IN THE INTERIM...
ALEX JOHNSON, PhD, CCC-SLP
Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs
Greetings to the entire SHRS Community!
Assistant Dean Mike Boutin kindly invited me to provide a message for the May issue of the SHRS newsletter. I am pleased to do so, but first want to express my appreciation to Mike for the great work he is doing through this monthly connection across the SHRS. I look forward to seeing this publication each month, and I am guessing all of you do too.
My hunch is that Mike invited me to do this as a kind gesture to mark my upcoming retirement from the IHP. For the record, I will end my time at the IHP in early July. My wife, Linda, and I are moving to Ohio (where it all started). We will be living in Columbus, near family and so much closer to our four amazing grandsons. The COVID disruption made it impossible to only see them once (in person) in a two-year period. That’s just too much of a break and so we plan to make up for lost time. Other than that, we have no definite plans, but know that we will find plenty of interesting opportunities and can’t wait to see what surprises lie ahead. That’s the plan. If you get close to Columbus (and yes, I know for those in New England, Ohio is a flyover state) I hope you will give a shout.
I now want to turn the attention in this message in a different direction. And that is toward YOU, the vibrant, amazing, devoted, generous SHRS community at the IHP. Ten or eleven years ago I appointed Leslie Portney to the inaugural deanship of the school. Lesley was a wonderful dean and a builder. At the start, the school consisted of two programs, Communication Sciences and Disorders and Physical Therapy. She quickly added Occupational Therapy, Physician Assistant Studies, and Genetic Counseling into the mix. She lobbied hard to move the PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences into the portfolio as well. That has been the foundation for what is now this remarkable mosaic of programs, students, faculty, community activities, leadership in the Impact Practice Center, and a research portfolio that is exemplary. In fact, in a short time, the Institute’s research contributions, centered in SHRS, are among the top ranked peers in our disciplines. Clearly, the SHRS is a point of pride for the Institute and for all of you.
There have been a few bumps along the way. After a short tenure by Lesley’s successor, I had the great privilege to serve as an interim dean during the 2020-21 academic year. Let’s just say it was a lot of fun for me to be your leader, and I think everyone in SHRS survived. The COVID experience presented so many challenges and you have faced them with real grit and determination, while facing so many personal and family challenges. When it became clear that the search for a permanent dean would not be complete, I asked Associate Provost Peter Cahn to serve as Interim. He has worked tirelessly this year to support and advocate for the School. My gratitude to Peter is overflowing. While I served as a “placeholder” last year, Peter has been fully engaged. He is also leading the search for his replacement, and we are working hard to see if the search can be completed before I retire.
I am so curious to see what will happen with SHRS in the next chapter. The addition of the new post professional programs in Occupational Therapy and Speech-Language Pathology, along with the launch of the Doctor of Audiology program provide proof that the School is still growing. What programs might be next? With the strong engagement by SHRS in the Clinical Redesign activities from the ENRICH framework, I can imagine new clinical programs in and beyond the IPC, an even deeper engagement in simulation as a valuable educational tool and strengthening partnerships with our growing Continuing Professional Development program. The importance of continuing to build strong relationships across MGB and with all our clinical education partners is the highest priority. No placement should ever be taken for granted and every successful preceptor or institutional partner needs to be treasured. With a wonderful new provost and dean in place for the next chapter, I believe the opportunities are almost endless and are deeply promising.
But what about you, the individual faculty, or staff member? My hope is that you can find a level of fulfillment in your work at the IHP as I have found. The IHP and the SHRS provides a context for growing, learning, leading, teaching, and discovering that is so unique. There is a foundation of flexibility, authenticity, and respect that distinguishes us. The paths to growth for the faculty and staff, in a deeply collegial atmosphere, can lead to great things. That is the unique story of our academic community, which is also the story of the SHRS that you have grown into together. For me, as an observer, this experience is breathtaking and wholesome.
In closing, let me offer thanks to everyone in SHRS for your persistence and deep commitment to students and learning. It is such an honor to think of each of you-leaders, faculty, staff members- as my valued colleagues. Congratulations on another successful year and best wishes for a most promising future!
With affection and admiration,
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Faculty Development Days
This year, Faculty Development Days have been planned from May 4- May 25.
Highlights include:
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Wed, May 4, 12-1pm: The 2021 Watts Award for Excellence in Teaching recipient Kaveri Roy, Distinguished Teaching Assistant Professor, Nursing
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Mon, May 9 & 16, 12-1pm: "Navigating the JEDI Journey: Candid Conversations about IHP JEDI Process So Far" & "Advancing the JEDI Mission: Candid Conversations about Where We Go from Here" by Callie Watkins Liu (Director of JEDI Curriculum, Pedagogy, and Faculty Support) and the JEDI Curriculum and Pedagogy Community of Practice
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Wed, May 18, 12-1pm: Team-Based Learning for the Health Professions Educator by Josh Merson, PA
For more details, contact Jessica Bell
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Commencement: Fri, May 13 at BCC
Plans are well underway for our first in person commencement since 2019 on Friday, May 13th at the Boston Convention Center beginning with the procession at 11:45am. The Ceremony begins at noon. More details can be found here.
All of the SHRS programs that graduate in May have also scheduled award ceremonies:
- PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences Awards: Fri, May 6, 4-6pm
- OT Scholarship Day: Wed, May 11, 4-7pm
- PT Awards: Thurs, May 12, 9-11am
- GC Awards: Thurs, May 12, 2-4pm
- OT Awards: Thurs, May 12, 2-4pm
- CSD Awards: Sat, May 14, 10am-12pm
For location details or contact information, click here
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IHP Launches New School of Healthcare Leadership & Two New Degrees
The IHP has launched the School of Healthcare Leadership and within that, two new degree programs: Master of Health Administration and Master of Science in Healthcare Data Analytics.
“The new school and degree programs are an expansion of the Institute’s academic profile and represents an alignment of our existing clinical service delivery categories with a move into leadership, informatics, education, and data,” said Dr. Paula Milone-Nuzzo, president of MGH Institute of Health Professions. “These areas are where there is great demand in the healthcare workforce. Our students will come away with a set of skills and leadership abilities that they can take and implement immediately into the workplace.”
The new school and the new academic programs are part of a growth initiative that will increase the student population by 40%, to more than 2,300 over the next few years.
The Master of Health Administration program will include exposure to topics such as health economics, human resources, record keeping, and operations, built around a framework of human-centered leadership, relationship building, and talent development.
The Data Analytics program will focus specifically on healthcare analytics to prepare analysts to not only understand the statistics and produce a presentation but go beyond the numbers and tell the story of what the numbers mean to a variety of audiences—be they administrators, nurses, or other clinicians.
“When you look at the Health Administration and Analytics programs, these are some of the services that wrap around health care,” said Milone-Nuzzo. “These are the things that support what physicians, therapists, and nurses do, and will provide them information they need as leaders.”
The Data Analytics and Health Administration programs are part-time, online offerings that should take about two years to complete. The online component provides convenience for students with full-time jobs and families who won’t have to commute into Boston, and the opportunity to have experts from anywhere in the world serve as faculty and connect with students virtually.
Click here to learn more.
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PhD Student Receives American Society for Neurorehabilitation Award
Isha Vora is a 3rd year PhD candidate mentored by Dr. Teresa Kimberley in the Brain Recovery Lab. She was awarded with the 2022 American Society for Neurorehabilitation (ASNR) Fletcher H. McDowell Award for the best clinical science poster presented by a student, resident, or post-doctoral fellow, or a clinician within five years of training. The purpose of this award is to encourage research relevant to Neurorehabilitation by young clinicians and/or investigators enrolled in training programs relevant to Neurorehabilitation.
"I really appreciate the American Society for Neurorehabilitation (ASNR) for providing a platform that truly embraces interdisciplinary research and collaboration. It is extremely rewarding to be a member of ASNR and have the opportunity to engage with the best of the best to advance neurorehabilitation practices and improve the lives of all of our patients." -Isha Vora, MS, OT, PhD candidate. Congratulations, Isha!
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Employee of the Year Nominations Due May 20th
The IHP Staff Employee of the Year nomination period is now open. All nominations are due by Friday, May 20th. Details about this program and nomination process are on the HR Intranet.
The Staff Employee of the Year award was established in 2010 to recognize significant contributions and excellence in service, innovation, and teamwork by a staff employee. The recipient will be announced on Thursday, June 16th during Employee Appreciation Day and will receive a cash award of $2,500.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for nomination, the individual must meet the following criteria:
- Be a staff employee
- Have at least one year of continuous employment with the Institute
- Have an overall score of Solid Performance on the most recent performance evaluation
- Have a good attendance record
- Not eligible for nomination if employee was awarded Employee of the Year within the past three years (past three recipients are: Vanessa Desrochers, Tony Sindelar and Steve Ciesielski)
The Employee of the Year Committee will select a staff member based on exceptional contributions to the Institute, fellow employees, and the community in the following areas: Dedication to Duty & Service, Innovation, Teamwork, or Other Achievements
Nomination Process
Nominations may be submitted by any employee at the Institute, including support staff, managers, administrators, or faculty. Nominations must be submitted electronically and should be no more than 500 words. The letter should be specific with examples of "how" or "why" the nominated employee has significantly contributed and/or exemplify excellence in one or more of the criteria categories listed above.
Selection Committee and Process
The Employee of the Year Selection Committee will be comprised of the two most recent Employee of the Year award recipients, the Staff Council Chair, the Faculty Senate Chair, and 3 members of Executive Council.
If you have any questions about the Employee of the Year program, please contact your department HR Rep.
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SHRS Well Represented at Pillars of Excellence (PIE) Awards
It’s the time of year when MGH Institute of Health Professions celebrates achievement, excellence, dedication, and the collective commitment to the graduate school’s mission. On Thursday, April 7, the Institute community came together at 1CW and online to celebrate the Pillars of Excellence Awards, a hybrid event that honored nine individuals and three teams for what they accomplished in 2021.
“Everyone being honored today has made a contribution that connects to our important mission of preparing health professionals and scientists to advance care for diverse society through leadership in education, clinical practice, research, and community engagement,” said President Paula Milone-Nuzzo. “To all of the honorees today, I say congratulations and thank you for your tangible commitment to making the IHP better place to work and learn.”
Congratulations to our SHRS PIE Award Recipients:
Gayun Chan-Smutko, GC
- Award Category: Integrating Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Allison Cirino, GC
- Award Category: Advancing Innovation & Progress
Keshrie Naidoo, PT
- Award Category: Integrating Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Indigo Young, CSD
- Award Category: Integrating Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Alumni Mentorship Program Development Team, CSD & Alumni Office
- Award Category: Integrating Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Physical Therapy (PT) Leadership Enrichment Achievement Program (LEAP) Team
- Award Category: Advancing Innovation & Progress
OT Left Ventricular Assistive Device Task Force including Jessica Asiello and Kim Erler
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Power, Privilege, & Positionality Facilitators Needed
Facilitators are wanted for the next Power, Privilege, and Positionality program for incoming students on June 6. The year’s theme starting this iteration is focused on health at the intersections of race and immigration.
As a reminder, the IHP has an institutional goal is of 100% of faculty and staff involvement per year; facilitation counts as part of PPP participation. To find out more, contact the JEDI Office.
To get involved, click here.
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Meet OT Asst. Professor Kevin Berner
Kevin Berner is joining the MGH Institute in the Entry Level OTD program as an Assistant Professor. Kevin comes to the IHP from school based occupational therapy practice and the Boston University entry-level and post-professional OTD programs. Kevin’s clinical area of specialty is in assistive technology, accessibility, and neurological rehabilitation with practice experience in acute rehabilitation, long term care, community programs and K-12 schools. Kevin greatly values interprofessional practice, appreciating collaborations in clinical environments with members of the speech and language pathology, physical therapy, nursing, and special education professions, as well as those with lived experience.
Kevin is registered and licensed occupational therapist (OTR/L) and certified assistive technology professional (ATP) through the Rehabilitation Engineering Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA). Kevin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Physiology, a Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy and post-professional doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy from Boston University. Outside of OT practice, Kevin engages in a variety of meaningful occupations such as outdoor hiking and sports adventures with his family, tending to his vegetable garden, and participating in ambitious home improvement projects with the help of YouTube.
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Meet PA's Newest Faculty: Mimosa Shehu
Mimoza Shehu, PA-C, is a new faculty member in the Physician Assistant Program. She was an inaugural graduate of the MGH IHP PA Program in 2017. Prior to joining the faculty full time, Mimoza was involved as a term lecturer, proctor, and preceptor. She has been practicing Primary Care and Urgent Care at the Lynn Community Health Center since 2017.
In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, spending time with her nieces and nephews, and traveling back home to family in Connecticut and Albania. Mimoza moved to the US in 1998 and learned English as a second language upon arrival. She has a keen interest in diversity initiatives and is excited to join the JEDI committee. She is thrilled to be at the IHP and looks forward to working with the IHP family.
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SHRS at the 126th Boston Marathon
Class of 2022 MPAS Student Jillian Calero joined 5 MPAS alumni in running the 126th Boston Marathon on April 18, 2022.
At least another 15 other people connected to SHRS completed the world’s most historic marathon. Among them are Aisling Cuffe, a second-year DPT student and elite runner who finished the course in 2:37.23, good for 22nd in the women’s division; and incoming DPT student Gabbi DosRamos, whose successful challenge battling cancer was the subject of a video by Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital where she had her post-surgery physical therapy. Dana Koehn, MPAS '21, ran to fund a new scholarship fund for PA students. Callie Albers, a 2nd yr PT student, ran to raise funds for the Sanders Impact Practice Center.
Other runners included Dan Adelman, MPAS ’20, Meriam Axelbaum, DPT ’21, Casey Brown, MPAS ’18, Tara Cates, DPT ’13, MacKenzie Duyon, DPT ’20, Erin Foley, OTD ’18, Jordan Griffiths, MS-SLP ’19 (who ran the 2020 Marathon to support the IHP), Currin Hall, MPAS ’20, Dan Kahn, MSN ’16, Lizzie Johnson, DPT ’21, and Adam Raphael, MPAS ’20.
In addition, MPAS students and faculty volunteered their time to support course medical tents, medical buses, and medical support at the finish line. At Heartbreak Hill in Newton, MPAS Students Kevin Galinat and Raielle Novick joined medical station lead and PA Associate Chair, Josh Merson with the MGH Disaster Medical Team at the last advanced medical station on the course before the finish line.
Raielle noted "It was an amazing opportunity to work on an inter-professional team with some of Boston’s finest medical providers. Words can’t describe the pride I felt that filled the day on behalf of the athletes, the community, and the city."
Students Sarah Reis and Arielle Kubes provided care by helping to transport runners that were unable to complete the course back to the finish. Sonya Quaife, Tami Bettinger, and Lauren Dinapoli monitored the finish line for runners that needed assistance into the medical tents. MPAS Boston Marathon Volunteers made hundreds of patient contacts while the 6 students/alumni ran collectively 157.2 miles to each earn the coveted BAA Boston Marathon medal.
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Dr. Mary Evenson Retires from OT Faculty
Dr. Mary Evenson, OTD, MPH, OTR/L, FAOTA, FNAP, announced that she will be retiring in May.
Dr. Mary Evenson has been a key member of the OT faculty, serving as the Director of Clinical Education since 2012. Mary directed the launch of the OT Fieldwork program and was instrumental to the ELOTD curriculum development, department launch and accreditation success. Her involvement and contributions to the MGH Institute community extended well beyond the department. Mary served on several SHRS and IHP wide committees including the Core Competencies work group, the Diversity Council, and the new initiatives committee to name a few, and was active in the national OT FW community. Mary’s OT career has spanned 40 years and she is looking forward to investing time in personal interests and focusing on family in her upcoming retirement.
In light of her many contributions to the IHP and the OT field, Dr. Evenson has been awarded the title of Faculty Emerita by the IHP Board of Trustees.
Dr. Regina Doherty, Chair of the OT Department, said, "I am grateful for Dr. Evenson's many contributions to the Institute and the enduring impact she has made on OT and the field of clinical education. We will miss Mary and wish her all the best as she explores new occupations in her retirement!"
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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.
Dr. Bridget Perry is the PI on a five-year K23 grant, “Improving shared decision-making surrounding dysphagia management for persons diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis,” from the NIH.
Dr. Elise Townsend is the PI on the two-year grant, “Construction and Validation of the Infantile GM2 Rating Scale,” from the National
Tay-Sachs & Allied Diseases Association.
The Research Office has launched monthly Speed Mentoring Sessions! These sessions are a great opportunity to speak with department leaders for career advice and research opportunities. Sofia Valilla Rohter, CSD faculty and a recent participant said: "The speed mentoring session reminded me of how energizing and informative it is to connect with colleagues. I learned about analysis resources, strategies to plan my next grant, and even a potential collaboration with a fellow researcher. I am looking forward to the next one already." To find out more or to register for the next sessions, reach out to Riley Keefe.
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IHP Food Pantry Off to a Strong Start
Food insecurity on college campuses has long been an under-the-radar issue. So when the coronavirus pandemic began in March 2020, its ripple effect was felt on the MGH Institute campus as the part-time jobs students often relied upon were scaled back or vanished completely.
“It became a real problem for a lot of students,” said Mike Boutin, the assistant dean for faculty and student success in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. “It was something we knew needed to be addressed.”
According to a 2019 Real College Survey for the Massachusetts Public Higher Education System, 37% of respondents experienced food insecurity and 20% of food insecure students utilized SNAP benefits, factors which often can lead to not being able to adequately concentrate on their studies or even dropping out.
Boutin was serving on a committee with Jessica Bell, director of library and instructional design, and Luella Benn, director of accessibility resources and wellness in the Office of Student Affairs and Services. Because they all interact with students regularly, they were hearing how some students often had to skip meals because they just didn’t have enough money. Not only that, but it was something most were reluctant to discuss.
“It’s not easy to admit that you need help,” said Bell. “There’s still a stigma attached to it for a lot of people, but we knew it was something that wasn’t going away.”
Meeting with stakeholders that included individual students, faculty, and staff plus student clubs, the Wellness Council, and the Office of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, they began collecting information on potential solutions which included talking with other colleges such as nearby Bunker Hill Community College.
What they learned was that while students most frequently experienced food insecurity, employees were not immune. It led to their decision to propose creating a space where everyone throughout the IHP community could easily access what they needed to put together a healthy meal when needed. Less than a year after the group submitted their proposed solution, and helped by $5,000 in start-up funds from the school plus money raised at a recent staff fundraiser, the IHP Community Pantry was born.
“The launch of this pantry is a wonderful addition to the many resources we have for faculty, staff, and students,” said President Paula Milone-Nuzzo at the April 6 grand opening. “This is tangible evidence or our commitment to the health and welfare of every member of the IHP community.”
Its location, tucked behind the Building 39 lounge, was chosen because it is easily accessible and in a high-traffic area to help remove any stigma attached to using it. The self-service pantry, which is staffed by volunteers, is stocked with jars of peanut butter, boxes of pasta, cans of tuna and soup, bags of beans, and personal care products such as deodorant and shampoo.
The effort was strengthened with the addition of SLP student Emily Komarow, who helped raise awareness; MSN student Phyllis Wallace, who worked in public health for more than two decades before coming to the Institute; and OTD student Kira Kearney, who is completing her Advanced Doctoral Experience in the Accessibility Resources and Wellness Center.
“We worked hard to find ways to do that which respects the dignity of all those who will utilize the pantry,” said Boutin, “and to promote this as a community-wide service for everyone to use.”
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SHRS Dean's Office
Peter S. Cahn, PhD
Interim Dean, SHRS
pcahn@mghihp.edu
617-724-6138
Mary Ellen Ferolito
Asst Dean of Operations
mferolito@mghihp.edu
617-724-4841
Emile R "Mike" Boutin, Jr, EdD
Asst Dean for Faculty & Student Success
eboutin@mghihp.edu
617-726-8021
Comments about our newsletter? Article ideas?
Mike Boutin: eboutin@mghihp.edu
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