School of Health Professions faculty present at annual TSAHP conference

Three School of Health Professions faculty members presented on topics related to the education of the next generation of health professionals during the 2025 Texas Society for Advancement of Health Professions (TSAHP) Conference in September.

“TSAHP is a great organization dedicated to promoting allied health professionals in the areas of research, education and clinical practice,” said Kodosky, who is in the second year of a two-year term as vice president of TSAHP. “It is an honor to be able to serve on the board and with wonderful people.”

Venessa Kodosky, PhD, MEd, director of academic assessment and compliance, and Senior Associate Dean David Henzi, EdD, FASAHP, co-presented a session titled “Understanding and Empowering Generation Z: Addressing the Nine Hidden Challenges of Today’s Most Anxious Generation.” Their presentation provided strategies for fostering grit, social-emotional learning, and adaptive leadership skills among Gen Z learners and employees andstressed the importance helping young people thrive by creating environments in which they can grow through challenge and develop authentic connections.

Master of Science in Imaging Sciences Program Director Jamie S. Tucker, EdD, RT(R)(CT)(ARRT), gave a virtual poster presentation titled “Thinking Outside the Lines:  Neurodivergent Individuals in Health Professions Programs,” which she previously presented at the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) National Educational Symposium in Chicago in October 2024.

 “The goal of my research was to try and find what the best practices are to help neurodivergent students achieve academic success while maintaining the rigor of a graduate level program and ensuring quality patient care,” Tucker said. “Many people have preconceived ideas about the limitations of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder without taking the time to understand the unique strengths of the individual.”

 Hosted by UT Rio Grande Valley in Brownsville Sept. 18–19, the conference featured the theme of "Higher Education for Health Professions in the New Generation."

“We would particularly like to thank Dean Lehker and his staff in the College of Health Professions at UT Rio Grande Valley for putting together a wonderful conference,” Henzi said.