Degrees and Certifications

Eastern Michigan University – Ypsilanti, Michigan
Bachelor of Science in Sports Medicine- Cardiac Rehabilitation

Wayne State University - Detroit, Michigan
Master of Health Education 

Wayne State University – Detroit, Michigan
Graduate Certificate in Gerontology 

Wayne State University - Detroit, Michigan
Doctor of Kinesiology

Certifications
MCHES-Master Certified Health Education Specialist
WELCOA- Well Workplace Certification
Totally Coached- Intrinsic Coach©

Biography

Heather Ladanyi brings several years of healthcare experience to the university, specializing in patient and family health education, corporate wellness, health coaching, and supervisory roles. In addition to her three advanced degrees, she has specialized skills in motivational interviewing and behavior change.
As a health practitioner, Dr. Ladanyi has developed a strong command of program planning, design, methods, marketing, implementation, and evaluation.

Dr. Ladanyi serves as the manager for the Division of Kinesiology, Health, and Sport Studies at Wayne State University. In this role, she oversees people, processes, and facilities to ensure operational effectiveness. She is responsible for recruitment and enrollment for all KHS programs, creating marketing materials, and managing the division’s social media channels.
Heather has also managed the All-Children Exercise Simultaneously (ACES) Day events at WSU, bringing over 1,500 youth to campus in 2016 and 2017 to perform yoga together. Additionally, she managed the operations of the Wayne State University Farmers Market from 2018 to 2021.

Dr. Ladanyi graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a B.S. in Sports Medicine. She also holds an M.Ed. in Health Education and a Graduate Certificate in Gerontology, which led to her pursuit of a Doctorate in Kinesiology.
Dr. Ladanyi is a Master Certified Health Education Specialist, a Certified Intrinsic Coach, and an American Lung Association Freedom from Smoking: Smoking Cessation Coach. Additionally, she holds a Well Workplace certificate from WELCOA.

As an American Heart Association State Advocate, Dr. Ladanyi works at the state level to support and advocate for policy changes to improve public health. One of her proudest achievements was contributing to the committee that developed Michigan’s Smoke-Free Indoor Air Law, which passed in 2009.

During her time at Karmanos Cancer Institute, Dr. Ladanyi recruited and trained over 20 male cancer survivors to act as prostate cancer advocates. These advocates teamed up with newly diagnosed men to ease their concerns and assist them in navigating the diagnosis and treatment process. She also trained the advocates on how to write to their legislators to advocate for policies that impact the health and wellbeing of individuals with cancer.

During her time here at Wayne State University, Dr. Ladanyi has been an active member on a variety of committees, including the WSU Yield Committee, CoE Scholarship Committee, CoE Marketing and Communications Committee and the Health Sciences Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

Dr. Ladanyi, a first-generation college student raised by a single parent in Detroit and educated in the city's public school system, strongly advocates for education as a means to uplift individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds to better prospects. She is dedicated to offering students an exceptional learning experience and a nurturing environment to help them succeed and grow in their professional endeavors.

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