Peter J. Ward, Ph.D.

Portrait Peter J. Ward, Ph.D.

Peter J. Ward, Ph.D.
Professor of Neuroscience
Biomedical Sciences

Phone: (304) 647-6371
Fax: (304) 645-4859
Office: A331

Education and Training

Ph.D. Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. U.S.A. Awarded May 2005

M.S. Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. U.S.A. Awarded May 2002

B.S. Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. U.S.A. Awarded May 1996

Research Interests

Dr. Ward’s educational research program employs qualitative and quantitative methods to characterize how student approaches to study affect their achievement and recall of basic science course material. Other educational research endeavors include the creation and testing of new standardized patient experiences, the role of the History of Medicine in American medical school curricula.

In conjunction with Bone Clones, Inc., Dr. Ward has produced tactile models that mimic the feel of anatomical structures when intact and when ruptured during the physical examination. He created the YouTube channel, Clinical Anatomy Explained! and continues to pursue novel ways to present the anatomical sciences to the public.

In regard to scientific topics, Dr. Ward investigates novel and poorly-characterized fascial structures in the body like the myodural bridge, infraspinatus facia, and small ligaments of the foot. Dr. Ward also mentors students in researching topics related to clinical anatomy, leading to publications in the Journal of Anatomy, Cureus, Medical Science Educator, The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, and Clinical Anatomy.

Publications

Selected Peer Reviewed Research

  1. Ibrahim SR, Ward PJ. Tissue Adhesives for Hernia Mesh Fixation: a literature review. Cureus 12(9): e10494. 2020. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.10494
  2. Kent L, Ward PJ. The History of Medicine as a Topic in the Curricula of North American Medical Education. Medical Science Educator. 30(3):1531-1539. 2020. DOI: 10.1007/s40670-020-01074-0
  3. Thompson AR, Kelso RS, Ward PJ, Wines K, Hanna JB (2016) Assessment Driven Learning: the Use of Higher-Order and Discipline-Integrated Questions on Gross Anatomy Practical Examinations. Medical Science Educator. Early view:1-10. DOI: 10.1007/s40670-016-0306-z
  4. Moccia D, Nackashi A, Schilling R, Ward PJ (2016) Fascial bundles of the infraspinatus fascia: anatomy, function, and clinical considerations. Journal of Anatomy. 228(1):176-183. DOI: 10.1111/joa.12386
  5. Schweller E, Ward PJ (2015) Posterolateral corner knee injuries – a review of anatomy and clinical evaluation. Journal of American Osteopathic Association. 115(12):725-731. DOI: 10.7556/jaoa.2105.148
  6. Ward PJ (2014) Bilateral dermal cyst in the white matter tracts from cerebrum to cerebellum of a female cadaver. International Journal of Anatomical Variations 7:71-73. ISSN: 1308-4038
  7. Ward PJ (2013) Sword-cutting practice of feudal Japan: Anatomical considerations of tameshigiri. Journal of Asian Martial Arts 22(1):1-18
  8. Kahkeshani K, Ward PJ (2012) Connection between the spinal dura mater and suboccipital musculature: evidence for the myodural bridge and a route for its dissection-a review. Clinical Anatomy 25(4):415-422. DOI: 10.1102/ca.21261
  9. Ward PJ (2011) Influence of study approaches on academic outcomes during pre-clinical medical education. Medical Teacher 33(12):e651-e662. DOI: 10.3109/0142159X.2011.610843
  10. 1Ward PJ (2011) First year medical students’ approaches to study and the outcomes in a gross anatomy course. Clinical Anatomy 24(1):120-127. DOI: 10.1002/ca.21071
  11. 1Ward PJ, Walker JJ (2008) The influence of study methods and knowledge processing on academic success and long-term recall of anatomy learning by first-year veterinary students. Anatomical Sciences Education 1(2):68-74. DOI: 10.1002/ase.19

Scholarly

  1. Sole Author: Clinical Anatomy Explained – Netter’s Nervous System, an Integrated Anatomical Text. Elsevier. Text in preparation.
  2. Chapter editor: Mediastinum. In: Gray’s Anatomy, 43rd Ed. Section editor: Richard Tunstall, Senior Editor, Susan Standring. Elsevier. Anticipated publication 2024
  3. Senior Associate Editor. The Netter Collection: The Digestive System, Volumes I-III, 3rd Ed. Chief Editor: James C. Reynolds, MD. Elsevier. Anticipated publication in 2023
  4. Consulting editor, Netter’s Atlas of Human Anatomy–Regional Approach, 8th Ed. Elsevier. 2022
  5. Sole Author: Clinical Anatomy Explained – Netter’s Musculoskeletal System, an Integrated Anatomical Text. Elsevier. August 2021
  6. Chapter editor: Mediastinum. In: Gray’s Anatomy, 42nd Ed. Section editor: Richard Tunstall, Senior Editor, Susan Standring. Elsevier. 2020
  7. Chapter author: Getting the most out of a professional meeting. In: A successful academic career, research, and papers: guidelines for biomedical students, residents, and researchers. Editors: Mohammadali M. Shoja, MD, R. Shane Tubbs, PhD, Sandra M. Buerger, PhD, Anthony V. D'Antoni, DC, PhD, Marios Loukas, MD, PhD. Wiley. 2020
  8. Ward PJ. Senior Associate Editor. The Netter Collection: The Digestive System, Volumes I-III –, 2nd Ed. Chief Editor: James C. Reynolds, MD. Elsevier. June 2016.
  9. Ward PJ. Variations of the Humerus. In: Bergman's Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Human Anatomic Variations. Editors: Mohammadali M. Shoja, MD, R. Shane Tubbs, PhD, Marios Loukas, MD, PhD. Wiley. June 2016.
  10. Ward PJ. Variations of the Scapula. In: Bergman's Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Human Anatomic Variations. Editors: Mohammadali M. Shoja, MD, R. Shane Tubbs, PhD, Marios Loukas, MD, PhD. Wiley. June 2016.

Inventions

  1. WVSOM and Bone Clones. Ankle sprain model.
  2. WVSOM and Bone Clones. Spondylolisthesis model.

Recent Conference Presentations

  1. Karczewski K., Pirtle J.M., Ward PJ. An investigation of various coatings to prevent Dehydration of Prosection Anatomical Specimens. Annual Meeting of the American Association of Clinical Anatomists. Orlando, FL. USA. 2023.
  2. Ward PJ, Skowronek, S. A transverse hypogastric loop posterior to the rectus abdominis muscles. Annual Meeting of the American Association of Clinical Anatomists. Orlando, FL. USA. 2023.
  3. Asano S, Benmerzouga I, Eleazer C, Landvoigt M, Martin K, Scopa Kelso R, Stover K. Ward PJ. Integration of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences into Collaborative, Team-taught Sessions. Annual Meeting of the American Physiological Society at Experimental Biology. Philadelphia, PA. USA. 2022.
  4. Ward PJ. Pushing the Boundaries of Clinical Anatomy. AACA-Sponsored speaker at Annual Meeting of the Human Anatomy and Physiology Society. Ottawa, Canada. May 2020.
  5. Ward PJ. Kent L. Medical History in the Curricula of American Medical Schools. Annual Meeting of the American Association of Clinical Anatomists. Tulsa, OK. USA. 2019.
  6. Ward PJ. Interactive Digital Histology Sessions–A Method to Improve Student Engagement. Annual Meeting of the American Association of Clinical Anatomists. Tulsa, OK. USA. 2019.
  7. Pratt R., Sulaiman S, Ward PJ. Imposter Syndrome – Career Development Symposium at Annual Meeting of the American Association of Clinical Anatomists. Tulsa, OK. USA. 2019.
  8. Kent L, Ward PJ. A student-sponsored, competency-based series of talks on the History of Medicine. Annual Meeting of the International Association of Medical Science Educators. Roanoke, VA. USA. 2019.
  9. Ward PJ. The anatomy-intensive elective: an optional rotation highlighting anatomy and effective communication. Annual Meeting of the American Association of Clinical Anatomists. Atlanta, GA. USA. 2018
  10. Haag A, Ward PJ. (2018) Post-Polio Syndrome in the Gross Anatomy Lab. Poster – 2018 meeting of the American College of Physicians Internal Medicine. New Orleans, LA. USA
  11. Ward PJ. (2018) The anatomy-intensive elective: an optional rotation highlighting anatomy and effective communication. Platform presentation – 2018 meeting of the American Association of Clinical Anatomists. Atlanta, GA. USA.
  12. Kent L, Ward PJ. (2018) A student-sponsored series of talks on the History of Medicine. Poster – 2018 meeting of the American Association of Clinical Anatomists. Atlanta, GA. USA.
  13. Haag A, Ward PJ. (2017) Encountering the Chondroepitrochlearis Muscle in the Gross Anatomy Lab. Poster presentation - 2017 meeting of the American Association of Clinical Anatomists. Minneapolis, MN. USA
  14. Ward PJ. Tactile anatomical models to improve student competency in physical examination. Tech Fair – Annual Meeting of the American Association of Clinical Anatomists. Oakland, CA. USA. 2016.
  15. Ward PJ. (2016) Tactile anatomical models to improve student competency in physical examination. Tech Fair - 2016 meeting of the American Association of Clinical Anatomists. Oakland, CA. USA
  16. Morgan, BD and Ward PJ. (2016) Residual liver spheres – a strange post-cremation artifact. Poster - 2016 meeting of the American Association of Clinical Anatomists. Oakland, CA. USA
  17. Ward PJ. (2016) Remediation in an Integrated Medical School Curriculum - Lessons Learned. Platform Presentation-2016 meeting of the American Association of Anatomists. San Diego, CA. USA
  18. Ward PJ. (2014) An anatomy intensive elective – a competency-focused review of clinical anatomy prior to residency. Platform presentation-2014 meeting of the American Association of Clinical Anatomists. Orlando, FL. USA. Clinical Anatomy 27(8):1327.

Invited Presentations

  1. Ward PJ. New Horizons in Fascial Research. WVSOM Alumni Weekend 2021. August 2021
  2. Ward PJ. Anatomy of Gender Affirmation Surgery. WVSOM LGBTQ student health certificate series. WVSOM, Lewisburg, WV. 2018, 2019, 2021
  3. Ward PJ. All that is Old is New Again – the History of Medicine and Medical Education. Medical Education Interest Group, University of Warwick, U.K. January 2021.
  4. Ward PJ. How to successfully attend a scientific meeting. Distance seminar hosted by the Department of Physician Assistant Studies, Wagner College, Staten Island, NY. April 2020.
  5. Ward PJ. Qualitative research methods and anatomy education. Anatomy Education Research Institute 2017. Bloomington, IN. USA. July 2017.
  6. Ward PJ. A short history of medicine and Qualitative research methods in medical education. Keynote speaker at the LECOM annual faculty development day. May 2016.
  7. Ward PJ. The Ohio State University. College of Medicine, Division of Anatomy. Columbus, OH. Qualitative research methods in anatomy education and The History of Anatomy and its Influence on Medical Science. March 2016.
  8. Ward PJ. August 2015: WVSOM Alumni Continuing Education. Roland Sharp Alumni Center. WVSOM, Lewisburg, WV. Microanatomy and gross anatomy of soft tissue injuries to the lower limb. August 2015.