Health Promotion Staff Bios

Jennifer Austin, MPH 
Communications Specialist
BA in Cultural Anthropology and Environmental Studies (Oberlin College)
Masters in Public Health (University of Michigan)
Certified Massage Therapist

My role at Gannett involves developing and sharing information about health and health services for all members of the Cornell community. I am proud of the commitment we have to providing integrated care to such a large and diverse community of students, staff, and faculty. Learning how to how to address the ever-changing needs of this population is an ongoing pleasure and challenge. One of my favorite quotes related to college health is: "wheresoever you go, go with all your heart." (Confucius)

Myra Berkowitz, MNS, RD, CDN 
Nutritionist
BS in Biological Sciences (Cornell University)
Masters in Nutritional Sciences (Cornell University)
Registered Dietitian

Learning to practice good nutrition is essential for everyone and helps students to maximize academic performance, sports performance, and health. Together with two other nutritionists at Gannett, I provide individual nutrition counseling as well as consultation and outreach to the Cornell community. My own experience as a student here at Cornell has been extremely valuable in the work I do with others.

Nina Cummings, MS, CHES
Health Educator/ Victim Advocate
BA (Ithaca College)
MS (Cornell University)
C.H.E.S. (Certified Health Education Specialist)

As a health educator who enjoys the rewards and challenges of creating a healthy campus environment, my primary responsibilities include the promotion of women's health and sexual health. I most enjoy meeting with student groups (including Gannett's ZONE outreach volunteers) as well as collaborating, training and consulting on women's health initiatives.

As the University Victim Advocate, I am available to consult with anyone within the Cornell community who has been victimized. My role is to actively support individuals, to help them decide what they need and to design a personal course of action for each person. I am inspired daily by the individual human spirit and its ability to bring comfort and empowerment after victimization.

Sharon Dittman, MDiv, CHES
Associate Director for Community Relations
BA (Bucknell University)
MDiv (Vanderbilt University)
Certified Health Education Specialist

It's my privilege to play a coordination role in Gannett Health Promotion. My colleagues are all passionate, committed, creative people, and I encourage you to look for opportunities to connect with them. We strive to work closely and collaboratively with Gannett staff, campus partners, and student leaders to create a healthy environment within which students can thrive, physically, emotionally, socially, spiritually, and academically. My special areas of focus include communications, patient advocacy, and emergency planning. I draw inspiration from many sources, including Maya Angelou: "love builds up the broken wall and straigtens the crooked path. love keeps the stars in the firmament and imposes rhythm on the ocean tides. each of us is created of it and i suspect each of us was created for it."

Barbara Jastran, RN, LCSW
Clinical Counselor/Care Manager
BS in Nursing (Binghamton University)
Master's Degree in Social Work (Syracuse University) Certified Sex Therapist (AASECT)

My area of specialization is human sexuality and sex counseling.  I meet with students, faculty and staff to explore issues and concerns related to sex and sexuality. In addition to my work as a sex therapist, I work with Gannett staff on integrative health care related to depression.

Deborah Lewis, MEd
Alcohol Projects Coordinator
BA (Rutgers University)
Masters in Education (Harvard University)

My work focuses on reducing the harm associated with alcohol and other drug use and abuse in the college setting. To this end, I work with the BASICS program, help create new policies, such as the Medical Amnesty Protocol, and direct the implementation of educational initiatives, like AlcoholEdu. I also coordinate research initiatives related to substance use, such as the annual Slope Day Survey. 

Tim Marchell, PhD, MPH
Director of Mental Health Initiatives
BA (Cornell University)
Masters in Public Health (UCLA School of Public Health)
Masters in Divinity (Yale Divinity School)  
Ph.D. (California School of Professional Psychology)

I am a clinical psychologist whose work focuses on the prevention of alcohol abuse, hazing, and suicide. I encourage students to "do the best you can, with what you have, where you are, and to care about others."

 
Violet Sawyer, MHS
BASICS Provider, Health Educator 
BA in Sociology (Houghton College)
Master in Human Services (Lincoln University)

Having the opportunity to work in many aspects of preventive health at Cornell has been such an enriching experience for me. As a health educator and BASICS provider, I help students develop and maintain goals that are healthy and life- enhancing.

Heather Stone, MPH
Public Health Communications Specialist 
BA in Psychology (Mills College)
Masters in Public Health (University of California, Berkeley)

  

Jan Talbot, MS, CHES
Health Educator
BS in Education (SUNY Cortland)
MS in Health Education (Syracuse University)
Certified Health Education Specialist

Many of the positive changes that address health issues on our campus occur as a result of the unified and committed action of students, faculty and staff. My role as a community health educator is to plan and organize actions that will address health problems and promote healthy lifestyles. I participate in several campus and community committees, conduct research and evaluation, assist with health communications and serve as the International Student Health Advocate. Health issues of current interest include new student orientation, the health needs of international students, sexual assault prevention, tobacco cessation, and stress management.    
 

Catherine Thrasher-Carroll, MA, MT-BC
Mental Health Promotion Coordinator
BM in Music Therapy (University of the Pacific)
MA in Psychology (Antioch University)
Board-Certified Music Therapist

In my role as Mental Health Promotion Coordinator, I have the privilege and the pleasure of working collaboratively with colleagues in Gannett (and in offices and departments across campus) to assess, implement, and evaluate support resources for students, faculty & staff.  I think of “mental health” as one aspect of the overarching concept of “health” in general. My place within the Health Promotion department allows me to work closely with a creative team of health educators to advance healthy lifestyle behaviors in the service of academic and life success. Additionally, I am excited to participate in several multi-disciplinary teams that address direct student services, policies & practices, and community education and training around mental health and well-being.

 “Appreciate yourself by allowing yourself the opportunities to grow, develop, and find your true sense of purpose in this life.” (Anonymous)

Meet our Administrative Assistants

Elizabeth Bismore
 

Heather Holland