301 University Blvd
Galveston, TX  77555-1028
(409) 772-3030

OFFICE OF ACADEMIC RESOURCES / HBS / INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES REPORT

MAY 23, 2007          

Dates of Interest: Please see http://www.sahs.utmb.edu/DUcalendar12/

Office of Academic Affairs

Student Ad Hoc Grievance Committee. OAA has processed two appeals from students who were academically dismissed from their programs at the end of the spring semester. Special thanks go Amber Slack, CLS student, and Lauren Reynolds, PA student, and to Salah Ayachi, Debra Munsell, Romar Reyes and George Spear for their noteworthy service. This was the first appeal hearing experience for each of them.
There is a need for one more faculty member for a hearing on Friday, 9:00-12:00. Dr. Michelle Kanuth and either Jennifer Todd or Mary Todd, both CLS students, have agreed to serve. Please contact Henry Cavazos if you can add this to your already busy schedule.

Student Enrollment in Interdisciplinary Studies. Due to continued errors in OAA using batch enrollment of students in the Interdisciplinary Studies course, the departments have agreed to either batch enroll students or to have the students enroll individually. Difficulties usually were related to identifying three-year or part time students and those enrolling in the course in other than the summer semester.

Academic Affairs Council. The academic deans, former the Academic Affairs Committee, have complete or have in progress the following charges from the Council of Deans COD):
SACS statement on academic program evaluation at UTMB;
SACS statement on periodic review of affiliation and consortia agreements;
SACS statement on university alumni surveys;
Review and comparison of appointment, promotion and tenure policies and procedures in the SAHS, SON, and SOM/GSBS;
SACS statement on the approval of new programs and substantive program changes;
SACS statement on the approval of distance education courses and programs;
SACS statement on the certification by the faculty of candidates for degrees;
Recommendation to COD to approve the CLS Categorical Certificate program;
Recommendation to COD to approve the expansion of eligibility to the MPH-MD program in PM&CH to residents in other medical specialties; and
Recommendation to the COD to approve the Neurobiology of Disease proposal;
For information about the above, contact Henry Cavazos, current chair of the AAC.

Interdisciplinary Education

1. Activity Evaluations. Activities are being evaluated by the Workgroup and will be reported at the June Board meeting. Dorothy Pearrow will meet with individual faculty regarding their mentored activities.

2. May Activities:

May - Hurricane Preparation Home Assessments, Gretchen Stone has over 300
residents who have asked for a home visit.
5/05 – Sports Physicals, PT/Medical Students, Activity led by David Wise and
Robert Rupp.
5/09 - Spanish Language Evaluation Activity, PT/OT students. Led by
Caroline Jansen and Jose Rojas (4 week course)
5/10 - Ace Unit Volunteer Follow-up, All Disciplines, Activity led by
Rev. Helen Appelberg and Dorothy Pearrow, Evaluation of student
experiences and recommendations for next year.
5/16 – Electronic Medical Records and Health Information Management
All Disciplines. Activities led by Alexa Cross, Health Information
Management (This is a required activity for PAs)
5/17 - Shriners Burn Unit Team Case Study. All Disciplines. Activity led
by Mario Celis, Director of PAs at Shriners, (This is required activity for PAs)
5/23 - Career Day at Alamo Elementary, OT, PA, PT, CLS. Activity led by
Veronica Vasquez, Janna McGaugh and Jane Finley. The activities developed will be reviewed for the Expand Your Horizons and Saturday Science Academy activities next year.
5/28 - Project WET, All Disciplines, Activity led by Dorothy Pearrow,
Billie Renaldi at Rosenberg Elementary, and Melissa Schell, OT student
working at Rosenberg. Activities are planned to create an interest in science in all grades.
To Follow-up Session, Abuse and Adult Protective Services, All Disciplines,
Be Follow-up to be scheduled as soon as all students have completed
Sch’d professional shadowing.

3. June Activities
6/20 Rotations – Can We Talk? Communications with Other Professionals.
Open to all disciplines, led by Dorothy Pearrow. Students review real case studies and determine actions to be taken. Students will review when and how to communicate with supervisors and peers will apply the skills in role play situations.

To Portfolios/EFolios. Students review the key requirements for a portfolio or
Be eFolio and will critique a resume and eFolio. Instructions will be provided
Sch’d for developing a portfolio/eFolio.

4. Student Status Reports. There are students graduating in 2007 that need to complete their Team IDEAL requirements. Please be sure your advisees complete their requirements for graduation.

5. Student Awards

Team IDEAL student awards will be given this year for the Outstanding Capstone Project and for Professionalism.

The Interdisciplinary Distinction Awards will be awarded to students graduating in 2008 who have completed 200 points or 100 Points and a Capstone Project in the Interdisciplinary Studies course. These awards will replace the Team IDEAL awards. This award will be announced on the Commencement Program and students will receive a Certificate. The Professionalism Award will be continued to be awarded.

6. Plans for 2007- 2008
Planning for 2007-2008 will follow the evaluation review of this year’s activities. Please notify Dorothy Pearrow of your plans for sponsoring a mentored activity next year.

7. Harris and Eliza Kempner Grant for UTMB Students’ Healthy Living/ Community Learning Program.
The SAHS has received a grant to provide opportunities for students who balance their own lives in staying healthy during their time at UTMB to share their knowledge, skills and techniques with fellow students and the community. Training sessions will introduce students to the skills needed to effectively educate both clients and the public at large about healthy living and health promotion/education. The community serves as a learning laboratory. Proposed activities include:

Exercise and physical fitness
Relaxation and stress management
Wellness management
Cultural tours and performing/visual arts opportunities in Galveston.
Food preparation and nutrition
Basic first aid
Disaster planning
Smoking Prevention

Please notify Dorothy Pearrow if you have an interest in working with students to develop an educational module for the students and/or community or if you would like to integrate all or part of this in one of your courses.