91原创

For the Record provides information about recent professional activities and honors of 91原创 faculty, staff, students and alumni.

Recent appointments, presentations, publications and honors in the College of Health Sciences include the following:

Honors

Gregory Hicks, Distinguished Professor of Health Sciences and associate vice president for clinical and translational research in the Department of Physical Therapy, received the from the American Physical Therapy Association. Marking the organization鈥檚 most distinguished award, the honor is bestowed upon a physical therapist who has made inspirational, significant and impactful contributions to the profession. Hicks鈥� contributions to physical therapy span education, research and clinical practice, with his research on older adults with low back pain fundamentally advancing rehabilitation practices for this population and significantly improving care for an often-overlooked group. He has also led multiple NIH-funded grants and created meaningful opportunities for advanced training and mentorship, establishing himself as a leading force in shaping and advancing the next generation of physical therapy clinician-scientists. His work on health equity in physical therapy and improving the diversity of the profession has led the way toward a more inclusive, representative and socially responsive field. Through his leadership and advocacy, he has helped advance meaningful conversations and concrete efforts to address inequities in access, education and care. Hicks will give the 58th McMillan Lecture at APTA鈥檚 Combined Sections Meeting in Philadelphia in February 2027.

Karin Gr盲vare Silbernagel, professor and associate chair of the Department of Physical Therapy, received the from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) on July 11, 2026, at the APTA Payment Advocacy Summit in Portland, Oregon. The award acknowledges physical therapists who have made significant contributions to the profession through excellence in research. Gr盲vare Silbernagel is honored to receive the Marian Williams Award. 鈥淭hroughout my career, I have been motivated by the belief that rigorous research can transform clinical practice and expand opportunities for individuals to live healthier, more active lives,鈥� said Gr盲vare Silbernagel. 鈥淭his recognition reflects the contributions of outstanding students, trainees, colleagues and collaborators whose partnership has made this work possible. This award celebrates not only past achievements but also the ongoing pursuit of discoveries that will shape the future of physical therapy. I am grateful to the 91原创 for their partnership in that mission.鈥�

Athena Bruess, a second-year master of public health in epidemiology student, has been selected by the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) to be a 鈥淭his Is Public Health (TIPH) Ambassador.鈥� The is a national initiative that provides graduate students with the opportunity to promote public health and raise awareness of careers in the field. As a TIPH Ambassador, Bruess will engage with prospective students and the public health community through outreach, educational events and social media, highlighting the impact of public health and helping build the future workforce of public health professionals.

Three faculty members from the School of Nursing have been named to the American Academy of Nursing鈥檚, marking the profession鈥檚 highest honor. Jennifer Graber, professor and associate dean of academic affairs and practice initiatives; Jennifer Saylor, professor and associate dean of faculty and student affairs; and Lauren Covington, associate professor, are part of the new cohort of influential leaders recognized for their substantial contributions to improving health outcomes and for their work to transform healthcare. They join current fellows of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN) from the School of Nursing (SON): Elizabeth Speakman, senior associate dean and chief nurse administrator; Kathleen Brewer-Smyth, professor; Ju Young Shin, professor; and Sharon Dudley-Brown, professor. 鈥淚nduction into the American Academy of Nursing is a highly selective honor,鈥� said Speakman. 鈥淲ith over 5 million registered nurses in the U.S. and roughly 3,400 active fellows in the Academy, less than 0.1% of nurses achieve this distinction, and 91原创 SON is proud to have seven faculty members with this elite designation.鈥� New fellows will be celebrated at an induction ceremony on Oct. 10, 2026, in Washington, D.C.

The has been voted 鈥溾�� by Delaware Today. This marks the first time the clinic has received the honor, earning recognition among more than 200 physical therapy clinics serving residents across the state. 鈥淭his designation is especially meaningful given the outstanding physical therapy community across our state,鈥� said Airelle Giordano, director of clinical services and residency training at the 91原创PT Clinic. 鈥淭his recognition is a testament to the passion, expertise, teamwork and compassion that define our clinic.鈥� Best of Delaware honorees will be celebrated on Aug. 6 at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington.

Publications

Elizabeth Orsega-Smith, professor of health behavior and nutrition sciences and graduate program director of health behavior science in the College of Health Sciences, and Julia O鈥橦anlon, lead policy scientist and health and aging policy services coordinator at the Biden School of Public Policy and Administration, served as guest coeditors for 鈥淎ging and Public Health鈥� issue of the, an official journal of the Delaware Academy of Medicine and Public Health, published in July 2026.

Media appearances

Lauren Covington, associate professor of nursing, recently appeared on the radio show 鈥溾�� on WIOX Radio in Roxbury, New York. On the show, Covington discussed her research aimed at improving sleep and health outcomes in socioeconomically disadvantaged families. Unsafe sleep is the leading cause of death for babies in the U.S. While the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents not share a bed with their infant, research shows more than 60% of American families are doing exactly that, and many do not disclose this practice to their pediatricians. 鈥淭hat silence is killing babies,鈥� said Covington. 鈥淢y work aims to break the silence and provide evidence-based ways to reduce bed-sharing risk.鈥�

Jody Greaney, associate professor of health behavior and nutrition sciences in the College of Health Sciences, was recently featured on The Measure of Everyday Life radio show and podcast, produced by public radio station WNCU and hosted by Brian Southwell, adjunct instructor in strategic communication in the College of Arts and Sciences and distinguished fellow and lead scientist for public understanding of science at RTI International, an independent research institute. The June 3, 2026, focused on Greaney鈥檚 research on assessing depression and its potential links to future heart health.