Core Faculty
David Wilkenfeld, EdD, LAT, ATC, Assistant Professor & Program Director
EdD, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Kinesiology
MS, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Athletic Training
BS, University of California at Davis, Exercise Biology
Office location: SMRC 236
Office phone: (610) 625.7208
Email: wilkenfeldd@moravian.edu
Dr. Wilkenfeld serves as the Program Director for the Master of Science in Athletic Training Program. He previously served as Director of Clinical Education for the Moravian University Athletic Training Program. Prior to becoming an educator, he spent 7 years as an athletic trainer for performing artists in Winston-Salem, NC. Dr. Wilkenfeld’s research interests center around hearing health and injury prevention among sports medicine professionals and performing artists. Dr. Wilkenfeld has numerous professional presentations in athletic training and performing arts medicine at state, district, national, and international conferences, and in collaboration with Moravian University’s Computer Science program developed a 3D model of the inner ear as a teaching tool for students and patients. David’s academic interests include performing arts medicine, human anatomy, and evaluation and management of the shoulder, foot and ankle.
Jennifer Ostrowski, PhD, LAT, ATC, Associate Professor
PhD, Michigan State University, Kinesiology & Health Promotion
MS, University of Kentucky, Athletic Training
BS, Salisbury University, Athletic Training
Office location: SMRC 235
Office phone: (610) 625.7203
Email: ostrowskij@moravian.edu
Dr. Ostrowski is a faculty member in the Master of Science in Athletic Training program, and is the Director of the Doctor of Athletic Training Program. Her previous experience includes serving as the initial Director of Clinical Education for Moravian University's MSAT program, as Athletic Training Program Director at Weber State University, and as Director of Clinical Education at Lasell University. Dr. Ostrowski's research interests center on the psychology of injury, and therapeutic modalities. She has been active in her scholarship, authoring a national textbook, titled Psychosocial Strategies for Athletic Training, and nearly 30 peer-reviewed publications, as well as presenting over 50 platform presentations and 30 poster presentations at professional conferences. Dr. Ostrowski has been awarded several National and private grants totaling nearly $100,000 to fund her therapeutic modalities research, and served as a subject matter expert for the NATA's pilot Self-Assessment Module in mental health. She also serves as a member of the Exam Development Committee for the National Board of Certification examination, on the NATA Post-Professional Education Committee, and on the EATA Research Committee.
Ellen K. Payne, PhD, LAT, ATC, CSCS, EMT, Associate Professor & Interim Director of Clinical Education
PhD, University of Nevada, Reno Educational Leadership
MA, San Jose State University, Kinesiology
BS, Duquesne University, Athletic Training
Office location: SMRC 213
Office phone: (610) 625.7211
Email: paynee@moravian.edu
Dr. Ellen K. Payne is an associate professor at Moravian University, teaching in the Doctor of Athletic Training Program, the Master of Science in Athletic Training Program, undergraduate Rehabilitation Sciences. Her previous experience includes teaching Athletic Training at Radford University and teaching and serving as the Clinical Education Coordinator at Marywood University. Prior to becoming an educator, Dr. Payne spent 6 years teaching high school and practicing as an athletic trainer in the San Francisco Bay Area. Clinically, she has worked with all levels of athletes from youth sports to professional soccer. In the winter of 2019, she traveled to Spain with the US Paralympic Alpine Ski Team to serve as their athletic trainer during World Cup racing. Dr. Payne is also an EMT with Bethlehem Township EMS and member of the National Ski Patrol. Ellen's research interests include pre-hospital emergency care, athletic training education, and simulation-based education. She has authored more than 50 articles and presentations. Currently, she serves as an assistant editor for the Athletic Training Education Journal and is the EATA secretary.
James Scifers, DScPT, PT, SCS, LAT, ATC Professor & Associate Provost, Dean of College of Health
DScPT, University of Maryland-Baltimore, Orthopedic Physical Therapy
MPT, Emory University, Physical Therapy
BS, East Stroudsburg University, Physical Education/Athletic Training
Office location: Monocacy 103
Office phone: (610) 625.7210
Email: scifersj@moravian.edu
Dr. Scifers serves as Associate Provost and Dean for the College of Health. He has more than 25 years of teaching experience in Athletic Training, Physical Therapy, and Health Sciences. He previously served as founding program director of the Moravian University and Western Carolina University Athletic Training Programs and as Program Director of the Salisbury University Athletic Training Program. Scifers was named the NATA Sayers "Bud" Miller Distinguished Educator (the association's highest teaching award) in 2018, recognized as an NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer in 2011, received the Athletic Training Educator of the Year from the North Carolina Athletic Trainers' Association in 2014 and was the recipient of the NATA 2017 Professional Development Excellence Award. Jay has also served as President of the North Carolina Athletic Trainers' Association and the Maryland Athletic Trainers' Association. Scifers co-authored concussion legislation titled the Gfeller-Waller Concussion Awareness Act in North Carolina in 2011.
In addition to his teaching, leadership, and service activities, Scifers authored the textbook Special Tests for Neurologic Examination and contributed to Therapeutic Exercise: From Theory to Practice. His scholarship also includes publishing 40+ articles and more than 400 professional presentations in athletic training and physical therapy. Scifers' areas of research interest are the sacroiliac joint, manual therapy, running injuries, and therapeutic modalities.