College Highlights & News
KCHP Receives $126,000 Grant for HIV/AIDS Education
October 2009
Idaho State University-Meridian HIV/AIDS education coordinator, Judy Thorne, has been awarded $126,000 in federal grant money to aid Idaho health professionals and practitioners in the detection and prevention of HIV and AIDS in Idaho. Full story>>
$329,670 Federal Grant Awarded to KCHP for Idaho Oral Health Institute
October 2009
Idaho State University has received a $329,670 federal grant to help create the Idaho Oral Health Institute (IOHI). ISU received the grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). These grant funds will be used to purchase distance-learning education equipment that will link five ISU oral clinics, two classrooms and one conference room. The dental clinics are the Dental Hygiene Clinic and Pocatello Family Dentistry Clinic on the ISU Pocatello campus with the ISU Family Dentistry Clinic in Boise, to be housed at the ISU-Meridian Health Sciences Center along with a satellite Dental Hygiene Clinic. The other oral health clinic is located in Idaho Falls at the Eastern Idaho Technology College/ISU Health Care Education Building. Full story>>
Institute of Rural Health Celebrates 20 Years of Research and Education
October 2009
The Idaho State University Institute of Rural Health – which has been awarded $34 million in grant and contract funds since its inception – will celebrate its 20th anniversary at the Idaho Conference on Health Care on Oct. 30 at ISU.
In 1989, the Institute of Rural Health (IRH) was developed as a non-academic unit by Dr. Linda Hatzenbuehler, who was dean of the Kasiska College of Health Professions at the time and is currently ISU associate vice president for health education. The IRH was started to promote the growth of research and bring in external funding from both grants and contracts. Full story>>
Dental Hygiene Professor Wins Health Care Hero Award
October 2009
KCHP dental hygiene professor Dr. Linda Boyd has been selected Idaho’s top Health Care Hero in the Educator Division. The Health Care Heroes program is sponsored by the Idaho Business Review newspaper. Full story>>
Institute of Rural Health Awarded $1.5 million for youth suicide prevention
September 2009
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has awarded $1.5 million to Idaho State University’s Institute of Rural Health for youth suicide prevention projects over the next three years. Full story>>
IRH Researcher Receives Mental Health Award
September 2009
Idaho State University’s Institute of Rural Health Senior Research Associate Ann Kirkwood has been named a winner of the prestigious Voice Award, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s Center for Mental Health Services announced recently. The award recognizes Ms. Kirkwood’s work in raising awareness and understanding of mental health issues. Full story>>
KCHP Launches Facebook Page
September 2009
On September 1, KCHP launched a page on the social networking site, Facebook. Join KCHP on Facebook. The site will be used to connect with prospective and current students, as well as friends and alumni of KCHP. College, departmental and student events will be featured as well health news in general.
In order to promote the site, a monthly drawing will be held for fans of KCHP on Facebook. Winners in September, October, November and December will receive an iPod Shuffle.
'Soup for Darfur' Luncheons Raise Money at ISU-Meridian
September 2009
For the past year, ISU students, faculty and staff in the Treasure Valley have sponsored monthly 'Soup for Darfur' luncheons. Students sell homemade soup, salads and desserts, and donate all of the proceeds to starving children in the Darfur region of Africa. Since last year, students have raised more than $2,000. Luncheons are organized by various groups on the ISU-Meridian campus. For photos of the September event, check out the KCHP Facebook page.
Health Care Administration Faculty Members Author Textbook
August 2009
Drs. Leigh Cellucci and Carla Wiggins’ textbook, Essential Techniques for Healthcare Managers, is hot off the press from Health Administration Press. For more information, check ache.org
The book is also available at Amazon.com.
KCHP Programs Granted Accreditation
August 2009
The Physician Assistant (PA) Studies program has been continuously granted full accreditation since its first application in 1996. The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) recently awarded the ISU PA program six years of continuing accreditation. The next accreditation site visit will occur in 2014.
The Health Care Administration program at ISU began in 1975. The program received full accreditation from the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) in 1993. Only 38 health care administration programs in the US have received this recognition by AUPHA. ISU’s HCA program was recently re-certified for another five years.
Institute of Rural Health Researcher Nominated for Voice Award
August 2009
Senior Research Associate Ann D. Kirkwood, MA, at the Idaho State University Institute of Rural Health (ISU-IRH), has been nominated for a Voice Award from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), for exemplary service in the mental health field.
Voice Awards are given to consumers and advocates “who have been instrumental in both raising awareness and understanding of mental health issues and promoting the social inclusion of people with mental health problems. Through their leadership and advocacy, they demonstrate that recovery is real and that people with mental health problems are valuable, contributing members of their schools, workplaces, and communities.” The Voice Awards are part of the Campaign for Mental Health Recovery, a multi-year public service advertising program of SAMHSA and the Ad Council to promote understanding and support for young adults and others with mental illness.
Kirkwood is director of the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act youth suicide prevention project at ISU-IRH, and has received a George Peabody Award for excellence in broadcasting for videos on mental illness stigma.
Awards will be announced October 14, 2009 at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles.
Medical Education Training Videos Available Online
August 2009
Ada Canyon Medical Education Consortium (ACMEC), an accredited continuing medical education organization, has partnered with the IRH’s Rocky Mountain Learning (RML) to provide online access to selected training videos, with optional CME credit.
RML has made a library of videos available, and CME credit can be applied for at a minimal cost after viewing each session.
RML is a non-profit online meeting and training provider developed at the Institute of Rural Health (IRH) at Idaho State University. For the past eight years, the IRH has developed and implemented a variety of distance learning methods and technologies.
Busy Summer for Dental Hygiene Faculty
August 2009
Idaho State University dental hygiene faculty and students have had an eventful summer meeting with the Idaho Congressional delegation, visiting NIH, presenting research findings and participating in national meetings.
Full Story>>
Counseling Programs Granted Accreditation
July 2009
The Department of Counseling has been granted accreditation for the next 8 years (until 2017) from the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). All of the master’s programs (Marital, Couple, and Family Counseling; Mental Health Counseling; School Counseling; and, Student Affairs/College Counseling) and the doctoral program received the eight year accreditation status.
4th annual Advancing Adventures in Communicating Camp Held in Boise
July 2009
Strapped into a safety harness with his face beaming, 13-year-old Kyle Johnson climbed a rope ladder at Boise's West Family YMCA and Aquatics Center.
His mother, friends and a couple of camp counselors stood 20 feet below on the gym floor, cheering him on.
"He's pretty brave," said Barbara Johnson, Kyle's mom. "It's great to see him interact with his peers."
Kyle, who has cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder that affects body movement and coordination, was one of 22 children and young adults who attended the fourth annual Advancing Adventures in Communicating Camp at Idaho State University-Boise, June 8-12.
The camp—the only one of its kind in the Northwest—is for children, teens and young adults who have severe communication challenges caused by autism, cerebral palsy, injury or other delays in development.
more>>
Dr. Cynthia Blanton Receives Grant from NASA to Study Effect of Probiotics on Weightlessness-Induced Bone Loss
July 2009
Idaho State University Assistant Professor of Dietetics, Dr. Cynthia Blanton has received a $30,000 research grant from the NASA Idaho Space Grant Consortium to study how nutrition can potentially reduce weightlessness-induced bone loss. This NASA grant helps Blanton expand a study she started with a $5,000 ISU Faculty Research Committee Grant awarded to her by the ISU Office of Research. Potentially, this grant could lead to even larger NASA awards to fund her research.
more>>
KCHP Dean Appointed Interim Associate Vice President for Health Education
June 2009
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Gary Olson, appointed Linda Hatzenbuehler, current dean of the Kasiska College of Health Professions, to the newly formed post of interim associate vice president for health education.
“I am honored to take on this new role for ISU,” Hatzenbuehler said. “The institution is poised to become a major presence in health education, not only in the state but in the entire region.”
Hatzenbuehler will assume a leading role in coordinating the institution’s strategic efforts in further developing health and medical education across all colleges. She will serve as the provost’s chief advisor in all health education matters and will assist in long-range institutional planning. more>>
Institute of Rural Health Receives $1 million Grant
April 2009
The Institute of Rural Health recently received a fourth consecutive traumatic brain injury grant award. Russell Spearman, a senior research associate, is the principal investigator for the project. The goal of the project is to move forward Idaho's community-based support system for individuals with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and their families.
more>>
Counseling Faculty Members Receive National Awards
April 2009
Two faculty members in the Department of Counseling received prestigious awards at a recent national meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina.
more>>
Youth Suicide Prevention Videoconference Set for April
March 2009
The Institute of Rural Health will host a free Youth Suicide Prevention videoconference series in April focusing on the coroner's role in working with families of people who commit suicide, coping with the aftermath of suicide, engaging communities and safe messaging in suicide prevention.
more>>
KCHP Holds 20th Annual Research Day on March 13
March 2009
The Idaho State University Kasiska College of Health Professions Research Day 2009 will be held March 13 in Pocatello and Boise, and features keynote speaker Anna L. Schwartz, author of the book "Cancer Fitness, Exercise Programs for Patients and Survivors."
The event's theme is "Data Under Our Noses: Finding, Organizing, and Interpreting." It runs from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. more>>
Dental Sciences Receives $500,000 Gift from Delta Dental
February 2009
Delta Dental Community Outreach, a philanthropic arm of Delta Dental of Idaho, has donated a $500,000 gift to Idaho State University to help fund an advanced dental residency clinic at ISU's new health sciences center in Meridian, 1311 E. Central Drive.
more>>
KCHP Sponsors Annual Health Fair March 19-20
February 2009
The Idaho State University Health Fair will be held from 7 AM to 1 PM on Thursday and Friday, March 19 and 20. This is the 28th annual community health fair sponsored by the Kasiska College of Health Professions.
more>>
Radiographic Science Students Win Awards at National Meeting
February 2009
At the recent Association of Collegiate Educators in Radiologic Technology (ACERT) Conference in Las Vegas, four radiographic science students received honors.
more>>
Occupational Therapy Faculty Member Earns Advanced Certification
February 2009
Ted Peterson, Idaho State University clinical assistant professor in the Department of Physical and Occupational Therapy, has earned the Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) certification by the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America, (RESNA).
more>>
Battalion of ISU Dental Hygiene Volunteers Trek to Boise to Help with International Winter Special Olympics
February 2009
A battalion of Idaho State University dental hygiene students – the entire junior and senior classes – are trekking from Pocatello to Boise on Thursday, February 12 to help deliver oral health services to scores of the 3,000 participants in 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games.
more>>
Department of Health and Nutrition Sciences Faculty and Students Volunteer at Local Food Bank
January 2009
On January 15 a group of approximately 50 faculty and students from the Department of Health and Nutrition Sciences spent several hours volunteering at the Idaho Food Bank.
more>>
KCHP Students Involved in Community Service Projects
December 2008
Idaho State University-Boise speech-language pathology students spent Dec. 4 stuffing plastic bags with small containers of shampoo, lotion, toothpaste and other toiletries to give to the Treasure Valley's needy and homeless populations.
School of Nursing Receives $700,000 Grant to Develop Rural Residency
November 2008
The U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration funded a three-year, $711,104 grant to prepare nurses in a five-state region. A four-month rural nurse residency is being developed at Idaho State University.
Department Chair Receives Outstanding Physical Therapist Award
November 2008
Alex Urfer, PhD, PT, chair of the Department of Physical and Occupational Therapy , has been awarded the 2008 J. Perry Silver Award for outstanding achievements and contributions in physical therapy for the state of Idaho.
Institute of Rural Health's Kirkwood and Story Assist with Dept of Health and Welfare Training Video
October 2008
Idaho State University-Boise's Ann Kirkwood and Chandra Story helped the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare with production of a 30-minute training video.
Public Health called a "Hot Field" in Washington Post Story
September 2008
A Washington Post story discusses the importance of public health for a global generation.
Institute for Rural Health Receives $800,000 Federal Grant
September 2008
The Institute for Rural Health was recently awarded an $800,000 grant to help chronically ill patients find alternatives to institutional after-care. The funding agency is an arm of the US Department of Health and Human Services.
Faculty Members in Physician Assistant Studies to Present at National Conference
September 2008
Four faculty members from the Physician Assistant Studies program will make presentations at the Physical Assistant Education Association annual meeting in Savannah, Georgia in October 29 – November 2.
Institute of Rural Health and Counseling Department Receive Grant to Establish Suicide Prevention Hotline
September 2008
Idaho State University's Institute of Rural Health and Counseling Department have received a $375,000 state grant to start a Suicide Prevention Hotline for Idaho, which has one of the highest suicide rates in the country. The first year of the project will involve recruiting and training operators to staff the hotline as well as obtaining accreditation through a national network. In the second year, the toll-free hotline will be accessible to Idahoans 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. “We will call upon our master's and doctoral students in Counseling at the Pocatello and Boise campuses, as well as community volunteers, to work as operators for the hotline,” said Counseling Department Chairman Dr. Steve Feit. “We will be preparing a special curriculum to train them as crisis operators and faculty will supervise operations.”
ISU- Boise Speech and Language Clinic and HIV Education Coordinator Receive 2008 Health Care Hero Awards.
September 2008
Idaho State University-Boise's Speech and Language Clinic, HIV education coordinator, Master of Public Health Program, Judy Thorne, and clinical assistant pharmacy professor Elaine Ladd are recipients of 2008 Idaho Health Care Hero awards sponsored by the Idaho Business Review newspaper.
The IBR also awarded ISU-Boise speech-language pathology master's student, Meredith Ann Alder, the $1,000 Health Care Heroes student scholarship.
CSED Faculty Member Elected to National Advisory Council
September 2008
ISU-Boise assistant professor of audiology, Mel Miller, Ph.D., CCC-A, has been elected to a three-year term on the Audiology Advisory Council of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Local Chapter of Phi Upsilon Omicron Receives National Award
September 2008
The Beta Rho Chapter of Phi Upsilon Omicron was recently awarded third place for their professional project “Inspiring You to Believe in Your Future.” The award will be presented at the national Phi Upsilon Omicron conclave in Minneapolis later this month.
Cleft Palate Team to Participate in Pilot Project
September, 2008
ISU's Cleft Palate Team, headed by Dr. Dave Sorensen, was one of five in the country selected by the American Cleft Palate/Craniofacial Association for participation in a pilot accreditation process. As stated in their announcement notice: "The Commission on the Approval of Cleft and Craniofacial Teams (CAT) was developed by the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association and the Cleft Palate Foundation.
Occupational Therapy Students Wins National Award
September, 2008
Heather Corbet, a third year student in the Master of Occupational Therapy Program has just been awarded a $5,000 E. K. Wise Scholarship from the American Occupational Therapy Association.
Nursing Professor Provides Expertise on Domestic Violence
August 2008
Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter has reappointed nursing professor Karen Neill, PhD, to the Idaho Council on Domestic Violence and Victim Assistance. The council is the advisory body for programs and services affecting crime victims in Idaho. It collaborates with programs statewide to improve crime-victim treatment by providing victims with assistance and services.
Family Medicine Physician Named to American College of Sports Medicine Board
July 2008
Sandra Hoffmann, M.D., director of internal medicine at Idaho State University's Department of Family Medicine, has been named to the Board of Trustees of the American College of Sports Medicine.
ISU Alum Named Idaho Physician Assistant of the Year
May 2008
Nicole Manning, a 2000 graduate of the Physician Assistant Program, was recently named the Idaho Physician Assistant of the Year. Nicole works at Primary Care Specialists and was nominated for the award by Dr. Richard Maynard and Dr. Mark Mansfield.
KCHP Department Chair Received Distinguished Public Service Award
May 2008
Dr. Willis McAleese, chair of the Department of Health and Nutrition Sciences, received the Distinguished Public Service Award at ISU's Commencement ceremonies on May 10. McAleese has a doctoral degree in health and physical education from the University of New Mexico and has been at Idaho State University for 22 years.
Radiographic Science Students Win Awards at State Meeting
April 2008
The Idaho Society of Radiologic Technologists (ISRT) Annual Conference was held in Lewiston on April 18-19, 2008. Two competitions were held in conjunction with this professional meeting, an essay/research paper competition as well as competitive poster sessions. Three awards were given in each category along with cash prizes. Five of the six awards went to ISU senior students majoring in radiographic science.
Poster Presentation Winners
Dustin Burbank - 1st place, $100, Neurofibromatosis
Myla Gibbons - 2nd place, $50, Emphysema
Essay/Research Paper
Kevin Bean - 1st place, $100, Life Saving Fetal Surgery
Natalie Gerratt - 2nd place, $50, Diagnosing Pulmonary Embolism with CTA
Nick Lake - 3rd place, $25, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
Three KCHP Faculty Receive Awards
April 2008
Dr. Willis McAleese, Professor and Chair of the Department of Health and Nutrition Sciences, Dr. Linda Rankin, Professor, Department of Health and Nutrition Sciences, and Dr. Laura Tivis, Research Professor, Institute of Rural Health have all received faculty achievement awards. McAleese is one of five ISU faculty members awarded the Outstanding Public Service Award. Read more Rankin was awarded the Master Teacher Award, Read more and Tivis received the Outstanding Researcher Award. Read more
ISU-Boise Researcher Receives NIH Grant
April 2008
Idaho State University-Boise researcher Laura Tivis, Ph.D., has received a $319,686 grant from the National Institutes of Health to continue her research project studying how alcohol affects cognition in postmenopausal women.
KCHP 19th Annual Research Day
April 2008
Is there a connection between the amount of money spent on anti-smoking efforts and the prevalence of tobacco use in Idaho? Are dental hygienists receiving sufficient education about diabetes and patient care?
Both questions are among dozens that faculty and students explored during the 19th annual ISU Kasiska College of Health Professions Research Day in Pocatello, which was held in conjunction with Idaho State University-Boise's first annual Research Day from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on April 4, 2008.
Phonathon Raises over $30,000 for KCHP
March 2008
Each year, current KCHP students choose to serve as ambassadors to our alumni, parents and friends by making calls for ConnectionISU. The annual student phonathon is a way of keeping in touch and raising funds to support KCHP academic programs. This year sixty four students from seven different departments raised $30,130 (as of March 11).
Idaho State University dental hygiene students M'Lisa Walker, right, and Brittany Adams were among the many students who supported the annual ConnectionISU phonathon by calling alumni to raise money for scholarships and department needs.
Health and Nutrition Sciences faculty member awarded grant to develop anti-smoking campaign targeting Hispanic youth
March 2008
Idaho State University-Boise, MPH professor Galen Louis has received a $240,000 grant from the American Legacy Foundation to help create an anti-smoking campaign targeting Hispanic teenagers in Canyon County. But there's a twist. Louis' research associates won't be public health experts. They'll be teenagers from the Nampa-Caldwell area, who'll decide the most effective way to get their message out.
Sabbatical to South Africa for KCHP Faculty Member
March 2008
Dr. David Hachey, Clinical Associate Professor with the Departments of Family Medicine and Physician Assistant Studies spent his fall semester sabbatical at the University of Cape Town in South Africa.
Health and Nutrition Science Department Chair Represents Idaho at National Health Education Standards Training
March 2008
Dr. Willis McAleese, Chair of the Department of Health and Nutrition Science was selected to be part of a four person team representing the State of Idaho at the recent National Health Education Standards Training of Trainers in Atlanta, Georgia. Comprehensive health education standards for grades pre-kindergarten through high school were unveiled. Dr. McAleese states that “the training I received at the National Health Education Standards Training will help me in turn to train the educators and other health professionals in Idaho to make a significant and positive difference in the health of Idaho's children and youth.”
Counseling Department to Receive National Award
March 2008
The Department of Counseling is being honored by the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) with the Robert O Frank Outstanding Counselor Education Program award. Sixteen programs were nominated for this prestigious award. The award will be given during the ACES Awards Luncheon at the American Counseling Association Annual Convention March 29 in Honolulu.
Pocatello Family Medicine Receives Quality Award
March 2008
Pocatello Family Medicine recently received an Award of Excellence in Healthcare Quality presented by Qualis Health, Idaho’s designated Quality Improvement Organization.
Dental Hygiene Graduate Student to Receive Two National Awards
February 2008
Ann Wetmore, a student in the Master of Science in Dental Hygiene program, has been selected as a recipient of two national awards from the American Dental Education Association (ADEA). The first award is the ADEA/Crest Oral-B Laboratories Scholarship for Dental Hygiene, which is a $2,000 scholarship...
Counseling Faculty Member Honored
February 2008
Dr. Jim Schmidt, Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor, was honored February 15, 2008 with a Lifetime Achievement Award during a celebration of National Career and Technical Education Week at the 2008 Annual Recognition Breakfast. Dr. Schmidt teaches and supervises students in the Master of Counseling Program in Boise.
Physician Assistant Graduates Post High Pass Rates on National Exam
February 2008
The Physician Assistant Class of 2007 received a 100% first time pass rate on the PANCE (Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam). Graduates of the Physician Assistant Program now have a five year first time pass rate average of 95%.
Faculty Member in Physician Assistant Studies Named Fellow
February 2008
David Martin, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies, was recently recognized as a Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. His award letter states that “David joined a select number of outstanding physician assistants who have distinguished themselves among their colleagues, as well as in their communities, by their service to the physician assistant profession, their commitment to advancing health care for all people, and by their exemplary personal and professional development.”
Dental Students in Boise Participate in National “Give Kids a Smile Day”
February 2008
Students at the Idaho State University Family Dentistry Clinic in Boise provided free dental care to more than 30 Treasure Valley youngsters January 30 during Give Kids a Smile Day...
Chair of Counseling Department named to accrediting board
February 2008
Dr. Steve Feit, Professor and Chair of the Department of Counseling, has been named to the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) Board of Directors effective July, 2008...
ISU-Boise to offer counseling Ph.D. program in Treasure Valley
January 2008
Idaho State University-Boise will offer the doctorate in Counselor Education and Counseling in fall 2008...
Health and Nutrition Sciences faculty member awarded grant to study HIV services in Idaho
January, 2008
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare has awarded Idaho State University professor Galen Louis a $109,164 contract to help improve HIV services in Idaho’s seven health districts...