Doctor of Health Sciences Online
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Program Description (Home) : Faculty : Admission Requirements : Curriculum Overview : Example of Three Year Study Plan : Course Descriptions : Student Testimonials : Applied Research Project Examples : Tuition and Expenses : Technology Requirements : Blackboard Demo Course : Accreditation
Faculty
Five full-time professors are dedicated to instruction within the Health Sciences Program as well as a number of adjunct faculty. This arrangement provides the student with exposure to a variety of teaching styles and learning opportunities by a faculty with diverse healthcare related backgrounds and experiences.
Helen Ewing, D.H.Sc., M.N., R.N.
Program Director, Assistant Professor
Dr. Ewing is the director of the Doctor of Health Sciences program and assistant professor at the Arizona School of Health Sciences (ASHS). Dr. Ewing obtained her nursing diploma from Saskatchewan and her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from the University of Calgary, Alberta specializing in management and quality improvement. She completed her doctorate degree in health science from Nova Southeastern University in 2004, specializing in evaluation of primary healthcare in developing countries.
Prior to coming to ATSU, Dr. Ewing was an assistant professor at Athabasca University in Canada where she taught in the undergraduate and graduate nursing and health studies programs. Dr. Ewing has worked in both private and public healthcare systems in various clinical, academic, and leadership roles, such as clinician in critical care and community care, nurse manager, quality improvement coordinator in long-term care, and as executive director for a not-for-profit clinical research center. Dr. Ewing’s research interests focus on studying issues impacting global health, healthcare leadership, online learning and nursing.
Jeff Alexander, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Dr. Alexander earned his bachelor’s degree in health promotion and master of science in exercise physiology from Brigham Young University. He completed his doctor of philosophy degree at Arizona State University (2003) in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in exercise and wellness. In addition to his academic preparation, Dr. Alexander holds numerous health and fitness professional certifications; namely, Clinical Exercise Specialist® from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and Certified Personal Trainer and Corrective Exercise Specialist from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). Consequently, Dr. Alexander has served as a personal and group fitness trainer primarily working closely with the older adult population.
Joan Leafman, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Dr. Leafman has a Ph.D. from Northwestern University and is a professor emeritus of Northeastern Illinois University. In that capacity she has served on executive committees and co-chaired two statewide coalitions, Illinois Action for Healthy Kids and CLOCC (Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children). In addition, Joan has recently published “The Big Desk Is Yours”. Recent grant work includes Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) & Action for Healthy Kids funding resulting in sustainable changes in physical activities in the Decatur Illinois School District, Lt. Governor’s Office, Walk Across Illinois and USDA Team Nutrition in partnership with IL-NET – Move and Crunch planning development, and implementation. Upon relocating to Arizona, Joan now serves on the steering committee of Arizona Action for Healthy Kids.
Kathleen Mathieson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Mathieson completed her Ph.D. in sociology at Arizona State University, with a focus in the areas of statistics and sociology of health. Before coming to ATSU, she spent five years as a research analyst and biostatistician at Maricopa Medical Center, a 449-bed teaching hospital in Phoenix. While at Maricopa Medical Center, Dr. Mathieson taught research and statistics courses to medical residents in various specialties, and co-authored research articles with faculty and residents in areas such as obstetrics and gynecology, emergency medicine, pediatrics, family practice, and public health. Since coming to ATSU, Dr. Mathieson has collaborated on both quantitative and qualitative research projects in various programs, and has begun her own research in the area of teaching and learning. She is also interested in research ethics and is the vice-chair of the ATSU-Arizona Institutional Review Board. Dr. Mathieson enjoys working with students, particularly in the process of mentoring them through research projects.
Helen Salisbury, Ph.D. Assistant Professor
Dr. Salisbury earned her Ph.D. in Biopsychology from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, where she completed some of her coursework and her externship with psychiatric residents from the University Medical Center’s Medical School. While at Stony Brook, she taught Research Methods and Statistics, and worked as the project director and statistician/database manager for a large NIMH grant. Dr. Salisbury worked at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center, as part of the Clinical Neurobiology and Bioengineering Research group, and then as the research coordinator for trauma and general surgery, where she mentored trauma surgical residents in proposing, designing, analyzing, writing, and submitting required clinical research studies for publication. Additionally, Dr. Salisbury has worked for Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn, where she was the coordinator for trauma clinical research and served on the hospital’s Scientific Review Committee. Currently, she is also on the research faculty of an online university where she reviews doctoral dissertations for appropriate research design and analyses, and is a strong proponent of distance education.
Adjunct Faculty
Catherine Belden, D.H.Sc., M.S.N, R.N., HACP, CIC
Lynn Chevalier, D.H.Sc., M.P.H., M.S., CPH, CPC
Suzanne Coleman, D.H.Sc., RNC-OB, CRCP
Denice Curtis, D.H.Sc., D.D.S., M.P.H.
Randy Danielsen, Ph.D., M.P.A.S., PA-C, DFAAPA
Thomas DiDonna, D.H.Sc., M.S., RN
Matthias Goldstein, D.H.Sc., M.P.A.S., PA-C
Mark Johannsson, D.H.Sc., M.P.H., FRIPH
Mary Beth Kaylor, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Patty Miner, D.H.Sc., M.S.N., R.N., PNP-BC
Jason Robertson, D.H.Sc., M.P.H., MCHES, R.H.Ed.
Joseph Ronzio, D.H.Sc., M.B.A.
Philip Stephens, D.H.Sc., M.P.A.S., PA-C
James C. Townsend, D.H.Sc., M.B.A./H.C.M., M.I.S.
Lisa Wallace, Ph.D., M.H.R.
Michael Whitehead, D.H.Sc., M.P.A.S., PA-C, DFAAPA
Support Staff
Lori Hayman, M.Ed.
Program Manager
Lori Hayman has served as program manager of the DHSc program since August 2009. She is responsible for assisting with day-to-day management of the program, advising students regarding their academic degree plans, supporting program faculty, and special projects. Prior to joining ATSU Lori worked in higher education and community nonprofit fundraising for 10 years as a research analyst. Lori holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in education from Arizona State University
Michelle Chasse, M.B.A.
Academic Coordinator
Michelle Chasse has worked in higher education admissions for the past six years, most recently with ATSU Online Admissions for four years. She is responsible for assisting with the faculty and academic needs of the D.H.Sc. program including: Blackboard and Turnitin program management, alumni relations, and special projects. Michelle holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in business administration.
