Dr. Brett Bruininks, associate professor, has been named the new chair of the Health and Exercise Science (HES) Department in the Morrison Family College of Health. He succeeds Dr. Paul Mellick, who will continue to serve as director of the Sports Science Institute at the University of St. Thomas.
A faculty member for the past 11 years, Bruininks has been part of the department’s continued growth. Health and Exercise Science is home to some of the fastest-growing undergraduate majors at St. Thomas, including exercise science, nutrition and public health. The department also launched a Master of Public Health program this year, welcoming its inaugural cohort in September.
“I am excited about the positive trajectory we see with our department. We have real momentum as our programs continue to grow both at the undergraduate and graduate levels,” Bruininks said. “I’m excited to help our team become bigger, faster, stronger, as we support our HES students who are pursuing careers in person-centered care in the areas of medicine, rehabilitation, nutrition, public health, human performance and wellness.”
Before entering academia, Bruininks played Division I ice hockey at the University of Notre Dame and professionally in the American Hockey League and International Hockey League. He later coached at Minnesota State University, Mankato, and Concordia College before joining St. Thomas.
“Brett has a strong desire to lead this incredible team and strengthen, grow and build even more for our HES students and the College of Health,” said Dr. MayKao Y. Hang, vice president and founding dean of the Morrison Family College of Health. “I have no doubt that he will contribute in significant and new ways to the college and serve as an important voice for the HES Department.”
Bruininks’ research has focused on fall prevention among older adults and vulnerable populations. He is also co-author of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency and the Bruininks Motor Ability Test, assessments used by health professionals and researchers to evaluate motor development and impairment in people with disabilities.
His current work includes collaborations with local senior housing providers exploring how technology and artificial intelligence can help detect and prevent falls among older adults.
Bruininks earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Notre Dame and master’s and doctoral degrees in kinesiology from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Away from campus, Bruininks enjoys spending time on the Gunflint Trail and training for competitive triathlons.
