Health and Behavioral Studies News

#CHBSChats with Emilee Blosser

#CHBSChats with Emilee Blosser (Kinesiology) - Our series of informal chats with students

Students travel to US-Mexico border for service-learning opportunity

Over winter break, eleven students and a faculty member coordinated a service-learning trip to San Juan, Texas, a city located along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Guest speaker discusses transgender nutritional needs

On Saturday March 17, dietitian Zachari Breeding came to James Madison University to speak to faculty and students about nutritional considerations for the transgender community.

Event: It’s Ok to Die … When You’re Prepared.

Join us for an informational talk about advanced directives, tools for making challenging medical decisions, and numerous other action steps to take when “your time” comes.

School of Nursing receives Compass Award for Diversity and Inclusion

In recognition of its contributions and its commitment to supporting diversity and inclusion, the Office of the President has presented the School of Nursing with the Compass Award for Diversity and Inclusion.

Events organized for Occupational Therapy Month

To celebrate Occupational Therapy Month, the JMU Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA) has planned three activities throughout April focusing on restorative practices and meaningful occupations.

#CHBSChats with Rachel Civale

#CHBSChats with Rachel Civale (Nursing) - Our series of informal chats with students

New CSD study abroad in York, England

Professor Rory DePaolis will be taking 14 junior CSD majors to the University of York to attend a four-credit linguistics course this summer.

Phi Epsilon Kappa members spend spring break volunteering

During spring break of 2018, several members of Phi Epsilon Kappa went to Charlotte, North Carolina to volunteer at Lifespan, a non-profit organization that provides services to individuals with disabilities.

#CHBSChats with Morgan Epps

#CHBSChats with Morgan Epps (Social Work) - Our series of informal chats with students

Health sciences students present research at conference

On April 18, four teams of JMU health sciences students will travel to the Georgetown Undergraduate Research Conference (URC) in Washington, D.C., to present their own findings on diverse and pressing health topics.

Paralympic athletes visit KIN 100 class

Paralympic athletes visited KIN 100 classes to teach wheelchair basketball skills and educate students on the challenges that accompany the sport.

Exchange student completes CSD research

Communication sciences and disorders (CSD) professor Chris G. Clinard and German exchange student Lisa M. Jessen completed research about how the brain processes sounds when we are listening with background noise.

#CHBSChats with Lexie Trinchere

#CHBSChats with Lexie Trinchere (Nursing) - Our series of informal chats with students

Kinesiology students and faculty attend SHAPE conference

The 2018 SHAPE National Conference & Expo was held March 20-14 in Nashville.

Social Work class partners with Open Doors to serve homeless population

Since 2014, students in SOWK 317 class have partnered with Open Doors, an organization located in Harrisonburg which provides shelter and support for the local homeless population.

Local healthcare administrators provide new perspectives for HSA students

In the Health Services Administration program, working professionals that double as JMU adjunct faculty provide practical and applied perspectives – demonstrating to students the day-to-day operations of healthcare.

Student promotes hand hygiene through public health strategies

Health sciences major Stephanie Pasewaldt completed her Honors College capstone project at schools in Uganda and Kenya, where she promoted handwashing through education and infrastructure interventions.

#CHBSChats with Stephanie Pasewaldt

#CHBSChats with Stephanie Pasewaldt (Health Sciences) - Our series of informal chats with students

#CHBSChats with Biniam Abraham

#CHBSChats with Biniam Abraham (Physician Assistant - Health Professions) - Our series of informal chats with students

Psychology students receive engagement grants

Psychology majors Kathia Bonilla and Caleigh Strother both had ideas for ways to serve patients in their field placement settings and received grants to make their ideas into reality.

Students volunteer with rescue squad

PA students gain clinical experience while volunteering their time to the Harrisonburg Rescue Squad.

#CHBSChats with Mina Attia

#CHBSChats with Mina Attia (Graduate Psychology) - Our series of informal chats with students

2018 CHBS mini-grant recipients announced

Congratulations to the recipients of the recent mini-grant competition to support faculty development.

Lincoln Gray discusses engagement with diverse audiences

Communication sciences and disorders professor Lincoln Gray's research involves layering multicultural and interdisciplinary perspectives to generate new scientific findings.

JMU hosts Virginia Nursing Students' Association state convention

On February 10, 2018, JMU hosted the VNSA state convention offering nursing students an opportunity to learn about different specialties and roles in nursing while fostering professional development.

Alumna works to improve geriatric care

Alumna Jeannette Suter ('99, '02) has worked in numerous roles to promote comprehensive senior care.

Simulation based experiences improve cultural competence

The School of Nursing has expanded its simulation lab program to include diversity scenarios, enhancing the cultural competence of students through simulated clinical interactions.

#CHBSChats with Kaelie Jager

#CHBSChats with Kaelie Jager (Health Sciences) - Our series of informal chats with students

PA program partners with Free Clinic

Now in the second year of a five year grant from the Health and Human Services Administration, the Physician Assistant students reflect on their first year experiences at the clinic.

Claire Lyons receives General Education Distinguished Teacher Award

Psychology professor Claire Lyons has been awarded the General Education Distinguished Teacher Award in recognition of her dedicated service and ability in teaching students.

Giving Day funds make a difference

The kinesiology department utilized its portion of the funding to cover student travel costs for two regional conferences.

Giving Day funds make a difference

The Institute for Innovation in Health and Human Services (IIHHS) utilized its portion of last year's gifts to support summer camp programming.

Giving Day funds make a difference

The department of Graduate Psychology used its portion of the funding to purchase training materials for Higher Ground, a project aimed at battling adolescent substance abuse in public schools.

#CHBSChats with Taylor Short

#CHBSChats with Taylor Short (Graduate Nursing) - Our series of informal chats with students

Viewpoints on Health

Viewpoints on Health will be held on March 22, 2018 at 5:30p.m. in HBS 5040

Giving Day funds make a difference

The department of Communication Sciences and Disorders utilized their Giving Day funding to purchase updated assessment technologies that now serve the adult clinic.

Giving Day funds make a difference

The Department of Psychology allocated their portion towards bringing keynote speaker Eric Landrum to this year's Psychology Symposium.

Giving Day funds make a difference

The social work department dedicated its portion of Giving Day funding to expand student participation in the Rural Area Medical Volunteer Corps. (RAM), a healthcare outreach initiative.

Quantitative psychology student wins national research award

Paulius Satkus, a first year student in the quantitative psychology concentration in the psychological sciences M.A. program, received the "Best Student Paper Award."

CHBS faculty awards for 2018 announced

Congratulations to the following faculty named as recipients of the 2018 CHBS faculty awards.

Inter-professional education seminar held

An all day seminar on Inter-professional education took place bringing together over 100 graduate students and advanced undergraduate students from seven disciplines.

CSD faculty published in research journal

The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders is pleased to share that the February 2018 edition of the American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology includes two publications from JMU CSD faculty members.

#CHBSChats with Grace Berardini

#CHBSChats with Grace Berardini (Physician Assistant - Health Professions) - Our series of informal chats with students

National Library of Medicine exhibition visits JMU

A travelling exhibition created by the National Library of Medicine will spend six weeks at JMU Libraries through collaboration with the physician assistant (PA) program.

Kinesiology student completes Kennedy Krieger Institute internship

Volunteering with Overcoming Barriers revealed a love of working with children with disabilities for senior kinesiology major Katie deMuth. The experience helped her decide to plan a future in occupational therapy.

Futuro Latino Drug-Free Communities honored by CADCA

Futuro Latino Coalition is housed at the Institute for Innovation in Health and Human Services at James Madison University.

CSD graduate students earn prestigious awards

Six CSD graduate students received recognition for their superior academic performance.

Gabriele, Moran join list of JMU winners

Mark Gabriele, a professor of biology, and Thomas Moran, a professor of kinesiology, are among 12 recipients of the Outstanding Faculty Award.

#CHBSChats with Brynn Morales

#CHBSChats with Brynn Morales (CSD) - Our series of informal chats with students

New auditory research journal launched

Michael Hall, psychology professor recognized a need for a research journal with a particular auditory focus and collaborated to launch one.

JMU classmates finish the Rehoboth Beach Marathon

KIN 100 students prepare for and complete a marathon over the course of a semester

#CHBSChats with Hannah Frick

#CHBSChats with Hannah Frick (Kinesiology) - Our series of informal chats with students

Senior works towards substance-abuse free community

As an intern with the University of Virginia Gordie Center, senior kinesiology major Morgan Hardt helped plan a national substance abuse education conference for NCAA student-athletes.

Jeff Dyche named CHBS Madison Scholar

Jeff Dyche, a professor in the psychology department, was recognized as the Madison Scholar for the College of Health and Behavioral Studies in November.

Overcoming Barriers Halloween event

On the evening of Nov. 1, JMU students put on their best Halloween costumes to celebrate the holiday with area youth who happen to live with a disability.

Continuum of care

A graduate of JMU's Doctor of Nursing Practice program, Patra Reed ('93, '16D) is driving change and improving health in her community.

Putting life's lessons in song

Music professors David Stringham and Jesse Rathgeber started the program this fall along with social work professor Cindy Hunter.

IIHHS organizations collaborate on pediatric brain injury training and education

Crossroads to Brain Injury Recovery and the Training and Technical Assistance Center )co-hosted the Pediatric Brain Injury Education and Training workshop.

#CHBSChats with Amanda Thompson

#CHBSChats with Amanda Thompson (Psychology) - Our series of informal chats with students

Student completes adaptive sports internship

When senior Carly McBain began searching for her exercise science internship the summer after her sophomore year, she knew that she wanted to push beyond her comfort zone to develop professionally and interpersonally.

Women gain strength at MBC event

Sunday brunch became an athletic affair at the Morrison Bruce Center's third Barbells and Brunch event. Attendees had the opportunity to learn about proper weightlifting techniques and experiment with nutrition.

Ed McKee leads drum circles for youth and seniors

Ed McKee, faculty emeritus, has been at JMU for 45 years and recently found a new passion for drumming. Now, in addition to teaching, he leads drum circles at two senior facilities

Occupational therapy students make fleece baby blankets for local hospital

What better way to give thanks to a local hospital in this time of giving by making a fleece baby blanket?

#CHBSChats with Pamela Molnar

#CHBSChats with Pamela Molnar (CSD) - Our series of informal chats with students

Psychology student wins research award

Senior psychology major Amanda Powell not only attended the Society for Police & Criminal Psychology conference in September, she walked away with the Michael Serafino award for best undergraduate poster

CHBS programs nationally recognized for engagement

The American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) recently recognized JMU nursing and social work for exemplary civic education within their respective programs.

Groundbreaking suicide research

Three JMU researchers have launched a groundbreaking study that will look at suicidality from a new perspective, extending limited literature on the topic and reducing stigma in the process.

CHBS values collaboration

Social work and nursing students work together to solve healthcare problems

JMU faculty participate in summit on high school psychology education

Psychology professors Suzanne Baker and Krisztina Jakobsen were among 70 high school, community college, and undergraduate psychology teachers selected to participate in the APA Summit on High School Psychology Education

#CHBSChats with Zach Rich

#CHBSChats with Zach Rich (Nursing) - Our series of informal chats with students

#CHBSChats with Ashley Rininger

#CHBSChats with Ashley Rininger (Psychology) - Our series of informal chats with students

OT students attend statewide conference

JMU's occupational therapy students presented research at the 2017 VOTA conference.

#CHBSChats with Alexa Karkhanis

#CHBSChats with Alexa Karkhanis (Health Services Administration) - Our series of informal chats with students

Aimee Johnson brings a focus on research methods to health sciences department

A high school anatomy class inspired a lifelong passion for health

Former UHC health education coordinator, Lesley Eicher joins health sciences faculty

While she is new as full time faculty to the health sciences department, Lesley Eicher has performed numerous roles at JMU.

Sarah Blackstone joins health sciences

Sarah Blackstone is beginning her time at JMU as a professor of health sciences specializing in chronic disease and disability and infectious diseases.

#CHBSChats with Alec Sliman

#CHBSChats with Alec Sliman (Psychology) - Our series of informal chats with students

JMU hosts conference on opioids

The JMU physician assistant program hosted a one-day conference on the opioid epidemic on October 21, 2017.

Minding the health insurance gap

About 200 students participated in the fourth annual Health Policy Summit, proposing solutions for closing Virginia's health insurance gap.

Kinesiology senior studies healthcare in Spain

Amanda Reeder coordinated her own individualized program in Valencia, Spain which fulfilled the four credit, 160-hour internship requirement for her major.

Junior kinesiology major interns as athletic performance coach

After being accepted to JMU, McQuillan found his niche as a kinesiology major who hoped to become a physical therapist one day, but his interest in athletic strength and conditioning never faded.

Hillcrest Scholar does research at the U.S. Soccer Development Academy

Junior psychology major Matthew Best joined the largest U.S.-based psychology research team ever assembled to study the mental traits and personality characteristics of the nation's most elite soccer players.

Julie Sanford receives FAAN designation

Julie Sanford, Director of JMU's School of Nursing, has been named a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN).

Mediterranean island provides healthcare perspective

During the summer study abroad term, nursing and health sciences students witnessed the island's nurturing atmosphere firsthand as they gained an international healthcare perspective

Viewpoints on Health

Viewpoints on Health will be held on November 1, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. in HBS 5040

#CHBSChats with Katie Lynch

#CHBSChats with Katie Lynch (Nursing) - Our series of informal chats with students

Nursing students and faculty travel to Japan for patient safety workshop

In August 2017, nursing students, Brooke Thompson and Rachael Vono, attended a patient safety workshop in Hiroshima, Japan led by JMU faculty Julie Sanford, Christine Argenbright and others.

CCN empowers caregivers and students

The aging population is expected to skyrocket through 2030. Students are working with the Caregivers Community Network to accommodate the needs of this growing population

#CHBSChats with Caroline Whitlow

#CHBSChats with Caroline Whitlow (Social Work) - Our series of informal chats with students

Psychology alumni serve with AmeriCorps

Two psychology alumni solidified their ambitions to serve communities in need after graduation, landing positions with AmeriCorps.

An immersive experience for kinesiology students

The purpose of the trip is to study the impact of altitude on exercise, but participants gain additional rewards that result from learning in the field and sharing time together outdoors.

Nursing students work in Tanzania

Last summer, nursing students studied abroad in Tanzania, an East African country known for its safaris, the Serengeti and Mt. Kilimanjaro.

#CHBSChats with Kaitie Mast

#CHBSChats with Kaitie Mast (Athletic Training) - Our series of informal chats with students

Hannah Floyd gets real world experience during Johns Hopkins internship

Floyd spent last summer as an intern for the School of Nursing at Johns Hopkins University to fulfill a requirement for her concentration in public health.

Kay Harrison joins CHBS faculty

Health services administration professor Katherine "Kay" Harrison went to her first hospital board meeting before graduating elementary school.

Xiaohui You brings interdisciplinary background to CHBS

An interdisciplinary background paved the way for You to pursue research in fields relevant to both health and economics.

Pulling up on his own bootstraps

Senior Michael Johnson has worked his way through college with the goal of becoming an Army nurse.

Conference on Opioids

The JMU Physician Assistant Program has been awarded a federal grant from the Health Resources & Services Administration to hold a one-day conference on the nationwide opiate epidemic.

Children's disaster related activity book released

Anne Stewart and Danielle Budash, working with a disaster preparedness agency, the Shenandoah Valley Project Impact, helped create disaster-related education material for children in response to Hurricane Katrina

HSA program wins 2017 ACHE Higher Education Network Award

The JMU health services administration program won the 2017 Higher Education Network Award given by the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE)

Natalie Birkelien places first in ACHE management essay competition

Congratulations to Natalie Birkelien for being selected as the first place winner in the 2017 Richard J. Stull Student Essay Competition in Healthcare Management sponsored by ACHE.

Jon Thompson, HSA program director and professor, retires

After 22 years leading the Health Service Administration Program, Jon Thompson is leaving JMU at the end of August 2017.

Maiewski named Humanitarian of the Year by the VAPA

Professor Sharon Maiewski was honored as Humanitarian of the Year by Virginia Academy of Physician Assistants

Gus Bus & BRAFB neighborhood markets

During the week of June 19th-22nd, 2017, the BRAFB brought fresh produce to three different Gus Bus neighborhoods each night.

Avoiding the travelers' blues

While canceled flights and lost luggage are certainly concerns for travelers, the book focuses more on . . .