DPT faculty emerita Elia (Emy) Villanueva passed away Saturday, Oct. 21, in Chapel Hill after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.
Her dedication to patients, students, and faculty and her contributions to shaping the DPT program for more than 40 years impact lives today. Read her obituary.
Elia (Emy) Villanueva was born in Puerto Rico and attended Mary Washington College in Virginia. She enrolled in the Duke certificate program in physical therapy in 1959 and graduated in 1961, beginning her career at Duke Hospital. She practiced in various services at the hospital and enjoyed mentoring students in clinical services.
In 1966, Emy earned a master's degree in anatomy from Duke University. After completing her degree, she joined the faculty full-time. “V,” as her students called her, taught her students with tenacity and vigor. Her drive for excellence in kinesiology and anatomy helped her students succeed in caring for their patients.
She also served as a consultant and faculty member and directed the medical clinic for the American Dance Festival's School of Dance for more than a decade. She was a joyful colleague and friend to faculty and students, joining in social events that students would never forget. She supported her profession and held several APTA and NCPTA positions. During her 40 years at Duke, she made an indelible mark on Duke alums from the 1960s to 2001.
Services are set for 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 31, at the St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Chapel Hill, with a reception in the fellowship hall.