HHS Hosts 14th Annual Alumni Recognition Dinner

Youngstown State Unniversity Bitonte College of Health and Human Services’ 14th Annual Alumni Recognition Dinner will be held Friday, Oct. 6, at the Embassy located on 5030 Youngstown-Poland Road. The reception begins at 5:30 p.m. with the dinner and program starting at 6 p.m.

Distinguished alumni to be recognized include, Edward Brienz, Kendall Christoff, Maria Delost, Alyssa Hutch, Banan Imashat, Drew Snyder and James Woodward. The recipients of the Dean’s Appreciation Awards are Jenifer Miller and Sal Sanders.

Edward Brienz, graduated from YSU with a bachelor of arts in Social Work. Afterward, he attended Mt. St. Mary’s in Cincinnati, Ohio, and obtained a master’s of Divinity degree. He was ordained a deacon and then ordained a priest in the Diocese of Youngstown. Through the Diocese of Youngstown Mission Office, he has organized hundreds of volunteers that aided people recovering from the hurricane of New Orleans and families living in poverty in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky. He operates Project Grow with the Catholic Extension Society, a program of teenagers’ spiritual service and neighborhood repairs.

A Dietetics major, Kendel Christoff, joined the Students in Dietetics (SIDS) organization to get involved and later led SIDS as president, setting an inspiring agenda for organization activities. In her spare time, Christoff has continued her advocacy for the dietetics profession as the current Council on Professional Issues chair for the Mahoning Valley Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Professional Affiliate Organization for Dietetic Professionals.

Maria Delost, graduated from YSU in 1979 with a bachelor’s of science in Medical Technology, from the University of Akron in 1985 with a master’s of science in Biology and a Ph.D. in Health-Related Sciences from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2005. Since 1982, she has been a devoted faculty member in the department of Health Professions at YSU. During her tenure at YSU, Delost served as program director of the Medical Laboratory Programs and was instrumental in developing the curriculum and preparing graduates to serve the needs of medical laboratories locally, regionally, and nationally.

Earning a bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising with a minor in Marketing from YSU, Alyssa Hutch, started as an intern at Code3 and then earned a full-time role on Code3’s Creative team, where she served as a Creative Specialist. She transitioned to the Content team a year later, and is now serving as Content Strategist II.

Banan Imashat, holds a master’s degree in Nurse Education and has served as a nurse for the past 14 years. Currently, Banan serves as a nurse manager.

Drew Snyder, received his bachelor’s of science in Exercise Physiology from Kent State University, a doctorate in Physical Therapy from YSU and a Juris Doctorate from Case Western Reserve University. He has published papers and presented research at national conferences on various legal and healthcare issues. Snyder also spoke at the 2019 Symposium on the Culture of Disability in Xi’an, China, sponsored by YSU. He is currently a member of the Academy of Orthopedic Physical Therapy’s Scope of Practice Committee and is the practice vice chair for the Academy’s Occupational Health SIG. He has also taught continuing education courses on legal and ethical issues in healthcare.

A member of the YSU Army ROTC program, James Woodward, graduated from YSU in 2010 with a bachelor’s in Political Science and in 2017 he earned a master’s of Public Administration from Troy University. In 2023, Major Woodward received his MBA from Kent State University. Currently assigned as the Operations Officer for the 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team for approximately 4,250 Soldiers, Major Woodward previously served as the executive officer for the Kent State University Army Reserve Officers Training Corps. Major Woodward has served as a battalion administrative officer, training officer, operations officer, assistant operations officer, two infantry company commands, company executive officer and platoon leader. He has deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and Operation Spartan Shield.

Jenifer Miller, started her career at YSU with the Dean’s Office in the College of STEM. When YSU won the grant for the Center for Transportation, she assisted the director and went to several ODOT-related trade shows both in Columbus, Ohio, and Washington, D.C. She later worked briefly in the Math department. Miller began her Exercise Science position, later becoming Kinesiology and Sport Science, in 2015, before advancing to the rank of Academic Operations Specialist 1 in the Bitonte College of Health and Human Services Dean’s Office.

Dean of the College of Graduate Studies, assistant provost for Cyberlearning, and professor of Health Professions at YSU, Sal Sanders, has been recognized as a Distinguished Professor for Excellence in Service and Teaching. He values teaching and learning with students and colleagues, applying technical skills, and best practices in online learning environments. He provides leadership and support to enhance learning and enable student, faculty, and staff success.