Speakers. Networking. Connections.
WELCOME PROFESSIONALS, RESEARCHERS AND DANCERS!
We are thrilled to announce the Inaugural Dancer Athlete Symposium at the University of Pittsburgh, where participants will learn about evidence-based approaches to injury prevention, community-based wellness programs, epidemiology, and health literacy for the dancer athlete. If you are interested in dance research, athletic performance, and/or approaches to healthy practices in dance, this symposium is for you. Secure your spot today!
Our Speakers
Dr. Victor Prisk
Agony of D'Feet
Victor R. Prisk, MD is the Medical Director of Prisk Orthopaedics and Wellness. He is a board-certified orthopedic-surgeon with sub-specialty training and over 10 years of experience in treating complex conditions of the foot and ankle. He is an Alum of the University of Illinois College of Medicine. In his current practice, Dr. Prisk oversees the management of many sports and dance injuries that affect the upper and lower extremities, back and neck. In addition to his work as a board certified surgeon, Dr. Prisk is a former NCAA All-American Gymnast, IFBB Professional Bodybuilder and Judge, and Professional Dancer. He cares for multiple ballet companies including the Bodiography Contemporary Ballet and The Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. He has trained multiple NPC national champions and prepped professional athletes for the Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic and Mr. Olympia stages. These experiences allow him to offer various treatments beyond your typical orthopaedic surgeon with performance enhancement, weight management, and contest preparation.
Dr. Terri Lipman
Dance for Health: An intergenerational program to increase access to physical activity
Dr. Terri Lipman is the Assistant Dean for Community Engagement, the Miriam Stirl Endowed Term Professor of Nutrition and Professor of Nursing of Children at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Senior Fellow in the Center for Public Health Initiatives and a Distinguished Fellow of the Netter Center for Community Partnerships. Dr. Lipman developed and maintains the Philadelphia Pediatric Diabetes Registry, the only such ongoing registry in the country. Her research is currently focused on disparities in the care and outcomes of children with diabetes and gender disparities in the evaluation of linear growth. Dr. Lipman directs/co-directs three Academically Based Community Service courses and developed the Dance for Health Program- an intergenerational program to increase activity in the community. The program is presently in five sites in West Philadelphia and has resulted in multiple awards and national scientific presentations by Penn pediatric nurse practitioner students and Philadelphia high school students.
Chrisala Brown
Dance, Culture and Research: Moving, Grooving and Building the Community
Chrisala Brown is a dancer, teacher, choreographer and lover of African Diaspora culture. She has studied both traditional and contemporary forms of dance from around the world. From Modern to Ballet, West African to Caribbean, dance has become the universal language which she uses to bring people together regardless of the age or background. Ms.Brown is currently a research facilitator at the University of Pittsburgh in the Brain Aging and Cognitive Health Lab's REACT!(Rhythm Experience and Africana Culture Trial) Study. She teaches African Dance and Africana Studies to African American Elders, age 60-80.
Kathleen Gaines
Addressing the gap between dance and mental health
Kathleen is a former dancer, a writer, and a fundraiser. She is also one of millions of people who have battled depression. As a dancer Kathleen trained at the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School and the San Francisco Ballet School in their pre-professional divisions. Over the last 10 years, Kathleen has written more than 100 articles on dance and has had the opportunity to conduct nearly 1,000 interviews with dancers, teachers and dance medical professionals. In 2014 she was named a contributing writer to Dance Magazine. Gaines currently serves as a member of the development committee for the International Association of Dance Medicine and Science. Gaines founded the study Minding the Gap in 2017. Her ambition is to enact a movement which results in mental health being regarded with the same seriousness as physical health in dance culture.
Frank Velasquez Jr.
Activations for Dancer Preparation and Overall Wellness
Frank Velasquez, Jr., ATC, CSCS, is the Director of Sports Performance for the Allegheny Health Network (AHN), the founder of VESLA 360 Sports Performance & Physical Therapy in Cranberry, PA, and a Certified Athletic Trainer and a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist. He has 30 years of experience working with youth, high school, college and professional athletes, including 16 years in professional baseball and nine years with the Pittsburgh Pirates as their Head Strength & Conditioning Coach.
Nicole Strock
Scientific Lessons on the Recovery of Menstrual Function and Bone Health from the Female Athlete Triad: A Focus on Dance Medicine
Nicole StrockMS, PhD (ABD) is a researcher in the Women’s Health and ExerciseLab at Penn State University. Her research focuses on investigating the interrelationships among energetic status, reproductive function, and bone health in exercising women (Female Athlete Triad). Nicole is establishing herself as a leader in the areas related to Triadphysiology, including metabolism, reproductive function and skeletal health. Nicole has a fertile track record of publications, presentations and book chapters. As a former NCAADivisionI collegiate cross-country and track and field athlete, her personal experiences with the Female Athlete Triad fuel her passion forresearch andeducatingyoung girls and women about the potential health consequences stemming from chronic energy deficiency.
Selena and David Ealey
Soul Line Dance Instructors
David and Selena Ealey Established ITD LLC (Inthedance, LLC) in 2002. The two are a group of certified instructors trained to work with an array of people from elementary school children to seasoned senior citizens. ITD is a health and fitness company that uses Line Dance, Zumba, Partner Dancing, Deejay and Party Starters to enhance social settings, overcome challenges, and encourage networking in corporate workshops.
Thank You to our Sponsors!
Pitt Dance Ensemble
