From-the-Dean Messages 2026
Read past issues from Dean Akinwuntan's weekly email message to faculty, staff, students and alumni.
From-the-Dean: March 6, 2026
Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., chair of our Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, presented as part of the Lefeber Hughes Winter Series on Aging at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. Her lecture was titled "Food for Thought – How Nutrition Shapes Your Aging Brain." The event was held February 17, 2026, in Galveston, Texas. Nice work!
Faculty and students from our Department of Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Science, and Athletic Training were a significant presence at the American Physical Therapy Association's Combined Sections Meeting held February 12–14, 2026, in Anaheim, California. Rebecca Bliss, DHSc, presented a platform presentation, two education sessions and four posters. Linda D'Silva, Ph.D., delivered an education session and two posters. Stephen Jernigan, Ph.D., presented a pre-conference session, a platform presentation and an education session. Katie Siengsukon, Ph.D., delivered two education sessions and a poster. Jacob Sosnoff, Ph.D., presented for an education session. Presenting posters were rehabilitation science students Dylan Bassett, Samuel Durairaj, Joo Hyun Lee, Taylor Rees and Veronica Vabishchevich, along with physical therapy student Kacee Coast. Super job!
Department of Hearing and Speech faculty member Susan Koerner, Ph.D., attended the Kansas Speech Language Hearing Association Legislative Day along with speech-language pathology students Lily Rasmussen, Brookelyn Schettler, Polina Sterkhova and Taylor Stewart. While there, they shared information about pending legislation for licensing speech-language pathology assistants in Kansas. Also during the February 3, 2026, trip they had the opportunity to learn about the legislative process, attend a house session and listen to speakers. See photo. Well done!
An article published by the Brazilian newspaper Estado de Minas spotlighted Department of Occupational Therapy Education faculty member Adriana Queiroz, Ph.D. In the piece titled "Women in Science: The Challenges of Motherhood in Graduate School," she shares her journey balancing motherhood alongside her graduate school and international studies, while joining other researcher-mothers in highlighting both challenges and resilience in academia. Excellent!
Please be safe, and thank you for all that you do.
From-the-Dean: February 27, 2026
David Slusky, Ph.D., co-director of our Intercampus Program in Communicative Disorders, is one of four recipients of the University Scholarly Achievement Award. This award recognizes significant scholarly work and their achievements demonstrate how KU benefits society as one of the nation's leading research universities. He will be honored April 14, 2026, at the University Research Awards ceremony at the Jayhawk Welcome Center on the Lawrence campus. Congratulations!
An article co-authored by Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences faculty member Hao Zhu, Ph.D., was published in the Journal of Applied Physiology. It is titled "Donepezil Treatment, Alone or Combined with Exercise, Enhances Skeletal Muscle Function in Healthy and Advanced Aging Disease Mouse Models." Nice work!
Our respiratory care program has accepted the first student for the new international degree-advancement program: Arksuccess Okereafor, a citizen of Nigeria. This innovative program is delivered entirely online and is geared for those working in health care outside the U.S. who wish to earn a bachelor's degree from KU. Excellent!
Nichole Cortez, DCN, a graduate of our doctorate program in clinical nutrition, hosted a roundtable discussion at the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition's Nutrition Science and Practice Conference. The event was held February 14-17, 2026, in Long Beach, California. She is currently employed by St. Luke's Health System. Great job!
Please be safe, and thank you for all that you do.
From-the-Dean: February 20, 2026
Department of Dietetics and Nutrition faculty member Tyler Titcomb, Ph.D., was awarded a competitive pilot grant from the ASPEN Rhoads Research Foundation. It will support his project, "Malnutrition in Multiple Sclerosis: A Retrospective Study of Electronic Health Records." Faculty colleague Anna Arthur, Ph.D., is co-investigator. Congratulations!
An article by Renee Hodgkins, Ph.D., chair of our Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, was published in the Journal of Interprofessional Education. Titled "Enhancing Interprofessional Teaming and Communication Through a Standardized Patient Tele-Health Simulation," the project was a collaboration with the schools of Medicine and Nursing. Great work!
Department of Hearing and Speech faculty member Lauren Mann, Ph.D., was a special guest on "All Things Brain Health," a video series from The University of Kansas Health System. In the episode, she discusses her research into how music and rhythm can improve recovery from concussion and cognitive decline due to age. Well done!
Occupational therapy student Haile Bartlett has accepted a competitive fellowship with Mayo Clinic's Neurorehabilitation Occupational Therapy Fellowship. The 54-week program is designed to advance clinical skills while providing mentorship to transition to independent practice. She'll begin the program in August. Congratulations!
Please be safe, and thank you for all that you do.
From-the-Dean: February 13, 2026
The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs has appointed Department of Nurse Anesthesia Education faculty member Laura McDonald, DNAP, to serve as a team onsite reviewer. She will begin training this August for the important role in ensuring academic programs in this field meet the highest national standards for the profession. Congratulations!
A innovative program led by Dave Burnett, Ph.D., our school's associate dean for community engagement and workforce initiatives, aims to help people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who live in rural Kansas. Through a partnership with Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, his research combines in-person care with easy-to-use technology so patients can get help closer to home. Read more. Great work!
KU Medical Center News published an article highlighting research led by Department of Hearing and Speech faculty member Lauren Mann, Ph.D. With co-investigators Michael Rippee, M.D., from the School of Medicine, and Linda D’Silva, Ph.D., from our Department of Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Science, and Athletic Training, she is working to develop a novel way to help patients with concussion. Excellent!
A book co-authored by Ann Marshall, SLPD, a graduate of our speech-language pathology program, was the topic of an article from KU News. Her book, "Gamification Made Simple: A Guide for Higher Education Professionals," details how two educators brought gaming into their classrooms and guides anyone interested in doing the same. Nice job!
Please be safe, and thank you for all that you do.
From-the-Dean: February 6, 2026
Department of Dietetics and Nutrition faculty member Anna Arthur, Ph.D., received a new research award from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. It will support her project "Nutrition Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Head and Neck Oncologists Related to the NCCN Nutrition Guidelines." Congratulations!
Department of Occupational Therapy Education faculty member Lacy Wright, OTD, presented two posters at the American Occupational Therapy Association's Children and Youth Specialty Conference. The event was held December 12-13, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina. "Adaptive Aquatics: A Pilot Swim Program for a High School SPED Class" and "Grip & Grow: Enhancing Developmental Skills Through OT-Led Play Stations in a Children's Museum" were co-authored with occupational therapy students she mentored and detailed their service learning experiences in our program. See photo. Great work!
Athletic training faculty member Ken Wainwright, M.S., attended the Kansas Athletic Trainers Society annual symposium and business meeting held November 9, 2025, in Manhattan, Kansas. While there, he co-presented a learning lab titled "A Modern Approach to Athletic Shoulder Health." See photos. Nice job!
Current audiology student Shelby Cooper received an Auditory Research Travel Award from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. She presented "Provider Recommendations vs Patient Understanding & Adherence to Treatment" at the association's annual convention held November 20-22, 2025, in Washington, D.C. While there, she was also able to attend a presentation by Angela Loucks-Alexander, Au.D., a 2010 graduate of our audiology program and now a widely recognized leader in central auditory processing disorders. See photos. Well done!
Please be safe, and thank you for all that you do.
From-the-Dean: January 30, 2026
The School of Health Professions was well represented at the Physical Therapy Education Leadership Conference held October 17-19, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri. Department of Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Science, and Athletic Training faculty members Scarlett Morris, DPT, Marcie Swift, Ph.D., and Ken Wainwright, M.S., presented "Scaffolding AI Literacy in Health Care Education: Preserving Clinical Reasoning and Professional Identity." Fellow faculty members Becky Bliss, DHSc, and Crystal Funke Davenport, DPT, presented "Playback with Purpose: Elevating Performance Through Game Film." In addition, athletic training student Maggie deNoyelles shared her experience with practical rotations during a session titled "Three Courses, Two Professions, One Assessment Advancing Early Clinical Competency Through a KSA-Aligned OSCE." See photos. Nice work!
A paper by Nida’ Al Worikat, Ph.D., a graduate of our doctoral program in therapeutic science, was published in the journal Therapeutic Advances in Chronic Disease. Titled "Frailty and Its Association with Mental Health and Quality of Life in Multiple Sclerosis: A Cross-Sectional Study," the study was done in collaboration with Jake Sosnoff, Ph.D., associate dean for research, Tobia Zanotto, Ph.D., Department of Occupational Therapy Education faculty member, Anna Zanotto, Ph.D., post doctoral fellow, and School of Medicine faculty Sharon Lynch, M.D., and Amanda Thuringer, D.O. Great job!
The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology Foundation selected student Riley Burghart to be a resident advocate for our nurse anesthesia program. In this role, she will serve as a liaison between our organizations, attend state and national meetings, and participate in conference calls while receiving mentorship as a rising leader in the profession. Excellent!
Students from our doctoral program in audiology visited The Children's Place in early November to provide hearing screenings for children at no charge to families. These screenings help identify potential delays in areas like speech, language and academic development. See photos. Well done!
Please be safe, and thank you for all that you do.
From-the-Dean: January 23, 2026
A paper co-authored by therapeutic science doctoral student Kara Hansen and Department of Occupational Therapy Education faculty member Lisa Mische Lawson, Ph.D., was published in the Journal of Personalized Medicine. "Prenatal Psychosocial Distress Screening for Individuals Experiencing Pregnancies Complicated by Fetal Anomalies" lays important groundwork for future research and clinical practice. Great job!
An article by KU News highlighted research by Panying Rong, Ph.D., a faculty member in our Intercampus Program in Communicative Disorders. She is co-author of a paper titled "An Explanatory Model of Speech Communication Centered on Multiscale Rhythmic Modulation: Implications for Motor Speech Assessment and Intervention for Individuals With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis" published in the Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research. Nice work!
Nurse anesthesia doctoral student Alisa Schemmel presented a poster on November 19, 2025, as part of campus recognition of International Education Week. Titled "Global Health Experience Lima, Peru," it outlined her visit to the Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplásicas, Peru's national cancer institute. Well done!
Rehabilitation science doctoral student Bria Bartsch recorded an episode for the Kansas Public Radio series Research Matters, which is a collaboration with KU to profile graduate students doing work that has obvious impact on Kansas and Kansans. The episode, "Seeking the Best Exercise for Vascular Health Post Stroke," is based on her dissertation work. Excellent!
Please be safe, and thank you for all that you do.
From-the-Dean: January 16, 2026
The University of Kansas recognized Department of Hearing and Speech faculty member Mindy Bridges, Ph.D., with its Spotlight on Faculty Excellence. The program honors scholars of national or international stature who have contributed significantly to society, their disciplines and the local community who also develop future leaders through mentoring. Chosen from nominations submitted by deans, department chairs and center directors, she was recognized on the court during halftime of the KU men's basketball game on December 16, 2025. See photos. Kudos!
Rehabilitation science doctoral student Samuel Durairaj received a research grant from the Kansas chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association. This will support his dissertation project titled "Low-Fidelity Driving Simulator Training and Driving Outcomes in Parkinson’s Disease – A Pilot Study." This research can advance science in the field of simulator technology and rehabilitation. I am proud to be Samuel's faculty mentor. Congratulations!
Occupational therapy student Becca Mitchell participated in a virtual international experience with Brazilian students from the Federal University of Pernambuco. They discussed case studies based on occupational therapy theories, models, and approaches, and also the Social Determinants of Health. Her group also created a poster about their case study that was selected for presentation at a future international conference. See photos. Nice work!
Grant White, B.S., a graduate of our respiratory care program, was elected treasurer of the board of directors for the Kansas Respiratory Care Association. He will serve a four-year term and was placed in his new position during the association's board meeting held December 18, 2025, in McPherson, Kansas. Way to go!
Please be safe, and thank you for all that you do.
From-the-Dean: January 9, 2026
Department of Dietetics and Nutrition faculty member Matthew Taylor, Ph.D., was awarded a new research grant. The sponsor is the Hass Avocado Board, and it will support his project "AvoN – The Effect of Daily Avocado Intake on Nutrient Status in Older Adults." Congratulations!
For the past two summers, Melanie Somogie, M.A., clinical assistant professor in the Department of Hearing and Speech, has led a “Swallow Boot Camp” for individuals with chronic dysphagia, at no cost to patients. At the Kansas Speech and Hearing Association Conference, current speech-language pathology students Brookelyn Schettler and Savanna Stanley, with support from doctoral student Saja Alsulaimani, presented a poster on their experience. It was titled "Swallow Boot Camp: Impact on SLP Student Perception of Competency and Confidence in Dysphagia Practice." The event was held September 29-30, 2025, in Manhattan, Kansas. See photo. Well done!
On December 2, 2025, athletic training faculty member Ken Wainwright, M.S., spent time at the Blue Valley Center for Advanced Professional Studies. While there, he met with students from the center's sports medicine program and gave an informal talk on general manual rehabilitation techniques for the upper extremities. See photos. Nice work!
Rehabilitation science doctoral student Samuel Durairaj presented at the Midwest Commercial Vehicle Safety Summit held December 16-17, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri. His talk was titled "Cognitive and Simulated Driving Performance: A Comprehensive Study of Commercial and Non-Commercial Drivers." It took place during a university research session moderated by Tiffany Pollard, executive officer in the Office of the Dean. Great job!
Please be safe, and thank you for all that you do.
From-the-Dean: January 2, 2026
As we reflect on our progress during 2025, we have many positives to celebrate together.
Our fall 2025 enrollment is at another all-time high of 828 students, which continues our streak of record enrollment for 11 consecutive years. Read more about it in this article from KU Medical Center News.
Scholarship funding and opportunities for our students continue to expand, especially for those students facing financial difficulties. We distributed $769,096 in scholarship awards to our students last year.
Our academic programs continue to excel. The dietetic internship, nuclear medicine technology, and respiratory care programs achieved successful re-accreditation in 2025. We welcomed the first students to our physical therapy doctorate hybrid pathway, the new bachelor's degree in diagnostic science, and the master's degree in health informatics.
The school's research enterprise remains strong. In 2025, our research portfolio included 48 active funded awards totaling $26 million. We also achieved a record-breaking year for submissions, with 55 proposals totaling more than $66 million under review. Several early-career investigators secured their first external awards, positioning us for sustained growth and future success.
The achievements are too numerous to include all of them here. You can read about some of our activities over the past year in this recent article from KU Medical Center News. Please visit the From-the-Dean page of our website and The Insider newsletter archive to explore the many positives from 2025.
Our accomplishments, which are due to your contributions and hard work, inspire us to look forward to 2026 with high hopes and expectations. Our faculty, staff and students have continuously demonstrated exceptional determination and resilience. I am impressed and grateful for your individual efforts as well as our work together as a team.
Wishing you and your family a safe and happy New Year, and thank you for all that you do.