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SHHS News IU Indianapolis

Bridge Week: Spanning the gap between first-year experience and college success

Posted on by Rachel Hammes

Students smiling at each other outside while playing an active game
Kinesiology Bridge students play a game called Captain’s Coming, led by their peer mentors.

It’s the first day of classes. You walk into a cavernous lecture hall, with 200 unfamiliar faces that couldn’t be less interested in you. Your professor bustles in, and without so much as a “good morning,” starts droning about the syllabus, expectations, and exam dates. You try to introduce yourself to the person sitting two seats down from you, but notice they have both AirPods in and look like they’re nodding off. You sigh, get out your laptop, and resign yourself to a lonely semester.

This may be the experience for some first-year college students, but not those at the IU Indianapolis School of Health & Human Sciences (SHHS). Thanks to Bridge Week, a required part of the first-year experience at IU Indianapolis, students are given the chance to meet their peers and form relationships that will last throughout their college career and beyond—before they ever have to step foot into a lecture.

“My favorite part of Bridge Week has been all the connections we’re making right now,” said Jaylen Logan, a first-year SHHS health sciences student. “I feel like it’s doing exactly what it needs to do.”

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Dancing Together: Live Laugh Dance empowers youth while forging connections and rewarding students

Posted on by Sophie Chadderton

From left, Stephanie Garner with Down Syndrome Indiana, Tom Sprague with Franklin Rotary Club, Kyra Noerr with Franklin College & Co-Director of Live Laugh Dance, Rachel Swinford with IU Indianapolis & Co-Director of Live Laugh Dance, Tim Thurston with Franklin Rotary Club.
From the left pictures: Stephanie Garner with Down Syndrome Indiana,
Tom Sprague with Franklin Rotary Club,
Kyra Noerr with Franklin College and Co-Director of Live Laugh Dance,
Rachel Swinford with IU Indianapolis & Co-Director of Live Laugh Dance,
Tim Thurston with Franklin Rotary Club.

Live Laugh Dance is a summer enrichment program for adolescents and young adults with Down syndrome. Born out of Clinical Associate Professor of Kinesiology Rachel Swinford’s Ph.D. dissertation, the program combines adapted dance, creative movement, and meaningful connections to bolster participants’ self-confidence while providing opportunities for them to be physically active.

“This program began in 2011 with 20 dancers and a handful of volunteers,” said Swinford. “It has grown over the years to nearly 40 clients. It is such a joy to see the dancers and volunteers build relationships throughout the program, [and] my favorite day of each summer is the dance recital.”

Live Laugh Dance now operates as a collaborative partnership between the IU School of Health & Human Sciences, Franklin College Department of Kinesiology, and Down Syndrome Indiana.

Co-directed by Swinford and fellow kinesiology alums Kyra Noerr (B.S. Kinesiology 2010, M.S. Kinesiology 2012) and Lauren Ryan (B.S. Kinesiology 2018, M.S. Kinesiology 2020), the program relies on donations and grants for its success. Most recently, Swinford received funds from the IU Indianapolis Center for Service & Learning to hire student employees. These community engagement associates (CEAs) assist with daily operations.

Each June, you’ll find Swinford and her team working with clients on the Franklin College campus, where Noerr is an associate professor of exercise science. The CEAs are there with them, coaching participants through new dance steps and movements. Together, their work culminates in a much-anticipated recital, giving participants the chance to demonstrate their moves to friends, family, and supporters.

“Live Laugh Dance is one of the best programs we are involved in,” shared participant parent Roberta Hatchett. “I think us [sic] parents enjoy it as much, if not more than, some of our dancers. It is an inclusive activity, no judgement, [and] builds socialization skills, all while having fun and moving. The volunteers are also incredible. Love this program, always have.”

Program benefits are not limited to the clients. CEAs find it personally rewarding, as it provides them with opportunities to grow their skills working directly with clients in a safe, supervised setting.

“I really love using dance to help people find a passion for fitness or just get moving,” said Lauryn Rochelle, a current kinesiology graduate student and this summer’s lead dance instructor. “It’s very fulfilling to apply the group exercise teaching skills I learned in the kinesiology program to this real-world experience.”

“Teaching at LLD was an experience I will never forget,” noted Kendall Holton, an exercise science student and summer CEA. “It was truly special to watch everyone have fun dancing and not let our differences stop us!”

First-year physical therapy student Carolyn Boone agreed. “This past summer, I looked forward to LLD every week,” Boone said, “and I could not wait to go see friends, have fun, and most importantly, be active.”

Last week, Live Laugh Dance and Down Syndrome Indiana received a grant from the Franklin Rotary Club Foundation. Swinford hopes this grant will help support the program in various ways, including funding a new sound system, portable storage, t-shirts, and weekly supplies.

To participate as a client or volunteer with the program, email lldance@iu.edu. To support the program through a gift or grant, contact Adam Van Zee.

Student support, clinical excellence distinguish IU Physician Assistant Studies program

Posted on by Jill Jansen

PA student Nathan Sapal shakes hands with Jill Murphy, the IU PA program's medical director and Sapal's mentor, during the 2023 White Coat Ceremony.
PA student Nathan Sapal shakes hands with Jill Murphy, MD, the IU PA program’s medical director, during the 2023 White Coat Ceremony.

When the 44 members of the IU Physician Assistant (PA) Class of 2025 put on their white coats in a time-honored ceremony on August 2, they will be celebrating not only personal achievement, but also the collective success of their entire class.

“I recently asked these students what they were most proud of as a cohort, and the number one thing they said is that all of them are still here,” said Lauren Gilliam, MPAS, CHA/PA-C, physician assistant studies program director and clinical assistant professor. “To navigate the rigor of this PA program together and to achieve 100 percent retention is why this White Coat Ceremony is so meaningful to them. It marks the turning point from classroom study to clinical rotations, and it also acknowledges their support of one another along the way.”

The IU PA program is consistently above the national average when it comes to both student retention and graduate performance on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam. In addition to citing the program’s strong clinical partnerships, students like that it is affiliated with IU School of Medicine and has a cadaver lab—a strong distinguishing factor of IU’s PA program. But more recently, Gilliam said faculty are hearing from students that the program’s people, sense of community, and learning environment also set it apart.

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Researcher’s one-act play tackles human impact on the planet

Posted on by Laura Klaum

Shared on behalf of Sally Wasmuth

Reserve your seats now forThe Only Issue, a one-act play born out of a collaboration between occupational therapy and professional theater.

Large graphic with a photo of a bird house with a state of Indiana as the entry space. Includes logos for IU OT, Summit Horizons, and Phoenix Theatre.
The Only Issue

The Only Issue: A play about humans, the planet, and our collective way forward is the latest offering from IU occupational therapy (OT) researcher and assistant professor Sally Wasmuth, Ph.D., OTR. Working with Summit Performance Indianapolis, Wasmuth strives to use theater as both a therapeutic intervention and a means of stimulating community conversations about critical topics. Summit is a professional women’s-based theater company focused on highlighting women’s stories and fostering community dialogue.

Since 2018, this collaboration has resulted in seven original one-act plays, each about a particular social justice issue, and each developed from interviews conducted by Wasmuth and her research team. A optional conversation, also known as talkback, follows each performance and features expert panelists. Previous topics include postpartum depression and anxiety, reproductive health care in a post-Roe Indiana, and Black voices in OT. Wasmuth indicates occupational therapy is about promoting justice and wellbeing for all, and this requires a healthy planet. The Only Issue takes a look at the harm caused to the planet by human changes, changes that inequitably harm people.

Free and open to the general public, The Only Issue runs August 8 and 9 at Phoenix Theatre Cultural Center in downtown Indianapolis. Seating is limited, so reserve your space soon.

Learn more and register

 

IPREP receives Insight Into Diversity magazine’s 2024 Inspiring Programs in STEM award

Posted on by Laura Klaum

IPREP cohort poses for a photo
The 2024–25 IPREP cohort

Indianapolis—Today, the IU School of Health & Human Sciences, on behalf of the IU Indianapolis IPREP program, received the 2024 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award from Insight Into Diversity magazine.

The Inspiring Programs in STEM Award honors colleges and universities that encourage and assist students from underrepresented groups to enter the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

IPREP will be featured, along with 82 other recipients, in the September 2024 issue of Insight Into Diversity magazine.

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IU occupational therapy program moves up in national rankings

Posted on by Jill Jansen

Two occupational therapy students smile for a photo in front of a research poster
OT students Andrea John (left) and Kate Schrader (right) post for a photo in front of their group’s research poster at the Indiana Statehouse.

The Indiana University Occupational Therapy (IU OT) program, previously ranked number 42 in the nation, has jumped to number 27 in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings of Best Graduate Schools. In addition to transitioning from a master’s degree to a doctoral program, in recent years IU Occupational Therapy has added new state-of-the-art facilities and reinvented its program combining excellence in teaching and learning with a focus on community-engaged research and service.

Quickly becoming the hallmark of IU’s 36-month doctor of occupational therapy (OTD) program, a unique capstone curriculum gives students real-world experience in occupational therapy while serving the community. After completing three capstone-related courses, students engage with community organizations for individual projects that include a needs assessment to identify gaps in service. From there, students work alongside their organizations to design and implement human-centered interventions to address specific needs.

“Through the self-directed capstone project, students gain the leadership, communication, and professional skills they need to become leaders in occupational therapy,” said Julie Bednarski, OTD, MHS, OTR, clinical associate professor and director of the IU OT program. “The program is a distinguishing factor that sets our students apart from others entering the field with a master’s degree.”

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NEXTGEN Indy elevates Indianapolis tourism and student learning experiences

Posted on by Jennifer Chan

Photo of Nextgen panelists in discussion
NEXTGEN Indy panelists discuss the future of Indy’s brand around culture and events. From left to right: J. Douglas Boles, Carissa Newton, Kristian Little Stricklen, Eric Tobias, Al Carroll. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Indiana University)

As the youngest adult generation, Gen Z will soon become the largest group of consumers. The Indiana University School of Health & Human Sciences at IU Indianapolis hosted a stellar lineup of Indianapolis’ top tourism, event, and sports management leaders during NEXTGEN Indy: Driving Cultural Innovation to better understand Gen Z perceptions in order to continue to build and propel the brand of Indianapolis forward.

The event, presented by the Efroymson Family Fund, was moderated by IndyHub president and CEO Al Carroll and brought together over 150 attendees to Hine Hall Auditorium. Panelists included J. Douglas Boles, president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway; Carissa Newton, vice president of marketing for Cunningham Restaurant Group; Kristian Little Stricklen, president of Madam Walker Legacy Center; and Eric Tobias, co-founder and partner at High Alpha and partner at Forty5 Presents.

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Celebrating success: Amber Comer recognized as one of Indy’s Best and Brightest by Junior Achievement of Central Indiana

Posted on by Sophie Chadderton

Amber Comer, J.D., Ph.D., associate professor of health sciences, continuously distinguishes herself within academia and medicine through her diligent commitment to serving diverse patient populations and driving equitable health-care practices. Earlier this week, Comer was recognized by Junior Achievement of Central Indiana as one of Indy’s Best and Brightest. 

Comer 2024 B&B Award
Amber Comer, Ph.D., J.D.

A multifaceted leader across multiple disciplines with expertise in medical decision-making for critical illness and vulnerable hospital patients, Comer received back-to-back nominations from the organization in the health and life sciences category. This year, she took home the top award.   (more…)

AOTA Inspire conference coverage

Posted on by Laura Klaum

Posted on behalf of Julie Bednarski, OTD, M.H.S., OTR, clinical assistant professor and program director.

The 2024 AOTA Inspire Conference held this past March was a source of pride for the School of Health & Human Sciences’ Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program. The sight of numerous students and faculty members presenting their research was a testament to the department’s commitment to excellence and innovation in the field. We could not be more delighted by the meaningful contributions made by IU OTD exemplifying our dedication to shaping the future of occupational therapy. See some research highlights.

Posters presented during the AOTA Conference

PT Solutions pioneers collaboration with IU physical therapy program via corporate philanthropy

Posted on by Laura Klaum

Butler (back left) and Roney (center) showcase PT Solutions during a recent professional conference.
Butler (back left) and Roney (center) showcase PT Solutions during a recent professional conference.

PT Solutions is extending its people-centered approach to support the local physical therapy community through a gift to the School of Health & Human Sciences (SHHS) at IU Indianapolis.

Driven by a desire to grow services for students, practitioners, and patients, PT Solutions (PTS) committed nearly $277,500 to IU’s physical therapy (PT) students and program over the next three years. The gift will establish the PT Solutions Student Success Fund with the IU Foundation to incentivize top students to choose IU, as well as provide additional funding for students who commit to working with PTS post-graduation.

“This collaboration contributes to health–care workforce expansion in Indiana, addressing regional shortages, and subsequently ensuring ample job opportunities for our graduates,” said Rafael Bahamonde, founding SHHS dean. “This gift and grant will foster a mutually beneficial ecosystem for education, workforce development, and employment stability.”

The funds also help address the rising costs of education and the simultaneous growing need for health–care providers and physical therapists in Indiana, he added.

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