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School of Health Professions
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School of Health Professions faculty and students receive awards, present at annual state conference
School of Health Professions Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs David Henzi, EdD, received the Distinguished Service Award from the Texas Society for the Advancement of Health Professions at its 45th annual conference in September.
Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program fellow joins Department of Occupational Therapy faculty
Michael Bermudez, EdD, sees occupational therapy as a means for social justice for people with disabilities. His tools? Circuit boards, code and 3D printers, to name a few.
This July, Bermudez brought his research interest in assistive technology to The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, where he joined the Department of Occupational Therapy as an assistant professor.
Research study to train future health professionals how to communicate effectively with people with aphasia
A research study that aims to equip future allied health professionals with the most effective methods and skills to effectively communicate with people with aphasia has received a $30,000 interprofessional collaboration grant from the Association of School Advancing Health Professions. ASAHP announced the grant award on Sept. 18.
Aphasia is an acquired communication disorder caused by stoke or neurodegenerative disease that affects the ability of an estimated 2 million people in the United States to express or understand verbal and written language.
Medical laboratory sciences students receive white coats
The Medical Laboratory Sciences Class of 2024 held its white coat ceremony on Sept. 15.
The event marked the second time the program has held a white coat ceremony, which symbolizes the transition from the pre-clinical to clinical phase of the program. The white coat also represents the oath students take pledging to provide the highest standard of ethical care to patients.
MLS professor is one of 10 ASCLS Voices Under 40 in nation
Inspired by her blood bank professor when she was a student at UT Health San Antonio, Tiffany Roerich Wafford, MSTM, MLS (ASCP), SBB, set a goal of leading a class of her own someday.
SHP programs provide screenings and health and wellness info at Spurs Back to School Bash
Students and faculty from five programs in the School of Health Professions participated in the Spurs Give Back to School Bash on Aug. 5.
Several thousand children and adults attended the free community event, which included backpack and school supply giveaways, vaccinations, haircuts, eye exams, dental screenings, and a variety of other activities and services from community organizations and vendors participating in the event.
Faculty Profile: Assistant Professor/Clinical Brittany Teeter
A career in the laboratory wasn’t always part of the plan for Assistant Professor/Clinical Brittany Teeter, MS, CLS, MLS (ASCP). Instead, her role a medical laboratory scientist began as a practical choice that made sense for her and her family and evolved into a career she continues to shape with an eye to the future.
“If you do something well, you kind of owe it to society to help others do it well, too,” Teeter said of her decision to go all in on the medical laboratory sciences profession.
OT professor serves on board of Project MEND
Associate Professor Ana Allegretti, PhD, OTR, ATP, was elected in May to serve on the board of directors of Project MEND, a nonprofit that provides refurbished medical equipment to people in San Antonio and Texas.
The organization’s mission is closely aligned with Allegretti’s expertise and research related to adaptive equipment. Allegretti presented two training sessions at Project MEND over the summer on the wheelchair service delivery process and wheelchair classification and characteristics.
Faculty profile: Helping students find their path in health professions
Assistant Professor Jessica Ibarra, PhD, knows from personal experience that perseverance, preparation and a solid understanding of the graduate and professional school application processes are essential when planning a health sciences career.
Aphasia summer program focuses on communication and connection
With the continued goal of helping people with aphasia improve their ability to communicate while forming important social connections, the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders hosted its third annual summer aphasia program in June and July.
An estimated 2 million people in the United States live with aphasia, a communication disorder that affects a person’s ability to understand language and communicate. About one in three people who have a stroke experience aphasia, said program organizer Assistant Professor Cathy Torrington Eaton, PhD, CCC-SLP.
OT chair is president-elect of Shine Academy
Department of Occupational Therapy Chair and Professor Bridgett Piernik-Yoder, PhD, OTR, has been elected president-elect of The University of Texas Kenneth I. Shine Academy of Health Science Education.
Piernik-Yoder, who served as chair of the academy’s education committee for the past two years, will begin her two-year term in March 2024.
Communication sciences and disorders professor receives Spectrum Award
Communication Sciences and Disorders Assistant Professor Rocio Norman, PhD, CCC-SLP, received the 2023 School of Health Professions Spectrum Award.
The annual Spectrum Award recognizes one faculty member for all-around excellence and exceptional contributions in teaching, research and service. Receiving the award has confirmed her journey as a researcher and educator, Norman said.
PA Studies students don white coats
Students in the Physician Assistant Studies Class of 2025 slipped on their white coats in a ceremony symbolizing their transition from classroom learning to clinical rotations.
The ceremony, held May 15, featured comments from School of Health Professions Dean David Shelledy, PhD, RRT, FAARC, FASAHP, and Associate Program Director and Associate Chair of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies Steven A. “Tony” Skaggs, PhD, MPS, PA-C.
The white coat represents a duty to patients, Skaggs told the students.
MLS students celebrate profession with a little friendly competition
Celebrated on campus in late April, the 48th Medical Laboratory Professionals Week included a microscope scavenger hunt and other fun and games intended to raise awareness of a profession that isn’t as well known as other health professions.
School hosts first-ever career fair for health professions students
The School of Health Professions held its first-ever career fair on April 27, bringing dozens of employers to campus to meet with students.
The school’s graduates are sought after by employers, said Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs David Henzi, EdD, FASAHP.
“The School of Health Professions educates a student population which is in high demand from local hospital and clinical settings,” Henzi said. “It was great to have many of those partners in attendance for the first School of Health Professions career fair.”
Health professions students inducted into Alpha Eta Society
For Doctor of Occupational Therapy student Elise Gray, being inducted into the Alpha Eta Society with 37 other students represents the value of teamwork among the health professions.
“The induction ceremony signifies not just our individual accomplishments but also our commitment to the interdisciplinary teamwork that is at the heart of optimal patient care,” Gray said.
Students travel to Colombia and India over spring break
School of Health Professions students traveled overseas during spring break to learn about health professions education and professional practice in Colombia and India.
Three students from UT Health San Antonio, including two from the School of Health Professions and one from the School of Nursing, traveled to Bogota, Colombia, in March. They were accompanied by Division of Respiratory Care Professor Ruben Restrepo, MD, RRT, FAARC, FCCP, and Department of Physician Assistant Studies Assistant Professor and Associate Clinical Coordinator Leticia Bland, DHSc, MPAS, PA-C.
Student wins American Occupational Therapy Foundation scholarship
Second-year Doctor of Occupational Therapy student Kathryn Hiles has won the Charles Christiansen and Beth Jones Endowed Scholarship from the American Occupational Therapy Foundation.
“These are extremely competitive awards, and it is truly testament to Kathryn's impactful leadership and contributions to the program, university and community to be selected as a 2023 recipient,” said Department of Occupational Therapy Chair and Professor Bridgett Piernik-Yoder, PhD, OTR. The scholarship award is just over $1,400.
Leadership podcast: School of Health Professions Dean David Shelledy
School of Health Professions Dean David Shelledy, PhD, RRT, RPFT, FAARC, FASAHP, is featured in Episode 20 of the Leadership Podcast produced by the UT Health San Antonio Staff Advisory Council. Listen as he describes his own career path, his love of teaching and playing trumpet, and his thoughts on leadership.
Physical therapy students receive white coats
The 47 students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Class of 2024 received their white coats on April 7 in a ceremony representing their move from classroom learning to the clinical phase of the program.
“It’s a symbol of your dedication to the profession, service and the provision of the best possible patient care,” David Henzi, EdD, associate dean of academic and student affairs for the School of Health Professions, told the students assembled in Holly Auditorium.
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