CAHS Distinguished Alumni
The University of Cincinnati College of Allied Health Sciences presents Distinguished Alumni awards on behalf of its four departments.
2025-26 CAHS Distinguished Alumni
Colleen O’Rourke, PhD ’72
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Colleen M. O’Rourke, PhD, CCC-A, is a retired Associate Professor of Communication Disorders at Georgia State University, where she served from 1989 until her retirement in 2016. A nationally respected audiologist and educator, she earned her MA and PhD in Audiology from Wayne State University, and a BS in Speech Pathology and Audiology from the University of Cincinnati. Throughout her academic career, Dr. O’Rourke taught courses ranging from audiologic rehabilitation to advanced audiological assessment, as well as coordinating the Communication Disorders Program for nearly two decades. She has authored or co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, book chapters and national presentations, while also co-editing multiple editions of Special Education for All Teachers.
Dr. O’Rourke has held extensive leadership roles within the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), including Vice President for Academic Affairs in Audiology, Board of Ethics member, and Co-Chair of the 2013 ASHA Annual Convention. She was elected as an ASHA Fellow in 2004 and received the Association’s Dorothy Dreyer Award for Volunteerism in 2014. In addition, she has been honored with the Robert A. Hull Leadership Award and the Georgia Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Honors of the Association.
Karthik Ramani, MD ’18
School of Social Work
Dr. Karthik Ramani, MD, MBA, MHA, CPE, FACP, FASN, FASDIN, is a Clinical Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Nephrology at the University of Michigan, where he is Medical Director of the Vascular Access Services Team and Program Director of the Interventional Nephrology Fellowship. With advanced degrees in Business and Healthcare Administration, Dr. Ramani brings strategic acumen to both academic medicine and healthcare innovation. He integrates clinical expertise, leadership, and research experience with business and healthcare administration to drive improvements in patient safety and quality, advance kidney care, improve access, and implement value-based care.
Nationally and internationally, Dr. Ramani is active in professional organizations including AMA, ASN, ACP, ASDIN, ACHE, and AAPL, helping to shape policy and advocating for innovation. He is also a physician innovator and entrepreneur with multiple patents to his name and has led numerous clinical studies and developed novel technologies to enhance safety, efficiency and outcomes in patient care. He is recognized as a “Top Doctor” and has received multiple national awards for research and innovation. A proud University of Cincinnati alumnus, he serves on UC’s MHA Alumni Board and Executive Advisory Board, mentoring the next generation of healthcare leaders.
Kelli Barton Schneider, DPT ’12, ’15
Department of Rehabilitation, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences
Dr. Kelli Barton Schneider, PT, DPT, OCS, is a board-certified orthopedic physical therapist, educator, and performing arts medicine specialist based in Charlotte, N.C. She is the founder and owner of Electric Edge Physical Therapy and Electric Edge Movement Training, where she provides physical therapy, injury prevention, and wellness services for dancers and performing artists nationwide. Her extensive experience includes backstage and on-tour care for Dancing with the Stars: LIVE!, along with collaborations with AMDA College of the Performing Arts, the Geffen Playhouse, and the Joffrey Academy of Dance. A respected educator, Dr. Schneider has been an adjunct faculty member in the University of Cincinnati’s Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and continues to lecture internationally on dance medicine, flexibility training, and hypermobility management. She is on the Board of Directors for the Performing Arts Medicine Association, and a Dance Safety Council member for the National Dance Coaches Association.
Kenneth Harker ’18
Department of Clinical Health and Information Sciences
Kenneth Harker, RRT, RPFT, is a Respiratory Care Supervisor at Corewell Health in Grand Rapids, Mich., where he oversees seven pulmonary function testing (PFT) labs and two in-patient labs. With substantial experience in respiratory therapy and diagnostics, he has contributed to major system projects including Breeze Connect and PACE, developed competency training modules for PFT testing, and led quality initiatives to enhance patient care. Kenneth also manages the arterial blood gas lab, ensuring compliance with national accreditation standards. His leadership in the field extends nationally, serving as Chair of the Diagnostic Section for the American Association of Respiratory Care and as a member of both the Michigan Board for Respiratory Care and the AARC Board of Directors. Recognized with the 2023 AARC Diagnostic Specialty Section Practitioner of the Year Award, he continues to drive innovation in pulmonary diagnostics and patient education.
Past Honorees
- Nancy Creaghead, PhD ’78 – Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
- Angela King, MSW ’12 – School of Social Work
- Kyle Nordrum, DPT ’15 – Department of Rehabilitation, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences
- Sandra Soto ’04 – Department of Clinical and Health Information Sciences
- A.U. Bankaitis, PhD ’95 - Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
- Cynthia Blocksom, MEd, RDN ’79 - Department of Rehabilitation, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences
- Siu-Fung "Will" Chan, MD ’03 - Department of Clinical and Health Information Sciences
- Lauree Handlon, MHA ’17 - School of Social Work
- Henna Muzaffar, PhD, RDN ’03, ’05 – Department of Rehabilitation, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences
This event is open to all University of Cincinnati alumni, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, sexual orientation, or any other class or status protected by applicable law.