Faculty Affiliates

Cathy S. Elrod, PT, PhD
Affiliate, Center for Optimal Aging
Professor of Physical Therapy, School of Health Sciences,
College of Health and Education
Email:
Phone: 703-284-5984 (o)

Cathy Elrod has been on faculty at Marymount University’s Physical Therapy program since 1997. Her clinical expertise is in the management of the medically complex patient. She has worked with older adults in large trauma hospitals, home health care, and hospice. Through funding from federal grants, she became a Master Trainer for two evidence-based falls prevention programs (EBFPPs), A Matter of Balance (MOB) and Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL), and has been integrating them into the Northern Virginia region. She has presented regionally and nationally on her work on implementing EBFPPs within the community. The Malek School of Health Professions has recognized Dr. Elrod for her excellence in teaching with the MSHP Faculty Teaching Award in 2007 and 2013 and for her research with the MSHP Outstanding Scholarship Award in 2017.

Click here to view Dr. Cathy Elrod’s profile.

Moira G. Denson, M.A., ASID, LEED AP
Affiliate, Center for Optimal Aging
Associate Professor, School of Design and Art,
College of Business, Innovation, Leadership and Technology
Email:
Phone: 703-284-5764

Moira Gannon Denson, Associate Professor of Interior Design at Marymount University is an award-winning, nationally acclaimed design professional and artist. Her focus is on researching intergenerational housing and building connections between the classroom and interior architecture practice to foster wellness, sustainability, and longevity. A current project is writing and illustrating a collection of multicultural short stories to create a more age-friendly society while exploring the impacts of design on overall health and well-being. Through empathic design methods, she builds dialogue and leads through participatory design methods. She shares her research with local communities, presents at national and international conferences, and coauthors book chapters. Her essay “Empathic Design Matters” was published in the award Winning Book Health and Well-being for Interior Architecture ed. by Dak Kopec (2017).

Click here to view Moira Denson’s profile.

Julie D. Ries, PT, Ph.D.
(2021 – 2023) Fellow, Center for Optimal Aging
Professor of Physical Therapy, School of Health Sciences,
College of Health and Education
Email:
Phone: 703-284-5983

Julie Ries has been on faculty at Marymount’s Physical Therapy program since its inception. She has extensive PT clinical experience in acute care, home care, and neurological rehabilitation. She is a nationally and internationally recognized expert in rehabilitation for individuals with dementia and is active in research with this population. She has presented numerous continuing education courses and invited lectures on topics related to rehab for older adults with dementia. The Malek School of Health Professions has recognized Dr. Ries for her excellence in teaching with the MSHP Faculty Teaching Award in 2003, 2006, and 2014 and for her outstanding research endeavors with the MSHP Faculty Scholarship Award in 2010 and 2019. She received the 2010 Excellence in Geriatric Research Award, a national award presented by the APTA’s Section on Geriatrics, for her research on clinical outcome measures for individuals with Alzheimer’s.

Click here to view Dr. Julie Ries’s profile.