Office Space: Dr. Emmanuel John, Dean of the Dr. Donald E. and Lois J. Myers School of Nursing and Health Professions

The way a person decorates can say a lot about them. In the Office Space series, we go beyond the résumé and get to know York College faculty and staff members through the objects they like to keep close.

Dr. Emmanuel John is both a professor and dean of the Dr. Donald E. and Lois J. Myers School of Nursing and Health Professions. He also serves as a visiting professor at Chrisland University in Abeokuta, Nigeria, as a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy, and as executive director of the Nigeria Physiotherapy Network. 

He has received numerous awards, including the 2023 Lynda Woodruff Lectureship Award, 2024 Cerasoli Lectureship Award, and 2023 Nwuga Physiotherapy Foundation Lectureship. He also presented at the International Stroke Conference, discussing “Patients’ Transition to Home” for the Homeless in Dallas, TX. He recently attended the World Physiotherapy Conference in Dubai, UAE, where he presented one of his recent research papers, chaired two platform presentations, and served as a keynote speaker.

Dr. John’s goal is to establish the Myers School of Nursing and Health Professions as a leading institution in education, research, and service. He is committed to promoting health equity and social responsibility for diverse communities both nationally and globally.

1. Nameplate

 During his invited keynote speech at the University of Benin, Nigeria, Dr. John was presented with a hand-carved nameplate. This gift is special because each carving portrays the unique traditions and customs of the Benin people, in Edo State, Nigeria. The Coat of Arms of Nigeria has a black shield with a white pall, symbolizing the meeting of the Niger and Benue Rivers. The emblem includes two horses for dignity, the Oba of Benin swords, and a crocodile for power and resilience, and source of wealth and prosperity across the sea for the kingdom of Benin.

2. Motek GRAIL (Gait Realtime Analysis Interactive Lab)

Dr. John was presented with a 3-D Prism Cube of a Motek GRAIL lab as recognition for his contribution to the development of a motion analysis lab at Chapman University. In this military-grade lab, multiple levels of functionality can be implemented while using less space than a traditional gait lab.

A GRAIL lab is an initiative Dr. John envisions developing at York College. The goal of this innovative lab is to prepare our students to work with patients who require rehabilitation for a variety of neurological and neuromuscular conditions.

3. Souvenirs

Dr. John saves a lanyard from every local, regional, national, and international conference he has ever attended as a souvenir. These mementos serve as a reminder of his professional journey and the many inspiring places he has visited throughout the world.

4. Awards

Dr. John follows the same philosophy for his awards as he does for his lanyards. They serve as a reminder of his contributions and service to the professional community, both nationally and internationally.

 5. Book Collection

Dr. John's office is filled with hundreds of books that line the walls. While he may prefer digital files for their convenience, he finds a certain comfort in handling hard copies.