MBCNews
College of Health Sciences Taking Shape Personnel, curriculum, structure moving into place in Fishersville
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Photo by Woods Pierce
he beam signed by MBC Trustees, staff members, and guests and hoisted into place in mid-July symbolized not only the physical construction of Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences, but also rapid progress toward hiring a highly qualified core group of faculty and staff and designing an innovative curriculum for the new programs. “From the building design, to faculty and staff who have a wonderful combination of clinical and classroom experience, to carefully crafted courses of study, everything about this new college will support the interprofessional education of our PT, OT, and PA students,” said Vice President for Health Sciences Linda Seestedt-Stanford. Stanford envisions in detail the collaborative teaching and learning that will take place in the building designed by Kahler Slater architects. She sees physical therapy (PT) students interacting with occupational therapy (OT) students and discussing treatment modalities. She sees a lab class with a mixture of PT and OT students learning about casting, prosthetics, and splints — one of more than a dozen courses that are part of both degree tracks. She foresees PT, PA, and OT students working in teams on clinical case studies, research questions, and developing community service projects. And she sees faculty, staff, and students naturally congregating in spaces where they can expand on classroom discussions. “We believe this approach will shape the way our students relate to their patients — that they will think collaboratively at every level of care,” Stanford said. “Many patients have a large team of professionals working to diagnose and treat them, so it is only logical to educate students as a team. It is the way new ideas are created and new avenues of research are generated.” Additional hires throughout the fall and spring will continue to support the development of Murphy Deming’s curricular plans. A director of medical education and director of clinical education will fill leadership roles in the master’s program in physician assistant studies slated to begin in 2015. One more faculty member in OT and one in PT will be on board before doors open to students in June 2014. A special focus on teaching and learning will also
Photo by Woods Pierce
In July, a beam signed by MBC Trustees, staff members, and guests was set into place as part of the structure of Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences.
(l-r) Alumnae/i Association Board of Directors President Susan “Fleet” Lynch Roberts ‘81, Board of Trustees Chair Margaret E. “Lyn” McDermid ‘95, and Board of Trustees member Nancy Mayer Dunbar ‘60 write messages on the ceremonial beam before it is lifted and secured into the developing building. 8
Fall 2013
be a part of the PT and OT programs, providing a rich academic environment that will prepare students for clinical practice and professional leadership. In tandem with curriculum development, each degree track is progressing toward accreditation benchmarks. Both PT and OT have submitted initial accreditation documents, and the PT staff had a productive site visit with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education during summer 2013. Stanford expects to know if the occupational therapy and physical therapy programs have earned developing program status by December. Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences has also signed affiliation agreements with local health care organizations, rehabilitation facilities, community service agencies, schools, and private practice groups, supporting future students in clinical rotations necessary to complete their academic program. Consistent with the mission of Mary Baldwin College, the faculty and staff are committed to supporting the health and well-being of the region while educating future clinicians. Stanford offered a few examples of possible opportunities for Murphy Deming students to contribute locally while practicing skills: supporting health screenings for migrant workers, helping children with special needs learn to swim, or assisting with diabetes education classes.
