The Bridge Masthead FEB 2022.jpg

IN THE INTERIM...

MIKE BOUTIN

Asst Dean for Faculty & Student Success, SHRS



During Covid, I've spent far too much time in word games and etymologies. Wordle, anyone? Scrabble? Wordfinder? I think it makes me feel like my mind isn't going to Covid mush, or absorbed with worry, fear, or boredom.


This week, I was taken with the phrase "winter doldrums." What exactly is a "doldrum" anyway? Webster defines doldrums as a spell of listlessness or despondency. A spell, huh? Like black magic that seduces me as soon as the ring of "Happy New Year" with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen on CNN has faded from my champagne-compromised memory. That's what winter is for me: listless and despondent. Making gender-inclusive snow people, or engaging in winter sports are torture for me, unless I'm being invited to après-ski in a very warm lodge. Instead, I find myself huddled indoors with a sweater, a bowl of soup, and Zoom meetings....endless Zoom meetings....


Covid has brought the doldrums too. "Universe, enough already!" I really thought that once I was vaccinated and boostered, that life could begin to get back to some sort of new normal: restaurants, theater, gym, parties, people...life. My mom, partner, and I went to NYC for the first time in two years in December to go to the theater and Radio City. I wept as soon as I sat down in a Broadway theater...life was back...


Yet, just a week later, Broadway was shut down again, holiday parties were canceled, and all sorts of people around me were dealing with the Omicron variant. I felt trapped again....listless...despondent....


Your reality is likely different: maybe you actually like winter sports...or your listlessness and despondency comes from having kids and no child care, or dealing with omicron again, or having to pivot with students again...listless...despondent...


Webster has another definition of doldrums, though: "the word once reserved for a feeling of despondency came to be applied to certain tropical regions of the ocean marked by the absence of strong winds. Sailing vessels, reliant on wind propulsion, struggled to make headway in these regions, leading to long, arduous journeys" . It's definitely feeling like we're stuck in the middle of a Covid ocean, unable to make headway.


But there is some glimmer of good news in the midst of it all: the days are getting longer, winter is never for ever, and spring's new life, at least in this hemisphere, is right around the corner.


Here at SHRS, we're trying to find ways to make it through the winter together. Check in on a colleague...offer a smile, a listening ear, a babysitter...let's find ways to support one another, to create the space to bring voice to the struggles, the listlessness and despondency that we are all feeling, and let's shore one another up....until spring comes.

Childcare and Wellness


We continue to hear stories of faculty and staff dealing with the challenges brought about by Covid for working parents: schools closed at the last minute, child care unavailable, testing challenges, Covid scares, to name a few.


How do we respond? First, with flexibility and with empathy for one another. It won't be like this forever....


Here are some resources:

  • EAP Parenting: provides useful articles and programming around a host of parenting issues
  • EAP Childcare: provides specific childcare resources, including statewide search options
  • Ask My HR provides Current Childcare Resources During the Pandemic. You have to log in using your MGB credentials, then search for the article title. A search for "Child Care" will provide a number of relevant links.
  • EAP (Employee Assistance Program) provides a host of valuable services and resources to MGB employees, including free short term counseling. Appointments can be requested online here or by calling 866-724-4327.
  • Did you know you have access to a free Headspace account through MGB? You'll need to sign up with your IHP email address. Headspace provides mindfulness and sleep content, and offers mini exercises for busy schedules.
  • If you have read this far, stop reading. Count to ten while you breathe deeply, releasing the tension, and breathing in hope and resilience.


MARK YOUR CALENDARS


Events are hyperlinked for your convenience


Every Tues, 4pm: Interdisciplinary Seminar in Rehabilitation Sciences B36 Room 320 or via Zoom https://mghihp.zoom.us/j/89893061175


February is African American History Month





Keep abreast of all upcoming events, by checking the MGH IHP calendar on a regular basis!

Annual Baugh Lecture

Thurs, Feb 17, 12-1:15pm


David Stovall, PhD, a professor in the departments of Black Studies and Criminology, Law, and Justice at the University of Illinois Chicago, will give the next E. Lorraine Baugh Visiting Faculty Lecture on Thursday, February 17, Noon–1:15 pm. Dr. Stovall's discussion will engage the relationship between racism and health as communities of color in large cities are bearing the brunt of the current COVID pandemic and health professionals throughout the country are slowly coming to grips with the fact that structural racism deeply impacts health outcomes. Through the use of critical public health and critical epidemiology, Stovall will show how, while many understand the current health crisis to be new, others have known it has been with us for time immemorial. Register.


The annual Baugh lecture honors E. Lorraine Baugh, a long-serving trustee and first chair of the Institute’s Board of Trustees, now an Honorary Trustee and supports a visiting faculty speaker series with an emphasis on diversity and inclusion in the health professions. Established in 2012, this program was made possible by the support of MGH Institute Honorary Trustee Carol M. Taylor and her husband, John H. Deknatel. The couple established the fund because, as Taylor said, “modeling success and helping set goals with regard to diversity is important for students, and a faculty role model can be quite powerful.”


In choosing to honor Baugh, Taylor said, “Ever since I joined the Board of Trustees in 2004, Lorraine has served as an inspiration and beacon on issues of diversity. While the Institute has made great strides in recent years, our hope is that establishing this award will help further advance the importance and value of diversity and inclusion to ensure our graduates are well-prepared to care for an increasingly diverse society.”

Mental Health First Aid Training


The IHP Wellness Council is offering Mental Health First Aid certification training for faculty, staff, and administration, to assist in recognizing the signs and symptoms of various mental health challenges and crises.


Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based training program that addresses anxiety, depression, eating disorders, suicidality, and more—with proven strategies to help in crisis and non-crisis situations. The training is focused on a five-point approach called ALGEE: 1) approach, ask, and assess for risk 2) listen nonjudgmentally, 3) give reassurance and information 4) encourage appropriate professional help and 5) encourage self help and other support strategies.

 

Two training sessions, facilitated by certified MHFA instructors Mike Boutin and Luella Benn, will be offered: Monday, February 21, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. (six hours), or Thursday, March 24, AND Friday, March 25, 9:00 a.m.–Noon (two, three-hour sessions-you must attend both three-hour sessions). You can choose either the February 21 or the March 24/25 sessions. There is a limit of 30 participants in each session. Sign up here.

IHP Community Pantry Update


According to a 2021 survey from the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice of 195,000 students, 39% of 2-year college students and 29% of 4-year college students had experienced food insecurity within the past 30 days of completing the survey.


To help address this need, the IHP is launching a Community Pantry in April 2022. The Community Pantry is tentatively planned to be housed in the cabinets near the restrooms in Building 39 and will be a self-serve system: non-perishables, healthy food options, and personal care items will be available for anyone in our IHP community to access whenever the building is accessible. Information about food insecurity, local food pantries, SNAP benefits, and other local resources will also be provided. Anonymous surveys will gather data to improve services and help us to assess need. Staffing will be done on a volunteer basis, and regularly scheduled food drives will help to keep the shelves stocked.


The planning committee consists of Jessica Bell, Luella Benn, Mike Boutin, Kerry Kearns, and Phyllis Wallace, one of our SON students. A ribbon cutting has been planned for some time in April. Reach out to any of the planning committee with questions or to get involved.

Coaching Corner


Beginning the week of Feb 7th, a group of 11 faculty and staff, led by Mike Boutin and Mary Ellen Ferolito, will begin a peer to peer coaching program, that will include monthly 90 minute sessions based on an article or video, discussion about coaching ideas and skills, and opportunities to work on coaching skills in a safe setting while getting feedback from facilitators and their peers. This is a pilot and after 3 months, we will evaluate further iterations of this training.


On March 14, from 12-1pm, join us in person for a coaching talk with Jesse Janelle. Jesse is an Executive Coach, working currently in our School of Healthcare Leadership as we explore ways to embed coaching within our new school and throughout the IHP. She has a unique set of skills and perspective that will help us to think and grow. More details to come!


GROW Coaching Model


This month we introduce the GROW model for coaching. The GROW model is a simple method for goal setting and problem solving. GROW is an acronym for goal setting, the state of the current reality, options and obstacles in that reality, and a way forward, or what's next.

Brushing Up Your Professional Profile

Tuesday, Feb. 22 12-1pm


On Tuesday, Feb 22nd, from 12pm-1pm in Shouse 305, the SHRS Dean's Office is sponsoring the next in a series of in person events: Brushing Up Your Professional Profile.


A photographer will be available to take head shots. Dress as if the photo will be used for a presentation or seminar brochure/poster. 


Russ Abbatiello from Career Services will be available to look at your resume. Bring a hard copy for him to work on with you.


A member of the Research Department team will be available to work on NIH biosketches. In addition to maintaining a comprehensive CV, faculty should have an NIH biosketch drafted. This is an important document that you will be asked to provide if you are participating in nearly any kind (not just NIH) of grant submission (as co-investigator, consultant, etc). Try SciENcv to help you develop your biosketch and automatically format it according to NIH requirements. Instructions can be found here.

 

A member of the Rank and Promotion Committee will be available to work on your CV. The IHP CV template can be found here.


Information will also be available to order business cards, which are always useful as a networking tool at conferences!


We hope to see you in person on February 22nd at 12pm in Shouse 305!

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS



Sheila Regan 2/01

Martha McKean 2/01

Keshrie Naidoo 2/17

Rebecca White 2/23

Mandy Kaur 2/27

Indigo Young 2/28


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Happy birthday, everyone!

We are so glad that you are with us!

SHRS Dean Search Update



We are pleased to announce that three candidates have accepted an invitation to visit the Institute as part of their application process for the position as the next Dean of SHRS. Faculty and staff are invited to attend virtual presentations by the three candidates at the times listed below. The candidates have been asked to prepare a brief presentation about a successful collaboration they have initiated with another academic unit or external organization. Following the presentation, the candidates will entertain questions from those in attendance.

 

Outlook invitations will be sent out for each presentation and the candidates will be announced in advance of each campus visit. Thank you for being as flexible as possible with your schedule so that you can participate in these sessions.

 

First candidate campus visit: Wednesday, February 2 and Thursday, February 3

Presentation: Thursday, February 3, 9:00-10:00 a.m.

 

Second candidate campus visit: Monday, February 7 and Tuesday, February 8

Presentation: Tuesday, February 8, 9:00-10:00 a.m.

 

Third candidate campus visit: Monday, February 14 and Tuesday, February 15

Presentation: Tuesday, February 15, 9:00-10:00 a.m.


Professional Dues Benefit Announced


Recently, the Executive Council approved a new policy for reimbursement of professional memberships, dues, licenses, fees, and subscriptions incurred by .5 FTE or higher employees for a bona fide purpose directly related to the role the employee plays at the IHP. This new benefit is available to both faculty and staff. 

 

Reimbursement for such allowable expenses will be issued by the IHP up to $200 per fiscal year per qualified employee. Approval for such a reimbursement must first be approved by the employee’s department head in advance. Out-of-state clinical licenses are not allowable for reimbursement.

 

This new policy is effective as of January 1, 2022. We hope this this new benefit reduces just some of the burden of maintaining your licenses and certifications to remain current in your field. 


Thank you for all you do!


SHRS Faculty Members Named

2022 TEAL Fellows



Three SHRS faculty members have been recognized by the school for their contributions to teaching excellence, the scholarship of teaching and learning, and mentorship.


Named as 2022 Fellows of the Teaching Excellence Academy for Learning (TEAL) are Lesley Maxwell, MS, CCC-SLP, associate chair and an assistant professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders; Josh Merson, MS, MS-HPEd, PA-C, CAQ-EM, associate chair and an assistant professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies; and Keshrie Naidoo, PT, DPT, EdD, OCS, director of curriculum, coordinator of the Clinical Residency in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy, and an assistant professor in the Department of Physical Therapy. They will receive professional development funds for three years and the title of distinguished teaching professor.

Keshrie Naidoo



Keshrie Naidoo’s academic career has evolved from her initial teaching and learning style into her current passion for the inclusion principles of social justice and equity in her clinical teaching. In addition to her commitment to improving her teaching style, as evidenced by her high course and instructor ratings from both her DPT and post-professional students, Keshrie also has taken opportunities to teach her colleagues such as when she led the development of an asynchronous course for seminar facilitators that received excellent ratings and feedback. 


Keshrie's recommendations reflect her rising leadership in the scholarship of teaching and learning, especially as they relate to diversity and equity in physical therapy and health professions education. A well-respected researcher who has regularly publishes articles, Keshrie also has been recognized for her involvement in developing the JEDI curriculum for both faculty and students with the creation of a mentoring program for students and faculty focusing on supporting first-generation college students and students from BIPOC populations. 

Leslie Maxwell



Since receiving the 2001 Nancy Watts Award for Excellence in Teaching, Leslie Maxwell has only shown more dedication to developing her teaching, innovation, and mentorship of faculty and students. As the CSD program’s clinical director for many years, she led the initial development of the Speech, Language, and Literacy Center. She is currently a coach and mentor to IHP faculty involved in clinical education roles. Leslie has played a large role in the development of courses and seminars in the CSD program.


Leslie recently launched the Alumni Mentorship Program, which matches alumni of color as mentors with students of color as mentees. She has also made an impact in the pre-K and primary educational community where she developed a curriculum related to language and literacy development for paraprofessionals in the Andover Public Schools. She continues to demonstrate a passion for enhancing teaching development at the IHP by integrating JEDI topics as well as interprofessional practices into the CSD program’s curriculum.

Josh Merson


Since joining the IHP in 2015, Josh Merson has mentored students and faculty as well as furthered his academic career. While holding a full teaching load, he enrolled in and completed the IHP’s Master of Science in Health Professions Education program to implement a teaching style rooted in both educational theory and practice. He also developed the year-long Patient Care course, led the development of OSCEs administered to first- and second-year students, and attended a week-long training in simulation at the Center for Medical Simulation.


Josh spearheaded the use of simulation in on-boarding new advanced practice providers at an affiliate emergency department, and he oversaw student participation in the Crimson Care Collaborative. Currently a legislative representative of the Massachusetts Association of PAs after completing a two-year stint as the group’s president, Josh consistently has received high ratings from students, and he is valued by students and faculty as a mentor and leader both in and out of the classroom.


This year’s TEAL Fellows join previous recipients since the program was launched: 2019–2022: Patrice Nicholas, DNSc, DHL (Hon.), MPH, RN, NP-C, FAAN and Caitlin Fitzgerald, PT, DPT2020–2023: Anne McCarthy Jacobson, DPT, MS; and Kaveri Roy, DNP, RN, CHPN; and 2021–2024: Suellen Breakey, PhD, RNEleonor Pusey-Reid, DNP, RN, MS, MEd; and Kathy Simmonds, PhD, MPH, RN, WHNP-BC.

SHRS Awards & Recognition


This monthly feature in our newsletter will highlight awards and recognition for our students, faculty and staff. Follow @IHPResearch to learn more. Send news stories here.


Congratulations to Gayun Chan-Smutko for receiving the Audrey Heimler Special Projects Award from the National Society of Genetic Counselors!


Naseem Chatiwala, DPT ’04, a lab instructor in the PT Department, received the Outstanding Achievement in Clinical Practice Award from the American Physical Therapy Association of Massachusetts. The award gives public recognition to physical therapist and physical therapist assistant members who are outstanding, clinicians, dedicated to their patients and their professions, and to sharing their knowledge with others. 


Karen Chenausky, a postdoc in the Speech and Feeding Disorders Lab and recently promoted to rank of Asst Professor in CSD, is the PI of a one-year grant from Autism Speaks: “Relating Auditory Perception to Expressive Language in Minimally and Low-Verbal Children with ASD. Dr. Chenausky has also been awarded two grants to study speech in low-and minimally verbal children with autism. Congratulations Karen on your continued success here at the IHP!

Joanna Christodoulou, an associate professor of CSD and director of the BEAM Lab, is PI on a three-year grant from the Landmark Schools: “”Identifying and Scaling Effective Instructional Practices for Children with Language-Based Learning Disabilities.”


Shweta Gore, an associate professor of PT, is the sub-site PI on a one-year grant from NIH through the University of Pittsburg, LeaRRN: “The Learning Health Systems Rehabilitation Research Network.” 

Teresa Kimberley is the 2022 recipient of the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy Research Award. The award celebrates excellence in research, scholarship, clinical practice, and service activities.


Sarah McKinnon, director of the PP-OTD program, received the

2021 Linda Savino Political Achievement Award from the Massachusetts Association of Occupational Therapy for her contributions in the area of political activism. 


Sheila Regan was recently promoted to Senior Program Manager, Physical Therapy Dept.


Ariel Schwartz, an assistant professor of OT, is the sub-site PI on a one-year grant from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute through Syracuse University: “Research Ethics for All: Research Ethics Training for Patient Stakeholders with IDD.” 


Kevin Wilk, DPT '05, co-presented, "Strategies to Manage Mental Health Issues" with sports psychologist Bhrett McCabe, PhD as part of the APTA Fit for Practice series, which offered tools and resources to address emotional well-being in personal and professional life.

Dr. Keshrie Naidoo to participate in ACAPT National Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Summit


Dr. Keshrie Naidoo has been invited to participate in the American Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT) National Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (NEDIC) Summit 2022. This summit is an invitation only summit bringing together 100 professionals of diverse backgrounds and expertise who will convene in collaborative workgroups designed to craft the foundation of best practice and resources that will transform the educational experiences of underrepresented minority students and faculty in physical therapy. Dr. Naidoo's invited participation in this summit is a recognition of her tireless work to advance the diversity, inclusion and equity for underrepresented students in PT and move towards a PT workforce that mirrors the diverse populations we are privileged to work with in PT. This is an well-deserved honor for Dr. Naidoo and recognition for the IHP that affords us a chance to be a voice towards important change at the national level. Congratulations, Keshrie!

Seeking Alumni Award Nominations for 2022


Please consider nominating an alum for either the Bette Ann Harris ’83 Distinguished Alumni Award or the Emerging Leader Alumni Award. Our alumni are part of a legacy of achievement and impact that stretches throughout the Institute’s more than 40-year history. To learn more about each award and submit a nomination, please visit the Institute's Alumni Awards and Honors page. Nominations are due by March 18th.

ENRiCH is the name of the collected activities around growth and expansion at the IHP.  Each letter represents one of the six key strategies that we have established as we look forward to implementation:


1. Existing academic programs meet capacity within two years.

2. New growth options (new degrees, certificates, programs, schools)

3. Redesign the clinical enterprise with a focus on both efficiency and innovation.

4. Innovate-Communicate-Implement-Evaluate

5. Continuing Professional Development Expansion

6. Help faculty and staff succeed


ENRiCH has already led to the launch of the SLPD program led by Bridget Perry, PhD, CCC-SLP, and the establishment of the newest school at the IHP, the School of Healthcare Leadership. A search for the Dean of the new school is currently underway. In the spring of 2022, we are launching a new CPD profit sharing model, moving forward on a clinical redesign, and formally launching the School of Healthcare Leadership. We are hoping by summer 2022, to welcome the first cohorts of nursing education, nursing leadership, master of heath administration in leadership, and master of science in healthcare data analytics.


To ask questions or give feedback, email enrich@mghihp.edu.

Stay up-to-date on project communications, visit the ENRiCH intranet page.



Introducing Newest Member of PT Faculty: Benjamin Adams, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS



Benjamin graduated with a B.S. in Neuroscience from the University of Rochester, and then his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Emory University. After becoming a PT, Ben moved to Boston and completed an orthopedic residency at a private practice based out of Providence, RI and then worked in the outpatient orthopedics/sports setting. After a few years, he started to take an interest in research when he joined a BU lab studying post-stroke gait interventions. Ben then started the PhD program at the IHP in 2019 where he joined his mentor, Dr. Richard Westrick, in studying injury prevention strategies for the U.S. Army. Benjamin recently joined the IHP’s PT department as an assistant professor while in the candidacy phase of his PhD, and he expects to finish his dissertation within the next year. Ben enjoys running and swimming, and he has competed at various levels of these sports throughout his life, including triathlons. He also studied American Sign Language in undergrad, and he hopes to one day bring more ASL and Deaf culture awareness into healthcare. Welcome, Ben!