ODU College of Health Sciences

ODU College of Health Sciences Old Dominion University | Preparing your Preferred Healthcare Worker since July 1st, 1986

The Outstanding Faculty Teaching Award recognizes a full-time faculty member for excellence in teaching. This year’s rec...
09/14/2026

The Outstanding Faculty Teaching Award recognizes a full-time faculty member for excellence in teaching. This year’s recipient is Phil Sabatini, a master lecturer in the School of Exercise Science whose engaging, hands-on approach helps students connect complex concepts in exercise science to their real-world applications.

Former student Killian Ferrell, M.S., CSCS, said, “His lessons are equal parts informative and empowering, rooted in both the science of human movement and the art of coaching. His example established the standard for the educator, mentor, and leader I strive to become, and his continued support has reinforced those lessons well beyond my time as his student.”

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Each fall, the Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Ellmer College of Health Sciences at Old Dominion University celebrates the faculty, staff, alumni and community partners who make our college such a special place to learn, work and grow.

The Outstanding Faculty Professional Service Award recognizes a full-time faculty member for exemplary service. This yea...
09/13/2026

The Outstanding Faculty Professional Service Award recognizes a full-time faculty member for exemplary service. This year’s recipient is Thomas Campbell, Ph.D., whose service reaches across ODU, Hampton Roads and the athletic training profession.

Tammy Speerhas, D.N.P., chief operating officer of ODU Community Care, wrote, “Dr. Campbell exemplifies the spirit of service that this award recognizes. He is a dedicated servant leader whose contributions have made a lasting impact on our patients, our students, and our community.”

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Each fall, the Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Ellmer College of Health Sciences at Old Dominion University celebrates the faculty, staff, alumni and community partners who make our college such a special place to learn, work and grow

The Outstanding Doctoral Mentor Award recognizes an employee with a sustained record of mentoring doctoral students in t...
09/12/2026

The Outstanding Doctoral Mentor Award recognizes an employee with a sustained record of mentoring doctoral students in the Ellmer College of Health Sciences. This year’s recipient is Leryn Reynolds, Ph.D., whose mentorship helps students build research and teaching skills, develop independence and prepare for careers while recognizing the very human challenges that can come with graduate education.

Current doctoral student Taskina Akhter experienced that support firsthand during a difficult first year. “I strongly believe that her efforts were crucial in helping me persevere through that challenging time and continue my academic journey,” Akhter wrote. “Her commitment and enthusiasm are truly inspiring.”

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Each fall, the Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Ellmer College of Health Sciences at Old Dominion University celebrates the faculty, staff, alumni and community partners who make our college such a special place to learn, work and grow.

Congratulations to the Ellmer College of Health Sciences faculty members whose research is receiving support through the...
09/10/2026

Congratulations to the Ellmer College of Health Sciences faculty members whose research is receiving support through the inaugural BRANCH Grant program!

Three projects led by ECHS researchers were selected for funding, bringing together experts from across Old Dominion University and partner institutions to tackle challenges in health care.

🦷 Denise McKinney and Melissa Sullivan of the Gene W. Hirschfeld School of Dental Hygiene are part of a team exploring ways to improve access to preventive dental care for low-income pregnant women.

👶 Sonia Khurana of the School of Rehabilitation Sciences is leading TeleTummy, a pilot study testing a telehealth coaching intervention designed to support tummy time and early motor development for preterm infants.

🔬 Robert Bruno and Patrick Sachs of the School of Medical Diagnostics and Translational Sciences are studying how the environment surrounding mammary stem cells can influence their behavior, research with potential implications for understanding cancer.

BRANCH, which stands for Building Research Alliance for Nursing, Clinical and Health Sciences, was created by Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Office of Research at Old Dominion University to support collaborative research across health disciplines.

We’ll be sharing more about these projects and the researchers behind them soon. Congratulations to our ECHS faculty and their collaborators!

The Outstanding Alumni Award recognizes an Ellmer College of Health Sciences graduate for distinguished professional acc...
09/10/2026

The Outstanding Alumni Award recognizes an Ellmer College of Health Sciences graduate for distinguished professional accomplishments and service. This year’s recipient is Mitch Callis (M.S.Ed. ’83), whose more than 40-year career in athletic training has included work with the Philadelphia Phillies, Norfolk State University and Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, where he now oversees athletic training outreach across the region.

Ryan McCann, Ph.D., wrote, “His efforts have not only affected countless athletes, patients, and students, but also helped advance the entire athletic training profession.”

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Each fall, the Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Ellmer College of Health Sciences at Old Dominion University celebrates the faculty, staff, alumni and community partners who make our college such a special place to learn, work and grow.

The Outstanding Use of Technology in Teaching Award recognizes a full-time faculty member who excels in using technology...
09/09/2026

The Outstanding Use of Technology in Teaching Award recognizes a full-time faculty member who excels in using technology-based instruction. This year’s recipient is Eva Maddox, Ph.D., whose approach to technology focuses not simply on using new tools, but teaching students how to question, evaluate and apply them responsibly.

Dr. Maddox has developed AI-supported learning tools, incorporated emerging technology into exercise science courses and helped both students and fellow faculty build their skills. Former student Cheyenne Kandiyeli (B.S. ’26) wrote, “This reflects something that runs through all of Dr. Maddox’s teaching: she uses technology to push students toward deeper understanding, not to make things easier to bypass.”

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Each fall, the Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Ellmer College of Health Sciences at Old Dominion University celebrates the faculty, staff, alumni and community partners who make our college such a special place to learn, work and grow.

The Outstanding Staff Award recognizes non-teaching personnel for outstanding dedication, competence, performance and cu...
09/08/2026

The Outstanding Staff Award recognizes non-teaching personnel for outstanding dedication, competence, performance and customer service. This year’s recipient is Alex Vine, a fiscal technician whose work behind the scenes helps keep some very important pieces of the Ellmer College of Health Sciences running smoothly.

Christopher Rhea, Ph.D., associate dean for research and innovation, summed it up simply: “He is an absolutely delightful colleague with whom to work. He is always helpful and eager to search for solutions, no matter the complexity or time sensitivity of the task.”

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Each fall, the Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Ellmer College of Health Sciences at Old Dominion University celebrates the faculty, staff, alumni and community partners who make our college such a special place to learn, work and grow.

The Outstanding Preceptor Award recognizes a preceptor or clinical instructor who demonstrates excellence in collaborati...
09/06/2026

The Outstanding Preceptor Award recognizes a preceptor or clinical instructor who demonstrates excellence in collaborative practice while working with students during their clinical education. This year’s recipient is Kim Hill, an athletic trainer for ODU’s volleyball and rowing programs whose patient-centered approach gives students a model for compassionate, collaborative healthcare.

For athletic training student Kendal Cahill, that mentorship began with her very first clinical rotation. “She has made a lasting impact on both my professional and personal development, and I cannot think of a more deserving recipient for the Preceptor of the Year Award,” Cahill wrote.

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Each fall, the Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Ellmer College of Health Sciences at Old Dominion University celebrates the faculty, staff, alumni and community partners who make our college such a special place to learn, work and grow.

The Outstanding Mentor Award recognizes an Ellmer College of Health Sciences employee whose mentorship makes a differenc...
09/05/2026

The Outstanding Mentor Award recognizes an Ellmer College of Health Sciences employee whose mentorship makes a difference for students, staff or faculty. This year’s recipient is Ryan McCann, PhD, ATC, whose mentorship spans undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students and extends from research and teaching to professional development and leadership.

For doctoral student Amin Mohammadi, Dr. McCann’s support has also helped him navigate a new academic and cultural environment. “Perhaps most importantly, Dr. McCann treats students as individuals,” Mohammadi wrote. “He celebrates his students’ successes, helps them learn from setbacks, and consistently demonstrates that their long-term development matters to him.”

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Each fall, the Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Ellmer College of Health Sciences at Old Dominion University celebrates the faculty, staff, alumni and community partners who make our college such a special place to learn, work and grow.

The Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Teaching Award recognizes an adjunct faculty member for excellence in teaching. This yea...
09/04/2026

The Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Teaching Award recognizes an adjunct faculty member for excellence in teaching. This year’s recipient is Brian Weireter, an experienced paramedic and fire captain who brings years of emergency response experience into ODU’s Master of Science in Athletic Training program.

Through hands-on instruction in skills including IV access, advanced airway management and emergency care, Weireter helps students connect classroom learning with the realities of working as part of a healthcare team. Athletic training student Carla Ventura wrote, “Brian is an outstanding asset to our program, bringing invaluable real-world perspective, interdisciplinary insight, and genuine dedication to our education.”

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Each fall, the Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Ellmer College of Health Sciences at Old Dominion University celebrates the faculty, staff, alumni and community partners who make our college such a special place to learn, work and grow.

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