Health Policy and Administration Spring 2016 Newsletter

HPANews NEWS FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION

Cultural Conversations 2016 was a collaboration between the School of Theatre and the College of Health and Human Development, which included a series of events focused on the intersection of health, art, and culture.

Rhonda BeLue, associate professor of HPA, and Aquila Kikora Franklin, associate professor of theatre and dance, co-instructed the student engagement course, Cultural Conversations Ambassadors.

hhd.psu.edu/hpa

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Miranda receives College’s Diversity Achievement Award Patricia Miranda, assistant professor, is the latest recipient of the Diversity Achievement Award from the College of Health and Human Development for demonstrating a strong commitment to fostering diversity within the College and Penn State.

Miranda’s research centers on understanding and reducing racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in health and health care, including in the area of cancer-related care and outcomes among immigrant and Latino populations, as well as in health care access among vulnerable populations more generally.

For example, Miranda’s research looks at diversity within the Latino population and found that people of Mexican origin have the lowest cancer screening rates in the United States. This finding is significant, in part, because people of Mexican origin make up the largest Latino population in the United States.

“I hope that in clinical practice, physicians see these studies and recognize that when they have a patient from a vulnerable population they should do everything they can to make sure the patient receives proper screenings and preventive treatment,” Miranda said.

Recently published papers have examined issues including the influence of citizenship status on rates of cancer screening among immigrants, health-related effects of exposure to discrimination, and ways to identify unmet needs for health care among members of vulnerable populations.

“Diversity is not only important to consider because we learn a lot and are enriched by having diverse perspectives in our classrooms but also because it might identify even higher-risk populations if you’re studying different populations in health

research,” Miranda said.

Miranda’s teaching and mentoring also strongly reflect her commitment to fostering diversity. In her classes, which focus on population health and health disparities, she facilitates a climate of inclusiveness.

Additionally, Miranda chairs the HPA Diversity Committee, which sponsors events, including Food for Thought presentations about diversity-related issues.

Miranda also recently cochaired a departmental search committee that successfully recruited a new faculty member who studies health disparities. She is involved in numerous organizations and has served as chair of the American Public Health Association Latino Caucus Science Program.

According to her nominators, “Dr. Miranda makes important contributions to the diversity of the college in numerous ways, including through research, service, teaching, and mentoring.

She is an inspiration to her students and to us.”

Miranda is also a faculty associate for the Population Research Institute at Penn State, member of the Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute, assistant professor of demography at Penn State, and assistant professor of public health services for the College of Medicine at Penn State. n

Ortiz receives funding to study affordable housing policies’ impact on child development Selena Ortiz received a $20,000 grant from the Frameworks Institute to support research examining policies impacting early childhood development and affordable housing.

“The overall goal of this research is to develop and disseminate a core story regarding those policy solutions to disparities in early childhood development and housing while simultaneously increasing our knowledge of how values might function to influence public support for policies,” Ortiz said.

The funds will be used to conduct two online, population-based survey experiments. Conducting large-scale, quantitative survey experiments would supplement existing small-scale, qualitative research on early childhood development and affordable housing.

“The use of values in framing has been shown to help people think about and assess the efficacy of public policies leading to more productive thinking about health issues,” Ortiz said. “Identifying and testing the influence of values on public support of policies is an essential part of public health and social

policymaking, particularly since research has shown that health and social policies are sometimes pursued because of their robust associations with certain values.”

The survey experiments will shed light on public opinion regarding early childhood development and affordable housing in the United States.

The surveys will also provide a quantitative baseline of existing understandings of and attitudes toward early childhood development and affordable housing that could enable accurate impact evaluation of current policies targeting at-risk populations, including low-income communities and racial/ethnic populations. n

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BeLue serves as interim director for Pan University of Global Health Rhonda BeLue, associate professor of health policy and administration, public health sciences, and demography, is the Penn State interim director for the Pan University for Global Health.

“Dr. Belue’s extensive experience in global health research and passion for mentoring students and faculty in this area make her an excellent choice to continue Penn State’s leadership role in the Pan University for Global Health,” said Marianne Hillemeier, professor and head of the Department of Health Policy and Administration.

Pan University for Global Health is a collaboration with universities around the world in an effort to address global health and other global challenges by sharing ideas and research. The network provides opportunities for Penn State faculty and students to share their research with international institutions and gain knowledge from researchers at member institutions.

BeLue, a member of the network since its inception, replaces Collins Airhihenbuwa, head of the Department of Biobehavioral Health, who retired from Penn State in December 2015. BeLue’s research background includes health disparities in families and children, evaluation methodology, vulnerable populations, and global health.

“This is an opportunity to bring awareness to the Penn State community in terms of the landscape of global health,” BeLue said. “It’s also a chance to show people in the United States that other nations face the same health issues, such as diabetes and hypertension. Ultimately, it’s an opportunity to hopefully have a positive impact on the communities with which we work.”

The six founding partner institutions are Penn State, University of Freiburg, University of Cape Town, University of Pune, University of Limpopo, and University of the West Indies.

“One mission for the network is to build a pipeline of researchers, from junior faculty to post-doctoral researchers, that creates a continuous flow of research and allows the network to keep up with global trends,” BeLue said.

Philippines Sweden

In conjunction with the network’s mission, the Department of Health Policy and Administration provides students with a variety of opportunities to study global health. For example, BeLue takes students to Senegal in West Africa, where they learn about the local health care system first-hand.

BeLue, who earned her doctoral degree in policy analysis and management at Cornell University, received the 2015 Penn State Multicultural Resource Center Diversity award and was named 2014-2015 Distinguished Honors Faculty with the Schreyer Honors College.

Other faculty members take students to Costa Rica, Sweden, and the Philippines to study health care systems. The department is also developing a course about the United States health care system and the role the United States plays in addressing global health issues.

“We are trying to make sure students get a comprehensive understanding of where the United States sits in terms of global health,” BeLue said. n

Costa Rica

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New people, new roles Christina Daley Instructor

Teaching Interests: Long-term care management and policy, health and medical needs, and quality improvement in health care Previously, Daley served an instructor in the graduate Health Administration Program at Penn State Harrisburg.

Prior to joining Penn State, Daley worked in the field of Long Term Care Services and Supports (LTSS) as a licensed Nursing Home Administrator.

In her new role, Daley is excited about the opportunity to share her passion for the field of LTSS.

Jennifer Deutsch

Program Director and Instructor of the online Bachelor of Science Degree in HPA

Teaching Interests: Consumer health, U.S. health policy, and health services organizations and delivery Previously, Deutsch served as co-curricular programs manager for the online Master of Health Administration Program at Penn State.

In her new role, Deutsch is responsible for the startup, leadership, and ongoing management of the recently established undergraduate program, offered through Penn State World Campus.

Selena Ortiz

Assistant Professor, Gregory H. Wolf Professor of Health Policy and Management Research Interests: Determinants of population health policy formation, including problem recognition, the formulation of policy proposals, politics, and the influence of cognitive frames and values Teaching Interests: Health policy formation, ethical issues in health care policy and administration, and health disparities Previously, Ortiz was a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health and Society Scholar at the Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies and a fellow with the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard University.

In her new role, Ortiz is excited to develop formal interdisciplinary research collaborations with faculty across the

University and mentor students in policy and health disparities.

Joel Segel

Assistant Professor Research Interests: Cancer, health economics, patient decision-making and consumer behavior, quality of care and outcomes Teaching Interests: Health economics and quantitative research methods Previously, Segel was completing his doctoral work at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

In his new role, Segel is excited about collaborating with the many outstanding researchers and getting an opportunity to both teach and interact with the great undergraduate and graduate students in HPA.

Jennifer Scanlon

Co-Curricular Programs Manager for the online Master of Health Administration

Interests: Long-term care management and policy, population health, and continuous quality process improvement Previously, Scanlon, who has Master of Health Administration and Master of Business Administration degrees from the University of Pittsburgh, has served as a nursing home administrator, director of a hospital-based transitional care unit, and as senior consultant for Ernst and Young.

In her new role, Scanlon manages day-to-day operations of the online program.

Yunfeng Shi

Assistant Professor Research Interests: Consumer engagement and behavior, quality measurement and reporting, health care organizations, and health information technology Teaching Interests: Health economics, health care organizations, health care financing, and research methodology Previously, Shi was a research associate with the Center for Health Care Policy and Research (CHCPR).

In his new role, Shi is excited about working on the various projects in the summative evaluation for the Aligning Forces for Quality and in the early stage of the AHRQ project to assess performance of health care delivery systems.

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Retirements within the department Pamela Farley Short Pamela Farley Short, professor, retired after more than eighteen years at Penn State. She is now a professor emeritus of health policy and administration.

Short’s Penn State career includes serving as director of the Center for Health Care Policy and Research (CHCPR) from 1997 to 2014.

While Short served as director of CHCPR, the center grew from a staff of three to fourteen regular employees and multiple student research assistants. Today, CHCPR collaborates with researchers interested in all aspects of health services and health care improvement.

During her service, Short also taught health policy and administration courses for undergraduates, master’s students preparing for management positions in health care, and doctoral students. She found teaching and mentoring doctoral students particularly rewarding.

Having worked as a full-time researcher in Washington, D.C., before coming to Penn State, Short continued her work related to health insurance here. Her insurance studies particularly emphasized the turnover in Medicaid, private insurance, and the uninsaured when incomes, employment, and other aspects of people’s lives change.

Short began another line of research that has helped cancer survivors and oncology professionals better understand the economic consequences of being diagnosed and treated for cancer, particularly the long-term effects on employment.

Short received her doctorate in economics from Yale University and her bachelor’s degree in economics from Wellesley College.

Short’s honors and achievements include: Evan G. and Helen G. Pattishall Outstanding Faculty Research Achievement Award from the College of Health and Human Development; Article of the Year Award for “Single Women and the Dynamics of Medicaid” from the Association for Health Services Research; selection to the Institute of Medicine’s Committee on Cancer Survivorship; and service in the White House as a staff expert on health care economics. n

Diane Brannon Diane Brannon, professor, retired July 1 after thirty-one years at Penn State.

Brannon served as the professor-in-charge (PIC) of HPA’s doctoral and master’s programs, as well as the department’s leader twice over the past seventeen years.

From 2006 to 2012 she served as the curriculum chair, and from 2000 to 2006, served as director and PIC of the MHA program. She served as HPA’s department head from 1997 to 2003 during which time the department experienced dramatic growth.

Her most rewarding experience as an educator and researcher, she said, has been collaboration with students, colleagues and practitioners. “The rich exchange of perspectives challenges all involved, and I have been fortunate to work with some delightful people,” Brannon said.

Brannon’s teaching interests include organization theory in health services research and long-term care administration. Her research interests include long-term care management, quality improvement in nursing homes, and organizational design.

Brannon received her doctorate in human service studies in 1981 from Cornell University; her master of science in social work from Bryn Mawr College in 1973; and her bachelor of art’s degree in sociology from Winthrop College in 1971.

Her honors include: Achieving Women at Penn State’s Faculty Award from the Penn State Commission for Women in 2002; Long Term Care Research Award from the Foundation of the American College of Health Care Administrators in 1994; Best Paper from the Health Care Management Division of the Academy of Management in 1991. She was also awarded the 2009 Excellence in Teaching Award from the Health Care Management Division. n

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Undergraduate student Matthew Quillen poses with his tour guide at a market in Uganda.

Student, faculty member study pediatric palliative care in Uganda When Matthew Quillen, an undergraduate student studying Health Policy and Administration, signed on to assist Associate Professor Caprice Knapp research children’s palliative care, the medical school hopeful admits he knew little about the issue.

The long-term goal is to determine if the WHO guidelines are effective, particularly in a country with limited resources, Knapp said. The next goal for researchers is to conduct a study in a country where morphine is not readily available, such as Armenia or India.

“It was a different, yet vital, aspect of medicine that I was interested in adding to my area of study,” Quillen said.

“This is a first step in a series of studies where we hope to answer the question: are these guidelines effective at reducing pain,” said Knapp. “Uganda is the best starting situation because the country has been using the guidelines to demonstrate it can be done and done in an environment with limited resources.”

For a year, Quillen, Knapp, and Julia Downing, honorary professor at Makerere University, Uganda, and director of education and research at International Children’s Palliative Care Network (ICPCN), planned out the study of pediatric pain management in Uganda for ailments such as HIV, sickle cell disease, and cancer.

The purpose was to determine if three children’s palliative care programs in Uganda were using the World Health Organization’s Two-Step Pain Ladder for children with persistent pain. The two-step plan includes first using pain relievers such as Tylenol or codeine before then utilizing opioids, such as morphine.

In August, Downing guided Knapp and Quillen as the trio spent time at Mildmay Uganda, Hospice Uganda, and Mulago Hospital reviewing medical charts, conducting interviews with health care workers, and identifying documentation used in pain assessment and management.

“By reviewing charts and interviewing health care workers first hand, I was able to further understand how each site assessed, treated, and managed different kinds of pain,” Quillen said “It was interesting to realize the similarities and differences between each location while recognizing the alignment between interviewee’s responses and chart information.”

Children facing end of life are cared for in the children’s hospice unit at Mildmay Clinic in Uganda.

SPRING2016 7 Additionally, lessons learned from this project will be helpful to ICPCN as they work with international experts on issues related to pain.

“The beauty of this project is that it showcases what researchers can accomplish by collaborating with ICPCN and involving students,” Knapp said. “By involving students in research and introducing them to children’s palliative care, we are building the next generation of advocates, clinicians, and researchers.”

Quillen said, “Traveling to Uganda was an amazing first-time abroad experience. This project not only offered me a differing perspective of the care delivered overseas but provided me unique

experiences that I will take with me on my journey in medicine. I would also like to thank both Dr. Knapp and Dr. Downing for their continued support and the opportunity to join them on such a wonderful research experience.”

Downing appreciated the opportunity to work with the Penn State team and she hopes to collaborate with Penn State again in the future.

“It was exciting that we were able to undertake this preliminary research in Uganda and we hope that it will lead on to further work looking at managing pain in children’s palliative care and the use of the two-step analgesic ladder,” Downing said. n

CHCPR plays integral role in $52 million health care study The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ ) selected RAND Corporation and the Center for Health Care and Policy Research at Penn State (CHCPR) to participate in a $52 million study to investigate how high-performing health care systems promote the use of new evidence in clinical practice.

Richard Kronick, director of AHRQ , announced the funding of three Centers of Excellence in 2015 at AcademyHealth’s Annual Research Meeting in Minneapolis. Each of the three centers will receive $18 million over five years to study how complex health care delivery systems disseminate new evidence-based practices and achieve high performance.

“New evidence is valuable only if it is used,” said Kronick.

“We expect this effort will give us a better understanding of how successful health care delivery systems disseminate new evidence so we can enable the rapid adoption of best practices throughout the health care system and improve patient outcomes.”

RAND Corporation and Penn State’s CHCPR were awarded roughly $18 million for their role in the study.

Increasingly, clinicians work within complex health systems.

Understanding how health systems disseminate information on what works and what does not work will facilitate successful dissemination of evidence-based practices moving forward. This project is funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Trust Fund, which was created by the Affordable Care Act. RAND Corporation and CHCPR will examine health systems in five regions with the goal of understanding the role of incentives, use of health IT and organizational integration within systems, and their impact on performance and evidence dissemination.

“The center’s work is vitally important as we know very little about what factors contribute to high performance within health care systems. If known, these factors could be adopted by lower performing health care systems to improve care more rapidly and broadly,” said Cheryl Damberg, princi-

pal investigator for RAND Corporation. “A better understanding of the actions that health systems can take to ensure the rapid translation of new evidence into practice is critical to improving outcomes for patients.”

Dennis Scanlon, professor of health policy and administration and director of CHCPR, Dennis Scanlon said as health reform implementation continues, significant changes are unfolding in how health care is delivered and paid for, including new models of reimbursement, new types of provider delivery systems, and different approaches to managing the health of populations, such as using the best clinical evidence and understanding how to truly involve patients in decision-making.

“With so much change, it is important to study how things are playing out on the ground in different communities across the United States so we can measure the impact of these efforts and share important lessons with others,” Scanlon said. “This project builds on our extensive experience studying health improvement efforts, and we look forward to the opportunity to use research and dissemination to accelerate the implementation of high value patient centered care.”

The other two research groups conducting the study include Dartmouth College in partnership with the University of California at Berkeley, Harvard University and the High Value Healthcare Collaborative, and the National Bureau of Economic Research in partnership with the Health Research and Educational Trust and the Network of Regional Healthcare Initiatives.

Additionally, AHRQ will fund a coordinating center to help facilitate collaboration among the three centers in the development of a national compendium of the performance of health care systems across the United States. n

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Professionals share their knowledge in the classroom Steven Wagman, a 1982 Penn State graduate with a degree in health planning and administration, a predecessor major to HPA, fully subscribes to the philosophy of “paying it forward.”

That’s why he regularly appears in classrooms at Penn State, where he talks with students and shares lessons he learned throughout his career.

“The HPA program provided me with a foundation for my success, and I strongly believe it’s important, in the tradition of Penn State, to pay it forward,” Wagman said.

“When I meet with students, in and out of the classroom, I encourage them to do the same when they are in a position professionally to contribute to future students’ learning and growth.”

and construction services; and program management for Siemens One. He also represented Siemens US Healthcare in the global Project Management @ Siemens forum and served as the chair for the Siemens USA Healthcare Diversity & Inclusion Council.

For example, Wagman spoke to students as part of the ninth annual Professionals in the Classroom event sponsored by HPA and the Health Policy and Administration Affiliate Program Group (HPA APG).

The event, held from Oct. 21 to Oct. 23, included 27 professionals visiting classrooms.

Wagman is past-president for HPA APG and is the current vice president and member of the executive board of the Penn State Alumni Association.

Over the course of his career, Wagman led organizations in healthcare information technology implementation and strategic consulting; medical imaging site planning, design

Wagman retired in June as vice president for Enterprise Solutions Implementation at Siemens Medical Solutions, USA, after thirty-three years of service. n

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Alumnus Lutz utilizes Penn State degrees through military career Being the executive officer to the Wing Commander at Joint Base Charleston and an officer in the U.S. Air Force Medical Service Corps is not enough for Captain David Lutz.

In his various positions at Joint Base Charleston, Lutz has been responsible for managing the execution of a $26.3 million budget and coordinating manning requirements for a 267-person medical staff. In his current position, his efforts have supported more than 11,000 flights that moved 64,000 passengers and 111,000 tons of cargo.

However, Lutz seeks more.

Lutz, who earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology in 2009 and a master’s degree in health policy and administration in 2011, both at Penn State, also serves as president of the Company Grade Officers Council on the base, providing volunteer, professional development, and social opportunities to more than 300 officers.

Additionally, Lutz has a deep passion for the local community in Charleston, South Carolina, where he has served as coach for a local baseball team of 12- and 13-year-olds. He also led a group of volunteers at the local Ronald McDonald House on multiple occasions, providing meals for families whose children were admitted for medical treatment at the hospital.

“I’ve been incredibly blessed in many ways, and I like giving back when I can. More than that, I take pride in helping others obtain goals that they would not have otherwise reached for, and the military is a great forum in which I can do that,” Lutz said. “There are a lot of highly motivated people who are always looking to help, and sometimes they just need someone to give them a push or a direction. It’s satisfying when you see their growth.”

Lutz particularly looks to the last stanza of the Penn State Alma Mater for direction, which reads:

May no act of ours bring shame To one heart that loves thy name, May our lives but swell thy fame, Dear old State, dear old State “We are all standard bearers for the University,” Lutz said.

“The last stanza of the Alma Mater says it all, and it’s more important than ever for alumni and students to internalize what it directs us to do, own it, and go out in the world and have a positive impact in all we do.”

During his time at Penn State, Lutz was a varsity letterman serving as co-captain for Penn State’s baseball team. He is the recipient of the 2015 Emerging Professional – Graduate Degree Award presented by the College of Health and Human Development’s Alumni Society Board.

The Emerging Professional – Graduate Degree Award recognizes a graduate of the past ten years who has a graduate degree from the college and who has demonstrated professional excellence and/or exemplary voluntary community involve-

Nan Crouter, David Lutz, and Jeff Sarabok

ment in a health and human development field. Lutz was honored during an awards ceremony at the University Park campus in November.

Lutz previously served as medical logistics and information systems flight commander, in Charleston as well as Kunsan, South Korea, and at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. In these roles, he guided medical supply and equipment procurement, facility and project management, and network infrastructure management.

He is an accomplished military leader, receiving numerous awards and recognitions while serving in a variety of positions.

Some of his awards include the Company Grade Officer of the Quarter award, which he has received three times; the Company Grade Officer of the Year for 2013; and Air Mobility Command’s Young Healthcare Administrator of the Year for 2013.

Lutz said his time at Penn State, both inside and outside the classroom, set him up for success as a young professional.

“It was clear to me very early on in my career as an administrator in the military healthcare system that the education I had received was more comprehensive, and more applicable, than that of many of my peers,” Lutz said. “This allowed me to move past barriers that slowed others down, which in turn helped me obtain opportunities that were not available to others.”

Outside the classroom, Lutz took advantage of opportunities, such as observing an orthopedic surgeon at Mount Nittany Medical Center for a summer and serving as an administrative resident at the Washington Hospital Center.

“These and other active, dynamic experiences shaped who I am today and how I react to tasks at work,” Lutz said. “Also, my athletic experience on the baseball team at Penn State has played a huge part in how I lead teams, drive projects, and interact with others in the military. This experience has been absolutely invaluable.” n

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HPA courses add Undergraduate Peer Tutors The instructor’s office hours are booked; the TA is MIA; and the Writing Center can fix most comma errors, but these edits are not necessarily content-friendly. So what’s a Health Policy and Administration undergraduate to do?

Rachele Mash is one of four Undergraduate Peer Writing Tutors employed this semester to work with students enrolled in the writing-intensive courses HPA 301W*, Health Policy Issues, and HPA 390, Professional Development. Mash, an HPA senior, leads the tutor team, which also includes Samantha DiMeo, Amelia Browning, and Austin Jerman, all HPA juniors.

Mash, under the guidance of HPA Senior Lecturer and Writing Coach Tom Knarr, first unveiled the tutoring program during the fall 2015 HPA 301W courses. She also helped recruit and train her three colleagues for their spring tutoring duties, which include attending and assisting four HPA 390 courses and two HPA 301W courses.

So what does being an HPA peer tutor involve? As outlined in their signed Statement of Accountability, tutors will: • Be present and prepared for each session of class, including peer review and writing workshops.

• Understand and be able to communicate fully the requirements of each assignment.

• Be prepared, based on the course calendar, to verbally offer insight and experiences during each day’s lecture/lesson.

• Meet with students outside of class and be sure to choose a safe/ public location on campus.

• Maintain online records such as the class blog sites, Twitter, etc.

The last duty has garnered positive feedback from both HPA students and faculty. After each class, the peer tutor will outline the day’s lesson in each class and post reminders of quizzes and other due dates on the HPA tutor blog. The tutor will also “tweet” these reminders, helpful links, and assignment advice over the blog’s Twitter feed: @ theWriteWay_HPA. The account also “follows” other Penn State Twitter sites relevant to the course, as well as national sites, such as Career Builder, Monster, Health Care Careers, and Penn State Hershey Medical Center. The tutor blog link is: sites.psu.edu/tutorhpa301w

Mash said her ability to have social media ties to her peers provides another route for students to find the help they need.

“Just this year, we have used Twitter and the blog more than ever, but I see us implementing these resources more frequently in class,” she said. “Students seem to enjoy the ability to have a blog to review the day’s activities or to learn more about lecture topics.

The more active that peer tutors are outside the classroom helps inform students of our ability and willingness to help.”

DiMeo said she has gained as much from her experiences as a tutor as she has given to her peers.

Rachele Mash, senior Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Austin Jerman, junior Warren, Pennsylvania

Currently following in health care: The aligning of clinical and managerial priorities to achieve the delivery of quality care.

Currently following in health care: The shortage of primary care physicians and its effects on healthcare in the United States.

*W indicates that the course fulfills the University’s Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

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Samantha DiMeo, junior Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Amelia Browning, junior Woodbine, Maryland

Currently following in health care: Alternative care sites, particularly retail health clinics, to reduce emergency department overcrowding.

Currently following in health care: Medical tourism and the effects of medical tourism on transnational healthcare regulation.

“As a peer tutor, I did not realize how much I would personally take away from the tutoring experience,” she said. “I thought I could be of help to my fellow colleagues, but I did not anticipate the effect that this position would have on me. I have thoroughly enjoyed sharing my experiences with other students and passing along advice that I have received from my own mentors.”

Overall, according to Knarr, the program has had a very successful launch; however, he is not ready to rest on the program’s laurels.

Over the next year, he hopes to see the program assist in all HPA courses, not just those with writing components. He also foresees the program working more closely with the online undergraduate program through the use of other web technologies.

Such experiences are what many of the students value most from the tutors. HPA student Awele Ajufo said, “Being able to have those—who were in our shoes not long before us guide us and help us to excel in this course has been really beneficial and has overall improved my academic experience.”

“What I have noticed most over the past year or so is that students today will respond to old-fashioned emails within seconds of my sending one out,” Knarr said. “They are connected with smart phones, Twitter feeds, and even Fitbits that notify them that social media is calling. We, as instructors, also need to be connected to our students, as well as provide them with resources that relate to their particular lifestyles and trends.”

Browning sees her job as simply easing the tensions and frustrations that many students face trying to discuss assignments with their instructors. Browning pointed out that unlike professor-student or teaching assistant-student relationships, “peer tutor-student relationships provide an open channel for communication in which students feel more at ease with asking questions and receiving constructive criticism.”

Therefore, Knarr said, the HPA Undegraduate Peer Tutor Program’s vision is to be more than a workshop or last minute review for students. The program strives to remain “connected” to the students it serves and provide continued assistance throughout each semester. n

Reni Bilikisu Elewonibi takes part in Indigenous Knowledge Seminar Series Reni Bilikisu Elewonibi, a doctoral student in the Health Policy and Administration and Demography Program, recently presented a talk as part of the Indigenous Knowledge Seminar Series in the Paterno Library of Penn State’s University Park campus.

Titled “Are we so different: A look at the influence of culture on breast cancer screening behaviors in Nigeria,” her presentation focused on her work to identify indigenous knowledge related to the beliefs about breast cancer screening in Lagos, Nigeria. Her goal is to create a culturally grounded intervention that resonates with cultural and behavior norms in hopes of increasing screening uptake.

The seminar series is sponsored by The Interinstitutional Center for Indigenous Knowledge and The Department of Health Policy and Administration. For more information, about the Center visit www.icik.psu.edu.

For more details on Elewonibi’s research, visit icik.libraries.psu.edu/events-initiatives/seminar-series n

Elewonibi (left) conducts an interview for her study in Lagos, Nigeria

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Penn State offers joint degree in law and health administration Penn State is offering a new joint degree program that will allow students the opportunity to pursue degrees in law and health administration, preparing them for compliance, legal, policy, and regulatory careers in the health care field.

Administered jointly between the College of Health and Human Development and Penn State Law, the new program allows students to earn a J.D. and a master of health administration degree in just four years.

“The increasing complexity of health care policy is creating a rapidly growing demand for legal professionals who have a firm understanding of the unique challenges presented by health care regulations, payment structures and liabilities,” said James W. Houck, interim dean of Penn State Law. “The joint J.D./MHA program will allow Penn State Law students to take advantage of Penn State’s strength in health administration by conveniently pursuing a master’s degree just steps from the law school in University Park.”

Students interested in enrolling in the joint J.D./MHA program must first be admitted to Penn State Law and spend year one completing the required first-year curriculum in the J.D. program before starting the MHA component. In their second, third, and fourth years, students will complete a mix of degree requirements in both programs.

“Health care is highly regulated, and as provider organizations merge and new systems and organizational forms are created, the law, policy, and regulatory agencies struggle to keep pace.

Students prepared in this dual career program will have a distinct advantage for understanding this new landscape and helping to shape it as it evolves,” said Christopher Calkins, executive director of the in-residence and online MHA programs.

Capitalizing on the University’s strengths in law and health care administration, the joint degree program was born out of the desire of a current Penn State Law student to pursue both degrees.

Second-year law student Theresa DeAngelis earned her bachelor’s degree in HPA from Penn State in May 2014 and had her sights set on law school since her first year as an undergraduate. After completing an administrative internship at Mount Nittany Health, DeAngelis knew she wanted to work in the health care field and began exploring the MHA program.

“My undergraduate career in the Health Policy and Administration program coincided with the passage and implementation of the Affordable Care Act, and my internship provided me with the opportunity to witness firsthand many aspects of health care affected by law and regulation,” DeAngelis said. “From new delivery models to payment reform based on quality of care, health care reform catalyzed tremendous changes in care delivery affecting providers, payers and patients. I suddenly saw a huge opportunity in this area.”

Not willing to give up on her plans to earn a J.D., DeAngelis reached out to Penn State Law professor Michele Vollmer, whom she met during the law school’s Explore Law program

Theresa DeAngelis

for undergraduates, and Jonathan Clark, former executive director of the MHA program. They encouraged DeAngelis to apply to both programs. She was accepted to both schools and began her studies at Penn State Law in fall 2014, where she discussed her idea of completing both degrees with receptive administrators from Penn State Law and HPA. With DeAngelis already enrolled at Penn State Law, the administrators had to move quickly to bring the joint degree program to fruition. Leadership from both schools worked together to develop a joint sequence of study and put a proposal before the University’s Graduate Council.

“I am very appreciative that the faculty and administration in both schools were so receptive to my academic goals,” said DeAngelis, who will be the first student in the J.D./ MHA program. “I believe holding these two degrees will be a marketable skill set to employers around the country in the health care industry. I hope that this program will foster a vibrant community of students at Penn State who are interested in studying at the intersection of health care and law and that Penn State will be seen as a hub for health care law scholarship.”

As for her own career ambitions, DeAngelis knows that she wants to work as a practicing attorney in health administration and will be weighing her options as she completes the program. She is interested in all sides of the equation, including positions with the government, health care providers, and payers.

Students interested in enrolling in the joint J.D./MHA program must be separately admitted to both Penn State Law and the Master of Health Administration program in the College of Health and Human Development. n

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Message from Marianne Hillemeier Greetings from Happy Valley! It is finally spring, and students and faculty alike are enjoying the (somewhat) warmer weather and the early blooming flowers on campus. We are also enjoying the fact that health policy is in the spotlight in this election year. The policy positions advocated by the presidential hopefuls are quite diverse, making for interesting conversations in class and beyond.

As part of their ongoing Food for Thought events, the HPA Diversity Committee recently held a very lively discussion and dinner event for students and faculty called “Election 2016: Candidates’ proposed health care policies from diverse perspectives.” Health care positions found on each candidate’s official website were summarized in a PowerPoint presentation, and participants were encouraged to consider and discuss these positions from their own points of view, as well as from the points of view of diverse groups such as older Americans, those with disabilities, young parents, and people of varying socioeconomic backgrounds.

As reflected in the photos on this page, the event was very well-attended and resulted in thoughtful dialogue. You can see additional pictures from the event and join in the conversation yourself on Twitter using the hashtag #hpafft2016.

A lot is happening in HPA this year. Our residential undergraduate program enrollment is increasing, and the number of additional students registering for HPA undergraduate classes online has already far exceeded initial expectations. Our graduate programs also continue to flourish, including the MHA and online MHA degree cohorts and students in our research degree programs including the doctorate and master of science in HPA. As you will see in the “New People, New Roles” section

of this newsletter, our faculty is expanding to accommodate this growth, and we recently welcomed a new program director for the HPA online bachelor of science degree program, three new assistant professors, a new instructor, and a new co-curricular manager for the online MHA program. We look forward to continuing to build our programs and recruit excellent faculty to teach our students at all levels.

Please feel free to come visit our department and experience the excitement for yourself. Our students really value the opportunity to get to know HPA alumni, through our Professionals in the Classroom event in October and other activities throughout the year. I would be more than happy to show you around and introduce you to faculty and students.

The president of our Affiliate Program Group, Joe Thear, would also love to hear from you and can help you find rewarding opportunities to volunteer and get to know current and former students. We look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes,

Marianne M. Hillemeier, Ph.D. Professor and Head, Health Policy and Administration

HPA faculty and students discuss 2016 presidential health care platforms during this year’s Food for Thought event

AFFILIATE PROGRAM GROUP 14 HPANews

HPA

HEALTH POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION AFFILIATE PROGRAM GROUP

Letter from the President I am excited to reach so many of my fellow HPA alumni in my first president’s message. When I graduated in 1984 with my B.S. in HPA, I knew my degree would provide many opportunities in a growing health care market. I never imagined all these years later that there would be such explosive growth and career opportunities for HPA alumni.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 14.3 million people are employed in the health care industry, and it’s projected that 3.2 million new health care-related jobs will be created over the next eight years. Health care is one of the highest growth industries in the world.

This growth can be seen in both HPA and the College of Health and Human Development, and the students whom I am fortunate to interact with continue to amaze me on so many levels. Whether your path took you into life sciences, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, services, health information technology, or health care equipment, please consider reconnecting with your Penn State HPA “roots,” if you haven’t already.

The HPA APG is a growing alumni family with a proud heritage and dedicated members. The APG strives to bring alumni and students together at social events with support of local Penn State alumni chapters. We are fortunate to have dedicated HPA alumni return to campus yearly and participate in many events, such as Professionals in the Classroom, the HPA Mentoring Program, and the Alumni Tailgate.

We encourage alumni and students to join us on our LinkedIn site (Penn State HPA Alumni), our Facebook page (Penn State University Health Policy and Administration), and our official HPA alumni page (hhd.psu.edu/hpa/alumni) to connect and stay informed. Becoming involved with the APG is a great way to network professionally and personally throughout the country.

Please know I am committed to providing support and guidance to the HPA APG. Please feel free to email me at joethearjr@gmail.com or hpaapg@gmail.com.

We Are! Joe Thear HPA APG President

“

Mentoring has allowed me to meet talented individuals and see them evolve as early careerists. It is a great opportunity to answer the tough questions and continue to learn from my mentee.”

— Carly Hahn, HPA alumni mentor For more information on the College of Health and Human Development Mentoring Program, visit hhd.psu.edu/alumni/mentoring-program

SPRING2016 15

New HPA-APG Board Members Joe Thear

President Healthcare Principal The MITRE Corporation 3826 Bush Creek Drive Frederick, Maryland 21704-7845 joethearjr@gmail.com

Kevin M. Lynch `14g

President-Elect The Quell Foundation PO Box1924 North Falmouth, MA 02556 klynch@thequellfoundation.org

Ashley Harris `06

Secretary Associate Booz Allen Hamilton Tampa, FL 717-357-2942 ashley.fiddler@gmail.com

Alexandra D’Innocenzo

MHA Student Representative Alexandra is a second-year MHA student in the integrated HPA program.

Lisa Tzanakis

HPA Student Representative Lisa is a junior studying in HPA with a minor in Information, Sciences, and Technology in HPA.

Department of Health Policy and Administration The Pennsylvania State University 604 Ford Building University Park, PA 16802

2016 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

July 14-17 Central PA Festival of the Arts Downtown State College

September 17 HHD Alumni Tailgate – PSU vs. Temple Football Game Porter Gardens, Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, University Park

October 2-8 Homecoming 2016

October 28-29 HHD Alumni Society Fall Board Meeting University Park

NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID STATE COLLEGE, PA PERMIT NO. 1

SUPPORTING THE DEPARTMENT Gifts to the department help students pursue a high-quality education or help faculty members conduct cutting-edge research. For more information regarding philanthropic opportunities within the Department of Health Policy and Administration, please contact: Kathleen Rider Director of Development 814-863-4157 kmr80@psu.edu

Stay Connected

Find fellow alumni online by searching for the following pages and groups: “Penn State University Health Policy and Administration” “Penn State MHAs” “Penn State College of Health and Human Development”

“Penn State HPA Alumni”

“Penn State University MHA”

This publication is available in alternative media on request. Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce. (HPA16093) U.Ed. HHD 16-093