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Greetings from the Office of Alumni Relations! May is Mental Health Awareness Month. As the Director of Alumni Relations for a graduate school dedicated to the health professions, I feel it is my duty to acknowledge how important it is for you, our alumni, to seek out practices and activities that promote your mental wellbeing. The National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) has selected the theme "More than Enough" for this year's campaign. During the month of May, I encourage you to take time to pause and reflect on your mental health, to write down the ways that you are "more than enough", to engage in activities that keep you mentally well, and to seek help, when needed.
Please check out the rest of this newsletter to learn more about 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
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Congratulations, Class of 2023!
Welcome to the IHP Alumni Community.
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2023 Alumni Award Recipients |
The 2023 alumni award recipients are dedicated health care professionals in their respective disciplines. Both are committed to providing quality care to their patients. It was a pleasure to present them with their awards at the Institute's 43rd Commencement earlier this month. Learn more about each award recipient by click on their names below. |
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Bette Ann Harris '83 Distinguished Alumni Award
Photo courtesy of Angela Patterson
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The Emerging Leader
Alumni Award
Photo courtesy of Valerie Ricker-Bussie
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The Occupational Therapy Department
Celebrates First Alumni Reception
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A reception connecting IHP occupational therapy alumni, graduating students, faculty, and staff was held on May 4, 2023. The event was held on the IHP's Charlestown campus and was organized by Sarah McKinnon and Patti Peterson from the Department of Occupational Therapy, and Katie Mulcahy from the Office of Alumni Relations. Mulcahy described the evening as a lively event that buzzed with happy activity. She added, “It was wonderful to see alumni connecting to each other and to their faculty and to watch new relationships forming throughout the evening.”
Reamer Bushardt, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, welcomed the alumni home and shared insights on the new initiatives happening around campus. Regina Doherty, Chair of the Department, applauded the faculty, students, and alumni for presenting over 40 talks at the 2023 AOTA conference in Kansas City, KS. She also shared the department’s milestones and news, including the retirements of faculty members Susan Fasoli and Mary Hildebrand. Attendees were given a quick presentation on the services and opportunities available to them from both an alumni relations perspective and a departmental one.
After the program, the room went into full networking mode. Some attendees linked up with colleagues who had similar clinical interests, whereas others connected randomly and found their footing with each other as they conversed. One attendee remarked, “I so appreciated this opportunity to connect with others who have similar clinical interests. I know we will be able to bounce ideas off each other in the future.” At the close of the evening, the Office of Alumni Relations gave out IHP alumni branded luggage tags with the hope that the alumni would take the Institute with them wherever they go.
Did you miss the event and wish you were there?
Photo provided by Patricia Peterson
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Knitting/Crocheting for Wellbeing Group
Starting in July
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Health care professionals are more likely than others to experience mental health challenges given their current working conditions, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the stigma associated with accessing care, and their tendency to place the wellbeing of others before their own (1). Research has shown that the rhythmic motion of knitting/crocheting coupled with the social connections forged when individuals are part of a group can have a positive impact on mental wellbeing (2,3).
To support the wellbeing of our IHP community, the Wellness Council and the Office of Alumni Relations are joining forces to create a knitting/crocheting for wellbeing group. This new group, which starts in July, welcomes alumni, students, faculty, and staff who are either novice or seasoned knitters/crocheters. In addition to creating community and learning a new skill, the organizers hope to study whether the IHP's knitting/crocheting for wellbeing group improves participant wellbeing.
Detailed plans on the group's structure and activities as well as the research question(s) to be answered are just emerging. At this time, we invite you to help us formalize the plan, share your research skills, show interest in being a participant, or do all three! Join us.
Resources:
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. (2022, December 1). Healthcare workers: Work stress and mental health. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/healthcare/workstress.html
Riley, J., Corkhill, B. & Morris, C. (2013). The benefits of knitting for personal and social wellbeing in adulthood: Findings from an international survey. The British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 76(2), 50-57. https://doi.org/10.4276/030802213X13603244419077
Burns, P. & Ven Der Meer, R. (2021). Happy hookers: Findings from an international study exploring the effects of crochet on wellbeing. Perspectives in Public Health, 141(3), 149-157. DOI: 10.1177/1757913920911961
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The IHP Alumni Business Directory is Gathering Steam
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Since the unveiling of the IHP Alumni Business Directory initiative last month, we've enjoyed a steady response from all of you. We would love to keep the momentum going, so please consider joining the IHP Alumni Business Directory and community today.
The aim of the alumni business directory is to connect alumni business owners to each other so they can share best practices and find community. It is also meant to give alums the chance to support their fellow alumni in the work they are doing. Further, it may give alumni resources for where they can direct current clients for additional services.
If you would like to be included in the Institute's Alumni Business Directory and community, please complete an Alumni Business Profile Form.
Disclaimer: The MGH Institute's alumni business directory is meant to serve as a resource for the alumni community. Listings that appear in the alumni business directory are not endorsements by the MGH Institute of Health Professions, Massachusetts General Hospital, or Mass General Brigham. The MGH Institute of Health Professions is not legally affiliated with any of the businesses to be listed.
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Let's Engage with a Question! |
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Just for fun! When you were an IHP student, what did you use as your mode of transportation?
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Alumni Making A Positive Impact |
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Meg Simione, PhD '17,
research scientist in the Division of General Academic Pediatrics, received the 2023 Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) Healthcare Professional Champion Award from Feeding Matters. This award recognizes the commitment to education, research, and the support, advocacy, and advancing of the Feeding Matter’s mission of improving the system of care for children with PFD.
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Kelly Macauley, DPT '02, MSPT '00
co-authored three papers in recent publications of the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Journal. Each one focused on aspects of a main theme which was simulation-based education in physical therapist education. The articles are a result of the ACAPT Strategic Initiative Panel on Simulation. If you would like the full titles of the articles, contact the Office of Alumni Relations.
Photo courtesy of Husson University
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This is My "Why"
May is Better Hearing and Speech Month
“Building a Strong Foundation”
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Every May, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association celebrates Better Hearing and Speech Month (BHSM) and the vital role speech language pathologists and audiologists play in helping their clients connect to and communicate in the world. This year's theme is "Building a Strong Foundation." In recognition of BHSM, the Office of Alumni Relations decided to check in with a few alums to find out what this theme means to them as well as learn about their "why" for going into this profession. I hope you enjoy this opportunity to learn more about a few of the people in your alumni community. |
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Yomna Elsiddig, MS-SLP '13
John Tracy Center
Los Angeles, CA
My "Why": I became an SLP because I fell in love with helping others unlock the power of communication.
The theme of "building a strong foundation" is in line with my clinical philosophy of making every child and family feel safe, seen and cared for in every session. When that feeling of safety is established, joy can enter, and communication will follow.
Photo courtesy of Yomna Elsiddig
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Allison Aaron, MS-SLP, '19
Boston University Stepp Lab
Boston, MA
My "Why": I became a Speech-Language Pathologist to support people in using their voices efficiently and effectively so that they can be active communicators in their daily lives.
I feel grateful to have the clinical training to help people with communication disorders, but as an early career researcher, I have learned that there is still a lot we don’t know about evidence-based practices for communication rehabilitation. That is why I am proud to be a part of the clinical-research community that is building a strong foundation of knowledge and best practices for our field.
Photo courtesy of Allison Aaron
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Brendan Czupryna, MS-SLP '18
Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation
West Orange, NJ
My "Why": Speech pathology appealed to me as a way to work with neurological patients in a hands-on and person-centered approach; while the needs change across different settings, the flexibility in service delivery keeps the work challenging and fresh.
For me, building a strong foundation in speech pathology means contributing to an interprofessional team with the most up-to-date practice to benefit the patient. As our profession continues to expand, I feel it’s important for us to define our role and expertise so our colleagues truly understand how we mesh with their care.
Photo courtesy Brendan Czupryna
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Reem Mohamad, MS-SLP '17
Private practice in Wakefield, MA
My "Why": I’ve always been passionate about helping others reach their full potential. Becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist was the perfect career path to fulfill my passion.
In my work to unlock children’s potential by helping them learn to read and write with confidence, building a strong foundation is one of the pillars my literacy instruction focuses on. Reading and writing are two complex linguistic skills that rely on a solid foundation of listening and speaking. When these foundational skills “click” for my students as they learn to read, they grow into strong, competent, and independent learners.
Photo courtesy of Reem Mohamad
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Prerequisites to Doctor of Physical Therapy
to Spaulding
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When Tarryn Teresak works with patients recovering from injuries, she knows first-hand what they are going through.
Teresak knows because she had multiple injuries, including rotator cuff surgeries on both shoulders, courtesy of a competitive swimming career that culminated with her competing as a Division 1 athlete at the University of Massachusetts - Amherst.
“I've done a lot of PT in my lifetime, and I've had a lot of different injuries, so I love the concept that everyone who sees a physical therapist wants to better themselves,” said the New Jersey native, who graduated in 2021 from the MGH Institute’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program. “It definitely came into play as to why I wanted to become one. I like that I can see patients regularly and see them improve.” Continue reading Tarryn's story.
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Campus Initiatives & Events |
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Department of Occupational Therapy
Mentorship Circle for Collaborative Connection
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Come join occupational therapy practitioners in a monthly mentorship circle for collaborative connection. Meetings are held virtually on Wednesdays from 6:00 - 7:30 pm. Upcoming dates:
June 14, 2023
July 12, 2023
August 9, 2023
September 13, 2023
For more information, contact Mary Beth Kadlec, OT, ScD, OTR, Assistant Professor, at mkadlec@mghihp.edu or at 617-726-2947. Participants are eligible for continuing competency hours.
Photo by Brooke Cagle
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Department of Genetic Counseling
Empowerment: An Anti-Oppressive Approach to Genetic Counseling
Friday, June 2, 2023 ~ 8:00 am - 4:30 pm ~ Hybrid Conference
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Join us to further your professional development in the field of genetic counseling and genetics/genomics. By the end of this conference you should be able to:
- Define abolition medicine and apply an abolitionist approach to genetic counseling.
- Explore the utilization of clinical dysmorphology in healthcare.
- Utilize empowering listening in the workplace.
- Build critically needed skills for engaging in conversations around ableism.
- Identify the intersectionality of ableism and other forms of oppression.
- Describe and integrate methods to address race/ethnicity and promote belonging in the supervisory relationship.
- Develop skills to provide anti-oppressive genetic counseling.
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Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
ASHA Returns to Boston in November 2023
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With the return of the ASHA conference to Boston this November 16 - 18, 2023, the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and the Office of Alumni Relations are gearing up to bring back the tradition of an in-person alumni reception. We are so excited!
As the planning for this long-awaited reunion gets underway, it would be helpful to know who among our alumni community is interested in getting together. Below you will find a quick one question poll that asks you to indicate your level of interest. Please note that attendance at the conference is not required to attend the IHP alumni reception.
Photo by Nate Hovee
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Would you be interested in attending an IHP alumni reception during ASHA?
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Office of Accessibility Resources
Disability as Diversity Workshop: Disability in Healthcare
June 12, 2023 ~ 4:00 - 5:00 pm EDT ~ Virtual
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In this workshop, Emily Komarow, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders student, and Luella Benn, MEd, Director of Accessibility Resources and Wellness, will lead a discussion on different types of disabilities, the social vs. medical models of disability, identity first vs. person first language, and examples of disparities and inequities disabled patients face in the U.S. healthcare system.
This is a new workshop! It was created as a supplement to the existing Disability as Diversity workshop series. This session puts concepts such as ableism and models of disability, which were discussed in previous sessions, into the context of the impact they have on access and equity in health care systems. Register here.
Correction: The original version of this announcement identified Emily Komarow as a Department of Occupational Therapy student.
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Gain Access to Today!
Fulfilling the Promise of ACCESS
FREE for MA Providers ~ 100% online ~ Self-Paced
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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
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Comprehensive Review for Psychiatric Mental Health
Nursing (PMH-BCTM) Certification
Alumni 40% Off ~ 100% online ~ Self-Paced ~ Begin Anytime!
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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
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