Victoria Hammer Castellanos- Past Board Member
Victoria Hammer Castellanos, PhD, RD/N has been an IAM board member since 2015. She is a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist and earned her PhD in Nutrition from the University of California at Davis. Vicki has 11 years of experience in university administration; her current position is Associate Dean of the Panuska College of Professional Studies at the University of Scranton. Previous to this position she was faculty in the Department of Dietetics and Nutrition and Associate Dean of the University Graduate School at Florida International University (FIU) in Miami.
Vicki became familiar with the challenges faced by individuals with spinal cord injuries through her late husband, Daniel A. Castellanos, PhD. Vicki and Dan first met at a scientific meeting when they were both doctoral students. When they met, Dan had already been in a wheelchair for 14 years, having suffered a spinal cord injury in a car accident when he was a sophomore in college. Vicki and Dan were together for 16 years, during which time they started a family and established their careers. Dan worked for many years at the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, and later he was a member of the founding faculty at the Herbert Werthheim College of Medicine at FIU. Dan was also very active in the Miami disability community. In his spare time he enjoyed sailing and kayaking at Shake-A-Leg, Miami, as well as scuba diving, snow skiing and water skiing. He was 30 years post-injury at the time of his passing.
Elisha Nolan- Past Board Member
Born and raised in northeastern Pennsylvania Elisha Nolan resides in the Clarks Summit area with her supportive Husband Patrick and fourteen year old son Paxton. At just thirteen years young, Elisha was diagnosed with a rare tumor disease in her left knee called GCTD (Giant Cell Tumor Disease) or PVNS. Following twenty-eight surgeries, hospitalizations and many years of pain and suffering, she made the difficult decision to electively amputate her left leg above the knee in 2012. Following amputation, Elisha spent many years within the adaptive sports community. She quickly learned to cycle, run, box and competitive power lift. After a few years she felt something was missing. Elisha really missed having a career. After growing up in the hospitality industry prior to amputation she wanted to get back to her roots and show other amputees there truly was life after limb loss.
Together since early 2018, Elisha & Patrick Nolan have owned and operated Alter House Restaurant & Event Venue, also located in Clarks Summit, PA. She continues to be a working wife, mother, motivational speaker and patient advocate. Elisha was honored and motivated to accept a position on the board. She looks forward to bringing years of experience in the disability community, knowledge in adaptive sports, rehabilitation, and strong community connections to Individual Abilities In Motion.