Program Faculty

Laura D. Byham-Gray, PhD, RD is a registered dietitian who received her bachelors of science in nutrition and dietetics from Mercyhurst College (Erie, PA), her masters of science in food science and human nutrition from the University of Delaware (Newark, DE), and her doctor of philosophy in nutrition at New York University (New York, NY).  She is presently an assistant professor at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in the School of Health Related Professions in the Department of Primary Care/Clinical Nutrition.  Dr. Byham-Gray has 20 years of experience in the field of clinical nutrition, with specialty practice in nutrition support, renal nutrition, home care and geriatrics/gerontology.  For her dedication to the field of dietetics, Dr. Byham-Gray has received numerous awards, including the Outstanding Service Award given by the American Dietetic Association-Renal Dietitians dietetic practice group (ADA-RPG), for which she served as national chair from 1997-1998.  In May 2005, Dr. Byham-Gray earned the SHRP Dean’s Award for Excellence in Research concerning her research contribution to the field of nutrition and dietetics research.  Dr. Byham-Gray has been published in professional journals and publications such as Nutrition in Clinical Practice, Contemporary Dialysis and Nephrology, Journal of the American Dietetic Association, Renal Nutrition Forum, Nutrition Today, Topics in Clinical Nutrition and Health Values.

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Anita Chopra, MD, FACP, CMD, is a Professor of Medicine and Director of Education and Clinical Programs in the New Jersey Institute for Successful Aging, based at UMDNJ-School of Osteopathic Medicine.  Dr. Chopra is an internist, geriatrician and certified medical director.  An experienced clinician and academician, Dr. Chopra has been recognized among “Top Docs” by Philadelphia Magazine and recently received the title of Master Educator at UMDNJ.  She is Project Director of the New Jersey Geriatric Education Center, which has provided interdisciplinary training in aging to over 17,000 health care professionals throughout New Jersey.  Dr. Chopra has been President of the New Jersey Medical Directors Association, and has served on the Board of the Delaware Valley Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.  Recognized for her expertise in care of the elderly, she served on the Governor’s Health and Senior Policy Transition Team and co-chaired the Committee on Prescription Drugs and Quality of Life. She has lectured widely and published in areas of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, palliative care and pain management, cultural competence, urinary incontinence and other geriatric syndromes. 

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Jodi Handler, PT, DPT is an assistant professor Physical Therapy Program, jointly sponsored by the University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ and Rutgers University Graduate School in Camden.

She received her entry-level bachelor’s degree in physical therapy at Boston University in 1977 and her Doctor in Physical Therapy from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska in 2002.  Her areas of concentration include geriatrics, education and neurology.

Dr. Handler has been educating physical therapy and physical therapist assistant students for over 20 years, has won numerous professional awards and presented at national, state and community events. She has been awarded the James Tucker Excellence in Clinical Practice and Teaching Award by the American Physical Therapy Association of New Jersey in 2003 and has been a practicing physical therapist in the field of geriatrics for 30 years. She is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), APTANJ, and Geriatric, Education and Neurology sections.  Currently she is Vice-Chairperson for the Southern District of the APTANJ.

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Elyse A. Perweiler, MPP, RN, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-School of Osteopathic Medicine (UMDNJ-SOM), where she is Associate Director of Planning, Development and Public Policy for the New Jersey Institute for Successful Aging, Associate Director of the New Jersey Geriatric Education Center (NJGEC) and Director of the NJ Area Health Education Centers (AHEC).  A former critical care specialist, instructor in advanced clinical nursing, and Director of a Geriatric Day Hospital program, Ms. Perweiler has Master’s degree from Rutgers University in Public Policy.  She has an extensive background in nursing and geropsychiatry and possesses a breadth of clinical, educational, and administrative experience in the field of aging, interdisciplinary health care and public policy.  Ms. Perweiler served on the Board of Directors for the National Alzheimer’s Association for 8 years, where she chaired the Public Policy Committee and co-chaired the Program Committee.  Actively engaged in geriatric education, Ms. Perweiler is a former president of the National Association of Geriatric Education Centers (NAGEC) and the National Association for Geriatric Education (NAGE) and chairs the Legislative Affairs Committee.  She has been acknowledged by DHHS-HRSA for her leadership in advancing interdisciplinary geriatric education and training and by the New Jersey Office of the Ombudsman for the Institutionalized Elderly for her commitment to the Volunteer Ombudsman Program. Ms. Perweiler completed a DHHS Primary Health Care Policy Fellowship in 2003 and is an advocate for issues related to the elderly on state and national levels.

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Ann W. Tucker, D.Ed, is Chairperson of the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies and Director of the Graduate Certificate in Aging. Dr. Tucker has extensive experience in interdisciplinary health sciences education for over 20 years. She currently directs the Master of Science in Health Sciences and Master of Science in Health Systems programs. She is also a doctoral advisor. Dr. Tucker has been teaching online for 10 years. The online Graduate Certificate in Aging was supported by funds from the Division of State, Community, and Public Health (DSCPH), Bureau of Health Professions (BHPr), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), under grant #D37HP03151-01-00, Graduate Certificate in Aging, $391,310.00. The information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by the Bureau of Health Professions, HRSA, DHHS or the U.S. Government. Dr. Tucker was the Co-Project Investigator of the project, and the primary writer of the grant.

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Contact us

For more information, send an e-mail to tuckeraw@umdnj.edu or telephone us at (856) 566-7187.