CHHS Dean Assumes Added Role
Dr. Linda Samson, CHHS Dean, has agreed to serve in the interim position of Vice Provost for Research and Graduate Studies. Dean Samson’s appointment was announced by Dr. Jane Rhoades Hudak, Provost.
In her announcement, the Provost noted that Dean Samson “b rings a wealth of expertise to this position ... Under Dean Samson’s leadership, CHHS has successfully secured more than 10 million dollars in external grant funds. She also has achieved significant success in developing and implementing graduate programs, which is evidenced by new doctoral programs in CHHS…The GSU community will greatly benefit from Dean Samson’s leadership and expertise in developing GSU’s research profile and advancing graduate studies.”
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Assistant Dean Appointed
 Effective January 1, Dr. Gregory A. Blevins, chair of the Department of Addictions Studies and Behavioral Health, has been appointed Interim Assistant Dean of the College of Health and Human Services. Dr. Blevins will provide assistance to CHHS Dean Dr. Linda Samson, who was recently named Interim Vice Provost for Research and Graduate Studies.
Dr. Blevins joined Governors State University 27 years ago.
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Restorative Justice: A Means to Safer Communities
It's a fact — juvenile crime is rising in the south suburbs. But there's a proven approach to promoting community safety — restorative justice.
The public is invited to attend a free forum on restorative justice on Saturday, January 24, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Business and Community Education Center of Prairie State College, 202 Halsted Street, Chicago Heights. Lunch will be included, and CEUs are available.
This event is sponsored by a coalition of community partners, including Governors State University, Prairie State College, the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, the Homewood-Flossmoor Peer Jury Program, the Cook County Juvenile Court, Bremen High School, F.U.T.U.R.E. Foundation Youth Services, Chrysalis Community Center, and the Jane Addams Juvenile Court Foundation (Community Partnership Team).
Program attendees will learn about current successful restorative justice programs and will obtain practical information about restorative justice approaches to violence in schools and communities.
Restorative justice builds safe communities by holding youth accountable, developing responsible behaviors, restoring and respecting victims, and empowering communities to meet the obligation of providing for the general welfare of its members.
Additional information may be obtained by contacting Ms. Latona Givens, lgivens@cookcountygov.com, or by phoning 312.433.7020.
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Renowned Ethicist to Visit CHHS
The CHHS Dean's Office will host noted ethicist and award-winning author Jack Gilbert, Ed.D., F.A.C.H.E., at a presentation on Monday, March 23, beginning at 5:30 p.m., in the Sherman Music Hall at Governors State University. The event is free and open to the public.
Dr. Gilbert is a consultant, writer, presenter and an exper t in leadership, organizational ethics, large-scale change, and employee engagement. After years of working with hundreds of business executives and employees, Dr. Gilbert has witnessed what he describes as ethical erosion. His presentation will focus on how health care organizations can foster an environment of ethical decision-making.
Dr. Gilbert's award-winning book, Productivity Management: A Step-By-Step Guide for Health Care Professionals, has been used extensively by health care managers. His latest book, Strengthening Ethical Wisdom: Tools for Transforming Your Health Care Organization, was published in 2007 by the American Hospital Association Press.
Dr. Gilbert received his doctorate from George Washington University, where his dissertation focused on the role of ethics in decision-making for senior executives.
Additional information about the program, which is made possible through a GSU Intellectual Life Grant, may be obtained by contacting Nancy Burley at n-burley@govst.edu.
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OT Department to Present
Centennial Vision
This year, the GSU Occupational Therapy (OT) Department is celebrating 10 years of its Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) degree program. In commemoration of this event, the OT Department and its Honor Society, Pi Theta Epsilon, will present a special program, Centennial Vision.
Dr. Pe nny Moyers-Cleveland, President of the American Occupational Therapy Association, will be the featured speaker at this program, which is scheduled for Friday, February 20, in Engbretson Hall at Governors State University. The program is free and open to the public. CEU credit is available for occupational therapists.
The program will commence with a lecture by Dr. Moyers-Cleveland, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., followed by a reception.
Reservations are required by Monday, February 16. Contact Mary Tracy at m-tracy@govst.edu or 708.534.7293.
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Health Admin 'Rookies' Take 5th Place at National Competition
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Dr. Rupert Evans (top, center) and his star MHA students (left to right) Donna McCarthy, Jermaine Paul, and Monica Longmire
The College of Health and Human Services was represented for the very first time at the annual Everett Fox Student Case Study Competition sponsored by the National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE) last fall.
And while the three graduating seniors from the Masters in Health Administration program may have been rookies when it came to this prestigious competition, they performed like seasoned professionals, finishing fifth out of 22 universities from across the nation. The students – Donna McCarthy, Monica Longmire and Jermaine Paul – faced off against some formidable competition, including Ohio State (usually finishing first, second, or third) and the University of Michigan. This year Ohio State failed to make the semifinals.
“Usually teams will compete three or four years before they place,” noted Assistant Professor and Associate Graduate Program Director of Health Administration Rupert Evans. Dr. Evans served as the team’s advisor and coach.
“This was a real nice feather in our cap," Dr. Evans said. "It really puts our program on the map. I’m extremely proud and it’s really a banner achievement for our students. They worked really, really hard. It’s a welcome award, and they deserve it.”
This year’s competition was based on a challenge presented by the Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), the world’s largest for-profit healthcare company. The students were asked to develop an entire executive business plan for a free-standing emergency facility in north Las Vegas.
“It was really taking theory to practice, in the real-world sense,” Dr. Evans noted.
Making the challenge even more daunting for the students was the fact that they were only given two weeks to develop their plan – all while balancing their final capstone courses, field placements, families, and full-time jobs.
Needless to say, there was “a lot of sleepless nights and long days” involved in the students’ preparation for the competition, noted student Jermaine Paul. But the end result was well worth the effort.
“It was an honor to represent the school,” student Donna McCarthy said. Making it to the semifinals “says a lot about GSU and the education we’ve received,” she added. “They have, most assuredly, adequately prepared us for the work environment. They taught us everything we need to know.”
McCarthy credits the “excellent” instructors in the MHA program. “It’s not just a job for them; it’s a passion.”
Fellow teammate Monica Longmire, president of the GSU chapter of the Student Health Care Management Association (SHCMA), agrees. All in all, she said, “the experience (of competing) was so unexplainable, so empowering. Something I will never forget.”
Perhaps the greatest benefit for all three students was networking with fellow students, healthcare executives and other professionals – many of whom offered their assistance with mentoring and job offers.
“They were literally standing in line to offer help,” McCarthy noted.
The GSU students have already been asked to offer assistance and serve as judges at next year’s NAHSE conference. Not bad for a bunch of rookies.
Founded in 1968, the National Association of Health Services Executives is recognized globally as the premier professional association for African American executives, administrators, and practitioners working in the healthcare industry.
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Author! Author!
 Associate Physical Therapy Professor Dr. Robbie O’Shea, PT, Ph.D., has written a new textbook, Pediatrics for the Physical Therapy Assistant.
The book, which was published last fall, features a chapter written by fellow GSU Physical Therapy professor David Diers, Ed.D., MHS, PT, SCS, ATC.
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Addictions Studies and Behavioral Health News
Peter Palanca, Addictions Studies Senior Lecturer, has been elected to serve as vice chair of the Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association (IADDA). IADDA represents substance abuse prevention and treatment providers across the state, and advocates for sound public policy to create healthier families and safer communities. Professor Palanca is vice president of TASC, Inc. (Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities), a statewide drug policy and service organization, as well as a member agency of IADDA.
Mark Sanders, Addictions Studies lecturer, has had two articles published in recent months in the COUNSELOR—The Magazine for Addiction Professionals. In October, he was a co-author with Dr. S. Mayeda of an article entitled Daddy’s Little Girl —Fatherlessness and Substance Abuse in Adolescent Girls. In December, Dr. Mayeda and Mark published Nurturer, Deserter or Enemy: The Importance of Mother-Daughter Relationships in Adolescent Girls with Substance Abuse Disorders.
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PT Student Writes About Career Choice for National Magazine
Kristy Ton, Physical Therapy student, had her essay on why she decided to become a physical therapist featured in the September, 2008 edition of PT Magazine. The magazine regularly features a 600-800 word “This is Why” essay in which the writer explains what propelled him or her toward a career in physical therapy or confirms the reason why he or she became a PT in the first place.
In her essay, Kristy talks about being the classic “indecisive Gen Xer.” Armed with a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science, Kristy held a variety of jobs before eventually managing an animal hospital. But when she was assigned to four weeks of physical therapy for congenital hip dysplasia, Kristy was immediately impressed by the staff of the outpatient rehab clinic she attended.
“It was uplifting to find that every staff member in the gym had a smile on his or her face and a can-do attitude that spread to patients,” Kristy wrote in her essay.
She decided to change career paths and, three years and 79 credit hours of coursework to raise her self-described “pathetic GPA” later, Kristy was overjoyed to learn she had been accepted to GSU’s Physical Therapy program.
In her essay Kristy writes, “School will be extremely challenging and I know I’ll have my panicky moments. So, I’ve written this essay partly to remind myself, when I’m feeling the most scared, what I went through to get here and how much I want to become a PT.”
At this writing, Kristy has completed her seven-week summer session and her 15-week fall session. She’s well on her way. Best wishes, Kristy!
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Nursing Professor, Grad Student Attend National Human Genome Research Institute
Dr. Catherine Tymkow and graduate nursing student Lisa Lowe attended the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), August 3 through 8, in Bethesda, MD.
The goal of this intense, week-long institute is to create awareness of genomic advances and genomic research, and to foster the development of a community of genetic educators that share resources to assist in education, research, and promotion of health across communities.
Dr. Francis Collins, retiring Director of the Human Genome Project, and graduate nursing student Lisa Lowe |
Dr. Catherine Tymkow; Vence Bonham, Jr., J.D., Chief, Education and Community Involvement Branch and Senior Advisor to the Director on Social Implications of Genomics, NIH/NHGRI; and graduate nursing student Lisa Lowe |
Program attendance was competitive and included a diverse group of nurse educators, faculty, scientists, and selected students from across the nation.
Attendees interacted with experts in the field including Dr. Francis Collins, retiring director of the Human Genome Project; Dr. Alan Guttenmacher, newly-appointed acting director of the Human Genome Project; Jean Jenkins and Dale Halsey Lea, nurse leaders in genetics; and Dr. William Gahl, director of the new NIH Center for Rare and Undiagnosed Diseases.
Lecture and lab topics included: bioinformatics; social and behavioral research, including genome-wide association studies; DNA sequencing; nanotechnology; genomics and health policy; and ethical issues.
For more information about this program and other exciting programs available to nurses through the NIH, contact Dr. Tymkow or visit www.genome.gov, or www.coge.nih.gov.
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PT Students Take the 'Challenge'
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Pictured, back row standing, left to right - Russell Carter, Ed.D., PT, chair of the Physical Therapy Department at GSU; Student Jena Zientek of Oak Lawn; and Dale Schuit, PT, Ph.D., MS, Associate Professor of Physical Therapy at GSU. Seated, left to right - Student Tanya Anders of Crete; Tim Coleman, PT, MS, OCS, partner/owner of METT Therapy Services and Adjunct Professor of Physical Therapy at GSU; and Student Patricia Barker of Tinley Park. The students pictured are in their second year of the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program.
Physical Therapy students in the College of Health and Human Services know a good challenge when they see one.
Since 1989, PT students at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, have challenged students from other PT programs across the nation to raise money for research through the American Physical Therapy Association’s Foundation for Physical Therapy. The foundation raises money to help fund research grants for the development of the most effective physical therapy interventions.
For the first time, GSU Physical Therapy students accepted the Marquette Challenge this year, raising $1,000. Second year Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students Tanya Anders of Crete, Jena Zientek of Oak Lawn, and Patricia Barker of Tinley Park served as key organizers for the GSU effort.
The students’ interest in the Challenge was sparked by Associate Professor of Physical Therapy Dr. Dale Schuit. After brainstorming several fundraising options, the students offered a continuing education seminar for physical therapy practitioners. All proceeds from the seminar were donated to the Challenge.
“We wanted to take a continuing education focus in our fundraising efforts,” noted Patricia Barker. “We were fortunate to tap into the expertise of our professors by asking them to teach a seminar for students and practicing physical therapists.
The daylong seminar, A Commonsense Approach to the Management of Low Back Pain, was presented by Dr. Schuit and Tim Coleman, PT, MS, OCS, a partner and owner of METT Therapy Services. Coleman, of Homewood, volunteers his time as an adjunct PT professor at GSU.
Each year approximately 45 schools contribute to the Marquette Challenge. Since the inception of the Challenge, students nationwide have raised more than $1.3 million dollars for the Foundation for Physical Therapy. Dr. Schuit and Dr. Russell Carter, chair of the Physical Therapy Department at GSU, were both thrilled to be a part of their students’ fundraising efforts.
“We’re extremely proud of our students,” Dr. Schuit added. “We are looking forward to raising even greater participation in the coming years.”
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Alpha Eta Honor Society Chapter
to Form
The College of Health and Human Service’s departments of Physical Therapy, Communication Disorders, Addictions Studies, and Health Administration have been granted permission to establish a local chapter of the National Scholastic Honor Society known as Alpha Eta. (The three other departments within our College—Nursing, Occupational Therapy, and Social Work—have already formed alignments with their respective National Honor Societies.)
Students and alumni who meet the high academic standards required by the Alpha Eta Society will be invited to particpate in the organization.
In her letter of request for the chapter’s establishment, Dean Linda Samson noted that the College’s students “truly exemplify the motto of the Alpha Eta Society—‘Together We Serve.’ They’ve devoted themselves to helping promote the health, well-being, and improved quality of life for some of the region’s most vulnerable populations. These highly engaged individuals, I am certain, will distinguish themselves through their scholarship and achievements as members of the Alpha Eta Society."
The Chapter is currently in the process of being formed. Additional information about Alpha Eta may be obtained by contacting Nancy Burley at n-burley@govst.edu.
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Nursing Grad Elected to Cancer Society Post
Mary Maryland, RN, Ph.D., a 1983 MSN graduate, has been elected the new president of the Illinois Division of the American Cancer Society. In this position, which is the highest medical and scientific volunteer office in Illinois, Dr. Maryland will provide leadership on the Society’s core mission strategies of research, education, advocacy, and patient services. She also will serve as its chief spokesperson on all medical and scientific matters.
Dr. Maryland is currently a board-certified adult nurse practitioner for NP Care of Illinois and is a staff nurse for Gottlieb Memorial Hospital. In her free time, she is a member of the Illinois Nurses Association and serves on the board of directors of the American Nurses Association (ANA), the American Nurses Credentialing Center, and the ANA Political Action Committee.
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Calling All CHHS Alumni!
The folks in the College of Health and Human Services would like to "stay connected" with their alumni. They encourage alumni to follow this link — www.govst.edu/chhs/alumni/stayconnected/ — and fill out the “Let’s Stay Connected” Alumni information form.
Website visitors are also invited to view the College magazine, Make Someone’s Life Better. Simply go to www.govst.edu/chhs and click on the magazine cover in the bottom left hand corner.
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