InnovatED Symposium

Roshan Sapkota
M3, College of Medicine – Omaha

J.P. Miller
M3, College of Medicine – Omaha

Nathan Anderson
Associate Professor, College of Medicine – Omaha

Medical students are already using AI in their clinical learning, often without formal guidance. Drawing on a multisite national survey across 11 medical schools, including more than 100 UNMC respondents, this session explores how students use AI for self-testing, evidence lookup, generating differentials and refining clinical reasoning. Participants will examine common use cases, pitfalls and student-reported concerns, identify gaps in faculty guidance and discuss practical strategies to support responsible AI use, strengthen educator confidence and enhance clinical reasoning and patient care.

Trina White, DrPH, MBA, MSPT, FACHE, FACMPE
Assistant Professor, UNMC Department of Health Services Research & Administration Director, Master of Health Administration Program, College of Public Health – Omaha

Brenda Nickol, MPH, CPH
Director of Career Services, Office of the Dean
Instructor, UNMC Department of Health Services Research and Administration
College of Public Health – Omaha

Nicole Kolm-Valdivia, PhD, CHES, MPH
Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs, College of Public Health
Assistant Professor, UNMC Department of Epidemiology
College of Public Health – Omaha

This presentation showcases how a master of healthcare administration program transformed its culminating experience, a capstone course, to better prepare students for today’s healthcare workforce. Guided by feedback from alumni, healthcare leaders and students, the program replaced its traditional capstone with an innovative Integrative Learning Experience that connects classroom learning to real-world career goals. Using complex case studies, current healthcare issues and reflective practice, the course helps students build leadership skills, strengthen professional identity and demonstrate career readiness. Attendees will gain insights from the redesign process, lessons learned from the pilot and practical strategies for preparing graduates to thrive in a rapidly evolving healthcare environment.

Ellie Miller PhD, RT(R)(CT)(ARRT), RDMS, RVT
Assistant Professor, College of Allied Health Professions
Didactic Education Coordinator
College of Allied Health Professions – Kearney

Simulation-based learning can help bridge the gap between classroom instruction and clinical practice, giving students opportunities to apply knowledge in realistic, low-risk environments. This session explores how Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory can guide the intentional integration of virtual reality simulation into health professions education. Focusing on first-year radiography students, the presenter will share findings from an intervention study examining the impact of non-immersive virtual reality on image evaluation skills. Attendees will gain insights into curriculum design, student learning outcomes and practical strategies for using simulation to strengthen clinical readiness across health professions programs.

Maha Farid, MBBCh, MS, PhD
Education Researcher, Interprofessional Academy of Educators
UNMC Academic Affairs - Omaha

Learn how Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) can turn learner feedback into meaningful improvements without adding complexity. Designed for busy health professions educators, this session introduces a practical, low-burden evaluation method that compares the importance of educational experiences with perceived performance to identify strengths and priority areas for improvement. Using a simple visual framework, IPA supports data-informed decision-making and continuous quality improvement without advanced statistical expertise. Attendees will leave with ready-to-use templates, sample survey questions and a step-by-step approach for enhancing teaching effectiveness and learner experiences through focused, actionable feedback.

Tanya Custer, PhD, MS, RT(R)(T)ARRT
Director, Interprofessional Academy of Educators
Director, CAHP Distance Education
Associate Professor, College of Allied Health Professions – Omaha

Analisa McMillan, PhD, MSEd
Interim Executive Director of Digital Accessibility and Online Learning
Associate Director, Interprofessional Academy of Educators
Director, COPH Office of Teaching and Learning
Assistant Professor, Health Promotion, College of Public Health – Omaha

Kim Michael, EdD, RT(R), RDMS, RVT, FSDMS
Anderson Distinguished Professor
Professor, College of Allied Health Professions – Omaha
Program Director, Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Peggy Moore, MSEd
Director & Instructional Designer, Interactive E-Learning
UNMC Academic Affairs – Omaha
Assistant Professor, College of Allied Health Professions – Omaha

As institutions work toward ADA Title II compliance, accessible teaching requires more than well-designed slides. This interactive session explores how instructional delivery can either support or create barriers for diverse learners, including students with disabilities, multilingual learners and those relying on course recordings. Grounded in Universal Design for Learning principles, participants will identify common accessibility challenges and learn practical strategies to improve clarity, engagement and inclusion. Through real-world examples, reflection and discussion, attendees will discover ways to better narrate visual content, manage cognitive load and create more meaningful learning experiences. Participants will leave with a customizable checklist and actionable techniques to enhance accessibility in any teaching environment.

Jana Wardian, PhD, MSW
Associate Director, Interprofessional Academy of Educators
Associate Professor, Internal Medicine, College of Medicine – Omaha

Artificial intelligence is transforming scientific writing, offering new ways to improve efficiency, streamline formatting and support manuscript development. This session explores practical approaches to integrating AI into the writing process, from language refinement and summarization to figure generation and journal formatting. The presenter will share a structured workflow that balances innovation with transparency, accuracy and scholarly responsibility. Attendees will learn about common ethical challenges, safeguards for responsible AI use and emerging best practices from health professions education and research. The session provides actionable guidance for researchers and educators seeking to leverage AI while maintaining rigor and trust in scholarly work.

Jami Monico, MSEd, CHSE
Assistant Professor and Instructional Designer
College of Medicine – Omaha

Katherine Finney, MD
Assistant Professor
College of Medicine – Omaha

Explore an innovative, cost-effective approach to simulation-based education through the development of customizable task trainers. This session highlights a collaborative partnership between a simulation educator and clinician that combines instructional design, clinical expertise, 3D printing, silicone casting and accessible materials to create realistic, learner-centered models. Attendees will learn how iterative design, clinical validation and learner feedback can produce high-value training tools that support deliberate practice, skill acquisition and confidence. Hands-on demonstrations will showcase practical solutions that expand access to simulation while providing a sustainable framework for educator-driven innovation.

Brooke Lawson Sautter, RDH
PhD Candidate, Training and Development Manager - CHW Connect Training Program
College of Public Health – Omaha

Meka Tate, MSOL, MBA, CHW
Community Health Worker Support Specialist - CHW Connect Training Program
College of Public Health – Omaha

Kia Scott-Sellers MSN, BSN, RN, AMB-BC
PACT RN Care Manager/PhD Student
UNMC/Veterans Affairs
College of Nursing – Omaha Division

Brandon Varilek, PhD, RN, CCTC, CNE, CHPN, FPCN
Associate Professor
College of Nursing – Omaha Division

Community Health Workers (CHWs) play a vital role in improving community health, yet training opportunities vary widely. This session highlights the development of a women’s cancer education curriculum created through a community-academic partnership with Omaha CHWs. Grounded in Social Cognitive Theory and aligned with eight CHW core competencies, the curriculum features interactive e-learning modules developed in Articulate Storyline and hosted on NU Advance. Presenters will share lessons from the co-design process, pilot outcomes and strategies for creating culturally responsive workforce training. Attendees will gain a replicable model for advancing CHW education and community-engaged health professions training.

Katherine Bravo, PhD, RN, CPNP-PC
BSN Program Director
Assistant Professor, College of Nursing – Omaha

Explore how the UNMC College of Nursing (CON) proposed its redesigned BSN curriculum to align with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education. This session highlights efforts in curricular mapping, gap assessment, clinical partner engagement and competency-based education. The presenter will share how AI supported the development of BSN outcomes, course descriptions and competency alignment while maintaining the mission and priorities of UNMC CON. Attendees will gain practical insights into balancing AI-assisted innovation with faculty expertise to create a competency-focused curriculum that prepares graduates for evolving healthcare needs.

Cory Rohlfsen, MD
Associate Professor, College of Medicine – Omaha

Victoria Kennel, PhD
Associate Professor, College of Allied Health Professions – Omaha

Sarah Chandler
M4, College of Medicine – Omaha

Hailey Hardin
M2, College of Medicine – Omaha

Jana Wardian, PhD, MSW
Associate Director, Interprofessional Academy of Educators
Professor, Internal Medicine, College of Medicine – Omaha

Danielle Westmark
Systematic Review Service Coordinator
Associate Professor, Education & Research Services Librarian
Leon S. McGoogan Health Sciences Library – Omaha

Explore an innovative coaching strategy from high-performance fields such as sports, music and the military and its potential applications in health professions education. This session introduces third-point communication, a technique that uses shared external references to focus attention, facilitate feedback and support performance improvement. Presenters will share findings from an integrative review examining how the approach is applied across disciplines and the mechanisms underlying its effectiveness. Attendees will gain practical insights into fostering more direct, psychologically-safe coaching interactions, helping learners navigate challenges related to hierarchy, cognitive overload and the complexities of clinical learning environments.

Ashley Balliet, MEd, RT(R)(M)(ARRT)
Program Director, Radiography
Assistant Professor, College of Allied Health Professions – Omaha

Shaun Horak, PhD, DMSc, PA-C
Doctor of Medical Science Program Director
Associate MPAS Program Director and Associate Professor,
College of Allied Health Professions – Omaha

Alisha Wright, MHPTT, RT(R)(ARRT)
Assistant Professor, College of Allied Health Professions – Omaha

Lauren Driscoll, MHPE, RRT, RRT-ACCS, RRT-NPS
PA Clinical Education Program/Data Coordinator,
College of Allied Health Professions – Omaha

A team of four radiography students partnered with physician assistant (PA) faculty, radiography faculty and the Radiation Safety Office to develop Fluoroscopic Radiation Safety for Providers, a 40-minute educational module for PA students. This interdisciplinary project combined curriculum development, instructional design and radiation safety expertise to create a sustainable learning resource for the PA curriculum. Presenters will share the collaborative development process, implementation plans and strategies for evaluating learner outcomes through pre- and post-training assessments. Attendees will gain insights into how interprofessional partnerships can strengthen education, promote radiation safety awareness and enhance learning across healthcare disciplines.

Michelle Strong, PhD, MPH, MFA, CHES(R)
Assistant Professor, UNMC Department of Health Promotion
MPH and DrPH Program Director, Department of Health Promotion
College of Public Health – Omaha

Jessica Tschirren, PhD, MPA
Assistant Professor, UNMC Department of Health Services Research & Administration
Assistant Dean of Student Affairs, College of Public Health – Omaha

The ASCEND program demonstrates how group coaching can strengthen self-efficacy, well-being and community among PhD students. Funded through an IAE educational grant, this yearlong initiative used the GROW (Goals, Reality, Options, Way forward) model and wellness-based programming to help students set goals, build accountability and navigate the challenges of graduate education. Presenters will share program design, evaluation findings and participant experiences, including outcomes related to self-efficacy and sense of community. Attendees will gain practical insights into using coaching to support student success, foster connection and enhance the graduate education experience.

Suhasini Kotcherlakota, PhD
Director, Instructional Design & Technology
Assistant Professor, College of Nursing – Omaha

Discover how Microsoft Copilot can transform traditional e-learning into dynamic, AI-powered learning experiences. Using the real-world module Employee Satisfaction: A Leader’s Challenge, this session demonstrates how a Storyline branching scenario was reimagined as a conversational simulation that encourages deeper reflection, decision-making and learner engagement. Attendees will explore practical strategies for designing AI-supported learning activities, including prompt development, scenario design and alignment with learning objectives. Presenters will also discuss implementation considerations, limitations and opportunities. Participants will leave with actionable ideas for using AI to create scalable, simulation-based learning experiences while reducing development time.

Corey Cundall, OTD, OTR/L
Assistant Professor, College of Allied Health Professions – Omaha

Stacy Smallfield, DrOT, OTR/L, BCG, FAOTA
Program Director and Professor
Doctoral Capstone Coordinator
College of Allied Health Professions – Omaha

This presentation showcases an innovative Level I occupational therapy (OT) fieldwork (FW) experience created to expand support for Movement Matters, a free, volunteer-based stretching program for people with ALS (PALS). Developed in partnership with doctoral capstone students, the model provides hands-on client experience, leadership development and structured supervision while addressing common challenges of nontraditional fieldwork placements. Presenters will share the program’s design, implementation and evaluation results, including strong student satisfaction and professional development outcomes. Attendees will gain practical insights into creating meaningful fieldwork experiences that strengthen learner preparation, workforce development and community engagement.

Chelsea Hamill, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, College of Medicine – Omaha

Prepare residents to manage high-stakes otolaryngology emergencies through an innovative ENT Emergencies Bootcamp at UNMC. Designed for junior residents who are often first to respond in critical situations, this curriculum builds confidence and readiness through targeted emergency training. Unlike traditional bootcamp models, the program incorporates progressive learning, tailoring content to residents’ level of training and introducing increasingly complex scenarios as skills develop. Presenters will share the rationale, curriculum design and implementation strategy behind this novel approach. Attendees will gain insights into creating scalable, learner-centered emergency training programs that support clinical preparedness and resident development.

Ally DeringAnderson, PharmD, RP, FAPhA
Clinical Professor, UNMC Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science
College of Pharmacy – Omaha

Tristin Duff
Pharmacist Intern, College of Pharmacy – Omaha

Justin Martin
Pharmacist Intern, College of Pharmacy – Omaha

Dane Messersmith
Pharmacist Intern, College of Pharmacy – Omaha

Tomasa Trejo
Pharmacist Intern, College of Pharmacy – Omaha

The presenters will highlight how collaboration can extend health professions education beyond traditional partnerships. This session highlights the development of pharmacist play-kits for childcare programs served by the University of Nebraska Extension Offices, showcasing the collaborative process used to design, refine and validate kit contents. Attendees will view a completed play-kit, learn how content was developed and hear the perspectives shared by our Extension Office partners. The presentation offers practical insights into building effective community partnerships and creating engaging educational resources that introduce young learners to health sciences professions.

Jack Paradis
M3, College of Medicine – Omaha

Currey Zalman, MD
Orthopedic Resident
College of Medicine – Omaha

Makayla Schissel, MPH
Statistician II, UNMC Department of Biostatistics
College of Public Health – Omaha

Geoffrey Talmon, MD
Professor and Vice Chair for Medical Education, UNMC Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology
Senior Associate Dean for Undergraduate Medical Education, UNMC College of Medicine
Courtesy Professor, UNMC College of Allied Health Professions
College of Medicine – Omaha

Kari L. Nelson, PhD
Associate Professor, UNMC Department of Family Medicine
Director, UME Research & EMET programs

Explore a practical, scalable approach to using AI to enhance medical education. Following a needs assessment of first-year medical students at UNMC, presenters developed AI-supported learning resources to support the circulatory and respiratory blocks. This session highlights a standardized prompting workflow that improved content quality, reduced development time and supported active recall and long-term retention. Attendees will learn how AI-generated study materials influenced student engagement, exam preparedness and performance while gaining practical strategies for implementing similar approaches in their own educational settings. The presentation will also address lessons learned, challenges and opportunities for broader adoption.

Jami Monico, MSEd, CHSE
Assistant Professor and Instructional Designer
College of Medicine – Omaha

Learn how the UNMC/Nebraska Medicine LiveGreen Ambassadors (LGA) developed an interprofessional recycling e-module to improve recycling knowledge and promote consistent practices across campus. Delivered through Canvas and Apollo, the module uses interactive scenarios, knowledge checks, animations and learner-centered design to make complex waste-sorting guidance clear and engaging. Presenters will share the collaborative development process involving the UNMC Office of Sustainability, Environmental Services and stakeholders across both institutions. Attendees will discover a scalable approach to sustainability education and gain access to resources that support immediate implementation and broader environmental engagement.

Iman Ahmad, PhD
Associate Professor, College of Allied Health Professions – Omaha

Transform passive PowerPoint presentations into interactive learning experiences without relying on third-party tools. This lightning talk demonstrates how advanced Microsoft PowerPoint features, including animation triggers, layer sequencing and slide-navigation controls, can be used to create self-contained, responsive quiz activities. Presenters will also share an efficient workflow for meeting accessibility requirements, including a cloud-hosting direct-download link and independent text transcript that achieves a 100% Canvas Ally score. Attendees will leave with practical techniques to increase engagement, support asynchronous learning and maintain institutional accessibility compliance.

Steph Langel, MA, MSEd
Instructional Designer, Interactive E-Learning
UNMC Academic Affairs – Omaha

Peggy Moore, MSEd
Director & Instructional Designer, Interactive E-Learning
UNMC Academic Affairs – Omaha
Assistant Professor, College of Allied Health Professions – Omaha

While accessibility checkers are an important first step, they cannot identify every barrier and often vary across authoring platforms. This session introduces a comprehensive e-module accessibility checklist developed from WCAG standards and designed specifically for interactive learning environments. Presenters will share how key accessibility requirements were translated into clear, actionable guidance and demonstrate practical implementation strategies within Storyline. Attendees will gain a useful framework for moving beyond automated checks, strengthening accessibility compliance and creating more inclusive e-learning experiences through intentional design and development practices.

KEYNOTE

Three Ways to Take Work Off Your Plate presented by Thomas J. Tobin, PhD, MSLS, PMP, MOT, CPACC, Founding Member, Center for Teaching, Learning and Mentoring, University of Madison-Wisconsin.

KEYNOTE

Reimagining Responsive Teaching presented by Deepak Keshwani, PhD, Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Programs, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

KEYNOTE

Generative AI: Technology's Swiss Army Knife presented by Victor Winter, PhD, Professor of Computer Science, University of Nebraska Omaha