John G. Rangos, Sr. School of Health Sciences
302 Health Sciences Building
600 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15282
412-396-6652
412-396-5554 (fax)
rshs@duq.edu
www.duq.edu/rshs
Mission
The Rangos School of Health Sciences faculty will educate ethical healthcare professionals to engage and serve diverse local and global communities to advance person-centered healthcare. In the spirit of Duquesne University, moral, ethical and spiritual values support the scientific and philosophic underpinnings of all Rangos School of Health Sciences curricula. Students will be provided with opportunities and experiences to foster the development of comprehensive knowledge for practice in health care, education, and other professional settings. This knowledge will support advanced graduate education and scholarship. Graduates from the Rangos School of Health Sciences will be culturally-competent health science professionals who demonstrate competence, leadership, expertise, and a profound moral/ethical respect for their patients/clients, professional colleagues, and the general public.
Philosophy
The RSHS was founded in concert with the educational philosophy and objectives of Duquesne University. Students in the RSHS are exposed to a broad liberal arts education with emphasis on understanding the scientific, theoretical and theological constructs of the world. The academic programs focus on the scientific theories, which support the skilled ethical practice of the various professions, coupled with a strong appreciation and understanding of spiritual values. In recent years, health care in the United States has seen a transition to massive, complex health care delivery systems, which offer society choices to receive health care. A mixture of generalists and specialists practice in this sophisticated system to meet the growing health service demands of our society. To integrate our graduates into this system, the academic programs in the RSHS instill in-depth scientific and theoretical knowledge of health care practice, enhanced by a rich infusion of moral and spiritual values, necessary to prepare our graduates to be competent health care professionals. Through this preparation, students are encouraged to become cognizant of the needs of their patients/clients, their colleagues, and the health care systems in which they practice. Students are also required to develop an understanding of the necessity for on-going research and are prepared to advance the bodies of knowledge in their respective professions through their research efforts. All aspects of the students' education are coupled with an awareness and sensitivity of the human response to the functional limitations in various social and health care delivery contexts. The ultimate goal of the educational programs within the RSHS at Duquesne University is to educate truly outstanding health care professionals and citizens capable of explaining, investigating, and delivering the highest level of quality care with kindness, dignity, responsibility, and respect.
History
The Rangos School of Health Sciences has a distinguished history -- On January 29, 1990, Dr. John E. Murray, Jr., then President of Duquesne University, announced that the John G. Rangos, Sr. School of Health Sciences was being created to "graduate professionals who will provide assistance to people in maintaining their physical well-being. It will make them more self-sufficient physically and provide great hope for their futures. It meets an overwhelming societal need and it enlarges opportunities for students at Duquesne. In serving the citizens of Western Pennsylvania and our students, this initiative is precisely in accordance with the purposes of Duquesne University." The Rangos School of Health Sciences was Duquesne's first new School since 1937.
On March 18, 1991, Mr. John G. Rangos, Sr., President and Chief Executive Officer of Chambers Development Company, Inc.; The John G. Rangos Charitable Foundation; and the Chambers Development Charitable Foundation, made a major gift to Duquesne University in support of the School of Health Sciences. In recognition of that gift, Dr. Murray announced the School would be named the John G. Rangos, Sr. School of Health Sciences (RSHS).
In September 1991, the first freshmen were admitted to the athletic training, health management systems, occupational therapy, perfusion technology, physical therapy and physician assistant programs; students were also admitted into the professional phase of the physical therapy program. In May 1992, the professional/accredited phase of the physician assistant program was initiated and in September 1992, the professional phase of the athletic training and occupational therapy programs were implemented. In September 1993, the health management systems professional phase was implemented. During the 1993-1994 academic year, the RSHS became fully operational. Approximately 700 students were enrolled from the freshman year through the fifth year of the entry-level master's degree programs. In September 1996, the first freshmen were admitted into the speech-language pathology program. In September 1998 the professional phase of the speech-language pathology program was inaugurated. In May 2002, the last class of perfusion technologists graduated from the perfusion technology program. The Department of Engineering joined the School on July 1, 2019.
Duquesne University is proud of its association with regional health care organizations which provide unique clinical experiences for health sciences students. In addition, many private practitioner groups have contributed significantly to the development of the RSHS. A complete listing of RSHS clinical affiliation sites is available in the Office of the Dean.
Masters and Doctorate Degrees Awarded by the RSHS
Duquesne-China Health Institute
Duquesne University has developed, in collaboration with universities in China, a linkage program that allows for the exchange of masters and doctoral students, as well as faculty. A Master of Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Speech-Language Pathology are available to Chinese students who have earned a minimum of a bachelor's degree in health and/or rehabilitation-related areas at Chinese universities. This program is not designed to prepare students to pursue professional certification or licensure as health care professionals in the United States. Students in this programs spend one year (3 academic semesters) on Duquesne's campus where they have all the same rights and responsibilities as other Duquesne students. Once admitted to this program, a student must maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA every semester and have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA to graduate with a master's degree.
Health Administration
Master of Health Administration
The Master of Health Administration is a 42-credit degree program that includes foundation, core, and concentration courses, as well as a capstone. Concentration areas include Health Informatics and Data Analytics, Population Health, and Healthcare Compliance and Risk Management. The Master of Health Administration is a two-year, online program with a three-day residency requirement immediately prior to graduation.
Occupational Therapy
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
The RSHS offers an entry-level master's degree program in occupational therapy (Master of Science in Occupational Therapy). The academic model for this program is 5 semesters of pre-professional liberal arts and science requirements, followed by 6 semesters of professional education. Professional-level education occurs on a year-round basis during the fall, spring, and summer semesters.
Students in the entry-level master's program are awarded a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences at the end of the fourth year and a Master of Science degree after successfully completing post-baccalaureate coursework and clinical fieldwork education. Students who have already earned a bachelor's degree will not be awarded a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences; they will work directly toward the master's degree.
Occupational Therapy Doctorate
The RSHS offers an entry-level doctoral degree program in occupational therapy (Occupational
Therapy Doctorate). The academic model for this program is 5 semesters of pre-professional
liberal arts and science prerequisite requirements followed by 6 semesters of professional
phase education, then 3 semesters of advanced professional education, which occur in
a hybrid format. Professional and advanced professional-level education occur on a
year-round basis including fall, spring, and summer semesters. These models are unique
and provide the RSHS faculty the opportunity to maximally utilize the excellent core
curriculum and science offerings at Duquesne as the basis for creative, professional
curricula.
Students in the entry-level doctorate program are awarded a Bachelor of Science in
Health Sciences at the end of the fourth year and an Occupational Therapy Doctorate
at the end of the program. Students who have already earned a bachelor's degree will
not be awarded a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences; they will work directly toward
the doctorate degree. Students who chose to pursue the OTD will not be awarded a Master
of Science in Health Sciences; they will work directly toward the Occupational Therapy
Doctorate degree.
Physical Therapy
Doctor of Physical Therapy
The RSHS offers a six-year entry-level doctoral degree program in physical therapy (Doctor of Physical Therapy). Students may enter as freshmen and participate in the six-year program that is comprised of three pre-professional years and three professional years of study. These students will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree upon completion of the fourth year, and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree upon completion of the sixth year. Students who transfer into the program having already earned a bachelor's degree will not be awarded a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree; they will work directly toward the doctoral degree.
All students who are granted the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree are eligible to take the national licensing exam that allows them to practice physical therapy.
Physician Assistant Studies
Master of Physician Assistant Studies
The Master of Physician Assistant Studies is only available to students who begin in the pre-professional phase of the program. We do not offer a stand-alone Master's program.
Speech-Language Pathology
Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology
The Master of Science in Speech-Languate Pathology is only available to students who begin in the pre-professional phase of the program. We do not offer a stand-alone Master's program.
Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences
The Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences is a 72-credit program available to both domestic and international students who have earned a minimum of a bachelor's degree in health and/or rehabilitation-related areas. The program offers courses for domestic and international students to complete a program of advanced study with an emphasis in Physical Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, Public Health, or Health Care Administration, and related areas. Graduates of the Ph.D. in Health Sciences program will be prepared to provide excellent care, conduct research in the realms of rehabilitation and related health fields, work in academia, and assume managerial positions within health systems, hospitals, government agencies, and public and private research institutions or centers.
Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Science
The Graduate Program in Rehabilitation Science offers a Ph.D. (72 credits) degree. The Ph.D. program in Rehabilitation Science is a specialized curriculum in Orthopedics & Clinical Biomechanics. The curriculum is an integrative endeavor of the Departments of Athletic Training, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy. The academic course of study and the research focus are designed to meet the academic needs of the student and the collaborative research initiatives of the student and faculty. Graduates of the program will be productive members of the academic community who are engaged in teaching, research and scholarship.
Academic Policies
Policies for all RSHS academic programs can be found in the RSHS Student Academic Handbook.
Duquesne University-and by extension all of its programs-are accredited by the Middle
States Commission on Higher Education. In addition, seven of the nine programs in
the RSHS have earned or are seeking specialized accreditation through their disciplines. The RSHS encourages all students to become involved in a variety of University activities,
as well as activities within the RSHS and those outside the University which are related
to their field of study. Students are strongly encouraged to become active and assume
leadership roles within class activities, as well as RSHS and professional associations.
The RSHS has a Dean's Student Advisory Council with representatives from each of the
School's six programs. Accreditation
The Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) is a global
network of colleges, universities, faculty, individuals and organizations dedicated
to the improvement of health and healthcare delivery through excellence in healthcare
management and policy education. AUPHA Certified Undergraduate program members are
recognized for having withstood the rigors of peer review in which curricula, faculty,
and educational outcomes are critically examined by peer review. Duquesne University
B.S. in Health Administration program will be reviewed for AUPHA certification during
the 2023-2024 cycle.
On November 1, 1999, the Pennsylvania Department of Education initially approved the
speech-language pathology teacher certification program at Duquesne University. Final
approval was received on October 29, 2002, and approval was most recently renewed
in the Spring of 2017.Administration and Faculty
Dean
Heather L. Rusiewicz, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean for Community Engaged Learning and Service
Jeffrey M. Ptak, M.B.A
Director of Enrollment Management
Adriana M. Pearson, M.A.
Director of Business and Administration
Assistant Professor
Director of Public Health
Department of Health Administration and Public Health
M.B.B.S., M.D., University of Mumbai
Fevzi Akinci
Dean and Professor
Office of the Dean
B.S., Hacettepe University
M.H.A., Ph.D., Saint Louis University
Brooke M. Baumann
Clinical Assistant Professor
Director, Clinical Education
Department of Speech-Language Pathology
B.S., M.S.L.P, Duquesne University
Erica Beidler
Associate Professor
Department of Athletic Training
B.S., Mercyhurst University
M.Ed., University of Virginia
Ph.D., Michigan State University
Jeryl D. Benson
Professor
Department of Occupational Therapy
B.S., M.S., University of Pittsburgh
Ed.D., Duquesne University
Meghan G. Blaskowitz
Associate Professor
Department of Occupational Therapy
B.S., M.S., Duquesne University
DrPH, State University of New York at Albany
Anne M. Burrows
Professor
Anna Rangos Rizakus Endowed Chair
in Health Sciences and Ethics
Department of Physical Therapy
B.S., M.A., Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh
D.P.T., Slippery Rock University
Yang Chen
Associate Professor
Executive Director, Duquesne-China Health Institute
B.Sc., Nanjing University
M.A., Ph.D., University of Connecticut
Theresa M. Crytzer
Assistant Professor
Department of Physical Therapy
B.A., Carlow University
D.P.T., Slippery Rock University
Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh
Kristin D'Acunto
Assistant Professor
Department Chair
Department of Physician Assistant Studies
B.S., M.P.A., Ed.D., Duquesne University
Jessica Davis
Assistant Professor
Assistant Department Chair
Department of Physical Therapy
B.S., M.P.T., Duquesne University
D.P.T., Chatham University
Elizabeth D. DeIuliis
Clinical Associate Professor
Assistant Department Chair
Department of Occupational Therapy
B.S., M.O.T, Duquesne University
OTD, Chatham University
Abigail Delehanty
Assistant Professor
Assistant Department Chair
Department of Speech-Language Pathology
B.S., M.A., University of Texas at Austin
Justin S. DiSanti
Assistant Professor
Department of Health Sciences
B.S., Penn State University
M.S., Miami University
Ph.D., Michigan State University
Christy Dom
Assistant Professor
Department of Physician Assistant Studies
B.S., M.P.A., Duquesne University
Elena Donoso Brown
Associate Professor
Department of Occupational Therapy
B.S., M.S., Duquesne University
Ph.D., University of Washington
David S. Ford
Assistant Professor
Department of Speech-Language Pathology
B.S., M.S., Duquesne University
Ph.D., Michigan State University
Regina Harbourne
Professor Emeritus
Department of Physical Therapy
B.S., Medical College of Virginia
M.S., University of North Carolina
Ph.D., University of Nebraska-Lincoln/Omaha
Courtney Hartman
Assistant Professor
Director of Clinical Education
Department of Physician Assistant Studies
B.S., M.S., University of Pittsburgh
M.P.A.S., Chatham University
Timothy L. Jackson
Medical Director
Department of Physician Assistant Studies
M.D. Drexel College of Medicine
William C. Jones
Instructor
Department of Health Sciences
B.A., Malone University
M.S., Kent State University
Ahmad Khanijahani
Assistant Professor
Department of Health Administration and Public Health
B.S., Tabriz University of Medical Sciences
M.S., Tehran University of Medical Sciences
Ph.D., University of Central Florida
Joan M. Kiel
Professor
University Compliance Officer - HIPAA
Department of Health Administration and Public Health
B.S., M.S.N., Duquesne University
M.P.A., M.Phil., Ph.D., New York University
Benjamin R. Kivlan
Associate Professor
Department Chair
Department of Physical Therapy
B.S., Elon University
M.P.T., University of Pittsburgh
M.S., Ph.D., Duquesne University
David Kleba
Assistant Professor
Department of Physical Therapy
B.S., Indiana University of Pennsylvania
M.P.T., D.P.T., Shenandoah University
Matthew Kostek
Associate Professor
Department of Physical Therapy
B.S., Youngstown State University
M.S., Ball State University
Ph.D., University of Maryland
Faina Linkov
Associate Professor
Department Chair
Department of Health Administration and Public Health
B.S., M.P.H., Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh
Jordana Lockwich
Assistant Professor
Department of Physical Therapy
B.A., Washington & Jefferson University
D.P.T., University of Pittsburgh
Ph.D., University of Kentucky
Kristyn Lowery
Assistant Professor
Department of Physician Assistant Studies
B.S., M.P.A., Duquesne University
Sarah Manspeaker
Associate Professor
Department of Athletic Training
B.S., Duquesne University
M.S.Ed., Ph.D., Old Dominion University
Gregory F. Marchetti
Professor
Assistant Department Chair
Department of Physical Therapy
B.S., University of Maryland
M.S., Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh
Mary T. Marchetti
Assistant Professor
Department of Physical Therapy
B.S., Bridgewater State College
B.S., M.S., Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh
Lori J. Marra
Clinical Assistant Professor
Department of Speech-Language Pathology
B.A., Duquesne University
M.A., Kent State University
Retta Marie Martin
Assistant Professor
Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
Department of Occupational Therapy
B.S., M.S., University of Pittsburgh
Ed.D., Duquesne University
RobRoy L. Martin
Professor
Department of Physical Therapy
B.S., State University of New York at Syracuse
Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh
Amy Mattila
Associate Professor
Department Chair
Department of Occupational Therapy
B.S., B.A., M.S., Duquesne University
M.B.A., University of Phoenix
Ph.D., Robert Morris University
Rebecca Matvey
Assistant Professor
Assistant Director - Duquesne-China Health Institute
B.S., D.P.T., Duquesne University
Michelle McCann
Clinical Assistant Professor
Department of Occupational Therapy
B.S., University of Pittsburgh
OTD, Chatham University
Kelton Mehls
Assistant Professor
Department of Health Sciences
B.S., Robert Morris University
M.S., East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
Ph.D., Middle Tennessee University
Katie Micco
Clinical Assistant Professor
Department of Speech-Language Pathology
B.S., M.S., Duquesne University
Allison A. Morgan
Assistant Professor
Academic Coordinator
Department of Physician Assistant Studies
B.S., M.P.A., Duquesne University
Annette A. Neff
Clinical Assistant Professor
Department of Speech-Language Pathology
B.A., University of Pittsburgh
M.S., Pennsylvania State University
Afokoghene Okpozo
Assistant Professor
Department of Physician Assistant Studies
M.B.B.S., University of Benin, Nigeria
Ph.D., University of Maryland, Eastern Shore
Heather L. Rusiewicz
Associate Professor
Department Chair
Assistant Dean for Community Engaged Learning and Service
Department of Speech-Language Pathology
B.A., M.A., Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh
Jason S. Scibek
Associate Professor
Department Chair
Department of Athletic Training
Program Director, Health Sciences Program
B.A., Gettysburg College
M.A., University of North Carolina
Ph.D., University of Michigan
Panyiotta Senkkis-Florent
Assistant Professor
Department of Speech-Language Pathology
B.A., Louisiana State University
M.Ed., Southern University
Ph.D., Trinity College Dublin
Joseph D. Shaffer
Assistant Professor
Clinical Coordinator
Department of Athletic Training
B.S., Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania
M.S., West Virginia University
Ph.D., Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions
Ariel Shensa
Assistant Professor
Department of Health Administration and Public Health
B.A., Chatham University
M.A., Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh
Richard C. Simpson
Associate Professor
Department of Occupational Therapy
B.S., Virginia Tech
M.S., Bioengineering, M.S., Computer Science, PhD., University of Michigan
Ashley E. Snopko
Assistant Professor
Director of Simulation
Department of Physician Assistant Studies
B.S., M.S., Seton Hill University
Susan E. Snyder
Clinical Assistant Professor
Department of Speech-Language Pathology
B.A., M.A., Michigan State University
Au.D., Arizona School of Health Sciences
Caterina F. Staltari
Clinical Assistant Professor
Department of Speech-Language Pathology
B.A., M.A., University of Pittsburgh
Ann E. Stuart
Clinical Assistant Professor
Department of Occupational Therapy
B.S., St. Lawrence University
M.S., Western Michigan University
OTD, Chatham University
Kimberly A. Szucs
Associate Professor
Department of Occupational Therapy
B.S., M.S., Ph.D., The Ohio State University
Seth E. Tichenor
Assistant Professor
Department of Speech-Language Pathology
A.B., Wabash College
M.S., University of Pittsburgh
Ph.D., Michigan State University
Adrian S. Wright-Fitzgerald
Assistant Professor
Department of Health Sciences
B.S., Duquesne University
M.S., Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Science
D.A.T., Arizona School of Health SciencesRSHS Student Organizations and Professional Associations