SAMP medical technology graduates, from left, Dan Wright, Jessica Brown and Fan Ny, validate laboratory results by confirming patient sample stability at the Medical Center. Photos courtesy of the School of Allied Medical Professions

School of Allied Medical Professions responsive to student, industry needs

By JONI BENTZ SEAL, onCAMPUS staff

Part of one of the most comprehensive health sciences centers in the world, Ohio State's School of Allied Medical Professions (SAMP) is equally recognized in the industry as one of the leading providers of health-care practitioners.

Allied health professions, as they are more commonly known, comprise between 40 and 60 percent of the health-care workforce and involve a number of different fields, according to Stephen Wilson, director of the school.

Ohio State's program includes one of the most comprehensive collections of allied health disciplines and boasts nearly 600 students in undergraduate majors in athletic training, circulation technology, health information management and systems (HIMS), health sciences, medical dietetics, medical technology, radiologic technology and respiratory therapy; and three master's programs: physical therapy, occupational therapy and allied health.

"An interesting aspect of the school is that we have programs that are esoteric, or hidden -- like HIMS, circulation technology and medical technology -- that are not on the radar screen of most people, so students really have to investigate and we have to be aggressive in getting the word out," Wilson said. "Our advantage is they know they want health care, but may not necessarily want direct patient care."

The school attracts a diverse mix of students, including transfer students from health programs at other institutions, those seeking a second bachelor's degree or a master's degree, and occasional mid-career job-changers.

In addition to its unique program offerings, the school prides itself on its responsiveness to the field's professional standards and industry demands. Many of its new programs -- athletic training, health sciences, and the master's degrees in physical therapy (MPT) and occupational therapy (MOT) -- have been created or revamped to meet demand or changing philosophies in the profession. The latter two are prime examples: Physical therapy began at Ohio State in the 1950s as an undergraduate program that transitioned to the master's level. By 2001, its undergraduate counterpart had been phased out because of a mandate by the American Physical Therapy Association and its accrediting body, the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. The master's in occupational therapy, which admitted its first class in 2003, is now following the same pattern.

"This move complies with a requirement that only post-baccalaureate level programs in occupational therapy will be accredited after 2006," Wilson said, adding that the current undergraduate class is in its final quarters.

New programs

Deborah Kennedy, SAMP program manager and adjunct instructor, said the school's newest major in health sciences, approved in June 2002 and with a current enrollment of 77 students, now serves as the main undergraduate option for those interested in graduate work in physical or occupational therapy, or for any number of health-related fields, including health administration, public health and even nursing.

"That's the beauty of the health sciences major," she said. "It's extremely flexible, offering students many opportunities and options. Our three areas of concentration -- health management, health and wellness, and geriatrics and gerontology -- also allow graduates to enter the job market just with the bachelor's degree and serve in health services management, health education or public health fields." Another newcomer to the school's offerings is athletic training (AT). Developed into a major in 2000 from a long-standing internship, AT marries two of Ohio State's strengths: athletics and medicine.

Athletic training students have won the National Taping Competition every year since the program's inception in 2000. Left, student Kyle Schimmoeller practices his taping skills on fellow student Jeff Sczpanski.

With a current enrollment of 60 students, admission to the program is competitive, averaging three applicants for every opening each year. In addition to the classroom curriculum, Wilson said students complete three years of clinical experience through the university's Athletics Department and benefit from one of the most extensive off-campus clinical site networks in the country. In fact, AT students have completed internships with nine NFL teams since the program was created, Wilson said.

He said many other institutions can't offer renowned athletic programs in conjunction with a medical center, which gives Ohio State an edge in recruitment.

"Our longevity and size, plus the outstanding reputation of our Medical Center and athletic prominence are recognized in the field around the country," Wilson said. "Ohio State graduates dominate many of the allied professions today, not only in Ohio but around the country."

Philip Beckley, an assistant professor of circulation technology, said circulation technologists, or perfusionists, are becoming increasingly involved with support procedures related to cardiac bypass, transplant and device placement surgeries.

"Every perfusionist practicing at OSU's Medical Center is an alumnus of our program," he said. "Ohio State SAMP graduates are very desirable across the nation. Some hospitals won't hire anyone but an OSU grad."

Beckley said the small class size -- especially in major core and lab courses -- fosters an interactive learning relationship between faculty and students.

"We want to see our students succeed," he said. "We enjoy having an impact on their lives and seeing them mature as clinicians and health-care providers. We often see our graduates at the national meetings of our respective professional organizations or during clinical site visits. Their reputation in their profession and their endorsement of our programs is driving students -- and the industry -- to seek out Ohio State."

Faculty also enjoy a close relationship, Beckley said. "Being housed in one building -- Atwell Hall -- allows for the collaboration of faculty among the 11 programs in a variety of scholarly, research and development activities."

Enrollment

Wilson said that the move to direct enrollment two years ago resulted in a positive change in the school's admissions process. "We now can accept first-year students and advise them toward an appropriate major," he said. "These allied professions are quickly joining engineering, business and nursing as one of the top-requested areas of higher learning, and although in the past most of the majors had been dominated by women, the gap is closing, with an increasing number of men and minority students enrolling in the school."

Another positive change this year was the establishment of a living-learning center. Housed in Canfield Hall, the small pocket of SAMP-major residents benefit from customized advising and a number of activities that carry the learning process into the informal setting of the residence halls.

That student camaraderie extends beyond the college experience as well. Although class associations exist for each major, the school's student council plans and implements at least one service and one social event each quarter. The events are designed to meet the needs of populations that SAMP students interact with both inside and outside the clinical or academic setting.

"These events help build a solid foundation in SAMP as a school as opposed to each individual division," said Christina Ayotte, a senior in respiratory therapy and president of the council. "The curriculum in allied medicine is very intense and time consuming so the council strives to provide opportunities that are important to our students but also will allow them to step outside academics and have fun with other health professionals and members of the community."

A major project of the council each year is the SAMP Pre-Commencement. The ceremony is important to the school and the students because it allows each student to be recognized individually in front of the faculty, fellow students, and their families and friends.

"There's some great things going on in the School of Allied Medical Professions," Beckley said. "With the new health sciences program, the advancement of several of the programs within the school and our responsiveness in making changes based on demands of the profession, I think we are positioning ourselves to play a strong leadership role in the industry."

First African-American faculty honored

By Kevin Fitzsimons Retired dentist George Boston was recognized by the Office of Minority Affairs at a Jan. 20 reception at the Faculty Club for his contributions as one of Ohio State's earliest African-American faculty. Above, flanked by Mac Stewart, vice provost for minority affairs, and President Karen Holbrook, Boston was promoted to assistant professor in 1957, and, consistent with university practice at the time, is believed to be the first African American to receive tenure. He left the university in 1974 to pursue private practice.

Pilot program offers mediation services

By SUSAN WITTSTOCK, onCAMPUS staff

Faculty and non-bargaining unit staff involved in a workplace dispute can now turn to a third-party mediator for assistance. An 18-month pilot mediation program sponsored by the offices of Human Resources and Academic Affairs began Feb. 1.

"We feel it is important to offer faculty and staff a safe, neutral place to resolve issues collaboratively. We'd like to see issues resolved before they escalate and create unacceptable situations for all involved," said Larry Lewellen, associate vice president for human resources.

"Offering the pilot mediation program is just one of the many ways that we're seeking to create a positive work environment for all faculty and staff at this university," said Barbara Snyder, interim executive vice president and provost. "Anything that impairs the ability of a faculty or staff member to work to their fullest potential is a serious concern, and it is my hope that providing access to professional mediation services will be a well-received benefit."

The mediation service can be requested by the disputing parties themselves, or by a colleague or supervisor, but participation is voluntary and confidential. The process is started by contacting the mediation coordinator at 292-4500. The coordinator will assign a mediator to each case, but faculty and staff have the option to decline a mediator and request a different one before mediation begins.

All of the available mediators are full-time professionals not affiliated with the university. "We wanted faculty and staff to feel that the mediation process was unbiased and neutral and we wanted the sessions to be facilitated by highly skilled, very experienced professionals," said Eunice Hornsby, assistant director of organization and human resource development and coordinator of the pilot mediation program.

Mediation is not available for disputes related to promotion and tenure, discrimination, sexual harassment, serious misconduct or criminal activity, discharge or issues governed by federal or state law.

Mediation sessions will take place in Pressey Hall and could last in the vicinity of two to five hours. Mediators use a seven-stage model to help participants reach their own conclusions. The participants express their viewpoints and the mediator summarizes their statements and helps them generate and evaluate an agreement. By the end of the session, the mediator draws up an agreement generated by the participants, which each person signs

Mediators will not declare a winner or a loser. "They facilitate communication to help the participants reach their own resolution," Hornsby said. "They can offer structured assistance to facilitate discussions about difficult issues as well as provide a safe haven with low risk to the parties."

The pilot program is being offered as part of Ohio State's efforts to respond to the work/life needs of faculty and staff (see related story, this page). After the SRI study on the Retention of Women and Minority Faculty and Staff, former Provost Ed Ray formed a number of work groups to study issues of concern, including a Dispute Resolution work group. After studying best practices at benchmark institutions, the Dispute Resolution work group recommended that Ohio State join its peers and implement a mediation program.

"What we have learned is that people leave here sometimes because there's not a place for them to safely solve disputes. They build on and on," Hornsby said. "What we need to say as an organization is that conflict will arise in the workplace. We expect it, but we will offer a vehicle so people can sit down and resolve it when it occurs."

Mickey-Boggs is new work/life program director

By SUSAN WITTSTOCK, onCAMPUS staff

The Office of Human Resources has named Shari Mickey-Boggs as program director ­ work/life. Mickey-Boggs, formerly director of consulting services and employee relations, stepped into her new position on Jan. 20.

"We are pleased that Shari will be leading our efforts in this vital area," said Larry Lewellen, associate vice president for human resources. "She brings with her a strong background in human resources, an understanding of Ohio State's culture and practices, and an enthusiasm for her new role that I think will really help us as we move forward with new initiatives."

The work/life program director serves as the university's consultant on work/life issues, and assists with strategic, policy and development issues.

"I am excited to have the opportunity to build a program that is so essential to faculty and staff. There's a strong link between the goals expressed in the Academic Plan and what we're hoping to achieve in this office, and I'm looking forward to seeing how much we can accomplish," Mickey-Boggs said.

Mickey-Boggs is the second work/life program director since the position was created in August 2002. An action plan generated after the SRI study on the Retention of Women and Minority Faculty and Staff and the survey by the Staff Commission on Work/Life and Professional Development called for a full-time leader to coordinate the university's work/life efforts.

"Shari's position is at the forefront of our efforts to make Ohio State a leader in work/life practices," said Interim Executive Vice President and Provost Barbara Snyder. "Addressing faculty work/life issues is a necessity if we are going to recruit and retain the best faculty and staff. Creating a family-friendly work environment ultimately helps faculty and staff perform to the best of their abilities."

Helping faculty and staff become more aware of the many work/life services already available to them -- such as the university's benefits and wellness programs, the University Faculty and Staff Assistance Program, the Supervisor Training to Enhance Performance program and the new pilot mediation program (see story, this page) -- is one aspect of her job, Mickey-Boggs said. "A big piece of what we do here is integration and communication," she said. "One of the things we're working on is creating a branding campaign to help make our work/life offerings easily recognizable."

Other issues under examination for expansion or implementation in the future include eldercare and dependent care, flexible work schedules, paid parental leave and professional development opportunities. Mickey-Boggs also is exploring the possibility of a work/life survey for bargaining unit staff.

"We're going to continue to evaluate, assess and communicate the results of the faculty and staff surveys to make sure we're implementing the appropriate programs. It's also essential to me that we're benchmarking other colleges and universities to see where we're ahead or lagging behind," she said.

Mickey-Boggs holds a bachelor's degree from Ohio State. After graduation, she worked in human resources for both the private sector and the state of Ohio before returning to the university in 1995. She has held a variety of positions within the Office of Human Resources, including employment consultant, a team leader for health sciences within consulting services, manager of consulting services, and for the past four years, director of consulting services and employee relations. She is a certified Professional in Human Resources through the Society for Human Resource Management and is pursuing an MBA.