More new faculty and staff added over past several months

list in the Sept. 10 University Times missed some of the new faculty and key staff people who have joined Pitt this year. Find some additions below:

NURSING

Shanea Byers: Assistant professor. Byers begin her nursing education career in 2016 as an Instructor for the online department of West Coast University. Since then, she has transitioned from educational positions at the UPMC Mercy School of Nursing and Duquesne University before coming to Pitt. She earned her bachelor of science in nursing at Edinboro University; master of science in nursing at Robert Morris University; and doctor of nursing practice at Grand Canyon University.

Yurun Cai: Assistant professor. Cai earned her bachelor of science in nursing from Peking University Health Science Center in Beijing  She earned her doctor of philosophy from the University of Massachusetts, Boston, and was a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Epidemiology at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. 

Bettina A. Dixon: Assistant professor. Dixon has more than 30 years of experience in the clinical setting, and more than 20 years’ practice as an educator. In 2018, she was the recipient of the Nightingale Awards of Pennsylvania (doctor of nursing practice category).  She is a three-time alumnus of the University of Pittsburgh earning her master of science in nursing, doctor of nursing practice and doctor of education at Pitt.

Katherine Endres: Assistant professor. Endres has an extensive nursing career in labor and delivery and OB/GYN. In addition to being an assistant professor at Pitt, she is a board certified family nurse practitioner. Prior to her nursing career, she served in leadership positions within the political area and was the vice president of a computer consulting firm.

Heather A. Vitko: Associate professor, MSN program director and coordinator of the Clinical Nursing Leader Program. Vitko has more than 20 years of experience as a nurse at a Level 1 trauma center. She has extensive experience as an academic educator, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Vitko received her bachelor of science in nursing from Saint Francis University (Loretto, PA), her master of science in nursing from Pitt, and her doctor of philosophy from Duquesne.

Jennifer Wasco: Assistant professor. Wasco received her nursing diploma from the Western Pennsylvania School of Nursing, a bachelor of science in nursing from Clarion University, and a master of science in nursing from Waynesburg University concentrating on patient engagement and satisfaction. She completed her doctoral studies at Chatham University. She has worked in various healthcare arenas, beginning as an oncology/hematology nurse. She taught at Chatham University, where she served as the Nursing Program's practice experience coordinator for graduate degree programs.

PITT-BRADFORD

New faculty:

Obinna Ezeihouma: Assistant professor of Criminal Justice

Olanrewaju Morenikeji: Assistant professor of Biology

Andrew Leslie: Visiting assistant professor of Nursing

Adedoyin Ogunfeyimi: Assistant professor of English Composition

J.D. McGuire: Visiting assistant professor of Art

Josie Rush: Visiting assistant professor of Composition

Lynette Campogiani: Visiting assistant professor of Hospitality Management

William Clark: Visiting assistant professor of Education

Malik Elhaj: Assistant professor of Accounting

Godwin Epke: Visiting Assistant professor of Economics

Samuel Erskine: Visiting Assistant professor of Computer Information Systems and Technology

Amy Gresock: Assistant professor of Business Management

Rajib Barua: Visiting assistant professor of Engineering

New staff:

Tasha Alston: Chief diversity and inclusion officer

Christopher Clifford: Associate VP for Business Affairs & Director of Auxiliary Services

Mark Ross: Head librarian at Bradford and Titusville

William Schafer: Interim V.P. and dean of student affairs

Wayne Spary: Interim director Facilities Management

Jesse DeLoof: Head men’s basketball coach

Blake Heim: Head men’s wrestling coach

Kara Kennedy: Director of student care and conduct

Rodney Valandra: Director of Counseling Services

HEALTH AND REHABILITATION SCIENCES

Beatrice Britney: Instructor, sports medicine and nutrition

Julie Faieta: Assistant professor, rehabilitation science and technology

Nancy Gauvin: Assistant professor, communication science and disorders

Emily Grattan: Assistant professor, occupational therapy

Janet Jackson-Coty: Associate professor, physical therapy

Ali Lewandowski: Assistant professor and director of the undergraduate program in communication science

Kristin Lowry: Associate professor, physical therapy

Amy Morgan: Executive administrator to dean of SHRS

Kathryn Reed: Vice chair for equity, inclusion, and community engagement and assistant professor, physician assistant studies

Sarah Wallace: Professor and director of the speech-language pathology program