Chair's Update Fall 2012

I’m reminded of the passage from the Gospel of St. Luke: “When one has been given much, much will be expected.” (Lk. 12:48) Being here at Xavier University means that we’ve been given much. What an outstanding headquarters of learning we have here! What a terrific place for our faculty and staff top serve students. And what an inspiring place in which our students can learn. Xavier affords us much, and so we, in turn, live up to the expectations.

In June/July 2012, our Class of 2013: the 27 second year full-time students took their places at administrative residencies across the country and our 6 part-time students started their year of practicum. Our Class of 2014: the 21 first year full-time students completed summer internships and started year number two of didactic work alongside the 8 part-time students. In August we welcomed our incoming Class of 2015: 27 full-time students and 5 part-time students.

Indeed, our students are working to meet and exceed expectations in all they set out to do. So how are we as a department doing in the specific goals we set before us? We’ve accomplished much on the to-do list since the last issue of LEAD:

• HSA is taking a prominent role within the College of Social Sciences, Health and Education (CSSHE) along with the other health professions departments to create more opportunities for interprofessional education (IPE). This means that our health professions department students get to learn alongside other students to gain experience in working together. In the field this is a reality, so why shouldn’t we be doing this at Xavier? The effort is aided by a three-year federal grant of $827,000.
• In an effort to foster a true HSA “learning community”, our graduate MHSA students are finding ways to connect with our undergraduate BSHSA students. We consider ourselves as a single, unified department.
• Our national HSA Advisory Board came together on Campus on November 1, 2012 for its annual meeting, and that included time for educational segments and also networking with students at the annual “Outstanding Preceptor of the Year Award” event luncheon. We congratulate this year’s awardee, Susan Fuehrer, Medical Director of the Louis Stokes VAMC in Cleveland who is currently precepting her seventh Xavier MHSA student.
• Finalized plans for the “Xavier Institute for Health Solutions”, a coordinated service among Xavier’s health-related departments in order to help broad-based clients respond to health needs. This effort has been enhanced by the involvement of HSA Alumnus Bob Clemente ’80, who served as facilitator for the campus group chaired by CSSHE Dean Dr. Mark Meyers;

Something most important is to re-create the “learning community” concept that has been a hallmark of our program over its 54 years. This means finding a new home on campus that will provide student gathering space, classrooms, faculty space, and ample parking. We are working with CSSHE Dean, Dr. Mark Meyers, and other Xavier administration on this concept.

Thanks for your continued interest, involvement, and support.