
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A Faculty and Family Focus
It’s a good thing that Lindsay Garmirian hit the tourist attractions when she lived here 10 years ago while working for the NIH. Since returning to the DMV this summer and joining GW, the sites she’s visited have been kid-centric. “We go to the playground a lot,” Garmirian said. “We’ve been to most all of the playgrounds in Fairfax and Arlington counties; and the library, too.” Garmirian is starting her first faculty role as an assistant professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program in HHFR. She joins us from Northwestern University, where she was a graduate research assistant in the Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Physical Therapy and Movement Sciences. She recently earned her doctorate in biomedical engineering from Northwestern. “I was 38 weeks pregnant when I defended (my dissertation), had a child and then moved here,” she recalled. The title of her dissertation was: "The Neural and Biomechanical Changes Underlying Weakness in the Paretic Upper Limb in Individuals with Chronic Hemiparetic Stroke." Garmirian was attracted to GW because of the PT program’s reputation. “Colleagues speak very highly of the students and faculty here,” she said. “Everyone is really friendly and welcoming. I already feel like part of the community.” Garmirian will teach courses in neuroscience, which has been the focus of her practice and research. As a new faculty member, she is eager to learn more about the curriculum and PT students. She realizes successfully juggling teaching, research, clinical practice and family life will be a priority. Family life at home in Annandale, Va., revolves around her four-month old son, three-year-old daughter, husband and their pet dog, “Albus” (aka “Al”). Away from work, besides playground and library visits, she enjoys hiking “or nature walks as my toddler calls them.” In addition to her PhD, Garmirian has a DPT from Northwestern and a bachelor’s degree from Tufts University.
Academy Year 2
It has been an exciting summer for the Governor’s Health Sciences Academy at T.C. Williams High School. We’ve welcomed 104 rising ninth graders to the second cohort and 10 rising tenth graders to the first cohort. And 98 of these students participated in the summer bridge orientation program that ran from July 8-19 at T.C. Williams. Thanks to the faculty and staff who took part in the program, including Cliff Cymrot, Andrew Garrett, Kevin O'Connor, Terrell Wyche, and Ernestine Yarborough. Thanks also to Linda Zanin, Catherine Golden, Patrick Corr, and Nick Atlas for organizing the program. The orientation culminated with a July 19 showcase, where students presented posters on their career interests to family and members of the GW and Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) community. The program featured remarks from Reamer Bushardt, O’Connor and ACPS representatives. Michael Forehand, vice president for governmental and community affairs with Inova Health System, was the guest speaker. HS faculty who helped with the Academy's first year include Yousif Barzani, Leslie Davidson, Marcia Firmani, Rohini Ganjoo, Krystl Haerian, and Joe Signorino. Atlas is a senior academic advisor for student life and academic support, Barzani is assistant professor and director of the MSHS Laboratory Medicine Program in BLS, Corr is director of student programs, Cymrot is assistant professor and director of the MLS Undergraduate Program and MLS post-bacc certificate programs in BLS, Davidson is associate professor and chair of CRL, Firmani is assistant professor and chair of BLS, Ganjoo is assistant professor and director of the MLS Graduate Program in BLS, Garrett is associate professor and program director for Emergency Health Services in CRL, Golden is associate dean for academic planning and assessment, Haerian is assistant professor and director of the Biomedical Informatics Program in CRL, O’Connor is associate professor of medicine and senior medical advisor for HS, Signorino is assistant professor in HHFR, Wyche is an academic advisor in CRL, Yarborough is academic department administrator for CRL, and Zanin is director of strategic partnerships.
