Laurie DiRosa, Ed.D.

BIOGRAPHY:

Dr. DiRosa has been with Immaculata University since 2016, and has over 16 years of experience teaching graduate and undergraduate courses, both online and in-person, in the area of exercise science and health promotion. Dr. DiRosa is actively involved in several undergraduate research projects, serving as a faculty mentor. She is the author of a unique health coach training program tailored specifically for health professionals and has trained over 500 individuals including family practice residents, medical students, undergraduate and graduate health profession students, and community laypersons in public health. Dr. DiRosa is the Director of GetFIT@IU, a student-led fitness program that promotes active living in adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This service-learning program gives back to the community, serves as a practical learning experience for all students involved, and creates inter-disciplinary connections between various departments on campus (e.g. Campus Ministry, Special Education, and Music Therapy). Dr. DiRosa is the coordinator of the Freshman Year Seminar program, co-chair of the University Core Assessment Committee, and a member of University Council. She is the faculty mentor of the Exercise Science Club and works with several community organizations to facilitate student experiences in the field. She has published and presented in nationally recognized organizations and has demonstrated successful stewardship of over $175,000 in grants.

Dr. DiRosa lives in NJ with her husband and 2 sons. She volunteers her time as the Assistant Athletic Director at Our Lady of Hope Regional School and is a mentor in the Broaden Horizons Mentorship Program.

Teaching

• Biomechanics
• Exercise Assessment and Programming
• Exercise Physiology
• Exploring the Health Professions
• First Year Seminar
• Health Psychology
• Motivational Interviewing for the Nutrition Health Professional
• Exercise Science Practicum
• Research Methods

Research Interests

Effectiveness of Health Coaching in Changing Health Behaviors and Related Health Outcomes

Physical, Social and Mental Health of Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Recent Work

DiRosa, L., Colanero, D., Reitman, R., Rishell, H., & Rivas, A. (2018). GetFIT@IU: A service-learning and community outreach program servicing adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Philadelphia Higher Education Network for Neighborhood Development (PHENND) Health Conference, April 27, 2018, Philadelphia, PA

DiRosa, L., Gupta, A., Spencer, L., & Debonis, S. (2017) Effectiveness of a Clinically Oriented Motivational Interviewing Training Program in Increasing Skills and Changing Perceptions among Family Practice Residents. Osteopathic Family Physician, 9(3):10-17

DiRosa, L., Gupta, A., Spencer, L., & Debonis, S. (2016). Training Family Practice Medical Residents to use Motivational Interviewing Strategies to Improve Patient Outcomes, 26th Annual Art & Science of Health Promotion Conference, Orlando, FL

DiRosa, L. & Spencer, L. Sonaike, A. (2015) Development and evaluation of Get FIT, a fitness and nutrition program for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their caregivers. Society of Public Health Educators 66th Annual Meeting, Portland, OR

DiRosa, L. (2015). “Obesity and Co-morbidities in Children: An Inter-Professional Approach to Treatment”, Inter-Professional Grand Rounds, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine

DiRosa, L., Gupta, A., Spencer, L., & Debonis, S. (2015) Training Family Practice Medical Residents to use Motivational Interviewing Strategies to Improve Patient Outcomes. Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine Research Day, Stratford, NJ

DiRosa, L. (2014). Tobacco use: Trends, health consequences, cessation, and policies. In A. Snelling (Ed) Introduction to Health Promotion. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass

DiRosa, L., Pote, T., Wilhite, B. & Spencer, L. (2014) Get FIT (Fitness Integration Training): A program to reduce obesity and metabolic syndrome in persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their caregivers. In V. Brennan, S. Kumanyika, and R. Zambrana (Eds.) Obesity Interventions in U.S. Populations: Evidence and Directions. Nashville, TN: Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved

DiRosa, L., Zimmer, S., & George-LeClair, K. (2014). GetFIT & Nutrition MI Way: Advances
for Individuals with IDD. Annual Convention of the Eastern District Association of the American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, Newport, RI