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In celebration of National Women's Day, we'd like to recognize five incredible women at SHRS who have dedicated their careers to advancing health care through research and education. Let's take a closer look at their inspiring stories.

Kim Nixon-Cave

Kim Nixon-Cave is a professor and program director for the Doctor of Physical Therapy hybrid program. She is a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the APTA and serves as Chair of the American Board of Physical Therapist Specialties (ABPTS). Her areas of expertise include cultural diversity in health care, clinician and faculty development, as well as developing clinical programs and protocols to address the needs of diverse patient populations.

Dipu Patel

Dipu Patel is the vice chair for Innovation in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies. With a passion for advancing patient care through cutting-edge technology, she's a driving force behind innovative educational programs that empower aspiring PAs to improve the lives of their patients. Drawing from her extensive experience in emergency medicine, urgent care and hematology/oncology, Professor Patel uses real-world examples to help her students connect theory to practice.

Mary Allias

Mary Allias is the director of the Doctor of PA Studies (DPAS) Program and an assistant professor in the Department of PA Studies. She is committed to empowering her students to become change-makers in the field. Her passion for improving patient care is evident in her focus on mitigating disparities in care and implementing more effective and efficient processes. With Allias as their guide, DPAS students are equipped with the knowledge and skills required to make a real impact in health care.

Kimberly Peterson

Kimberly Peterson is an assistant professor in the Department of Health Information Management (HIM). With over 25 years of experience in various HIM departments, her expertise is invaluable to both her students and colleagues. As a faculty member, she goes above and beyond to enhance the student experience, serving as a liaison between academia and the professional world.

Laura Waterstram

Laura Waterstram is the program administrator for TiDe: Training in Diversity education Program for Rehabilitation Research. The main aim of TiDe is to develop pathways for future researchers, create communities of diverse scientists and reduce the barriers to diversity and inclusion in rehabilitation research. She also serves as the director of research operations at Pitt Occupational Therapy.

These five researchers are paving the way for future generations of health care professionals. They have demonstrated excellence in their work and continue to make a significant impact in their fields.

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Published March 2, 2023