PT and Health Science Faculty Honored for Service, Teaching Excellence

Physical Therapy and Health Science faculty received the 2021 Whitney R. Powers Awards and Faculty Award of Merit, recognizing their ongoing commitment to service and teaching excellence during the 2020-2021 academic year.

Professors Bria Dunham and Diane Heislein were honored with the 2021 Whitney R. Powers Award for Teaching Excellence.

Recognizing outstanding members of the Sargent faculty, this award is named in honor of Sargent Professor Emeritus Whitney R. Powers, a former Health Sciences Department chair who for more than 25 years shared his gifts as an outstanding educator.

In her award nomination, Dunham, a clinical assistant professor of health science, was  praised for her commitment to a high-quality educational experience backed by a rigorous curriculum and deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice. 

Dunham is program director for health science, the largest undergraduate program in Sargent College and advisor for the dual BS/MPH degree and public health minor. With her background and expertise in anthropology and public health, she teaches Introduction to Global Health, a senior seminar on Global Maternal & Child Health, Gender & Healthcare, and Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Heislein has been a clinical associate professor in the Department of Physical Therapy & Athletic Training for 18 years, serving as the physical therapy program director for more than 10 years. She is  a Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy with expertise in orthopedics, oncology and management of patients in the acute care setting. Heislein is the primary instructor for two core courses in the doctor of physical therapy program: Musculoskeletal Systems II and Diagnostic Procedures for Rehabilitation professionals.

Heislein’s award nomination highlighted her cutting-edge, evidence-based content which challenges students and prepares them for the rigors of everyday clinical practice in the real-world.

Laura Driscoll, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Physical Therapy & Athletic Training, was honored with the Faculty Award of Merit.

This award recognizes a professor who has made impactful service contributions benefiting programs, faculty, students, and/or alumni of Sargent College.

A Geriatric Certified Specialist and APTA Certified Clinical Instructor, Driscoll also serves as director of Faculty Diversity and Inclusion at Sargent College. In this role, she is committed to ensuring our community is fully representative, accessible, inclusive, equitable, fair, and just.