SCHOOL OF
HEALTH RELATED PROFESSIONS
Annual Report
1999-2000
The University of Alabama at Birmingham
August, 2000
SCHOOL OF HEALTH RELATED PROFESSIONS (SHRP)
1999-2000
SHRP Executive Committee
Interim Dean
Acting Assistant Dean for Academic and Student Affairs
Chair, Department of Critical and Diagnostic Care (CDC)
Chair, Department of Health Services Administration (HSA)
Interim Chair, Department of Nutrition Sciences (DNS)
Chair, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences (DRS)
Director, Administrative and Fiscal Services
C. Michael Brooks, Ed.D
Claire Peel, Ph.D.
Randal H. Robertson, Ph.D.
S. Robert Hernandez, Dr.P.H.
Charles Prince, Ph.D.
Larry E. Adams, Ph.D.
Hugh S. Gainer, FACHE
SHRP Academic Programs
Baccalaureate
Allied Health
Cytotechnology
Health Information Management
Medical Technology
Nuclear Medicine Technology
Radiologic Sciences
Radiography
Radiation Therapy
Respiratory Therapy
Surgical Physician Assistant
Post-baccalaureate Certificate
Dietetic Internship
Master’s
Clinical Laboratory Sciences
Clinical Nutrition
Health Administration
Coordinated MSHA/MBA
Executive MSHA
Health Informatics
Nurse Anesthesia
Occupational Therapy
Professional
Postprofessional
Physical Therapy
Professional
Postprofessional
Doctoral
Administration/Health Services
Nutrition Sciences
SHRP Annual Report 1999-2000
2
I.

MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
LEADERSHIP
In January of 2000, Dr. Charles Joiner resigned his position as Dean of the SHRP. Dr. Michael
Brooks, who currently served as Associate Dean, was appointed Interim Dean. To assist with
academic affairs, Dr. Brooks appointed Dr. Claire Peel as Acting Assistant Dean. Bernard Harris
was appointed Director of Student Services.
In the Dept of Nutrition Sciences, Dr. Roland Weinsier resigned as chair and Dr. Charles Prince was
appointed Interim Chair. Dr. Timothy Nagy was appointed Interim Division Director for the
Division of Physiology and Metabolism.
In the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ms. Claudia Peyton was appointed Division Chair of
the Division of Occupational Therapy. Ms. Peyton is an experienced administrator, educator and
clinician whose most recent appointment was chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy at
Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. She is in the final stages of completing her doctoral
degree in Psychology and Cultural Studies from the University of Nebraska.
In the Department of Health Services Administration, Dr. Steven O'Connor was appointed as
Director of the MSHA program. Dr. O'Connor received his doctoral degree from UAB in Health
Services Administration. For the last ten years, he has been Director of the Health Administration
Program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He has extensive publications and has held
national leadership roles in health care administration.
In the Department of Critical and Diagnostic Care, reorganization occurred which resulted in the
creation of four divisions. The four divisions, programs within the division and division chairs are
listed below:




Clinical Laboratory Sciences: Virginia Randolph, MA
Clinical laboratory sciences
Medical technology
Cytotechnology
Management and Information Sciences: Donna Slovensky, Ph.D.
Health information management
Allied health
Medial Imaging and Therapy: Ann Steves, MS
Nuclear medicine technology
Radiography
Radiation therapy
Critical Care: Joe Gerald, M.D.
Surgical physician assistant
Nurse anesthesia
Respiratory therapy
SHRP Annual Report 1999-2000
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

LEADERSHIP RECRUITMENT ACTIVITIES

Search for Dean, SHRP. The search committee, chaired by Dr. William Bailey, reviewed
applications and identified six candidates who interviewed during the summer of 2000.
During the interview, each of the candidates presented a seminar to faculty, and met with
members of the search committee, faculty representatives and deans of other schools at
UAB.

Search for Chair of HSA. The search committee, chaired by Dr. Robert Stanley,
identified two finalists. Negotiations are progressing with the two finalists, and a
decision should be made during the fall of 2000.
FACULTY
New faculty appointments

Philip Blatt, MS, PT, Division of Physical Therapy. Mr. Blatt is an experienced clinician
with expertise in the management of patients with vestibular disorders. He is in the final
stages of completing his doctoral degree in physical therapy from the University of
Miami.

Jeffrey Burkhart, Ph.D., Department of HSA. Dr. Burkhart is a graduate of the University
of Michigan’s Department of Health Management and Policy. He has expertise in health
care finance and several publications in leading health administration journals.

Anthony Patterson, MSHA, Department of HSA. Mr. Patterson serves as Assistant
Director of the MSHA programs. He has a varied professional background combining
knowledge and experience in health care management, clinical nursing, health care
product development and the application of Internet technologies.

David Fine, MHA, Department of HSA. Mr. Fine is CEO of the UAB Health System.
His primary faculty appointment is in the Department of Health Services Administration.
Mr. Fine was recruited from Tulane University where he served as Chair and Professor in
the Department of Health Services Management.
Faculty resignations, retirements and transfers
Of the following, four individuals have retired from UAB and four have transferred to other
positions within the university. Of the resignations, three tenured senior level faculty have
accepted leadership positions in other universities or industry.
Kennon Francis, Ph.D., Physical Therapy
Teresa Wilborn, Ph.D., Chemoprevention Unit
Donald Hill, Ph.D., Chemoprevention Unit
Clinton Grubbs, Ph.D., Chemoprevention Unit
Larry Fish, Ph.D., Allied Health
SHRP Annual Report 1999-2000
4
Jeannette Bell, MS, Clinical Laboratory Sciences
Gunvanti Shah, GFAM, Cytotechnology
Michael Fiedler, MS, Nurse Anesthesia
George Fritsma, MS, Clinical Laboratory Sciences
Cynthia Haddock, Ph.D., Health Services Administration
Mahmud Hasson, Ph.D., Health Services Administration
Gail McGee, Ph.D., Health Services Administration
Philip Cornwell, Ph.D., Nutrition Sciences
Achievements

Dr. Norm Weissman (HSA) serves on the National Advisory Committee of the Robert
Wood Johnson Foundation’s Investigators in Health Policy Program.

Dr. Helmuth Orthner (HSA) is a member of the Biomedical Library review Committee of
the National Library of Medicine.

Dr. S Robert Hernandez (HSA) serves as a Commissioner on the Accrediting
Commission on education for Health Services Administration.

Dr. Michael Hardin (HSA) was recognized by the State Health Officer of Alabama for
his work on development of the Alabama Child Death Review System.

Dr. Eta Berner (HSA) became a Fellow in the American Medical Informatics
Association.

Laura Vogtle (DRS) received the Occupational Therapy State Association’s distinguished
Elsie McKibbin Lectureship.

Carolyn Sherer (DRS), in collaboration with Ellen Dossett (Department of Psychology)
published a book titled "Just as I Am: Americans with Disabilities”. The book received
first place in the inspirational category of the Independent Book Publishers Awards.

William Ogard (DRS) received his doctoral degree in Exercise Science from the
University of Iowa.

Dr. Donna Slovensky (CDC) received the Triumph-Education Award from the American
Health Information Management Association.

Dr. Lynn Gerald (CDC) was elected to the American Lung Association of Alabama’s
Board of Directors and was named Assistant Director of the UAB Lung Health Center.

Susan Perkins (CDC) received the Joseph F. Volker Outstanding Faculty Award from the
SHRP.
SHRP Annual Report 1999-2000
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


Three instructional computer programs have been developed and will be marketed this
fall. Topics and authors include “TB precautions for health care workers”: Ann Steves,
Virginia Randolph, Linda Jeff, Vickie Sanders (CDC); “Radiation protection for health
care workers”: Mike Thompson (CDC); and “General radiation protection”: Mike
Thompson (CDC).

Dr. Roland Weinsier (DNS) received the UAB President’s Excellence in Teaching
Award and was listed in Best Doctors in America, 1999.

Dr. Doug Heimburger (DNS) received the ASCN Dannon Institute Award for Excellence
in Medical/Dental Nutrition Education.

Dr. Carlos Krundieck (DNS) was elected fellow in the American Society of Nutrition
Sciences.

Dr. Sara Morgan (DNS) received a Distinguished Achievement Citation from Iowa State
University.

Dr. Timothy Nagy (DNS) was the International Life Sciences Institute Future Honor
Awardee.

Dr. Tsunenobu Tamura (DNS) was awarded a Distinguished Professorship from the
University of Georgia.
FACILITIES

The Scrushy building was approved by the Board of Trustees; construction began in May,
2000. This $10,375,000 project was funded by a $2.5 million dollar gift from Richard M.
Scrushy, and $1 million dollar gifts each from the Provost and President. The remaining
$5.875 million will be provided by current and future SHRP resources.

Approximately 800 square feet of wet lab space in the Webb Building was completed for the
Department of Nutrition Sciences.

Preliminary estimates for completing all planned facilities and renovations (Scrushy
Building, Webb Building and LRC) are $9-10 million. Completion of these plans will
require additional SHRP, university and external resources.
ALUMNI RELATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT

The school received five major gifts totaling $1.8 million. These funds will be used for
education and research on the relationship between nutrition and cancer, for student
scholarships, to renovate the Webb Building to increase space for research and to build the
Scrushy Building.
SHRP Annual Report 1999-2000
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

The SHaRP Banner, an eight-page, four color alumni newsletter was produced and mailed
twice during this past year to approximately 10,000 alumni. A class notes tear-off card for
alumni to send updates/announcements was added and appears to be successful.

The Richard A. Lind Endowed Scholarship Fund was created by a gift of $250,000 by
Michael E. Stephens. A campaign to obtain additional scholarship money for students in the
Master of Science in Health Administration program was initiated and will be a part of the
program’s 35th Anniversary.
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

Rankings: the MSHA program was ranked 8th and the physical therapy program was ranked
19th by US News and World Report. The Department of Nutrition Sciences was ranked the
#2 nutrition department in receipt of NIH funds. The doctoral program in nutrition sciences
ranked #11 of 140 programs evaluated by the Gourman Report of Graduate Programs, 8th
ed., 1999.

Program development: the Medical Imaging and Therapy Division of CDC developed tracks
in mammography and sonography. A medically trained physician assistant joined the
Surgical Physician Assistant program, and has begun to develop the medical tracks of the
program. The Clinical Laboratory Sciences Division developed a fast-track option for
students holding a bachelor’s degree in a basic science.

Distance education: with a grant from the Provost’s Office, the professional phases of the BS
in Allied Health and in Health Information Management are offered entirely through web
based instruction. This includes a total of 43 courses. The Executive HSA program involves
three intense on-campus sessions per year interspersed with web-based instruction. The
students in this program take a total of 9 courses per year.

The first time pass rates for students on licensure exams was consistently higher than the
national averages for all programs, as shown in the table below. The success of our
graduates reflects the high quality of our educational programs.
Occupational Therapy
Physical Therapy
Cytotechnology
Health Information Mgt.
Nuclear Medicine Technology
Radiation Therapy
Surgical Physician Assistant
Nurse Anesthesia
Dietetic Internship
Program % Pass Rate
97
95
100
62
86
71
95
95
100
National % Pass Rate
87
78
80
75
88
94
SHRP Annual Report 1999-2000
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

All programs have revised curricula to transition to the semester system. The proposed
curricula have been reviewed and approved by the SHRP Academic Affairs Committee. The
process required faculty of each program to carefully review their current curricula and make
changes that would strengthen the rigor of the programs.

Accreditation activities: physical therapy had a site visit in December 1999 and received full
accreditation for 8 years. The Surgical Physician Assistant program had a site visit in
December 1999 and received full accreditation for three years. Three programs (Health
Information Management, Radiography and Nurse Anesthesia) had site visits in the spring of
2000 and are awaiting results.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES

The SHRP Student Government Association sponsored two children to attend Camp-SmileA-Mile, a camp for children with terminal illnesses.

The SHRP Student Government Association sponsored a spring and fall blood drive through
the Alabama Blood Bank.

SHRP students received the following school-wide awards:
Dean s Leadership and Service Award
Mathew Wyatt, Health Informatics
Gary Cooley, Allied Health
Charles Brooks Award for Creativity
Marie Shunnarah, Physical Therapy
Melissa Sexton, Physical Therapy
Alfred W. Sangster Award for Outstanding International Student
Andreea Emilia Voinea-Griffin, Health Services Administration
Cecile Clardy Satterfield Award for Humanism in Health Care
Tracy Bard Podraza, Health Administration/Business Administration

Master of Science in Health Administration students were finalists in the National
Association of Health Services executives Everett Fox Case Competition held during their
Annual Meeting. For this competition, the students were required to generate solutions to
management problems.

Min Sun (DNS) received the Nutricia Research Foundation Student Award. This award is
one of two international awards that are presented annually.

The school awarded $108,250 in scholarship money to 83 students.
SHRP Annual Report 1999-2000
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

RESEARCH

The SHRP ranks number two in total funding for research among schools of allied health
sciences.

The NIDDK-supported multidisciplinary nutrition research center (Clinical Nutrition
Research Center) was funded. The grant represents approximately $5 million in total direct
cost funding over 5 years, and supports the research efforts of 60 investigators from 18 UAB
academic units. This center is one of eight funded in the United States.

The NCI-funded CARES (Cancer Research Experiences for Students) program was
implemented. This grant provides funding for up to 32 medical, dental, public health and
nursing students to receive research training.

The Division of Speech and Hearing hosted two individuals from other countries who came
to UAB to participate in research with Dr. James Flege. Linda C. Legault from Canada and
Dr. Carlo G. Schirru from Italy both spent one year at UAB.

Dr. Timothy Nagy (DNS) led a multidisciplinary group of individuals to submit a proposal to
NIH to fund a National Center for the Metabolic Phenotyping of Mouse Models of Diabetes.

Two faculty in Physical Therapy serve as principal investigators in the Constraint Induced
Therapy project. This project is exploring the effectiveness of a new treatment approach for
persons with neurological disorders.

A decision was made by the Deans of SHRP and the School of Medicine and the Chair of the
Department of Surgery to transfer the Chemoprevention Center to the Department of
Surgery. The decision was based on the long term goals and objectives of the
Chemoprevention Center.
SERVICE

The Osteoporosis Prevention and Treatment program continues to grow and expand its
services to Birmingham and beyond. The Nutrition Clinic is highly ranked among TKC
Clinics in the category of Overall Care Provided by Physicians.

Faculty from every department serve in elected positions in local, state and national
professional associations, as leaders on Boards of Directors of community organizations and
on committees and task forces within UAB.
SHRP Annual Report 1999-2000
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
II.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

The School implemented a new funding allocation model that will distribute 80% of the
funds from increased credit hour production to the department that generated the credit
hours. This plan provides an incentive to departments who increase enrollment and retain
current students.

The School developed a plan to increase the contingency fund by $100,000 each fiscal year
to reach a target of $400,000 by the year 2002. This plan will allow us to begin the planning
process for renovating the third floor of the LRC, the Webb Building and to complete Phase
II (5th and 6th floors) of the Scrushy Building.

A priority for this year was to complete the process of addressing faculty salary inequities
that have been identified. Recommendations have been made to the Provost to correct these
inequities by fiscal year 2002.
GOALS
The following goals will be addressed using current and future SHRP resources. To enhance our
future resources, plans include seeking gifts through development activities, applying for both
internal and external funding for specific initiatives, and collaborating with other departments and
schools. Additional university resources will be needed to accomplish our long-term goal of
completing Phase II of the Scrushy Building and renovating parts of the LRC and Webb Building.

Increase external funding/research and scholarly activities


Submit NIH R01 grants to support the renewal of the NIDDK-funded Clinical Nutrition
Research Center (1 year).

Develop school and department plans to increase research and scholarly activities (1
year).

Develop core facility for CNRC with funding from HSF—an essential step in
competing for renewal in 2005.
Identify research space to support faculty from all departments.


Relocate Division of Speech and Hearing researchers from Spain Rehabilitation
Center (1 year).
Development of new programs

Complete proposal, obtain approval and implement the Doctorate in Physical Therapy
post professional program (1-2 years).
SHRP Annual Report 1999-2000
10

Develop proposal, obtain approval and implement and MS degree in Medical Speech and
Language Pathology (4-5 years).

Transition the Surgical Physician Assistant program to a graduate level; develop
additional subspecialty tracks in the Surgical Physician Assistant Program (3-5 years).

Complete planning to determine feasibility of offering an undergraduate minor in
nutrition sciences (1-2 years).

Expand distance learning opportunities in the areas of cytotechnology, radiation therapy,
medical technology and nuclear medicine technology. (1-2 years).

Complete the assessment of the role of SHRP in emergency medicine training programs;
considerations range from EMT certification programs to adding emergency medicine
tracks to SHRP baccalaureate programs.

Recruit chairs for Departments of Health Services Administration and Nutrition Science



Complete search for Chair of HSA (< 1 year).

Re-activate and recruit a Chair of DNS after a permanent dean has been appointed.
(1-2 years).
Recruit highly qualified faculty

Recruit doctorally prepared faculty who will be able to contribute to the overall
missions of the programs, school and university (1-2 years).

Recruit a physician to allow increased capacity in the DNS clinics and consultation
services; including the possibility of joint recruitment with the Department of
Medicine (1 year).
Enhance student recruitment efforts

Collaborate with Ms. Sue McKinnon in enrollment services to identify pre-health
majors and community college transfer students who are interested in health-related
careers (ongoing).

Submit a NIH T32 institutional training grant to provide additional resources to
recruit and train students in the Department of Nutrition Science Ph.D. program. (1
year).

Enhance marketing and recruitment efforts by increasing presence at regional career
fairs, purchasing ads in national publications and attending recruitment exhibits at
local, state and national meetings (ongoing).
SHRP Annual Report 1999-2000
11

Complete Scrushy Building (1 year).




Complete activities related to successful conversion to the semester system (1-2 years).






III.
Complete all transition planning necessary to move by August 2001.
Purchase office furniture, laboratory equipment.
Plan Open House and Dedication ceremony.
Complete online Catalog for 2001-02.
Revise SHRP program brochures.
Maintain faculty/staff/student communication.
Monitor enrollment and fiscal matters.
Monitor faculty workload assignments to assure equity.
Accreditation activities

HSA will prepare self-study for site visit during the fall of 2001 (1-2 years).

Respiratory therapy is currently preparing self-study for site visit in the fall of 2000
(1 year).

Develop alumni associations for all programs who do not currently have alumni
associations (1-2 years).

Maintain and enhance clinical education programs (ongoing).

Improve faculty and administrative evaluation processes to assure a system that provides
specific feedback to faculty and administrators that is consistent with the mission and
goals of the programs, school and university (1-2 years).

Develop a plan to review salary equity issues for staff (1 year).
ENROLLMENT/STUDENT RECRUITING
The table below includes our undergraduate and graduate enrollment from fall of 1995 through fall
of 1999, with the final column showing our projected enrollment for fall of 2000. Undergraduate
enrollment decreased from fall of 1998 to fall of 1999 because of the transition of the Occupational
Therapy program to a graduate level. The increase in graduate enrollment is partially due to an
increase in Occupational Therapy graduate students.
Undergraduate
Graduate
1995
377
337
1996
394
363
1997
365
414
1998
366
468
1999
343
482
Proj. 2000
352
509
SHRP Annual Report 1999-2000
12
714
Total

757
779
834
825
861
Specific initiatives to increase enrollment:

Development of web sites to include online applications for many programs.

Flexible deadlines for applications to allow students to apply throughout the year.

For undergraduate programs, linkages have been established with local community
college advisors to provide health career information.

For graduate programs, increased communication with health-related clubs and
undergraduate advisors at UAB and other universities within Alabama.

Development of recruitment compact discs that have been mailed to prospective students,
counselors and advisors.

Consideration of adding another off-campus location for the dietetic internship program
which will allow space for additional students in that program.

Addition of 3-4 undergraduate courses in nutrition that may increase undergraduate
enrollment and will provide a pool of prospective students for graduate programs in
nutrition sciences and other SHRP programs.

Application for a NIH T32 training grant to allow expansion of the doctoral program in
nutrition sciences by 2-4 graduate students each year.

Recruitment displays at annual professional meetings.

Involvement of alumni and local clinicians as student recruiters.

Program advertisements in local, state and national publications.

Personal contacts by faculty of prospective students.

We anticipate that the enrollment in the school will continue to increase to approximately
1000 students within three to five years. Our stable and slowly increasing enrollment
over the past several years is considered an accomplishment considering the national
trend of declining enrollments in Schools of Allied Health Sciences. All faculty and staff
are committed to student recruitment and retention. We have support of both current
students and alumni who contribute by conveying a message of high quality student life
at UAB.
SHRP Annual Report 1999-2000
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