CHHS News

Five Professors Earn CHHS Tenure Promotions & Two Named Professor Emeriti

Mary Cunningham — Wed, 25 May 2022 13:32:32 +0000

Five Professors Earn CHHS Tenure Promotions & Two Named Professor Emeriti Mary Cunningham Wed, 05/25/2022 - 09:32

In This Story

Emily Ihara, PhD, MSW, FGSA

Katherine Scafide, PhD, RN

Ali Weinstein, PhD

Janusz Wojtusiak, PhD

Congratulations to Ihara, Scafide, von Fricken, Weinstein, and Wojtusiak on their promotions and Guccione and Rome on being named Professors Emeriti. The College recognizes teaching excellence, leadership, dedication to research, and commitment to student success.

The College is thrilled to recognize the below faculty members on their promotions:

Promotion to Associate Professor without Term (Tenure)

Katherine Scafide – School of Nursing
Michael von Fricken – Department of Global and Community Health

Promotion to Full Professor

Emily Ihara – Department of Social Work
Ali Weinstein – Department of Global and Community Health
Janusz Wojtusiak – Department of Health Administration and Policy

Additionally, retiring faculty members Andrew Guccione in the Department of Rehabilitation Science and Sunny Harris Rome in the Department of Social Work have been named professors emeriti.

“We are so proud to have such distinguished faculty within the College,” said Cathy Tompkins, associate dean for faculty and staff affairs. “The work they have done in their respective fields is one of the many reasons we can boast the excellence of the College.”

Guccione, Ihara, Scafide, Rome, von Fricken, Weinstein, and Wojtusiak have exemplified what it means to further the pursuit of academic teaching and research. Their commitment to our student body and advancing knowledge in health and human services has earned them their new title.

Instructional Faculty Promotions were announced earlier this year in April 2022.

Once again, congratulations to all promoted and emeriti faculty!

Topics

Rehab Science Faculty

2021-22 Academic Year - A Year of Continued Growth and Notable Milestones

Mary Cunningham — Tue, 24 May 2022 13:25:28 +0000

2021-22 Academic Year - A Year of Continued Growth and Notable Milestones Mary Cunningham Tue, 05/24/2022 - 09:25

Another academic year is coming to a close as we celebrate 794 new College of Health and Human Services alumni. Here we highlight a few of the College's recent milestones.

The 2021-22 academic year reflects the College’s strong, positive trajectory of continued growth and notable milestones. For the past five years, the College has seen significant progress in enrollment, degree offerings, philanthropy, and research funding and expenditures – thanks to the hard work of all.

Just some of our achievements since 2017 include:

19% enrollment growth;
97% increase in budget;
122% increase in research expenditures;
254% increase in philanthropic giving;
Recruitment of 83 new faculty, 30 new administrative staff, and 14 new research technical staff; and
76% six-year graduation rate for first-time freshmen, which is a 14% increase from 2010.

In addition to sustaining our substantial growth metrics, the College has also achieved significant milestones in our journey toward becoming an accredited college of public health including:

Launching our new PhD in Public Health in August 2020 and earning degree accreditation by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) in March 2021;
Achieving CEPH accreditation for our PhD in Health Services Research in April 2022;
Submitting our Initial Application to CEPH to become a College of Public Health in April 2022;
Gaining approval from Mason’s Graduate Council for a new Master of Public Health concentration in Health Equity and Social Justice in April 2022, to launch in fall 2022; and
Receiving notification in May 2022 that CEPH accepted our initial application submission to become an accredited college of public health.

This academic year, we also made sizable strides on several strategic initiatives relative to the College’s mission of supporting students and advancing the public’s health across the lifespan, such as:

Recruiting 47 new faculty and staff in for AY 2021-22;
Opening the Virtual Reality and Simulation Lab for interprofessional student education in the fall of 2021;
Working to promote a diverse and inclusive excellence community by launching our climate survey and key priorities in March 2022;
Convening health directors, philanthropy, and technology sectors for the Transforming Public Health Workshop in March 2022;
Launching behavioral health services in the Population Health Center in fall 2021 and the Nutrition and Weight Management Clinic, which is scheduled to open in June 2022;
Awarding more than $500,000 in student scholarships to 124 students;
Continuing as a member of the Johns Hopkins Clinical Research Network as well as advancing plans for a research collaboration with Inova;
Engaging more than 500 alumni, donors, and friends of Mason at events such as the Honoring Mason Nurses: Past, Present and Future, Fifty & Flourishing Social Work event, 5^th Annual Farm to Table dinner, and regional alumni events;
Launching a strategic enrollment marketing initiative to support our degree programs; and
Envisioning a Center for Health Equity to advance research and practice.

Congratulations also to the faculty in the College who achieved important tenure and promotion milestones this year:

Lia Fleming and Kerri LaCharite were promoted to associate professor;
Laura Poms, Margaret Rodan, and Rebecca Sutter were promoted to full professor;
Michael von Fricken and Katherine Scafide were tenured and promoted to associate professor;
Emily Ihara, Ali Weinstein, and Janusz Wojtusiak were promoted to full professor; and
Andrew Guccione and Sunny Harris Rome were appointed as faculty emeriti.

"It’s been an eventful, successful, and very busy year of achievements. We can all be proud. Your efforts will have a lasting impact on our students as well as the populations and communities we serve," said Dean Germaine Louis to faculty and staff. "I am grateful for your contributions in all that we’ve accomplished together and wish you a restful summer with family and friends. There is still much work to be done to become a college of public health and to bring health to all people."

Topics

CHHS

CHHS News

College Honors Class of 2022 Graduates at Degree Celebration

Mary Cunningham — Mon, 23 May 2022 17:17:35 +0000

College Honors Class of 2022 Graduates at Degree Celebration Mary Cunningham Mon, 05/23/2022 - 13:17

In This Story

Kimberly Holmes, PhD, MEd

Congratulations, Class of 2022!

Graduates of the College of Health and Human Services Class of 2022 were honored during an in-person Degree Celebration at EagleBank Arena on May 22. We are pleased to resume the tradition of hosting in-person Degree Celebrations, and the celebration was live-streamed for those who could not attend.

Kim Holmes, associate dean for academic affairs, hosted the celebration and welcomed the graduates and their loved ones during opening remarks, followed by comments from Dean Germaine Louis, keynote speaker Karen Dale, and student speaker Deniz Lopez-Jimenez.

Holmes opened the program by acknowledging all the hard work that led students to this moment.

“Our graduates have made their mark on Mason and their neighboring communities. Many have spent countless hours working and training in local clinics, researching topics that will improve the health of others, leading student organizations, serving the community, and other important causes,” Holmes said. The College conferred 469 bachelor’s degrees, 270 master’s degrees, 34 doctoral degrees, and 21 graduate certificates, boasting a total of 794 spring 2022 graduates who received their degrees across six departments.

“Today, we want you to know that we see your efforts, we’ve seen you in the building on early mornings putting the finishing touches on assignments, meeting classmates; we see the challenges you’ve overcome, juggling work, family commitments, classes, internships, clinical hours; and in the end you all shared a common goal of helping and serving others by proving health and services can support health and wellness,” she continued. “Whether you know it or not, you challenge all of us to be better, push harder, and to chase our dreams. After all your hard work, today is our day to honor and celebrate you.”

Dean Germaine Louis and Keynote Speaker alumna Karen Dale

Dean Germaine Louis took the podium next to share that it was the students who inspired her to overcome her writing block and complete this speech only a few days ago.

“My block was because of the many challenges in the world that are facing our current graduates as well as future ones. And to me, at times, these challenges feel insurmountable,” said Louis. “How do we overcome global hunger, housing instability, health disparities driven by social inequities, hatred, violence, trauma, climate change, in over one million lives lost from COVID-19 infections in the US alone? I asked myself, are these challenges curable? Is it reasonable to ask today’s graduates and the ones to follow to be able to solve these problems that certainly my generation has not done?”

“I thought about our students in the college, across all disciplines...I easily remembered how incredible they are; Something their parents, family, and friends already know and know well,” Louis continued. “As health professionals, our students show up when need arises. Words cannot come close to expressing the great pride I have for our graduates and the faculty and staff who stand with them.”

“I found my renewed sense of hope in you. You can and will correct the wrongs of the world to innovate new paths forward and to deliver health equity irrespective of remaining challenges,” said Louis.

She also offered a few words of advice and hope.

“Remain intellectually curious with a willingness to learn to advance knowledge and deliver health innovations,” she said. “Remember together we can make health visible a reality for all. In the words of Mason’s president Gregory Washington, ‘It’s Mason’s Time and it gives me hope.’”

Bachelor of Nursing alumna Dale spoke to graduates about the importance of purpose. She is the market president and chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer for AmeriHealth Caritas’ Medicaid managed care organization (MCO) in Washington, D.C. Dale was originally scheduled to address graduates at the May 2020 Degree Celebration which was canceled due to COVID-19, but returned this year to encourage graduates to find their individual motivations.

Dale shared that clarity of purpose helps us to be more resilient and have greater life satisfaction. She recommended these steps to find that clarity: Identify your unique gifts, have courage, be inclusive, and make decisions based on what’s right.

“This is the beginning of an opportunity for you to leverage your unique gifts, to find your purpose, to be a catalyst for good,” Dale said. “I wish you immense success in all your endeavors; and I hope you leave this ceremony with positive emotion in your heart, a focus on intentional engagement in all your relationships, a magnificent sense of urgency to define your meaning and purpose, and that you have the courage, the renewable courage, to lead in ways that help you to achieve yet unimagined accomplishments.”

Student Speaker Deniz Lopez-Jimenez

Lopez-Jimenez is a first-generation U.S. college student, who wanted to share his story of hope with his fellow graduates. He thanked his family and asked graduates to give their support networks and themselves a round of applause for all they have accomplished.

“In your future endeavors, I urge you to keep advocating for and helping others, persevering, and holding dear the value of the Mason experience. Go out there and make the world a better place! If you’re a first-generation college student, know that ‘Si se puede!’ You can do it! We can do it.”

After the ceremony, graduates, their families and friends, faculty, and staff were invited to a celebratory reception at Peterson Hall.

Congratulations to our newest alumni!

Check back in a few days for a slideshow of event photos.

To stay connected, all alumni are encouraged to become a part of the public health dialogue on the College’s social media channels: chhs.gmu.edu/news | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram

Topics

Coming Full-Circle: A Career Dedicated to Making Health Visible, Bookended by Two Pandemics

Mary Cunningham — Mon, 09 May 2022 20:18:57 +0000

Coming Full-Circle: A Career Dedicated to Making Health Visible, Bookended by Two Pandemics Mary Cunningham Mon, 05/09/2022 - 16:18

Dr. Germaine Louis gives a patient a COVID-19 vaccine at the Mason and Partners Clinic vaccination event with Prince William Health District on February 23, 2021.

As Dean Germaine Louis retires at the end of the 2021-22 school year, we reshare this story where she reflects on the similarities in the beginning and end of her career.

When Germaine Louis became Dean of the College of Health and Human Services, she never envisioned serving during a pandemic like COVID-19. “Certainly, when I accepted the position in 2017, a pandemic was not on my horizon—what was on my horizon was bringing together the College’s faculty, staff, and students to become a college of public health.”

When asked about leading the future college of public health during COVID-19, Louis is quick to point out that the COVID-19 is not the first pandemic in her lifetime or her 30+ year career as an epidemiologist, referencing the AIDS pandemic which peaked in the U.S. while Louis was completing her graduate studies. “Becoming an epidemiologist during the AIDS pandemic was impactful for me on so many levels, as this new infectious agent disproportionately took the lives of young men and women. I sadly recall the stereotyping and other shaming actions on the part of some towards affected individuals. As a reproductive epidemiologist, I understood why individuals with risky behaviors were often being blamed for their disease, and I recall with great pride the many scientific advances that led to successful treatment and a more compassionate understanding of AIDS."

“Of course, COVID-19 is very different from AIDS in many regards with a larger susceptible population and its airborne transmission,” says Louis. Still, COVID-19 is an important reminder why public health is essential for contemporary life. “COVID-19 has taught us that it’s almost impossible to imagine a world without a strong public health infrastructure to protect the health and safety of all people.”

Louis credits the College's faculty, staff, students, and alumni for their many contributions in fighting COVID-19 and protecting communities, saying “I’ve been incredibly impressed with everyone in the College each of whom has stepped up to make sure we deliver on our academic mission and one that includes practice and community service.”

Leading by example, the Dean has also been active in the University’s response to COVID-19 – from helping develop Mason’s randomized surveillance testing plans to administering vaccines for the community at the Mason and Partner Clinics. Louis can clearly see how her early career as a nurse and then as an epidemiologist led to this moment.

“I used to tell my nursing colleagues that being a nurse made me a better epidemiologist. What I’d learned in a hospital setting really helped me design better study protocols when focusing on clinical populations. I could think about what it meant to implement a research protocol in a hospital setting for busy nurses and physicians or patients under varying stages of duress. And I really do think that my experience as a nurse was formidable in the success that I experienced with clinical studies (e.g., Buffalo Women’s Health Study, ENDO Study, and NICHD Fetal Growth Study). What I didn’t expect at the time was that I would be using some nurse skills as an epidemiologist in responding to a pandemic,” says Louis.

She reports that prior to volunteering at the MAP Clinic vaccination events, after years of not administering an intramuscular (IM) injection, she was required to refresh her injection skills and have her competency checked. “All of a sudden, I was very anxious about vaccinating after years of not doing so as some technical guidance had changed. Mason’s student nurses were a great source of reassurance, and they shared tips with me. I have found that early training really never leaves you, and it kicked in when I needed it most. It does remind me of the importance of lifelong learning.

Louis shares a story about an opportunity to also bring her training in reproductive epidemiology to bear while vaccinating a group of early childhood workers. A young female worker asked if Louis had a few moments to talk with her after her vaccination. She wanted advice on when to safely begin trying for pregnancy following her vaccination. “And I thought, 'Now that is something I know about,’” said Louis.

Dr. Germaine Louis began her career in nursing before becoming an epidemiologist.

After 30 years as a reproductive epidemiologist and working with couples trying for pregnancy, she was reminded how desperate people are for reliable information about pregnancy-related exposures and lingering data gaps. “My advice to her was that healthy pregnancies and babies start with healthy women and mothers. And, first and foremost, unless there is a contraindication from her physician, the woman was doing the right thing to ensure her own health by being vaccinated. I could see the woman’s smile behind her mask and knew there was a good chance she would take that message back to sisters, friends, and coworkers who may have similar questions about the vaccine.”

“It is rewarding to think about taking nursing skills to epi and now epi skills back to nursing,” says Louis.

When asked for advice she would share with future generations of men and women about empowering women who wish to make history in science, health, and leadership - Louis’ response is simple and clear: mentorship.

“I know what made a difference it made in my life – and that was having a mentor (who happened to be a man) who believed in me. When I was worried about finishing my dissertation, he was already talking about my first faculty appointment—before I was even thinking about a position. When I was in my first faculty position and worried about tenure, he was already talking about my next career move. Having someone believe in you or to see something in you that you may not see in yourself is impactful - you need to pay attention to that.”

Louis believes that academicians have an obligation to seek out students who may have natural leadership abilities or who otherwise have a skillset or narrative that sets them apart and to talk with them ... encourage them for even more. “We should support everyone, but we will always need leaders,” she says. “We also need to do a better job of cultivating hunger in our graduates. By that, I mean helping students really think about and become excited about pursuing a career beyond having a job.

Louis closed the conversation by sharing a story about Ruth Kirschstein (former director of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, deputy director of National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the 1990s, and acting director of the NIH in 1993 and 2000-2002) who during a presentation to female leaders at NIH once said that women sometimes need to ‘remind people to think of you.’ “Her advice has always resonated with me,” said Louis. “It’s ok to self-nominate or to apply for positions even if not invited to do so, as long as you have the qualifications.” Louis also says that women can help others by nominating them for awards and special recognitions. “Most nominations take time and effort to do well," cautions Louis, “But, if we don't create a culture of recognition for women and for future women leaders then we will never have the same recognition as others.”

Topics

coronavirus; covid-19

Epidemiology

Public health leadership

Public Health

College of Health and Human Services

CHHS News

Jamil Pugh Wins First Place at Mason’s 3 Minute Thesis Competition

Mary Cunningham — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 16:05:47 +0000

Jamil Pugh Wins First Place at Mason’s 3 Minute Thesis Competition Mary Cunningham Mon, 04/11/2022 - 12:05

The Rehabilitation Science PhD candidate is grateful for the opportunity to learn to present his research concisely and to an audience outside his field.

Jamil Pugh, a PhD in Rehabilitation Science candidate, earned first place at the 2022 Mason 3 Minute Thesis (3MT) competition with his thesis “The Effect of Overground Locomotor Training on Walking Turns Among Individuals with Parkinson's Disease.”

“I am honored and extremely grateful,” said Pugh of winning. “I learned how to present scientific knowledge tailored to an audience outside of my field, a skill that will benefit me as I enter my professional career.”

3MT® is a research communication competition where PhD students present their doctoral research to a non-specialist audience using only one single visual aid—all in three minutes. This exercise encourages graduate students to think about their research from an outsider’s perspective, hones their presentation skills, and provides a forum for a cross-disciplinary exchange of exciting ideas and information.

The one image Pugh used during his 3 Minute Thesis presentation.

Pugh called condensing his dissertation into only three minutes “the greatest challenge” and is grateful for the advice from his mentor Andrew Guccione, professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Science.

Mason's 3MT competition is hosted by the Office of the Provost. The top 10 finalists competed in the final 3MT round at the Mason Graduate Interdisciplinary Conference on Friday, April 8, 2022. DNP students, MFA students, and PhD students who have advanced to candidacy are eligible to participate in Mason’s 3MT competition.

3MT was founded by the University of Queensland in Australia.

Topics

CHHS

CHHS News

Rehab Science News

Rehab Science Students

Rehabilitation Science

CHHS Dean Finalist Candidates

mthomp7 — Fri, 18 Mar 2022 17:45:07 +0000

CHHS Dean Finalist Candidates mthomp7 Fri, 03/18/2022 - 13:45

The Mason community is invited to attend public presentations by the five current finalist candidates for the position of dean of the College of Health and Human Services. Those who attend will be asked complete an online survey to provide feedback regarding each candidate.

Each finalist candidate will discuss the following topic: “What are the key challenges facing interdisciplinary colleges of public health over the next decade, and how would you lead the College to meet these challenges? ”

All presentations will be held in-person and also will be available for virtual participation. Sessions will be recorded.

RSVP to attend in-person or virtually Presentation schedule:

March 22, 9:00-10:15am (Merten 1202)
March 24, 9:00-10:15am (Merten 1202)
March 30, 10:30-11:45am (Merten 1201)
March 31, 11:00-12:15pm (Merten 1201)
April 1 10:30-11:45am (Merten 1202)

The CVs of candidates will be distributed 48 hours in advance of the scheduled presentations. For questions, contact gmuprov@gmu.edu.

Topics

CHHS News

College of Health and Human Services Welcomes Four New Advisory Board Members

John Brandon Cantrell — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 21:43:50 +0000

College of Health and Human Services Welcomes Four New Advisory Board Members John Brandon C… Wed, 08/18/2021 - 17:43

Topics

advisory board

CHHS News

Four new members have joined the College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) Advisory Board: Alison Ansher, district health director for Prince William Country; Anton Arbatov, vice president of revenue cycle management and compliance for SOC Telemed; Michael Fraser, chief executive officer at ASTHO; and Patricia Haresign, health and wellness coach and founder of Coaching Wellness for Life.

The new members of the board will join the twelve current members in advising and assisting the Dean in strategic planning for the College.

“The College is fortunate to welcome Alison Ansher, Anton Arbatov, Michael Fraser, and Patricia Haresign to the Board,” says Dean Germaine Louis. “Their experience and insight will be instrumental as we continue our transition to becoming Virginia’s first College of Public Health and seek to improve the public’s health and well-being across the lifespan.”

Read more about the four new advisory board members below and visit the advisory board page to learn more about the current members of the board.

Alison Ansher, District Health Director, Prince William Health District

Alison Ansher, MD, MPH, is the district health director for the Prince William Health District in Northern Virginia. In that role, which she has held since 2006, Ansher oversees the public health services for the jurisdictions of Prince William County, Manassas City, and Manassas Park. She serves a diverse community of over 500,000 residents, managing over 90 employees who provide services through the following programs: environmental health, women's wellness, teen wellness, WIC, dental health, immunizations, communicable disease, maternity care, and emergency preparedness and response. Previously, Ansher served as a clinician and the director of women’s health for the Prince William health district.

Ansher began her career as an OB/GYN generalist clinician with the Group Health Association after completing her residency. Ansher earned her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Maryland’s School of Medicine and completed her Master of Public Health, Health Policy and Management at Johns Hopkin University.

Anton Arbatov, Vice President of Revenue Cycle Management and Compliance, SOC Telemed

Anton Arbatov, MHA, is the vice president of revenue cycle management and compliance at SOC Telemed, the nation’s largest acute care telemedicine company, publicly traded, based in Reston, VA. He is an expert on telehealth reimbursement and policy and leads SOC’s government relations. In this capacity, Arbatov works with hundreds of hospitals and health systems across the country to establish a national-scale billing operation for hospital-based telemedicine. He routinely advises clinical partners across the country and lobbies CMS and Congress to enact lasting change to telemedicine policy. A former Army Combat Medic, Arbatov is passionate about improving access and quality of care for patients across the care continuum. He joined SOC Telemed following an impressive career in the U.S. Army, where he served in a number of clinical and administrative roles, including Senior Manager (NCOIC) of Emergency Medical Operations at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC), and Senior Emergency Medical Operations Advisor to the regional government of Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan. Due to his passion and background, Arbatov continues to work closely with the U.S. military to help them establish and grow their telehealth programs.

Arbatov is board-certified in healthcare administration as a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) and holds a Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree in Health Systems Management from George Mason University. He lectures regularly at Washington D.C. regional universities and presents regularly for chapters of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA), among other organizations. Arbatov has contributed to publications by the Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and by George Mason’s Center for Health Policy Research and Ethics (CHPRE).

Michael Fraser, Chief Executive Officer, ASTHO

Michael Fraser, PhD, MS, CAE, FCPP, is the chief executive officer of The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), the national nonprofit organization representing the public health agencies of the United States, the U.S. territories and freely associated states, and Washington, D.C.

Fraser has been advancing ASTHO’s mission as an advocate, voice, and resource for state and territorial public health since August 2016. Prior to joining ASTHO, he served in many leadership positions, including executive vice president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Medical Society, CEO of the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, and deputy executive director of the National Association of County and City Health Officials. He also served in several capacities at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Fraser received his doctorate and master’s degrees in sociology from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a master’s in management with a concentration on management, strategy, and leadership from the Eli Broad School of Management at Michigan State University.

He is a co-editor of the Public Health Guide to Ending the Opioid Crisis, published by the Oxford University Press, and a co-editor and author of the Handbook of Strategic Skills for Public Health Practice, to be published in 2021.

Patricia Haresign, Health and Wellness Coach, Founder, Coaching Wellness for Life

Prior to setting up her business, Patricia Haresign, MS, enjoyed a successful career as an educator, developing programs that strategically led to the achievement of individual and organizational outcomes. In her role as an education nurse specialist at Sibley Hospital/Johns Hopkins Medicine, and also as a nursing clinical adjunct faculty member at Marymount University, her instruction took students beyond academics and clinical education to include communication skills for crucial conversations and connecting with patients and families, as well as promoting wellness and resilience strategies for her students. Haresign became well known for her expertise in the patient experience. Using Design Thinking strategies, she acted as an internal consultant at Sibley/Johns Hopkins Medicine, leading teams to create solutions to improve the patient experience. She participated in interviews for publication, panel discussions, and accepted recognition awards and invitations to present success strategies at national conferences.

Haresign received her BSN from George Mason University's School of Nursing and an MS from Marymount University in organization effectiveness. Her board certifications include Gerontologic Nursing, Nursing Continuing Professional Development, Myers Briggs (MBTI), EQi 360 2.0 (Emotional Intelligence), and Health and Wellness Coaching (NBCHWC).

Haresign served on the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation as an appraiser for continuing nursing education provider applicants. She was appointed to the Patient and Family Advisory Council, Sibley Hospital /Johns Hopkins Medicine, in her role as the patient experience specialist and coach.

Intermittent Fasting: Will it Work for You?

John Brandon Cantrell — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 14:15:50 +0000

Intermittent Fasting: Will it Work for You? John Brandon C… Wed, 06/09/2021 - 10:15

Topics

In This Story

Lilian de Jonge, PhD

Attention Media:
To speak with Lilian de Jonge and other faculty experts on topics related to obesity, nutrition, diabetes, food systems, and food insecurity, please contact Michelle Thompson at mthomp7@gmu.edu/703-993-3485.

Learn About Intermittent Fasting and Find Out if it is the Right Plan for You.

Lilian de Jonge, assistant professor of nutrition, shares insight and answers common questions regarding intermittent fasting.

According to The Washington Post and Healthline, the average weight gain during the pandemic was approximately 29 pounds per person. In America, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 42 percent of Americans have obesity, which is the second-leading cause of preventable death and is responsible for nearly 300,000 deaths per year. Obesity is also a risk factor for other chronic diseases, including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and several cancers, making efforts for sustainable weight loss crucial to the public’s health.

With more parts of society returning to pre-COVID operations, many individuals are grappling with recent weight gain and are looking for ways to lose weight during the summer, including intermittent fasting. Dr. Lilian de Jonge, associate professor of nutrition at the George Mason University College of Health and Human Services, answers common questions and provides insight regarding this popular weight management trend.

What is intermittent fasting, and how does it work?

Intermittent fasting is a weight loss plan where individuals eat at certain times a day or on alternative days and can be a valid method to lose or maintain weight. Intermittent fasting works by manipulating how the body processes calories. There are three sources of calories: carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. During normal eating cycles, carbohydrates are readily available in the body, so the body processes carbohydrates first and stores fats, leading to weight gain. During periods of intermittent fasting, the body no longer has carbohydrates readily available, so the body will begin processing and burning fat instead of carbohydrates.

Are the different kinds or patterns of fasting (e.g., 16/8, 5:2, Eat Stop Eat) better than others?

There are different benefits for each fasting plan, and they all depend on the individual. Some individuals do well with fasting during certain times of the day, and others find fasting every other day more beneficial. The diet’s success is determined by how well someone can follow the diet and continue the diet until the desired weight is reached or maintained. There isn’t enough research to determine which type of fasting is better than the other.

The Internet is full of pictures showing that some forms of fasting are better for different body types. Is this true?

In general, it is best to be wary of diets that promise certainty, as all diets work differently for each person. Scientists cannot know if a diet plan works best for a certain body type until that specific study has been conducted. Typically, the studies focused on intermittent fasting involve subjects who have similar characteristics and are only conducted for a short period of time, making it difficult to determine a diet’s effectiveness for certain body types.

How much weight can someone expect to lose from intermittent fasting?

While the success rate for intermittent fasting varies from person to person, an average individual can expect to lose between 1 to 2 pounds of weight each week. For a healthy weight loss plan, the recommended amount of weight to lose is 1 to 2 pounds per week without experiencing negative health effects. For some, individuals can lose more weight within the first two weeks of intermittent fasting due to losing water weight.

Do you have to count calories during intermittent fasting?

The difference between a caloric restriction diet, where individuals consume a certain number of calories (typically 500 less than the body burns) each day, is that intermittent fasting allows individuals to eat normally during certain periods of time while restricting their eating during fasting times. Typically, individuals find intermittent fasting as an easier and more sustainable form of dieting than caloric restriction diets. However, practicing a healthy diet is still needed for individuals to see success from the dieting regimen.

How do you know if intermittent fasting is right for you?

Each person is different, so intermittent fasting is not a one-size-fits-all approach. While some people can handle periods of not eating, others can experience health concerns such as headaches or feeling like they may faint from going periods at a time without eating. If you find yourself struggling with intermittent fasting, reach out to a dietician or nutritionist to work on a diet plan that works for you.

What are the health benefits of intermittent fasting?

Aside from losing weight, individuals can experience several health benefits by going short periods at a time without consuming food. In some cases, the health trend can serve as a type of cleanse by feeling healthier and increasing a sense of clarity in the mind. In addition, following an intermittent fasting plan can help individuals make healthier choices when eating as well as being more mindful about what to eat and when to eat.

Can anyone try intermittent fasting?

There is more research that needs to be done to determine how intermittent fasting affects which populations or demographics differently. For the average adult, intermittent fasting can be a viable and healthy solution to lose weight. This form of dieting is not recommended for some individuals, such as growing children, athletes following a strict workout plan, or individuals with type-1 diabetes. For growing children, a diet plan is only recommended in certain situations. In most cases, children are taught how to eat healthier and make lifestyle changes to improve weight. For athletes following a workout plan, intermittent fasting can be difficult to follow by going certain periods without food and protein, given their level of activeness. Individuals with type-1 diabetes need to regulate their glucose intake and find that a consistent, daily diet is more beneficial to their health.

Individuals with questions about the best weight loss plan for them are encouraged to speak with their care provider and to consider working with a nutritionist to ensure long-term success.

What can I do to lose weight without trying intermittent fasting?

Practicing a healthy diet is beneficial for individuals who want to lose weight without practicing intermittent fasting. Tools such as MyPlate allow individuals to monitor their daily caloric intake and ensure that each meal meets the recommended requirements for fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy. Individuals can also modify the plan based on their gender, age, weight, and height to get more personalized recommendations on healthful eating.

What determines if a diet plan is right for me?

The success of a diet plan is based on how sustainable it is for an individual to maintain the diet. In most cases, a lifestyle change needs to be made to successfully follow a diet. The important aspect of dieting is to determine if the diet feels right for each person. Every person will have different experiences and results with diets depending on how well their body adapts to the new change in eating and how long the individual can practice the diet. Speaking with a dietician or nutritionist can help answer questions about a certain diet as well as ensuring that the diet is the best plan for you.

What research still needs to be conducted on intermittent fasting?

Typically, studies regarding intermittent fasting are set in relatively short periods of time with specific subjects who share similar characteristics, such as gender and body mass index (BMI), and depend on what factors the scientists are looking to discover. Scientists are unable to determine the long-term effects of intermittent fasting or determine which type of person would have more success with this diet than others until the studies are completed. While there are still many unknowns, to ensure you are on the best track for your weight loss, it is best to consult with an expert who can answer questions and modify the plan based on what works for you.

About Dr. Lilian de Jonge

Dr. Lilian de Jonge has worked in several areas of nutrition, including nutritional support in burn patients and the effects of diet composition on body weight and chronic diseases, with a particular depth in human energy metabolism. Collaborations have interested de Jonge in the role of functional foods and nutraceutical compounds on health, determinants of weight gain, and the development of metabolic syndrome in children.

Some of her specific research interests include variability in the adaptation to changes in diet composition and energy balance; the role of sleep and circadian rhythms on the development of obesity and metabolic disorder and more specifically in the effects of disturbance of circadian rhythms on food intake, food preferences, nutrient metabolism, physical activity, and their interactions; and the effects of nutraceuticals with anti-inflammatory properties on the metabolic syndrome and weight regulation and lately school nutrition programs.

Attention Media:

To speak with Lilian de Jonge and other faculty experts on topics related to obesity, nutrition, diabetes, food systems, and food insecurity, please contact Michelle Thompson at mthomp7@gmu.edu/703-993-3485.

Mason Nursing Alumna, Deborah Bundy-Carpenter, Featured in The Scroll

John Brandon Cantrell — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 18:46:19 +0000

Mason Nursing Alumna, Deborah Bundy-Carpenter, Featured in The Scroll John Brandon C… Tue, 06/01/2021 - 14:46

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Bundy Carpenter earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Mason in 1979.

Article originally published by Mason's Alumni Association.

For Deborah Bundy-Carpenter, BSN ’79, there was no doubt about going to George Mason University as soon as she decided she wanted to go into nursing. The program offered her the opportunity to pair hands-on clinical experience with the theoretical knowledge she would learn in the classroom, which would prepare her well for a career in nursing and public health. She also loved Mason’s diverse campus community, and it prepared her for caring for people from a variety of different backgrounds.

“All of the clinical experience we received at Mason taught us to get our hands dirty,” said Bundy-Carpenter, “and with that came lessons in humility that were really important.”

As a nursing student, she had clinical rotation placements at Fairfax Hospital (now a part of the Inova hospital system), the Arlington Health Department, DeWitt Army Hospital at Fort Belvoir, and in Manassas for public health rotations, where she was able to learn practical skills, like starting an IV and working in the delivery room. After graduating from Mason, Bundy-Carpenter worked in a pediatric unit in Charlottesville for a year before she began working at the University of Virginia’s medical center, where she largely worked in the operating room and emergency room.

“In the operating room, it was like all of the anatomy and physiology that I learned in school had come alive,” Bundy-Carpenter said. “It was such an education, especially at a trauma center like UVA, and being able to actually put eyes to what you had read about was one of my favorite things.”

After ten years at UVA, Bundy-Carpenter transitioned from the operating room to public health. As a nurse manager for the Virginia Department of Health, she was responsible for seven health departments across five counties in the Central Shenandoah Health District. In this role, she was responsible for engaging the various communities in the health district. Bundy-Carpenter traveled to communities to educate groups on public health initiatives, managed nursing and nutrition programs, wrote and managed the grants needed to fund local health programs, performed community needs assessments, and strategized with local coalitions to decide which health focuses needed to be prioritized in their communities. And while a lot of her work was administrative, Bundy-Carpenter also trained new public health nurses as part of their year-long orientation and continued with hands-on nursing herself, like administering flu shots. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, Bundy-Carpenter, as a public health nurse senior manager, was tasked with leading the health district’s coronavirus response team. Her team has managed strategic planning for pandemic response, testing, contact tracing, community outreach, and now vaccination efforts.

“To this day, I still remember the nursing school’s mantra about self-care and people being their best selves,” said Bundy-Carpenter. “I still talk that talk with patients about self-care and reaching your optimal level of health.”

For all of her public health efforts, Bundy-Carpenter, received the highest honor for a state employee in Virginia: the 2020 Governor's Honor Award in the category of Personal and Professional Excellence. She was recognized for her dedication and excellence in her profession, public health, and collaborative spirit with other healthcare entities and agencies.

Bundy-Carpenter recently retired after more than thirty years of service with the Virginia Department of Health, but she is keeping busy by serving on the boards of local nonprofits organizations. She is currently studying to be a mentored counselor for hurting women.

Written By: Kristen Greiner, MFA '20

Three-time Mason Nursing Alumna, Theresa Davis, Featured in The Scroll

John Brandon Cantrell — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 18:07:57 +0000

Three-time Mason Nursing Alumna, Theresa Davis, Featured in The Scroll John Brandon C… Tue, 06/01/2021 - 14:07

Topics

Mason Alumni

CHHS Alumni

Nursing Alumni

coronavirus; covid-19

Alumni Spotlight

CHHS News

Article originally published by Mason's Alumni Association.

Theresa Davis has earned a BSN (’98), an MSN in Nursing Administration (’02), and a PhD in Nursing (’13) from Mason.

As the clinical operations director of enVision TeleICU at Inova Health Systems, Theresa Davis, BSN ’98, MSN Nursing Administration ’02, PhD Nursing ’13, has been incredibly busy since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. She leads the telemedicine division that supports the intensive care units across the Inova hospital system. Since last March, the ICU has grown from 61 beds to 102 beds as patient acuity increased and more resources were needed. Davis’ unit also became a transfer center to move patients across the hospital system as the need arose.

Davis has been a nurse for over thirty-five years. She earned her associate’s degree from Northern Virginia Community College before transferring to George Mason University, where she has earned her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, and the combination of working and learning throughout her career has been invaluable. Before the pandemic, Davis even taught classes on organizational learning and nursing informatics as an adjunct professor.

“I think being in school for a good part of my career has made my whole nursing experience very enriching because I love to learn, and it has allowed me to have a different way of looking at things and not get too focused in one area,” Davis said. “I grew up as a trauma nurse and I’ve been working in telemedicine for sixteen years. It’s been a very exciting adventure.”

Over the last year, hospital visitor guidelines became more restrictive due to COVID-19, making it difficult for family members to be at the bedside with their loved ones. This made the use of voice and video technology an essential capability. Over 1,000 iPads—some provided through donations to Inova—have been distributed across the Inova hospital system to support technology needs to bring families together.

“We connected families to their loved ones and clinicians to patients,” said Davis. “It was just incredible what you could do with the technology to create those connections.”

In addition to her role at Inova, Davis also had the opportunity to speak at the White House in March 2020 as a representative for the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, where she is on the board of directors. Davis sat across the table from President Trump and Vice President Pence, where she had the opportunity to brief the Coronavirus Task Force and answer questions about the issues nurses were facing in the early days of the pandemic. After the meeting, President Trump signed an executive order that invoked the Defense Production Act to expedite the production of critical medical supplies.

A year later, as the COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues, Davis looks to the future with hope. The pandemic has changed how she sees the world—after such a turbulent year, it will take time to fully heal and become whole again, but she sees it as a chance to learn and grow as we enter our new normal. One way Davis plans to do this is by promoting diversity and working towards eliminating disparities and unconscious bias in healthcare. Inova has created many opportunities for this important work.

“I think that we have great opportunity to look at our future and the new world and what it should look like, and what we’ve learned,” said Davis. “We have to make sure all patients receive the care that they need, no matter who they are or where they come from. We have to think strongly about what we’ve just gone through and how we can create a better world for everybody. We will get through this!”

Written By: Kristen Greiner, MFA ’20