Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences - WMU

02/11/2026

IHS/PhD Program Dissertation Defense
Candidate Name: Dawn M. Smith, MSN, RN, AHN-BC, PhD Candidate

Dissertation Title: Barriers to Climate Change and Sustainability Action: Nursing Education and Practice

Time: Feb 26, 2026, 12:00 - 1PM PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84669297520
Meeting ID: 846 6929 7520

Dissertation Committee: Chairperson: Kieran Fogarty, PhD, Director of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences; Committee Members: Lisa Dechano-Cook, PhD, WMU School of Environment, Geography, and Sustainability and Teddie Potter, PhD, Director Center for Planetary Health and Environmental Justice, School of Nursing University of Minnesota.

Abstract: Climate change is one of the most pressing public health emergencies of our time and nurses can have a great impact in their current practice and in the education of future nurses (Health Care without Harm, 2025American Nurses Association, 2023; The Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, n.d.). Deaths due to rising temperatures, vector-borne illness, and food insecurity related to drought and extreme weather are on the rise (WHO, 2024). It has been estimated that globally over 250,000 additional deaths will be attributed to climate related effects between 2030 and 2050 (WHO, 2023; Watts et al., 2020). Methods: A primary data collection cross sectional study used the validated Sustainability Attitudes and Nursing Survey (SANS-2) (Richardson, et al., 2015) focusing on a study sample of 144 US community health nurse educators, Michigan public health nurses, and US nurse educators. The variables of area of specialty were compared with the SANS-2 question 5, “I apply sustainability practices at home”, the non-SANS-2 question ranking common barriers, and the non-SANS-2 write in response to additional barriers related to implementing climate change and sustainability concepts into nursing curriculum. An independent T-test and one-way ANOVA were used to compare nursing specialty for the SANS-2 survey question 5, “I apply sustainability practices at home”. A Kruskal-Wallis H test was used to compare rank order responses to common barriers with specialty of nursing. A Mann-Whitney post hoc test was run in addition to the Kruskal-Wallis H for significance. The qualitative analysis guided by Charmaz (2014) process for the write in response to barriers in implementing climate change sustainability into nursing curriculum. Results: There were 144 respondents that completed the survey during September 2023-November 2023. The largest respondent groups were nurse educators in an academic setting (n=73, 50%), followed by Michigan public health nurses (n=46, 31%), community health nurse educators (n=13, 9%), and acute care/or other nurses (n=12, 8%). The study found that there is no reported statistical relationship between nurse’s specialty and the SANS-2 question 5 (p=.407), “I apply sustainability practices at home”. However, there was a reported positive statistical association between a nurse’s specialty and the barriers to climate change and sustainability in curriculum as a rank order response (p=

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01/15/2026

Each semester starts with fresh IHS PhD swag! Our limited-time Apparel Pop-Up Shop opens at the beginning of the term and shuts down at 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday, February 1—grab yours before it’s gone::))

WMU IHS PhD Apparel Shop Help support your WMU Interdisciplinary Health Sciences PhD Program with some custom branded apparel!

12/23/2025

12/04/2025

Dissertation Defense Announcement
Doctoral Candidate: Monica Trevino (Cohort 2014)
Title: Geographic and Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Behavioral Health Services in Michigan Medicaid
Dissertation Committee – Chair, Rob Lyerla (WMU), PhD MGIS; Renée Canady PhD MPA (MPHI); Kieran Fogarty, PhD (WMU)
Date/Time: Dec 8, 2025, 12:30 pm Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88966441863
Meeting ID: 889 6644 1863

ABSTRACT: Disparities in health access and outcomes exist across race, geography, and income. This is especially alarming in behavioral health services for the Medicaid population which has access to fewer supports and resources than the general population. This study investigates the extent and nature of geographic and racial/ethnic disparities in behavioral health services within the Michigan Medicaid program, focusing on three counties—Wayne, Kent, and Ingham—between 2018 and 2020. Using Medicaid claims and encounter data, the study analyzes two key quality measures: follow-up after emergency department visits for mental illness (FUM); and initiation and engagement in treatment for substance use disorder (IET).
Pairwise t-test analyses reveal significant racial disparities in both measures, with Black/African American Medicaid beneficiaries consistently less likely than their White counterparts to receive clinically appropriate care. The magnitude of these disparities varies by county and over time, with some counties showing persistent gaps and others exhibiting changes in disparity levels. Difference-in-difference-in-difference (DiDiD) analysis demonstrates non-significant findings for both measures.
The results underscore the need for targeted policy interventions based on community-level factors. Recommendations for future research include expanding the analysis to more recent data, exploring the impact of policy changes, and incorporating patient experience measures to better address the root causes of disparities.

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12/01/2025

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Robert Near (Cohort 2018) has recently assumed the position of Muskegon County, MI., Public Health Epidemiologist. In this role, Dr. Near will support efforts to enhance the health and well-being of residents throughout Muskegon County and contribute to key public health initiatives across the community.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Near on this important professional milestone.

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:

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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