Staff

	Denise L. Smith, Ph.D., FACSM Director of the First Responder Health and Safety Laboratory, Professor of Health and Exercise Sciences Dr. Smith has researched the cardiovascular strain of firefighting for nearly 20 years, is highly active in the Fire Service and has collaborated with many national organizations (including the NVFC, IAFF, IAFC, NFPA) and has conducted numerous line-of-duty fatality investigations due to cardiac issues for NIOSH. She has co-authored two text books and published over 20 peer-reviewed articles related to firefighter cardiovascular health.
	Patricia C. Fehling, Ph.D., FACSM Professor of Health and Exercise Sciences Dr. Fehling has successfully led firefighter related studies at Skidmore College, including an AFG funded study in 2007 that dealt with monitoring firefighters during duty days (24 hrs) to quantify cardiovascular strain while performing a wide range of firefighting activities. Dr. Fehling is an exercise physiologist and currently serves as the chair of the Health and Exercise Sciences Department.
	Peggy Wharton, RN, RVT, RDCS Ultrasound Technician, Phlebotomist Peggy Wharton has been an integral part of the First Responder Health and Safety Laboratory as lead echocardiographer, ultrasound technician, and phlebotomist. Since joining the laboratory in 2007, Peggy has been involved in numerous research studies all while working full-time at Saratoga Hospital.
	Thomas Rowland, MD Research Associate Dr. Rowland is a renowned researcher in the cardiovascular field, specializing in pediatric cardiology, who is also involved with our academic partner, University of Illinois Fire Service Institute.
	Andrea F. Wilkinson, MS, ATC/LAT Project Manager, First Responder Health and Safety Laboratory Andrea Wilkinson joined the lab team in 2016 to pursue her research interest in working with First Responders. Prior to her work at Skidmore College, Andrea spent nine years at Alfred University serving as the Head Athletic Trainer and Clinical Coordinator. Andrea also serves as an Exercise Physiologist working in the CVICU at St. Peter’s Hospital.
	Cassandra Eddy, BS Research Associate, First Responder Health and Safety Laboratory Cassie graduated from the Sociology and Health and Exercise Sciences Departments of Skidmore College in 2017. She has been involved in several research projects, including SMARTER, in the First Responder Health and Safety Laboratory during the 2017-2018 academic year.

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