Limestone’s Dr. Felicia Cavallini Presents Research at World Health Organization Conference

Limestone University professor and Fulbright Scholar Dr. Felicia Cavallini recently gave a presentation at the 15th World Health Organization Health Enhancing Physical Activity International Conference at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland.

The conference took place August 19-21.

The presentation, entitled "Perceptions of Physical Activity and Structured Exercise in South Carolina Adult Native Americans,” focused on Phase 1 of a two-phase study into the attitude of exercise and physical activity within Native American communities. Phase 1 involved surveys and informant interviews with citizens of South Carolina who are members of some of the 14 state-recognized tribes or groups, including interviews with four different Chiefs of the state-tribes.

In addition to Cavallini’s long-time collaborator, Dr. David Dyck from the University of Guelph, both past and present Limestone students have participated on the research team. The study is a result of a grant awarded to Limestone in 2022 from the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina, a ministry of the Sisters of Charity Healthy System that looks to reduce poverty through action, advocacy, and leadership.

The conference focused on the importance of inclusion in implementing health-enhancing physical activity. The objective of the conference was to engage and connect scientists, leading experts, policymakers, professionals, and other stakeholders to enhance and facilitate the implementation of knowledge in the field of health-enhancing physical activity, and to provide a forum for sharing the latest scientific, practice, and policy developments in Europe and beyond.

Cavallini was awarded the prestigious, internationally distinguished Fulbright United States Scholar Grant for 2014-2015 as a Visiting Research Chair in the Human Health and Nutritional Sciences Department at the University of Guelph. Following her time in Guelph, Cavallini and her research team created “MyActivity” graphics to represent their findings. The graphics reflected the data gained from 13 diverse focus groups held during Cavallini’s time in Canada. Along with the research, at least 15 of the “MyActivity” graphics have been published in peer-review national and international research journals. She currently serves as the Program Director of Exercise Science and Human Movement Studies at Limestone.

Accompanying photo: Limestone University’s Felicia Cavallini (left) with Waccamaw Indian People Chief Harold “Buster” Hatcher.