College of Health and Human Services
Each year at this time, you receive a letter from the dean of the College of Health and Human Services, providing you with news along with an invitation to participate in the college’s annual fund.
Communication Sciences and Disorders | Family Studies | Health Management and Policy | Kinesiology | Nursing | Occupational Therapy | Recreation Management and Policy | Social Work
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Greetings from the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. As usual, the past year has been a busy one. Spring was marked by the graduation of our first cohort of students from the new Master's Degree program. Students now have the opportunity to follow one of three options: early childhood, language and learning disabilities, and self-designed (affectionately referred to as the "no option" option). The critical shortage of speech-language pathologists continues to pose a major challenge to employers nationwide. The upside of this otherwise serious problem is that our graduates are fielding multiple job offers at competitive salaries.
To keep pace with the continuously expanding roles and expectations of speech-language pathologists, the department introduced an undergraduate course in multiculturalism and its own course in research methods. We are hoping the latter course provides an ongoing impetus for student research. Among the finest accomplishments of the program this past year were theses completed by Emily Woodacre, who examined the influence of baby signs on children's early language acquisition, and Lynda Choinard, who explored early indicators of Asperger's Syndrome.
Undergraduates continue to shine as well. For example several of our students have collaborated with Michael Fraas on research examining interventions for individuals with traumatic brain injury. The work has already resulted in a publication and several presentations at ASHA and elsewhere.
As department chair, I often have the opportunity to converse with faculty holding similar positions elsewhere. I can't tell you how many times colleagues have "glowed" as they talked about a UNH undergraduate who is pursuing graduate training at their institution. I am often asked to encourage more UNH students to apply to these same programs, since they are so highly regarded by faculty at other universities.
Our undergraduates continue to gain clinical experiences through placements as clinical assistants at the UNH Speech-Language-Hearing Center. Both undergraduate and graduate students are contributors to Steppingstones, the Portsmouth facility dedicated to assisting individuals who have incurred brain injury.
Faculty continue to be leaders in their respective fields. In my role as professor and researcher, I published a chapter entitled "Developmental considerations in addressing the AAC needs of children with the most severe disabilities," which was recently released in a book edited by Rhea Paul. This fall I also received a generous grant from the Angelman Syndrome Foundation to identify best practices for inclusive classrooms in meeting the educational and communication needs of students with Angelman Syndrome. Teams from across the country will identify factors that foster and impede effective inclusion.
Professor Webster continues her research program examining interrelationships between speaking, reading, and writing. She will take a sabbatical this spring to concentrate on her research. Professor Lewis has presented results of his applied research program examining the efficacy of different intervention procedures for individuals with aphasia. The clinical faculty continue to be national leaders in conducting applied research examining various aspects of the supervisory process. And faculty members will make multiple presentations at the annual convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Programmatically, the Minor in Deaf and Hard of Hearing Studies is gaining momentum. A course in Linguistics of American Sign Language will be offered for the first time next fall.
Let's hear from you, whether in person, via e-mail, phone, or as a participant in a department-sponsored workshop. We are always interested in your activities and enjoy hearing about your accomplishments.
As the department continues to expand, resources are increasingly important. Please consider making a gift this year. Your thoughtfulness will support undergraduate, graduate, and faculty research; the replenishment of clinic materials; outreach programs such as conferences and workshops; and so much more.
I assure you your support will have an immediate impact on past, current, and future graduates of our program.
Sincerely,
Stephen N. Calculator, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
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Family Studies
It is the time of the year again when I provide you with news from the Department of Family Studies and ask you to join us by participating in the college's annual appeal.
In last year’s letter I mentioned that we were planning a reception during this year’s Homecoming. The reception idea blossomed into a Homecoming Forum. The first forum took place on October 13, 2006. The speaker, M.A. Lucas, is an alumna of the department and director of Child and Youth Services for the United States Army; she gave a presentation on “Military Kids—Heroes at Home” that was timely and well-received. We are already planning an event for next year, and will keep you posted through the department’s Web site.
We had planned to initiate an electronic newsletter for alums, but instead have decided to work with the school’s Webmaster to design a part of the department’s Web site that will be devoted exclusively to alumni. Visit our Web site at http://www.shhs.unh.edu/fs/ and watch for the alumni link.
Your support is important in helping us to honor our students. This past May we were able to recognize several members of the Class of 2006: the Dakin Family Scholarship was awarded to Kirsten M. Jeffrey, who is now pursuing a master’s degree in elementary education; the Andrea van Gilder award went to Laura K. Kim, who is also pursuing a master’s in elementary education; and the Rand Stearns Award went to Alicia H. Hansmann. We also honored an alumna of our marriage and family therapy graduate program, Helen Fitzgerald, with the Larry J. Hansen Award.
We hope to increase the endowments for each of the awards and also for the Family Studies Fund, which will help both undergraduate and graduate students to travel to the professional meetings that are so important for their careers. If you would like your donation to be earmarked for a specific award, please indicate this on the reply form.
Your support helps to strengthen our department and provide the best possible education for all our students. Thank you for your gift of any amount!
Sincerely,
Elizabeth M. Dolan, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Chair
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Health Management and Policy
Greetings from the Department of Health Management and Policy (HMP). Consider this our “holiday letter,” if you will. We’d like to update you on what’s going on in the department, and yes, to ask you to consider making a contribution to support our ongoing activities. As you may know, the department is now over 30 years old, making us one of the oldest programs in the country; one of our hallmarks has always been that we continue to evolve to address the changing needs of the industry and our students.
Rosemary Caron was recently hired as the new director of the master of public health program, following John Seavey, who guided the program from its inception through successful accreditation by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Rosemary joins us from positions as a toxicologist and epidemiologist with the Manchester Health Department and the state. In addition to many years of field experience, Rosemary has taught in the master's in public health program to rave reviews from students. Rosemary has an undergraduate degree in chemistry from Regis College, a Ph.D. in pharmacology/toxicology from Dartmouth Medical School, and an M.P.H. with concentrations in epidemiology and environmental health from the Boston University School of Public Health.
The department now offers an undergraduate option in public health, one of the few such options in the country. This offering involves several courses within the department—such as the History of Public Health, Social and Behavioral Health, and Social Marketing—as well as electives in other university departments.
Our long-standing focus in health management and policy continues to evolve as well, and we are exploring a curriculum design with expanded focus on financial skills, quantitative analysis, and health informatics. We continue to be actively involved with the American College of Health Executives, the Healthcare Financial Management Association, the Medical Group Management Association, and other professional organizations to stay abreast of developments in the industry and provide students with opportunities for professional development.
Lee Seidel has rejoined the faculty full-time, following several years splitting his time between HMP and his position as founding Director of the University’s Center for Teaching Excellence. It’s great to welcome Lee and his energy and creativity back to Hewitt Hall.
Faculty members continue to be active in several interesting areas of research. Bob McGrath, along with colleagues from the Institute for Health Policy and Practice, is working on a project to examine the creation of a statewide interconnected health information exchange network. Bob Woodward, Jeffrey Salloway, and colleagues from other departments are exploring the relationship between air quality, climate and asthma incidence. Rosemary Caron, Marc Hiller, David LaFlamme, and Bob McGrath are working with a large database of college students to analyze a variety of health and behavioral factors. Students are involved in these and other interesting research initiatives. For example, one student is evaluating issues related to body image among students, and a second is studying the impact of a charity care program on the utilization pattern of patients, as well as on the financial health of a New Hampshire hospital. These student research efforts are made possible, in part, by your generous contributions.
Thank you for your continued support of the program in so many ways, including student mentoring, providing internship and employment opportunities for HMP graduates, participating in alumni/student programs to bring the “real world” to Durham, speaking in classes, and permitting students to visit your organizations, and shadow you in your jobs.
I hope you will consider making a gift to the Department of Health Management and Policy. All funds received this year will again be used to support student research and will provide students with the tools to collect data, conduct surveys, and present their work at professional conferences. We have no other funds to use for this purpose, so your contributions are most appreciated by students and the department.
Please stay in touch with us, and thank you for your continued support of the Department of Health Management and Policy.
Sincerely,
James B. Lewis, ScD, Associate Professor and Chair
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Kinesiology
Greetings from the Department of Kinesiology! We're pleased to send you news of the department and invite you to participate in this year's Annual Fund.
The department maintains its strength in areas of student enrollment, research, award-winning faculty excellence, and outreach programs to professional organizations and the community. All five of our options—athletic training, exercise science, physical education pedagogy, outdoor education, and sport studies—are growing. With more than 500 undergraduate majors and 40 graduate students, we are the largest School of Health and Human Services Department, as well as the fifth largest major at UNH. Thank you for your contributions to our success.
Let me share these significant recent accomplishments:
• The Athletic Training Program continues to graduate outstanding young professionals in sports medicine. Dan Sedory received two prestigious awards—the 2006 N.H. State’s Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer of the Year and the 2006 National Athletic Trainers' Association Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award. Erik Swartz was selected for the 2006-08 School of Health and Human Services (SHHS) Young Researcher Award. Ron Croce and John Miller have published recent articles detailing their innovative research in the neuromuscular function of the knee.
• Exercise Science students continue to obtain outstanding learning experiences through supervised practica in the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program and UNH Employee Fitness Program. This hands-on training sets our students apart from graduates of other programs in exercise science. We also welcomed new faculty members Alison Sigler and Melissa Hayman to our department this year.
• Graduates of the Outdoor Education Program continue to be sought for high-quality national and international field placements in therapeutic, educational, and youth programs and agencies. Past alumni Brent Bell and Jayson Seaman returned to UNH to join us as tenure-track faculty. The Browne Center continues to offer innovative and ground-breaking work on the use of adventure programming in education, mental health, and for corporate clients, serving more than 9,000 clients last year.
• The Physical Education Pedagogy option is still one of our fastest growing programs. In addition to the four- and five-year physical education teacher training degree programs, we have added an important health education dual certification option. Steve Wright was selected as the SHHS 2006 Teacher of the Year.
• The Sport Studies option has successfully refocused its undergraduate curriculum to concentrate on interscholastic and intercollegiate sport. The graduate program in sport studies has also grown, and now students may choose to emphasize psychology, coaching education, marketing, or administration. Stephen Hardy was inducted into Robert Morris University’s Sport Management Hall of Fame for his work in sport management. Heather Barber has produced award-winning work on her research on homophobia in college and high school athletics.
Please consider making a gift to the Department of Kinesiology to fund further student research and outreach opportunities. As a graduate, we know you are aware of the value of real-world, practical experience during one's undergraduate education.
Sincerely,
Michael Gass, Professor & Chair
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Nursing
Greetings from the Department of Nursing. I'm pleased to send you this update and invite you to participate in this year's Annual Fund.
Many activities are occurring within our department as we address the changing needs of health care. First, in response to current trends in graduate nursing education, we have just completed a strategic planning initiative for our graduate program. We have formalized two new tracks: Clinical Nurse Leader and Advanced Nurse Generalist. These programs can be completed in three semesters full-time.
Two new full-time clinical faculty members have joined us as experts in the clinical setting, both alumni of our graduate program, along with three new assistant professors whose scholarly work ranges from palliative care to immigrant populations to education and policy.
We intend to introduce additional technology into both the classroom and clinical setting as we incorporate personal digital assistants (PDAs) into our undergraduate and Direct Entry Master’s in Nursing classes. We also hope to introduce simulation learning into our nursing laboratory.
This year, we have established partnerships with two state healthcare organizations: the Southern New Hampshire Medical Center and Avis Goodwin Community Health Center. Two of our nursing faculty members provide services as nurse researchers and clinical operations director, respectively, developing linkages for integrating education, research, and practice.
Please consider making a gift this year to the Department of Nursing. Your generosity will offer opportunities to our students, provide resources for faculty teaching and research, and help us to maintain and update our laboratory and science teaching materials. Through your efforts as ambassadors of our program, UNH nursing has achieved its reputation for excellence.
Sincerely,
Lynette Ament, PhD, RN, CNM, FACNM, Associate Professor and Chair
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Occupational Therapy
Greetings from the Department of Occupational Therapy. I’m pleased to update you about our program and the outcomes of your gifts to the department.
For the past two years we have asked you to support the purchase of up-to-date teaching equipment to train students in assistive technology. Thanks to your generosity, and grant support garnered by professors Shelley Mulligan and Therese Willkomm, most of our immediate goals relative to assistive technology have been achieved—both in terms of curricular offerings and equipment. Assistive technology has been integrated more fully into the curriculum. This year, professors Willkomm, Douglas Elizabeth Simmons, and Stewart are integrating principles of universal design with a video iPod, electronic document cameras, and video cameras to enhance teaching in our human movement course. During the past year we have acquired over 200 assistive technology solutions for easier living, working, learning, and playing. These devices have been integrated into several classes to provide students with hands-on opportunities.
Last spring, the Graduate School approved the graduate certificate in assistive technology submitted by Clinical Assistant Professor Therese Willkomm. This 15-credit certificate is open to professionals in occupational therapy, communication disorders, education, vocational rehabilitation, developmental disabilities, and other related fields. Completion of the graduate certificate enables students to sit for the national certification examination that leads to a designation as an assistive technology practitioner. Professor Willkomm coordinates this certificate program in addition to her work with the Institute on Disability and teaching in our curriculum.
Our curricular goals for the next few years involve expansion of the curriculum in the areas of diversity and cultural competency. We will dedicate funds to this effort through curriculum revision and recruitment.
We continue to gain new personnel while saying goodbye to long-term colleagues. Alice Crockett Vosburg retired from her position as fieldwork assistant in October. Alice was hired in May 1981. For the last 25 years she has been the anchor in our office, making sure that classes were scheduled and fieldwork mailings were sent. Our alums know how essential she was to our effective operation. We have hired Renate Jurden for this position and already see that she will be an effective colleague. In addition, Elizabeth Horvath Stewart joined us this fall in a clinical assistant professor position. She is teaching our introductory course, clinical courses related to physical disabilities, and has developed an ergonomic focus to one of our community health courses. We are delighted to have her on the faculty.
Your gifts make a significant contribution to our efforts. With your help again this year, we can expand our efforts to develop cultural competencies in our students and continue to foster diversity in our student body.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth B. Crepeau, ’66, ’89G, ’94G, England Professor and Chair of Occupational Therapy
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Recreation Management and Policy
Greetings from the Department of Recreation Management and Policy (RMP). I’m pleased to update you on activities within our department and invite you to participate in this year’s Annual Fund. Last year’s appeal was a great success, and we were able to send undergraduates and graduates to national and state professional conferences in Orlando, Seattle, Tyngsboro, and Peterboro. We want very much to build upon that success. This year, once again we’re asking you to help support your future RMP alumni.
I have some exciting news to share with you!
Our department has two new faculty members who have joined our ranks since our last letter. Heather Bowen joins our department, leaving her position at George Mason University in Virginia to bring her expertise in commercial recreation and festivals and event management to our curriculum. Joshua Carroll also joined our faculty, leaving the mountains of Colorado State University to strengthen our outdoor recreation and recreation resource management focus in the Program Administration Option.
These new faculty members join our six faculty members increasing resources to better serve our growing enrollment. Today, more than 200 undergraduates and 17 graduate students call RMP home.
I have other news as well. As you will remember, our students are actively involved in enhancing the quality of life of their communities both within UNH and beyond, touching the lives of people in communities throughout New England. Here are a few examples of their recent achievements and activities:
• Once again this year, the students in the recreational sports management course organized, managed, and evaluated the 3rd Annual Todd’s Trot in Durham. The three-mile race honors the memory of a local Oyster River High School student and his love of community and sports. The students topped last year’s fundraising goal despite some very inclement weather. We hope more of you will join us for this year’s Todd’s Trot.
• Planning events in the community is part of RMP 557, Recreation Services Program Design. This year more than 15 events were designed, organized, and implemented by 70 students enrolled in the Fall '07 semester. Ann Morgan was busy traveling throughout the Seacoast to observe our students in action—building social capital in the surrounding communities.
• Finally, as I mentioned in our last letter, the therapeutic recreation faculty spent the last year and a half working on licensure for Recreational Therapists in New Hampshire. I am excited to report that our efforts were successful, and by July 2007 anyone who practices recreational therapy in the state of New Hampshire must be licensed. New Hampshire is now the third state to have licensure. All currently certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists (CTRS) in New England will receive a letter informing them of licensure and the steps that lie ahead. Any practitioner with National Council for Therapeutic Recreation certification will qualify for licensure as a CTRS/L. It is important to have your CTRS status and to retain it. If you have any questions, please contact us.
I hope you will consider making a gift to the Department of Recreation Management and Policy. This year we would like to ask for your support to help fund student outreach opportunities. As a graduate of RMP, you know better than anyone the value of practical experiences during one’s education.
Thank you for your continued interest. We’d love to hear from you. Send us an e-mail or a quick note with one of your business cards for our alumni display case. Folks love seeing those business cards when they pass by the hallway.
Sincerely,
Janet Sable, Professor and Chair
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Social Work
Greetings from the Department of Social Work. I'm pleased to send you this update on our activities and invite your support for our exciting new endeavors.
We are developing a community outreach program in the renovated McConnell Center in Dover, N.H. This project will benefit both master's and baccalaureate students through participation in field placements and service learning. Field supervisors from the host agencies and social work faculty will provide student guidance and direction.
As you know, the field practicum is an integral component of the social work curriculum. It engages students in supervised social work practice and provides important opportunities to apply classroom learning.
The new multiservice McConnell Center is a modern version of Hull House and other settlement houses in social work history, given its location in the urban setting of downtown Dover, N.H. It is right on the bus line, providing convenient access for students and the community. Residents can take advantage of many services—all in one location!
We are excited about the host of partnerships this program will foster. Agencies and groups already planning to collaborate in the McConnell Center include:
Dover Housing Authority
Wentworth-Douglass Hospital
Dover Adult Learning Center of Strafford County
UNH Department of Social Work
Dover Recreation Department
Dover Human Services Department
Strafford County Community Action Committee
HUB Family Resource Center
Seacoast Hospice
We will contribute with:
• student volunteers to do service learning in the various tenant agencies;
• social work students in field placements in various tenant agencies;
• individual and group counseling offered to Dover residents from the rented space;
• graduate social work students to write grants for tenant agencies;
• and graduate social work students to do program evaluations for tenant agencies.
To date, we have signed a lease and paid for the renovation of our office space. That was the first step. Now the Social Work Department must raise funds to modernize and equip the building with furnishings for the office, interview, and group rooms.
I hope that you will join us in moving this project forward by making a gift to the Department of Social Work this spring. Your donation of any amount will move us closer to our goal.
Please stay in touch with us, and thank you for your continued support of social work education at the University of New Hampshire.
Sincerely,
Jerry Marx, Ph.D., Chairperson and Associate Professor
