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Clockwise from left: Jim Temme, associate director, radiation science technology education; Darwin Brown, clinical education coordinator, physician assistant education program; Kyle Meyer, Ph.D., associate dean for the School of Allied Health Professions; Pat Hageman, program director, physical therapy education; and Linda Fell, program director, clinical laboratory science education; are among those from the SAHP headed to greater Nebraska this week to raise awareness about allied health. |
Stops along the way include Kearney, Hastings, Grand Island, Columbus, Norfolk and Wayne.
“Approximately 60 percent of the health care workforce is made up of allied health professionals and the demand for these professionals is only projected to increase,” Dr. Meyer said.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projected an increased demand for physician assistants, physical therapists, radiation therapists, clinical laboratory scientists, radiographers, sonographers and nuclear medicine technologists of 15-27 percent between 2006 and 2016.
The School of Allied Health Professions offers educational programs in all of the above, as well as medical nutrition, clinical perfusion, magnetic resonance imaging/computed tomography and cytotechnology.
On the trip, Dr. Meyer and his team also will discuss the recent renovation of UNMC’s Bennett Hall, the new home of the School of Allied Health Professions.
“The $8.9 million renovation of Bennett Hall allowed for the consolidation of all 11 allied health educational programs to be housed in one building for the first time in the school’s history,” Dr. Meyer said. “It will create a stronger identity for the School of Allied Health Professions, promote collaboration, improve our efficiency and help us to continue to recruit outstanding students to the allied health educational programs.”
Dr. Meyer said another purpose of his trip is to thank all the hospital personnel, clinical educators and alumni who continue to support the School of Allied Health Professions.
Joining Dr. Meyer on the trip will be:
- Jim Temme, associate director, radiation science technology education;
- Linda Fell, program director, clinical laboratory science education;
- Pat Hageman, program director, physical therapy education;
- Darwin Brown, clinical education coordinator, physician assistant education program; and
- Diane Landon, PA coordinator, physician assistant education program.
Dr. Meyer and his colleagues will meet with members of the community, alumni and health professionals at various events and receptions hosted by local hospitals, colleges and universities and the central Nebraska and northern Nebraska Area Health Education Centers.
Today the team heads to Kearney to visit Good Samaritan Hospital and the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
Tuesday’s stops include Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital in Hastings and the Central Nebraska Area Health Education Center (AHEC) in Grand Island.
The team will have breakfast at Grand Island’s St. Francis Hospital on Wednesday morning before visiting Columbus Community Hospital and the Northern Nebraska AHEC in Norfolk later in the day.
Thursday will start with a meeting at Faith Regional Medical Center in Norfolk before the team caps the trip with a stop at Wayne State College.