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SAFE: Central Valley Coalition

Executive Committee

Founder and Director: Peggy Trueblood

Peggy Trueblood Picture

Dr. Trueblood is Department Chair and Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at California State University, Fresno (Fresno State).  She received her PhD at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in Physiological Sciences.  She has taught and conducted research in the area of neuroscience for over 30 years.  Dr. Trueblood has a Masters in Kinesiology from UCLA and a Masters in Physical Therapy with a Specialty Certificate for Evaluation and Treatment of Neurological Disorders from the University of Southern California.  She also holds a specialty certificate for evaluation and treatment of vestibular disorders. She has been a clinician since 1979 with an emphasis in neuro- rehab for balance and gait disorders. 

Dr. Trueblood is the founder and director of the Gait, Balance, and Mobility Research and Education Center at Fresno State where graduate physical therapy students develop skills in the evaluation and treatment of persons with balance and gait disorders.   She also performs clinical research in the area of balance and gait retraining for persons with neurological and non-neurological balance disorders. She is currently working on developing an interdisciplinary post-concussion management program at Fresno State.  

Dr. Trueblood has been involved in the development and implementation of a fall prevention program for underserved seniors in the central valley for the last 20 years and is the Director of the San Joaquin Central Valley Fall Prevention Coalition SAFE (Senior Awareness & Fall Education) (www.safecvc.org) “To reduce falls among older adults by raising awareness, establishing a network of services and advocating on their behalf."

Dr. Trueblood has presented her work both nationally and internationally.  She also continues to teach clinicians in the profession of physical therapy and gives numerous lectures to the community each year.

Dr. Trueblood also enjoys traveling and has been involved in the development of an interdisciplinary study abroad program during the summer for students in the College of Health and Human Services. In addition to traveling, she enjoys spending time in the mountains or on the beach with friends and family.

Chair: Jenna Johal 

Jenna JohalJenna Johal is a Brand and Marketing Strategist, who works as an Executive Marketing Director for Valley Regional Home Health.  She partners with healthcare agencies, hospitals and facilities to transition their patients care to the next continuum of care.  After spending nearly a decade working in strategic business development, brand management and marketing for Vibra Healthcare, Jenna knows what truly drives conversions, goals and community awareness. It’s how well you connect with the people you’re trying to help and communicate your understanding back to them.

Jenna’s greatest strengths are her creativity, drive and leadership. She thrives on challenges, particularly those that expand the company’s reach. Her most recent project involved a strategic partnership with a local business to bring Home Health exclusive services to their employees and members. Notable is her as Lead Business Development Liaison for San Joaquin Valley Rehabilitation Hospital, where she directed major sponsorship and other partnering initiatives.

In 2014, Jenna was recognized with the Community Heroes Award by the College of Health and Human Services, California State University, Fresno for significant impact and outstanding service that has made a difference for the residents of our region.

Jenna is also on the Executive Leadership Board for American Heart and Stroke Association. She also does volunteer work for the Sikh Women’s Association, Sikh youth movement and the Coalition for seniors.  She lives in Clovis, with her hubby and two beautiful girls. In her free time, Jenna has decided to add a side hustle of décor and event management with her sister in law.  

Vice Chair: Jennifer Roos 

Jennifer Roos Picture

Dr. Roos is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at California State University, Fresno (Fresno State).  She received her Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) at the University of California, San Francisco and San Francisco State University (UCSF/SFSU/Fresno State) in 2013.  She received her Masters in Physical Therapy in 2000 and her Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science with an emphasis in Physiology in 1997 from Fresno State. Dr. Roos is a Geriatric Clinical Specialist and received this advanced clinical recognition in 2016. Additionally, she received a Certificate in Aquatic Physical Therapy Clinical Competency (CAPTCC) in 2018.

Dr. Roos has actively supported the Fresno State Department of Physical Therapy as a clinical instructor and guest lecturer. She was hired as a part-time faculty member in 2012 and advised students during clinical rotation experiences as well. In fall 2015, Dr. Roos transitioned from the clinic to the classroom and is currently a full-time tenure track faculty member. She has been a clinician for eighteen years and has worked in outpatient rehabilitation settings as a clinician and supervisor. She has worked with various patient populations including orthopedic conditions, neurologic conditions, chronic pain, women’s health, pregnancy, and specialized in aquatics. In addition to patient care, Dr. Roos worked as a Clinical Liaison for an inpatient rehabilitation facility.

Dr. Roos is actively engaged in the San Joaquin Valley District Board of the California Physical Therapy Association (CPTA) and is currently the Chief Representative and has been a member since 2000. She has attended the Annual Assembly of Representatives as a district representative since 2014. She is an active member of the Education Committee for the Academy of Aquatic Physical Therapy section of the APTA. She is on the Executive Committee as Vice-Chair for the San Joaquin Central Valley Fall Prevention Coalition (SAFE www.safevc.org) and has been a member since 2013.

Dr. Roos collaborates with faculty across the College of Health and Human Services, Physical Therapy Department faculty, and community partners on research projects and community service activities. She has presented her work at the national, state, and local level. She supports several student doctoral projects annually and supports students in pursuing dissemination of evidence-based research projects at state and local conferences as well as publications in peer-reviewed journals.  She is actively participating in multiple research projects: lower-limb amputation and effects on lower limb strength and gait mechanics, peer-mentoring for graduate students enrolled in the DPT program, and health cohort projects related to physical activity guidelines.  Her teaching emphasis is across the curriculum in body systems, women’s health, aquatics, service-learning and community engagement, professional colloquium, and case reports.

Dr. Roos is married and enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and dogs. She loves spending time at the beach or the lake, loves music and attending concerts, and spending quality time with friends and family.

Education Chair: Eliana Troncale

Eliana Troncale is an Injury Prevention Outreach Specialist with Community Regional Medical Center (CRMC) in Fresno, the areas only Level 1 Trauma Center. The leading cause of Trauma in the emergency room at CRMC is ground level falls among older adults.  Seeing the prevalence and the effects that injuries from falls have on seniors and their families has driven her to find ways to help older adults reduce their risk of falling and stay safe. 

Eliana holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health from Fresno State University and has been working in the field of injury prevention for over five years. She is a Master Trainer in the fall prevention program, Matter of Balance, and also a certified Tai Chi for Arthritis instructor. 

Marketing Chair: Vacant

Fundraising Chair: Tish Davis

Tish Davis Picture

Tish Davis, MBA and her husband, Eddie Davis, BSW, MBA, founded Auspice In Home Care & Transportation in 2009.  Tish is passionate about caring for seniors and their families in our community.  She is dedicated to helping them find the necessary resources available to them.  Every year she coordinates a caregiver conference as well as several educational seminars throughout the community.  When she is not helping her clients and community, she loves spending time with her family including 5 fur kids and friends.  

 

Representative at Large: Jessica Arevalo

Jessica ArevaloJessica Arevalo earned her Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology-Exercise Science at California State University, Fresno in 2016. She works as a physical therapist aide and as a patient services coordinator at San Joaquin Valley Rehabilitation Hospital. Through those positions, her roles are assisting physical therapists with patient care, asses patient issues concerning insurance or scheduling, and work as a liaison between patients and the healthcare organization. She aspires to pursue a career in physical therapy and ultimately care for and empower underrepresented communities. 

Jessica enjoys spending time with her family, fiancé, and friends. She also enjoys nature and loves hiking.

SAFE Coordinator: Vacant

For More Information

Contact the Department of Physical Therapy

Phone: (559) 278-7539