Caroline King didn’t expect to get involved in research when she arrived at The University of Texas at Arlington. But after joining the Honors College and taking a job with the Center for Rural Health and Nursing, she found herself diving into a literature review on midwifery in rural Texas. Read more

The Center for Rural Health and Nursing hosted the 2025 Asian American/Pacific Islander Nursing Association (AAPINA) Conference on July 10 – 11 at The University of Texas at Arlington. The event brought together esteemed nursing professionals, scholars, and leaders from around the world. This year's conference theme was, "Addressing Healthcare Disparities through Nursing Research, Practice, Education, and Leadership".

The North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA) annual conference was attended by Motor Development Lab team members: Crystal Alvarez, a PhD student a Lab manager, and Dr. Priscila Tamplain, Lab director, in June 2025. Dr. Shikha Prashad, Cognitive Motor Neuroscience Lab Director, and Victoria Rednoske, a PhD student and Lab member, also attended.

The North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity is a multidisciplinary association of scholars from the behavioral sciences and related professions. 

Crystal E. Alvarez, a Kinesiology PhD student, had two verbal presentations during this conference. 1) Detecting motor challenges in autistic and dyspraxic children: A contrast between clinical- and research-based motor assessments and 2) Similar challenges in postural control maintenance, but unique strategy mechanisms: A comparison of sensory organization challenges in autistic children and those with DCD.
Her dissertation research examines postural control profiles in autistic children and children with Developmental Coordination Disorder. Congratulations to Crystal for her accomplishment.

This past June, Aspen Drude, manager of CONHI's Center for Rural Health and Nursing; Lauri Hix, graduate assistant and PhD student; and Caroline King, a CONHI nursing student and newest team member of the Center for Rural Health and Nursing, traveled to Helsinki, Finland for the 2025 International Conference of Nurses. Approximately 7,000 healthcare professionals from across the globe attended the event, providing opportunities to network and discuss various approaches to improving health outcomes.

Drude shared a presentation titled, "Bridging the Gap: University Creation of Center for Rural Health and Nursing and Its Impact on Rural Communities," while Hix and King shared a presentation titled, “Addressing Maternal Care Deserts: Overcoming Obstacles to Ensure High-Quality Care in Rural and Underserved Regions".

"Presenting in Helsinki was both a professional milestone and a personal inspiration," says Hix. "The experience reaffirmed the global relevance of addressing healthcare inequities and strengthened my commitment to advancing maternal and child health through policy advocacy, cross-sector partnerships, and culturally competent care delivery."

Learn about the Health Informatics Program

Save the date in September for the 5th Annual Texas Health Informatics Alliance Conference.

To register for the conference click here.

Courtney Jackson was a participant in the NACADA program. The Global Community for Academic Advising is pleased to announce the class members of the 2025-2027 Emerging Leaders Program. The purpose of NACADA’s Emerging Leaders Program is to develop diverse members’ leadership skills, expand their professional networks, and contribute to the advancement of academic advising within the Association.

Congratulations to Courtney for being selected as one of the twelve new 2025 – 2027 NACADA Emerging Leaders!

CONHI nursing students work through an 'escape project' during the summer program.

CONHI staff attendees at UTA's Benefits and Wellness Fair.

CONHI faculty and staff pictured at annual community conference.
Also pictured: guest speaker Shannon McKain.

Escape the Summer Sizzle

The CONHI Smart Hospital has partnered with Public Health and the School of Social Work to provide education for our students on summer safety. The escape room activity will be on display June through August 1. UTA students students are  welcome to come over and see if they can "escape" the summer sizzle.

All UTA faculty and staff are welcome, as well. The escape room is Room 123 of the School of Social Work and Smart Hospital building.