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School of Health Professions

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Meet Vanessa Flores, director of clinical education for the Master of Science in Imaging Sciences program

 

Assistant Professor/Clinical Vanessa Flores, MEd, RT(R)(ARRT), director of clinical education for the Master of Science in Imaging Sciences program, once dreamed of being a professional photographer.

While Flores ultimately decided to become a radiologic technologist, she found a way to adapt her passion for creating images within the context of a career in health care.

Master of Imaging Sciences Director of Clinical Education Vanessa Flores

Communication Sciences and Disorders chair inducted as a Fellow of the Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions at annual conference

 

, was inducted as a fellow of the Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions at its annual conference in October. 

Communication Sciences and Disorders Chair and Associate Professor Fang-Ling Lu holds her Fellow of the Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions plaque, with ASAHP President Deb Larsen.

Thriving Together: Respiratory care virtual symposium offered Nov. 2–3

 

of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Division of Respiratory Care is hosting a virtual symposium Nov. 2–3.

Twelve continuing education credits are available at the event, including one hour each on the topics of ethics and human trafficking.

Respiratory care facult and students in lab

Meet Anthony Mendoza, Jr: Respiratory Care Alum Pursues PA Dream

 

Students in the Division of Respiratory Care at learn how to be valuable, contributing members of the health care team. Some of our respiratory care alumni go on to pursue other health professions. Take a moment to learn more about Anthony Mendoza, Jr., who graduated from our Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care program in 2021 and started our Master of Physician Assistant Studies program in May 2022.

Why did you choose ?

Anthony Mendoza

School of Health Professions faculty and students receive awards, present at annual state conference

 

School of Health Professions , received the Distinguished Service Award from the Texas Society for the Advancement of Health Professions at its 45th annual conference in September.

Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs David Henzi

Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program fellow joins Department of Occupational Therapy faculty

 

Michael Bermudez, EdD, OTR, sees occupational therapy as a means for social justice for people with disabilities. His tools? Circuit boards, code and 3D printers, to name a few.

This July, Bermudez brought his research interest in assistive technology to of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, where he joined the Department of Occupational Therapy as an assistant professor. 

Assistant Professor Michael Bermudez, EdD

Research study to train future health professionals how to communicate effectively with people with aphasia

 

A research study that aims to equip future allied health professionals with the most effective methods and skills to communicate with people with aphasia has received a $30,000 interprofessional collaboration grant from the Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions. ASAHP announced the grant award on Sept. 18. 

Aphasia is an acquired communication disorder caused by stroke or neurodegenerative disease that affects the ability of an estimated 2 million people in the United States to express or understand verbal and written language.

Speech-language pathology student listens to community members in aphasia support group.

Medical laboratory sciences students receive white coats

 

The Medical Laboratory Sciences Class of 2024 held its white coat ceremony on Sept. 15.

The event marked the second time the program has held a white coat ceremony, which symbolizes the transition from the pre-clinical to clinical phase of the program. The white coat also represents the oath students take pledging to provide the highest standard of ethical care to patients.

MLS Class of 2024 poses in white coats after ceremony

MLS professor is one of 10 ASCLS Voices Under 40 in nation

 

Inspired by her blood bank professor when she was a student at , , MSTM, MLS (ASCP), SBB, set a goal of leading a class of her own someday.

MLS Assistant Professor Tiffany Wafford

SHP programs provide screenings and health and wellness info at Spurs Back to School Bash

 

Students and faculty from five programs in the School of Health Professions participated in the Spurs Give Back to School Bash on Aug. 5.

Several thousand children and adults attended the free community event, which included backpack and school supply giveaways, vaccinations, haircuts, eye exams, dental screenings, and a variety of other activities and services from community organizations and vendors participating in the event.

School of Health Profession students perform health screenings at back to school event

Faculty Profile: Assistant Professor/Clinical Brittany Teeter

 

A career in the laboratory wasn’t always part of the plan for . Instead, her role a medical laboratory scientist began as a practical choice that made sense for her and her family and evolved into a career she continues to shape with an eye to the future.

“If you do something well, you kind of owe it to society to help others do it well, too,” Teeter said of her decision to go all in on the medical laboratory sciences profession.

MLS Assistant Professor/Clinical Brittany Teeter

OT professor serves on board of Project MEND

 

, was elected in May to serve on the board of directors of Project MEND, a nonprofit that provides refurbished medical equipment to people in San Antonio and Texas.

Associate professor Ana Allegretti serves on the board of Project MEND

Aphasia summer program focuses on communication and connection

 

With the continued goal of helping people with aphasia improve their ability to communicate while forming important social connections, the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders hosted its third annual summer aphasia program in June and July.

An estimated 2 million people in the United States live with aphasia, a communication disorder that affects a person’s ability to understand language and communicate. About one in three people who have a stroke experience aphasia, said program organizer Assistant Professor Cathy Torrington Eaton, PhD, CCC-SLP.

Aphasia Summer Program participant Terri Perry poses with her journal.

OT chair is president-elect of Shine Academy

 

Department of Occupational Therapy Chair and Professor , has been elected president-elect of of Texas Kenneth I. Shine Academy of Health Science Education.

Piernik-Yoder, who served as chair of the academy’s education committee for the past two years, will begin her two-year term in March 2024.

Occupational Therapy Professor and Chair Bridgett Piernik-Yoder

Communication sciences and disorders professor receives Spectrum Award

 

Communication Sciences and Disorders Assistant Professor Rocio Norman, PhD, CCC-SLP, received the 2023 School of Health Professions Spectrum Award.

The annual Spectrum Award recognizes one faculty member for all-around excellence and exceptional contributions in teaching, research and service. Receiving the award has confirmed her journey as a researcher and educator, Norman said.

School of Health Professions Dean David Shelledy and Assistant Professor Rocio Norman post with Spectrum Award Norman received.

PA Studies students don white coats

 

Students in the Physician Assistant Studies Class of 2025 slipped on their white coats in a ceremony symbolizing their transition from classroom learning to clinical rotations.

The ceremony, held May 15, featured comments from School of Health Professions Dean David Shelledy, PhD, RRT, FAARC, FASAHP, and Associate Program Director and Associate Chair of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies Steven A. “Tony” Skaggs, PhD, MPS, PA-C.

The white coat represents a duty to patients, Skaggs told the students.

PA Studies White Coat Ceremony Class of 2025

MLS students celebrate profession with a little friendly competition

 

Celebrated on campus in late April, the 48th Medical Laboratory Professionals Week included a microscope scavenger hunt and other fun and games intended to raise awareness of a profession that isn’t as well known as other health professions.

Medical laboratory science students celebrate profession with a friendly competition.

School hosts first-ever career fair for health professions students

 

The School of Health Professions held its first-ever career fair on April 27, bringing dozens of employers to campus to meet with students.

The school’s graduates are sought after by employers, said Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs David Henzi, EdD, FASAHP.

“The School of Health Professions educates a student population which is in high demand from local hospital and clinical settings,” Henzi said.  “It was great to have many of those partners in attendance for the first School of Health Professions career fair.”

School of Health Professions Career Fair

Health professions students inducted into Alpha Eta Society

 

For Doctor of Occupational Therapy student Elise Gray, being inducted into the Alpha Eta Society with 37 other students represents the value of teamwork among the health professions.

“The induction ceremony signifies not just our individual accomplishments but also our commitment to the interdisciplinary teamwork that is at the heart of optimal patient care,” Gray said.

Two Alpha Eta student inductees hold their certificates.

Students travel to Colombia and India over spring break

School of Health Professions students traveled overseas during spring break to learn about health professions education and professional practice in Colombia and India.

Three students from , including two from the School of Health Professions and one from the School of Nursing, traveled to Bogota, Colombia, in March. They were accompanied by Division of Respiratory Care Professor Ruben Restrepo, MD, RRT, FAARC, FCCP, and Department of Physician Assistant Studies Assistant Professor and Associate Clinical Coordinator Leticia Bland, DHSc, MPAS, PA-C.

Students and faculty pose in Bogota, Colombia during spring break trip.

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