Health Sciences Department

College of Education and Professional Studies
Ellensburg
Health Sciences, room 205
Mail Stop 7571
509-963-1912
https://www.cwu.edu/academics/health-science/

Faculty and Staff
Chair
Tishra Beeson, DrPH, MPH

Program Coordinators
Tishra Beeson, DrPH, MPH, master of public health
Jared M. Dickinson, PhD, FACSM, clinical physiology
Emily Gonzalez, MPH, PM, SEI, emergency medical services paramedicine
Melody Madlem, PhD, MSEd, undergraduate public health
Kelly Pritchett, PhD, RDN, CSSD, food and nutrition sciences, graduate program
Robert Pritchett, PhD, exercise science
Karen Roemer, PhD, integrative human physiology
Nicole Stendell-Hollis, PhD, RDN, MS, food and nutrition sciences, dietetics specialization
Katy Williams, MS, RDN, CD, CSSD, CDCES, food and nutrition sciences, dietetic internship

Medical Director
Christopher Schmelzer, MD

Professors
Tishra Beeson, DrPH, MPH, public health, maternal and child health, health policy
Timothy R. Burnham, PhD, clinical physiology, sport physiology, human anatomy
Leonardo J. D’Acquisto, EdD, sport physiology, kinesiology, human anatomy
Jared M. Dickinson, PhD, FACSM, clinical physiology, muscle physiology
Casey Mace-Firebaugh, PhD, MPH, public health, environmental health
Melody Madlem, PhD, MSEd, public health
Kelly Pritchett, PhD, RDN, CSSD, sports nutrition, exercise science
Robert Pritchett, PhD, sport physiology, environmental physiology
Karen Roemer, PhD, biomechanics, clinical mechanics, kinematics and kinetics
Nicole Stendell-Hollis, PhD, MS, RDN, obesity, nutrition, and chronic disease

Associate Professors
Tafere Belay, PhD, nutrition
Eric Foch, PhD, biomechanics, clinical mechanics, kinematics and kinetics
Ana Paula Coelho F. Freire, PT, MSc, PhD, clinical physiology

Assistant Professor
Debra Rich, MPH, public health

Senior Lecturers
Ryan Galindo, exercise science
Gretchen Taussig-Simpson, EMT, paramedicine
Katy Williams, MS, RDN, CD, CSSD, CDCES, nutrition

Lecturers
Emily Gonzalez, MPH, PM, SEI
Charlene Mize, MS, RDN, CD

Emeritus Faculty
Ethan A. Bergman, PhD, RDN, CD, FADA, FAND
David L. Gee, PhD
Vincent M. Nethery, PhD

Staff
Natalie Baldwin, office assistant
Bryan Contreras, MS, instructional classroom support technician- clinical physiology and exercise science
Priscilla Froelich, instructional classroom support technician- food science
Garrett Sand, secretary supervisor

Department Information
The Department of Health Sciences prepares students in a variety of professions that focus on advancing the lifelong health and wellbeing of individuals and communities. All academic programs within the department provide experiential learning through structured laboratories, practica, internships, faculty-mentored research, academic service-learning opportunities, and more. Health sciences faculty are committed to an interdisciplinary approach to solving complex health and social problems through innovative education, research, and collaboration.

Health Sciences offers the following undergraduate degrees:
Bachelor of Science: Clinical Physiology
Bachelor of Science: EMS-Paramedicine
Bachelor of Science: Exercise Science
Bachelor of Science: Food Science and Nutrition, Dietetics Specialization
Bachelor of Science: Food Science and Nutrition, Foods and Nutrition Specialization
Bachelor of Science: Public Health, Population Health Specialization
Bachelor of Science: Public Health, Pre-Nursing Specialization

Health Sciences offers the following supporting minors:
Exercise Science
Food Service Management
Nutrition
Public Health
Public Health and Risk Management
Strength and Conditioning

Health Sciences offers the following certificate programs:
Maternal and Child Health Certificate
Public Health and Risk Management Certificate

Health Sciences provides courses and oversight related to the following professional certifications:
Dietetic Internship (Accredited by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)
Emergency Medical Technician
Paramedic

Health Sciences offers the following graduate degrees and certificates - (For details: See Graduate Catalog):
Integrative Human Physiology, Clinical Exercise Physiology Graduate Certificate
Rural and Community Health Graduate Certificate
Master of Public Health
Master of Science, Integrative Human Physiology
Master of Science, Nutrition

Admission Requirements
Students should complete specific pre-admission requirements set by individual programs. The department recommends students interested in majoring in a health science degree program meet with a professional academic advisor or faculty advisor prior to admission.

Fees
Additional fees are assessed for many of the department’s laboratory and field experience courses. These fees are used to partially support materials, project-based supplies, and transportation costs.

Graduation Requirements
Satisfactory completion of all requirements of the university and of the specific degree program of study.

Application for the bachelor’s degree must be filed by the second Friday of the quarter preceding the quarter in which the degree is to be received. Instructions and deadlines are available through the Office of the Registrar.

Graduate Information
The graduate programs in health sciences prepare students in a variety of professions that focus on advancing the lifelong health and well-being of individuals and communities. All academic programs within the department provide experiential learning through structured laboratories, field experiences, internships, faculty-mentored research, academic service-learning opportunities, and more. Health sciences faculty are committed to an interdisciplinary approach to solving complex health and social problems through innovative education, research, and collaboration. Graduate degrees and certificates offered by the Department of Health Sciences may prepare students for direct entry into health-related careers or for advanced study in health science disciplines. Students completing graduate degree or certificate programs in health sciences must fulfill all course requirements outlined in an approved course of study filed with the School of Graduate Studies and Research. The course of study is structured in consultation with the student’s academic advisor and is approved by the department graduate program director. The specifics on the course of study depend on the degree program and include both required and department-approved elective courses.

Admission
Applicants must first meet the general requirements for graduate study as determined by the School of Graduate Studies and Research, and then the specific requirements of their selected program within the Department of Health Sciences (see individual programs). Conditional or probationary admission may be granted in certain circumstances.

Course Offerings
Information on course offerings can be found at the department website: https://www.cwu.edu/academics/health-science/ or by contacting the department directly at HealthSciences@cwu.edu.

Programs

• Clinical Physiology Major, BS
• EMS Paramedicine Major, BS
• Exercise Science Major, BS
• Food Science and Nutrition BS, Dietetics Specialization
• Food Science and Nutrition BS, Foods and Nutrition Specialization
• Public Health BS, Population Health Specialization
• Public Health BS, Pre-Nursing Specialization

• Master of Public Health

• Integrative Human Physiology, MS
• Nutrition, MS

• Integrated Human Physiology - Clinical Exercise Physiology Certificate
• Rural and Community Health Graduate Certificate

• Exercise Science Minor
• Food Service Management Minor
• Maternal and Child Health Certificate
• Nutrition Minor
• Physical-Rehabilitation Therapy Minor
• Public Health Minor
• Strength and Conditioning Minor

Courses

• PUBH 380 - Epidemiology
• PUBH 396 - Individual Study
• PUBH 397 - Honors
• PUBH 398 - Special Topics
• PUBH 399 - Seminar
• PUBH 411 - Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Management
• PUBH 413 - Health Disparities in Rural and Frontier Communities
• PUBH 420 - Women’s Health Issues
• PUBH 421 - Maternal and Child Health
• PUBH 422 - Community Health Communication and Promotion
• PUBH 445 - Professionalism in Public Health
• PUBH 448 - Sexual Health
• PUBH 460 - Public Health Ethics
• PUBH 465 - Research Experience in Public Health
• PUBH 470 - Public Health Programming
• PUBH 471 - Program Planning
• PUBH 472 - Program Implementation and Evaluation
• PUBH 475 - Community Health Administration
• PUBH 479 - Senior Seminar in Public Health (Put on reserve 9/16/22, will go inactive 8/24/25)
• PUBH 480 - Grant Seeking and Administration in Public Health
• PUBH 485 - Applied Maternal and Child Health Research, Leadership, and Practice
• PUBH 488 - Culminating Experience in Public Health
• PUBH 489 - Academic Service Learning in Public Health
• PUBH 490 - Cooperative Education
• PUBH 496 - Individual Study
• PUBH 497 - Honors
• PUBH 498 - Special Topics
• PUBH 499 - Seminar
• PUBH 501 - Foundational Readings and Theories of Public Health
• PUBH 513 - Health Disparities in Rural and Frontier Communities
• PUBH 520 - Women’s Health Issues
• PUBH 521 - Maternal and Child Health
• PUBH 522 - Community Health Communication and Promotion
• PUBH 524 - Biological and Environmental Determinants of Health
• PUBH 525 - Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health
• PUBH 526 - Determinants of Health
• PUBH 548 - Sexual Health
• PUBH 550 - Advanced Health Policy and Systems
• PUBH 571 - Program Planning
• PUBH 572 - Program Implementation and Evaluation
• PUBH 580 - Grant Seeking and Administration in Public Health
• PUBH 581 - Advanced Epidemiology
• PUBH 596 - Individual Study
• PUBH 598 - Special Topics
• PUBH 599 - Seminar
• PUBH 620 - Study Design for Public Health
• PUBH 621 - Advanced Research Methods for Health
• PUBH 622 - Qualitative Research Methods for Health
• PUBH 651 - Public Health Leadership and Ethics
• PUBH 675 - Portfolio Development Seminar
• PUBH 692 - Field Experience in Public Health
• PUBH 696 - Individual Study
• PUBH 698 - Special Topics
• PUBH 699 - Seminar
• PUBH 700 - Graduate Capstone in Public Health