Engage with the IHP Community
Greetings from the Alumni Office! As one year sets, another dawns. This is often a time of reflection for many. I know that I will be reflecting on how wonderful its been to interact with and learn from so many of you this year. 2023 is a chance to do more of the same and I can't wait! As 2022 takes its final bow, what will you be reflecting on?

Please check out the rest of this newsletter for more information on what's happening at the IHP, including alumni events curated just for you. As always, feel free to reach out with your thoughts and ideas.

~Katie Mulcahy, Director of Alumni Relations
From the Alumni Office
2023 Alumni Award Nominations Now Being Accepted
Deadline: Friday, March 17, 2023
Two questions that often come to my mind at this time of year are "Who has impacted me?" and "Who have I impacted?". If you find yourself focusing on those same questions and determine that you have either been impacted by an alum or made an impact as an alum, then I invite you to submit a nomination for either the Bette Ann Harris '83 Distinguished Alumni Award or the Emerging Leader Alumni Award.

The MGH Institute's two alumni awards recognize and honor the impact our alumni are making in the areas of healthcare, leadership, and education. To learn more about each of the awards and to submit a nomination, please visit our website.
A Quick Look at the Institute
It is has been said that the day you graduate from an institution is the last day it will be exactly as you remember. Educational institutions evolve and change at a rapid pace. The Institute is no different. Positive change benefits all in the community.

As we round out 2022, it makes sense for us to share how IHP has grown and changed over the course of the year. We want you, our alumni, to feel connected and involved in the inner workings of the Institute. Providing you with a Quick Look into your institution is one way to accomplish this goal.
Student Loan Repayment Program for Behavioral Health, Substance Use Disorder and Primary Care Workers Launched in MA
The Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers recently announced a new statewide student loan repayment program for individuals who work in the areas of behavioral health, substance use disorder or primary care.
 
The program offers between $12,500 and $300,000 of educational loan repayment to eligible individuals in exchange for a 4- to 5-year commitment in their current role or one at another eligible institution and is open to qualifying individuals with a range of credentials.
 
Eligible roles include, but are not limited to, psychiatrists, mental health counselors, primary care physicians, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, substance use recovery coaches and case managers who work at community health centers, community mental health centers, psychiatric units in acute care hospitals and inpatient psychiatric hospitals.
 
The application deadline is Jan. 30, 2023. For more information, visit the program website. The state also offers a call center to answer questions about the application process: 833-627-3729 (833-MA-REPAY). You may also contact them by email at MA-Repay@massleague.org.
Career Corner
"To give" and "to be given to" are two hallmark phrases that are fitting for any holiday season. In this Career Corner, the Institute provides you with tips and resources that support your career and asks that you assist current students on their journey by answering their career-related questions. Let's keep the "giving spirit" going all the way through 2023, so that we can appreciate the impact we've made at year-end.
Russ' Top Tips for Career Acceleration
The holiday season isn't complete without a party, or two, or ten! Whether you are eager to connect or daunted by the prospect of it all, Russ Abbatiello, Director of Career and Professional Development, is here to tell you how to make those experiences more meaningful and fruitful for you.

In his article, "Successful Networking: Why is it so effective and how to do it?," Russ' first piece of advice, "It's NOT who you know, rather it IS who knows you," is the perfect recommendation to quell any pre-holiday party jitters and increase your motivation to connect. For example, when heading into the party, you can say to yourself, "five people will get to know me tonight". By setting a goal and making those connections, you are opening yourself up to the possibility of future opportunities. It's the holiday party reimagined!

For more advice on networking, read Russ' full article.
When it Comes to Students: Alumni Wisdom is the Best Kind
Students have questions, many questions about their future. It is likely that they are some of the same questions you had as a student. Who better to answer them then, than you!

This holiday season, share your wisdom with current students by answering the student-posed questions on our "Ask Alumni" Padlet. Find the questions that resonate with you most and answer them. It should only take a couple of minutes, but it will make students feel supported far into the future.
My Professional Self in 2023
Taking stock of one's accomplishments, areas for growth, and next steps is a common activity at this time of year. As you reflect, consider how the Institute, your professional discipline, and your workplace might support your career goals.

Below are some action items that might help you along the way:

  1. Visit the MGH Institute Job Board to see listings like the one just added on the right for the Munn Center.
  2. Reach out to your former advisors or trusted faculty members to discuss potential next steps in your career, especially if you are interested in teaching or research.
  3. Connect with your discipline-specific professional organization to see what opportunities there are to volunteer or present at an upcoming conference.
  4. Connect with the Alumni Office when you have a specific area of interest and would like to chat with an alum already in that setting or position.

Once you have completed your reflection, write down your professional goals for 2023 and look at them from time to time.
Alumni Making A Positive Impact
BSN Graduate Hits Stride by Following in the “Family Business”
2022 graduate of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, Ian Syblis, learned about health care from an early age because he is the son of a nurse. Instead of just following in his mother's footsteps, though, he decided to forge his own path and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst as a public health major. 

“Like a lot of new grads, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do after graduation,” says Syblis.

That’s when he came upon an opportunity to teach health in the Everett Public Schools. Although he had never considered teaching, he thought it could be a good way to use his degree. Continue reading.
Jenny Traver, MS-SLP '17, is a 2022 recipient of an American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Distinguished Early Career Professional (ECP) certificate for making an impact in the areas of leadership, volunteerism, and advocacy at the local, state, and/or national level.
Abby Finer, MS-GC '21, presented to current students about the somatic tumor testing consult service she helped to establish at the MGH Center for
Integrated Diagnostics.
Campus News
Data Meets Healthcare: The Start of a Revolution
The Institute’s new Master of Science in Healthcare Data Analytics program aims to integrate data analytics strategies, AI technologies, data literacy, data mining, analysis, and visualization to usher in a new era of clinical care delivery.

"Data is often thought of as a separate field than health care, but in my view, they are the same,” says the director of the program, Dr. Shuhan He. Furthermore, “If you want to deliver the best care possible and operate more efficiently as a healthcare entity, you need to make data-informed decisions to move the needle." Continue reading.
To learn more about the Masters in Healthcare Data Analytics degree please visit our website or join an upcoming webinar.
Changing CPR Training Leads to Saving 20,000 Lives
The goal of healthcare research is to improve the lives of people. According to the National League of Nursing, the research Dr. Suzie Kardong-Edgren, associate professor in our Health Professions Education program, co-conducted with Dr. Marilyn Oermann, professor at the Duke School of Nursing, has led to saving the lives of an estimated 20,000 people.

Kardong-Edgren and Oermann's research validated the Resuscitation Quality Improvement (RQI) system that has dramatically changed how CPR is taught to nursing students. “It’s really something to see research put into practice and have it make such an immediate impact,” said Kardong-Edgren. Continue reading.
Inspired by Traditional Chinese Medicine, Physical Therapy Student Bridges the Gap Between Body and Mind
For Yuchao Wang, DPT ’24, his mother’s battle with cervical spondylosis inspired him to pursue becoming a physical therapist. In their home of Nanjing, China, he watched as she went from specialist to specialist receiving treatments that included massage therapy, acupuncture, and traditional Chinese medicine.

“Early on, I was exposed to manual therapy and clinical practice in general,” Wang shared. “The effect they could bring to individual patients impressed me, yet it was not until later that I became aware of the field of physical therapy in the US.” Continue reading.
What inspired you to become a health professional?

Send us a picture and a quote and we will feature you on social media.
Campus Events
Call for Abstracts: JEDI Social Justice Research Conference
Due: Monday, February 6, 2023
The Office of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is seeking abstracts from the IHP community (e.g., faculty, staff, students, and alumni) interested in presenting at the Social Justice Research Conference on Friday, March 31st, 2023. 

The Social Justice Research Conference gives us an opportunity to come together as an institution to engage in critical conversations about our collective commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion research. 
 
We welcome abstracts from students, staff, faculty, and alumni who would like to share their research as well as receive feedback from attendees. Work that has been presented outside of the IHP or accepted for a conference is welcome as well. Submit an abstract by Monday February 6th, 2023. Abstract acceptance notification will occur by February 13th, 2023

Don't delay submit your abstract today!
IHP Research and Scholarship Day
Tuesday, January 10th ~ 2:00 - 5:00 pm ET ~ 1CW
The MGH Institute is celebrating a decade of research! Join us in person for an afternoon of scholarship and community. The event commences with a welcome from new Provost, Reamer Bushardt, PharmD, PA-C, DFAAPA, followed by a presentation by Nara Gavini, PhD, MPhil, Associate Provost for Research entitled, "The State of the IHP Research Enterprise". John Guttag, PhD, Professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an Honorary Trustee of the Institute, follows with the event's keynote. Drs. Joanna Christodoulou and Keshrie Naidoo share their research during subsequent presentations. There is a poster session, too, showcasing sixty-two posters from the IHP faculty, post-docs and PhD students, which is a true testament to the growth and strength of research at the IHP. The afternoon concludes with an awards presentation honoring Drs. Jordan Green and Tiffany Hogan for their outstanding contributions to the growth of the IHP Research Enterprise.
John Guttag, PhD
Professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Keynote Presentation

"AI and Healthcare:
Hype and Reality"

Photo by MIT
Joanna Christodoulou, EdD
Associate Professor,
Director of BEAM Lab

Research Presentation

"Innovations in Understanding and Supporting Struggling Readers"
Keshrie Naidoo, PT, DPT, EdD
Assistant Professor, Director of Curriculum, Physical Therapy

Research Presentation

"Using Improvement Science to Promote Minoritized Students in Higher Education" 
Housing, Climate Change, and Environmental Justice
Wednesday, January 18th ~ Noon ET ~ Virtual
Featured Speaker: Jonathan Levy, ScD
Professor and Chair of the Department of Environmental Health,
Boston University School of Public Health
Housing is key to both climate mitigation and adaptation, but designing optimal interventions is challenging given the need to consider carbon emissions, indoor air, thermal comfort, energy bills, and more. These issues are particularly challenging for low-income households, where energy insecurity can pose considerable challenges and access to air conditioning and adequate ventilation are more limited. This presentation will give an overview of the multiple connections between housing and climate change, considering exposure disparities and complex tradeoffs that occur in a warming climate. Register.
Course Aims to Raise Awareness of Contraception Services
The MGH Institute is playing a key role in a new Massachusetts campaign to raise awareness of a law that provides birth control benefits to eligible patients.

Because of the joint accreditation status of the IHP’s Department of Continuing Professional Development (CPD), the school partnered with the state’s Department of Public Health (DPH) and Reproductive Equity Now (REN) Foundation to develop and launch an online, asynchronous course to train and educate prescribers and pharmacists to ensure they share information about the law with patients and other health professionals. It also provides physicians, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants with 2.5 continuing education unit hours. The course is funded by the DPH. Continue reading.
Sign-up for the course today!
Fulfilling the Promise of ACCESS
FREE ~ 100% online ~ Self-Paced ~ Begin Anytime!
This online course will explore the ACCESS law, its provisions and limitations, as well as empower health care providers and pharmacists to best meet their patients' contraceptive needs. It will also cover the new standing order for emergency contraception pills. Ideal for Massachusetts providers and pharmacists who prescribe and/or dispense birth control and emergency contraception pills. This includes physicians, physician assistants/associates, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists. The MA Department of Public Health is covering the cost of the course for an extended period. Learn more.

Photo by Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition on Unsplash
Comprehensive Review for Psychiatric Mental Health
Nursing (PMH-BCTM) Certification
Alumni 40% Off ~ 100% online ~ Self-Paced ~ Begin Anytime!
Learn about assessment & diagnosis, care planning, implementation, and evaluation through interactive modules with video content, enrichment resources, critical thinking exercises and knowledge checks. Structured to align with ANCC's blueprint for the certification exam, this course provides a comprehensive foundation for advancing your nursing career in psychiatric-mental health nursing. Learn more.
Photo by Nappy at Pexels
Save the Date!
Departments around campus are already thinking about programming for 2023.
Below you will find a few dates that we think you should add to your calendar now.


Wednesday, January 18, 2023
Housing, Climate Change, and Environmental Justice
Noon ET ~ Virtual

Wednesday, January 18, 2023
Ann W. Caldwell President's Lecture: Interprofessional Rounds
5:30 pm ET ~ Virtual

Thursday, March 16, 2023
"Human Centered Leadership in Healthcare: An Idea That's Time Has Come"
7:00 pm ET ~ Virtual

Tuesday, March 28, 2023
Emerging Evidence in Practice
"Using Activity Prescriptions as a Behavioral Approach
to Cancer Rehabilitation"
Noon ET ~ Virtual

Friday, March 31, 2023
JEDI Social Justice Research Conference

Saturday, April 1, 2023
The Institute's Annual Climate Change Conference

Thursday, April 27, 2023 - Friday, April 28, 2023
Implementation Science is for All: The Power of Partnerships
2-day conference ~ Virtual