Faculty
Rayane AbuSabhaRayane AbuSabha, PhD, RD, AssociateProfessor, Didactic Program in Dietetics Director, MS Program Director, received her bachelor's degree in food technology and nutrition from the American University of Beirut, Lebanon, and her masters and doctoral degrees in nutrition from The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania. She completed her dietetics internship at Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA. Her postdoctoral work was in program evaluation and nutrition education and behavior.Before joining Sage, Rayane was the Executive Director of the Health Research Science Board at the New York State Department of Health working in the area of breast cancer research. She also served as a Social Science Research Analyst at the Office of Analysis, Nutrition and Evaluation, Food and Nutrition Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture where she worked on an evaluation of the WIC and Medicaid Programs.Dr. AbuSabha has been involved in a variety of research projects including studying the dietary patterns of older adults, evaluating distance learning media, and applying and evaluating facilitated nutrition education in WIC clinics. Rayane taught nutrition at Penn State for over a decade and provided instruction using traditional and distance-learning formats. She is widely published in the areas of nutrition education and community nutrition. Dr. AbuSabha has authored articles in many journals including the Journal of The American Dietetic Association, the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, Health Education and Behavior, and Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences. She teaches Principles of Nutrition SCI 120, Special Topics in Nutrition NTR 448, Community Nutrition NTR 348 and Nutrition Programs and Interventions NTR 561.abusar@sage.edu |
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Melodie Bell-CavallinoMelodie Bell-Cavallino, MS, RD, FADA, CDN, Associate Professor/Dietetic Internship Director has worked with the Sage Graduate School Dietetic Internship since July, 1990, with the program's beginning. She received a BS degree in General Dietetics from Rochester Institute of Technology and a MS degree in Health Education from Sage Graduate School (SGS). Ms. Bell-Cavallino has also achieved an advanced credential as a Fellow of The American Dietetic Association.Prior to coming to SGS, Professor Bell-Cavallino worked for the New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Long Term Care Services where she participated in the regulation and monitoring of quality of care in nursing homes. Ms. Bell-Cavallino's area of practice has focused primarily with the elderly and nursing home care. She has also consulted with a variety of organizations from the Association for Retarded Citizens, a major pharmaceutical company, and Head Start Programs to fitness centers. Additionally, Professor Bell-Cavallino has assisted WTEN-Channel 10 and WNYT - Channel 13 news and health reporters with nutrition news segments and acted as an expert resource for nutrition related stories.During a sabbatical leave for the 2002-03 academic years, Professor Bell-Cavallino worked with Dr. Sharon Alger at Albany Medical College on the Lifestyle Challenge Program. This is a 20-week weight management program that focuses on developing healthy lifestyle habits.Professional activities have been a priority also. Professor Bell-Cavallino has held several positions on the Boards of the Hudson Valley Dietetic Association and the New York State Dietetic Association. Ms. Bell-Cavallino was a delegate for the New York State Dietetic Association to The American Dietetic Association's House of Delegates. From 1997-99, Melodie served on the Association Membership Committee of the ADA, and during the 1998-99 year was the chair of this national committee. Outside of work, Professor Bell-Cavallino enjoys spending leisure time with her husband and daughter, Madeleine, near their country home in the Catskills. bellcm@sage.edu |
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Stephanie DiBaccoStephanie DiBacco, MBA, RD, CDN, Adjunct Faculty, earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Nutrition and Foods from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, as well as a Master's in Business Administration from The College of Saint Rose. She has over 8 years experience in health related food and nutrition management. Stephanie is the General Manager of ARAMARK at Albany Medical Center where she plans, directs and controls three ARAMARK food service operations. Stephanie also has experience working as a Clinical Dietitian at Albany Medical center. Stephanie DiBacco is responsible for teaching Diet and Disease NTR 517/417.dibacs@sage.edu |
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Eileen FitzPatrickEileen FitzPatrick, MPH, RD, Nutrition Faculty. Ms. FitzPatrick earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Tufts University, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from Russell Sage College. She received a Masters of Public Health from the School of Public Health, University at Albany. Her previous work experience includes seven years of biochemical research at the Wadsworth Center for Labs and Research, New York State Department of Health. In addition, while pursuing the MPH she was employed at the Division of Nutrition, New York State Department of Health, to study participant retention in the New York State WIC program. Ms. FitzPatrick is co-author of numerous scientific publications and has presented original research at professional meetings including the New York State WIC Association, the New York State Dietetics Association and the American Public Health Association. She is currently working toward her doctorate in Public Health at the School of Public Health at the University of Albany. Eileen teachers Advanced Food Science NTR 402, Nutrition Seminar NTR 602 and Functional Foods NTR 572.fitzpe@sage.edu |
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Mo SchifleyAs a General Manager of multiple campuses for Sodexho Campus Services, Ms. Schifley current oversees all food service operations at The Sage Colleges-Troy and Albany, Albany College of Pharmacy, and Camp Emerson in Massachusetts. In addition, Ms. Schifley is the Sodexho District Human Resource Coordinator, assisting with recruiting and training. Mo Schifley brings over 16 years of Food Service Management and Culinary Arts Training experience to the classroom. After graduating from Wells College with a BA in Economics, Ms. Schifley went on to pursue Graduate Certification in Applied Human Resources and Labor Relations from The Cornell School of Industrial and Labor Relations, followed by an MBA from The College of St. Rose. Ms. Schifley aspires to a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior. She teaches NTR 314 Quantity Food Production. |
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Sonya Irish HauserSonya Irish Hauser, PhD, Assistant Professor, MS Nutrition Science Program Director, received Bachelors degrees in Psychology (Houghton College) and Nutrition Science (Russell Sage College), a Master of Science degree in Nutrition Communication (Tufts University), and a Doctoral degree in Food Policy and Applied Nutrition (Tufts University). Her academic work includes research in the areas of childhood obesity, family and community approaches to obesity prevention, and use of multimedia and web-based technology in health promotion. Other interests include environmental approaches to health behavior change and health and social marketing. Most recently, she has focused on development, implementation and various modes of dissemination for nutrition and physical activity curricula aimed at elementary school children. She has authored numerous scientific papers and speaks regularly at academic meetings and conferences. As well, she writes and contributes to articles for popular press and consults for various public health organizations, community groups, food companies, and commodity boards on a regular and on-going basis. She teaches Principles of Nutrition SCI 120, Weight Management NTR 562, and Nutrition Programs and Interventions NTR 561. |
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Pat Severson-WagerPat Severson-Wager, MS, RD, CDN, CDE, Adjunct Faculty received her BA degree in Education and Dietetics from St. Joseph College, West Hartford Connecticut and a MS degree in Health Education from Sage Graduate School. Ms. Severson-Wager's area of expertise is diabetes education. She has been a CDE for over 20 years. She developed a local community diabetes education program serving patients with Type I, II and Gestational Diabetes. At this time, she wrote a teaching manual for patients and teachers and conducted outcome based research on patients with gestational diabetes. Ms. Severson-Wager was the Director of the Nutrition Care Technician Program at Maria College and a nutrition tutor for Empire State College. She has also been a WIC dietitian, dietitian at the Albany Visiting Nurses, a Reservist in the Army, and a pediatric dietitian in the department of endocrinology serving patients with inborn errors of metabolism and worked for a local endocrine practice as a CDE. Ms. Severson-Wager served as President, Secretary and Treasurer for the Hudson Valley Dietetic Association. She has also held many board appointments. She was selected Recognized Young Dietitian by the New York State Dietetic Association. She also served on the nominating committee and was newsletter editor for the New York State Dietetic Association. For a number of years, Ms. Severson-Wager was a local guest for area radio talk shows discussing current nutrition topics. Currently, she has been a RD for over 35 years and is a member of the local AADE chapter (NENYDE) where she held the office of president and treasurer. For 2009- 2011 Ms Severson-Wager will serve as the treasurer of DCE which is the Diabetes Care and Education practice group of the American Dietetic Association. She teaches Medical Nutrition Therapy NTR 404 and Pediatrics Nutrition NTR 549. |
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Marci MurphyMarci Murphy, MS, ATC, CSCS, Adjunct Professor, received her bachelors degree in Biology from the University at Albany (SUNY) and her masters degree in Food Science and Human Nutrition with a concentration in Exercise Science from Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado. In 1996 Ms. Murphy started at The Sage Colleges as an assistant professor and the Assistant Athletic Trainer for the intercollegiate athletic program. She eventually served as the Head Athletic Trainer while maintaining her duties as an assistant professor in the Athletic Training Program. Her course teachings include topics in the sports medicine field (Care and Prevention, Orthopedic Evaluation, and Athletic Training Administration) and currently she teaches Sports Nutrition NTR-575, Exercise Physiology SCI 310, and Anatomy and Physiology Lab BIO 201L and 202L. Prior to joining The Sage Colleges, Ms. Murphy was an assistant athletic trainer at Siena College, Loudonville, NY and worked as an athletic trainer in both the high school and clinical settings. While in graduate school, Ms. Murphy developed and implemented an athletic training department for the Club Sports Athletic Program at Colorado State University, including recruiting and training many student athletic trainers. Outside of The Sage Colleges she serves on the Research Committee for the New York State Athletic Trainers Association. Ms. Murphy has volunteered with the medical staff for the Empire State Games, including being the first to serve as an athletic trainer for the Winter Games in NYS. She is also an American Red Cross CPR/FA/AED instructor and volunteers for the Northeastern NY chapter. With her experience in sports nutrition, she serves as a consultant for Athletic Dynamics and speaks to a variety of athletes, coaches, athletic directors and athletic trainers on the connection between athletic performance and nutrition. |
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Laura SpanbauerLaura Spanbauer, MS, RD, CDN received a BS in Human Nutrition from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh and MS in Health Education at Russell Sage College. She currently works as a consulting dietitian for pregnant teens, foster children and developmentally disabled adults. In addition to teaching for Russell Sage College, she also teaches for Empire State College's Distance Learning Program. During her career she has worked as a clinical dietitian for Albany Medical Center and Ellis Hospital's Diabetes Center. Her community nutrition experience was fostered at the Regional Food Bank where she was the nutritionist, working with Emergency Food Relief Organizations (EFROS) and the NYS DOH Hunger and Prevention Nutrition Program (HPNAP). After completing her Masters degree, she worked with the USDA as a nutrition educator for the Just Say Yes to Fruits and Vegetables Program. This community based program serves to educate low income individuals about the importance of fruits and vegetables in the diet. She is co-author of the Just Say Yes to Fruits and Vegetables Handbook.Ms. Spanbauer has held several committee positions for the Hudson Valley Dietetic Association, including: President, Newsletter Chair and Nominating Chair. She has also served on the Food Bank NYS DOH grant committee and Schenectady Inner City Mission food pantry coalition. In 2000, she was awarded Young Dietitian of the Year by the New York State Dietetic Association. Ms. Spanbauer teaches Nutrition Science, SCI 120. Laura.spanbauer@verizon.net |
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