Greetings from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions!
This has been an exciting year! RMU students, faculty, staff, alumni, and academic programs are being recognized regionally and nationally for their cutting-edge research and evidence-based practice. Some of these achievements have been highlighted throughout this issue. As we educate current and future healthcare professionals for outcomes-oriented, evidence-based practice, RMU will continue to build for the future to help meet the healthcare workforce needs of our nation.
Speaking of building, you may notice this magazine is a very special issue — the Alumni Issue. Our alumni have helped build RMU into what it is today. We are so proud of the accomplishments of our 4,300-plus alumni, who are blazing trails in healthcare and helping to improve the human condition in every state and throughout the world.
As I have met with RMU alumni throughout the nation this year, I’ve been inspired by their passion, expertise, and willingness to help the upcoming generation of healthcare professionals.
I recently had a chance to sit down and chat with some of our Master of Physician Assistant Studies alumni. Seeing these alumni work together to improve healthcare collaboration for better patient outcomes is incredible (see page 22). Like these talented individuals, the RMU alumni network is making significant strides in their professions and looking for more efficient ways to put patients first — manifested in how they love and lift those in need through their expertise and kindness.
In keeping with the spirit of improving the human condition and loving and lifting those in need, we are inviting all alumni and friends of the University to contribute to the new RMU Legacy Fund, which will offer scholarships to students in need and provide pro bono/low-cost healthcare services to the community through the RMU Health Clinics. Read more about this simple and meaningful opportunity to “give your year” on page 40.
I hope you enjoy reading the inspiring stories shared in this issue of the Summit. Each person featured is a shining example of RMU’s mission to advance knowledge and advance healthcare.
Sincerely,
Cameron K. Martin PRESIDENT & CEO
summit magazine is published annually for university students, alumni, faculty, friends, and community members.
dr. cameron k. martin
university president & ceo
stephen l. whyte
tyler anderson
rachel richards
jody genessy
shari warnick
lindsey peterson
tanner grenko
,
university videographer & photographer
dustin winter
marketing coordinator contact us
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RMU Earns Three 2024 Best of State Awards RMU’s Influence on Athletic Excellence Taking SpeechLanguage Pathology to New Heights in Aviation
SLP Grads Serve at Huntsman Cancer Institute
New Master of Occupational Therapy Bridge Program Announced
RMU kicked off the new year with an exciting announcement about an innovative program to help occupational therapy assistants earn a degree through a hybrid online/on-campus model. The new entry-level Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) Bridge Program was granted Candidacy Status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association. This program was created to serve practicing occupational therapy assistants (OTA) who want to earn a Master’s degree and become licensed occupational therapists while still practicing in the field. The MOT Bridge Program will be delivered over two years (six semesters) using a hybrid instructional model, meaning students will not be required to relocate to the RMU campus in Provo, Utah, to attend classes.
RMU anticipates becoming fully accredited by the ACOTE following the graduation of its first cohort in 2026.
RMU Eye Institute Enhances Vision Care with Cutting-Edge Technology Donation
The RMU Eye Institute was gifted a significant equipment donation from EssilorLuxottica of America, Inc. With the cutting-edge technology installed, the New York-based company is creating new possibilities for patient care at the RMU Eye Institute and enhancing the eye care education of RMU’s Doctor of Optometry students.
The state-of-the-art equipment, named CONNECT, opens doors for Optometry students at RMU to acquire advanced skills in delivering remote eye care. Dr. Lee Ball, Senior Director, Marketing and External Engagement, expressed the impact of CONNECT, highlighting its ability to provide remote exams efficiently. “I’ve personally given over 1500, remote-care exams,” Dr. Ball said. “On any given day, I may cover five to six different locations, saving travel time, and enhancing my efficiency, while increasing access to eye care to individuals who otherwise may go without.”
“RMU is focused on staying at the forefront of healthcare innovations to provide students with a comprehensive education,” said RMU President Cameron K. Martin, PhD. “This generous donation allows our Optometry students to leave our institution ready to utilize the latest technology in eye care.”
RMU Students Advocate for Their Healthcare Professions at the Utah State Capitol
In January, RMU students from the Doctor of Optometry and Master of Physician Assistant Studies programs seized an opportunity to meet with legislators at the Utah State Capitol and passionately advocate for their future patients and professions.
Physician Assistant (PA) Day on the Hill
On January 31, RMU Master of Physician Assistant (MPAS) students, donned in their whitecoats, visited the Utah Capitol for Physician Assistant Day on the Hill. Four faculty and 47 students from the program attended the event. They heard from speakers, including RMU faculty member and President of the Utah Academy of Physician Assistants Alan Bybee, Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla, D-SLC, and Rep. Ken Ivory, R-Midvale. Rep. Ivory talked about how PAs are the future of healthcare and that Utah legislators want to allow them to practice to the full scope of their abilities.
Optometry Day on the Hill
On January 26, 52 students and 14 faculty members from RMU’s College of Optometry attended a luncheon with legislators at the Capitol. The event’s purpose was to support expanding the scope of practice for Utah optometrists in a Senate Bill (SB0210), which includes simple laser procedures which students are learning in their optometry program. Students conversed with Utah legislators to advocate for the profession of optometry and discuss policy.
Rocky Mountain University and Utah Valley University Partner to Educate Future Occupational Therapists
In a unique and innovative higher education partnership, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMU) and Utah Valley University (UVU) signed an agreement to enhance educational opportunities for students to enter the field of occupational therapy. This program is designed to help students obtain an advanced occupational therapy education and enter the workforce earlier than traditional pathways.
“It is important for higher educational institutions to enter into partnerships like these, ones that leverage the strengths and offerings of each institution with the best interest of the students and the workforce in mind,” President Cameron K. Martin said. “Good things happen when public and private higher education institutions partner to form complementary programs, that provide the best possible value to students and respond to workforce needs.”
The “3 plus 3 program” offers students a pathway to obtaining a doctorate in six years. Students would begin their educational journey at UVU completing their freshman, sophomore, and junior year in the Bachelor of Health Sciences (BS) degree/program. During their third year, they would apply to the RMU Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program and begin the program if accepted. The first two semesters of the OTD program count toward the upper-division courses for the BS degree. Students would graduate from UVU with a BS and have just two more years to complete their RMU OTD degree.
RMU Celebrates Opening of New Health Clinics with Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
The RMU Health Clinics feature six community clinics, five on campus: the RMU Eye Institute, the RMU Center for Communication Disorders, the RMU Counseling Clinic, the RMU Physical & Occupational Therapy Clinic, and the RMU Electrophysiology Clinic. The RMU Community Rehabilitation Center will continue to operate its pro-bono physical therapy clinic at 587 S. State Street in Provo.
Along with first-class academic spaces and state-of-the-art health clinics, Building 3 also houses the biosafety level 2 wet lab in partnership with the Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine and the RMU Office of Research. Combined, these academic, clinical, and research resources further enhance RMU’s ability to deliver high-quality healthcare and support the diverse needs of the community.
Rocky Mountain University Earns Three 2024 Best of State Awards
RMU has been honored with three prestigious 2024 Best of State awards for overall institutional excellence, elite leadership, and academic success.
As a testament to RMU’s vision of advancing the quality, delivery, and efficacy of healthcare, the University received medals and accolades from the Best of State organization, Utah’s premier recognition and awards program, for the following categories:
Best University Student: Kirsten Thornhill, PhD student
Best Educational Institution: Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions
Best University Administrator: President Cameron K. Martin
RMU Celebrates 26 Years at Founders Day Celebration
The saying goes, “A little rain never hurt no one,” and on June 7, RMU staff, students, alumni, and their families showed just that. More than 700 guests gathered on the quad behind RMU’s tower to enjoy food, games, live music, and friendship. Despite a brief downpour that sent the attendees running for cover, guests displayed their RMU spirit by waiting it out and continuing on with the celebration.
CULTURE OF SERVICE
RMU was founded on a culture of service. Students, staff, and faculty are all encouraged to do what they can to improve the human condition. This is shown time and time again through the many service projects the RMU community completes.
Doctor of Optometry: Helping through free vision care
RMU’s College of Optometry is a pioneering college academically and in the community. Faculty and students often travel to rural and low-income areas to provide free vision care services. In the last year, RMU Optometry faculty and students traveled to five schools in low-income areas, performed 374 eye exams, and gave out 585 pairs of glasses.
The Parkview Vision Clinic in Salt Lake City is located within the Title 1 elementary school Parkview Elementary. RMU staff and students examine adults, children, and school-age students at this clinic. Since its opening in 2023, the Parkview Vision Clinic has helped more than 500 patients and given more than 600 pairs of glasses.
In addition to eye exams, other services provided include retinal detachments, diabetic eye exams, and cataract consults.
These services are also available to refugees and homeless populations needing care.
At the Navajo Nation in Monument Valley, two service events were held –one at the Tsé Bii ´Nidzisgai Elementary School and the other at the Monument Valley High School. The event was open to the public, where 135 eye exams were performed, and 230 glasses were given in coordination with Essilor at the Elementary School. The second event at the high school was for children with learning disabilities. There were 35 exams performed and 40 pairs of glasses given at this event.
Optometry faculty and students also volunteered at five Special Olympics events, one on RMU’s campus. At these events, 262 exams were performed, and more than 470 glasses and sports goggles were given.
OPTOMETRY SERVICE by the numbers
1,466+
2,120+ exams given pairs of glasses given to those in need
Nebo School district bussed students to RMU where 18 RMU students performed 93 examinations and gave out 130 pairs of glasses.
Students and faculty served at the Bud Bailey Homeless Shelter. 104 eye exams were performed on adults and children from all over the world, including, Africa, Russia, Ukraine, South America, and Fiji.
CULTURE
Doctor of Physical Therapy and Master of Science in Medical Speech-Language Pathology: Assisting people with Parkinson’s disease
Twice a week, RMU’s campus is visited by community members with Parkinson’s disease for exercise classes. Students from the Doctor of Physical Therapy and the Master of Science in Medical SpeechLanguage Pathology programs are on hand to volunteer their time and expertise to help the patients with physical therapy and speech exercises.
RMU Multiple Sclerosis Physical Therapy and Wellness Center: Improving health, function, and quality of life
The RMU Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Physical Therapy and Wellness Center (operating out of the Community Rehabilitation Center) provides high-quality specialty oneon-one physical therapy and group wellness services to individuals living with MS in the state of Utah. It helps individuals and their families improve their health, function, and quality of life through physical activity, community support, and education on MS.
The program is run by physical therapists, assistants, and students and provides services over telehealth and in-person. The center conducts group exercises three days per week, disseminates monthly newsletters, and holds monthly lunches, educational activities, and fundraising events.
Patients, faculty, students, and providers participated in the MS Walk Fundraiser in May. More than $1,000 was raised to help the center provide free, high-quality care for people with MS.
RMU Student Affairs: Improving lives through acts of service
The Department of Student Affairs promotes overall student development and success, fosters an environment to support equity, inclusion, and respect, and promotes University engagement. This past year, Student Affairs worked with students to provide community service to those in need.
Residential students and their families attended the Millie’s Princess Foundation Royal Ball where they dressed up as popular Disney characters and volunteered behind the scenes
to create a magical night for children who have life-threatening conditions.
The Student Social Association held a pop-tab drive and collected thousands of pop tabs to donate to the Ronald McDonald House The Ronald McDonald House recycles the materials and uses the money to help families in need.
Student Services collaborated with the Red Cross to hold two RMU blood drives, collecting 52 total units of blood.
RMU Alumni Association: Fostering student success through mentorship
The RMU Alumni Association hosts opportunities for alumni to come back and mentor current students. The Alumni Association hosted an in-person event, the “Nuggets of Knowledge” Mentorship Lunch. Alumni came to RMU’s campus for lunch and networking with students.
The Alumni Association also hosted a virtual mentorship opportunity, where over 20 alumni from several RMU programs gathered on Zoom to give advice to current students. This event was a success with our online students, who could participate in the activity anywhere nationwide.
RMU Community Health Fair: Providing care to those in need in Utah County
Each year, students, faculty, and staff from RMU partner with the United Way of Utah County and the South Franklin Community Center in Provo to host a health fair for underserved and uninsured individuals and families in Utah County. Last year, more than 200 people, including many children, received healthcare assessments, testing, and information. Some attendees were referred to community clinics for further care.
With the supervision of skilled healthcare professionals, student volunteers from RMU’s Doctor of Physical Therapy, Master of Physician Assistant Studies, Master of Science in Medical Speech-Language Pathology, and Doctor of Optometry programs provided healthcare screenings and information on available services to attendees. The students and faculty also represented the RMU Health Clinics that offer services to the community in speech-language pathology, vision and eye care, physical therapy, counseling, and occupational therapy.
In addition to RMU healthcare professionals, community partners Community Health Connect, Kids on the Move, Molina Healthcare, Centro Hispano, Holy Cross, SLCC Pre-Dental, 211, and Welcome Baby also provided resources.
SPORTS ALUMNI IN
RMU’s Influence on Athletic Excellence
By Jody Genessy
Legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden famously said, “Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” When it comes to making a living in sports like Wooden, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMU) alumni are prime examples of focusing on their capabilities.
Through hard work, dedication, and perseverance, RMU alums Dr. Coleby Clawson (Brigham Young University football), Dr. Victoria Elia (Tulane baseball), and Dr. Kevin Neeld (Boston Bruins hockey) are among those who, like professional athletes and Hall of Fame coaches, have created successful careers in the sports world.
Though RMU does not field any athletic programs as a graduate-level healthcare institution, the University continues to make a positive impact in sports. Clawson, Elia, and Neeld — and many others like them — help improve the lives and performance of top-tier athletes, offer hope for people who’d like to work in sports, and give excellent reasons to cheer for their respective teams.
Enjoy their RMU stories. They’re worth rooting for.
DR. COLEBY CLAWSON
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), 2013
Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences (PhD), 2022
Dr. Coleby Clawson’s journey to becoming the Director of Health and Performance for the Brigham Young University (BYU) football program began with life-changing bad news he received as a 15-year-old.
Long before Dr. Clawson made a name for himself as a linebacker at BYU, and then as a student and employee at RMU, the aspiring two-sport athlete found out that he had Type 1 diabetes.
Because of how he responded to the setback, Dr. Clawson set himself on course to stay on top of his precarious health situation and carve out a successful career in healthcare.
Dr. Clawson began his Assistant Athletic Director position at BYU in 2022 after serving as the Director of RMU’s Community Rehabilitation Clinic (CRC) and an assistant faculty member in the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. His BYU job combines several things he loves — football, physical therapy, sports science, and performance training.
“I think this is where the sports world is going to go,” he said. “You’re seeing more and more jobs open up like this — some kind of director that oversees this whole process and blends performance and sports medicine to bring things together and make it a better experience for the athlete.”
Dr. Clawson works in conjunction with BYU’s athletic director, football coach, and team physician. He oversees and coordinates all health and performance-related disciplines for BYU football, including sports science, athletic training/sports medicine, strength and conditioning, nutrition, mental health/ performance, and rehabilitation.
“The essence of my job is to oversee that process, and then I still get to do a lot of hands-on stuff, too,” he said. “I still get to do my physical therapy, be involved with the sports science and the performance training. It’s kind of the best of all worlds for me and a good blending of a lot of the education and training that I’ve done.”
Dr. Clawson can only daydream about what it would have been like when he played for the Cougars in 2008-09 if BYU had the resources it’s invested into its football program since joining the Big 12 Conference in 2023. When it comes to the use of sports science and technology, he said the Cougars are “much, much more developed” than they were 15 years ago when he played. They continue to emphasize lifting weights in their massive gym, but BYU football is putting more focus than ever on key performance indicators (KPI) in things like velocity, running, and movement to enhance athletic power.
Along with learning how to monitor his eating and exercise and to give himself insulin shots to regulate his blood sugar levels as a teenager, Dr. Clawson instilled healthy workout habits into his life at an early age thanks to his football and wrestling coaches at North Sanpete High School in central Utah.
“They were big-time weight room guys,” he recalled. “They had a very good culture of when you got into high school, you were in the weight room with your team every single day. And that was in the preseason and into the season. So I developed a love for training and a love for the weight room very early on.”
Pumping iron proved beneficial in helping to control his Type 1 diabetes and also propelling him into a great collegiate football career, first as a junior college All-American defensive end at Snow College in Ephraim, Utah, from 2006-07 and then as a punishing outside linebacker for the Cougars from 200809. At BYU, where some still remember his crushing tackle of Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford, Dr. Clawson was an All-Mountain West Conference honorable mention player. He
“There’s always obstacles in the way, but you just find a way to make it work.”
also gained academic all-conference recognition en route to earning a bachelor’s degree in exercise science.
After taking all the prerequisites for med school, Dr. Clawson opted to pursue physical therapy as a profession. He worked as a PT technician during summers at BYU, where he also picked the brain of the Cougars’ head strength coach, Jay Omer. He wanted to absorb all he could about training principles, which coincided with him doing a strength and conditioning graduate assistantship at his alma mater. He then pursued a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree (2013) and a Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences (PhD) in the human and sport performance track (2022) at RMU.
This path allowed him to keep a foot in the medical and performance worlds, leading to him returning to BYU in a new and important cutting-edge position with the football program.
“Eventually, I came to the conclusion that if I did physical therapy, I could blend the two and I could keep a foot in the medical world but also understand movement and exercise and keep a foot in this performance world,” Dr. Clawson said. “That was kind of the driving decision. That’s when I went to Rocky Mountain University for PT school. And then when I finished PT school, I worked in the clinic a little bit and then got pulled back into Rocky Mountain University, running
their pro bono clinic (RMU Community Rehabilitation Center) and doing some teaching there, and was able to do my PhD. That gave me further opportunities to end up in a job like this.”
At RMU, Dr. Clawson built strong relationships all over the University, including with the founding president, Dr. Richard P. Nielsen. He took Dr. Clawson under his wing and taught him about physical therapy, including electromyography (EMG), and a variety of life lessons. That continues to boost Dr. Clawson, who’s building a high-tech, evidence-based sports science lab to help BYU football players maximize their potential.
“I’ve learned a lot from him in terms of just having a big vision and going after it until you make it happen,” said Dr. Clawson, who watched as Dr. Nielsen cleared hurdles while creating the DPT program when he was enrolled at RMU. “There’s always obstacles in the way, but you just find a way to make it work.”
That’s along the lines of what Dr. Clawson has been doing since he was a high school freshman.
Another recurring theme? His appreciation for whom he met and what he learned at RMU. It’s why he served time as the RMU Alumni Association President.
“I’m grateful for the opportunities that Rocky Mountain University gave me for my education and my employment and everything,” Dr. Clawson said. “I just have had some great mentors over the years and created some great friendships there. Probably the thing that I think about the most is just the positive vibe that it has and that sort of family atmosphere that it has. It was a great place to work and gave me some great opportunities.”
DR. VICTORIA ELIA
Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences (PhD), 2021
RMU alumna Dr. Victoria Elia had a fairly typical childhood in Massachusetts. From a very young age, she could walk, talk, and, of course, deke a defender while gliding on the ice with a stick in her hands and then send the biscuit through the five-hole for a wicked awesome goal.
“I grew up as an athlete,” she said. “I started playing ice hockey when I was really, really small. I was one of those kids. I think my first pair of ice skates were the same size as baby shoes. I learned how to ice skate when I learned how to walk.”
Having grown up with sports in her DNA — from hockey (ice and field) to karate, softball, track, and skiing — it’s fitting that she carved out a profession in the industry.
For nearly four years, Dr. Elia has worked as an athletic trainer for the NCAA Division I baseball team at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. She previously served on the training staff at Houston Baptist University and at Texas A&M universities in Kingsville and Corpus Christi. She’s also an adjunct professor in the School of Professional Advancement at Tulane.
Dr. Elia played collegiate softball and field hockey at Lasell College in Newton, Massachusetts, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training. She completed her master’s degree in kinesiology and exercise science at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi before earning a Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences (PhD) in 2021 from RMU.
Working exclusively for a baseball team became a priority dream for her while pursuing her doctorate degree and working in Houston. As fate had it, the baseball-specific opportunity opened up during the pandemic in 2020 while she was working on her dissertation.
“I was like, ‘Alright, I’m ready to be an athletic trainer. I need to go do something I had fallen in love with — baseball,’ ” she said. “I had covered for our baseball team (at Texas A&M Kingsville) when our baseball player athletic trainer went to work for the Chicago Cubs. I couldn’t be mad at him. I wanted to go find a baseball job, but it’s really hard to find a collegiate baseball job in Division I sports when you have barely any collegiate baseball experience. I got lucky.”
Luck smiled on the Green Wave baseball program to be able to hire a compassionate, bright, and devoted athletic trainer like Dr. Elia. She’s as passionate and knowledgeable about science and healthcare as she is about sports. A LinkedIn message she posted this past spring about the equipment and products she transports with her on Tulane baseball road trips pinpoints where her heart is.
“Sports medicine is dedicated to ensuring top-of-the-line healthcare for their student-athletes. No stone is left unturned,” she
wrote. “I make sure to travel with every treatment modality and recovery tool that my team is used to at home. Just because we’re traveling, doesn’t mean we can’t take home with us. The healthcare of the baseball program will always be my number one priority.”
Dr. Elia is among the increasing number of females in the baseball athletic training community. Having experienced stereotypes earlier in her career, she broaches the topic to incoming student-athletes at the beginning of each season.
“When our new guys come in, I say, ‘Hey, I get it. We’re going to address this now. I’m a girl. I’ve never stood in the box and seen 90 miles per hour come at me, and I’ve never thrown a ball 90 miles per hour,’” she said. “And I look at them (and say), ‘And most of you haven’t either, so we’re on the same page. We’re no different. OK?’ And the guys are, like, ‘You’re right.’ And then I just go about my day.”
As a student-athlete, Dr. Elia was no stranger to the athletic training room (or the ER). She often got hurt while playing softball, and she humorously noted that “I found every single possible way to crush, to hurt myself” as a skier. She suffered a serious concussion while playing field hockey her sophomore year in high school, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
“That’s when I really got introduced to athletic training. My athletic trainer and I spent a lot of time in the athletic training room, and I really loved the environment,” she said. “There’s all these different athletes — all these different kids of all different ages — who came to the same place at the same time. And we all have the same goal: to be better, to get better, to be healthy, to go play our sport. It was just a really fun environment. I was like, ‘Well, I could do that.’”
It helped that she was a good student who excelled in science. For a science project as an eighth-grader, she extracted iron from popular breakfast cereals and explained what the mineral does for the body and in the blood. In high school, she qualified for the state science fair again — while battling that concussion — by doing a project on how ski wax affects the viscosity of the surface of snow and the speed of skiing. That required her to learn the required physics and math on her own. She was the only
“And we all have the same goal: to be better, to get better, to be healthy, to go play our sport. It was just a really fun environment. I was like, ‘Well, I could do that.’”
female in the state to place in the fair with a physics background and to place with a physics-oriented project. Her efforts earned the admiration of scientists in Massachusetts, including at MIT.
For a while, Dr. Elia considered going into aeronautical engineering, and her academic resume was robust enough to take that path. But it wasn’t what she was most passionate about. Ultimately, she pursued her dream after telling herself, “You know what? No, I want to have fun. I want to be around sports. I’m an athlete, but my window of athletics is closing. I just wanted to be an athletic trainer, so I did that.”
Dr. Elia does research outside of baseball. She’s working on a project to help diagnose and treat people with connective tissue generative disorders caused by Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). She’s putting her science background to use to help Tulane baseball players by performing biomechanical analysis to track body movement and building a pitching lab.
In addition, Dr. Elia is a published author. In January 2024, she was the primary author of a research article, “The Reliability of the Titan 1+10 Hz Global Positioning System for Measures of Distance and Distance within Speed Zones,” published in the International Journal of Strength and Conditioning. In April 2023, she co-authored the research article, “Folate-Dependent Hypermobility Syndrome: A Proposed Mechanism and Diagnosis” in Heliyon.
“I’ve got my hands in a lot of stuff,” Dr. Elia said. “But my passion is really baseball. I just happen to be really good at science.”
KEVIN NEELD
Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences (PhD), 2020
When the Boston Bruins visit Salt Lake City this fall to take on Utah’s new National Hockey League (NHL) team for the first time, the trip will be extra meaningful for the team’s head performance coach.
Dr. Kevin Neeld completed most of his Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences (PhD) in Human and Sport Performance remotely while working for the Bruins and the San Jose Sharks from 2015-20. The Provo, Utah-based RMU holds a special place in his heart.
Along with being where he gained an abundance of valuable knowledge and became Dr. Neeld, it’s also where some cherished relationships blossomed.
“One of the built-in components of any academic program, and this is certainly my experience with Rocky Mountain University, is that you get to meet a lot of people that you might not meet otherwise. Some of the faculty that were part of my dissertation process (are) still people that I lean on as a resource and still look to for guidance in certain areas,” Dr. Neeld said.
“I’ve met a lot of good friends throughout the course of the
process there, too, that I still keep in touch with. It’s a remote program, but when you come to campus for the onsite visits, you develop great relationships that last a lifetime.”
Dr. Neeld’s hockey career actually began on the streets back on the East Coast. He grew up an hour west of Philadelphia in West Chester, Pennsylvania. That’s where he and his older brother spent countless hours playing street hockey in his neighborhood. The brothers eventually took to ice hockey after they were given the choice to go to a swimming pool or an ice rink for an hour each day during a summer camp. They chose the colder option, and the rest is history.
We fell in love with the sport,” Dr. Neeld said. “We both started playing ice hockey at that age and from there, it just kind of snowballed.”
Though they continued to play on the streets with friends, the brothers started playing ice hockey for clubs and their school team. Eventually, Dr. Neeld played college hockey for the University of Delaware for four years.
During that time, a positive influence inspired his decision to go into hockey coaching for a living.
“When I was playing hockey in high school, I was fortunate to come across a coach that put a high priority on power skating and learning how to become technically proficient at skating on the ice,” Dr. Neeld said. “He also put a high priority on the office training and the off-ice preparation side of things. Early on, even as a player, I knew that I really enjoyed the development part of not only playing but also of coaching and of helping other people go through that process.”
It’s what continues to drive him to help develop, fine-tune, and recondition players from one of the NHL’s elite hockey programs. Added Dr. Neeld, “It’s really the opportunity to help people realize a better version of themselves, to develop their playing abilities — and to overcome challenges — that maybe they are not aware that they have the capacity to rise to that drew me into the field of coaching in general.”
Dr. Neeld’s foray into hockey coaching at a high level began at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, where he was an assistant coach for the women’s hockey team. That’s also where he earned his master’s degree.
“I’ve met a lot of good friends throughout the course of the process there, too, that I still keep in touch with. It’s a remote program, but when you come to campus for the onsite visits, you develop great relationships that last a lifetime.”
Between 2011-16, Dr. Neeld worked stints as the strength and conditioning coach for the USA Hockey women’s national team and for the Philadelphia Flyers’ junior team. He worked as the Sharks’ assistant strength and conditioning coach for two years before joining the Bruins six years ago. He’s also authored multiple hockey training books, courses, and programs while being a development resource to aspiring players in other professional ventures.
Though he’s fond of on-ice training, Dr. Neeld’s specialty is on less-slick surfaces. He made the decision to pivot his career in that direction during grad school when he chose an internship at Cressey Sports Performance over an opportunity to run on-ice camps and clinics at the University of Delaware.
“That,” he said, “was really the fork in the road moment for me where I was moving away now officially from the on-ice side of player development and focusing entirely on the off-ice side.”
Interested in furthering his personal continuing education efforts, he decided to join a friend in enrolling at RMU. He liked that the University focused on developing skill sets and increasing knowledge for applied settings to navigate real-life challenges in a working environment and not, as he put it, simply answering basic scientific questions through academic research.
“The ability to continue on my path of working in a sports performance facility at the time — and now in a team environment — and using some of the research skill sets to help answer questions and to solve problems within this environment, that was really what you were getting at Rocky Mountain University,” he said.
Dr. Neeld continues to apply what he learned from RMU courses and his doctoral dissertation to his duties with the Bruins. His main role with Boston is to design and implement the team’s in-season training program, including pre-practice preparation and daily routines.
Dr. Neeld also oversees the Bruins’ sports science initiatives, including workload monitoring, data collection, and creating feedback loops from players’ training, on-ice work, and recovery. He evaluates body weight, body composition, speed/ acceleration, vertical jump, power output during key exercises along with heart-rate responses to practice, etc. They collect
and analyze that information and then provide feedback to the players and coaching staff.
It’s important to be flexible because things can change rapidly, depending on players’ health, performance, and other factors.
“I think I’m really fortunate to work with the Boston Bruins. It’s an Original Six hockey franchise. We’re celebrating 100 years as an organization this year,” he said. “My favorite part is just the opportunity to work with the players and staff here. It’s an unbelievable group of people. Everybody works really hard, and everybody’s detail-oriented, but it’s also a fun group to be around.”
Scan the QR code to see how Dr. Neeld, with the support of RMU, elevated his work with the Boston Bruins to new heights.
OTHER RMU ALUMNI IN SPORTS
Dr. Terrance Motley
Doctor of Physical Therapy (2022)
Former BYU linebacker and rugby player who is now the Director of Football Rehabilitation at BYU.
Dr. Skyler Halford
Doctor of Physical Therapy (2021)
Former BYU basketball sharpshooter (top 10 nationally in 3-point shooting percentage in 2015) who runs Halford Hoops and Precision Therapy clinics.
Dr. Rich Ramirez
Doctoral of Philosophy in Athletic Training (2016)
Certified Athletic Trainer who has worked with the Miami Marlins, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Montreal Expos.
Dr. Ramsey Nijem
Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences (2018)
Men’s Basketball Director of Sport Performance at Kansas University following a five-year stint with the Sacramento Kings as the NBA’s youngest head strength and conditioning coach.
Dr. Manuel Romero
Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences (2015)
Certified athletic trainer spent 20 years in the professional sports setting, including roles with the Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA Sports Science committee.
Dr. Mark Campbell
Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences (2021)
Member of the 2019 World Series champion Washington Nationals team, having served players and coaches as the club’s first Director of Mental Conditioning.
Bryan Fletcher
Master of Physician Assistant Studies (2022)
Former Nordic combined skier was on the U.S. ski team and won a stage during the 2012 World Cup in Oslo, Norway.
Elise Romney
Master of Physician Assistant Studies (2023)
BYU pole vaulter named to the 2020 indoor All-American team by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
CURRENT RMU STUDENTS WITH IMPRESSIVE SPORTS FEATS
Kyle Bissell
Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences
Earned coach of the year award from USA Archery.
Kori Clements*
Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology
Starter on Nebraska’s 2006 NCAA champion volleyball team.
Adam Whisler
Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences
Former Division I athlete and ultramarathon runner honored as Pat Tillman Scholar.
Jennifer Hamson*
Master of Physician Assistant Studies
All-time BYU athlete played basketball in WNBA and pro volleyball in Europe.
Bonni Messner
Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences
Associate Athletic Trainer’s primary responsibilities with Jaguars include covering volleyball and women’s basketball and assisting in the care of athletes from 13 sports.
Chris D’Andrea
Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences
Longtime athletic trainer at Rutgers University provided medical coverage for men’s lacrosse and men’s soccer teams.
*Graduated August 2024
Dr. Malissa Martin, Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost, has made a significant impact at RMU for 19 years with her mentorship and leadership of students, faculty, and academic programs. She also accomplished an exceptional amount of good earlier in her career while working in sports.
Dr. Martin’s educational and professional contributions have influenced thousands across the country and earned her honors, including Distinguished Athletic Trainer, National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) Educator of the Year, two Regional Athletic Trainer Educator of the Year honors, and many others.
This culminated in Dr. Martin being bestowed the highest honor in the athletic training profession — induction into the NATA Hall of Fame with other legends of the profession in 2015.
“The students and athletes who afforded me the honor to enter their world and share my experience were, without a doubt, the major players in my career.” Dr. Martin said. “This interaction fulfills my spirit… All who know me agree my most shining moments are sharing learning spaces with others.”
A Hall of Fame Athletic Training Career
“This interaction fulfills my spirit… All who know me agree my most shining moments are sharing learning spaces with others.”
Before joining RMU, Dr. Martin served as the head women’s athletic trainer at the University of South Carolina, where she developed and directed the first accredited athletic training education program in the state. She held similar positions at Middle Tennessee State University and Mount St. Joseph University.
Dr. Martin, a nationally renowned thought leader with over 110 research publications and more than 200 presentations, pioneered the first home study programs in athletic training. She chaired the first NATA Athletic Training Educators’ Conference and has been a key presenter since 1996.
The RMU leader’s passion for athletics and athletic training began as a teenager when she was one of the first females to play sports at her high school in Freeburg, Illinois. After sustaining a knee injury her senior year, she spent much of her first year as an Indiana State volleyball athlete in and out of the athletic trainer’s clinic. Observing the operations of the clinic sparked her desire to pursue a career as an athletic trainer.
RMU Provost Dr. Malissa Martin:
ALUMNI IMPACT
From left to right: Carson Call (former Summit medical assistant/Current RMU physician assistant student), Morgan Unga, Brandi Dawson, Alex Davis.
Brought Together at Summit Brain, Spine and Orthopedics
By Rachel Richards
Students leave Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMU) with a core value to improve the human condition. With this collective desire to positively impact healthcare knowledge and practice, it’s no surprise that three RMU Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) alumni found themselves working together at the same clinic. Alex Davis, Brandi Dawson, and Morgan Unga were brought together at Summit Brain, Spine and Orthopedics clinics in Lehi, Utah.
“It’s funny because we wound up at Summit for different reasons,” said Alex. “Brandi and I graduated together from RMU but didn’t connect again until I was hired at Summit.”
Alex Davis
Meet the Physician Assistants (PAs)
Alex received a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Utah State University (USU), followed by a Master of Science in Athletic Training from Weber State University. He then spent seven years as an athletic trainer at Brigham Young University, providing medical care for the football and baseball teams. From there, Alex completed his MPAS degree at RMU.
Alex is passionate about helping injured patients get their lives back and return to their hobbies. He enjoys sharing his knowledge and expertise with every patient. At USU, he played baseball and had the opportunity to care for other collegiate athletes for several years as an athletic trainer. He cherishes the lasting relationships built through those experiences and looks forward to building more relationships by helping those in the community reach their health goals.
Alex enjoys playing golf and other outdoor activities, traveling, and spending time with his wife, Danielle, and their three children.
Morgan Unga
Morgan graduated from Brigham Young University (BYU) with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. While there, he played on the football team. He received his MPAS degree from RMU.
As a BYU football player, and in conjunction with his studies, Morgan participated in the BYU Cougar Strong Initiative, where he spoke to youth groups about maintaining a healthy lifestyle. He encouraged them to develop their academic, recreational, and social skills, and to stay away from drugs and alcohol. He also conducted research on the benefits of health tracking.
Morgan has hands-on experience assisting in family practice, general surgery, orthopedic surgery, and emergency medicine.
In her spare time, Brandi enjoys photography, mountain biking, and rock climbing. RMU
He loves working with patients and has a special ability to communicate, educate, and help patients feel at ease.
Brandi Dawson
Brandi graduated from Oregon State University (OSU) with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Sciences. She subsequently received her MPAS at RMU. Prior to coming to Summit, she worked in neurosurgery and orthopedic patient care at Utah Valley Hospital.
Brandi is a strong advocate for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. She is a former college athlete, having played on the OSU soccer team, where she was named a First Team All-Pac-12 Academic Athlete two years in a row.
I love being part of a team and believe we can accomplish far more together than we ever could alone. Teamwork is essential to succeed in school, and I’ve found that it’s the same in professional practice as well. Our group at Summit functions the same way and allows us to be the best providers we can for our patients.
How have you implemented what you learned at RMU in the clinic?
Some of the most important things that I learned at RMU were how to build a healthy patient/ provider relationship and how to communicate in an effective and efficient manner. RMU emphasized the importance of transparency and honesty. As I have been transparent and honest with my patients, they have appreciated the feedback and felt more confident with me as a provider and my commitment to ensuring the best possible medical care for them. This continues to contribute to the culture of Summit Brain, Spine and Orthopedics, where patients feel heard and valued.
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There are plenty of practical skills and formal lessons from RMU that I have implemented in my current clinical setting, but the most important lesson I learned at RMU was how to care for my own health among competing demands. Our professors emphasized in our first week of classes that we would need to take care of our own health in order to make it through PA school.
As a result of this lesson, I always make time for my own health and wellness. Only then can I be fully present physically, mentally, and emotionally when it comes time for me to care for my patients.
How have the two cultures/philosophies blended for you in your professional practice?
Immediately, what stood out to me at RMU was the use of technology and innovation in the classroom. At Summit, it is a very similar approach of leaning into these changes rather than fighting against them. It takes some effort, but taking advantage of new technology can really benefit our patients by providing better care to more people in a more efficient way.
The culture of RMU helped me better understand what to value in a medical practice. While some institutions may emphasize only test scores, RMU dove deeper to ensure the professional development of its students not only academically but also mentally and emotionally. RMU values the wellbeing of its students more than anything else. I was drawn to Summit because they also value its employees more than anything else. This emphasis feeds a culture of service, selflessness, and community.
What is your personal healthcare philosophy or mission?
Recently, I have been telling myself, “Say yes, and good things will happen.” I recently read a book titled The Comfort Crisis and learned a lot of lessons about being uncomfortable. So many times, our kneejerk reaction is to hesitate or say “no” when presented with something unfamiliar. Growth and progress happen when we are uncomfortable and pushing ourselves, so say “yes,” and good things will happen.
My personal healthcare philosophy is simple: The patient’s well-being should always be the top priority. If you remember that, everything else falls into place. A A A M M M
My personal healthcare philosophy is “The One.” This means that I take the time to focus on “The One” patient that I am working with at that moment and to give them my full attention and mental effort to provide the best possible healthcare experience for them.
One of the first things that stood out to me when I visited RMU as a prospective student was their emphasis on having a growth mindset and collaborative approach to medicine. This felt like such a culture shift compared to my actual experience in the medical world. I knew it was a culture I wanted to be a part of. Fortunately, where I work now at Summit, we have a very similar culture, which emphasizes continuous education and collaborative care.
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Building Community
It makes sense why so many RMU alumni would be drawn to Summit Brain, Spine and Orthopedics. The clinic’s mission statement of “Many Minds, Better Outcomes” mirrors RMU’s vision of advancing knowledge and advancing healthcare.
RMU’s foundation was built by its alumni and continues to thrive because of its current students. RMU alumni and students are passionate about their healthcare professions. Summit Brain, Spine and Orthopedics is working to move away from the traditional medical model of silos and create a community of people from all organizations and specialties that pool all minds together. They do this through Tuesday morning inter-clinic check-ins where healthcare professionals from all specialties come together and review case studies, collaborate on unique issues, and brainstorm for better outcomes.
“It’s been great to move from one value-based community like RMU to another like Summit,” said Morgan. “This is what I got into the field to accomplish, utilizing collaborative-based healthcare to improve patient outcomes.”
Summit Brain, Spine and Orthopedics is working to move away from the traditional medical model of silos and create a community of people from all organizations and specialties that pool all minds together.
About Summit Brain, Spine and Orthopedics
Summit is the premier neurosurgery and orthopedic surgery clinic for patients who want their lives back. Summit collaborates with many other providers — physical therapists, pain doctors, chiropractors, primary care physicians, and more — to put together a care plan.
Taking Speech-Language Pathology to New Heights in Aviation
By Jody Genessy
Dr. Katie Pierson’s interest in using speech-language pathology in aviation — an unusual but successful pairing — was piqued while she was in a coffee shop in Portland, Oregon. While waiting in line, she noticed that an Austrian helicopter pilot student in front of her was having difficulty being understood while trying to order a drink. It sparked something within Dr. Pierson, who was working on a master’s degree from Pacific University at the time.
In the process of helping the student — free of cost — Dr. Pierson discovered a need for this type of training in the aviation and aerospace industries. Some international students, pilots, and air traffic controllers who speak English as a non-native language struggle to meet international English proficiency mandates for speech intelligibility and/ or proficiency. These mandates were created by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a subdivision of the United Nations, after ongoing issues with verbal miscommunications resulting in deadly accidents worldwide. Eventually, that led to her enrolling at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMU) for her Doctor of Speech-Language (SLPD) degree and working and doing research with Chinese pilot candidates at Hillsboro Aero Academy in Oregon during the pandemic. It also
paved a career path for her implementation of unique techniques in accent modification.
“Usually, you work on consonant sounds. I worked on vowel sounds,” she said. “My theory was that if we work on the biggest part of the word, then we’re going to be able to understand the speaker better.”
Pursuing her Passion
After introducing herself to the student at the Portland coffee shop, Dr. Pierson told him, “I can’t guarantee that I can help you, but I really want to try.” They started meeting on Sunday mornings to work on making correct speech sounds in his English, which can be a challenge for any adult speaking English as a second language. She decided to go to grad school to pursue her passion. It intrigued her to explore an area that had not been researched. But because her emphasis was an
out-of-the-box topic — and included working with people who don’t have speech disorders or disabilities — the rejections piled up.
Eventually, Dr. Pierson came across RMU and Dr. Ken Simpson, Founding Director of the SLPD program at RMU. Dr. Simpson provided positive feedback and endorsed her idea of looking into pilot communication challenges. She’s grateful that RMU allowed her to pursue a SLPD degree with a dissertation focused on accent modification in aviation and helped contribute to her research.
“Everybody tells you to think outside the box and be an independent thinker, but they don’t really mean that,” Dr. Pierson said. “When I ended up at RMU in the doctorate program, I already knew what I wanted to study when I got there, which is a little backward.”
In 2019, Dr. Pierson was named the University’s Top Scholar award winner.
“It’s really incredible to look back and see what doors open for you if you’re interested in something and you’re willing to volunteer your time and see what happens.”
Since graduating from RMU in December 2020, her commitment to increasing safety margins for airlines and their employees and passengers has continued to grow. Her impact is also being recognized and felt worldwide.
Trailblazing in the Aerospace Industry
Because of her work with Chinese pilots — which required overcoming a variety of obstacles — the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) honored Dr. Pierson as a 2020 Distinguished Early Career Professional. In 2023, Women in Aviation International (WAI) selected Dr. Pierson as a scholarship recipient and member of the first cohort to attend Harvard University for the Women in Aviation Emerging Leaders Program. This program was created as a response to the United States Congress requesting a future with more women in leadership roles in the aviation sector.
Most recently, Dr. Pierson’s article, “Vowel Centered Accent Modification in Mandarin Speaking Chinese Pilot Candidates,” was published in the 2024 New Year special issue by the Journal of International Aerospace Psychology after years of research, writing, editing, and a rigorous peer-review process. It marked the first time a speech therapist has ever had their research published within the aerospace industry. As she noted, “The article is the first of its kind to introduce the unity of two unique fields — to improve global human error safety standards for everyone who gets on an aircraft worldwide.”
Dr. Pierson was nominated and selected as a 2024 Pioneer Winner for the Women’s Space Awards by the Women’s Aerospace Network for her efforts to bring speech-language pathology to improve safety standards not only in aviation but also within the aerospace industry.
Following in her Grandfather’s Footsteps
Interestingly, Dr. Pierson is the second member of her family to help aviation from a different industry. As a metallurgist, her late grandfather, Jim Pierson, developed the method to use titanium for the shell of SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance aircraft decades ago.
“He was a metallurgist who also crossed his field into aviation,” she said. “He did not live to see the things I’m working on now, but I know he’d be proud.”
Dr. Pierson marvels at where she’s come from since that fateful encounter in the coffee shop.
“This all started because I helped the pilot student — for free — who had trouble ordering in a coffee shop when we were both students,” she recalled. “It’s really incredible to look back and see what doors open for you if you’re interested in something and you’re willing to volunteer your time and see what happens.”
Alumna Reunited at
he Speech-Language Pathology team at the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City, Utah, has some common themes. Our favorite part: Three of the four staff members are alumna of Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMU) who all moved to Utah after falling in love with the scenery and outdoor recreation.
Every day at work is a version of an RMU class reunion for Faith Hoelzel, Molly Moran, and Natalie Reider.
After earning a Master of Science in Medical Speech-Language Pathology and gaining experience as part of the same cohort at RMU, they were each hired as speech-language pathologists (SLP) at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. This connection helps them as employees and benefits the cancer patients they care for through tough situations.
“It was a package deal,” Molly joked.
“It’s pretty great,” Natalie added.
HUNTSMAN CANCER INSTITUTE
BY JODY GENESSY
THE PATH TO RMU
Natalie: I’m from Washington state and went to Western Washington University for a bachelor’s in Communication Sciences and Disorders. I was a speech pathology assistant for a few years but was looking for more independence and wanted to go to grad school. I chose RMU because I knew I wanted to be in a medical setting, the medical field, and RMU has a unique program with access to in-hospital labs, the Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing system and endoscopy.
Molly: I am originally from Chicago and earned my undergraduate degree in Communication Disorders at the University of Kansas. After graduation, I took some time to explore different paths before deciding on graduate school. I initially considered audiology due to its medical focus but ultimately chose to pursue a speech pathology program. Discovering RMU was a pivotal moment for me because of its strong emphasis on the medical side of the field, which I was most interested in. Additionally, living in Utah is a major draw for me due to its stunning natural beauty and easy access to outdoor activities, both of which are very important to me.
Faith: I am originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I did my undergrad at the University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse. After that, I did a stint in research at the Medical College of Wisconsin and then ended up applying to RMU because of the medical aspect and the medical emphasis. The program was really enticing to me. And Utah is absolutely beautiful. The mixture of those two things is how I ended up at RMU.
HOME, SWEET (NEW) HOME
Faith: I had never been to Utah before, and we were driving through Provo Canyon, where I saw Bridal Veil Falls. I started tearing up. I was like, ‘Holy cow, it is so beautiful here!’ I immediately fell in love with Utah, and it’s had its claws on me since then. It’s just the most beautiful place. It never gets old to look outside the window and see mountains, especially being from the Midwest. The beautiful thing about Utah is that there is stuff to do year-round. We get to ski in the winter and then hike and do all sorts of things in the summer and in the fall. We have ended up staying out here for over five years now.
Natalie: Coming from the Pacific Northwest, the Utah sun is so wonderful! I was absolutely planning on moving back. I told everyone in Washington, “Grad school is like two years, be right back! Everyone stay where you are.” The appeal of Utah was immediate for me. Provo, particularly, has two great canyons for daily hikes: Rock Canyon and Provo Canyon. Through externships at RMU, you get networking and you start to get your feelers out, and you can see just what amazing opportunities are here, not only in the valley but throughout Northern Utah. When my husband and I started realizing the professional opportunities in addition to the outdoors component, we knew our time here wasn’t up yet.
Natalie Molly Faith
Molly: My time here has been marked by wonderful clinical experiences that enriched my professional journey and deepened my passion for speech pathology. Along the way, I made incredible friends who became like family, creating a supportive community that made the transition seamless. The breathtaking mountains and the promise of 300 days of sunshine each year solidified my decision to stay. The outdoor adventures and natural beauty became a vital part of my life, making Utah feel like home. We came for the school and stayed for the sun.
THE PATH TO HUNTSMAN
Molly: I was the first RMU alum to join the team. I started here and, over time, the wonderful colleagues I initially worked with moved on to other opportunities. This place is incredibly specialized, requiring extensive training and hands-on experience before achieving independence. We found ourselves in a bit of a scramble, so I suggested bringing Faith on board, knowing her clinical skills and capabilities. Soon after, another team member left. We then vouched for Natalie, confident in her abilities due to our shared education and skill set. This speaks volumes about the exceptional training we received from Dr. Linda Spencer and Dr. Wendy Chase at RMU.
Faith: After graduation, I did my clinical fellowship at a local Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) center in laryngology and a little bit of head and neck cancer. I fell in love with the head and neck cancer population and then ended up transferring up here to Huntsman. I would say 80% of what we do up here is head and neck cancer. The rest is general oncology. We have a really cool program here where we get to cover the whole hospital. So we do outpatient, head and neck, inpatient, acute, and ICU. We get to follow our patients from pre-diagnosis time to after-surgery through radiation, all those things, which is why I absolutely love it here. This population takes a lot of interesting training and education that most people don’t get in grad school, so the fact that we were even able to have that foundational knowledge from RMU was incredible.
Natalie: After grad school, I worked in acute care at a Level II trauma center in the SLC valley before coming up here to Huntsman, and it’s great. I was looking for even more medical acuity and some diverse experiences that Huntsman could provide. When I was contacted for an interview and it happened to be with my past peers, it was exciting knowing that we all have a similar background educationally.
Faith: Everybody is just so impressed with that foundational knowledge that we came with because of our program at RMU. It’s a pretty cool thing.
Faith: Many days don’t feel like work. We get this really cool opportunity here at Huntsman. It’s part of the culture at Huntsman, everybody’s just friends at work. We eat lunch together every single day, and we’re always together. It’s a very collaborative environment.
Molly: Each month, we select a research article to discuss. We gather to talk about how we can implement its findings into our practice. Sometimes, we extend the discussion over a meal or drinks after work, allowing us to delve deeper into the topic and nerd out on the subject.
MOST REWARDING PART OF THE JOB
Faith: We get this really cool opportunity to be a part of our patients’ care from diagnosis to survivorship. The most rewarding part of all of that is building these incredible relationships with these patients at such a special time in their lives, and being such a strong support system for them. Truly, we see some of these patients more than anybody else in the hospital on a routine basis.
— FAITH —
“The work here at Huntsman is very niche. RMU is a medically focused program that offers so much that transfers to this setting.”
— MOLLY —
“Moving to Utah from Chicago was a life-changing experience. The shift from the bustling city life to the serene landscapes of Utah brought a refreshing change.”
Molly: The most special thing about being a speech pathologist at Huntsman is witnessing my patients achieve survivorship or reach their small daily goals. Every day in their cancer journey is a battle, and we have the privilege of being their cheerleaders throughout. We contribute to significant quality of life improvements, including talking, eating, communicating with family, participating at the dinner table, and sometimes even breathing. Being part of their progress, helping them engage with their family and community, is the most rewarding part of our job. We know we’re enhancing their quality of life day by day. Some days may be harder than others, but we’re there to help them feel better again. It’s like climbing a never-ending staircase with them — challenging but incredibly fulfilling.
— NATALIE —
“When patients trust us to be there for them on the good days and the worst days, it is simply an honor and a privilege.”
Natalie: When you’re facing medical uncertainty, having a team fully invested in your success makes each step a little less daunting. Adapting to patients’ and their families’ changing needs keeps us uniquely entwined in their overall medical course.
VICTORIA LAWS OPTOMETRY
By Jody Genessy
Victoria Laws didn’t know about optometry until her late teens and didn’t have an appointment with an optometrist until she was 20 years old. Though a bit embarrassed to say that out loud now that she’s in her second year of the optometry program at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMU), Laws hopes to help others prioritize visits to the optometrist like they do trips to the dentist.
“I actually found out about optometry my senior year of high school,” she said, smiling. “I didn’t even know they existed, to be honest. I just knew the people at school used to come when you were younger and have you cover one eye and switch the other.”
She told a mentor that the ins and outs of eye care piqued her interest, leading to her having a job shadow experience with a local optometrist in her hometown of Jacksonville, Florida. She learned how to write out prescriptions and other aspects of the profession. Her first impression? “This is really nice. I like this. I could see myself doing this long-term. That was really good. To me, it was relaxing. It
wasn’t stressful,” said Laws, adding that the minimal trauma and blood was a bonus. “Soon after that, I just stuck with it. I actually got a job as an optometric technician for two years while I was in college in Gainesville. That was a good experience.”
When Laws found out about RMU’s new optometry program — the only one in Utah and the Intermountain West — she decided to apply even though she thought she might be a long shot candidate. It didn’t take long in the application process for her to be impressed by RMU and the optometry staff, especially Dean Adam Hickenbotham.
“He was my favorite. He was my guy,” she said. “And the school was so new, so innovative, so fresh. They always ask for your opinion. You have a voice.”
Despite stark differences between the Florida beaches and the Utah mountains along with big cultural contrasts, Laws has enjoyed her change of scenery and grad-school experience since starting in 2023. She’s the student representative for RMU’s first optometry cohort and is the American Optometric Student Association trustee elect, which allows her to help students on a national level.
“I truly feel like it is just such a home away from home,” she said. “Everyone was nice when I came to visit. I just love the atmosphere at RMU.”
Laws appreciates being in a class of 56 students compared to hundreds like in undergrad. She doesn’t have to wait in a long line of 30-40 peers to ask questions after class. She lauds RMU’s “really dedicated” professors for staying late,
even occasionally coming in on weekends, to help students practice clinical skills and help how they can.
She’s fascinated by optometry now, including “how the eye is like the gatekeeper” to a variety of health conditions. You can learn a lot about a person’s health from the color of the whites of their eyes, she said. Knowing that can help her help patients seek healthcare for things, including diabetes.
“Diabetes is such a big one, especially in my community,” she said, referring to her black roots in Florida. “You can actually kind of see it in the eye when it’s starting to first form. I think it’s really cool. African-Americans have the highest rates for having diabetes in general. So with a lot of our population, you have to really check that pretty well.”
On a recent trip to the Sunshine State, Laws noticed the need for the kind of healthcare she’s learning to provide. During a family cookout, she was approached by a handful of people with questions about their eyes and health. She used knowledge and skills acquired at RMU and referred them to practicing professionals for further assistance.
Laws worked with schoolchildren during a gap year between the University of Florida and RMU, and she’s considered going into pediatric practice. She has two and a half years of schooling left, so she still has time to sort out future plans.
Laws hopes to bring more awareness about the need for regular eye checkups. She wants to make it so people put in their schedules like dental appointments. She knows their vision and health can improve with the help of optometrists, and it’s exciting for her to learn how to use those tools, techniques, knowledge, and experience.
“I think that’s also my favorite part is just having them be able to see the world in a different light,” she said. Laws said that only 1.4% of optometrists are African-American — and only a percentage of them are female — so it’s rewarding for her to help that number grow and perhaps inspire others to follow suit.
“A lot of people aren’t even aware about the profession in our community,” she said. “It really isn’t talked about that much, if I’m being honest. So one at a time, step by step, it’ll get to be more of us.”
As far as adapting to life in Utah, Laws smiles about how some places are closed on Sundays. She was “really, really sore for a couple of days” after her first skiing adventure in Utah’s powder, but she enjoyed it and plans on trying out snowboarding. She bought two ski suits to convince herself to keep going — and to look good while doing it. However, she’s still working on mastering driving in the snow. “You just drive and you just keep going sometimes,” she said, laughing. “I’m like, ‘Wow! You just don’t stop, huh?’ I just got new insurance. We got full coverage.”
She enjoys that her optometry cohort has diversity in it — from the group of born-and-bred Utahns to classmates from Haitian, Egyptian and Samoan backgrounds. “I’m just learning about everyone. I think it’s good for you to know diversity and to know different types of holidays and special days. Because when you speak to a patient you can better understand them, too.”
If eyes are truly windows to the soul, you can spot that Laws has a big heart for helping others.
Laws hopes to bring more awareness about the need for regular eye checkups. She wants to make it so people put in their schedules like dental appointments.
“I hope that anyone that comes to wherever I’m practicing feels welcome and feels like they are actually getting the support and help they need,” Laws said. “Some diagnoses are tough, sometimes they give you heartbreaking news. I want them to know that we’re there for them every step of the way. I want to be the doctor that is also like your neighborhood friend, someone who they can talk to. Because you never know what they’re going through.”
POST-PROFESSIONAL STUDENT FEATURE
DR. KORI CLEMENTS
DOCTOR OF SPEECH PATHOLOGY
By Jody Genessy
During her competitive college volleyball career with the University of Nebraska, Dr. Kori Clements’ coach made her team learn how to juggle. His object lesson intended to emphasize that the talented athletes needed to learn how to balance succeeding in multiple roles at once — from being great at athletics and academics to excelling in their families and communities.
She took his lesson to heart.
Years later, Clements can still juggle objects in the air. More importantly and impressively, she’s adeptly multi-tasked her way to earning a Doctor of Speech Pathology (SLPD) degree at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMU) while juggling responsibilities as a mother of three children under 5, as a devoted wife, and as a healthcare worker for a school district and a hospital in Canyon, Texas, along with being a resource specialist for the SLP Nerdcast podcast.
“I landed at RMU,” she said, “because I was looking for a place that would challenge me academically while still allowing me to work professionally, be a mom, and juggle all of the things that I juggle as a regular person, and still allow me to pursue an advanced degree.”
In other words, Dr. Clements takes her juggling seriously, a fact that would undoubtedly make her college coach proud.
Dr. Clements grew up in a sports-rich environment. Her mom played collegiate basketball for the University of Texas, and her dad was a college basketball coach at West Texas A&M University (WTAMU).
“I great up playing volleyball, playing sports. I was what you would call a gym rat,” she said. “I kind of found my niche in volleyball, and it opened many doors for me.”
Eventually, Dr. Clements heeded the advice from her mom to consider looking into speech-language pathology (SLP)as a profession.
“When I got to Nebraska, I declared SLP my major and I never looked back. I was very fortunate to be supported,” she said. “As a student-athlete in a very challenging academic program and in a very competitive athletic program, I had the support that I needed to be successful. So that really just launched my career as a speechlanguage pathologist.”
Along her journey to earning a doctorate degree in a field she loves, Dr. Clements was a highly successful high school volleyball coach in the Texas panhandle and served as the Director of Volleyball Operations at Texas Tech University. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Speech-Language Pathology at Nebraska, where the four-year starter also received multiple All-Big 12 First Team, All-Region VII, and Academic All-Big 12 awards while dealing with unfortunate knee injuries.
The crowning moment of her volleyball career — aside from learning how to juggle — took place in 2006, when the 6-foot-1 middle blocker won the NCAA national championship with the Cornhuskers. (She’s still very much a loyal Husker, by the way. That was made apparent when she said, “Test 1-2-3, Go Big Red!” during a microphone check for this interview with RMU’s University Marketing & Communications team.)
“It was the time of my life,” Dr. Clements said, reflecting on her Nebraska volleyball career. “Kids grow up playing sports (and
say), ‘Oh, I want to play sports. I want to play on a big stage.’ I got to live that dream. It was really spectacular to do.”
Dr. Clements had another moment of a lifetime in the fall of 2023, when she was inducted into the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame. Making the honor all the sweeter, she was enshrined alongside her dad, Rick Cooper, WTAMU’s legendary coach. They were the first-ever father-daughter duo to enter that Hall of Fame together.
Dr. Clements has put her multifaceted sports career behind her, but she’s still living a dream by helping people through speech-language pathology.
“Communication is the foundation for our life,” she said. “Being able to give people a means to communicate and to express themselves, really, it’s just a foundational need. And to be able to assist somebody in doing that is a very fulfilling experience.”
Helping children is especially gratifying for her.
“I would say that being able to help a kid achieve a certain sound or attain the confidence to communicate in a way that maybe they hadn’t been able to previously, is so fulfilling and motivating to keep pushing forward in this career,” Dr. Clements said. “Empowering young kids to come to competently communicate with their peers and their teachers really is just that same kind of adrenaline rush that I got as an athlete. Doing what I do and doing it well and helping people is a fulfilling experience.”
As she moves forward as an SLPD, Dr. Clements hopes to be involved in teaching and/or a clinical supervision experience. She’s found joy in the journey working for a school district and has considered teaching at the university level, where she received so much support over the years at Nebraska and RMU.
“I’ve had a great experience at RMU. I have felt so supported by our program administration. I have built lifelong relationships with the people in my cohort. It has been a phenomenal experience top to bottom.”
DR. HEAPE’S RMU LEGACY: The Power of Just Saying Yes
By Rachel Richards
Like most faculty at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMU), Dr. Amber Heape embodies a passion for helping others through excellence in teaching. Currently, she does this through her dual roles as Assistant Professor for the Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology (SLPD) program and Concentration Track Director in the SLPD Health Professions Education program. It’s why she was named the 2024 recipient of the RMU Hartgrave Award for Excellence in Teaching. With a career rooted in speech pathology, Dr. Heape is helping students find joy in helping others and giving.
Dr. Heape was set on a path in healthcare at a young age. She was inspired in high school by the school district speech-language pathologist. At the time, she babysat a boy with cerebral palsy who needed physical, occupational and speech therapy.
“Everything fell in the right place, and I realized speechlanguage pathology would be a field that really combined all of the different professions,” said Dr. Heape. “Once I started looking into what the field really did, I realized it took all of my favorite aspects of each of those different professions and combined it into one.”
She earned a Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Columbia College, a Masters in Communication Disorders from the University of South Carolina, and a Clinical Science Doctorate in Speech-Language Pathology from Rocky Mountain University.
Dr. Heape’s career veered toward her inclination for teaching, inherited partly from her father, a former technical college
educator. Her first step to educating others was during her time spent working in geriatric care.
“I was able to work with adult patients and teach their families about comorbidities and things they could do to rehabilitate.”
Alumna Gives Back to RMU
Besides her work in clinical settings, Dr. Heape finished her doctorate at RMU in the very first cohort of the SLPD program. She learned alongside current SLPD Program Director Sandra Shigetoma-Toyama. After graduating, Dr. Heape began an adjunct teaching position with RMU.
“From the very first moment I stepped on campus as a student, there was something different about Rocky Mountain University,” Dr. Heape said. “I think RMU does a wonderful job of balancing the individuality of the students while also meeting all the requirements to ensure graduates come out as top caliber healthcare practitioners.”
Following graduation, Dr. Heape stayed on as an adjunct professor, eventually working her way up to her current position.
Making An Impact
Early in her career, Dr. Heape had an impact in the area of dementia. A common attitude toward the degenerative disease was that treatment was futile as the patient was just going to get worse.
“Would you say that about someone with high blood pressure?”
Dr. Heape asked. “No, you wouldn’t. So why were we saying that about someone who has a progressive neurological condition when the evidence was starting to show us that there are things that could slow decline?”
Dr. Heape was one healthcare professional who was involved in early research seeking evidence-based principles for treating dementia.
Now that she is a full-time educator, she sees an opportunity to have an even bigger impact through the education of the next wave of healthcare professionals.
“I think you can improve the human condition one person at a time,” she said. “ But you can also have a snowball effect on the human condition, and that’s what I see teaching as right now, it’s a snowball effect.”
Dr. Heape shared this advice when asked how RMU alumni and students can help make a difference.
“I think people can really become engaged in the RMU community with the spirit of yes. So when someone asks for volunteers, say yes. When offered a leadership role, say yes. When you give, you grow.”
THE ERGONOMIC EXPERT IS IN: Sonia Paquette Improves
Occupational Therapy
Outcomes
By Rachel Richards
Occupational therapy (OT) appealed to Dr. Sonia Paquette’s creative nature.
OT offered a dynamic and creative approach to problem-solving, resonating deeply with her desire to make a tangible difference in people’s lives. Currently an Associate Professor in the Post-Professional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy program and in the transitional Doctorate of Physical Therapy program at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, Dr. Paquette was named the 2024 RMU Adjunct Faculty Award recipient.
Dr. Paquette’s journey into healthcare began with a series of unexpected events. Growing up in Quebec, she navigated the unique educational system that bridges high school and university with a two-year college stint. Initially unsure of her career path, her sister, Maryse, a career counselor, had Dr. Paquette take a career test that scored her high in occupational therapy.
“I remember the college’s guidance counselor saying you’re never going to make it,” Dr. Paquette recalled, since entering OT school is extremely competitive.
“And I thought, ‘You are going to see what I can do!’”
Her acceptance into McGill University for OT was a pivotal moment, marking the beginning of her impactful career.
Dr. Paquette holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy, a DESS in Ergonomics (Diplôme D’études Supérieures Spécialisées/the old French name of the professional master’s degree), a Graduate Certificate Degree in Forensic Rehabilitation Consultation, and an Occupational Therapy Doctorate from Rocky Mountain University (RMU).
“I remember the college’s guidance counselor saying you’re never going to make it,” Dr. Paquette recalled, since entering OT school is extremely competitive.
“And I thought, ‘You are going to see what I can do!’”
Transitioning to Teaching
Dr. Paquette’s transition into teaching came about ten years into her OT practice. Encouraged by a friend and mentor, she began teaching at a continuing education company and later at the University of Montreal. When she moved to Maryland in 2005, she faced the challenge of not being able to work due to visa restrictions. This led her to pursue a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy at RMU, further solidifying her love for education.
“You know, sometimes you fall in love, and that’s what I did with RMU — I fell in love,” Dr. Paquette said.
After completing her Doctorate, Dr. Paquette remained at RMU, this time as an instructor. She embraced the University’s mission of teaching evidence-based practice and critical inquiry. Despite initial doubts about her teaching abilities, she quickly discovered a knack for engaging students and making complex topics accessible.
As a teacher, Dr. Paquette focuses on helping students see the relevance of academic concepts in real-world clinical practice. Her goal is to ensure that students leave her courses with more questions than they started with, equipped with the tools to seek answers and improve their practice.
Making a Difference in Ergonomics
Besides teaching, Dr. Paquette’s work as an ergonomist has had significant impacts on the medical community. Her role involves providing practical solutions to reduce physical discomfort and prevent injury among her current clientele, physicians.
“It doesn’t really take long. You can just adjust a couple of things to make people so much more comfortable,” Dr. Paquette said about the physician’s office work. “For me, it’s so gratifying to see the difference a few simple adjustments can make.”
Dr. Paquette uses ergonomic strategies to make surgeons more comfortable and able to keep working. Her ergonomic work has a profound impact on professional longevity and well-being.
Looking ahead, Dr. Paquette is committed to raising awareness about the importance of ergonomics and its potential to alleviate pain and enhance productivity. By educating others and providing practical solutions, Dr. Paquette hopes to contribute to RMU’s vision of improving the human condition.
ERGONOMIC TIPS WITH DR. PAQUETTE
1 When you work at the office and you have discomfort, you may think your chair is the issue, especially when you find it doesn’t have enough lumbar support. Consider lowering your chair so that your knees are approximately 90° flexed. You’ll notice you can now use your backrest and its lumbar support.
2 Once you’ve done that, you are probably noticing your table is too high. That’s normal. Table heights were designed to draw and write manually. They’re too high for typing and mousing. If you can’t lower your table because it is fixed, strongly consider purchasing a keyboard tray.
3
If you can’t purchase a keyboard tray, you might have to get a footstool to support your feet and the 90° of your knees when you raise your chair. It is still not going to eliminate the ergonomic risk factors, but it will reduce its intensity.
THE RMU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION LAUNCHES
By Rachel Richards
There’s a common thought, “If you can’t give when you have little, then you won’t give when you have a lot.” Small actions have a significant impact. In 2024, the Rocky Mountain University (RMU) Alumni Association Board, in partnership with the RMU Foundation, launched “The RMU Legacy Fund” — a giving campaign that invites all alumni to give back. Over the last 25 years, the passionate healthcare professionals who came through our programs have built it from a single program to a thriving institution with 10 doctorate and 14 master’s degrees, more than 1,600 students nationwide, and over 4,100 alumni.
Give Your Year: A Modest Call to Action
It’s not a big ask. Alumni are invited to contribute an amount equivalent to their graduation year. For example, a 2016 grad is asked to set up a recurring donation of $20.16. That’s right! Just $20. It’s a small amount to most that will add up to a large impact on others.
“Service is a core value at RMU, and all our students leave here with a passion for improving the human condition,” said President Cameron K. Martin. “We want to foster a culture of giving by asking for a small amount from everyone in our community. A small donation from a large group can significantly impact our community and students.”
Destination: Impact
The RMU Legacy Fund channels donations towards two avenues: student scholarships and the RMU Health Clinics. Donors can select which option they would like to allocate their money to.
Alumni Student Scholarship Fund
The Alumni Student Scholarship Fund embodies the philanthropic spirit of RMU alumni. Each year, the Alumni
Association Board (AAB) awards scholarships to deserving students, facilitating their pursuit of healthcare education.
RMU Health Clinics
Located on campus in Provo, Utah, the RMU Health Clinics provide services in mental health, physical therapy, optometry, counseling, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and electrophysiology.
In addition to providing the community with advanced healthcare, the clinics offer training opportunities and hands-on learning experiences for students being personally mentored and taught by faculty and clinic staff.
The RMU Health Clinics offer free services for those who qualify and sliding fee pay for low-income patients. They also accept various health insurance and offer cash pay services. Any funds given to the clinics will help with operational costs and increase the number of patients who can be served for free or at a low cost.
A Call to Action: Uniting in Purpose
“Our goal is to have 10% of our alumni commit to a small, recurring contribution,” said Dr. Glory Dioh-Esona, President of the RMU Alumni Association Board.“ This marks the beginning of our journey to build a culture of compassionate healthcare professionals who not only serve their patients but serve those in need.”
Donate Now: Pledge Your Legacy
To sign up to give your year to the RMU Legacy Fund, please visit rm.edu/alumni/give. Select which option you would like your donation to go to and see what a difference your actions can make!
“At RMU, we love and lift those in need,” said President Martin. “Our students, staff, and alumni meet people where they are, see people for who they are, and help improve their quality of life. This is a culture we are proud of and one we are continuing to build on.”
If you have any additional questions or ideas about how to be involved, please reach out to the RMU Alumni Relations office at alumni@rm.edu.
“I can sum up RMU’s vision in five words: to improve the human condition. At RMU, we are dedicated to educating compassionate and highly-skilled healthcare professionals who embody this vision.”
