Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences - WMU

11/24/2025

Congratulations to Dr. Sarah Renner (Cohort 2018) on publishing a paper from her dissertation!!!

Renner S, Fogarty K. Prevalence, Knowledge, and Attitudes Toward Complementary and Integrative Health in Occupational Therapy. OTJR: Occupational Therapy Journal of Research. 2025;0(0).

The use of complementary health approaches and integrative health (CHAIH) is increasing in the United States, yet its role within occupational therapy (OT) rema...

11/24/2025

We are happy to share that Dr. Katie Strong (Cohort-2010) received the Sandra O. Glista Excellence in Mentoring Award from AphasiaAccess this past week in Washington, DC. This award holds special meaning: Sandy Glista not only co-founded AphasiaAccess, but she was also the mentor who encouraged Katie to return mid-career for her PhD at Western Michigan University in the IHS/PhD Program—a pivotal moment that led to her faculty role at Central Michigan University and the launch of the Strong Story Lab in 2016.The Strong Story Lab reflects the same values Sandy exemplified: nurturing student researchers and clinicians, fostering meaningful relationships, and centering the voices of people living with aphasia.

Created in 2023, the Sandra O. Glista Excellence in Mentoring Award honors mentors who demonstrate exceptional leadership, guidance, and dedication—qualities Sandy embodied throughout her career.

Pictured along with Dr. Katie Strong (left) is Dr. Sarah Wallace, current AphasiaAccess President, WMU graduate, and one of Sandy’s mentees.

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:

Skip to content Home About Academics Admission requirements Apply Alumni Conference and Awards Giving Research Scholarships Students Directory Contact Us Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Ph.D.Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo MI 49008-5379 USA(269) 387-3342 Apply We highly recommend contacting ...

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.