April 2025
From the Dean's Office...
Mary Ellen Ferolito
Pronouns: she, her, hers
Assistant Dean of Operations
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Program Manager, PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences
Celebrations play a vital role in fostering a sense of community, achievement, and tradition among students, faculty, and staff across the IHP. These moments can be small and heartfelt—like a farewell breakfast for a departing colleague, a party for those retiring this year—or more formal and festive, like Commencement.
On April 1st, we proudly recognized our colleagues at the annual Pillars of Excellence (PIE) Awards, celebrating the dedication, teamwork, and behind-the-scenes contributions of our incredible faculty and staff. This year, nine individual staff members, four IHP teams, and two MGB teams were honored for their outstanding efforts in teamwork, enhancing efficiency, fostering community, advancing innovation, and collaborating across the system. The PIE Awards are a cherished tradition, giving us the opportunity to reflect on the impact our colleagues have on each other, our mission, and the IHP community.
Just two days later, the spirit of celebration continued as we gathered for the Student Leadership Awards—an event dedicated to honoring students who go above and beyond in their commitment to service, collaboration, and leadership across the Institute. Five awards were presented, each highlighting a unique facet of student excellence: Be the Change Award, Outstanding Leadership Award, Teddy’s Team Center of Excellence Award, Emerging Leader Award, and the Impact Group Award.
And in just three short weeks, we will come together once again to celebrate at the 45th MGH Institute of Health Professions Commencement Ceremony, where students, faculty, and community partners will receive diplomas and special awards. This celebration honors not only the academic accomplishments and personal growth of our students but also marks the end of one journey and the beginning of another, as they step forward to join us as professionals and peers.
As we look back with gratitude on these recent celebrations, we also look ahead with excitement to the moments still to come—each one a reflection of the collaborative, supportive, and inspiring IHP community we’re proud to be part of.
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Upcoming Dates
- April 16: SHRS Writing Retreat (9-11am B39-202)
- April 16, 11:30am-1pm: Nicole Piemonte Spring Follow Up Workshop: Building 39 Room 202 or Zoom: https://mghihp.zoom.us/j/85755623066
- April 29: Brown Bag Lunch and Learn
- May 5: Commencement
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Welcome SHRS to Building 39
We are excited to welcome OT, PA, PT, HPEd, and Pre Reqs/BSHS to the building! With those departments moving to Building 39, now all the SHRS programs are in one building, all on the same floor: GC, CSD, OT. PA, PT, HPEd, and Pre Reqs/BSHS, and the Dean's Suite.
The Dean's office placed bud vases on desks in all the offices and workstations to brighten the space and welcome everyone to the new suite.
We look forward to the new opportunities for collaboration and community building provided by SHRS all being co-located.
We hope that you are able to get settled and enjoy some of the new open space (conference rooms, tables, lounge, kitchen with coffee).
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School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Adding Undergraduate Degree Program, New Department
A new degree program, a new department, an interim chair, additional programs, and prerequisites are making for some busy times at the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, which is undergoing a significant expansion.
For starters, the school is creating a new department called the Department of Health Sciences — this will be home to the new Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences major, a degree program which was approved last week by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education. The approval comes after an application submission last year, followed by a favorable peer review, and a public posting period required by the state.
“With the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences (BSHS) degree, we are expanding our degree offerings,” said Dean Laura Plummer. “The Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences opens up new pathways for students to continue into our graduate programs. It expands the possibilities for those aspiring to enter the health professions.”
The Department of Health Sciences will be led by Kim Mace, who will serve as interim chair. She has been overseeing the growth of the prerequisite program since she arrived at the MGH Institute in 2021.
“Individuals can earn their bachelor's here, and that is a massive and ambitious step for the IHP in diversifying our identity as a graduate school,” said Mace. “I think this step will bring us to the forefront within a larger competitor market. In addition to attracting more learners, this distinction will position us well within Mass General Brigham as we continue to be their premier workforce development entity and academic unit.”
Plummer says the BSHS aligns with the Institute’s mission of diversifying the health professions to be able to provide care for a complex society. And it dovetails well with the Early College Pathways Program Plummer is working on with Charlestown High School. Here, students visit the Institute for an introduction to audiology, speech-language pathology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing, and simulation activities, among others.
The degree program is built for students who earned an associate’s degree at a community college or those who began coursework at a four-year institution but never finished.
“With the launch of the bachelor completer degree, we now have a full educational pathway for students,” said Plummer. “They can go from high school to earn an associate's degree and then to the IHP for a bachelor’s and graduate degree to launch and advance a career in the health professions.”
Along with the new degree program, the Health Professions Education Department (HPEd) is moving under the SHRS umbrella.
“The HPEd Department attracts interprofessional and global students who want to advance health professions education,” said Plummer. “They offer several certificate programs and multiple pathways to earn a PhD and strengthen skills as educators and scholars. “We have a commitment to the scholarship of teaching and learning in SHRS, so the addition of the HPEd program provides even more opportunities for collaboration, research, faculty and staff development.”
HPEd Department Chair Roger Edwards says these organizational changes mean important efficiencies and synergies that will strengthen collaborative efforts across the Institute.
Prerequisites will be moving too.
“Having prerequisites is an excellent opportunity for our school to prepare students to be successful and develop pathways into our graduate programs,” said Plummer. “We have data to suggest that students who complete the prerequisite courses at the IHP are likely to be even more successful in our programs. In the end, the bachelor completion program and prerequisites help with guaranteed pathways and pipelines into the MGH Institute.”
| | Congratulations to all Pillars of Excellence Honorees | | |
Congratulations to all the individuals and teams recognized with the Pillars of Excellence Awards at the IHP, including, from SHRS:
- Shweta Gore
- Gwen Larsen
- Lindsay Sundberg
- EXXAT Implementation Team, including Tara Mansour, Donna Applebaum, Monica Arrigo, Colleen Casey, Jenna Comeau, Caitlin Fitzgerald, Jenny Hwang, Jacquelyn Lomino, Erica MacDonald, Jenn Mackey, Sanae Maouhoub, Lisa Moran, Patricia Peterson, Naba Salahuddin, Ann Seman, & Emily Venskytis
- IMPACT Practice Center Case Rounds Leadership Team and Facilitators, including Esther Herring, Jane Baldwin, Pauline Fiorello, Gwen Larsen, Suzanne Pennington, & Amanda Worek
- Health Careers Pathway Team, including Mary Ellen Ferolito, Angelina DiPietrantonio, Monica Arrigo, Jane Baldwin, Meaghan Clapp, Emily Eddy, Shweta Gore, Rania Karim, Maninder Kaur, Trish Kelley Nazarro, Emilie Larrivee, Gwen Larsen, Keshrie Naidoo, Mary O'Donnell, Monica Pessina, Becca Pham, Rachel Pittman, David Selkowitz, Lesley Smith, Emily Venskytis, & Julia Yi
- Disability Competent Care Assessment and Training Team, including Kelly Spellman
Thank you for all the amazing work that you do!
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Gallery Walk with Nicole Piemonte, PhD: Compassion and Empathy in Healthcare Education
We will be having our follow up virtual session on Wed, April 16, from 11:30am-1pm with Nicole Piemonte, PhD from Creighton University. Everyone is welcome to participate.
We will host a Gallery Walk: an opportunity for faculty to present a slide or two on how they have incorporated some ideas from Nicole's workshop on incorporating compassion and empathy into some course or clinical experience.
Please join us for this virtual session in B39- 202 Conference room or by Zoom. We'll have the zoom displayed on the screen.
Zoom Link
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Occupational Therapy Department Busy at Recent American Occupational Therapy Association Conference
There was a lot happening for those connected with the MGH Institute Department of Occupational Therapy who were at the American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference and Expo in Philadelphia from April 3-5.
MGH Institute faculty and students were involved in more than 30 presentations and posters, and more than 50 people attended a meet and greet with Institute alumni.
The conference finished with reception to celebrate the MGH Institute’s two new additions to the AOTA Roster of Fellows, Mary Hildebrand and Kathy Lyons.
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MGH Institute Faculty Contribute to Advancing Physical Therapy at National Conference
Several MGH Institute faculty members played a pivotal role in the work presented at the APTA Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) in Houston, from March 13-15, through their involvement in two task forces for the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy (ANPT) section of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). The task forces focused on standardizing movement analysis and developing diagnoses for balance dysfunction in physical therapy.
Laura Plummer, PT, DPT, EdD, dean of the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, discussed the significance of this research, which builds upon the APTA's Vision 2020 to position physical therapists as experts in movement. She shared insights on how the task forces have worked to refine frameworks for movement analysis and diagnostic processes, with their research directly benefiting clinical practice. Dr. Kathleen Gill-Body, adjunct faculty in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program, contributed as the first author for the balance dysfunction manuscript.
This collaboration marks an important step forward in optimizing movement and improving patient care outcomes in physical therapy.
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PT Leads 3rd Annual Social Justice Conference
The PT Department recently led a very successful 3rd annual "Connecting Physical Therapy Practice, Social Justice, and Health Equity Conference." Thanks to Rebecca Pham, Keshrie Naidoo, and several of the PT students for their leadership of this impactful event.
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Balint Group Sessions
We are hosting two more faculty/staff Balint groups beginning in May through November:
- Virtual: 2nd Tues 9-10am, 5/13 – 11/11/25
- In Person: 3rd Wed 12-1pm, 5/21-11/19/25
Balint groups provide a structured, reflective space to explore the emotional and relational aspects of clinical or academic work. Rooted in peer support and facilitated discussion, these groups help process challenging interactions with students, colleagues, and patients. By fostering empathy, reducing burnout, and enhancing communication skills, Balint groups empower participants to create more meaningful learning environments. Through shared experiences and guided reflection, participants gain deeper insight into their roles, leading to greater professional satisfaction and improved outcomes.
Commitment is for the entire six month period. To participate in either the in person or virtual sessions, complete this Formstack
For more information or any questions, reach out to Mike Boutin, Midge Hobbs, or Monica Arrigo.
| | CSD Student Holds Event for Support and Connections | | CSD student and SHRS Dean's Office Health Equity Leadership Fellow, HeeEun Jeon holds a coffee, community, and connection event for support and connections with staff, faculty, and students. | | |
Advancing Health Professions Scholarship of Excellence
It's time for the annual ASAHP Scholarship of Excellence. It's a $1000 scholarship for health professions students. Interested students should write the essay and complete this Formstack by May 31. Please share widely and encourage your students to participate!
Here are the details from ASAHP:
The Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions sponsors a scholarship program for health professions students enrolled in its member schools.
Purpose: The purpose of the scholarship program is to recognize outstanding students in the health professions who are achieving excellence in their academic programs and have significant potential to assume future leadership roles in health professions. The selected student will receive a $1,000 scholarship.
Starting in 2014, an additional scholarship in the amount of $1,000 and the title of Elwood Scholar is to be awarded to the most outstanding Scholarship of Excellence recipient.
Qualifications:
The following criteria must be met to be eligible to receive an ASAHP Scholarship:
- Candidates must be enrolled in a college or school that is an institutional member of ASAHP.
- Candidates must have successfully completed at least one term (quarter, semester, trimester, etc.) at that institution.
- Candidates may be enrolled in any health discipline except those in the nursing, public health, psychology, or MOD-VOPP (medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, podiatry, pharmacy) group.
- Candidates must be enrolled in a career entry-level, degree-granting program; all degree levels are eligible (associate, baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral).
- Financial need is not a criterion for eligibility.
Nomination Process:
The following process will be used to nominate candidates:
- Each eligible institution may nominate one candidate for each round of scholarship awards.
- A complete nomination will include each of the following items:
- Completed “ASAHP Scholarship Nomination Form”
- A letter endorsed by the ASAHP Institutional Representative that supports the nomination and describes qualities of the candidate (see Qualifications).
- A current nominee’s resumé/CV.
- A one-page (not to exceed 200 words) typewritten essay from the nominee that addresses why she/he selected the health profession for which she/he is enrolled and what unique contributions she/he intends to make to the community’s health.
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Inspiring Change through the SHRS Research Grant
The SHRS Dean's Office awards Research Grants twice a year. The purpose of the grants is to support research and scholarship in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences that increase the likelihood of peer-reviewed dissemination. Preference will be given to applicants with projects in the scholarship of application and the scholarship of teaching and learning for whom external funds are not readily available.
Here is an update on one of those research grants.
Project Title: Training verbal mediation to support executive function in children with developmental language disorder (DLD)
Research Team: Lauren Baron (PI), Yael Arbel (Mentor/Collaborator)
Progress Period: July 1, 2024 – January 2, 2025
Update:
The long-term goal of this project is to determine the effects of modeling self-directed language (i.e., verbal mediation) on the subsequent use of verbal mediation to guide executive function in school-aged children with DLD. The objectives for this funding period were to (1) develop and validate task protocols for a verbal mediation intervention task, and (2) collect pilot data to strengthen a proposal for external funding.
During the previous reporting period (Jan-July 2024), we developed and tested the intervention task, amended an IRB protocol to begin testing the task with child participants, and submitted an NIH NIDCD R21 Early Career Research Award proposal.
In the last six months, we collected pilot data from 12 participants in our target age range of 8-10 years (4 with DLD and 8 with typical language development). Data analysis indicated that all participants performed with high accuracy on this task, regardless of their group classification (DLD or TD). Transcription of externalized verbal mediation revealed that all children could imitate the model after a shorter exposure than we anticipated. Anecdotal feedback from the participants suggests the modeling exposure is too long and would still be effective if shortened and/or consolidated. Next steps include modifying the intervention task to be more efficient and developing the pre-test/post-test versions of the task with EEG recording.
Baron, L. S., Gul, A., Schafer, A. L., Black, K. B., Fox, A. B., & Arbel, Y. (2025). Shifting in school-aged children with developmental language disorder. Manuscript submitted for publication on 1/29/2025.
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Professional Development Series Opportunity
Shared Decision Making: Everyone Plays a Role
We invite you to join us for a series of professional development workshops discussing the role of interdisciplinary healthcare professionals in the shared decision-making process. Shared decision making (SDM) is both a science and an approach to clinical care in which patients and clinicians collaborate and deliberate together to ensure that each patient gets the right care. As no medical decision occurs in a silo, effective shared decision making depends on an interdisciplinary team – everyone plays a role!
Opening session was held on Feb 10th. Here's a link to the recording.
Follow up sessions:
• May 12th, 12:00-1:00 PM: Faculty focused: https://mghihp.zoom.us/j/85820337898
Feel free to forward this Outlook invitation to anyone you think might benefit from this workshop.
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Monthly Brown Bag Lunch and Learn Series
As part of our professional development offerings, the SHRS Dean's Office has begun a monthly hybrid, Brown Bag Lunch and Learn on the last Tuesday of each month, from 12pm-1pm in the conference room of Building 39, Room 202 or via Zoom: https://mghihp.zoom.us/j/86901261911
Our next Brown Bag Lunch and Learn is scheduled for April 29, 2025. Our presenter is John Wong: "Sabbatical: Goals & Achievements".
Bring a lunch and your questions and plan for an engaging conversation.
We will host these monthly sessions on the last Tuesday of the month in Building 39 conference room 202: 12- 1pm or by Zoom.
We have great snacks and fun community in person!
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Boston in the Spring
There are endless ways to experience Boston in the spring. Check out some fun things to do in the city.
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Exploring Future Possibilities
with Charlestown High Students
| | Charlestown high students back at the IHP to explore hands-on learning during their visit to the Sim Lab — future healthcare professionals in the making! | |
April is
Autism Awareness Month
A month-long observance dedicated to increasing understanding, acceptance, and inclusion of individuals with ASD.
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Therapy Dogs are on Campus Every Month!
Here are the dates, times, and locations for 2025
- Wed, May 7, Orientation, 12-1pm, Shouse
- Mon, May 12, first day of class, 12-1pm, 2CW
- Tues, June 10, 12-1pm, Shouse
Mark your calendars, share it with students, and plan to spend a little time de-stressing with our furry friends!
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SHRS Dean's Office
Laura Plummer, PT, DPT, EdD, NCS
lplummer@mghihp.edu
Dean, SHRS
617-643-6324
Mary Ellen Ferolito, MA
Asst Dean of Operations
mferolito@mghihp.edu
617-724-4841
Emile R "Mike" Boutin, Jr, EdD
Asst Dean for Faculty & Student Success
eboutin@mghihp.edu
617-726-8021
Angelina DiPietrantonio, M.Ed
Executive Assistant/ Project Specialist
adipietrantonio@mghihp.edu
Comments about our newsletter? Article ideas?
Mike Boutin: eboutin@mghihp.edu
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