Category: People

When Ivy Meadows earned her master of social work degree, she didn’t plan on a career in academia. But Meadows’ training as a therapist is proving helpful in her role as an academic advisor in the Department of Biomedical Laboratory Sciences. “I never thought it would be something I would be interested in, but I really enjoy working with students,” she said. “I enjoy being a part of the academic journey.  This is the career path I want.” Meadows joined GW in November from West Virginia University, where she was a program assistant in the academic affairs office of the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences. A native of West Virginia, she earned her master’s and bachelor’s degrees in social work from West Virginia University. Her move to Washington, D.C., is her first of living away from home. “This is my first time in a big city; I love it,” she said.  “Everyone is so nice. There’s always a lot to do. It’s hard to get bored.” She likes the hectic life of D.C., but Meadows also enjoys VSTC’s quieter setting. “There’s a lot of trees and hills at VSTC, so it reminds me of home. It’s very peaceful.” Away from work, Meadows likes to go to concerts and try new restaurants with friends. “I’m a foodie. I look forward to anytime I can go out to eat.”

Roger Ideishi, JD, OT/L, FAOTA, has big plans for our soon-to-be-established entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program. “My goal is that the OT program makes a dent in health care and occupational therapy, and establishes a teaching, service, and research identity that’s recognized,” Ideishi said. “We want to produces graduates who care about changing the future rather than just getting a job. There are not a lot of large universities in the region that have OT … GW entering the field, I think, is a significant benchmark in our profession.” Ideishi joined HS in December as professor and director of OT programs in the Department of Health, Human Function and Rehabilitation Sciences. He previously served as a director and professor in the OT program at Temple University. Ideishi is a cultural arts and accessibility specialist that has worked with a number of organizations. It’s his commitment to continue working with some of those groups that’s behind his decision to live in Philadelphia and commute to GW – he takes the train here and back, daily, several times a week. “The worst part of the commute is getting from Union Station to GW,” he said with a laugh. His drive to improve the quality of life for the neuro diverse community led to projects with the Smithsonian and the Kennedy Center. “A lot of my work has occurred in D.C. for the past decade, so in some ways, I already feel a part of the area,” he said. One focus area is in helping arts organizations develop sensory friendly programming. “Someone with a disability can be a full patron at the Kennedy Center or the Smithsonian Institution. We can modify the sound or visual environment… supporting their sensory processing preferences. It’s not changing the art; we can modify the audience experience,” he said, noting that the cultural shift is creating a new audience. “It has become a global phenomenon.” Away from work, you’re likely to find Ideishi training for a marathon. An avid runner, he has run four marathons and has the Tokyo and Los Angeles races on his to-do list. A California native, he earned a JD from Temple University and a bachelor’s degree in OT from the University of Washington.

Reamer L. Bushardt will retire from the Journal of the American Academy of PAs (JAAPA) at the end of June after serving as Editor-in-Chief for nine years. Bushardt published his first article in JAAPA in 2005 and became the journal’s editor in 2011. Under his leadership, JAAPA transitioned to Wolters Kluwer, expanded its global reach through Ovid, and received impact factor (IF) rankings, which have steadily increased. Since 2013, JAAPA has won numerous national publishing awards including FOLIO, APEX, and ASHPE awards. Bushardt’s contributions have supported JAAPA being cited as the top PA journal in North America and raised the journal’s visibility nationally and globally. Harrison Reed of the Department of PA Studies will serve as Acting Editor-in-Chief until a new editor is selected. Read Bushardt’s farewell editorial in the January issue of JAAPA here. And check out Reed’s latest article.

Liana Wooten has hung up her soccer cleats – three torn ACLs will do that – but her love of physical activity is now played out in her research. Wooten, who joined HS as assistant professor in the Department of Health, Human Function, and Rehabilitation Sciences (HHFR) last summer, is eager to continue her research in applied physiology. “I want to get my own research agenda up and running in clinical exercise and applied physiology,” she said. She’s especially interested in excessive fatigue – fatigue that’s not relieved by rest or napping. “You see it in older adults, autoimmune compromised patients and in patients with cancer. We’re not sure where the origin is.” In addition to research, Wooten is keen to improve her teaching skills through experience and working with mentors. GW is her first full-time faculty position. “The faculty here is just excellent in a lot of ways,” she said. “I knew that by coming here I would have good mentorship. I also like that there’s the exercise physiology lab that bridges my clinical degree and my research degree.” Next semester, she’ll teach Applied Physiology, followed by Clinical Medicine and Pharmacology in the summer. A native of Fairfax, Va., Wooten will defend her dissertation for her PhD in rehabilitation science at George Mason University in January. Before joining GW, she was a clinical instructor in the outpatient setting and an adjunct professor at Marymount University and George Mason. Away from work, Wooten is all about the beach and her dog, Nike, a miniature golden doodle. “Anytime I can be near the water, I’m happy.” Her torn ACL ended her soccer career (she doesn’t usually mention that she played professionally), so now hiking and swimming are her workouts. “I used to be more exciting, but now I just hang out with my dog.” Wooten has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Richmond and earned her DPT from Duke University’s School of Medicine.

Katherine “Katie” Sanchez loves playing board games, but don’t ask her to explain the rules. “My husband is the one who got me into board games, and I like them now for the social aspect - but I hate reading the rules,” Sanchez said. “Someone has to explain them to me.”  Sanchez is happy to explain why she chose to join HS as a program associate in the Department of Physician Assistant (PA) Studies. “This position was unique – a lot of growth opportunity and the ability for me to put my stamp on it,” she said. As program associate, she’ll work on department and program initiatives and assist with special events, research, grant proposals, and coordination of teaching schedules. Sanchez grew up in Northern Virginia, but spent the last five years in Missouri, where she worked at Columbia College, most recently as a systems analyst. “I wanted to get out of the tech side. I like technology, but I wanted to step back and have more of a connection with people. It’s been really enjoyable being in a specific department and learning how to navigate that. I’m enjoying learning about health sciences.” Away from work, if she’s not playing board games with her husband and friends, she’s spending time with her one-year-old son Theo. “A lot of my time is dedicated to hanging out with that little goober and my husband,” she said. Sanchez has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia and earned a master of business administration degree from Columbia College.

There’s a new Terri in town. Her email address may say “Theresa,” but Terri Bevilacqua prefers two Rs and an I, please. Bevilacqua joined HS in September as manager of enrollment and advising services for the Department of Biomedical Laboratory Sciences (BLS). She was drawn to the position because she enjoys helping students achieve their personal and academic goals, and she was ready to increase her impact as an advising manager. “I’m enjoying the newness to the parts of this role that I haven’t been exposed to previously,” she said. “I like working with students and others to problem solve and trouble shoot. I enjoy the collaborative nature.” Bevilacqua joined GW from George Mason University, where she was an academic advising effectiveness specialist. She previously spent 12 years at the University of Maryland’s main campus, working in student advising, retention, programming, and assessment. Away from work, Bevilacqua is a proud rugby mom. And rugby wife. She loves to cheer for her rugby-playing sons, Cole, 13, Dylan, 11, and her husband Mark, who plays and coaches. “If I’m not watching the boys play rugby, I’m watching my husband play rugby,” she said. Bevilacqua has never played the game herself, though she says she’d like to try. For now, she’s content to be on the sideline with the family’s four-year-old golden lab, Tucker. Bevilacqua earned a master’s of science in educational psychology and methodology from the State University of New York.

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!

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.