Joyce Maring, EdD, DPT, chair of the Department of Health, Human Function, and Rehabilitation Sciences since 2013, will transition into a new role on July 1, 2023, to serve as the Executive Associate Dean for Health Sciences. As Executive Associate Dean for Health Sciences, Maring will work with SMHS leadership, faculty, and chairs within Health Sciences to develop an effective and integrated structure to support the breadth of active programming. Maring has held various leadership roles in Health Sciences since joining the faculty in 2005 and has a deep understanding of the Health Sciences portfolio. She currently serves as the program director for the Doctor of Health Sciences program and is a nationally renowned leader in educational research, recently receiving the Presidential Award from the APTA Academy of Education and the Mary Jane Harris Service Award by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
Beginning on July 1, 2023, Ellen Costello, PhD, PT, professor in the Department of Health, Human Function, and Rehabilitation Sciences, will serve as the interim chair of the Department. Costello, who is a long-time physical therapy educator with renowned expertise in anatomy as well as physical therapist management of patients with cardiopulmonary dysfunction, joined the GW faculty in 2004. She served as associate director of the physical therapy program from 2011 until 2017 and program director since 2018. Costello is the recipient of multiple teaching awards, including the APTA Acute Care Educator award, and has an exemplary record of service in the profession. She also served as an SMHS Executive Member representative to the Faculty Senate.
Also beginning on July 1, 2023, Marisa Birkmeier, DPT, DHSc, associate professor in the department of Health, Human Function and Rehabilitation Sciences will serve as the program director of the physical therapy program. She has extensive leadership experience, serving as the director of clinical education since joining GW in 2009, and serving as the associate director of academic affairs in physical therapy, since 2022. She is a board-certified specialist in pediatric physical therapy practice and is a highly regarded clinician, educator, and researcher. She has also been elected to serve in national leadership roles, including co-chair of the clinical educator specialist interest group.
