For Physicians and Researchers
The experiences that uniquely qualify Dr. Sward for research within the fields of physical activity, exercise, stress, and chronic disease include:
- PhD in Exercise Physiology, University of Pittsburgh
- Post-doctoral fellow in Psychoneuroimmunology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh
- Masters of Public Health in Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh
- 10 years clinical and research experiences at the University of Pittsburgh, PA.
- Registered Yoga Teacher-500 Yoga Alliance in Restorative and Hatha Yoga
- Strength Training Certification- American College of Exercise
- Smoking Cessation Certification- UPMC Smoking Cessation Training
CONTINUING EDUCATION
- Harvard Medical School, Boston
Medical Writing. 2005
- University of Pittsburgh –Carnegie Mellon University
The Pittsburgh Mind-Body Center, Pittsburgh
Summer Institute, 2003
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Skills Training for Mind/Body Change 2001
- University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute:
Cancer for Clinicians
RESEARCH INTERESTS
- Function of exercise response and stress reactivity in minority populations with intermediate to high risk for chronic disease.
- Mechanisms of exercise response and stress reactivity in chronic disease.
- Effects of lifestyle behavior change as a therapeutic approach to prevent and/or attenuate chronic illness.
BACKGROUND
As the former clinical Director for Lifestyle Medicine Program, Center for Preventive Cardiology, UPMC Cardiovascular Institute (CVI), in Pittsburgh, PA, Dr. Sward collaborated with cardiologists, endocrinologists, rheumatologists, behavioral medicine specialists, registered dietitians, public health epidemiologists, and community health professionals.
Her research interests are directly linked to her clinical practice. To that end, Dr. Sward established an integrated, multidisciplinary “Lifestyle Medicine Program” for CVI. It was dedicated to advancing the understanding of the relationship between lifestyle behaviors and heart health. “Lifestyle medicine” as she conceptualized it, involves the integration of lifestyle practices into the practice of medicine both to lower the risk factors for heart disease (or any chronic disease) and/or if the heart disease is already present, serve as an adjunct in its therapy. Lifestyle medicine brings together sound scientific evidence in diverse health-related fields to assist the researcher in the process of not only treating chronic illness but also promoting primary and secondary prevention.
Please see below for a list, although not inclusive, of the specific research in which Dr. Sward has participated. References are available upon request.
Consultant (currently): “Healthy Bodies, Healthy Hearts” Primary Investigator, Molly Conroy, MD, MPH at UPMC Montefiore Hospital. 2009-2010.
Primary Investigator: "Blood Pressure and Physical Activity, NHANES". 2009
Co-Investigator: "Cardiology Prevention Trial in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus" Primargy Investigator, Jennifer Elliott, MD, MPH. 2007.
Co-investigator: "Heart-Strategies Concentrating on Risk Evaluation (The Heart-SCORE Study)". Primary Investigator, Steven Reis, MD,Vice-Chancellor for Clinical Research, University of Pittsburgh. 2003-present.
Co-investigator: "A comparison of skinfolds and leg-to-leg bioelectrical impedance for the assessment of body composition in children. Primary Investigator, Fred Goss, PhD. 2003.
Co-investigator: Comparison of RPE at Absolute and Relative Physiological Criteria. Robert J. Robertson, PhD, 2001.
Primary Investigator:Effect of Resistance Exercise Training on Muscular Strength, Functional Fitness, Physical Self-Perception, and Quality of Life in the Elderly. Kathleen Sward, PhD, MPH. 2000.
Primary Investigator:Cancer and Exercise. Kathleen Sward, PhD, MPH, 1998.
Please contact Dr. Sward at 412-913-8040 or contact us to discuss your research interests.
Thank you!
