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CHPConnect
College of Health Professions Newsletter
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Welcome!
Welcome to CHPConnect Volume 2, Issue 3! CHPConnect is a bridge to our college—a two-way connection to engage and share good news, accomplishments, and experiences of our community of students, faculty, staff, and partners.
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| PAS Clinical Student Shares His Passion
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| In May (2023), Physician Assistant Studies (PAS) clinical student, Torey Todd and his preceptor, Casey DeShambo, PA, took some time away from caring for patients at OSF St. Francis Hospital and Medical Group in Escanaba, Michigan to share their love of medicine with some curious kiddos! They recently visited the MDS CAA Early Childhood Program Head Start and Early Head Start in Gladstone to talk about why you should see a doctor. They also had some fun and let the kids listen to their hearts while spending some time playing outside!
"Thank you for visiting our center!" MDS CAA
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PAS Alumni, Torey Todd (far right) with Early Head Start Students
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Chief Growth Officer for the State of Michigan,
Hilary Doe, Visits the Health Campus
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Hilary Doe (fifth from left)
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Hilary Doe, Michigan's first-ever Chief Growth Officer of the State of Michigan appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, met with Provost Mili and a team of administrators while touring our Health Campus. They discussed opportunities to grow Michigan's population and economy and the role that higher education, and more specifically health care, can play in this growth.
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| | Community Partner Engagement
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Translating Evidence into Practice: DrOT Student Provides Obesity-Focused Training
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DrOT student and adjunct faculty member Jamie Drow, MS, OTRL, developed a full-day PDU event as part of her doctoral capstone research project focused on appropriate care for obese patients in acute care. OT practitioners face many barriers to optimal care provision for patients of size, despite the existence of evidence-based guidelines and online training resources. Using a knowledge-translation approach, Jamie is examining the efficacy of hands-on training for OT practitioners currently practicing in acute care with patients who are morbidly obese.
Jamie was awarded the Presidential Grant and partnered with the GVSU Simulation Center. The PDU event took place on July 15 in multiple simulation spaces in the DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health, utilizing a hired model patient, existing and rented bariatric equipment, and a new bariatric simulation suit. Community partners that contributed to the success of the event include CareLinc, Hill-Rom, and University of Michigan Health-West. Training also included segments on the impacts of obesity, the role of OT, and destigmatizations. There were 17 participants, representing nearly all regions of the State of Michigan.
Jamie's capstone advisor is Dr. Claire Dolislager, Assistant Professor in the OST Department.
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| | Student Achievements & Recognition
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OST Students Awarded Presidential Research Grant!
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 | OST students (left to right), Renee Olsen, Madie Knaggs, Jonathan Newby, Paige Flickinger, and Allyssa Grant
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THE GRADUATE SCHOOL | PRESIDENTIAL RESEARCH GRANT
Occupational Science and Therapy students, Paige Flickinger, Allyssa Toth, Madielyn Knaggs, Johnathan Newby, and Renee Olsen were each awarded $525 to pursue their research titled Cerebral Palsy and Social Participation: A Case Report. In addition, to receiving their grant award, the Graduate School is providing additional funding for their expenses to present their research findings at a professional conference.
Congratulations, well done!
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Athletic Training Alumni Inducted into State and National Level Hall of Fame!
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|  | Lorin Cartwright, AT, ATC, CAA
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Lorin Cartwright - National Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame
Athletic Training is honored to announce that alumna Lorin Cartwright, AT, ATC, CAA was inducted into the National Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame at the annual meeting in Indianapolis this summer. This is the highest honor that can be bestowed on an Athletic Trainer. In addition, she has been the recipient of the NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award in 2018, the GLATA Golden Pinnacle Award and induction into the GLATA Hall of Fame in 2016, the GLATA Outstanding Educator Award in 2010, the GLATA Athletic Trainer Award in 2002, the Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award from the Michigan Athletic Trainers Society in 1999, and the NATA Distinguished Service Award in 1998.
Lorin graduated from the GV Athletic Training program in 1979 and spent the majority of her career at the high school level as both an Athletic Trainer and Athletic Director/Assistant Principal in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She had a storied volunteer service to the profession including Education Chair of the Michigan Athletic Trainers Society (MATS), and the first woman and high school AT to serve as President of the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers Association (GLATA). Lorin received an appointment by the Governor to the Michigan Board of Athletic Training and the Task Force on Women in Sports. At the national level, Lorin served on the Ethics Committee and the Secondary School Committee, as well as the NATA LGBTQA+ Advisory Committee. Her commitment to diversity and inclusion led her to found and chair the MATS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Lorin states she was inspired to serve and give back to the profession by a long-time Grand Valley Athletic Trainer, Doug Woods, AT Ret.
Lorin is the author or coauthor of eight books, including the popular Preparing for the Athletic Trainers' Certification Exam and Cultural Competence in Athletic Training and Fundamentals of Athletic Training.
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Gretchen Goodman -
Michigan Athletic Trainers Society Hall of Fame
Athletic Training is proud to announce that alumna and current Associate Director of Athletics—Athletics Health Care Gretchen Goodman has been inducted into the Michigan Athletic Trainers Society (MATS) Hall of Fame. Requirements for this honor include contributions and service that enhance the profession of Athletic Training in the state of Michigan. From working as a committee member to then chairing the Athletic Training Student Committee, she organized the annual MATS Student Symposium, providing excellent educational and professional socialization. Gretchen was elected President of MATS in 2017 and served as the Michigan representative to the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers Association. She founded and currently serves as the Chair for the Leadership Excellence and Development Series (LEADS) helping identify and prepare the next generation to step into leadership roles in MATS.
Gretchen graduated from GV’s Athletic Training Program in 2004 and WMU with a Master's degree. Gretchen has worked in a variety of capacities within healthcare, including direct patient care, collegiate athletes, clinical oversight of an orthopedic practice, as well as athletics administration.
Congratulations, Lorin and Gretchen!
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PAS Student Selected to Attend National
Advocacy Day Summit in Washington, DC
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Class of 2024 GVSU PAS student, Kathryn Rabine, was selected to be one of three Michigan PA students to attend the American Academy of Physician Associates National Leadership and Advocacy Summit (LAS) in Washington, DC. The event, from September 28-30, is dedicated to federal advocacy and visits with legislators on Capitol Hill. The remainder of LAS focuses on key developments facing the profession, association management, leadership best practices, and advocacy skill-building.
We are excited for Katy and know this will be a great opportunity for her and our GVSU PAS program!
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Scholarships and Awards
for Recreational Therapy Students
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PEG CONNOLLY SCHOLARSHIP | ATRA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Naomi Baker received the Peg Connolly Scholarship for the ATRA Annual Conference. Naomi is currently completing her internship at Mary Free Bed, and will be graduating in August. This working scholarship brings students to the national recreational therapy conference to learn, service, and network with professionals from around the world. The conference will be in St. Louis.
GVSU SEYKORA LEADERSHIP AWARD
Kathryn (KC) Thornton was selected as one of the GVSU Seykora Leadership Award. One of 7 selected students, KC (a recreational therapy major) was recognized for her leadership at the university and program level. KC was a member of the Cook Leadership Institute and served as President of the Recreational Therapy Student Association.
MICHIGAN THERAPEUTIC RECREATION ASSOCIATION CERTIFICATION SCHOLARSHIP
Naomi Baker, Emma Peak, and Emily Shaffer were all awarded the Michigan Therapeutic Recreation Association Certification Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded based on academic achievement and involvement in the profession and pays for the national certification exam that recreational therapists take.
Congratulations to all!
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PAS Traverse City Students Participate in
Street Medicine to Serve the Homeless
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Traverse City students in the PAS program can now give back to the community and help those disenfranchised through a new program. PAS students will work with Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan to help the homeless in Traverse City through health checks. Observing and supporting healthcare professionals, students will experience caring for those who are on the margins of the healthcare system and don't necessarily get care from any other source. Volunteering to help clean camps and surrounding areas will also give PAS students first-hand exposure to how social determinants of health can have a drastic effect on one's health.
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| | Faculty Recognition, Grants, and Awards
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First Fulbright in the College of Health Professions!Dr. Beth Macauley, Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, is the first Fulbright faculty in the College of Health Professions. Dr. Macauley was named a Fulbright Specialist in June 2023. The U.S. Department of State Fulbright Specialist Program is a unique opportunity for U.S. academics and established professionals to engage in two- to six-week, project-based exchanges at host institutions across the globe. To be named a Fulbright Specialist, the applicant must have significant experience in their respective field, as demonstrated by professional, academic, or artistic achievements. The application includes three letters of recommendation from well-respected peers in their discipline who can speak to the candidate’s expertise and ability to represent the U.S. internationally. Dr. Macauley’s letters of recommendation were written by speech-language pathology faculty who had received honors from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Fulbright Specialists are named for a three-year term and can be matched with international projects every two years. Dr. Macauley is hoping to be matched with potential projects in Turkey, Israel, or South Africa. She will update us on her Fulbright Specialist projects in future newsletters.
Congratulations, Beth!
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Dawn DeVries, DHA, MPH, CTRS
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Dawn DeVries Receives
Faculty of the Year AwardDawn DeVries, program director and associate professor of Recreational Therapy received the "Faculty of the Year Award" from the Office of Student Life.
Congratulations, Dawn!
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Carla Floyd-Slabaugh Dr.OT, OTRL, CBIS
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Carla Floyd-Slabaugh Awarded FTLC Teaching Innovation Grant
Carla Floyd-Slabaugh, assistant professor of Occupational Science and Therapy, was awarded $2,628.40 for her project titled Developing Depth in the Area of Assessment.
Great job, Carla!
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PAS Department Participates in Rural Clinical Training Research Study
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The GVSU PAS department was one of only a small number of PA programs across the country selected to participate in a research study aimed at addressing the practices and experiences of rurally focused programs and providing care to those in rural communities. Issues such as clinical rotation experiences, student housing, financial incentives, and system barriers were addressed. The GVSU PAS program and the Traverse City Campus have been recognized for their commitment to providing education to students from rural or underserved populations with the goal they return to those settings to provide healthcare in those communities. Participation in these types of studies will continue to identify obstacles and propose solutions to improve healthcare for those in rural locations.
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New T/TT Position in Traverse City for Dr. Nick KopackiDr. Nick Kopacki was selected for the Tenure/Tenure track faculty position at the Traverse City location. Nick was previously in an affiliate faculty position at this campus and brings almost 10 years of experience to the position. There were many qualified candidates, however, Nick has proven to be an exceptional faculty member and Northern Michigan advocate!
Congratulations Nick!
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The 14th and Final Year of sHaPe Camp held July 2023
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Dean Zhang with sHaPe Camp kids!
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| Thank you to the hundreds of GVSU faculty, staff, students, community members, and funders who made it possible for over 500 middle school students to experience hands-on Health Professions 2010-2023! Read Grand Valley's Community Newsletter FORUM article here.
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| | Diana Briggs
OST Academic Coordinator
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Diana Briggs started at Grand Valley State University in 2002 worked for the WGVU-TV station. Her job activities included scheduling the “non-commercial” ad breaks for TV, fundraising activities, budgets, purchasing, grants, and Uplinks! Uplinks involve other news stations like ESPN, CNN, Fox News, CNBC, etc., booking a guest in WGVU's studio for a national interview. These interviews occurred due to a hot news topic or current event. Diana would coordinate the guest's arrival, the production and engineering crew, then purchase the satellite time and set up the coordinates (azimuth, elevation, and polarity) for the uplink. This part of her role generated about $250,000 a year for the TV station. The technology is now obsolete, but it was a Star Trek experience while it lasted!
After working there for nine years, Diana took a position with the College of Health Professions as an academic coordinator for the Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy programs with secondary support for the Physician Assistant Studies program. However, these programs grew so rapidly, the university created one PSS position per program. It was then she was invited, by her former director, Cynthia Grapczynski, to join her team full time in the OT department, and has been there ever since—this year marks her 21st anniversary. She has never stopped believing in our mission of fulfilling the educational successes of our students.
On a more personal note, Diana lives in Clarksville, Michigan with her husband, Scott, and their four pets—one dog and three cats. (And yes, for those wondering, the train does come through Clarksville almost every day, so it is never the "last" train). In their leisure time, Diana and Scott like to visit with family and friends, travel, and go to car shows. They have two antique British cars named Betty and Buttercup. Betty is a red 1976 MGB and Buttercup is a yellow 1953 MG TD Roadster.
Thanks for sharing, Diana!
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...a note from Dean Jackie
This is the fourth newsletter since we started the first issue in October last year. It has served as a useful platform to promote our student, faculty and staff achievements across units and programs. It also serves as a media to communicate with our alumni, clinical preceptors, and friends inside and outside of GVSU. I would like to express my sincere thanks to our part-time marketing team for their amazing contributions: Teresa Beck, Leslye Allen, and Jessica Vermeersch, thank you! We also appreciate those who wrote and submitted stories for our newsletters. Starting this issue, faculty, staff and students will be highlighted based on the selections of the marketing team. Please let us know if you have more ideas on how to improve our newsletters.
We had a remarkable 2022-2023 academic year. More than 2,000 students successfully graduated from our college, among whom 1,300 were undergraduate students and 700 were graduates; three programs received their re-accreditations, with the highest possible numbers of years granted by their respective accreditation bodies; over two million-dollar grants were submitted; 17 faculty and staff members were hired or under search; two thirds of our programs recruited equal or more students than the year before; more faculty and students presented at national and international conferences than the previous year; and many faculty, staff members and students played leadership roles and contributed to community development in our neighborhood and state/national organizations on behalf of our college and GVSU. We are so proud of their achievements and leadership.
Looking forward, we continue to focus on program accreditations and re-accreditations, program growth, student enrollment and empowerment, research, interprofessional education and community partnership. All of these commitments are epitomized in Reach Higher 2025, university and academic affairs priorities, KPIs, and Blue Dot initiatives. By working together as a team and a family, I believe we will continue to achieve more success in our commitment and become a more diverse, visible, student-focused and community-oriented college.
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