The Fireside Chats are a series of conversations and remembrances with present and retired faculty. The presenters will reflect on their time at D’Youville College, their colleagues and students—past and present, the changes they have witnessed at the college and their vision of D’Youville College for the future.

Allied Health faculty are the speakers for this event.

Refreshments to follow.

Speaker's Biographies

Maureen F. Finney, MS, RPA-C.
Ms. Finney has been the Chair of the Physician Assistant Department at D'Youville College since 2001 and a full time faculty member of the department since 2000. She has a BS in Biochemistry from Niagara University (1991), MS in Natural Sciences from SUNY Buffalo (1993), a BS in Physician Assistant from D'Youville College (1997) and is currently completing work for her Ed.D. in Health Education at D'Youville College (anticipated May 2008). Her clinical area of expertise is in primary care and she has many publications in women's health.

Merlene Gingher, Ph.D.
Dr. Gingher has been a member of the faculty in occupational therapy since 1991. From 1997 to 2008, she was Chairperson of the Department of Occupational Therapy. During this time a significant revision of the BS/MS Program, a curriculum resulting in a dual degree, was completed to match the revised educational standards of the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, and a new MS Program, for those who have a Bachelor's degree, was designed and approved by the New York State Education Department. Close to 600 occupational therapy students have been enrolled in D'Youville College's occupational therapy programs and have earned the BS/MS degrees or the MS degree, granting them entry to the practice of occupational therapy. Dr. Gingher has directed or been a member of more than 275 thesis or research project committees for occupational therapy students and students in health related fields at D'Youville College. She continues to teach OT theory and process courses to undergraduate OT students, research project seminars, as well as graduate research core courses at the college.

Lynn Rivers, PT, Ph.D.
Dr. Rivers is an Associate Professor and Chairperson of the Physical Therapy Department. A faculty member since Fall of 1991, Dr. Rivers completed her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy at University of Buffalo. She is committed through her research and service to community health and wellness for the City of Buffalo with an emphasis on physical activity and nutrition promotion for children, adults and seniors.

Charlotte Baumgart, Ph.D., RD.
Dr. Baumgart has been the Chair of the Dietetics Department since 2000. Before her appointment, she served as clinical coordinator for the Dietetics Department from 1992-2000. She has been a full-time faculty member at D'Youville College since 1992. Dr. Baumgart received her BS in nutrition from Cornell University, MS in nutrition from The Pennsylvania State University, and PhD in Science Education (with a concentration in nutrition) from SUNY at Buffalo. After practicing as a clinical dietitian for over 10 years, she came to D'Youville. Her research interests include childhood obesity, adult weight management, education of dietetic professionals, and herbal supplements. Dr. Baumgart is also an avid gardener. She has a greenhouse and grows most of her plants from seed, specializing in unusual plant varieties.

Roger Fiedler, Ph.D.
Dr. Fiedler is a professor of Occupational Therapy at D'Youville College. He also has several years of experience in upper-level academic administration at D'Youville. In addition to being a nationally-recognized expert on measurement and research design, Dr. Fiedler specializes in advanced statistical methods, measurement issues in research, functional independence and medical rehabilitation. He received a B.A. in Psychology from Bard College, M.A. in General Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University at Buffalo. Dr. Fielder has over 100 publications.

Fireside Chat flyer