Nursing and Health Sciences
Health Sciences Department, Medical Sciences Department, and Nursing Department
Dwight Schar College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Dean
Carrie Keib
Health Sciences Program Administration
Dietetics Program Director: Denise Reed
Exercise Science Director: Randall Gearhart
Master of Science Applied Physiology of Exercise Program Director: Randall Gearhart
Medical Sciences Program Administration
Physician Assistant Studies Program Director: Melissa Irwin
PA Medical Director: Jason Strauss
Nursing Program Administration
Department Chair: Juanita Reese Kline
Graduate Programs Director: J. Kimberly Higginbotham
Undergraduate Program Director: Teresa Moorman
Centers
Sports Nutrition Counseling Director: David Vanata
Program Coordinators
Medical Sciences: Abigail Hubbard, Anita Wheitner
Nursing: Jennifer McElwain, Michelle Ash
Faculty and Clinical Education Staff
Health Sciences Faculty
Chair: Randall Gearhart, Professor
Internship Coordinator: Beth Patton, Associate Professor
David Vanata, Associate Professor
Michael Lewandowski, Assistant Professor
Levi Jones, Clinical Assistant Professor
Denise Reed, Clinical Assistant Professor
Medical Sciences Faculty
Chair: Melissa Irwin, Clinical Assistant Professor
Amity Arnold, Clinical Assistant Professor
Maria Esbenshade, Clinical Assistant Professor
Julie Farrier, Clinical Assistant Professor
Kristen Michonski, Clinical Assistant Professor
Antonina Rodrigues, Clinical Assistant Professor
Nursing Faculty/Clinical Education Staff
Chair: Juanita Reese Kline, Associate Professor
Jill Matthes Baxter, Associate Professor
T. Jody Hostetler, Associate Professor
J. Kimberly Higginbotham, Associate Professor
Patricia Clayburn, Clinical Assistant Professor
Kelly Cominsky, Clinical Assistant Professor
Teresa Moorman, Assistant Professor
Daniel Nolt, Clinical Assistant Professor
Jennifer Carroll, Clinical Education Staff
Ashley Christman, Clinical Education Staff
Allison Lowry, Clinical Education Staff
Degrees Offered
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Master of Science in Applied Physiology of Exercise
Master of Science in Nursing
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Majors
Applied Exercise Science
Dietetics
Exercise Science
Nursing
Physician Assistant Studies
College Mission
The mission of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences is to educate individuals to become health care professionals committed to health related practice, leadership, and service. The programs provide undergraduate and graduate education in health science professions. Our guiding values are integrity, caring, accountability, respect, and excellence. Our vision is to be the premier College of Nursing and Health Sciences in the Midwest, educating graduates to serve a global and diverse society.
College Facilities
The Health Sciences Department is located in the Arthur L. and Maxine Sheets Rybolt Recreation and Health Sciences Center. The state-of-the-art center houses six fully equipped multi-media classrooms, a 4,000 square foot athletic training room, and the 1,600 square foot Messerly Human Performance Laboratory. The Recreation Center contains a walking/running track, fitness center, golf simulator, racquetball court, climbing wall, billiard lounge, natatorium, two basketball courts, and a multi-purpose court.
The AU Sports Nutrition Counseling Center, is also located in the Arthur L. and Maxine Sheets Rybolt Recreation Center, and provides individual nutrition counseling sessions for student-athletes targeting concerns such as:
Athletic performance, muscle recovery & strength
Injury prevention and treatment
Recovery nutrition
Hydration
Macronutrients & micronutrients
Safe and effective use of supplements
Injury prevention and treatment
Food allergies/sensitivities
Macronutrient or micronutrient needs
Additional services include team presentations, cafeteria tours, and assessment of dietary options when traveling
Students enrolled in the physician assistant and nursing programs will take classes on the AU main campus, and in classroom and laboratory/simulation spaces located at 1020 S. Trimble Road, Mansfield, and in the on-line environment. Campus housing is available on both the Ashland University main campus and the Mansfield campus.
Simulated learning experiences are a vital part of education for health care professionals. The Simulation Center on the Mansfield campus includes a health foundations laboratory, family health laboratory, adult health laboratory, complex health laboratory, advanced care laboratories, community health laboratory, and examination rooms. High and mid-level fidelity simulators are computerized and interactive. They may be programmed to give realistic patient responses and outcomes. Simulation is used to teach the basics of patient care, communication, teamwork, and critical thinking. Students participate in complex patient care such as cardiac arrest, prioritization, and delegation scenarios. Simulation for graduate students include advanced assessment skills and standardized patients. Simulation is not a replacement for clinical, but supplements clinical experiences, enhancing student outcomes.