CLARKSTON, Ga. – Students who are interested in studying for a career in the health professions will benefit from the advice and information offered during Health Professions Career Week events occurring on both the Clarkston and Dunwoody campuses on Tuesday, March 26 and Thursday, March 28.
The program on both campuses will include career fairs with interactive games and giveaways where students can check out different pathways under the health professions umbrella, as well as meet with working professionals in dental hygiene, health informatics, kinesiology, pharmacy, physical therapy, nursing, occupational therapy and sport management. After each panel, there will be a reception with light refreshments.
The idea for a health professions week was inspired by Perimeter nursing program co-director Contessar Maddox, said Dr. Nicole Lynch, interim department chair for Health Professions. “Our mission is to provide Perimeter College students with an immersive experience showcasing the diverse range of career pathways within the healthcare industry,” said Lynch. “By fostering connections and offering hands-on opportunities, Health Professions Career Week aims to inspire and guide the next generation of healthcare professionals.”
For more information, check out the website.
The following are some of the featured panelists for both the Clarkston and Dunwoody programs.
On Tuesday, March 26 on the Clarkston Campus, the Health Professions Fair will be 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Clarkston Campus Student Center and the panel discussion will follow in the JCLRC auditorium. Featured panelists on the Clarkston Campus will be:
- Laura Abbott, MS, ACSM-EP-C:Abbott is a Georgia State clinical instructor in exercise science and is Georgia State’s Undergraduate Exercise Science Internship Coordinator and has worked in the field for more than 38 years.
- Katherine Hsieh, Ph.D.:Hsieh is an associate professor in Georgia State's Department of Physical Therapy.Her research aims to prevent falls in older adults and people aging with disabilities. She currently teaches physiology courses in the physical therapy curriculum.
- Latasha DaCosta, RN, BC:DaCosta works as a critical care nurse in Grady Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit and is pursuing a degree as a nurse practitioner. During the pandemic, she served as a Crisis Travel RN across the country. She has worked as a medical/surgical nurse and in critical care/neurology intensive care.
- Kiah Kindred, RDH, BSDH:Kindred is a dual degree holder at Georgia State University, earning her Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene in 2021 and her Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene in 2023. She balances her time between treating patients in private practice and educating students in the Perimeter College dental hygiene program.
- Tim Newman, Ed.D., AT Ret:Newman is a clinical assistant professor in the College of Education and Human Development's Department of Kinesiology and Health. His research focuses on how business can create, implement and analyze social media plans; effectively organizing, managing and promoting sporting events; and creating, implementing and analyzing online programs for maximum learning and student engagement.
- Lowell Sanders, PharmD, Med, CAHIMS: Sanders is a pharmacist. He has experience in the medical affairs sector of the pharmaceutical industry.
- Deborah Shapiro, Ph.D: Shapiro is a professor and undergraduate program coordinator for Georgia State’s Health and Physical Education program. Her expertise is in adaptive physical education and sport for individuals with disabilities.
- Sheila Stafford, AS: Stafford earned an associate degree at Perimeter College studying Sport Management. She is the co-founder of Stafford Boxing Club and dedicated to maintaining a positive impact on the community through boxing, emphasizing education, financial literacy and self-esteem to help individuals overcome challenges and achieve success.(Stafford will also speak on the Dunwoody alumni and pathway panel on Thursday, March 28.)
- Pey Shan Wen, Ph.D., MHS, OTR/L:Wen is an associate professor of the Department of Occupational Therapy and serves as the department’s director of admission and program evaluation. Her research focuses on improving symptoms and participation in people with chronic diseases such as traumatic brain injury, stroke and multiple sclerosis.
On Thursday, March 28 on the Dunwoody Campus, the Health Professions Fair will be from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Dunwoody Student Center and the panel will follow in the NC Auditorium, from 1-2 p.m. A reception will follow the panel at 2 p.m.
Featured panelists on the Dunwoody Campus will be:
- Marcel Benetti de Lima, Ph.D.: Lima is a clinical assistant professor in Georgia State’s Department of Kinesiology and Health. He has been with the program as a doctoral student in 2016 and earned his doctorate in 2023. He teaches classes in and oversees the Sport Coaching concentration, supervises student teacher placements, and oversees internship experiences.
- Christina Brown, ADN, RN, CCRN: Brown is a graduate of Perimeter’s nursing program, class of 2022. She is currently a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit nurse.
- Carolyn Podolski, OTD:Podolski is an occupational therapist and an assistant professor and Capstone Coordinator for Georgia State’s Occupational Therapy program.
- Kiah Kindred, RDH, BSDH: Kindred is a dual degree holder at Georgia State University, earning her Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene in 2021 and her Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene in 2023. She uses both of her degrees to balance her time between treating patients in private practice and educating students in the Perimeter College dental hygiene clinic.
- Carla Huggins, PT, DPT: A physical therapist, Huggins has served as Georgia State’s Director of Clinical Education for more than 10 years, where she oversees and coordinates all aspects of clinical education for the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Her clinical specialty is the acute care/hospital setting.
- Brent Murray, MS, RRT: Murray is a respiratory therapist and serves as the admissions director of Georgia State’s Respiratory Therapy program. He has taught respiratory therapy at Georgia State for 13 years and has 25 years of respiratory therapy experience focusing on adult critical care and leadership.
- Stephanie Scales, MSHS: Scales is a Health Science professor with more than five years of teaching and research experience. Her educational background includes a bachelor's degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Health Science with a concentration in Health Informatics.
- Courtney Strosnider, MS, MPH, EP-C, USATF Level 2: Strosnider is a clinical instructor and the program coordinator for Undergraduate Exercise Science on Georgia State’s Atlanta Campus. She has extensiveexperience working in clinical exercise environments (cardiac rehabilitation, physical therapy, older adult fitness), personal training, and exercise program design.
