Mission
The mission of the department of Health, Nutrition, and Exercise science is to provide dedicated faculty, quality facilities, and a diverse environment which support nationally recognized undergraduate and graduate education, research and service in the areas of nutrition, dietetics, family/consumer sciences, and sports nutrition/exercise science.
The programs offer several options allowing each student to choose the best path to achieving their professional goals. We use an individualized approach to providing a high quality, broad-based educational experience that empowers graduates to develop skills needed for future specializations. We offer a challenging but supportive and nurturing environment that facilitates both professional and personal growth.
The programs have identified five goals to guide achievements and student learning outcomes:
To foster a learning environment that leads to quality teaching and learning, original research contributions, and scholarly pursuits.
To prepare students who can think critically in the theoretical and practical areas of nutrition, dietetics, and family/consumer sciences.
To promote student commitment to lifelong learning, professional development, and community service.
To encourage mentoring, teamwork, and collaboration.
To empower students to excel in their knowledge and skill development in order to competitively enter the job market, internships, or graduate programs.
Facilities & Technology
Food Science Lab
In addition to traditional food testing tools, our Food Science Lab contains equipment to prepare students for food preparation in real-world commercial settings:
Blast Chiller and Rethermalization Unit
Metabolic Kitchen
Sensory Evaluation Lab
Ingredient Room
Healthy Demo Classroom
Our Healthy Demo Classroom is used for instruction and demonstrations, for both students and the community at large.
Sensory Evaluation Lab
Our Sensory Evaluation Lab allows students to test the products they make in the Food Science Lab. The two laboratories are connected for easy evaluation.
The Exercise Science program is housed in the Center for Athletics and Wellness, which features a fitness center, aquatics center, climbing wall, arena, running track, training rooms, and an Exercise Science Lab. The Exercise Science Lab provides students with a variety of research equipment.
Research Equipment
Treadmills
Cycle Ergometers
Kayak/Rowing Ergometers
Upper-Body Ergometer
ECG
Lactate Analyzer
Climate-Controlled Room
O'Neill Center for Healthy Families
The O'Neill Center for Healthy Families, located on University Avenue, provides classroom and research space, joining academic programs to innovative research. Students from the Nursing, Nutrition and Dietetics, Exercise Science, Respiratory Therapy, and Physician Assistant programs have classes in this building. It is also home to The Human Performance Lab, a state-of-the-art facility designed to serve the needs of student, professional, amateur, and recreational athletes and the community.
The Keith J. O'Neill Center for Healthy Families, dedicated on October 18, 2002, was named in honor of its benefactor, esteemed alumnus and former trustee Keith J. O'Neill '76, the first male to graduate from Marywood's dietetics program and an accomplished leader in the dietetics profession. He credits Marywood for "(giving) me the skills and confidence to take on the challenges that come from running a large food service department and eventually from the challenges created by starting my own company."
In 2024, Marywood University further expanded its deep commitment to health sciences during the dedication of the Pascucci Family Health Sciences Pavilion, a transformative addition to the Keith J. O'Neill Center for Healthy Families and a cornerstone of the EMPOWER Campaign.
The $11.5 million Pascucci Family Health Sciences Pavilion is a realization of Marywood's commitment to providing state-of-the-art facilities for education in the health sciences. Generously supported by the Pascucci Family and other dedicated donors, this new space elevates the learning experience of future healthcare professionals and contributes to the University's mission of fostering excellence in education.
Exercise Science Lab
Marywood's 2,040-square foot Exercise Science Lab is one of the area's leading sites for student and faculty research. Located in the Center for Athletics and Wellness, the lab is fully equipped to conduct a wide array of physiological measurements to assess health, fitness and athletic performance, and to complete various physiological and biological research.
The lab provides testing for those who wish to improve athletic performance or monitor their progress toward their fitness and/or weight loss goals. It is not a fitness facility. For recreational and competitive athletes, we offer body composition analysis, VO2max (aerobic) testing, lactate profiling, and Wingate anaerobic power testing. The purpose of fitness testing includes education of participants about their present fitness status relative to healthy standards and age/gender-matched norms, as well as
Housed within the Exercise Science Lab is an independent biochemistry lab fully equipped for the preparation and analysis of chemical compounds and biological specimens. An environmental chamber, also within the lab, is available for studies needing precisely controlled temperature, humidity, or gas concentrations. The laboratory is equipped with a full complement of utilities, including climate control, electricity (110 VAC, 220 VAC), water, natural gas, vacuum, and compressed air, and a 30" x 36" certified fume hood.
Pascucci Family Health Sciences Pavilion
The $11.5 million Pascucci Family Health Sciences Pavilion is a realization of Marywood's commitment to providing state-of-the-art facilities for education in the health sciences. Generously supported by the Pascucci Family and other dedicated donors, this new space elevates the learning experience of future healthcare professionals and contributes to the University's mission of fostering excellence in education. Students are already taking classes in the new facility, which was finished early and under budget.
Healthy Families Classrooms
The O'Neill Center for Healthy Families is the academic home of students in the nursing, nutrition and dietetics, respiratory therapy, and physician assistant programs, all of whom have classes in this building. Exercise Science students also take classes here. The facility includes traditional classroom space as well as clinical and lab space.
Healthy Families Center Computer Lab
The Computer Lab in the O'Neill Center is located in Room 207, and there is a printer available.
Meet the Faculty & Staff
Lindsay Howard
Department Chair | Assistant Professor of Practice
David T Frable
Assistant Professor
Kathryn Louise Tullio
Assistant Professor of Practice
Jessica R Bodzio
Associate Professor of Practice | Lecturer
Maureen Tara Burke
Assistant Professor of Practice
Kristine A Danilovitz
Lecturer
Maria K Deleo
Lecturer
Kaitlyn M Eck
Lecturer
Eduardo Rene Escobar
Lecturer | Lab Assistant (PT)
Ciarra Falzone
Administrative Assistant | Administrative Assistant
Gabrielle Celeste Giordano
Lecturer
Kevin Jay Goff
Lecturer
Erikah M Groninger
Lecturer
Julie M Leonard
Lecturer
Dr. Alan M Levine
Professor Emeritus | Lecturer | Lecturer
Dr. Erin Ann O'Hora
Lecturer | Lecturer
Karina L Rosser
Lecturer
Catherine E Sarkozy
Lecturer
Nicole Schofield
Lecturer
Stefanie M Smith
Lecturer
Saige Marie Sterner
Lecturer
Scott Robert Summers
Lecturer
Emily J Wargo
Instructor of Practice
Maria Wolfel
Lecturer
Student Resources
RDN Program Information
Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) or Registered Dietitians (RDs) are food and nutrition experts who have met criteria and earned the opportunity to continue to refer to themselves with an RD or RDN credential.
2024-2026 Dietetic Internship Handbook
Exercise Science Practicum Manual
Forms
Clearances
PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form (choose an individual seeking to provided child-care services under contract with a child care facility or program)
Onsite Interns require all 3 clearances - Distance Interns may vary by state
Dietetic Program - Distance Track
Other Forms
National Associations
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics http://www.eatright.org/
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/index.htm
Community Nutrition
National Health and Nutrition Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes.htm
Head Start Nutrition https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/tta-system/health/nutrition
Keystone Kids Go http://www.panen.org/keystone-kids-go/go-colorful
Child Nutrition and Health https://fnic.nal.usda.gov/lifecycle-nutrition/child-nutrition
Child and Adult Care Food Program http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/care/
http://Thomas.loc.gov/ This site provides Bill Summary and Status, Bill text, and Public law by numbers. It is Legislative Information on the Internet that is a service of the Library of Congress.
Nutrition Education And Educational Resources
USDA Nutrient Database http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search/
Fruits and Veggies Matter http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org
Food and Nutrition Information Center http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/index.html
Mifflin St. Jeor BMR Estimation Calculator http://www.calculator.net/calorie-calculator.html
Linus Pauling Institute: Micronutrient and Phytochemical Information Center http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/
Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition http://www.bellinstitute.com/
My Plate (My Pyramid replacement) http://www.choosemyplate.gov/
Clinical Nutrition
American Society for Clinical Nutrition http://www.nutrition.org
Journal of Clinical Nutrition (Requires access to Elsevier) http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/623017/description#description
Food Technology
Sports Nutrition & Exercise Science
Sports, Cardiovascular and Wellness Nutritionists http://www.scandpg.org/
National Strength and Conditioning Association http://www.nsca.com/
International Society of Sports Nutrition http://www.sportsnutritionsociety.org/
Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (open access) http://www.jissn.com/
Government Resources
United Stated Department of Agriculture http://www.usda.gov/
Food and Nutrition Service (United States Department of Agriculture) http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns/
Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion http://www.usda.gov/cnpp/
Research Resources
Contact the Health, Nutrition and Exercise Science Department
Location: O'Neill Center for Healthy Families
Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Phone: 570-348-6277
Follow us on:
Nutrition: Facebook
Nutrition: Instagram
Exercise Science: Facebook
Exercise Science: Instagram
