Daemen University Physical Therapy Research Symposium
Saturday, December 7, 2024
Spring/Summer 2024 Edition
Welcome New Faculty
Dr. Jill Mayer received her master’s degree and doctor of physical therapy from Ithaca College. Following graduation, she worked at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange, NJ treating patients after stroke, brain, and spinal cord injury. This experience solidified her passion for working in this area of PT and extending this passion to future clinicians. Since 2015, Dr. Mayer has worked as a full-time faculty member teaching courses related to neurologic physical therapy. She is a board-certified neurologic clinical specialist and maintains clinical practice in the inpatient and outpatient neuro settings.
Dr. Mayer’s research interests center around oncology rehabilitation, student learning in interprofessional settings, and measuring cognition after exercise in people with brain injury. She has been published in several peer reviewed journals and presented at national conferences.
As a strong supporter of service learning, Dr. Mayer has supervised students abroad in Malawi, Africa working in medical teams to bring healthcare to those who lack access. She has been a volunteer at the NY Special Olympics State games, organized fall prevention programming at senior living facilities, serves on the board of directors for a non-profit cancer resource organization, and established programs connecting college students with local underrepresented youth. Mayer is very excited to bring her experience, enthusiasm, and passion for PT to the students at Daemen University!
Annual Physical Therapy Clinical instructors Course & Continuing Education Presentation
On October 19, the Daemen Physical Therapy Department hosted their annual continuing education seminar. This year's course focused on Oncology Rehabilitation: Implications for PT Practice. Approximately 45 local clinicians attended this professional development opportunity. The speaker was Jill E. Mayer, PT, DPT, NCS.
Kolodziej Lauded for Outstanding Service
Every year, Western District nominates someone for the Outstanding Service to District Award. This award is to be presented to someone who embodies the values of the profession, is willing to go above and beyond in volunteerism, and is a strong advocate for the profession.
Terri Kolodziej, PT, DPT, PhD is a faculty member with 35 years of service at Daemen University and has been involved in the Western District in many capacities and embodies what it truly means to be a physical therapist. Dr. Kolodziej acts as our District's Member Liaison and works closely with the membership committee to provide our members with what they feel is valuable. In addition, Kolodziej single-handedly organizes our annual charity fundraiser, which this year raised over $600 for the Motion Project and with an additional donation from the district allowed us to raise $1,000 for the organization. She is also highly active in volunteering for Lobby Day in Albany where she mentors students and addresses current issues related to physical therapy with our state legislators.
Dr. Kolodziej, on behalf of the executive committee, it was a pleasure to be able to celebrate you and show off your award to some of the faculty at Daemen. Thank you for all that you do and congratulations.
Scheid Named Faculty Member of the Year
Dr. Jennifer Scheid received Daemen University’s 2023 Outstanding Faculty Award!
This award was presented to Dr. Scheid by President Gary A. Olson at the State of the University address. Dr. Scheid is an incredibly worthy recipient of this annual award. The Department of Physical Therapy is fortunate to have Dr. Scheid as a core PT faculty member. Her ongoing prolific scholarly productivity, her patience and grace in assisting peers with their scholarship, her skillful style and expertise as an educator, and her service to the PT Department and university at large make her a great choice for this award.
With all that she is involved in and for those that interact with Dr. Scheid regularly, you know that she always greets you with a warm genuine smile and a welcoming, empathetic, and calm personality.
Faculty Retirement
Professor Walsh Retires After 30 Years
Laurie Walsh, PT, JD, MS, taught her last PT course in the summer of 2023, finishing up her half of PT 312. Coming to Daemen in May 1993, as a PT and a lawyer admitted to practice in NY, she brought her expertise in the regulation of healthcare professions to coursework in a number of departments: PT, PA, Political Science, and Paralegal Studies. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Walsh served on many departmental and University committees, including multiple terms as Faculty Senate President and Vice-Present. For a number of years she was also very active in the Western District and statewide APTA NY chapter, frequently consulting on legal and ethical issues. She received the Chapter’s Merit Award in 2006 and the Daemen PT Department’s Community Leadership Award in 2014.
While admittedly not a prolific scholar, Walsh contributed a chapter on regulation of the profession for many years to Pagliarulo’s Introduction to Physical Therapy text, used in PT and PTA schools around the country. Additionally, she collaborated with Dr. Ross and students Hanna Bichelor, Kayla Guillermo, and Brian Wolfley, in publishing their research, “The Utilization of Spinal Thrust Manipulation by Physical Therapists in New York State,” in the Journal of Physical Therapy Education in 2019.
In retirement, Walsh will continue to teach a few courses in Daemen’s Paralegal Studies Program. Most of all, she is at long last, looking forward to spending more time with her family, along with reading and watching books and movies she’s missed over the last 30 years, exploring new and exotic forms of chocolate, exploring new and exotic wineries, and getting more exercise to address the chocolate and wine.
Faculty Emeritus
The Daemen University Board of Trustees voted unanimously at its September 12, 2023 meeting to confer emeritus status to Dr. Sharon Held and Dr. Mary Rose Franjoine. Henceforth, Drs. Held and Franjoine will always be listed in official Daemen University literature as a member of our faculty emeriti. Additionally, after 30+ years of service Dr. Franjione retired in the fall of 2023.
This designation of emeritus is a tribute to their many years of dedicated service to Daemen University, their students, and the profession of PT. Thank you Drs. Held and Franjoine for your outstanding service!