Dr. Elaine Maimon Installed as GSU's Fifth President
Dr. Elaine P. Maimon was installed as Governors State University’s fifth president on November 3rd. She succeeds former President Stuart I. Fagan. In a ceremony hosted by longtime NBC5 anchor Warner Saunders, Maimon accepted her post and pledged a resurgent commitment on the part of GSU to the region served by the university. (Installation Downloads). The College of Health Professions welcomes President Maimon and looks forward to working with her to address the region’s pressing health issues.
chhs Dean Linda Samson said, “We welcome Dr. Maimon, and we thank Dr. Stuart Fagan for his years of service as GSU’s president. His commitment to the region and to this institution has left a rich legacy for GSU and the College of Health Professions.”
Fagan retired from his position in June.
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New Doc Programs in the Works
The College successfully launched Governors State University’s first doctorate program this summer with the Doctor of Physical Therapy. The College is now moving ahead with two new doctoral programs: the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (Dr.OT). Currently, the proposed programs await approval from the Illinois Board of Higher Education.
“These new doctorates will serve two important needs,” said Dean Linda Samson. “First, they will put graduates out there in the field with the level of expertise they need to bring quality care and expert management to patients and families in hospitals, clinics, and health facilities. These are the graduates who will raise the level of care and create systems-based solutions to improve healthcare.”
The result of this doctoral level of preparation will be better care of patients and better utilization of resources.
Samson continued, “The second need addressed, both in nursing and occupational therapy, is the emerging shortage of educators who will teach the next generation of nurses and occupational therapists. Our doctoral programs will help address that shortage and bring skilled educators to college and university faculties.”
Samson stressed that the DNP in particular will not replace RNs. “RNs and BSNs will be in as great of demand as ever,” she said. “The DNP will support the work that they do, not replace them.”
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chhs to Host Professional Practice Doctorate Panel January 10
While it is an absolutely vital development for professional practice and education, the professional practice doctorate generates some confusion - and resistance. Some have argued that the professional doctorate is a "Ph.D. lite." Not so, and the College of Health Professions is presenting an expert panel discussion on the topic of professional practice doctorate degrees to inform people about their importance - and why they are not designed to replace or stand in for a Ph.D.
"The Ph.D. is a research degree," said Dean Linda Samson. "Ph.D.s do the science and the investigations that expand what we know."
Samson explained that the professional doctorate isn't designed to do that.
Instead, professional practice doctorates are adapted to the needs of their professions. Versatility is the result. For example, some practice doctorates, like the Doctor of Nursing Practice, will help put educators in the classroom to teach the next generation of health professionals. Others are suited to putting managers in place who understand systems-based solutions.
Beyond the fundamental goal of advancing the level of practice in the field, Dr. Rebecca Wojcik, associate professor of physical therapy, said disciplines like hers are turning to the professional doctorate as the entry-level degree for practice.
The chhs panel, “Advancing Professional Practice: An Expert Discussion on the Professional Practice Doctorate,” will be held in Governors State University's Sherman Music Recital Hall, from 1 - 4 p.m., on January 10. The panelists are:
Dr. Steven Crow, President of The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools Dr. Donna Hathaway, Dean of Nursing at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis Dr. David Gale, Dean for the College of Health Sciences at Eastern Kentucky University Dr. Linda Samson, Dean of the College of Health Professions at Governors State University Dr. Eric Martin, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Governors State University
To attend, RSVP to i-baldwin@govst.edu.
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Social Work Programs Reaffirmed
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) has reaffirmed accreditation for the College of Health Professions’ Social Work programs for eight more years. The reaffirmation was confirmed at the CSWE’s June meeting of its Commission on Accreditation. The reaffirmation continues accreditation for both the undergraduate and graduate Social Work degree programs.
“I’m very proud of Dr. Outlaw [Gerri Outlaw, chair of the College’s Department of Social Work] and the entire faculty,” said chhs Dean Linda Samson. “They’ve devoted an extraordinary amount of effort to the programs – and their work has been impressive.”
Samson added that the Department’s reaccreditation focus undertook a significant restructuring of both the undergraduate and graduate programs to effectively align the curricula.
“Now the Bachelor of Social Work provides a smooth transition to the Master's program," she said. "For students entering the Master’s with advanced standing, that means a streamlined path to degree completion.”
Dr. Outlaw said that the most important part of this integration was the infusion of a social justice philosophy as the underpinning of both programs. She added that this social justice ethic is essential to educating social workers who will have the skills and understanding necessary to improve the lives of marginalized groups.
The Master of Social Work program at GSU was first accredited in 2003 for a four year period. The university’s Bachelor of Social Work program has been accredited since 1991. The reaccreditation for both programs is good through 2015.
The current application deadline new students in the Master of Social Work program is February 15, 2008.
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More Accreditation News
Communication Disorders
Site visitors from the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) were on campus during the week of October 22 to review the College’s Master of Health Science in Communication Disorders (CDIS) program.
CDIS Department Chair Dr. Sandra Mayfield is optimistic about the results.
“The reaccreditation site visitors gave the program an excellent review during their exit report [given to the program],” she said.
The Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA), responsible for the final decision on whether the program meets the standards for reaccreditation, will announce its formal decision at its spring meeting.
Health Administration
The Department of Health Administration welcomes its site team visit from the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) December 5 – 7. The visit is part of the department’s reaccreditation process – a process which has been in the works almost since the program’s last accreditation visit.
“I’m looking forward to it,” said Department Chair Dr. Kyusuk Chung. “I think we’re in very good shape. In terms of faculty, scholarship, and productivity we’re doing great. Most important, we have a strong curriculum.”
Chung said the visit follows an intensive self-study and review process undertaken by the department’s faculty. The self-study generated a three volume report that examines every facet of the program.
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Leadership Changes
The College of Health Professions extends its thanks and congratulations to Drs. Greg Blevins, Kyusuk Chung, and Nancy MacMullen who have taken over as department chairs for Addictions Studies/Behavioral Health, Health Administration, and Nursing, respectively. Each has hit the ground running, tackling the challenges that come with the positions. Chung’s transition to chair comes during the MHA program’s labor-intensive reaccreditation process.
“I’m grateful to Dr. Chung for accepting his new position as department chair,” said chhs Dean Dr. Linda Samson. “He brings a wealth of experience and tremendous ability to the position, and I’m glad to have him leading the reaccreditation effort.”
MacMullen’s promotion brings similar challenges. The Department of Nursing is working to bring the new Doctor of Nursing Practice up to speed and ready for Fall 2008 admissions.
“Dr. MacMullen is providing excellent leadership in developing the new DNP,” Samson said. “With the new DNP, the Nursing Department needs strong leadership, support, and vision. Nancy brings those things to the table, and I’m proud see her taking the lead.”
Dr. Blevins assumed responsibilities for the Addictions Studies/Behavioral Health Department after Dr. Arthur Durant passed away last spring. Dr. Blevins appointment comes at a time of growth for the Addictions Studies MHS program and with significant need-based aid available to support students through the program.
Dean Samson also expressed her gratitude to Dr. Ralph Bell, who served as Health Administration department chair for five years.
“Dr. Bell has done an extraordinary job in developing and improving the quality of our programs in health administration,” she said. “His work has been outstanding, and I want to thank him on behalf of myself and the entire College of Health Professions.”
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chhs Professors Emeritus
Professor Donna Gellatly
Governors State University’s Board of Trustees has accepted and approved the nomination of retired Health Administration Professor Donna Gellatly as Professor Emeritus.
Health Administration Department Chair Dr. Kyusuk Chung said Professor Gellatly’s 22 years of service to the College of Health Professions have been exemplary. “Professor Gellatly established a reputation for being one of the most effective teachers at Governors State,” he said. “She’s a noted figure in finance and accounting pedagogy, and she has left an unparalleled legacy to our program.”
Chung notes that Gellatly worked to build a network of healthcare administrators in the region that helped the program’s students tap into some of the most rewarding practicum and job opportunities.
Dr. Jay Lubinsky
The Board of Trustees has also accepted and approved Dr. Jay Lubinsky’s nomination as Professor Emeritus for Communication Disorders. Lubinsky, who served as chair prior to his retirement last year, helped bring the College’s Communication Disorders program through its first accreditation more than a quarter century ago. He has been a vital force in the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) and helped develop the organization’s accreditation standards. Lubinsky has served Governors State and the profession for over three decades.
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2007 Accelerated Scholar Selected
DPT student Idris Omosanya has been chosen as the College of Health Professions' 2007 Accelerated Scholar. For Omosanya, the award means paid tuition for his three years of study in the program. The Accelerated Scholar program is funded by Accelerated Rehabilitation Centers, which has positioned itself as a strong benefactor of the College's Physical Therapy program. Accelerated will fund one new Accelerated Scholar each year and offer the Scholars mentoring opportunities as well.
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Arthur Durant Scholarship
The College has been deeply saddened by the loss of one of its own this year. Dr. Arthur Durant, who served as chair and professor in the Department of Addictions Studies and Behavior Health, passed away in March. His profound courage and unwavering commitment to his students continue to inspire, and the College wishes to commemorate his legacy to the College of Health Professions through the Arthur Durant Endowed Scholarship in Addictions Studies. If you wish to help the College provide scholarship funds to Addictions Studies students in Arthur’s name, please contact the Governors State University Foundation at 708.534.4105 and tell them you wish to contribute to the Arthur Durant Scholarship fund.
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chhs 2007 Annual Report Off the Press
The College of Health Professions' 2007 Annual Report is now in print and online. This year's issue features prominent and successful chhs alumni, health disparities research, chhs's new professional doctorates, social work reaffirmation, and more. If you'd like to be on the mailing list to receive a copy of the 2007 Annual Report, e-mail Nancy Burley at n-burley@govst.edu with your name, address, and affiliation. Or you may see a pdf version of the publication on the chhs website.
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