ESU Doctoral Candidate Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award

Despite a prolific career recently highlighted by a lifetime achievement award, John Graham M.S. '02 continues to seek new and rewarding goals. His latest: pursuing his doctorate from East Stroudsburg University at the age of 64.

Graham, a student in the Doctorate of Health Science in Health Sciences (D.H.Sc.) program, is a well-known contributor to the fitness and sports performance field. Currently the Senior Network Administrator for Lifestyle Health & Wellness, Fitness & Sports Performance, at St. Luke's University Health Network, Graham has received recognition both locally and nationally during his more than 40-year career that has included roles as a trainer, coach, editor, educator and speaker.

His latest accolade came on July 10, when he was honored with the National Strength and Conditioning Association's (NSCA) Boyd Epley Award for NSCA Lifetime Contributions at a ceremony in New Orleans, La.

Presented since 1993, the award honors individuals who "have exhibited historical impact, achievements, and dedication to the NSCA over the course of their careers," according to the NSCA. It is considered the highest honor given by the NSCA, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing science and education in the strength and conditioning field.

"Everything I've done, I've always done for the right reasons, which is to help people," Graham said. "It was never about getting a pat on the back or being told 'thank you,' it was because it was the right thing to do."

Graham has led more than 400 presentations around the world and contributed to more than 200 publications during his career. He has also co-authored a book on metabolic training, served as an adjunct professor at multiple colleges and universities, and possesses numerous certifications in leadership, strength and conditioning, and coaching.

In his role with St. Luke's, Graham oversees clinical fitness operations, community wellness initiatives, and sports performance programs throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Graham, however, is far from content. Determined to continue developing as a professional, he enrolled in East Stroudsburg University's Doctor of Health Science in Health Sciences (D.H.Sc.) program in fall 2025. Though he has no plans to retire anytime soon, he viewed the program as an opportunity to continue doing what he's enjoyed doing for so long after retirement.

"I felt like if I could get my doctorate and become a professor, it would give me opportunities to help others progress in their careers and become more successful," he said.

A deciding factor in choosing ESU was Graham's experience earning his master's degree in exercise science in 2002, particularly his relationship with Dr. Shala Davis, professor and chair of the exercise science department. Graham said Dr. Davis helped him develop his master's thesis and later reached out to him about being a strong fit for the doctoral program.

Now nearly a year into the program, Graham applauded the strong foundation laid by Dr. Davis and her colleagues, with everyone working together to lift their students up towards success.

"Dr. Davis has built a culture in the program where the other professors and everyone around her are all very engaged, they're very supportive, and they all make you feel like you're important," he said. "They make you feel like you're a collaborator, not a student."

Dr. Davis said Graham, with his commitment to professional growth, represents the type of individual the Doctorate of Health Science program aims to attract.

"John Graham, as a student and professional, is never satisfied with the status quo but thrives on continuous improvement," Dr. Davis said. "He is a leader in the field and challenges the faculty to push him to fine tune his leadership skill set."

In preparing his dissertation, Graham is analyzing a three-year span of data to explore whether medical residents see an improvement or decline in their health and wellness during residency.

Medical residents, doctors who graduated from medical school but must first complete supervised on-the-job training before practicing on their own, are a critical part of hospital care team, but often work a demanding schedule of up to 80 hours per week. Graham hopes the data leads to yet another outcome in which he can help others improve their lives.

"If we are seeing a decline, how do we find ways to improve upon it?" Graham said. "If we're seeing success, what are we doing that enables that to occur? Because that's something we want to replicate so that everyone benefits."

Learn more about ESU's Doctorate of Health Science program, as well as graduate and undergraduate degrees in exercise science. For more information, contact Dr. Shala Davis at (570) 422-3302 or [email protected].