Alumni News
Upstate College of Health Professions alumni make news every day, winning awards, improving their communities and changing the world for the better. Here, we present some of the highlights in the careers of our own alumni.
Stephanie Resnick, DPT 2026, wearing commencement cap and gown, is pictured in front of the New Academic Building
Student Spotlight:
Multiple award recipient, Stephanie Resnick, DPT 2026, has matched for a residency at Johns Hopkins/George Washington University
Having passed the national licensure exam, Stephanie Resnick, DPT 2026, will start a residency in pediatric physical therapy. After undergoing an interview process and ranking her choices, Resnick was matched to The Johns Hopkins Hospital (JHH)/ The George Washington University (GW) Pediatric Physical Therapy Residency, a year-long intensive specialty program, which develops licensed clinicians into advanced pediatric physical therapists.
“During my residency, I will treat pediatric patients in acute care, outpatient rehabilitation, inpatient rehabilitation, school based and early intervention settings along with assisting with teaching the pediatrics coursework for the George Washington University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program,” Resnick said.
Originally from Bridgewater, New Jersey, Resnick was a teenager when she recognized her vocation after undergoing hip surgeries to treat a condition known as femoral anteversion.
“As part of my hip rehabilitation, I had to go for a lot of physical therapy in multiple settings. I saw how physical therapists helped pediatric patients achieve their goals, and I wanted to help others as they helped me.”
During high school and undergraduate studies, Resnick completed an internship at an outpatient pediatric physical therapy clinic, an experience that solidified her interest in the field.
“I have always loved science, movement, and working with people, and I knew that physical therapy would allow me to combine these passions,” she said.
In May 2024, Resnick graduated from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Science in Health and Exercise Science. Having been accepted into SUNY Upstate’s 3+3 Early Assurance for the Doctor of Physical Therapy, she claimed her spot in the DPT program at SUNY Upstate College.
While pursuing her undergraduate and graduate degrees, she worked as a group fitness instructor and personal trainer. “I led classes and training sessions for faculty and students at Syracuse University. In addition, I created and led a fitness program for Inclusive U, a program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities at Syracuse University, to familiarize them with the gym environment and support fitness goals. Through my time at Upstate, I had the opportunity to work with the child life team at Golisano Children’s Hospital as a work-study student in the Family Resource Center. Through this role, I was able to grow my skills working with pediatric patients and families by visiting children and families in patient rooms and interacting with them in the Family Resource Center.”
At Upstate, she participated in interdisciplinary experiences with other students at Upstate, including collaborating with Le Moyne occupational therapy students to treat pediatric patients in the Upstate Pro Bono Clinic.
Since starting the DPT program in 2024, Resnick’s scholarship and dedication resulted in numerous awards, including:
- Kevin J. Reistrom Memorial Scholarship Recipient
- Dale Avers Leadership Award
- Physical Therapy Community Service Award
- Student Research Award for presenting, The Impact of Daily Tummy Time Duration on Motor Development in Infants at APTA National Pediatric Annual Conference, and The Impact of Daily Tummy Time Duration on Motor Development and BMI in Infants at the APTA Combined Sections Meeting National Conference
- Student Scholarship to attend the APTA National Pediatric Annual Conference
- Excellence in Leadership Award
- Excellence in Teaching Award
- Excellence in Scholarship Award for Pediatric Research
- Tenacity Award and Excellence in Service Award.
“I am so grateful for the opportunities and guidance I received during my time at Upstate! Through completing research with Dr. Erin Wentz and being able to treat in Upstate’s Pro Bono Clinic, I have grown and gained skills that will serve me as I transition from student to pediatric physical therapy resident. Serving as a teaching assistant for the Physical Agents and Acquired Conditions courses, I was able to develop and refine my teaching skills. Through the Advanced Pediatric Physical Therapy elective, I led sessions in the pro bono clinic while collaborating with occupational therapy students and teaching first-year students that allowed me to refine my clinical decision-making and clinical teaching skills. At Upstate, I was able to explore my interests in working with children with behavioral challenges through completing the basics for the behavioral support microcredential to complement my physical therapy education. Finally, through the Ethics in Action Through Service course, I was able to collaborate with behavior technicians to lead sessions in Upstate’s Biobehavioral Health Unit.
“I am super excited to continue to build on the foundation of knowledge that I have gained through SUNY Upstate’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program,” Resnick said.
To learn more about the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at SUNY Upstate College of Health Professions, go to the website:
https://www.upstate.edu/chp/programs/physical-therapy/index.php
Captions for Inline images [top to bottom]:
Stephanie Resnick, DPT 2026, wearing her white coat, poses in front of a wall of ivy on the exterior of Weiskotten Hall
Stephanie Resnick stands with research poster at Cornell Translational Research Symposium
Published on Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Brian Goodrich, RT(T), MBA, Alumni Association President, selected for a Sunflower Accessibility Award
Congratulations to CHP Alumni Association President Brian Goodrich, RT(T), MBA, on being recognized with a Sunflower Accessibility Award. The award honors individuals who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and support for people with non-visible disabilities. A 2014 graduate of the College of Health Professions and program director of Radiation Therapy at Upstate, Brian continues to make a meaningful impact on students, patients, and the broader community through his leadership and advocacy.
Published on Thursday, May 7, 2026
![Group photo of the PT chair, Adam Rufa, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS [far left] with the 2026 PT Academic Achievement Award recipients](https://www.upstate.edu/chp/images/about/news/deans-reception-2026.jpg)
Group photo of the PT chair, Adam Rufa, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS [far left] with the 2026 PT Academic Achievement Award recipients
The College of Health Professions Alumni Association Congratulates Grads
May 2026 - The College of Health Professions recently celebrated the Class of 2026 at its annual Dean's Reception, recognizing graduating students as they prepare to begin the next chapter of their professional journeys. The event brought together students, faculty, staff, alumni, and supporters to honor the accomplishments of the graduating class and the impact they will make in healthcare.
Read more about the celebration and view photos HERE.
A Career Built on Precision: Jessica Mabile, BS, CLT, MLS (ASCP)CM
June 2026 - Jessica Mabile, a 2019 graduate of the Medical Technology BS program in the College of Health Professions, has built a career grounded in precision, service, and continuous improvement. Based in Binghamton, New York, she serves as a Laboratory Assessor (Clinical) with the New York State Department of Health’s Wadsworth Center Clinical Laboratory Evaluation Program. In this role, she surveys New York State–permitted laboratories nationwide, evaluating facilities, practices, equipment, personnel, and records to ensure compliance. Her work requires extensive travel, with responsibilities spanning the Southern Tier, throughout New York State, nationally, and occasionally internationally.
To read the rest of Jessica's story, GO HERE.
Laura Stoddard, Laura Stoddard, MBA, RT (R)(M)(CT), clinical assistant professor of Medical Imaging & Radiation Sciences, instructs student in X-ray positioning
Alumni Spotlight: Homecoming-Laura Stoddard, MBA, R.T. (R)(M)(CT), class of ’09, returns to Upstate as faculty
For Laura Stoddard, MBA, R.T. (R)(M)(CT), her journey in Medical Imaging began with a single, unforgettable moment. At just five years old, her sister broke a leg. Seeing the resulting X-ray ignited a spark that never faded. “I told my mom that day that this was what I was going to do,” Stoddard recalls with a smile. Today, nearly two decades into her career, she has returned to where it all started, the Upstate College of Health Professions, as a clinical assistant professor in Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences.
Born and raised in East Syracuse, Stoddard first came to Upstate as a student in 2007, because of the program’s rigor and reputation. “It was close to home, had a small class size, and provided the kind of hands-on, clinical experience I was looking for,” she says. She graduated in 2009 with her bachelor’s degree and went straight into the workforce.
Her career has kept her rooted in Syracuse. She began at St. Joseph’s Imaging, then moved to Crouse Radiology, gaining experience across both hospital and outpatient settings. “The transition from classroom to clinic was seamless,” she says. “I felt prepared with the tools I needed to succeed.” She would spend 16 years working as a technologist before pursuing further education, earning her MBA in Healthcare Leadership from SUNY Empire State University in 2024.
The Medical Imaging field itself continues to evolve, with technology advancing rapidly and demand for qualified technologists at an all-time high. Graduates begin with certification in Radiography but have opportunities to specialize further in areas such as CT, MRI, Interventional Radiology, and Mammography. “There are endless opportunities once you get into the field,” Stoddard notes. “The technology is always changing, and there’s a real need for people right now.”
Stoddard credits the Upstate program with instilling not just technical skills but also the interpersonal abilities so essential in patient care. Imaging, she explains, is often one of the first stops for patients in an emergency or during moments of uncertainty. “Usually, we’re not imaging someone who is perfectly healthy,” she says. “They might be in pain, scared, or anxious. That’s where having a calm, reassuring presence is just as important as technical expertise.”
Returning to Upstate as a faculty member has been a deeply rewarding, full-circle moment. She is now teaching two classes of juniors and seniors, with thirty-three students in total, which is similar in size to her own graduating class. “It’s surreal to stand in front of the room where I once sat,” she reflects. “But it’s also incredibly fulfilling to know that I’m helping prepare the next generation of technologists who will be taking care of patients.”
From the beginning, Stoddard has been open with her students about her own journey. “I tell them right away that I’m an Upstate graduate and how much the program meant to me,” she says. “I had such a great experience here, and I hope to provide that same experience to them.”
This profile originally appeared on the College of Health Professions website. See the article here:
https://www.upstate.edu/chp/about/news/alumni-spotlight-laura-stoddard.php
Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Rebecca S. Alexander Carey, PT, DPT, ERYT/YACEP, Class of 2018, is known for community impact
For Dr. Rebecca Alexander Carey, the decision to pursue a career in physical therapy wasn't a sudden revelation, but a path shaped by years of lived experience, deep reflection, and a passion for the healing potential of mind-body connection.
Growing up in Syosset, NY, Carey’s first exposure to physical therapy came from helping her grandmother recover from multiple hip surgeries. As a young child, she found herself naturally drawn to the caregiving process including, counting repetitions and walking beside her grandmother during recovery. “I think being a physical therapist was who I was before I knew what it was,” she reflects.
Later in life, a personal episode of vertigo brought her into the care of a skilled physical therapist, and once again, the profession revealed itself, but this time as a calling. The impact that experience had on her inspired Carey to help others find healing the way she had.
After earning a bachelor’s degree, she sought out a physical therapy program that valued both academic excellence and a sense of community. The College of Health Professions at SUNY Upstate immediately stood out. “Before applying, I looked up some of the faculty and called them on the phone,” she recalls. “Their impressive backgrounds and passion for the profession made Upstate my top choice.”
This profile originally appeared on the College of Health Professions website: www.upstate.edu/chp/about/news/alumni-spotlight-rebecca-alexander.php
Congratulations to Crystal Bastien `17
Crystal Bastien, PA-C, DMSc, has dedicated her career to compassionate, patient-centered care. A 2017 graduate of the Physician Assistant Studies program at Upstate’s College of Health Professions, she has spent the past eight years serving as an internal medicine PA at Bassett Healthcare in Herkimer, NY. Managing a 30,000-patient panel, Crystal is committed to ensuring dignity and quality care for every patient. She is also a dedicated preceptor, mentoring PA students from Upstate CHP and beyond. "I love seeing how prepared the students from my alma mater are compared to other colleges. Kudos to the teaching staff at Upstate for keeping the bar high!"
Crystal recently earned her Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) from the University of Lynchburg, Virginia, balancing her studies with full-time clinical practice. Driven by a passion for lifelong learning, she pursued this advanced degree to deepen her expertise and expand future leadership opportunities in healthcare. Reflecting on her journey, she credits Upstate CHP’s rigorous academic environment and supportive faculty—especially Sandra Banas—for preparing her to excel in the field. She continues to advocate for the growth of the PA profession, emphasizing the increasing autonomy of PAs in New York State and the rewarding work-life balance the career offers.
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