Healthy Connections Newsletter
Spring 2017 Volume 2 Number 1
From the Dean’s Office
Spring brings new beginnings - the start of a new year and hopefully the end of winter! It also allows us to reflect on the accomplishments from the previous year while anticipating the promise of the months ahead. The Beaver College of Health Sciences experienced continued growth in student enrollment, faculty grants, as well as student and faculty scholarly work. We are excited about our growth and our future. More importantly, our students are excited about their future. In this issue you will read about some of our most promising scholars, as well as some extremely talented interns. The drive and dedication of our students is the strength of our College. Their stories are impressive and they motivate us all to be the best that we can be. You will also read about some of our amazing faculty. They are the advisors, directors and leaders for our growth. Their stories reflect the impact not only on our college, but on our community and beyond. This year and every year we strive for better capacity to support our students. We are excited about our new facility and the opportunity it brings for our expansion into our community and beyond. As I reflect on the stories of our newsletter, I am amazed at how much goes into our College. The impetus for creating our newsletter was to celebrate our students, faculty and staff. Connecting with BCHS alumni, prospective students, and the Greater Appalachian community is another goal we hope to achieve through this forum. Our College has celebrated many successes in the past year, and we look forward to sharing our continued success with you. We hope you will share our stories with your networks as well! Please enjoy this issue of our newsletter as we share the many ways the BCHS family demonstrates its commitment to Educate. Engage. Elevate. We appreciate the continuing support of our alumni, donors and stakeholders and look forward to another great year. Susan Roggenkamp, Ph.D. Interim Dean, Beaver College of Health Sciences
Departments, Programs & Degrees Communication Sciences & Disorders B.S. Communication Sciences & Disorders M.S. Speech-Language Pathology
Health & Exercise Science B.S. Exercise Science B.S. Athletic Training B.S. Public Health M.S. Exercise Science
Nursing B.S.N. M.S.N.
Nutrition & Health Care Management B.S. Health Care Management B.S. Nutrition and Foods M.S. Nutrition M.H.A.
Recreation Management & Physical Education B.S. Recreation Management B.S. Health & Physical Education
Social Work B.S.W. M.S.W.
About the College The Beaver College of Health Sciences seeks to be the most comprehensive academic center for health professions in western North Carolina. It provides transformative education, interdisciplinary research opportunities, and service to local and regional communities. The faculty across six departments, ten undergraduate programs, and six graduate programs equip high quality graduates for successful careers or advanced study. For more about the college, visit:
healthsciences.appstate.edu
The Power...
Appalachian NextGen Health Collaboration By Audrey Gurkin
Appalachian State University’s Beaver College of Health Sciences (BCHS) and Appalachian Regional Healthcare System (ARHS) are forging even closer links by forming the Appalachian NextGen Health Collaboration to maximize opportunities in education, research and care innovation. The collaboration brought together by Co-Directors Dr. Scott Collier, Exercise Science Program Director and Director of The Vascular Biology and Autonomic Studies Laboratory at Appalachian, and Dr. Joe Morgan, Anesthesiologist at ARHS and Adjunct Professor at Appalachian, will strengthen and build upon existing relationships between the hospital and the University, with a continued focus on making a meaningful difference to the health and well-being of people living in the high country and beyond. The collaboration complements BCHS “Educate, Engage and Elevate” strategy and is one of several strategic developments in which both organizations are jointly engaged. The collaboration aims to improve people’s lives through creative partnerships that transcend traditional boundaries in the delivery of medical interventions, education and research development. Through perpetually improved approaches that leverage technology, the team of scientists, nurses and clinicians will develop a pipeline to rapidly translate research ideas into data, therefore creating a clinical venue for the implementation of next-gen health - one that will serve as a hub for research, education and clinical transformation. The collaborative effort will leverage information and communication technology to conduct research and pursue innovative models of patient care as well as clinical education. The effort will also integrate physiological tracking data (such as information obtained from wearable devices), which will be used to both facilitate research studies, and to better tailor healthcare for individuals in the high country. Broadly speaking, next-gen health and wellness is an approach that looks to leverage advances in technology to deliver more individualized, and more accessible
health care through timely delivery of actionable and personally relevant information. This approach does not rely on ‘bricks and mortar’, and as such may be particularly beneficial wherever there may be limited access to care. According to Dr. Morgan, “The Collaboration opens the door to new opportunities in research, education and patient care that are on the cutting-edge of what is possible today and really stands to make a difference for the high country population.” As patients accept more responsibility for maintaining their health, consumers today have access to more data and information than any other generation. But as any physician or scientist will tell you, data without context is meaningless. For example, just imagine how much more comprehensive your next doctor’s visit would be if you could not only discuss your immediate issues, but also go over the preventative insights provided by months (or even years) of data produced by wearable devices, smartphone data and the like. BCHS Founding Dean Fred Whitt expressed his excitement about the opportunities this collaboration presents, “This collaboration will pool an array of expertise, resources and knowledge to address a wide scope of health issues central to Western North Carolina. This initiative will also help shape our clinical curriculum which will ultimately benefit our students, lending to greater opportunities to have transformational experiences working with professionals in careers our students hope to pursue.” Ultimately, this collaboration will provide opportunities to participate in challenges otherwise limited to large academic research hospitals. The integration of the clinical and research capabilities of Appalachian State University and Appalachian Regional Healthcare System will benefit both students and the community with a transformative patient/subject/student-centered educational and clinical experience. This unique collaboration allows for the creation of a healthcare-delivery entity designed for the patient-centered, distributed, scalable, connected, technology-laden healthcare environment of tomorrow.
... of Research
Cast of “Stages of Success: The Power of Performance” takes center stage before an applauding audience at Appalachian State University. Photo by Audrey Gurkin
Appalachian’s Theatre and Therapy Project By Linda Coutant An interprofessional, exploratory pilot study by faculty members in the departments of Communication Sciences and Disorders and Theatre and Dance shows promise in improving the speech, language and social skills of adolescents and young adults with autism and intellectual disabilities. It also helped boost their self-confidence. Appalachian State University’s Dr. Angela Losardo and Dr. Derek Davidson recently spent 20 weeks examining the efficacy of theatre as a therapeutic intervention for 15- to 25-year-olds with moderate to severe communication impairments, thanks to a grant from the Appalachian’s University Research Council (URC) and a research stipend from the Beaver College of Health Sciences. Read more.
Beaver College of Health Sciences Dean’s Scholarship fuels student success and service
Taylor Goodman selected for internship with the U.S. Army Special Operations Command
Amber Daniel ‘18 is one of the inaugural recipients of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina Dean’s Scholarship for the Beaver College of Health Sciences, one of the most prestigious university scholarships. She majors in Exercise Science and aspires to work as a Physician’s Assistant. Amber said she has always wanted to work in the medical field, but it was her experiences at Appalachian that have helped her find her calling.
Taylor Goodman, a Master’s Degree student in Exercise Science with a concentration in Strength & Conditioning, has been selected for a summer position working with the U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) at Fort Bragg in the Human Performance Department as a Strength & Conditioning Coach. Taylor is currently a Graduate Assistant working with Dr. Abigail Stickford, an Associate Professor in Exercise Science, studying the effects of exercise on sympathetic nervous system activity in anxious women versus their healthy counterparts. She is also an intern with the Appalachian State University Athletics Department, assisting in the training of both Women’s Softball and Basketball teams.
As a Dean’s Scholar, Amber participates in events where she interacts with healthcare professionals, heads of departments in health sciences and the college dean. “Having close relationships with people who are well-versed in the fields I want to go into has definitely been helpful for connecting to resources on campus,” Amber said. “I had the opportunity to meet someone from the committee of the Wake Forest PA program. She shared her experience about transitioning within the field from the emergency room to family practice. The way she described the emergency room - fast-paced, thinking on your feet - it piqued my interest. I think that would be something I would love to do. And when I want to transition into having a family, I could move into something at a different pace.” Amber, a Greensboro native, said her parents are proud to see her succeed as a first generation college student. “That’s something I carry with me when I go to class. I want to make sure I am doing the best I can because my parents did not have that opportunity.” To donors of Appalachian State University, Amber said, “You are helping students to have a unique experience. We take a lot of pride in receiving your donations and in succeeding at what we have come to Appalachian to do.” If you would like more information on student scholarships, naming opportunities, or adding BCHS to your estate plan, please contact Kelli Wilson, Director of Development, at wilsonkh@ appstate.edu or 828-262-6714.
This is the third year in a row a Graduate Student from the Beaver College of Health Sciences Exercise Science Program has been selected for this position. Taylor was selected out of a large number of applicants in a very competitive process. Her job will be to assist the Strength & Conditioning Personnel on-site to train some of the U.S. Army’s most elite soldiers. Taylor is very excited about this unique experience and stated, “Training with our men and women in uniform has always been a dream of mine and I am honored and humbled to have been selected for this position.” The Exercise Science Graduate Faculty are extremely proud of Taylor’s accomplishments. Dr. Jeff McBride, a professor in Exercise Science stated, “Taylor is a perfect example of why our program is so successful with national recognition in the area of Strength & Conditioning. We have become one of the most recognized programs for our success in educating our students and providing these types of fantastic job opportunities. It is an added bonus when we can support and contribute to the success of our U.S. Military men and women.”
Paul Moore Named North Carolina’s 2017 Outstanding Dietetics Educator
The Impact of an Internship Jared Gallion, a Health Promotion major who will graduate this May just completed his internship with Wake Forest Baptist Health. The experience proved to be invaluable. Jared feels that his time at the Beaver College of Health Sciences helped properly prepare him for his internship. “The classes within the program certainly helped me to be successful; specifically program planning and evaluation,” said Jared. The internship also provided great field experience and helped him to further exercise his people and relationship building skills. Jared decided on Appalachian State University because he wanted a community-based career. He also found the people to be extremely friendly and welcoming. Since Jared is an active outdoorsman, he found the scenery and the overall environment to be a complement for his healthy lifestyle. The BCHS provided him with programs and areas of interest that were a good overall fit for him. According to Jared, “Being a student at Appalachian bought about a lot of unexpected responsibility, but in a good way. I became a better student because the required amount of studying helped me to mature and become more independent.” As far as any words of advice, Jared has this to offer, “I wish I would have conducted my internship earlier - perhaps the summer between sophomore and junior year.” However, the timing may have been perfect, as Jared already has a job offer and is hopefully well on his way to the career of his dreams.
Educate. Engage. Elevate
Paul Moore, Lecturer and Assistant Internship Coordinator with the department of Nutrition and Health Care Management, was awarded the North Carolina Outstanding Dietetic Educator Award at the annual North Carolina Dietetic Association in March. The purpose of the Outstanding Dietetics Educator Award is to recognize the teaching, mentoring and leadership activities of faculty in ACEND-accredited dietetics education programs. Congratulations Paul on your well-deserved honor.
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“I believe in process. I believe in four seasons. I believe that winter’s tough, but spring’s coming. I believe that there’s a growing season. And I think that you realize that in life, you grow. You get better.” - Steve Southerland
Appalachian’s new Center for Academic Excellence becomes one-stop shop for effective teaching and learning By Ken Keuffel Dr. Sandi Lane, an assistant professor in the health care management program in the Beaver College of Health Sciences at Appalachian State University, recently taught a fully online course for the first time. She did so after working with on-campus experts to design an effective course that covers content in an engaging way.
Does Green Tea Help You Lose Weight? It’s true that green tea can raise your metabolic rate, so you burn more calories, says Dr. David Nieman, Director of the Human Performance Laboratory at Appalachian State University. Nieman, who has extensively researched green tea, says this effect is probably due to a combination of caffeine and catechins - antioxidants that are plentiful in green tea and present in smaller amounts in some fruits, dark chocolate and red wine. While it may feel like you’re speeding up your metabolism, the effect does little to actually produce any significant change on the scales. You may read the entire story published in Consumer Reports on January 8, 2017.
“For me, teaching online is now less about wrestling with technology and more about rethinking how to educate students,” Lane said. “Students from all across the state can continue their education and grow their career without leaving their current job. We use video conferencing for team meetings so no student feels as if they’re working alone.” Dr. Cole Edwards, an assistant professor in Appalachian’s Department of Geology, wants to take his undergraduate students on a summer trip to Bermuda, where he will study coral reefs. He has taken a couple of workshops that will help him do that: one on the logistics of study abroad, the other on the health and safety of students overseas. “These workshops have been very beneficial to learn what it’ll take to establish such a course here at Appalachian as well as ease any concerns I had about what to do if, for example, someone falls ill or loses a passport,” he said. Lane and Edwards are among the numerous Appalachian professors who have benefited from the services offered by Appalachian’s Center for Academic Excellence (CAE), a single, comprehensive center dedicated to growing excellence in teaching and supporting faculty and student success. Read more.
Dr. Kellie Reed Ashcraft and Emory Maiden III. Photo by Marie Freeman
In the fall of 2016, Dr. Melissa Weddell, Associate Professor in the Department of Recreation Management and Physical Education, was selected as one of four visiting scholars to teach and conduct research at Vancouver Island University (VIU) in Nanaimo, British Columbia. The World Leisure Organization is a world-wide, non-governmental association dedicated to discovering and fostering leisure experience as a force for human development, well-being, employment, and quality of life. As part of the mission, the World Leisure Organization host visiting scholars from around the world on four different University campuses which include Spain, the Netherlands, Canada and the United States. As a visiting scholar, Dr. Weddell co-taught a course titled, “Influencing Change Towards Sustainability” in the Masters of Arts Sustainable Leisure Management Program that enrolls students from all over the world. She also gave a public lecture titled, “Take that Exit: Attracting Tourists to Rural Destinations in the Appalachian Mountains” where she highlighted how tourism is an alternative contributor to the rural economy of the Mountain Region. In addition Weddell co-lead a three day learning lab that included behind the scene tours of social enterprises centered around leisure/recreation startups that are change agents in the city of Vancouver, B.C. The Visiting Scholar Program is designed to bring local and international leaders to VIU to engage with students, faculty and the Vancouver Island region. The purpose of this engagement is to enrich the student experience, to share research and professional experiences, and to explore possibilities for future collaborations. Weddell’s research focuses on rural tourism, specifically balancing local concerns in developing protected areas, encouraging recreation and attracting tourism, while working collaboratively to foster policy change and provide large scale benefit based recreation to improve overall quality of life.
Tina Proctor, Director of Advising and Academic Support for the Beaver College of Health Sciences, was recently awarded the Region 3 Excellence in Advising Administrator for 2017 from the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA). NACADA brings together professional advisors, faculty, administrators, and others in an effort to enhance the educational development of students in higher education. This award is for Region 3, which includes Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia. The Excellence in Advising Administrator award is designed to honor individuals who demonstrate qualities and practices that make significant contributions to the improvement of academic advising. It is no surprise to those who know her and work with her that Ms. Proctor was selected for this award from the many outstanding candidates in the fivestate region. Ms. Proctor has directed advising in the Beaver College of Health Sciences since it was formed in 2010, and she coordinated the transition of her office from a Student Services Center to the Office of Advising and Academic Support. Working with the College’s 6 departments, 160 faculty, and 3,400 students, she also implemented a new advising model in the College: professional advising combined with faculty mentoring. It is because of her vision, attention to detail, leadership style, and communication skills that the Office of Advising and Academic Support has flourished. We can think of no better candidate for this award.
Social Work Impact in Our Region Heather Thorp, Program Director in the Department of Social Work, recently shared the economic impact of Social Work students serving in their field placements. The study reflects the following counties in North Carolina: Alexander, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Cleveland, Davidson, Forsyth, Gaston, Henderson, Iredell, Johnson (TN), Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Orange, Randolph, Rowan, Surry, Wake, Watauga and Wilkes. During the 2015-2016 academic year, 78 Master of Social Work (MSW) students were in the field for 480 hours, resulting in $499,075 worth of service and economic impact. Additionally, 86 Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) students were in the field for 440 hours for one semester resulting in $274,340 worth of service and economic impact. The combined impact of BSW and MSW students was $773,415. These students served in over 100 different agencies and addressed topics such as aging, substance abuse, child protective services, mental health, domestic violence and veterans affairs. Although these field experiences reflect a major monetary impact to our region in a short-term capacity, the influence to our region in the long-term is immeasurable. Many of our Social Work students go on to become employees, leaders and professors that stay right here in North Carolina.
The Beaver College of Health Sciences is pleased to announce that the former B.S. in Health Promotion is changing to a B.S. in Public Health beginning fall 2017. The Public Health curriculum will include the following core competencies: Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Behavioral/Health Education, Environmental and Health Care Systems. An undergraduate major in Public Health will offer students marketable, transferable skills to prepare them for working in health care settings, as well as for opportunities in graduate studies. The program, housed in the Department of Health and Exercise Science, will also offer a minor in Public Health. Public Health faculty are in the process of obtaining accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) and look forward to future opportunities for growth and collaboration.
The Athletic Training program has received approval from the General Administration to begin planning a Master of Science in Athletic Training degree. This process was set in motion by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education’s (CAATE) decision to require masters-level education in all CAATE-accredited professional programs. The program will submit its request to establish the MS-AT program to the General Administration this summer and hopes to welcome its first masters cohort in the summer of 2019. The last undergraduate cohort in Athletic Training will begin in the fall of 2017. Future students interested in Athletic Training will have a variety of options for undergraduate majors, including Exercise Science and Public Health, both housed in the Beaver College of Health Sciences.
The Beaver College of Health Sciences is excited for the successful start of two new Master’s degree programs, the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and the Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA). The first cohorts of both programs began in August 2016. MSN The Master of Science in Nursing program prepares registered nurses for leadership roles as educators in a variety of complex academic or clinical environments. Students enrolled in this program engage in classes that emphasize educational creativity, nursing practice, leadership and research through an integrative methodology approach through best-practice online environments. Graduates may pursue careers in academic education or staff development roles. MHA Master of Health Administration program is an online program designed to meet the needs of working professionals. The program equips graduates with the competencies to be progressive, strong and dynamic leaders of health care organizations throughout western North Carolina, the state and nation. Students have the opportunity to focus in either leadership or health information systems concentrations, with course work offered on a full-time and part-time basis. The courses are designed with a theory to practice perspective that incorporates authentic projects and assignments in an active learning environment. The small class size and use of digital technologies allows students to meet and interact when convenient yet simulates the face-to-face classroom.
News from the Office of Advising and Academic Support
More Great News! 2015 Research Grant Winners Richard Christiana, Joy James and Rebecca Battista (BCHS Appalachian State University) have had the fruits of their labors published in Preventive Medicine Reports. Their grant application “Creating Community Awareness through Prescribing Outdoor Play for Children” served as the starting point for this important work. Congratulations Rich, Joy and Becki! Read their article here in its entirety. Dr. Kyle Thompson, Senior Lecturer in Nutrition and Director of Dietetic Internship served as co-lead on the development of the Gestational Diabetes Guideline that was published in March. Read her work here.
Health and Physical Education Program Offering a New Minor in Sports Science and Coaching. The Health and Physical Education Program in the Department of Recreation Management and Physical Education is excited to offer a new Minor in Sports Science and Coaching. This minor serves to compliment a student’s Major, as well as provide an outlet to pursue an alternative interest. This Minor is designed to investigate theory and practice in sports, promote critical reflection as it relates to coaching and evaluate best practices in coaching and performance enhancement. This 18 credit hour minor includes 9 hours of electives, which allows students to build an experience tailored to their interests. As a result of this Minor, students have the opportunity to earn a National Level Certification noting their accomplishment in this area of professional development. This Minor will be available in Fall 2017. Highlights of the Minor include: • • • •
Flexibility: 18 semester hours; 9 required & 9 elective Recognition: National Level Certification Credential Networking: Inclusion in National Coaches Registry Diverse: Courses related to multiple fields of study
As spring semester comes to a close we look with anticipation to commencement on May 12 at 5 p.m. in the Holmes Convocation Center. Zach Arrington, Senior from the Department of Nursing, will represent our undergraduate students. A native of Alabama, Zach shared with me that his semester was a strong one; in addition to being asked to serve as a commencement speaker, he became engaged and was offered a position at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center upon graduation. Denise Presnell, school social worker at Hardin Park Elementary School, will represent our graduate students. She is organizing a daylong event called the State of the Child Forum on May 5 where participants will learn more about trauma prevention, intervention and treatment. Commencement serves as the event during which we celebrate the efforts of those who have supported and guided BCHS students as they persist to graduation. The event itself is complex as are the many days which lead to it. My thanks to those of you who assist our students and who participate in this important occasion. Advisors shared their knowledge with others in April, presenting at conferences for both the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) and the North Carolina College Personnel Association (NCACPA). Our college benefits when we learn from others and I appreciate the chance for professional engagement with other practitioners. Lastly, thank you to the program directors and department chairs for your review of programs of study and four year guides. Your timely feedback allows us to meet deadlines which are important for Academic Affairs, the Registrar’s Office and Orientation. I appreciate your continued partnership in these efforts. Tina Proctor Director, Advising and Academic Support Beaver College of Health Sciences
By the Numbers... 3,400 Undergraduate & Graduate Majors 150 Highly-Skilled Faculty and Staff 100% Of Tenure Track Faculty Hold Terminal Degrees 82% Increase in Undergraduate Majors since 2009 16 Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees 2nd Largest College at Appalachian State University
Help us to continue our growth! Donate here If you would like additional information on student scholarships, naming opportunities, or adding BCHS to your estate plan, please contact Kelli Wilson, Director of Development, at wilsonkh@appstate.edu or 828-262-6714
Educate. Engage. Elevate
View the live stream of the new BCHS building currently under construction.
Your Newsletter As we continue to work to create a cohesive college and pull departments together, Healthy Connections will be a place to share our news, successes and information. So as you receive news regarding someone from your department, please forward the information to me so that it can be shared. This is a work in progress and I would love to hear from you with any ideas or suggestions for future issues. This is YOUR newsletter and should reflect your thoughts and ideas. Future issues of Healthy Connections will be published quarterly and will include a section for announcements from each department/unit, so be sure to forward your news to me at gurkinat@appstate.edu or 828-262-7798. Thank you! Audrey Gurkin The Beaver College of Health Sciences is on Facebook and Twitter. Don’t forget to friend and follow us!