Honors and Accomplishments

The inaugural Alison Field Early-Career Award for Excellence in Research in Pediatric Obesity was given to Katherine Balantekin, assistant professor in the Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences. The award comes from the Pediatric Obesity Section of The Obesity Society, the leading professional society focused on obesity science, treatment and prevention. Balantekin’s honor recognizes her as an early-career investigator who has demonstrated a significant contribution in furthering the understanding of the causes, consequences, treatment or prevention of childhood obesity.

Turquessa Francis, clinical assistant professor of occupational therapy, authored Literacy and Occupational Therapy: Enabling Participation Across the Lifespan. Published by AOTA Press, the tome offers a roadmap for clinicians to empower their clients through literacy-based interventions. By addressing a critical yet overlooked area, Francis aims to equip OT practitioners with tools to foster meaningful engagement and break cycles of disadvantage.

Kasia Kordas, associate professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, was elected to the council of the International Society for Children’s Health and the Environment. Her election reflects her “deep commitment to advancing children’s environmental health,” according to an organization representative. The society is made up of environmental health professionals who use research, training, policy, clinical care, community outreach and education to reduce the impact of adverse chemical, physical, biological and social influences on children’s health.

Schneider’s Introduction to Public Health: Seventh Edition, co-authored by Jessica S. Kruger, clinical associate professor of community health and health behavior, will provide students with an important foundation and act as the entry point for their journey in the field. The textbook focuses on the present day and covers the foundational knowledge required for undergraduate or graduate public health students. Kruger also was named a Distinguished Fellow of the Public Health Academy of the National Academies of Practice. This prestigious honor recognizes individuals who exemplify leadership and outstanding achievements within their profession and interprofessional care.

The New York State Occupational Therapy Association (NYSOTA) gave its 2024 Merit Award for Service to Clinical Assistant Professor Christine Linkie. This award recognizes a NYSOTA member for outstanding contribution to the profession through service to the association. Linkie was nominated for her advocacy and service on behalf of the mental health community. She is an active member of NYSOTA's Mental Health Task Force and helped coordinate the collection of data from educational institutions throughout the state on the mental health content in their curricula, oversaw dissemination of this material and presented the findings at the NYSOTA Conference. She has also been working with New York State’s Office of Mental Health and Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services to advance occupational therapy practice and research in mental health.

Pauline Mendola, chair of the Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, was honored with the Distinguished Service Award from the American College of Epidemiology (ACE). This prestigious award recognizes Mendola’s exceptional contributions and dedication to the organization; the recipient is chosen by the group’s executive committee. ACE is an organization of epidemiologists dedicated to continued education and advocacy for epidemiologists in their efforts to promote good science and the public health.

Occupational Therapy Program Director Janice Tona received the Jim Hinojosa Memorial Lectureship Award from NYSOTA. The award honors a member of NYSOTA who is influential in the profession of occupational therapy; has substantially and innovatively contributed to the profession through research, education and/or practice; demonstrated leadership qualities and provided mentorship; and whose insight and work have shaped the way the profession thinks about occupational therapy as well as the way OTs practice. As part of the lectureship, Tona will give the keynote lecture, considered a career milestone, during the organization’s 2025 conference.