Faculty and Staff
Caravella, Tracy J., Ph.D., Associate Professor,
Director Graduate School Health Program: Ph.D. (Health Education),
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale; M.S. (School Health
Education), University of Wisconsin – La Crosse; B.S. (School Health and
Physical Education) University of Wisconsin – La Crosse. Specialty
Areas: Adolescent Health Issues; Death Education; Human Sexuality;
Mental Health; Stress Management; Comprehensive School Health Pedagogy
(i.e., curriculum, instructional methodology & assessment);and pk-12
Health Literacy.
202 Mitchell Hall
608.785.6788
tcaravell@uwlax.edu
Detert, Richard, Professor Emeritus, Ph.D.,
Southern Illinois University, M.A., Health Education, University
of Wisconsin La Crosse, B.A., Health and Physical Education,
University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, specialty in comprehensive
school health education, stress management, T’ai Chi Chih,
emotional health, holistic health, program
evaluation/assessment.
203 Mitchell Hall
608.785.8162
rdetert@uwlax.edu
Duquette, R. Daniel, Ed.D., CHES, Professor,
Department Chair, Director Undergraduate Community Health Education
Program: Ed.D. (Health Behavior/Education), State University of New
York-Buffalo; M.S. (Environmental Health Science), University of Rhode
Island-Kingston; B.S. (Biology), State University of New York-Brockport.
Specialty Areas: Environmental Health, Cancer Prevention/Education,
Biometry, Evaluation, Research, and Statistics, Geographic Information
System and Public Health; men’s health.
124 Mitchell Hall
608.785.8161
rduquette@uwlax.edu
Gilmore, Gary D., MPH, Ph.D., CHES, Professor and
Director, Graduate Community Health/Public Health Programs (MPH and
MS-CHE): Ph.D. (Public Health Education and Epidemiology), University of
Tennessee Knoxville; M.P.H. (Public Health Education and Epidemiology),
University of Minnesota-Minneapolis; B.A. (Biology: Genetics), Hope
College-Holland, Michigan. Specialty Areas: Public Health Epidemiology,
Family Health and Wellness, Cancer Prevention and Detection,
Psychological Type and Preference, Chair, National Health Educator
Competencies Update Project, Community-Based Participatory Research and
Global Health Issues.
201 Mitchell Hall
608.785.8163
ggilmore@uwlax.edu
Jecklin, Robert A. Jr., Assistant Professor, Ph.D.
(Continuing and Vocational Education) University of Wisconsin-Madison;
M.P.H. (Public Health Education) University of Minnesota-Twin Cities;
B.S. (School Health Education) University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
Experience: Community-based Primary Care, Managed Care, State Health
Departments, Youth Programming, and Voluntary Health Agencies. Research
Interests: Retelling human stories of health-related learning; exploring
connections between educational attainment and health status; and
organizing strategies for health interventions.
205 Mitchell Hall
608.785.6791
rjecklin@uwlax.edu
McCormick, Gail L., Associate Lecturer, B.S. (
Health and Physical Education) Winona State University, M.S. (School
Health Education) University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, Middle/High
School Health and Physical Education Teacher, Caledonia Area Schools,
Caledonia, MN, specialty in health and wellness.
200 Mitchell Hall
608.785.6793
gmccormic@uwlax.edu
Oganowski, J. Leslie, Professor Emeritus,
Ph.D. (Health and Education) The Ohio State University, M.S.
(Health and Physical Education) Miami University of Ohio, B.A.
(Health, Physical Education and Recreation) Miami University of
Ohio, specialty in youth risk behaviors, program development and
assessment, health behavior theory, emergency preparedness,
coordinated school health, comprehensive school health,
elementary health education, programming for people with
disabilities, teaching pedagogy, curriculum development and
assessment.
206 Mitchell Hall
608.785.6790
joganowski@uwlax.edu
Olson, Kathy, Academic Department Associate
203 Mitchell Hall
608.785.8162
kolson@uwlax.edu
Pettit, Michele L., M.P.H., Ph.D., CHES,
Assistant Professor: Ph.D. (Health Education), Southern Illinois
University, Carbondale; M.P.H., University of Illinois at
Springfield; B.S. (Health Science/Community Health), Truman
State University. Professional Interests: stress/coping, health
communication, health risk behaviors, health disparities,
teaching strategies, and professional preparation.
207 Mitchell Hall
608.785.6789
mpettit@uwlax.edu
Rees, Keely S., Ph.D., CHES, Associate Professor,
Education: Ph.D. (Health Education) University of New Mexico; M.S.
(Exercise Physiology/Health Behavior) South Dakota State University; BA
(Health Education) University of Minnesota-Morris. Areas of Specialty:
Women’s Health (pregnancy, exercise, maternal & child health) Adolescent
Health Behaviors; Nutrition Education; Foundations of Health Education.
217 Mitchell Hall
608.785.8168
krees@uwlax.edu
Skemp, Karen M., Ph.D., HFS, CSCS, Assistant
Professor: Ph.D. (Kinesiology), University of Minnesota; M.Ed.
(Physical Education/Athletic Administration), North Dakota State
University; B.A. (Education/Sociology), University of San Diego. Areas
of Specialty: Nutrition and performance, Alternative Nutrition,
Nutrition education, Body Image and eating patterns across various
populations, Fitness Across the Lifespan.
212 Mitchell Hall
608-785-8187
kskemp@uwlax.edu
Whitney, Emily., Ph.D., MCHES Assistant Professor. Education:
PhD (Health Education) Southern Illinois University, Carbondale;
MS (Community Health Education) Utah State University; BS
(Community Health Education) Utah State University. Research
Interests: Social Support, Diabetes/Obesity, Adolescent Health
Programs (physical activity, diabetes prevention, dental health,
mental/emotional health, bullying etc.) Community Capacity,
Social Capital, Stress/Coping (PTSD, College Student Wellness),
College Health, Health Aspects of Aging.
215 Mitchell Hall
608.785.6794
ewhitney@uwlax.edu