Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences - WMU

10/20/2025

Congratulations to Dr. Megan Gailliard (Cohort 2020) on the publication of her Policy Comprehensive Exams in The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, co-authored with Dr. Mary Lagerwey and Dr. Kieran Fogarty.

Gailliard, M., Fogarty, K., & Lagerwey, M. (2025). Implicit Bias Training Standards in Health Care: Did Michigan Get It Right? A Policy and Ethical Framework Analysis. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 13(4), 1-12.

In 2022, Michigan joined a handful of states requiring implicit bias training for its health care professionals. In its ideal application, implicit bias training of health care professionals will result in a reduction of the implicit biases held by health care providers. This bias reduction will, in...

09/24/2025

Congrats goes to Aditi Tuell (Class of 2022) and her committee for a recent publication from her doctoral work.

Tuell, Aditi; Dirette, Diane P., Krein, Sarah L. (2025). Characteristics of central sensitization and its relationship with demographics and pain indicators among veterans with chronic pain: A cross-sectional study. Medicine. 104(34): e44054, August 22, 2025.

chronic pain. This study used a cross-sectional design. Data for the Central Sensitization Inventory Part A (CSI-A), Pain Catastrophizing Scale, and Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form were manually extracted from paper forms and hospital electronic health records. Descriptive statistics, Kendall Tau co...

09/24/2025

Western Michigan University’s Interdisciplinary Health Sciences PhD Program is now accepting applications for Fall 2026 admission. The priority deadline is January 15, and applicants who apply by this date will be considered for doctoral assistantships. The GRE is not required, and international applicants are encouraged to apply early to allow time for visa processing. A secondary admissions deadline is available until June 1, with rolling decisions as space allows. Learn more and apply at:

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09/24/2025

From Nicole Grace (Cohort 2024) - Any SLPs currently enrolled in the IHS-PhD program as a doctoral student are eligible for reduced ASHA fees. Link:

FAQs about Gradute Student Discount Programs for current ASHA members

09/03/2025

Erica Fernandez (Alumni - Cohort 2020) has been selected to receive the 2025 Outstanding Clinician Award from APTA Michigan this October. In addition to this honor, she was recently elected as Secretary of the American Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT) and as Vice Chair of the Western District for APTA Michigan. Erica will also be presenting her policy comp paper at the APTA Michigan Conference in October and delivering a separate presentation at the Case Management Society of America Conference in Detroit. Nice Going!!!!

07/28/2025

Congratulations go to Dr. Mariesa Rang (Cohort 2022) in publishing a paper with her committee members from her dissertation work.

Rang, M., Dirette, D., Lyerla, R., & Strong, K.A. (2025). The effect of an educational program on the knowledge and attitudes of first responders about people with complex communication needs. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 1-9.

Effective and efficient communication is essential in medical and legal emergency situations. People with complex communication needs (CCN) may need additional supports to communicate their needs i...

05/27/2025

Congratulations go to Dr. Carrie Barrett (Cohort 2022) in publishing a paper with her committee members from her dissertation work.

Barrett, C. A., Goetting, M. G., Lyerla, R., & Fogarty, K. (2025). Subsequent Emergency Department Visits in Geriatric Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Relationship with Fall, Payor, and Discharge Outcome. Healthcare, 13(11), 1236.

Background/Objectives: Older adults (ages ≥ 65) have experienced longer recovery, decreased independence in self-care, and reduced quality of life after diagnosis of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Although the sequela following mTBI has also generated higher healthcare costs in older adults, ...

05/12/2025

Congratulations to Dr. Bill Suits (Cohort 2020), who led the published of another paper from his dissertation three years after the data was first collected... that's sticking to it !!!

Suits, William H., Fruth, Stacie J., Whitehead, Paul N., & Fogarty. Kieran J.. (2025). Hip and Groin Symptoms in Collegiate Male Ice Hockey Players Over One Season: A Prospective Study. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation. Advance online publication.

Context: Male ice hockey players face a high risk of hip and groin symptoms. It is not known how symptoms change over the course of a single season. The purpose of this study was to determine the change in hip and groin symptoms over the course of a season in male ice hockey players and to identify....

04/16/2025

Hello Students, Alumni and Friends of the IHS-PhD Program!

🎉 Today is WMU Giving Day! 🎉

We're excited to be fundraising for the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences (IHS) Ph.D. Program. Your support directly helps train future researchers, faculty, and leaders ready to tackle the nation's toughest health challenges.

Your generous donations will directly support:

IHS/PhD Fund: Empowering future leaders in health sciences.
Nickola Nelson IHS-PhD Scholarship Fund: Providing vital scholarships to deserving students.
Interdisciplinary Doctoral Research Conference and Awards: Celebrating innovative research and academic excellence.

Join us in making a difference! Every contribution counts. 🌟

Support the IHS-PhD fundraiser by midnight tonight! https://wmualumni.donordrive.com/participant/IHS-PhD

Thank you for supporting the IHS-PhD program and this important cause.

I'm participating in WMU Giving Day, and I need your support! It's my goal to raise as much as I can. Gifts of all sizes make a difference. Together, we can make a difference in just one day.

04/15/2025

Dissertation Defense Announcement
Doctoral Candidate: Diane N Fleser (Cohort 2016)
Title: ANALYZING THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN DISABILITY TYPE AND COVID-19 VACCINATION RATES: BARRIERS TO ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Dissertation Committee – Chair, Kieran Fogarty PhD., (WMU), PhD; Rob Lyerla (WMU), PhD; Mark Salzer, PhD. (Temple University)
Date/Time: Apr 29, 2025, 12:00 pm Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87826569117
Meeting ID: 878 2656 9117

Abstract: People with disabilities represent a substantial and diverse segment of the U.S. population that has historically faced systemic barriers to healthcare access—barriers that were magnified during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examines the association between disability type and COVID-19 vaccination status, as well as barriers to vaccine access, using data from the 2022 National Survey on Health and Disability (N = 2,725). Disability types were categorized into six groups: physical, psychiatric, chronic illness, intellectual/developmental, sensory, and neurological. Descriptive statistics and chi-square analyses revealed a statistically significant association between disability type and vaccination status (p < .006), with the highest rates of vaccination observed among individuals with chronic illness and intellectual/developmental disabilities. Logistic regression identified key barriers associated with reduced vaccine access, including physical inaccessibility of vaccination sites, lack of preferred vaccine type, unavailability of appointments, and scheduling system difficulties. Notably, 25.6% of respondents reported encountering at least one barrier. These findings underscore the necessity of disaggregating disability data by type to assess disparities and more accurately inform equitable public health interventions. The study contributes to a growing body of literature calling for inclusive and accessible healthcare systems that account for the varied needs within the disability community.

03/25/2025

Dissertation Defense Announcement

Doctoral Candidate: Megan B. Gailliard (Cohort 2020)
Title: HEALTHCARE LEADERSHIP OF COLOR: UNDERSTANDING HOW ELEMENTS OF SETTING IMPACT PERSPECTIVES OF HEALTHCARE LEADERS. A MICROETHNOGRAPHY OF AN INTERDISCIPLINARY REHABILITATION CENTER.

Dissertation Committee – Chair, Diane Dirette, PhD, OTL, FAOTA; Mary D. Lagerwey, PhD, RN; Kieran Fogarty, PhD.
Date/Time: Apr 22, 2025, 11:30am Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84461156200
Meeting ID: 844 6115 6200

Abstract: Racial and ethnic diversity in healthcare leadership has been indicated as a tenable approach to dismantle structural barriers to care that perpetuate health disparities for marginalized persons of color in the US. Nevertheless, leaders of color remain underrepresented in multiple clinical professionals, upper-level management, and executive roles in the US healthcare arena.

Organizational diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs have recently come under a federally led initiative for blanket elimination. Organizational DEI efforts, not without flaws in effectiveness, have been recognized however, to be implemented most successfully in organizations whose leadership is inclusive. This study undertakes qualitative, ethnographic examination of a healthcare organization predominately led by individuals from racial and ethnic communities of color, historically underrepresented in healthcare.

Leaders in this setting are found to have a greater sense of belonging based on racial and ethnic identity. Leaders describe an environment in which their talents and capabilities are valued, enabling a greater expression of achievement and advancement. Leaders express a comparison to prior work experiences in external settings in which their administrative talents and skills were underutilized and were perceived as a threat to workplace leadership. Healthcare leaders in this setting articulate ambivalence toward race and ethnicity-based policy, yet demonstrate an internal setting characterized by administrative support and recognition of individuals’ capabilities and contributions.

Participants describe elements of equal status being important to advance racial and ethnic representation in healthcare leadership via increased access and opportunity through financial capital, education, and representative modeling and mentorship.

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, confer...

02/10/2025

Dissertation Defense Announcement
Doctoral Candidate: Robert R. Near, M.P.A. (Cohort 2018)
Title: ASSESSING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COMBAT EXPOSURE, WARTIME SERVICE, AND BARRIERS TO SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT IN POST 9/11 VETERANS.

Dissertation Committee – Chair, Kieran Fogarty, Ph.D.; Rob Lyerla, Ph.D., MGIS; Decker B. Hains, Ph.D., P.E., PMP, FASCE.

Date/Time: Feb 27, 2025 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Place: Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82416553986
Meeting ID: 824 1655 3986

Abstract: Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) represent a critical public health concern, particularly among post-9/11 veterans who face unique challenges stemming from combat exposure, systemic barriers, and cultural stigma. This study examines the factors influencing SUD treatment-seeking behaviors among this population, with a focus on combat exposure, perceived barriers, and demographic variables such as age, gender, income, and race/ethnicity. Using data from the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), a nationally representative sample of 59,069 participants was analyzed to explore these dynamics.

The findings reveal significant disparities in treatment-seeking behaviors. Combat exposure was associated with a higher prevalence of SUDs (21.5%) compared to non-combat veterans (12.8%) and the general population (9.6%), though it was not a significant predictor of treatment-seeking behavior. Instead, systemic barriers, such as financial constraints, stigma, and racial/ethnic inequities, emerged as primary determinants. For example, veterans earning over $75,000 annually were 3.42 times more likely to seek treatment compared to their lower-income counterparts. Additionally, racial and ethnic disparities persisted, with Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic veterans exhibiting lower treatment-seeking rates compared to Non-Hispanic White veterans.

This research highlights the need for targeted interventions to address financial barriers, reduce stigma, and promote culturally competent and trauma-informed care. By identifying these barriers and their impact on treatment engagement, the study provides actionable insights for policymakers, healthcare providers, and community organizations to enhance care access and improve outcomes for post-9/11 veterans.

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, confer...