Each year, NYIT COM conducts enrichment initiatives for local high school and college age students as part of the Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP). Under the direction of Ms. Dianne Williams, students with a special interest in in the sciences are brought to campus every Tuesday evening over a two- month period for dinner, a presentation and then a workshop. This year School of Health Professions (SHP) faculty provided lectures and hands-on workshops as part of this program to great acclaim.

The series began with Dr. Rose Gallagher and Dr. Veronica Southard, Physical Therapy (PT) department, program on balance and the PT profession. Interdisciplinary Health Sciences/Clinical Nutrition faculty member, Dr. Lorraine Mongiello gave a talk on the food environment and the health consequences of fast food and highly sweetened beverages while a few weeks later Dr. Mindy Haar, also a nutritionist, did a “Healthy Food in a Hurry” demonstration” during the dinner portion of the program. Dr. Gordon Schmidt, associate dean of SHP and an exercise physiologist, lead students through their own body composition analysis in our new research lab in the Wisser library.

Dr. Maureen Cardoza graciously took the post-New Year’s slot with a presentation on the nursing profession. Our Occupational Therapy (OT) department was well-represented by Dr. Kelly Lavin’s workshop on pediatric OT, Dr. Melanie Austin’s program on sleep and the OT profession and Prof. Pamela Karp’s hand therapy activities. Due to a weather cancellation, Physician Assistant Studies Prof. Sarah Winter’s workshop on gowning and sterile procedures is still to come.

Many students reported that the SHP presentations have inspired them to consider the professions represented in this program. Kudos to all faculty who gave so generously of their time and effort to make this program such a success!