The President’#146;s Award for Excellence in Diversity and Affirmative Action is annually presented to an outstanding faculty member, student or employee of Stony Brook University who has made contributions that further the commitment toward the University’#146;s goal to create a more perfect campus. Clinical Assistant Professor in the School of Health Technology and Management, Anita Marie Santasier, was named the recipient of this year’#146;s award.

Santasier, who is a member of the Division of Rehabilitation Sciences in the Department of Physical Therapy, has organized workshops related to principles of diversity and has created cultural events that involve a cross-section of members of the Stony Brook campus community. Santasier has learned American Sign Language and interprets for those in need.

She developed the first diversity awareness program in the School of Health Technology and Management, and has played an active role in the examination of issues involving minority student recruitment and retention.

An Orthopedic Certified Specialist, Santasier, who lives in Amityville with her husband and son, is the University’#146;s primary instructor in Kinesiology and co-teaches Orthopedic Physical Therapy. She has been a member of the Stony Brook faculty since 1993 and is currently pursuing her doctorate in Physical Therapy at Temple University.

“We are extremely proud of Professor Santasier and the valuable efforts she has made in an important area,” said Craig A. Lehmann, Dean of the School of Health Technology and Management. “She is a person of ideas and action who has been in the forefront of change in many key areas. Stony Brook is a leader in making a commitment to diversity and affirmative action, and she is one of the reasons why.”