Seton Hall Faculty Advance Research, Explore AI in Health Professions

Faculty in Seton Hall University’s School of Health and Medical Sciences shared scholarship and expertise at national and international conferences this year, connecting with colleagues across disciplines and bringing insights and new approaches back to their programs and students as the new academic year begins.

Artificial intelligence and simulation were recurring themes in faculty research and professional discussions. At the International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare in January in San Antonio, M.S. in Occupational Therapy faculty Lisa Sheikovitz, M.A., OTR/L, and Alicia MacGregor, M.S., OTR, presented research on an assessment tool designed to measure occupational therapy students’ self-efficacy in clinical competence through simulation. They also explored new applications of AI in simulation, including the development of realistic patient cases and tools for learner feedback and assessment.

Faculty from Seton Hall’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) program contributed research and leadership at the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Combined Sections Meeting in February in Anaheim. Jessica Dunn, D.P.T., was invited as part of an interdisciplinary team to develop and teach a full-day course on the ethical and evidence-informed integration of AI into physical therapy education and practice. Angela Lis, Ph.D., CEU, presented two research posters addressing AI in evidence-based practice education and interprofessional simulation. As chair of APTA’s Evidence-Based Practice Special Interest Group, Lis also led discussions on national initiatives supporting evidence-based practice education.

Department Chair and Program Director Lorene Cobb, P.T., D.P.T., Ed.D., presented two posters at the meeting, including research on surf therapy for children with developmental disabilities, co-authored with fellow faculty member Jerry-Thomas Monaco, P.T., Ph.D., D.P.T., OCS, and third-year D.P.T. students. Cobb also served in her national leadership role as co-chair of the APTA Academy of Pediatrics Movement System Committee.

M.S. in Physician Assistant faculty also shared research and educational innovations at several professional meetings this spring. Abby Saunders, Ph.D., PA-C, presented at the American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting in April in Los Angeles on efforts to identify and mitigate bias in standardized PA assessments. Vanessa Rodriguez, Ed.D., M.S., PA-C, presented student-directed approaches to teaching foundational neuroscience at the Health Professions Educators Conference in April.

At the American Academy of Physician Associates Annual Conference in May in New Orleans, Jurga Marshall, D.M.S., PA-C, shared findings on the use of AI-powered avatars in patient care training and served as a moderator for clinical education sessions. Marshall also supported Seton Hall PA students Michelle Inga and Sarah Mohan George, who presented research advised by Michelle McWeeney, Ph.D., PA-C.

AI was also the focus of research presented by Master of Healthcare Administration faculty Patrick Bernet, Ph.D. and Jeffrey Ritter, D.B.A. at the Association of University Programs in Health Administration Annual Meeting in June in San Diego. Their study evaluated the quality of AI responses to health administration questions using both student preferences and objective benchmarks. Following the presentation, the researchers were invited to submit their work for a special issue of The Journal of Health Administration Education focused on AI.

Faculty professional development also addressed evolving areas of clinical practice and education. M.S. in Occupational Therapy faculty member Mara Podvey, Ph.D., OTR, PMH-C, FAOTA, completed advanced certification in trauma-informed pelvic health during the spring and has already incorporated concepts from the training into her coursework and research. M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology faculty member Sindhu Chennupati, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, attended the Symposium on Research in Child Language Disorders, where research on bilingual language development and culturally responsive intervention informed her ongoing teaching, scholarship and community outreach.

Vicci Hill-Lombardi, Ed.D., ATC, Daniel DeSio, M.S., ATC, and Chris D’Andrea, M.Ed., ATC  from the M.S. in Athletic Training program and Richard Boergers, Ph.D., ATC from the Department of Interprofessional Health Sciences and Health Administration represented Seton Hall University at the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Conference in June in Philadelphia, connecting with alumni, preceptors and potential clinical partners while exploring emerging areas of athletic training education, research and practice.

Michael La Fountaine, Ed.D., ATC, FACSM, associate dean of academic affairs and research and professor in the School of Health and Medical Sciences, said faculty engagement beyond the University helps programs keep pace with the ongoing transformation of the health professions.

“Health professions education continues to evolve alongside advances in research, technology and clinical practice,” La Fountaine said. “Our faculty bring what they learn through scholarship, collaboration and professional leadership back to their programs, helping ensure that students are learning from the latest research and approaches and are prepared for the changing environments in which they will practice.”

Categories: Health and Medicine, Research, Science and Technology