Hello friends and alumni of the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism,
In my first couple of months as interim head, I’ve been grateful for the strong legacy and leadership network of our faculty, alumni and friends. With your goodwill and support across the years, the department has grown in strategic ways through expansion of teaching programs, along with extending the reach and visibility of our scholarly impacts. Dr. Carla Santos, the previous head who has moved into the AHS Dean’s Office, has left us in a solid position to engage our future.
I hope this message finds you well and in good health. It is my pleasure to share with you our fall 2023 newsletter. As a takeaway message, please know that we are committed to keeping you informed about our programmatic developments—from innovative research projects to exciting student achievements to alumni in action.
We are thrilled to showcase the accomplishments of our students. This newsletter features inspiring stories of how our graduates are making their mark in the industry, and how our current students are working their way toward that goal through their coursework and life-changing internships.
Furthermore, we highlight a few of our faculty to illustrate how our research propels the department forward as a leader in advancing knowledge and influencing policy and practice. Whether you’re an alumnus, a current student or faculty member, we hope you enjoy our stories.
I’m hoping to connect with many of you over the coming year and invite you to stop by Huff Hall to visit your Illini family. Wishing you all an invigorating fall season!
Warm regards,
Bill Stewart Interim Head Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism
Dear students, faculty, alumni and friends of the Department of Speech and Hearing Science,
As the vibrant colors of fall start to grace our campus, I am delighted to welcome you all to the latest edition of our departmental newsletter. It is with immense pride that I share the remarkable strides we have taken over the past few months and offer a glimpse into the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.
Our commitment to further the fields of audiology and speech language pathology remains unwavering. In this issue, we highlight stories of faculty, students and staff making their mark in diverse corners of the field. These narratives illuminate the strength of our community and the profound impact we have.
I am thrilled to introduce our new faculty and staff members who bring a wealth of expertise to our department. Their diverse backgrounds and innovative research interests promise to enrich our academic environment and push the boundaries of our knowledge. Additionally, you’ll read about the well-earned promotions of three faculty members, an amazing overseas experience for a doctoral student, and see photos and videos of campus and community events led by students and faculty.
Lastly, I would like to express my gratitude to each member of our department for your dedication and passion. Your contributions are the driving force behind our accomplishments, and your enthusiasm fuels our collective progress.
I invite you all to immerse yourselves in the pages of this newsletter, celebrate our achievements and envision the possibilities. Together, we will continue to empower individuals with communication challenges, advance the frontiers of research and shape the future of speech and hearing science.
Warmest wishes for a productive and inspiring fall semester.
Sincerely,
Pamela Hadley, Ph.D. Head, Department of Speech and Hearing Science
Hello, members of the Kinesiology and Community Health family,
As we move later into the fall semester, I am excited to share with you the latest 2023 KCH newsletter. This edition embodies our commitment to fostering wellness, strengthening community bonds and celebrating the remarkable achievements of our faculty, students, alumni and staff.
In these pages, you will find inspiring stories, insightful research highlights and important updates that underscore the vital role that kinesiology and community health play in enhancing lives.
In this newsletter, you’ll meet our new faculty, including the director of our Master of Health Administration program. You’ll read about some of the exciting research our faculty is exploring, and we will spotlight the achievements of some of our exceptional students. Their dedication to academic excellence and their unwavering commitment to creating healthier communities are truly commendable. You will also delight in some of the trips our faculty and students took earlier this year.
As we delve into this newsletter, I invite you to reflect on the connections between wellness and community. Our work has far-reaching implications, and by embracing the intersections of these two crucial aspects, we can inspire others to adopt healthier lifestyles while fostering a sense of belonging and togetherness.
The department is also excited to announce that next year, we will undergo a name change that better reflects our mission. In August of 2024, Kinesiology and Community Health will become Health and Kinesiology.
In closing, I invite you to immerse yourselves in the fall 2023 KCH Newsletter, to be energized by its contents, and to continue embodying the spirit of wellness and community in all your endeavors.
Wishing you all a productive and inspiring fall season.
Warm regards,
Kim Graber Head, Department of Kinesiology and Community Health
Haley Bauman graduated from the University of Illinois in August 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in recreation, sport and tourism. She told us about her internship program this summer.
This past summer, I had the wonderful opportunity to complete a 10-week internship as an activities field support agent for the Catalina Island Co. My initial connection to this company was through an online job search, which led to a seasonal position as a sales agent in the summer of 2022.
After experiencing an incredible season on Catalina Island, I knew that once this opportunity came to an end it would not be the last time I worked for this company. This past spring, I partnered with their tours and activities management team to create an entirely new position that aligned with the RST Internship Program.
I chose Catalina Island for my internship site because I thought it would be the best fit for my future career goals in the eco-tourism industry. Additionally, the Catalina Island Co. provides numerous opportunities for employees to try out multiple positions within their tours and activities department. I decided to do my internship in California because I am hoping to move there post-graduation. Having connections in the location where you plan to live is crucial for your employment in the future.
As a field support agent in the tours and activities department, my primary responsibilities included guiding tourists and helping with any questions or concerns, packaging tours and activities in a cost-efficient and time-friendly manner and assisting co-workers with daily tasks. Additionally, I assisted my internship supervisor with office and onsite jobs, such as setting up signage for cruise ships, adjusting balance sheets and organizing work spaces to maintain a clean and happy work environment. The unique eco-tourism opportunities I packaged, sold and guided guests to partake in ranged from semi-submersible rides and bison expeditions to eco-ziplining tours.
A major positive aspect of this internship experience was that it provided me with the opportunity to practice a work-life balance in the real world. Through trial and error, I found which strategies worked best to keep me happy and healthy during this process. Another key aspect was that I have grown personally and professionally, which allowed me to reach the goals I had set for myself—especially in the areas of communication and customer service. This internship also helped me discover a major life lesson: not everything needs to go according to plan for you to be successful. In fact, most things won’t go according to plan and that’s OK because it’s the problem-solving and outcome that dictates your success.
Although my internship has ended, I am continuing to work with the Catalina Island Co. as a sales agent for the tours and activities department through the remainder of the season in October. This opportunity has been such an incredible learning experience and I am excited to continue to grow with this position. Overall, I would definitely recommend interning for this company as it provides hands-on experiences to help individuals build confidence and a better understanding of what interests them in the field of recreation, sport and tourism.
Rabel Lohana joined the Department of Speech and Hearing Science this fall as the first practice manager for the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Clinic. Find out more about her career and life journey below.
Q: You are from Pakistan, and worked to provide medical care there. How did you end up in Indiana? What made you want to come to the United States?
A: A better career is what drove us to leave our home country and relocate to the United States. The job chances in the United States are superior to those available to immigrants at home. Regardless of color, ethnicity, or religious beliefs, the United States appears to be one of the safest countries to live and provide equal opportunities to all. There are many educational possibilities for those who desire to further their education because the United States has so many universities and it turned out to be so beneficial for me, when I decided to pursue an MBA at (Indiana University).
Q: You have a variety of skills, including practicing as a physician. How and why did you make the decision to pivot to an MBA and work on healthcare business aspects?
A: Patient care is only one aspect of working in the healthcare industry. Healthcare professionals that are focused on patient care may be unaware of the business aspects of the healthcare industry. But how hospitals and other healthcare institutions and organizations run their operations depends heavily on this business aspect. That excited me when I worked as a medical administrator in Pakistan. Making sure these institutions and groups function efficiently on a daily basis can help guarantee that patients can access and receive high-quality medical care. Keeping institutions and organizations in good standing generally is essential for their continued operation, and healthcare management is a key component.
Q: What have you noticed is different about medical care in the U.S. than Pakistan?
A: A healthcare system is one of the most essential pillars of any country. The primary role of a healthcare system is to ensure that all people get the best available health facilities in a timely, acceptable, affordable and accessible manner. However, for a healthcare system to function as such, it requires proper infrastructure and financial support. To a large extent, the healthcare system in Pakistan is facing several challenges. There is a massive shortage of hospitals, doctors, nurses and paramedical staff. Most life-saving medications are too expensive for people to afford. Above all, there exists a lack of trust in the healthcare system, which gives way to the ever-increasing quackery in the country. In contrast, in the U.S., patients’ lives and needs come before the expense of receiving care, universal access to healthcare for the poor and the desperate. Along with that, the U.S. invests a lot of money promoting new, innovative health concepts for the wellbeing of its citizens, which benefits not only Americans but also the rest of the world.
Q: What made you decide to choose Illinois to work and live?
A: I’ve always wanted to work for an institution that will not only support my professional growth but also for the prosperity of students and the community. And, as I was looking for work, I discovered that the University of Illinois not only had that, but also an extraordinary team of people that not just support the university’s mission, but also the people who work here.
Q: How did you make the decision to work for the Dept. of Speech and Hearing Science? What about the job was interesting to you?
A: Having a background in medicine and business experience in the healthcare industry, I immediately knew this job at SHS was suited for me when I learned about it. I was seeking a combination of the operational side of the business and collaboration with other institutions to extend the vision and organizing outreach activities for the education of the community, and how they may benefit from the clinic services, and this job has it all.
Q: The Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Clinic has never had a business manager. What changes do you anticipate making to help the clinic be more visible and successful?
A: As the clinic’s business manager, it is my goal to implement as many outreach programs as possible for the community’s good that will not only draw in more patients but also spread the word that students can enroll in our well-rounded curriculum. I believe the clinic has a lot of potential, and some of its aspects are still untapped, therefore I’d be interested in exploring those possibilities, in order to build a prosperous and well-known clinic in the community. I do see myself as a representative of our outstanding clinical faculty and staff, assisting them in overcoming obstacles so they can give patients good treatment and give students uninterrupted time and attention.
Rural and nature-based tourism is one of the fastest-growing segments in the tourism industry, and the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism wants to be at the forefront of efforts to develop it further.
Eagle Days in Havana, Ill., are days when visitors flock to see the majestic birds.
Rural and nature-based tourism is one of the fastest-growing segments in the tourism industry, and the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism in the College of Applied Health Sciences at Illinois wants to be at the forefront of helping develop it.
The Bureau of Economic Analysis estimated the U.S. outdoor recreation economy accounted for $374 billion of gross domestic product in 2020. A survey of tourists from eight Midwest states—including Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Tennessee and Wisconsin—revealed that Illinois was their No. 1 destination.
The I-Rural project, funded by Illinois Extension and the University of Illinois’ Office of the Provost Investment for Growth Program, was launched in 2022 to develop a model that will guide rural tourism development across the state. Illinois Extension and RST have partnered to help rural communities create strategies for capturing a piece of the fast-growing tourism industry. The river-based communities of Grafton, Havana, Savanna and Galena are piloting the project.
In the project’s first phase, interactive workshops were held with local leaders and business owners at the four pilot sites, followed by stakeholder interviews in Phase 2 and the development of a survey to understand rural tourist motivations and preferences in Phase 3.
RST Assistant Professors Joelle Soulard and Sharon Zou said that “throughout the project, we made multiple visits to communities. During these visits, we met and connected with local government staff, business owners, public land managers, nonprofit staff and residents.”
Executive reports and webinars were held to share the findings and access to the I-Rural Toolkit, which showcased strategies to develop rural tourism and grant-funding opportunities.
Building new relationships between RST faculty and Extension staff was critical to the project. The relationships Extension built in the communities enhanced the ability of RST researchers to gather data. This year, I-Rural is seeing RST research converted into relevant, actionable plans in rural communities throughout Illinois, Soulard and Zou said.
“We presented our project to Illinois Extension’s Local Government Education webinar series,” the RST faculty members said. “More than 65 local officials and community leaders attended. Student engagement was an important part of the project. We had undergraduate and graduate students who participated in all aspects of research. We published a series of articles in tourism management journals based on this research, and the citation index for these articles is rapidly growing, showing how Illinois is a leader in advancing the literature in this area.”
Jennifer Russell, the University of Illinois Extension Community & Economic Development educator working in the region, said that local leaders are attending events to learn about regional tourism and growth in the industry, and communities are applying for Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development grants to upgrade local resources such as a community pool, downtown riverfronts and docks.
“Communities are exploring opportunities to host new tourists because of an increase in cruise ships docking nearby,” Russell said, “while also marketing local assets like wildlife viewing, hiking, camping, orchards, mushroom hunting, road trips, zipline, ski-lift, alpine coaster, specialty markets and more.”
Grafton is continuing to work on tourism-related projects, she said. Aerie’s Resort recently opened an alpine coaster, and the mayor’s office is heading up a Veteran-themed art installation and a ferry study to improve transportation infrastructure for residents and Missouri tourists crossing the Mississippi River.
Richard Proffer, Illinois Extension community and economic development educator for Mason County, said that there was “a lot of excitement” on the part of businesses and residents invested in their community in Havana who didn’t know how to implement tourism strategies.
After reviewing studies of visitors, a group was formed to activate programs. Natural tourism is a draw for Havana and the county, with visitors from Chicagoland coming for stargazing and 2,000 attendees at the Eagle Days festivals in February, considered an optimal time for people to see the majestic birds. Bed and breakfast bookings increased in the area, and survey responses from tourists prompted the establishment of a restaurant serving breakfast, Proffer said.
Zou and Soulard said they are in the final stage and wrapping up the project, but stressed that much work remains to be done.
“We are trying to visit the communities to share our findings that are relevant and helpful for their tourism development,” the researchers said. “We will present the project to the National Extension Tourism conference in Milwaukee, and we are hoping to connect with extension [groups] from across the country and seek ways to expand the project to a regional one. We would also like to dive into agritourism sector, and we are currently collaborating with folks at the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics.”
Meaghan McKenna joined the faculty of the Department of Speech and Hearing Science in the fall of 2023. McKenna’s research focuses on engaging in collaborative partnerships to solve educational problems of practice. Find out more about her below.
Q: Who or what influenced you to go into research or academia?
A: I have always been interested in implementation of evidence-based practices in educational settings. The summer before my senior year of college, I joined the team at the Shafer Center for Early Intervention [in Maryland]. One of my job responsibilities was attending summer camp with a child to support his interactions with peers. I observed that his expression language output was always highest during movement-based activities. The following year I conducted my first research study at the Shafer Center with Dr. Janet Preis to answer each of the research questions I generated. When working as a speech-language pathologist in educational and private practice settings, I engaged in ongoing data collection to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions. I also served as a member of interprofessional teams in school-based and medical settings where we engaged in ongoing data-based decision-making to inform tiered instructional plans/comprehensive plans of care for children. In 2016, I was encouraged to return back to the university setting to pursue an educational leadership certification and the professor of my first course at the University of South Florida, Dr. Steve Permuth, asked me to meet with him after reading my first assignment. During this meeting he encouraged me to consider a doctorate degree. He also involved me in educational policy research and writing. The following semester [spring 2017] I enrolled in educational leadership doctoral coursework. However, I soon sought mentorship in the investigation of multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS). I began meeting with Drs. Jose Castillo and Howard Goldstein in the summer of 2017 and they each invited me to become part of research projects they led. I realized that completing the doctorate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders was best for me while continuing to collaborate with the College of Education. I continued working in Hillsborough County [Fla.] Public Schools for the entirety of my doctoral studies and my colleagues helped me realize that all of our collaborations addressing MTSS and early elementary writing could shape my research agenda. I was able to form instantaneous research partnerships because the foundation of trust was already established. All that needed to change was a more rigorous approach to evaluating the work we were already doing.
Q: What led you to study speech-language pathology?
A: I completed observations in a variety of work settings before declaring my major. When I went to observe a speech-language pathologist in a school-based setting I was intrigued by the diversity of her caseload. I also enjoyed learning about the different options for service delivery. It was exciting to watch how effectively the SLP collaborated with administration, general education teachers, special education teachers and related service providers. I became interested in all of the possibilities within this field. I also had opportunities for different service learning experiences with adults and children while attending Loyola University in Maryland as an undergraduate. All of these experiences along with the exceptional mentorship I received from Dr. Lisa Schoenbrodt and Dr. Janet Preis while completing my undergraduate coursework in the Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences solidified my decision.
Q: Did you always want to teach?
A: I realized the importance of providing high quality learning experiences to the future of the field while serving as a speech-language externship supervisor and providing professional development to different groups of educators in Hillsborough County Schools. Teaching allows me to impact generations of future speech-language pathologists, general and special educators and healthcare professionals who can in turn influence more people than I can reach through my individual efforts. I hope to pass on the legacy of the wonderful professors and mentors who I have learned from, and encourage students to be lifelong learners.
Q: What led you to Illinois?
A: The tenure-track position at Illinois in educational speech-language pathology was a perfect match for my skills and interests. Beginning my career as a school-based speech-language pathologist allowed for identification of problems of practice, a desire to equip myself with the skills to investigate under-researched areas and an understanding of the importance of engaging practitioners. My entire research agenda is influenced by my experiences as an educational SLP. The Speech and Hearing Science Department embraces implementation science and recognizes the value of translation of research into authentic practice settings. I knew this institution was the ideal environment to continue learning, growing and accomplishing my career objectives.
Q: What is your primary area of research?
A: My objective is to engage in ongoing communication, collaboration and continuous problem-solving in partnership with early childhood centers and school districts to drive system-wide change and continuous quality improvement. My overriding research aim is to optimize the success of educators and students, especially in preschool and early elementary grade levels. This has led to a variety of opportunities to join large teams investigating components of a multi-tiered system of supports framework. My primary area of focus is early elementary writing in kindergarten through second grade. I study assessment, data-based decision-making, tiered instruction and professional development.
KCH Assistant Professor Hyojung Kang is a co-investigator on a nearly $100,000 Jump ARCHES grant to develop innovative models aimed at reducing ER wait times.
Pronounced staff shortages and a lack of hospital beds have led to prolonged wait times for patients in emergency rooms around the United States, recent studies show. Those studies also show that patient congestion is one of the main factors threatening efficiency, safety and quality of care.
Now two researchers, including one from the College of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Illinois, are looking at ways to reduce emergency care wait times.
Hyojung Kang, an assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health in AHS, is a co-investigator on a nearly $100,000 Jump ARCHES grant to develop innovative models aimed at reducing wait times. The Jump ARCHES program is a collaboration between OSF Healthcare, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria. It was established in 2014 by a $62.5 million gift to provide direct access and competitive grants to engineers and physicians working together to combat problems in the realm of health care.
Kang’s co-investigator is William Bond, an emergency department physician at OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
“To acknowledge that suffering [in the waiting room] is to use compassion, which is part of us at OSF HealthCare, and to address those needs as quickly as we can; to acknowledge that timeliness is part of the quality of care and we really want to have as timely of care as we can for our emergency department patients,” Bond said.
Improving time to treatment
The project is called: STREAM-ED: Simulation to Refine, Enhance and Adapt Management of Emergency. The team is creating models to predict short-term, mid-range and long-term demand using historic data in de-identified electronic medical records. The goal is to combine machine learning prediction, discrete event simulation (a method to test processes and interventions ideally prior to intervention) and optimization techniques to determine best possible operational changes in emergency department management.
Kang specializes in discrete simulation, which provides a layered analysis of non-linear relationships among factors such as patient flow, availability of resources and operational policies that influence where patients are placed and for how long. The process provides a more comprehensive understanding of the way the system performs.
“Discrete-event simulation is a powerful technique used to model and analyze dynamic behaviors of complex systems, such as emergency departments,” Kang said. “In an ED DES model, individual entities like patients are simulated, along with their interactions with various resources like physicians and nurses.”
Kang says the EMR information leveraged by researchers to create predictive models includes chief complaints, acuity levels, whether a patient was discharged, and timestamps collected throughout the patient’s time in the emergency department. They’ll also use data about physical resources and providers, including nurses and technicians who deliver assessments or care in different pods within the emergency department.
Bond says it also offers a way of testing interventions and timing without having to do it in real life.
“Instead, we may find that staffing an area with a more balanced team is the thing to do, staffing the team earlier in the day or later in the day. These types of things may make significant changes in our ability to care for patients.”
Running those scenarios will help identify high-reward interventions that can make the biggest impact with the fewest resources to increase efficiencies that can also help providers from feeling burnt out.
There have been studies that use forecasting and modeling approaches in the past, but Kang says their practical application and integration into real-world operations have been limited. The project should result in helping decision-makers understand feasible actions they can take to improve emergency department flow.
“Our research team aims to empower [emergency department] leaders with the necessary, data-informed tools to navigate the complexities of resource allocation, making a tangible difference in the daily functioning of the ED,” Kang said.
Libby Knight, the assistant director of marketing and communications at Carle Illinois College of Medicine, is an RST alumna, graduating in December of 2011 with a M.S. in Sport Management. She answered questions about picking RST, her favorite course and her most memorable on-campus experience.
Q. Why did you pick RST?
A: After graduating with a B.S. in Sport Management and Communications from Indiana State University and having played college soccer at ISU, I wanted to continue my education to better prepare myself for my professional career in sports management, namely collegiate athletics. I chose RST as it aligned with my professional goals and allowed me the opportunity to also complete a graduate assistantship with the Illinois athletics communications department.
Q: Which professors had the most impact on you?
A: While it has been a number of years since I was at AHS, I remember my advisor, Dr. Carla Costa, and the legend himself, Dr. Michael Raycraft, having the most impact on me when I was in school. Dr. Costa was a great advocate and someone who I know would give supportive, constructive criticism, while also pushing me to my best effort. Dr. Raycraft’s classes were always engaging and fun and very educational in a real-world way. I vividly remember his RST 515 “Marketing in RST” class being one of my favorites during my graduate program.
Q: What course did you most enjoy?
A: I think I would say that Dr. Raycraft’s RST 515 “Marketing in RST” class was one of my favorite classes during my time at Illinois. I remember one of our assignments was to attend an event at State Farm Center and look and experience the event through a critical eye. Dr. Raycraft apologized in advance for the result being we would never see an event that we attended the same way again.
Q: Did you enter RST knowing your career path, or did RST help you decide?
A: I entered RST knowing the career path I wanted to pursue, with my experience at Illinois cementing that working in college athletics was something I wanted to do for a living.
Q: Did your RST experience lead to your current job?
A: In a roundabout way, my RST experience did have an impact on my current job. Following my graduate program at Illinois, I worked in the athletics departments at Morehead State, Kennesaw State and finally came back to Illinois to work in the same office I did as a graduate assistant in fall of 2015. I worked in the Illinois Athletics communications department for seven years and loved it. I had so many wonderful opportunities and experiences, including going to the 2018 NCAA national semifinals with the volleyball team and hosting the 2022 NCAA tennis championships as co-communications coordinator. In September 2022, I decided to step away from college athletics for a little more work/life balance in my life and through the skills I learned from my AHS education and the work experience I gained professionally, I was able to move over to the Carle Illinois College of Medicine where I serve as the assistant director of marketing and communications.
Q: What was your favorite on-campus experience?
A: My favorite on-campus experiences were always working or attending Illinois athletics events. It was such an amazing experience to see the behind-the-scenes work of a major athletics department and as a Champaign native, cheering for my hometown team!
Q: What would you say to recommend RST to a prospective student?
A: I would tell prospective students that RST offers an amazing experience to learn about everything there is to offer in recreation, sport and tourism professions. In my experience, the professors were passionate about educating students and providing real-world examples for hands-on learning opportunities. One of the main reasons I chose RST and wanted to work in sports is that sports is fun! There is a time and place to be serious and work through issues or problems, but most people who work in sports do so for the love of the game. Choosing RST allows you to learn about professions in sports (as well as recreation and tourism) and sets you up for success in the future.
In May 2023, 24 students traveled to Italy in a faculty-led Study Abroad program focused on the Italian public health system. Students attended tours and talks at prestigious Italian sites in Rome and Florence, and also enjoyed some amazing cultural activities, including Italian cooking and art classes, guided tours to the main historical attractions in Rome and a visit to a winery. Some of the places visited were the Catholic University, the Italian National Institute of Health and the Department of Planning and Organization of the National Health Service, a regulatory agency within the Italian Ministry of Health.
KCH faculty members Andi Schwingel and Aline Lamas led the group. The students also visited Agenas, the Department of Planning and Organization of the National Health Service, a regulatory agency within the Italian Ministry of Health, which deals with regulating pharmaceuticals, medical devices and other health products. They met with AREU (Azienda Regionale Emergenza Urgenza), which handled the Covid pandemic in the Lombardy region, to learn about their emergency preparedness operations and experiences with Covid-19.
In addition, students visited the Sapienza Università di Roma and University of Florence in Florence to learn about their public health training programs. There they met with officials, professors and students. Additionally, they visited the University Hospital Meyer Children Hospital in Florence to learn about the work of this hospital, which is an official member of the European Network of Health Promoting Hospitals of the World Health Organization. Additional site visits included Community of San Egidio, Caritas Roma, First Med, Institute of Neuroscience/Tuscany Stroke Network and Terme dei Papi in Viterbo. Students also enjoyed some cultural activities including Italian cooking classes, guided tours in historical Rome and the Colosseum, a visit to a winery and art class.
GREECE
In the summer of 2023, students—led by KCH faculty members Kristin DiFilippo and Beth Frasca—embarked on a two-week tour of Greece for IHLT 498: Interdisciplinary Health in Greece.
Students spent two weeks exploring health from an interdisciplinary perspective. Participants experienced campus life at Perrotis College, connected with academic staff, and interacted with Greek culture. Greece provided an opportunity for students to experience the Mediterranean lifestyle while learning about health from the perspective of the whole person.
Participants toured cultural, historic and religious sites in Thessaloniki and Athens, learned about the public and private health systems, and gained knowledge of Greek culture through shared meals, winery visits and Greek dancing lessons. Greek experts on the Mediterranean lifestyle, olive oil and the healthcare system interacted with students. Undergraduate students who are interested in learning about health while exploring Greece gained an appreciation for the role that various dimensions of health and culture play in quality of life. Students took part in cooking classes and learned to make several different Greek foods. They also did an olive oil tasting and learned about the Mediterranean diet. Students also climbed Mount Olympus and visited the Parthenon.
