Our people
A page within Health Science Interprofessional Research Center
Director
Jenn Taylor, Ph.D., CTRS
University Wisconsin-La Crosse
Director, HSIRC
As a motivational scientist and happy life enthusiast, Dr. Taylor uses evidence-based positive psychological approaches to enhance quality of life and promote psychosocial health outcomes throughout the lifespan. As a nationally certified recreational therapist, she has served diverse populations in public health, parks and recreation, corrections, behavioral health, and long-term care settings. She is a first-generation college student and transfer student earning both her BS and MS in Recreation Administration from Sacramento State University. After working as a clinician for more than 15 years, she returned to complete her Ph.D. at Indiana University-Bloomington, School of Public Health. Dr. Taylor serves as the Director and Co-founder of the UWL Health Science Interprofessional Research Center.
Steering committee
Hanni Cowley PT, DPT, SCS
University Wisconsin-La Crosse
Physical Therapy Lead, HSIRC
Professor Cowley is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Program of Physical Therapy at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Her special interest areas include community wellness, lifestyle influence on health, and injury prevention. She maintains an active clinical practice in the La Crosse Area. Professor Cowley graduated from UWL with a Master's in Physical Therapy, completing her Sports Residency at Gundersen Lutheran. She is a Sports Certified Specialist (ABPTS) and graduated from Regis University with a transitional DPT.
Tara DeLong MS, CTRS, CHES
University Wisconsin-La Crosse
Affiliate Researcher and Facility Service Dog Handler, HSIRC
Tara DeLong (MS, CTRS, CHES) currently teaches Recreational Therapy at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse. She is dually certified as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) and Health Education Specialist (CHES). She is an experienced facilitator and programmer. She has 25 years of practice experience at Gundersen Health System. In addition to teaching, her professional interests include trauma stewardship, mental health, health risk behaviors within traditionally marginalized communities, intergenerational mentoring, and culturally affirming healthcare practices. Most recently she has become a trained facility dog handler.
Brock C. McMullen, Ph.D., CAPE
University Wisconsin-La Crosse
Exercise & Sport Science Lead, HSIRC
Dr. McMullen directs the UW-La Crosse Adapted Physical Education (APE) Teacher Preparation Program in the Department of Exercise and Sport Science while also directing the Center on Disability Health and Adapted Physical Activity (CDHAPA). His research interests include investigating APE teachers’ job experiences, the effects of school-based sport participation for students with disabilities, and the impact of relational efficacy on physical therapy rehabilitation outcomes.
Laura Schaffer, OTD, MA, OTR/L
University Wisconsin-La Crosse
Occupational Therapy Lead and Facility Service Dog Handler, HSIRC
Professor Schaffer’s clinical experience includes practice in acute care and inpatient rehabilitation with strong focus with clients with neurological diagnoses. She joined UWL's occupational therapy team in 2015 and has since completed her post professional doctorate and now serves as the program's director. As a 2000 UWL alumni, Professor Schaffer has enjoyed working at her alma mater and advocating for the OT profession. Professor Schaffer is a trained facility service dog handler, working with Rossi at the Health Science Interprofessional Research Center.
W. Thomas Means, PH.D., CTRS
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Recreational Therapy Lead, HSIRC
Dr. Means is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Recreation Management and Therapeutic Recreation and is a nationally certified recreational therapist. He has over nine years of experience working with a variety of populations within camps, community recreation, and residential treatment centers. His educational background includes a BS in Kinesiology from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, MS in Therapeutic Recreation from UW-L, PhD in Leisure Behavior from Indiana University, and specialized certification from Minds At Work on the constructive developmental theory and Immunity to Change. Dr. Means has a research agenda concerned with the how individuals make meaning within their leisure experiences and how that meaning-making influences well-being and quality of life.
Abigail Fleischmann
University Wisconsin-La Crosse
Research Assistant, HSIRC
As an individual who values strong relationships, Abigail utilizes her communication skills to bring members of her community together to achieve common goals and to teach each other the importance of diversity. She is a current senior at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse and is working towards her BS and MS in Therapeutic Recreation. Her future career goals include either working in a Day Service setting with adults with disabilities or in a long-term care facility. She wanted to be part of the Health Science Interprofessional Research Center so that she is able to work with new populations and gain new experiences.
Elizabeth Neels
University Wisconsin-La Crosse
Research Assistant, HSIRC
Elizabeth is majoring in Therapeutic Recreation with the hopes of being able to work in either the mental health field or at a medical specialty camp with people that have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Her strengths include being adaptable, optimistic, patient, and reliable. She has used these strengths while volunteering at Easterseals Wisconsin, teaching swimming lessons and being a 1:1 mentor for those with disabilities through the YMCA inclusion department. She wanted to be a part of the HSIRC so she could get more experience in research but also so she could expand her knowledge of Therapeutic Recreation as well as connect with those in the field. The HSIRC will not only provide her with opportunities to grow as an individual but also within the field of TR.
Emily Higgins
University Wisconsin-La Crosse
Research Assistant, HSIRC
As a first-generation college student, Emily uses her passion and love for learning to empower others to grow and reach their highest potential. Working towards her dual degree in Therapeutic Recreation at the University of Wisconsin La - Crosse, her interests include para sports and equine assisted therapies. Having a twin sibling with a physical disability, she strives to “Choose Happy” and be an advocate for others through the promotion of awareness and inclusion throughout her daily life.
Rachel Gundrum
University Wisconsin-La Crosse
Research Assistant, HSIRC
Rachel is a junior at UWL majoring in therapeutic recreation, minoring in psychology, and is on the pre-occupational therapy track. Her passion is working with people in hopes to impact their lives in any way possible. Rachel has been working with kids for six years in schools, community, and home settings. She hopes to continue working with kids as she goes onto graduate school and in her occupational therapy career. Rachel views her position as a research assistant as an opportunity to learn about different interventions, meet new people and gain research experience.
Virginia Wintersteen, MD
STAR Center
Clinical Member, HSIRC
Dr. Virginia G. Wintersteen is an orthopedist in La Crosse, Wisconsin and is affiliated with Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center. She received her medical degree from University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and has been in practice for more than 20 years. Dr. Wintersteen serves on the STAR Center Board of Directors.
Brianna Colton, CTRS
STAR Center
Clinical Member, HSIRC
Bri Colton obtained her BS in therapeutic recreation from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and is a nationally certified recreational therapist. Colton has experience working with a variety of populations within community recreation, long term care, and summer camps. Colton currently serves as the STAR Center Program Coordinator and Facilitator.
Jennifer Piatt PhD, CTRS, FDRT
Indiana University-Bloomington
Affiliate Researcher, HSIRC
The focus of Dr. Jennifer Piatt's research is to empower individuals to lead healthy lives through evidence-based and community-based wellness initiatives. After completing a successful research fellowship in spinal cord injury medicine at the University of Utah, Dr. Piatt shifted her line of research to examining sexual health for adults living with disabling conditions. To achieve excellence in research, Dr. Piatt combines research interests with training and mentoring future scholars. This has led to the engagement in interdisciplinary meaningful research disseminated to scholars, practitioners, and consumers. She has authored over 50 scientific journal publications, 30 peer-reviewed research abstracts, 8 book chapters, delivered over 100 scientific research presentations, while securing over $1,000,000 in internal and external research funds. Dr. Piatt is consistently invited as a keynote speaker on the topic of sexual health and disability.
Lori Ann Eldridge PhD, LRT, CTRS
East Carolina University
Affiliate Researcher, HSRIC
Dr. Lori Eldridge’s research program is grounded in translational science that seeks to bridge the gap between research and practice. The overarching goals of her work are to: a) better understand the manner in which the social determinants of health intersect with laws, policies, and regulations in ways that impact access to care and the quality of healthcare delivery, and b) to translate that understanding into evidence-based curricular and policy-focused efforts that seek to improve services and their outcomes for individuals facing issues related to a disability or who face challenges related to substance use and mental health.
Shinichi Nagata, Ph.D., CTRS
University of Tsukuba, Japan
Affiliate Researcher, HSIRC
Shinichi Nagata, Ph.D., CTRS is an Assistant Professor at University of Tsukuba, Japan. Shinichi received his master’s degree at Northwest Missouri State University, Ph.D. at Indiana University-Bloomington, and postdoctoral training at Temple University Collaborative on Community Inclusion. His research interests include the mental health and well-being of individuals with disabilities. Shinichi studies the potential of socially assisted robots for older adults with depression. He also has used SWOT analysis in a program development.
K. Jason Crandall, Ph.D., ACSM C-EP, EIM2
Western Kentucky University
Affiliate Researcher, HSIRC
Dr. Jason Crandall is an Associate Professor of Exercise Science and Co-Director of the Center for Applied Science in Health & Aging at Western Kentucky University. Utilizing grant funding from the National Institute on Aging, Retirement Research Foundation, and the US Center for Medicare and Medicaid, his research focuses on the development, testing, and dissemination of Bingocize®, a health promotion program that increases functional performance, health knowledge, cognition, and social engagement in older adults with a variety of physical and cognitive abilities. The program is approved by the National Council on Aging and the United States Department of Agriculture as an evidence-based falls prevention program and obesity prevention program, respectively. Older adult communities in 41 U.S. states, the United Kingdom, Poland, the Philippines, and Finland currently use the Bingocize® program.
Blair McKissock Ph.D. CTRS
Affiliate Researcher, HSIRC
Dr. Blair McKissock serves as the Outreach Specialist for the Military Family Research Institute at Purdue University and the Director of Education and Research at Strides to Success. In her 25 years as an RT, she has applied her skills direct service in behavioral health to teaching other recreational therapists (RTs) at Indiana University and Temple University. Her focus is on outdoor recreation and animal assisted therapy, specifically equine assisted services. She is an author, speaker and outspoken advocate for the tremendous skills of RTs. She believes that people are only limited to their imagination and RTs can imagine a lot!
Dr. Wags
Rossi the Facility Service Dog
I am Rossi, HSIRC's facility service dog. I have trained for 2 years with Canine Companions to be at UWL and am very excited to help you!
Fun fact: I know over 40 commands!
Favorite toys: Anything safe and approved by my handler/best friend.
Do I like to be pet? Please ask prior to petting me. I may be working and it is important that I am not interrupted during a task and that I am in a controlled position and understands my expectations.