Masters of Health Science


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Masters of Health Science
Saint Francis University
Department of Physician Assistant Sciences
P.O. Box 600
106 Sullivan Hall
117 Evergreen Drive
Loretto, PA 15940-0600

814-472-3357
Fax: 814-472-3137
Email: Cstrittmatter@francis.edu

Masters of Health Science Program

Meet the MHSc Faculty and Staff

Ms. Deborah E. Budash, MA, OTR/L Program Director, MHS/MMS Phone: (814) 472-3919 dbudash@francis.edu		Ms. Budash has been an occupational therapist for 20 years, graduating from the University of Pittsburgh in 1990 with a BS in OT. She has worked in numerous clinical settings in varied capacities from clinician to multi-site manager. Her clinical specialties include stroke, spinal cord injury, burns, and general rehabilitation. She has also served as an administrator of an assisted living facility and as the program director of both the BSOT and OTA Programs at Mount Aloysius College in Pennsylvania. She reviews books for OT Advance and serves on the editorial board of the American Journal of Occupational Therapy as a manuscript reviewer. Ms. Budash's master's degree is in Adult Education and she is currently enrolled in a PhD Program in Education with a specialty in educational technology and e-learning. She resides in Indiana, PA with her husband and three sons. In her free time, she enjoys exercising (walking, running, and yoga) and scrapbooking.
Dr. Melissa Kagarise, PA-C Assistant Proffesor Phone: (814) 472-2703 mkagarise@francis.edu		Dr. Kagarise is physician assistant, having graduated from Saint Francis University in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in physician assistant sciences. She began her clinical career as a family practice physician assistant. In 1998 she completed her Master of Medical Science degree through Saint Francis and in 2008 completed her Doctor of Health Science degree through Nova Southeastern University.She has been an assistant professor at Saint Francis University since 1998, beginning as an instructor in the Department of Physician Assistant Sciences. In 2004 she became Director of the Master of Medical Science (MMS) program and initiated the online Master of Health Science (MHSc) program for the University. She recently worked with the University's Center of Excellence for Remote and Medically Under-Served Areas (CERMUSA) as faculty coordinator and program director for the development of online educational programs for Navy Independent Duty Corpsmen and is currently dedicated as full time faculty for the MMS and MHSc programs. She continues to practice clinically as a physician assistant in a local cardiology office one day per week. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 children, riding her motorcycle, trying her hand at gardening and cooking.
Ms. Cheryl Strittmatter MHS/MMS Administrative Assistant Phone: (814) 472-3357 cstrittmatter@francis.edu		Ms. Strittmatter is a full-time Administrative Assistant at Saint Francis University. She has worked in the Administrative field since 1991 and began working at SFU in July, 2009. She has an Associate’s Degree in Human Services and began her Associate of Science degree in Secretarial Technology with the ultimate goal of beginning or pursuing her Bachelor of Science degree in Management Information Systems. She resides in Patton, PA where she spends her spare time with her husband and two children and enjoys riding motorcycles, gardening and doing volunteer work for the local fire company where her husband and children are active members
Ms. Laurie Gosik Instructional Designer lgrosik@francis.edu		Ms. Grosik is a part-time Instructional Designer at Saint Francis University and a Ph.D. Candidate in Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s Communications Media and Instructional Technology program. A former Assistant Vice President and Manager of Loan Administration at Ameriserv Financial Bank, her passion for higher education lead her to academia. She earned a master’s degree in Adult Education and Communication Technology which initiated a career change. As an Instructional Technologist at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, she worked with faculty to incorporate educational technologies into the classroom and was also responsible for all distance education endeavors. Recognizing her educational journey was not complete, she began her doctoral studies in the fall of 2009 at which time she accepted a part-time Instructional Designer position at Saint Francis University. With her doctorate coursework now finished, she is carrying out her dissertation titled “The Diffusion of Facebook in Rural, Southwestern Pennsylvania Adults.” Ms. Grosik resides in Jerome, PA with her husband Tom, and children, Ryan, Jacob, Nicholas, and Olivia.
Adjunct Faculty
Dr. Robert Hollingsworth, PA-C Red Springs, NC RHollingsworth@francis.edu		Dr. Hollingsworth is a practicing self-employed physician assistant working in rural southeastern North Carolina. He is owner of a rural health clinic in Red Springs, NC, much like "Mayberry". After spending his military obligation as a Special Forces Medic he attended the University of North Carolina Surgeon's Assistant Program in Chapel Hill, NC in 1979 and earned a Master's of Science degree at Arizona School of Health Sciences, AT Still University in 2005. In 2008 he graduated from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale Fla. with Doctor of Health Science degree. He has been a practicing physician assistant for approximately 30 years and is a mentor to PA and NP students in their clinical training. He has written the curriculum for and currently teaches courses to health professional students in areas including "Ethics in Healthcare", "Introduction to Pharmacology" and "Lab Medicine for the Clinician".

Mr. Peter Kreckel Mrs. Denise Kreckel PKreckel@francis.edu		Peter A. Kreckel is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Pharmacology at St. Francis University, where he teaches Pharmacology to the Physicin Assistant students during their didactic year at SFU. Additionally, Mr. Kreckel teaches Advanced Pharmacology online within the Master of Medical and Master of Health Science programs at Saint Francis. His wife Denise,team-teaches in the online Advanced Pharmcology course. Both are 1981 graduates of the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy. Denise works as a pharmacist in the Geisinger Health Systems clinic at Grays Woods in State College, and Peter works at Broad Ave Pharmacy in Altoona, PA. They are parents of 3 kids, Gretchen who is a Clinical Professor in West Virginia University's School of Pharmacy, Elizabeth is a Spanish-Elementary teacher in Lancaster PA, and Philip is student at the University of Pittsburgh. Both Denise and Peter are outdoor enthusiasts, enjoying hiking, canoeing, camping and outdoor first aid. Both serve in the Boy Scouts of America as adult volunteers. The Kreckels have nearly 60 years of combined clinical experiences as retail pharmacists.

Dr. David R. Leonard dleonard@francis.edu		Dr. David R. Leonard is a physician assistant by training having graduated with his PA degree in 1990. He completed his Masters in Medical Science degree in 1996 and most recently his Doctorate of Health Science in 2010. He has practiced clinically in the acute care setting and has been a PA educator for over 10 years. He is involved in the clinical research industry as a consultant monitor (CRA) specializing in interventional cardiology devices and vascular fields. He is currently working on two trials which take him to clinical sites throughout the US, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. He enjoys British Royal history and has studied the subject at Oxford University. He is also an amateur actor/director and has participated in numerous productions over the years. While in New York City, he recorded several voice-over recordings for national and regional television commercials.