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RIMI Scholars 2005 - 2010

Professor Sonnie E. Abebaku Radiography	Sonnie Abebaku is an Associate Professor of Medical Radiography within the Department of Nursing and Allied Health at UDC. Born and raised in Nigeria, Professor Abebaku graduated from the University of the District of Columbia [‘80] with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and earned an MBA in Marketing and International Business [‘82] from Southeastern University. In 2004, Professor Abebaku graduated with an AAS degree in Medical Radiography [UDC] and was certified a registered radiographer. Sonnie Abebaku joined the RIMI Project in 2006, and selected Dr. Allan A. Johnson, HU Professor of Nutrition, as his research mentor. He is interested in exploring barriers to healthcare utilization for African American sickle-cell patients.
Professor Janet Akintola, Respiratory 2005-2007	Janet Akintola is an Associate Professor of Respiratory within the Department of Nursing and Allied Health at UDC. A native of Nigeria, Professor Akintola joined the faculty of UDC in August 2004 as an Associate Professor and Director of Clinical Education of the Respiratory Therapy Program. She became a RIMI Scholar in 2006. Professor Akintola has worked as an Advanced Practitioner Respiratory Therapist at the Washington Hospital Center for 16 years. She was also involved in research study relative to weaning and extubation?? Protocols in the Medical Intensive Care Unit at the Washington Hospital Center. Janet Akintola earned the BS in Biology at Boston State College [1981], a MA in Education/Administration and Supervision at the University of Massachusetts, Boston campus [1983]. She also has an Associates in Respiratory Therapy. Professor Akintola is currently pursuing her doctorate at the University of Maryland. She along with her mentor, Dr. Sherry Scott, Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy-HU, are interested in compliance issues related to asthma management among African American patients within the District of Columbia.
Professor Stella Akpuaka Nursing	Stella Akpuaka is an Assistant Professor of Nursing within the Department of Nursing and Allied Health at UDC. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Professor Akpuaka received the AAS [Nursing] from Cameron University [’91], a BS in Nursing from Bowie State University[’98], and a MS in Health Care Administration from U of M [College Park] - [’06]. She also received a Certificate in Education from Anambra State College of Education [Nigeria] - [’85]. Stella Akpuaka has impressive clinical care experience and management skills. She joined the RIMI Project in 2006. Professor Akpuaka and her mentor Dr. Veronica Clarke-Tasker, HU Associate Professor of Nursing, were awarded a $10,000 RIMI SEARCH Grant [summer ‘06] to study the Knowledge, Attitudes, Health Practices and Beliefs of Nigerian Men Immigrants Residing in the Washington Metropolitan Area Regarding Prostate Cancer Screening and Education.
Professor Elmira Asongwed,RN, MS, CNE Nursing	Elmira Asongwed is an Associate Professor of Nursing within the Department of Nursing and Allied Health at UDC. Born in Tuskegee, AL, she is tenured faculty with a wealth of teaching and clinical experience, knowledge, and expertise in nursing care. Professor Asongwed holds a BS degree in Nursing from Tuskegee Institute [now University] and an MS degree in Community Health Nursing from the University of Maryland, Baltimore campus. Elmira Asongwed has taught courses at the AASN and BSN levels and served in many leadership positions at UDC. She was promoted to Associate Professor and recruited into the RIMI Project in 2006. Professor Asongwed along with her mentor, Dr. Steven Chesbro, HU Associate Professor and Chair of Physical Therapy, were awarded a $20,000 RIMI SEARCH Grant [summer ‘06] to explore Clinical Use of the Ankle-Brachial Index [ABI] to Identify and Manage Peripheral Arterial Disease [PAD] in African Americans: Development of an Educational Course to Increase Clinicians Knowledge and Skill Level.
Professor Angela Bradford Wainwright, Ph.D., CCC-SLP Languages & Communication Disorders	Angela Bradford Wainwright is the current Coordinator of the Speech-Language Pathology Program and Assistant Professor in the Department of Languages and Communication Disorders at UDC. She was recruited into the RIMI Project in 2006. Professor Bradford received her Baccalaureate in Music [vocal performance] at the University of Maryland, College Park. After many years as a performance artist in the US, Asia, and parts of Europe, she returned to the Washington Metropolitan area and earned her Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology at UDC. In 1997, Professor Bradford became a board certified speech pathologist. In 2003, Angela Bradford Wainwright received the Doctorate in Speech-Language Pathology, with an emphasis in Neurogenics, from the University of Memphis. Her research interests include normal versus pathological language and cognitive-linguistic aging among minority populations. Dr. Angela Bradford Wainwright and her RIMI mentor, Dr. Kay Payne, Associate Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Howard University, received a RIMI SEARCH Summer grant award of $17,000 to research Gender Differences in the Narrative Productions of African American Adults.
Professor Susie Cato Nursing	Susie Cato is an Associate Professor of Nursing within the Department of Nursing and Allied Health at UDC. She is an experienced [tenured] and long-standing faculty member who commenced service at UDC on September 16, 1972. Professor Cato enjoys teaching and has taught nursing courses as the leader instructor, course activator or level coordinator in the Associate Degree and Baccalaureate Degree Nursing Programs at UDC. She received her BS in Nursing from Winston-Salem State University, an MA in Special Studies/Urban Learning from George Washington University, and an MS Degree in Nursing/Gerontological Nursing Education from Howard University. Professor Cato has also completed graduate and post graduate studies at the University of Maryland, George Mason University, UDC, and Virginia Polytechnic Institute. A RIMI Scholar since 2006, Susie Cato and her mentor, Dr. Debra Roberts, a developmental psychologist at Howard University, are pursuing research on Polypharmacy Among Older African American Adults with diabetes.
Professor Leander Coles Mortuary	Leander M. Coles is a founding member an Associate Professor of Mortuary Science within the Department of Nursing and Allied Health at UDC. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from UDC in 1975; a Master’s Degree in Education from Bowie State University in 1982; and a second Master’s in Divinity [1992] from Wesley Theological Seminary. Professor Coles became a RIMI Scholar in 2006. He and his mentor, Dr. Pauline Green, who is a part of the Nursing faculty at Howard University, are actively engaged in researching information relative to organ donation practices and perceptions among African Americans.
Professor Robert Dean, Mortuary 2005-2007	Robert J. Dean is Program Director and Assistant Professor of Mortuary Science within the Department of Nursing and Allied Health at UDC. Professor Dean was born and raised in the Petworth neighborhood of Washington, DC. He received Associate Degree’s from UDC and Dabney S. Lancaster Community College [VA] in 1991 and 2003, respectively. Professor Dean also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mortuary Science from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, and recently completed requirements for his Master’s in Education Degree [Strayer University]. Robert Dean is a licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer in the District of Columbia, Ohio, and Virginia. Professor Dean joined the RIMI Project in 2006. He and his research mentor, Dr. Lisa Moon, Psychology Professor at UDC, are conducting research into the Prevalence of Dating Violence Among College-Aged Populations by Gender.

Professor Augustine Koenig, Radiography 2005-2008	Augustine Koenig is Associate Professor of Radiography within the Department of Nursing and Allied Health at UDC. Born in Harbel, Liberia, Professor Koenig holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics [1976] from the University of Liberia; a Certificate in Electronic Technology [1977] from the Liberia Technical Teacher Training Institute; a Certificate in Early Childhood Education [1988] from Montgomery College; and a Diploma in Radiologic Technology [1995] from Howard University. Professor Koenig has been active in the RIMI Project since 2006. He along with his mentor, Dr. Mattie J. Tabron, Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology at Howard University, are researching The Effect of Community Violence on Childhood Depression Among Children Living in Urban Areas.

Professor Elgloria Harrison Respirator	Elgloria Harrison is an Associate Professor of Respiratory within the Department of Nursing and Allied Health at UDC. Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, Professor Harrison currently chairs the District of Columbia Board of Respiratory Care which oversees the practice of Respiratory Therapists in the District of Columbia. She has a BS in Biology from Southern University in New Orleans [82], a Certificate of Completion, Alton Oschner Medical Foundation, School of Respiratory Therapy, New Orleans [83], and an MS Degree in Health Care Administration, University of Maryland, University College, College Park [96]. Elgloria Harrison joined the RIMI Project in 2006. She and her mentor/coach, Dr. Felecia M. Banks, Associate Professor and Chair, Occupational Therapy at Howard University, are conducting a series of research-related activities relative to asthma self-management among minority families in the District of Columbia. Professor Harrison is also co-principal investigator for an asthma grant proposal submitted to CMS and has a contract to complete a book.
Professor Susan Lockwood, MA, RN, RRT Respiratory	Susan D. Lockwood, is Associate Professor and Director of the Respiratory Therapy Program within the Department of Nursing and Allied Health at UDC. A tenured faculty member who has served the University for some 30 years, Professor Lockwood is very active in community respiratory therapy issues. She received a Masters in Health Promotion Counseling/Case Management from Trinity College; two Bachelors Degrees, one in Vocational Education from the Washington Technical Institute and the other in nursing from Georgetown University. Susan Lockwood also has a Respiratory Therapy Diploma from The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Professor Lockwood, a RIMI Scholar since 2006, is interested in asthma education relative to both Adult and Pediatric populations. She and her mentor, Dr. Barbara Harland, Professor of Nutritional Sciences at Howard University, are conducting research on Empowering Low-Income Asthmatic Children and Their Families in Washington, DC in the Self-Management of their Disease.
Professor Donald Steinert Radiography	Donald Steinert is an Associate Professor of Respiratory Therapy in the Department of Nursing and Allied Health at The University of the District of Columbia where he teaches Introduction to Health Science, Cardiopulmonary Physiology, Pathophysiology, Cardiopulmonary Diagnostics, and Adjunctive Therapies. His background experience includes community health education and counseling programs with area physicians as well as various stress management, exercise, and nutrition programs for local church groups. Professor Steinert developed a community pulmonary rehabilitation program and founded and directed the Preventive Medicine Center at Columbia Union College for a number of years. He is a licensed Clinical Laboratory Scientist and regular contributor to the professional trade journal “Focus”. Professor Steinert joined the RIMI Project in 2006. He and his mentor, Dr. Kamran Tavakol, Associate Professor of Physical Therapy at Howard University, are recipients of a $20,000 RIMI SEARCH summer grant focused on Establishing a Databank on Childhood Obesity and associated conditions in Washington, DC. His research interests involve the elimination of health disparities with a focus on obesity, cardiopulmonary diseases, exercise physiology, and sleep apnea.