At our virtual Celebration of Impact reception last month, donors and their family members joined the celebration and shared the personal stories behind the scholarship awards, while recipients told how the financial support helped them thrive at SHP. Listen to the Rev. Jack Zamboni share why he established a Physician Assistant scholarship in memory of Judith Yannariello.

While there is an abundance of research about traumatic brain injuries in athletes and those in the military, the same data is scarce when it comes to concussions and head and neck injuries sustained due to intimate partner violence.

Carrie Esopenko, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Sciences, is part of a new Intimate Partner Violence Working Group studying intimate partner violence–related head trauma as part of the Enhancing NeuroImaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis (ENIGMA) Consortium. She is the lead author of a newly published consensus paper laying out the framework for the international group's global collaboration to collect and analyze data on how intimate partner violence-related head trauma impacts long-term physical, cognitive, and psychological health. The article was published last week in the journal Brain Imaging and Behavior. A Q&A with Carrie is scheduled to appear in Rutgers Today on Wednesday.

"You completed this program in the most difficult of circumstances imaginable - a global pandemic - and you were at the epicenter. But look what you have done - overcome the challenges of PPE and, social distancing and you have triumphed and excelled. We are proud of you," Dean Gwendolyn Mahon told the class.

The program is now accepting applications for Fall 2021.

With the new year, Bianca Thompson-Owen, assistant dean for Enrollment Management and Academic Success, starts her new role as president of the Middle States Association of Collegiate Registrars & Officers of Admission(MSACROA), the largest professional development association for admissions, registrar, and enrollment management professionals in higher education. After being a member for 15 years, she became president-elect last year.

"It's time to engage, time to move the needle on social justice change that impacts higher education," she said.

Bianca has been contributed to the field of enrollment management through her work with MSACROA and the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (ACCRAO). She has served in various roles, such as ACCRAO’s vice chair of both the Women’s Caucus and the Black Caucus and co-chair for Student Success Taskforce. Bianca is dedicated to the field of enrollment management, saying it gives her the opportunity to help students who are underserved succeed from the beginning to the end of their educational journey.

Two DPT alumni were recognized by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) as 2020 Emerging Leaders:

Leiselle Pilgrim, Florida chapter, and Chukwuemeka Nwigwe, California chapter. They are featured in APTA's current magazine, with Leiselle speaking on the importance of diversity and inclusion in the profession. ”Representation matters," Leiselle said.

Find them on p. 45 here

Suchismita Ray, Ph.D., associate professor in the Health Informatics department, was awarded a $53,000 grant from the Healthcare Foundation of NJ. The funds support research that will introduce Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) practices and interventions as part of treatment and self-care for those struggling with addiction or significant mental health issues. The grant funding will be used to train staff in four major substance abuse and mental health treatment organizations in Newark, who will implement MBDR with their patient consumers. Grant monies enable the hire of research staff and MBSR consultant, and support data collection/assessment and project costs. At least 500 clients will benefit during the grant period.