Chair's Update Spring 2012

Spring always brings new life around us, and that sense of newness is very much felt here in our Xavier HSA Department. As of May 12, 2012 the HSA Alumni ranks will increase by 33 as our third year students, the Class of 2012, proudly cross the MHSA finish line and become the newest program graduates. Our 27 second year students, the Class of 2013, will soon take their places at administrative residencies across the country, and we will send them forth in a “Call of Residency Ceremony” on April 26, 2012. Our 23 first year students, the Class of 2014, are preparing to experience new vistas in practitioner settings in their summer internships. Yes, new experiences abound. We are also busily interviewing potential students for the Class of 2015 who will start the MHSA program in August 2012, as a new class gets started in just a few months.

Indeed, our students are accomplishing what 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 shared with you in the last issue of LEAD:

• Hired the Director for our new Undergraduate Bachelor’s Degree in Health Services—Dr. Rick Browne, who has been working closely with interim director Karen Kent on the transition, including advising students, getting faculty in place, and overall program administration.
• Hired Dr. Greg Lubiani to join our core faculty to teach Health Economics and Policy, replacing faculty member Dr. Redmon who leaves Xavier at the end of the spring 2012 semester for public sector employment.
• Made changes to our HSA Advisory Board such that this national group will come to campus annually in November and will “advise” throughout the year via on-line conversations;
• Helped organize efforts among Xavier’s health-related departments in order to determine the University’s role in coordinating and helping broad-based clients respond to health needs. This effort has been enhanced by the involvement of HSA Alumnus Bob Clemente ’80, who is serving as facilitator for the campus group chaired by CSSHE Dean Dr. Mark Meyers;
• We’re assisting our GPHSA Alumni Board in its quest to rejuvenate itself in mission and structure.

Something most important is to re-create the “learning community” concept that has been a hallmark of our program over its 53 years. This means finding a new home on campus that will provide student gathering space, classrooms, faculty space, and ample parking. We are confident this will soon be on our completed list.

Thanks for your continued interest, involvement, and support.

 

Sister Nancy Linenkugel, OSF, DM

Chair/Director