For the Record provides information about recent professional activities and honors of University of Delaware 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 Mary McMillan Visionary Leader Lecture Award from the American Physical Therapy Association. Marking the organization’s most distinguished award, the honor is bestowed upon a physical therapist who has made inspirational, significant and impactful contributions to the profession. Hicks’ 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’s Combined Sections Meeting in Philadelphia in February 2027.

Karin Grävare Silbernagel, professor and associate chair of the Department of Physical Therapy, received the Marian Williams Award for Research in Physical Therapy 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. Grävare Silbernagel is honored to receive the Marian Williams Award. “Throughout 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,” said Grävare Silbernagel. “This 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 University of Delaware for their partnership in that mission.”

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 “This Is Public Health (TIPH) Ambassador.” The TIPH Ambassador Program 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’s 2026 Class of Fellows, marking the profession’s 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. “Induction into the American Academy of Nursing is a highly selective honor,” said Speakman. “With 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 UD SON is proud to have seven faculty members with this elite designation.” New fellows will be celebrated at an induction ceremony on Oct. 10, 2026, in Washington, D.C.

The University of Delaware Physical Therapy Clinic has been voted “Best of Delaware” 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. “This designation is especially meaningful given the outstanding physical therapy community across our state,” said Airelle Giordano, director of clinical services and residency training at the UDPT Clinic. “This recognition is a testament to the passion, expertise, teamwork and compassion that define our clinic.” 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’Hanlon, lead policy scientist and health and aging policy services coordinator at the Biden School of Public Policy and Administration, served as guest coeditors for “Aging and Public Health” issue of the Delaware Journal of Public Health, 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 “HealthCetera in the Catskills” 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. “That silence is killing babies,” said Covington. “My work aims to break the silence and provide evidence-based ways to reduce bed-sharing risk.”

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, episode focused on Greaney’s research on assessing depression and its potential links to future heart health.