UTA had excellent representation from the College of Nursing and Health Innovation (CONHI) and the School of Social Work at the National Academies of Practice 2025 Annual Meeting and Forum, March 13-15, in Washington, D.C.

The National Academies of Practice (NAP) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1981 to advise governmental bodies on health care. Distinguished practitioners and scholars are elected by their peers from multiple different health professions. NAP firmly supports collaboration and coordination of different healthcare professions to advocate for patients and model excellence in interprofessional and preventive care. The organization is comprised of 17 different professional academies, and membership as a fellow or professional member requires nomination by another member or fellow, application with rigorous review with recommendation by the academy of their profession, and final approval by the NAP Council. Appointment as a Distinguished Fellow includes the allowed use of the FNAP credentials. 

New inductees to NAP as Distinguished Fellows included Dr. Elizabeth Merwin, Professor of Nursing and Dr. Kimberly Siniscalchi, Professor of Practice, CONHI. New inductees for Professional Membership included Dr. Jennifer Roye, Assistant Dean for Simulation and Technology, CONHI.

Other CONHI representation at the Forum included Dr. Tanya Sudia, Interim Dean, Professor, and Chief Nursing Officer, NAP Distinguished Fellow and Dr. Laura Kunkel, Director, MS in Athletic Training Program and Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Kinesiology , NAP Distinguished Fellow. Representation from the School of Social Work included Tracy Orwig, Director of Interprofessional Education and Associate Professor of Practice for the School of Social Work, NAP Distinguished Fellow; Dr. Noelle Fields, Associate Professor of Social Work, NAP Distinguished Fellow; and Karen Magruder, Program Director for the Doctor of Social Work and Associate Professor of Practice.

UTA Faculty also presented at the Forum: Dr. Roye, Professor Magruder, Dr. Fields, Professor Orwig, and Dr. Bau Tran, Assistant Professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center presented, Synchronizing Success: Strategies for Multi-Site Interprofessional Education in Discharge Planning. Dr. Kunkel also presented a poster, Athletic Trainers in the Interprofessional Sport-Related Concussion Management Team.

Representing UTA in the NAP Leadership Council, Dr. Kunkel also began her term as Chair-Elect of the Athletic Training Academy.

Picture 1: Dr. Laura Kunkel

Picture 2: NAP group photo

Picture 3 (L to R): Dr. Bau Tran, Professor Tracy Orwig, Dr. Jenny Roye, Dr. Noelle Fields, Professor Karen Magruder.

Picture 4 (L to R): Dr. Noelle Fields, Dr. Laura Kunkel, Professor Tracy Orwig, Dr. Kimberly Siniscalchi, Dr. Jenny Roye, Dr. Elizabeth Merwin, Dr. Tanya Sudia.

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UTA recognizes Women's History Month

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Presentations by the Kinesiology Department.
To learn more contact: kinesiology@uta.edu 

Ahmed Yacoub, a Ph.D. student in the UTA department of Kinesiology, received the 1st place award for best presentation by the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) National Student Research Group (NSRG).

Yacoub competed against six other finalists during the 411 Rapid Research Competition in New York City last week.

Yacoub's presentation, titled “Semiconductor Dielectric Coatings on Cranial Implants Boost Osteogenesis and Rapid Bone Apposition,” reflects the focus of his research in the UTA Bone-Muscle Research Center and Dr. Venu Varanasi’s Musculoskeletal Nanobiomaterials Laboratory.

Congratulations, Ahmed!

Stacy Shelton, Administrative Assistant II for the CONHI Center for Research and Scholarship, was voted 2024 Advisor of the Year by the Delta Upsilon Fraternity for the second consecutive year. Shelton has become a highly effective advisor for Delta Upsilon at UTA, and has remained committed to creating an atmosphere of success and well-being for the fraternity and its members.

Congratulations, Stacy!

Last month, students from Lancaster ISD's GEAR UP program toured our Smart Hospital, learning valuable insight into the world of nursing school. GEAR UP, which stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, is a grant program designed to enhance the preparedness of students for postsecondary education, offering services like college tours, summer enrichment programs, and career exploration. View more here

In February, CONHI Student Success partnered with the UTA Mav Pantry to install a Pocket Pantry in Pickard Hall! The pantry, located in CONHI Student Success Center (PKH-220), is restocked weekly and is one of five others located throughout campus. CONHI Student Success also has a Freebie Corner with books, office supplies, and hygiene items available to students. If you would like to donate any food, hygiene, or school supplies to CONHI Student Success – please stop by PKH-220 to do so.

Additionally, the CONHI Student Success also received a Stryker Stretcher from Parkland Hospital’s Nursing Education Department. The stretcher can be used by students to practice their skills and prepare for head-to-toe assessment demonstrations.

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Photos from the CONHI Research Symposium

For international women's day, the UTA CONHI Center for Research and Scholarship sponsored members of the CONHI Kinesiology department to cheer on our Lady Mavs in a match against California Baptist.