WV CARDIAC Project Founder
William A. Neal, MD was the creator of the WV CARDIAC Project and a pediatric cardiologist with special interest in the epidemiology and prevention of cardiovascular disease. Dr. Neal was a Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics at West Virginia University and the former chief of the pediatric cardiology section at the WVU School of Medicine in Morgantown, WV. Sadly, Dr. Neal passed away on January 1, 2021.
Link to WVU Health Science Center News Story about Dr. Neal's passing: https://www.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=wvu-mourns-loss-of-longtime-pediatric-cardiologist-dr-bill-neal
William A Neal Museum of the Health Sciences: https://nealmuseum.wvu.edu/home
Our Staff
Eloise Elliott, PhD is the executive director of eLearning for Kids, Inc. creators of Healthy Hearts 4 Kids®, Take Charge Be Healthy®, and Active Academics®. Dr. Elliott oversees all operations of the web-based learning modules, including development, dissemination, implementation, and evaluation. She is the Ware Distinguished Professor in the WVU College of Applied Human Sciences (CAHS) in Morgantown, WV.
Contact information: (540)392-5554 (cell) | Eloise.Elliott@mail.wvu.edu
Lee A. Pyles, MD, MS is a pediatric cardiologist with a Masters in Health Informatics. Dr. Pyles is currently a Professor in the Department of Pediatrics (Pediatric Cardiology section), Director of Pediatric Preventive Cardiology and Pediatric Vice Chair for Research at the WVU School of Medicine. He is the Medical Director for Health Informatics for Dept. of Pediatrics.
Contact information: (304)293-1232 | lpyles@hsc.wvu.edu
Christa Lilly, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biostatistics at the WVU School of Public Health and serves as the biostatistician for the WV CARDIAC Project.
Contact information: (304)293-6515 | cllilly@hsc.wvu.edu
Emily Murphy, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Coaching and Teaching Studies and is a Pediatric Exercise Physiologist. Prior to taking her current position in August 2020, she was an Obesity Prevention Specialist with the WVU Extension Service for many years. She currently works on all aspects of the WV CARDIAC Project and oversees all aspects of the CARDIAC screening in collaboration with Dr. Elliott.
Contact information: (304)276-0141 (cell) | emily.murphy@mail.wvu.edu
Kristin McCartney, MPH, RDN, LD is a registered dietitian with a master’s in public health. She has spent a majority of her career in obesity treatment and prevention efforts. She currently serves as the public health specialist for WVU Extension's Family Nutrition Program and SNAP-Ed Director for the state of WV. Additionally, she serves as the food access chair for the WV Food and Farm Coalition. Her positions in these organizations allow her to develop outreach strategies that connect the interests of public health and nutrition to agriculture and the local foods movement. She has recently been involved in the development of mobile markets and school-based farmers market voucher programs in rural communities in West Virginia.
Contact information: (304)356-1310 (cell) | kristen.mccartney@mail.wvu.edu
Emi Tsuda, PhD is an Associate Professor in the WVU College of Applied Human Sciences. Her research interests include teachers’ content knowledge, physical education pedagogy, physical education and activity policy and advocacy, physical activity promotion, and motor skill development.
Contact information: (304)293-0849 | emi.tsuda@mail.wvu.edu
James Wyant, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the WVU College of Applied Human Sciences. His research interests include instructional technology, decision theory, physical education policy, and cultural competence.
Contact information: (304)293-0846 | jwyant2@mail.wvu.edu
Kaitlyn Shaffer, MPA is the Project Manager of the WV CARDIAC Project. Kaitlyn is primarily involved with data management, communications, overseeing school-based health screenings, website and social media development, and management of project initiatives, resources, and deliverables.
Contact information: (304)293-9355 | kaitlyn.shaffer@mail.wvu.edu
Treanor Lee, BS Ed is a graduate student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at the West Virginia University College of Applied Human Sciences, and a research assistant on the WV CARDIAC Project. His interests include promoting overall wellness practices for a life full of health and enjoyment.