Kathleen Curtis wins Award of Excellence

Hugo Moralas, left, Dr. Kathleen Curtis, center, Dr. John Welty, right

By Shirley Melikian Armbruster
University Communications

Faculty member and health researcher Dr. Kathleen Curtis has been presented the   “President’s Award of Excellence” for 2005.

Curtis, who joined the faculty in 1995, has served since 2002 as the director of research and external programs for the College of Health and Human Services and director of the Central California Center for Health and Human Services at Fresno State. Curtis previously was professor and chair of the Department of Physical Therapy.

Fresno business leader Hugo Morales, chairman of the University Advisory Board, announced the award at the 2005 Faculty and Staff Spring Assembly, which marks the start of the spring semester. The recognition includes a $10,000 award. The selection is made by the University Advisory Board, which is composed of community leaders and is chaired by Morales.

The President’s Award of Excellence seeks to recognize a faculty or staff member who demonstrates integrity, leadership, and a commitment to the university and community as exemplified by Fresno State President John D. Welty. Previous winners include Dr. Stephen A. Rodemeyer, chemistry professor and director of the Smittcamp Family Honors College, and Classics professor Victor Davis Hanson.

The Central California Center for Health and Human Services is an ancillary unit of Fresno State that serves to integrate university resources with regional needs by collaborating with agencies and community organizations to improve the health and welfare of communities located within Central California.

Among its programs are the Disabilities Studies Institute, the Central Valley Health Policy Institute, the Central California Children’s Institute, the California Geriatrics Education Center and Specialized Foster Parent Training Program.   Curtis’ accomplishments include collaborative efforts with community leaders and university administrators to establish the $4 million university partnership with The California Endowment to fund the Central Valley Health Policy Institute.  

Dr Benjamin Cuellar, dean of the College of Health and Human Services, called Curtis “an extraordinary faculty member” whose Central California-based research is making a substantial impact in bettering the lives of citizens of the region.

“Dr. Curtis’ work and the data and research structures and programs she has developed are being use to develop funding proposal, making program and policy decisions, and to articulate issues and needs affecting people in the region,” said Cuellar.

“She is also currently working on new programs in the areas of obesity and diabetes, HIV and disabilities. She is a tireless researcher, scholar, leader and activist in the area of health disparities and disabilities.”            

Curtis has a broad background in health-related research and publication. Most recently, she co-authored four research reports focusing on Central California children’s health issues: asthma, obesity, hunger and teen pregnancy.

 Curtis earned a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy at Northeastern University in Boston, a master’s in health science at San Jose State University and her Ph.D. in education at UCLA.

Before coming to Fresno State, she held faculty appointments at the University of Miami School of Medicine, the University of Southern California and Mount St. Mary’s College, and held clinical positions in three academic medical centers.