UIC Applied Health Sciences Magazine - Summer 2021 by UIC College of Applied Health Sciences

UIC Applied Health Sciences MAGAZINE

100 years of biomedical visualization

The UIC Program in Biomedical Visualization celebrates a century at the intersection of art, life science, Huntingtin-lowering therapy medicine and technology

IONIS-HTTRx

Huntington’s disease is a hereditary neurodegenerative disease that impacts the striatum, or motor center, of the brains of individuals with a mutation in the Huntingtin gene. Currently, there is no cure. Ionis Pharmaceutical’s antisense oligonucleotide therapy, by the name of Ionis-HTTRx, is the first targeted HTT-lowering drug tested in humans. Phase 1/2 results recently demonstrated safety and tolerability of the drug in humans and proved successful in lowering the amount of HTT protein. The next step is to prove a reduction in disease symptoms.

RNase is an enzyme that binds to and cleaves mRNA in RNA-ASO hybrids. Shown here is the RNase H1 domain responsible for this action. By initiating degradation of Huntingtin mRNA, HTTRx is capable over lowering the amount of mutant Huntingtin protein.

The mutant Huntingtin protein is responsible for damage to certain motor centers in the brain. This occurs because of an expanded CAG repeat region in the Huntingtin gene, which is carried through to mutant RNA and, finally, to mutant protein.

1. HTTRx ASO binds HTT RNA

SUMMER

2021

2. RNase binds RNA-ASO hybrid

Elizabeth Papautsky centers the patient experience and voice, including her own

In-kind gift from pioneering biomedical artist helps students learn from the past

MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN “No one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.” — Theodore Roosevelt Now more than ever, it’s important that we, as health care professionals, address system-wide issues that have real-life implications for individuals. Knowledge is critical, but it’s not everything. We need empathy, connection and understanding to see the whole person, more than just a patient or a client. The disciplines that make up our College of Applied Health Sciences are especially good at this. By volunteering at GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago, our occupational therapy students and alumni empower and support people with Down syndrome and their families. Through group classes and individual activities, they promote inclusion, build meaningful connections— and have fun. As pandemic restrictions ease and businesses begin to reopen, the flaws in our employment system have been exposed. Vanessa Oddo, KN assistant professor, has taken a new look at precarious employment, the conditions of low wages, job insecurity and irregular hours that increase stress and decrease health. BHIS research assistant professor Elizabeth Papautsky’s experience as a scientist and a cancer survivor led her research to devise human-centered tools to help breast cancer patients navigate their care. She has adopted two innovative approaches: the inclusion of patient collaborators who are integral to the research team; and the use of social media to get a better understanding of the issues and reach out to research participants. And on Oct. 18 we celebrate a very special occasion, the centennial of a unique program devoted to literally seeing and understanding: biomedical visualization, one of only four such programs in North America. BVIS students combine their love for art, science and storytelling to educate the world about health and disease, using their talents to help reduce health inequities. The enduring legacy of the program’s 100-year history is reflected in the recent gift of sculptures and illustrations by Charlotte Sinclair Holt ʼ37 BVIS, whose work lives on as it educates future BVIS students. As the effects of the pandemic linger, we will face uncertainties that continue to test our resolve and our empathy. But one thing we know for sure: our faculty, staff and students are ready to face whatever challenges await us.

Bo Fernhall Dean and Professor College of Applied Health Sciences

UIC Applied Health Sciences Magazine Summer 2021 EDITOR

Erika Chavez Director of Marketing and Communications

DESIGN

Heidi Schlehlein Webmaster and Graphic Designer

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Sonya Booth, Lori Botterman, Kelsey Schagemann

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS UIC Creative and Digital Services, UIC Office of Marketing and Brand Management

(312) 996-6695

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Views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editor, the college or university.

You might notice abbreviations throughout this issue. They correlate to academic units and programs in the College of Applied Health Sciences. AT

Athletic Training

BHI

Biomedical and Health Informatics

BHIS

Department of Biomedical and Health Information Sciences

BVIS

Biomedical Visualization

DHD

Department of Disability and Human Development

DIS

Disability Studies

Health Informatics

HIM

Health Information Management

KINES

Kinesiology

Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition

MLS

Medical Laboratory Sciences

NUT

Nutrition

Department of Occupational Therapy

Department of Physical Therapy

Rehabilitation Sciences

UIC Applied Health Sciences MAGAZINE

TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S

Features

BHIS researcher

100 years of biomedical visualization

centers the patient

The UIC Program in

experience and voice,

Biomedical Visualization

including her own

celebrates a century at the

The human factor

intersection of art, life science, medicine and technology

An artist’s homecoming In-kind gift of medical sculptures and illustrations provides new resources

Notebook 4

People 23

for students

Award-winning partner

Stamp of approval

Highlights from recent AHS alumni

On the cover: Illustration of human heart by Jane Hurd �68 BS BVIS superimposed over a composite image created by Samantha Bond �16 MS BVIS comprised of artwork by Tom Jones, Liza Knipscher �18 MS BVIS, Scott Barrows �76 BS BVIS, Jane Hurd �68 BS BVIS, Nicole Ethen �19 MS BVIS, Angela Gao �18 MS BVIS and Dani Bergey �19 MS BVIS.

@UICAHS

Minor announcement

NOTEBOOK AHS News and Notes Through the ranks The AHS online program in health information management is among three UIC online bachelor’s degree programs rated No. 2 in the country for 2021 by U.S. News & World Report. Last year, the programs were ranked No. 3. This is the ninth year UIC programs have been rated among the top in the nation. The 2021 U.S. News & World Report Best Online Bachelor’s Programs ranked 337 schools offering bachelor’s degree programs online based on four general criteria: engagement, student services and technologies, faculty credentials and training, and expert opinion.

The Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management, offered by the Department of Biomedical and Health Information Sciences, prepares students for a range of careers in managing and using information and information systems for health care planning, resource allocation and executive decision-making. “The top national ratings we continue to receive just confirm what we already know—that our program does a great job of preparing students for a career in the essential field of health information management,” said Karen Patena ’74 BS MRA, clinical associate professor and director of HIM programs. “The past year has shown the importance of solid, effective programs in online learning. Our program opens the door to a wide range of job opportunities, as well as eligibility for the Registered Health Administrator (RHIA) credentialing exam.” The other two UIC programs included in the U.S. News rankings are degree completion programs in business and nursing.

Directly north The program, which begins this fall, is open to all AHS students and alumni. The North Park program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education and prepares students for certification in the field.

Photo: North Park University

AHS has established a pathway to directly admit students and alumni to the North Park University master’s program in athletic training.

Whitney Harris, KN academic adviser, heads the UIC selection committee that will review applications and send a prioritized list to North Park, which has agreed to reserve two spots in each cohort. North Park will waive application fees for students accepted through the UIC partnership. Athletic training is a promising career with opportunities not only in school and professional sports, but in health care for the general population, said Harris, who worked in the field herself for 10 years.

“Our students are passionate about and prepared to North Park University master’s in athletic training students pursue health-related careers participate in hands-on learning exercises. and many have an interest in working directly with athletes,” said Karrie HamsNorth Park reached out to develop the partnership because tra-Wright, KN clinical associate professor and visiting of the excellence of past UIC graduates enrolled in its prodirector of undergraduate students. “Given that athletic gram, she said. trainers are at the forefront of patient care and forge that career path through a challenging, accredited, compeFor more info, email Whitney Harris tency-based program, the MSAT program at North Park at wharris6@uic.edu. University is an exciting opportunity.” 2

Diving for gold Photo: Steve Woltmann/UIC Athletics

Cydney Liebenberg ’21 BS RS, a five-time Horizon League diving champion, planned to compete internationally in the FINA Diving Grand Prix this summer after winning four gold medals in the South African National Championships. She was No. 1 in the individual 1-meter and 3-meter and the 3-meter synchronized and mixed synchronized events at the championships, sponsored by Swimming South Africa in Boksburg April 1-6. Liebenberg, a native of Pretoria, is South Africa’s first alternate for the World Cup; she was eligible to represent South Africa at the World University Games in China.

Cydney Liebenberg prepares for take-off from the diving board.

“She’s the best diver I’ve ever had. Hands down,” said UIC Flames diving coach Susan Bromberg. Liebenberg graduates in August with a major in rehabilitation sciences and two minors: disability and human development, and psychology. Then she will begin the master’s degree program in marketing at UIC. Due to the pandemic, she will also have another year of eligibility to compete in diving for UIC. Liebenberg plans a career that uses her degrees in health care and marketing to connect the two for better communication between consumers, businesses and the community. The student athlete said balancing her studies with 20 hours of practice a week is a challenge. “I think it allows you to have better time management and organization skills because you are always busy, so you have to make sure you find time to get everything done,” she said. Athletics and AHS “have incredible resources for students that I definitely utilized and helped me be successful,” she said, including the Academic Support and Achievement Program and her RS academic adviser, Michele Santana. Summer 2021

“Cydney’s work ethic in her sport extends into the classroom,” Santana said. Liebenberg’s first sport was gymnastics; she took up diving in high school after an elbow injury. “I pretty much loved it from day one,” she said. “It has similar movements to gymnastics and so I was able to pick it up pretty quickly.” She wanted to study and compete at a university in the U.S., and when she visited Chicago and UIC, “I really liked the city, as well as what the school offered.” Just as important, “I connected really well with my coach from the first time we met,” Liebenberg said. “I love being a part of both the UIC and South African diving teams and I enjoy the success that comes with it. I love the challenging parts of diving and being able to improve upon my skills on a daily basis and seeing my improvement on a monthly and yearly basis. “Diving also opened up unique opportunities to travel and meet people who are just as passionate as I am. It makes me feel that I am a part of something bigger than myself.” UIC APPLIED HEALTH SCIENCES MAGAZINE

NOTEBOOK

Award-winning partner GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago, a center that supports and empowers people with Down syndrome and their families, has honored the Department of Occupational Therapy as its 2020 Community Partner of the Year.

Vanessa Peixoto Honorato, current MS in OT student, is among many longtime GiGi’s volunteers from UIC. Her contributions include one-on-one tutoring and group programs.

After GiGi’s transitioned to online programming in the COVID-19 pandemic, OT students and alumni “dedicated their time and talents to keeping a smile on our members’ faces,” the center said in announcing the award.

“As a volunteer at GiGi’s over the past couple years I had so many opportunities to learn, to have fun, to apply what I have learned in the classroom as an OT student, and to build meaningful connections with participants, their families, volunteers and staff,” she said.

OT students led and developed groups with GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago participants and their families to improve independence in everyday activities, including selfcare, play, cooking and employment. “The support from the UIC Department of Occupational Therapy and its students has been instrumental this past year. A large majority of Watch GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago announce the 2020 Community Partner of the Year at go.uic.edu/gigi. our program leaders are UIC students and they did a wonderful job sticking with us as we transitioned our programming to a virtual platform, and supported us in Justyna Falat, Emily Betz and Kaily Nagel, master’s in our virtual fundraisers,” the organization said. OT students, led the cooking club and a group for teens. A team of 30 OT students, family and friends, led by master’s student Samantha Stevens, raised more than $2,000 Vivian Villegas ’17 BS KINES, ’19 MS OT, ’20 OTD in the GiGi’s virtual dance-a-thon in November 2020. began volunteering with GiGi’s as a student in 2018. She has been a group leader and member of the Therapeutic “It was such an incredible way to connect with members Program Committee, and recently joined the board of of our program while also supporting an organization directors as fundraising/events co-chair. She recently obwith such a powerful drive for inclusion,” said Stevens, a tained grant funding from Lululemon for two individuals master’s student in OT. with Down syndrome to train as certified pediatric yoga instructors. Jasmine Brown ’18 MS OT, a DS Ph.D. candidate, and Anthony Mercado ’20 MS OT, ’21 OTD conducted an evaluation of the volunteer program to find new strategies to improve volunteer retention, collaborate with community partners and discuss options for including volunteers with Down syndrome. 4

“The UIC OT Department has been and continues to be a leading community partner. We thank them for all of their support over the years, and we are excited to see our partnership grow in 2021,” GiGi’s said.

Barbara Loomis leaves a legacy Barbara Loomis was a teacher, mentor and leader in occupational therapy whose legacy continues after her retirement through a scholarship for OT students at UIC.

Barbara Loomis

Twelve students so far have benefited from the annual Barbara Loomis Scholarship, first awarded in 2010.

Loomis, 95, associate professor emeritus, died Feb. 11 in Gurnee. A memorial was held June 20. “She leaves a legacy of former patients, students and faculty who learned from her and continue to live out her values and love of learning,” said Gail Fisher ’80 BS OT, clinical professor and associate head for administration, who was a former student of Loomis. Three years ago, Loomis sat down with Fisher and fellow OT faculty members Ashley Stoffel and Kathy Preissner ’96 BS OT for an interview about her career, to be preserved in department archives. Occupational therapy was part of the School of Associated Medical Sciences in the College of Medicine when Loomis became a faculty member in 1964. During her 21 years at UIC, she was a clinician, faculty member, department head, then interim dean when the school became a separate college in 1979. She retired in 1981, the same year she was named Occupational Therapist of the Year by the Illinois Occupational Therapy Association. She was an honorary lifetime member of ILOTA and the French National Association of Occupational Therapists. Loomis earned a bachelor’s degree in 1946 from Milwaukee-Downer College, now part of Lawrence University, and a master’s in human development from University of Chicago in 1963. Summer 2021

She began her career as an occupational therapist at the Curative Workshop of Detroit, then went to Hines Veterans Administration Hospital. In 1955, she was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to the University of Paris, where she was a lecturer in occupational therapy and director of pediatric occupational therapy. She returned to Chicago to become supervisor of the OT outpatient unit in neurology at the University of Illinois Hospital, then spent two years with the Arthritis and Rheumatism Foundation before joining the OT faculty as assistant professor and curriculum coordinator. In 1971, she succeeded founder Beatrice Wade to become the second head in department history. After her retirement, Loomis remained active in OT professional organizations at the state and national level. Her service in the American Occupational Therapy Association included committees on accreditation, gerontology and education. She served on the editorial, advisory and review boards of the American Journal of Occupational Therapy. She was a longtime member of the ILOTA executive board and she served on the first OT licensure board for the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation. Her community service included advisory boards for the Chicago City College occupational therapy assistant program and Chicago State University’s occupational therapist program. She was a member of the advisory council of the Illinois Children’s School and Rehabilitation Center, the board of directors of the Community Adult Day Program in Downers Grove, and the executive board of the Heart Association of West Cook County. She received the heart association’s first public health education award. Loomis was a longtime volunteer docent at the Brookfield Zoo and an avid traveler. The scholarship she established helps OT students interested in teaching, either in a classroom or clinical setting.

To donate, visit ahs.uic.edu/support, or contact Kristen Kepnick at kkepnick@uic.edu or (312) 996-8219. UIC APPLIED HEALTH SCIENCES MAGAZINE

NOTEBOOK

A precarious study Precarious employment can result in insufficient income, which compromises access to food and other necessities; greater exposure to adverse physical working conditions, such as toxic exposure; and limited control over both personal and professional life, leading to stress. “Importantly, poor employment quality may be contributing to widening health inequities, as women, people with lower education levels, and minorities have a higher prevalence of P.E.,” Oddo said.

Vanessa Oddo

A study led by KN assistant professor Vanessa Oddo, which uses a new approach to measure precarious (low-quality) employment in the U.S., found a 9% increase in precarious employment between 1988 and 2016. Precarious employment (P.E.) is often characterized by low wages, job insecurity and irregular hours, making employment risky and stressful for the worker. In her study, Oddo sought to create a multidimensional and continuous measure of precarious employment in the U.S. She also set out to describe changes in precarious employment over time, both overall and within subgroups. The paper is published in the Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health. A better understanding of long-term trends is a critical first step in creating policies to improve employment and population health in the U.S., Oddo said. Previously, measuring precarious employment meant focusing on wages, hours and union membership. For this longitudinal study, she expanded the measurement criteria to add material rewards, working-time arrangements, employment stability, workers’ rights, collective organization, interpersonal relations and training opportunities. Characterizing trends using a multidimensional indicator is critical given that employment quality is increasingly recognized as a social determinant of health, Oddo said. 6

Precarious employment scored significantly higher among people of color, women, people with lower levels of education and people with lower income, the study found. Between 1988 and 2016, the overall scores significantly increased, indicating worsening employment quality over time. However, the study showed the largest increases in precarious employment among males, people with a college education and higher-income individuals. “These results suggest long-term decreases in employment quality are widespread in the U.S., rather than just confined to marginalized segments of the labor market,” Oddo said. A holistic approach to studying precarious employment is important because data can inform employment policy decisions, Oddo said. A better understanding could be helpful in setting policy around secure scheduling (advanced notice of schedules) or gig work, like the California law that changed the rules employers must use to determine whether workers are employees or independent contractors. The distinction is important because independent contractors are not entitled to most of the protections and benefits that employees get. Precarious employment could slow the nation’s ability to get back to work after COVID-19, since precariously employed individuals could face additional barriers to COVID-19 vaccination.

Read the full study at go.uic.edu/OddoPEStudy.

Stamp of approval in clinical exercise physiology, said Ozemek, who has published a paper on the idea. “As the only DCEP program in the country, we’ve already attracted a lot of attention and we have a long list of interested students.”

Cemal Ozemek (right) checks the vitals of a cardiac rehabilitation patient (left) while discussing an exercise plan.

A new professional doctorate program in clinical exercise physiology (DCEP) will prepare students for careers in a wide range of outpatient settings—and teach them the business skills to manage a clinical practice. The new program in the Department of Physical Therapy is the first of its kind, said Cemal Ozemek, clinical exercise physiologist and PT clinical associate professor. Traditionally, students pursuing a clinical career as a clinical exercise physiologist earn a master’s degree, while those interested in becoming researchers strive for a Ph.D., Ozemek said. “The value that’s delivered by having a professional doctorate for students interested in pursuing a clinical career—that hasn’t been available.” Ozemek said the new DCEP program is conceptually modeled on the professional doctoral program in physical therapy, which includes rigorous didactic training and clinical rotations that prepare students to be effective practitioners. A national survey sent to graduate-level exercise physiology students, program managers and professionals showed strong demand for a doctoral program

The program will expand on material presented at the master’s level, teaching students to use exercise interventions in treating patients with complex clinical conditions like advanced heart failure, diabetes, kidney disease and cancer. Students will have the opportunity to train to become certified diabetes educators and registered diagnostic cardiac sonographers.

In addition to clinical training, students will learn how to create business plans, work with employees and other skills necessary to manage a practice. This breadth of training will greatly expand career opportunities, Ozemek said, including inpatient and outpatient cardiac rehabilitation, pulmonary rehabilitation, bariatric exercise programs, cancer rehabilitation, cardiopulmonary exercise stress testing, diabetes education and cardiovascular sonography. The first class of eight students will begin in fall 2022. Plans call for a class of 20 students within five years, with further expansion possible. Applicants must have a master’s in kinesiology or exercise physiology, plus 100 hours of clinical experience. Besides Ozemek, other PT faculty working to develop the DCEP program are Hannah Ozemek, exercise physiologist and director of cardiopulmonary exercise testing; Mohamed Ali, researcher in rehabilitation and health care services; Grenita Hall, director of the PT physical activity clinic; and Deepika Laddu-Patel, researcher in lifestyle/behavior change and health promotion. For more information, email Ozemek at ozemek@uic.edu.

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NOTEBOOK

Leading by example Deb Hardtke ’74 BS PT, new president of the AHS Alumni Board, retired from full time clinical work three years ago—but she hasn’t slowed down one bit.

Deb Hardtke

After a long career in physical therapy focused on orthopedics, neurology, pediatrics, neonatal intensive care and program development, she now works part time as a clinical consultant, developing physical therapy programs for assisted living residences and other facilities.

She’s active with outreach programs at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Pilsen, which provides food, clothing and household items for families and homeless people in the community. Hardtke has a special connection to St. Matthew: that’s where her parents were married and she was baptized. She volunteers there several times a month and works with fellow members of her church in Burr Ridge to collect donations for St. Matthew outreach.

In fellowship

David Marquez, KN professor, was elected a fellow in the National Academy of Kinesiology. Bo Fernhall, AHS dean and KN professor, will become the academy’s president-elect.

Bo Fernhall

David Marquez 8

Marquez joins Fernhall and Mark Grabiner, KN professor, in academy membership, which is limited to 200 active fellows. AHS Dean Emerita Charlotte “Toby” Tate is a retired fellow. Marquez is director of the UIC Exercise Physiology Laboratory, which studies physical activity, aging and health disparity to improve wellness.

Through the Darien Garden Club in her hometown, she’s busy with the DuPage Monarch Project, an initiative to protect the habitats of Monarch butterflies and other regional pollinators. The project encourages residents to add pollinator-attracting plants to their yards and asks local governments to grow prairie plants on vacant lots. Hardtke was involved with the AHS Alumni Board in the 1990s and rejoined in January 2019. She especially wants to encourage her fellow graduates to get involved in mentoring and other student support. “I’m very thankful to UIC; it matured me, and gave me direction,” Hardtke said. “The university helped me so much, and I’d like to give back.” Hardtke succeeds outgoing president Eric Meredith ’12 MS NUT, a board member since 2013. The next AHS alumni event will be a collaboration with UIC College of Nursing alumni Sept. 17 on nutrition and maternal health, featuring faculty in nutrition and nursing, as well as a cooking demonstration using summer harvest from the UIC Nutrition Teaching Garden. For more information on this and other events, plus how to connect with other AHS alumni, visit ahs.uic.edu/alumni.

He is principal investigator for a National Institute of Aging-funded study on Alzheimer’s and dementia in Latinos. Other research concerns the use of physical activity to improve cognitive and physical health among midlife and older adults, including several studies that focus on Latinx, South Asian and developmentally disabled people. He was a member of the national committee that advised the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on a 2018 update of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Fernhall, AHS dean since 2011, established the UIC Integrative Physiology Laboratory. He has over 20 years of experience directing university-based cardiac rehabilitation programs. His research focuses on people with disabilities, especially individuals with Down syndrome, and on racial and ethnic disparities. The new fellows will be inducted at the academy’s annual meeting in September.

Minor announcement

Nutrition student prepares a meal in the demonstration kitchen.

A new minor in food science will prepare undergraduates in nutrition, chemistry, biology and other sciences for a wide variety of careers in food technology. “Chicago is such a food hub; there are a lot of interesting opportunities,” said Kirsten Straughan, KN director of nutrition science. Food manufacturers like Conagra Brands and McDonald’s Corp., grocery and restaurant chains and federal agencies are among those hiring entry-level food chemists, food analysts, product developers, food safety personnel and others, Straughan said. The new program, which begins this fall, will be the only one of its kind in the Chicago area. A partnership with the Chicago Section of the Institute of Food Technologists will provide opportunities for scholarships, internships and networking. The science-heavy curriculum was developed with input from faculty in the Department of Chemistry in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Summer 2021

“This program will help our undergraduate students learn how to improve food preservation methods, reduce nutrient losses during processing and storage of foods, and prevent foodborne illnesses. It will make our students very competitive in the job market,” said George Papadantonakis, clinical associate professor and director of general chemistry. Required courses include food science, food microbiology, food analysis and analytical chemistry, plus electives in sensory evaluation, product development and fermented food and beverages. Lectures will be online, with laboratory courses held in the nutrition labs in the AHS building. For more information, visit go.uic.edu/FoodScience.

To read additional news and notes about AHS research, community engagement, scholarship and more, visit ahs.uic.edu/news/archive. UIC APPLIED HEALTH SCIENCES MAGAZINE

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE UIC COLLEGE OF APPLIED HEALTH SCIENCES

CLASS OF 2021!

You’ve had a college experience unlike any other. Everything you’ve been through has further prepared you to make a difference and to change the world for the better. Your patience, leadership, strength and skills in improvising and innovating will undoubtably serve you well as you move forward—and we can’t wait to see how. We’re #UICProud of you! Join the official LinkedIn network for #UICAHS alumni at go.uic.edu/AHSLinkedInNetwork. Visit ahs.uic.edu/alumni to begin your lifelong relationship with your alma mater.

The human actor BHIS researcher centers the patient experience and voice, including her own.

Scientist. Cancer survivor. Elizabeth Papautsky lives both these roles, with one informing the other. “There are unique things that I’m able to see by wearing both of these hats,” said Papautsky, a human factors psychologist and research assistant professor of biomedical and health information sciences. In spring 2020, when hospitals began canceling procedures due to increasing COVID-19 infections, Papautsky’s follow-up treatments for breast cancer were suddenly in limbo. How many other women were similarly affected?

the outset of the pandemic. This included follow-up visits, breast reconstructive surgery, diagnostic imaging, lab tests and radiation therapy. The study highlighted “a serious gap in disaster preparedness” in providing critical, time-sensitive care. As Papautsky herself discovered, in the early days of the pandemic, guidance for physicians and patients was uncertain or altogether lacking. Papautsky wants the health care system to be better prepared next time (and experts predict there will be a next time). She believes her field, human factors, can play an important role.

“I’m trained to look at gaps and vulnerabilities in systems,” Papautsky said. “Some things, you can only see from the inside.”

“In human factors, we’re concerned with how to represent information, data and knowledge in a way that’s tailored to user needs,” she explained.

She partnered with Tamara Hamlish, a research scientist at the University of Illinois Cancer Center, to conduct a study that found that among about 600 breast cancer survivors, nearly half had their care delayed at

“There’s a lot of focus on technology advancements being thrown at problems, without understanding the problem spaces or the people who are navigating these problem spaces.”

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Her latest research, funded by a $250,000, one-year grant from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and Pfizer Global Medical Grants, “is really about communication and education.” She and her research team will develop a multimedia toolkit to share information with patients and providers about biosimilars, a new type of medication to treat HER2 positive breast cancer that is more cost effective and accessible. She is leading a “dream team” that includes oncologists Maryam Lustberg, chief of breast cancer oncology at Yale Cancer Center; Deanna Attai, breast cancer surgeon at UCLA; and patient collaborators Martha Carlson and Sheila McGlown. All four are involved in #BCSM (Breast Cancer Social Media), a Twitter community that began in 2011 to bring together patients, survivors, clinicians and advocates to share information, resources and support. Two things make Papautsky’s project unusual: the integral role of patient collaborators and the use of social

media, especially Twitter, to get a better understanding of the issues and reach out to research participants. “The patient perspective is very undervalued in health care, and one of the ways to achieve that culture shift is to partner with patients in research,” Papautsky said. “The patient partners on our team are true collaborators. They’ll be with us across the entirety of the research, bringing the perspective of patient experience to the table.” The use of social media in this type of research is also novel, Papautsky said. “We are doing some traditional approaches—interviews and focus groups—but the social media component is central to all of this. We’re using it as a mechanism to support our research,” she said. Papautsky became interested in human factors psychology as an undergraduate at Indiana University.

The “dream team” meets on Zoom: (clockwise) Hannah Montague, research assistant and BVIS graduate student; researcher Elizabeth Papautsky; surgeon Deanna Attai; patient collaborator Sheila McGlown; patient collaborator Martha Carlson; and oncologist Maryam Lustberg.

“It all clicked into place—why wouldn’t we tailor solutions to the people who are going to be using them? It seemed like the obvious thing to do. Come to find out, that’s not at all the case, even now.”

and public health researchers to develop a user interface for complex sensor systems.

After completing her Ph.D. at Wright State University, she conducted research as a government contractor, studying cognition in real-world complex environments on projects primarily funded by the Department of Defense. She worked in a variety of areas, but after 10 years she wanted to find her own focus.

“I see this project as the starting point,” she said.

“Through personal family experiences, I became very interested and passionate about health care—particularly the role of patients and caregivers in the clinical information space. How do patients and caregivers navigate the patient journey? What information do they seek and what information do they contribute?”

“Another thing that I’d like to see as an outcome of my research is highlighting the need for partnering with patients— how can we start to normalize that? How can we highlight that as not just a benefit, but as integral to the design of human-centered solutions?

But the project with her “dream team” is closest to her heart.

“I want to amplify the need to incorporate patient experience and patient voice into any and all solutions and interventions in health care.

Changing her research focus meant changing her career.

“The only way I could truly do the work I was interested in was by transitioning my career into academia,” she said. Because she spent so many years in industry, where publishing is not a priority, “in a way, I started all over again,” but it was worth it, she said. Her path to the Department of Biomedical and Health Information Sciences began when she Googled “faculty at Chicago universities doing human factors research” and connected with Joanna Abraham, a faculty member at the time (she’s now at Washington University in St. Louis). Papautsky’s fit in the department seemed “quite natural,” she said. ”Informatics and human factors overlap. Both are ultimately concerned with how information is represented, whether for design of technology or paper solutions.” She also works with biomedical visualization students to create visuals for her manuscripts and recently agreed to be graduate adviser to a biomedical visualization student. Besides teaching graduate-level courses in qualitative methods and human factors and cognition, Papautsky is collaborating on several other studies: with Hamlich in the Cancer Center, on community support for young breast cancer survivors; with Avident Health to develop and evaluate an application for patient navigators working with breast cancer patients; and a UIC Center for Clinical and Translational Science pilot grant with bioengineering

ollow Liza @elpPHd

on Twitter

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100

years ofBIOMEDICAL

VISUALIZATI

The UIC Program in Biomedical Visualization celebrates at the intersection of art, life science, medicine and tec

Composite image created by Leah Lebowicz ’12 MS BVIS comprised of artwork by Tom Jones, Alfred Teoli, Craig Gosling ’65 BS BVIS, Jane Hurd ’68 BS BVIS, Scott Barrows ’76 BS BVIS, Kelly Cloninger ’18 MS BVIS, Elizabeth Moss ’18 MS BVIS, Angela Gao ’18 MS BVIS, Samantha Bond ’16 MS BVIS and Logan Weihe ’19 MS BVIS.

Tom Jones establishes the Department of Medical and Dental Illustration in the University of Illinois College of Medicine, the second medical illustration academic program in the world

1921

TOM JONES

named director. The technology is pen-and-ink and Jones’ signature “wet-on-wet’ watercolor wash technique

1925 Jones adds photography, then television, to the curriculum. He favors the use of multimedia, which he calls “multi-sensory” input, including illustrations, photographs, diagrams, charts, 3D models, live demos, audio recordings and TV

Surgeon Arthur Hertzler donates his personal library to the department. He later donates $75,000 to promote visual medical education under Jones

1937

The Association of Medical Illustrators incorporates in Illinois, with Jones as a founder. He is elected first president and serves two terms on the board of governors. The AMI names an award for him

1946

1947

Between 1947 and 1952, three Museum of Science and Industry exhibits are designed under the direction of Jones and Ruth Coleman Wakerlin: Miracle of Growth (1947); Cancer, the Story of a Wayward Cell (1949); and Heart, the Mighty Muscle (1952)

In 1921, they used pen and paper to produce beautifully detailed illustrations of human anatomy to educate physicians.

L ION

s a century chnology.

“It also lets other people learn more about BVIS as we celebrate this monumental occasion.” BVIS is a small program, with 20 students admitted each year to its two-year master’s program, but its reputation and influence are mighty. You’ll find BVIS grads at universities, the Centers for Disease Control, bioscience companies, law firms, hospitals, educational software companies—wherever there’s a need to communicate health information.

Over the next 100 years, the artists of UIC’s Program in Biomedical Visualization added new tools to expand their profession. Now they create animation, virtual reality, interactive learning, three-dimensional renderings, video, educational games and more, illustrating the body down to the molecular level. Their audience includes not only health care professionals but school children, patients, courtrooms, the general public and, indeed, the world.

Dan Higgins ’03 MS BVIS co-created the world renowned COVID-19 illustration seen around the globe: go.uic.edu/DanHiggins

“What if all the biomedical images went away?” asked director John Daugherty.

“We’re not just service providers, we’re experts in communication and science and art. We are thought leaders involved in the conversations about who the audience is, what story needs to be told, and the best way to tell the story for that audience,” Lebowicz said.

“Can you imagine what science or medical communication would be like with no images, just text?” Biomedical Visualization, affectionately known as BVIS, is the second oldest such program in the country (Johns Hopkins University came first) and one of only four accredited graduate programs in North America.

“Our program has always led the field in technology,” Daugherty said. “Tom Jones, our founder, was an artistic genius, way ahead of his time. He set the course, and we’ve been faithful about trying to honor his legacy.”

The program will mark its centennial Oct. 18 with an online gathering of faculty, alumni and students to celebrate its past, present and future. “Having the occasion to celebrate 100 years gives us a good chance to reflect on what we’ve been doing and where we’re going,” said Leah Lebowicz ’12 MS BVIS, associate program director and clinical assistant professor.

Leah Lebowicz (standing) helps two students develop their 3D modeling skills in Autodesk 3dsMax during a Modeling I class inside the BVIS computer lab.

HOOKER GOODWIN

EMIL HOSPODAR

named director. He stresses prosthetics and exhibit design. Animation is taught using traditional frame-by-frame methods

named director. He establishes the university’s Maxillofacial Prosthetics Clinic

1954

Some BVIS courses are what you’d expect, such as illustration, web and graphic

1965 The department moves to the School of Associated Medical Sciences and is renamed the Department of Medical Art. The first BS in Medical Illustration is awarded

1975 The curriculum during the late 1960s and early 1970s had a strong foundation in traditional illustration techniques and the medical sciences. Airbrush is introduced, with alumni leading the field

Summer 2021

1976

The department is renamed the Department of Biocommunication Arts

1979 The department moves to the newly formed College of Associated Health Professions (now the UIC College of Applied Health Sciences)

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But the curriculum goes further and deeper, with courses in science (including biochemistry, neuroscience, cell biology and anatomy), business practices, visual learning and thinking, data science and a clinical sciences rotation. Students work on final projects in partnerships with researchers all over the country, including nanotechnology at Northwestern University, ophthalmology at UI Health and paleontology at University of Chicago. Since 2018, BVIS student illustrations have been published on the cover of the American Journal of Bioethics: go.uic.edu/CoverWorthy

Photo: Sydney Agger

“In this program we get to dip our toe into everything. And I love all of it,” said Sydney Agger ’22 MS BVIS.

Sydney Agger in her home office.

“The BVIS program exposes students to so many good things,” said

ALICE KATZ

named director

1980

1983

The first Master of Associated Medical Science students are admitted

Scott Barrows ’76 BS BVIS, director of the program from 1999 to 2011.

Photo: David Crossett/ OSF HealthCare Marketing

design. Others focus on advanced technology to develop serious games (used for education), virtual reality, 360-degree animation and more.

“We give them the tools and let them move forward. It’s never been a cookie-cutter program.”

Barrows himself is an example of the roads a BVIS grad can travel. He began his career in medical illus- Scott Barrows (right) during a class he taught on technologies used to image the heart and lungs to junior tration (he has illustrated and senior high school students in Peoria. over 60 books and 350 many students stumble upon it. journal articles). He deDaugherty was in graduate school signed a uniform for the Chicago for pharmacology, “then I saw an White Sox and an exhibit for the exhibit one day and that light bulb Museum of Science and Industry. went off. There’s usually a light In the mid-80s, he co-developed bulb moment for most of us.” the first software for the proAgger, a biology grad, was a rejected aging of missing children, search fellow at Burke Neurologused by law enforcement and the ical Institute when she started National Center for Missing and doing illustrations for her lab. Exploited Children. He’s now director of the Innovation Design Lab in the Jump Trading Simulation and Education Center at OSF HealthCare and the College of Medicine at Peoria. His work focuses on technology to improve health care in urban and rural underserved areas, including a study on COVID vaccine hesitancy. He works with research partners at UI Health, the UIC Innovation Center, the Siebel Center for Design at UIUC and Illinois State University. Biomedical visualization is not a high-profile profession, though, and

LEWIS SADLER 1989

The department is renamed the Department of Biomedical Visualization, reflecting changes in computer technology

BVIS students, alumni, faculty and staff are a close-knit community, connected by their love for art and science. “I think students recognize there are not many people in the world who have both these skills, the science and the art, so there’s this bonding that happens.” Daugherty said.

ALICE KATZ named director for the second time

named director

1987

“I didn’t know it was a career, which is kind of absurd, looking back. Once I realized it was a possibility, I was like, ‘How the heck did I not know about this sooner?’”

1995 The department becomes the Division of Biomedical Visualization

1996

Graphic design becomes a program strength under the instruction of Donna Hughes

1997

The Virtual Reality in Medicine Laboratory uses VR technology developed by the UIC Electronic Visualization Lab. The lab’s debut project, Virtual Temporal Bone Application, wins The Vesalius Trust 1998 Frank Netter Award for Outstanding Contribution to Medical Education

Because of pandemic restrictions, the Class of ’22 has only met online thus far. Even so, Agger said that as she got to know her classmates, “it was like, ‘Oh my gosh, you’re my people.”

program will add a diversity and inclusion scholarship endowed by an anonymous donor. BVIS also has an endowed scholarship in memory of pioneering medical illustrator and Disney Imagineer Frank Armitage.

Now part of the Department of Biomedical and Health Information Sciences, BVIS has had some narrow escapes over the last 100 years, mostly due to university funding crises and higher-ups who didn’t understand the program’s value.

A new undergraduate minor in life science visualization could also lead students to the profession.

So they are not fazed by the pandemic-related uncertainty as they begin their next 100 years. “I believe that COVID will change how we teach for the better going forward,” Lebowicz said, including more online and continuing education and greater attention to student mental health. Other possibilities include an undergraduate degree, a five-year master’s program or a doctoral degree, not currently available in the field.

Learn how students harness new technology and traditional techniques: go.uic.edu/LifeSciViz

Despite the challenges, BVIS has much to celebrate after 100 years. “Our faculty members are internationally recognized,” Daugherty said. “Our students win campus, national and international awards. They are exceptionally well prepared—their employers tell us that—and our job placement after graduation is about 95 percent.” And as technology continues to evolve, he’s confident BVIS will remain at the forefront.

“The field of medical illustration absolutely needs more diversity, and we’re hoping that our minor program is only one of our first steps to bring more students from UIC’s richly diverse student body,” said Samantha Bond ’16 MS BVIS, clinical assistant professor and associate program director for undergraduate education.

“I can’t even imagine what it will be like in five or 10 years,” Daugherty said. “But whatever it is, we’ll be there, I’m sure.”

for our centennial celebration

Monday, October 18

Samantha Bond is the driving force behind the UIC Health Tech Jam, an annual event that inspires innovation and collaboration in a fastpaced student team competition: go.uic.edu/2020UICHealthTechJam

One challenge is to increase student diversity in a field that includes few minorities. Next year, the

The Program in Biomedical Visualization at the University of Illinois at Chicago is celebrating 100 years of educating outstanding medical illustrators and transforming science communication. Join us from the comfort of your home to virtually celebrate our milestone, program and people.

2021 BVIS DEMO REEL

Visit go.uic.edu/2021BVISDemo to view the 2021 UIC Program in Biomedical Visualization Demo Reel, which features work by BVIS students.

SCOTT BARROWS named director

1999

2002

The division becomes the Program in Biomedical Visualization. The MS in Biomedical Visualization replaces the Master of Associated Medical Science

Save the date

Frank Armitage Lecture series is established

2005

Details will be available at bvis100.ahs.uic.edu.

JOHN DAUGHERTY

Biomedical Visualization at UIC celebrates 100 years

named director

2006

3D animation becomes a focus along with interactive web design and 3D graphics

Summer 2021

2011

2012

Molecular Pharmacology for BVIS is launched. The student studio is converted to state-of-theart computer lab

2013

2021

Expanded curriculum includes learning and visual thinking, medical legal visualization, animation, interactive media, serious games, virtual and augmented reality, and 360 animation

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An artist’s home In-kind gift of medical sculptures and illustrations provides new resources for students.

Earlier this year, a very large delivery arrived at the College of Applied Health Sciences. The carefully packed boxes contained more than two dozen medical sculptures and illustrations— approximately 450 pounds worth of material. Known as the Charlotte Holt Collection, it’s a gift to the Department of Biomedical and Health Information Sciences from the Association of Medical Illustrators. Charlotte Sinclair Holt '37 BVIS was an esteemed biomedical artist who spent much of her 40-year career collaborating with the late Frederick Falls, head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the UIC College of Medicine. Between 1937 and 1970, Holt and Falls created 36 major medical exhibitions for physicians and surgeons. “Charlotte Holt is thought of as a pioneer for her 3D work,” says John Daugherty, director of the Program in Biomedical Visualization. “She was one of the first to work with plastic carvings, which was evidently pretty groundbreaking at the time. And it’s quite remarkable that this technique was developed here at UIC.” Now, current and future students in the BVIS program will benefit from this generous in-kind gift. Plastic carving by Holt portrays a baby in utero.

ecoming A vibrant life

A native of Massachusetts, Holt was born in 1914 but spent the majority of her life in Illinois. She studied medical illustration at UIC under Tom Jones, the founder of the program that evolved into BVIS. After graduating in 1937, Holt stayed on as an instructor until 1955. Holt was not only passionate about her profession but also very talented, racking up over 70 awards and medals for her accomplishments. As a freelance medical illustrator, she produced original pieces for advertising agencies, physicians and major pharmaceutical companies. In 1950, the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago displayed one of Holt’s sculptures in an exhibition called “The Miracle of Growth.” Holt’s contribution was a transparent sculpture of a pregnant woman. While that piece isn’t part of the Charlotte Holt Collection, the collection includes many other sculptures related to pregnancy and reproduction. Holt’s longtime collaboration with Falls resulted in stunning sculptural renditions of cesarean sections, ectopic pregnancy, forceps births and basic principles of human reproduction. In addition to the dozens of exhibitions they put together for state and national medical meetings, Holt and Falls spent 25 years working on the “Atlas of Obstetric Complications,” which was published in 1962. Holt was a charter member of the AMI, still the preeminent organization for biomedical visualization artists. She was president from 1970-71 and held a variety of other roles in the organization over the years, including vice president, member of the board of governors, committee chair, newsletter editor and correspondence secretary. Throughout her life, Holt cultivated connections with medical illustrators around the world. “It’s said that she received stacks of mail every day at her home in River Forest,” Daugherty says. At AMI events, she could often be found on the dance floor; she was a gregarious woman but serious and focused when it came to her work.

“

She was one of the first to work with plastic carvings… this technique was developed here at UIC.

”

When Holt died in 1990, her brother, Lawrence, placed a memorial stone on her grave with a succinct but fitting phrase: “Art Was Her Life.”

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Learning from the past

The biomedical visualization profession has come a long way since Holt’s time. “The techniques that were used back then, as far as sculpting and finished illustration techniques, are no longer used,” Daugherty says. “We have newer technologies like digital illustration, 3D digital sculpture, animation and virtual reality.” But that doesn’t mean the Charlotte Holt Collection won’t be educational or valuable for BVIS students. Today’s techniques evolved directly from the techniques of the past. Students are often quite interested in that history. Daugherty notes that students sometimes ask to see demonstrations of old-fashioned approaches, like using carbon dust to build tone or using watercolor wash instead of color.

Medical exhibition created by Holt and Falls to educate physicians and surgeons.

BVIS students also have a keen appreciation for good drawing skills, no matter the era from which they date. “Our students are still expected to put pencil to paper,” Daugherty says. “They admire the skills of fellow draftspersons.” There is one other significant educational component—a thread that runs through every BVIS course. “It’s important for students to understand that there are various approaches to visualization and visual communication,” Daugherty says. “There’s a lot of information to be gleaned from the collection. It’s not necessarily only about technique. It’s also about how Holt thought and conceived to tell a visual story.” The department plans to scan and digitize the entire collection before the 100-year BVIS anniversary celebration in October. Members of the general public will be able to visit the BVIS website to view the collection online. Daugherty also hopes to display some of Holt’s illustrations in the department hallway dedicated to Jones.

Above: Illustration by Holt portrays an arcuate uterus.

Right: Plastic demonstration model of a newborn at full term, created by Holt.

The special gift of in-kind donations

In-kind gifts like the Charlotte Holt Collection serve a critical purpose at AHS. They provide students and faculty with opportunities to learn from valuable, sometimes oneof-a-kind, resources and materials. Alumni and friends of UIC who might not have the financial ability to make a cash gift can still support the university in meaningful ways through in-kind gifts. “When donors have items that directly relate to our mission, they are able to make a gift of a significant magnitude even when they perhaps do not possess the financial or cash means to do so,” says Keenan Cutsforth, assistant dean of advancement. “In-kind gifts open additional doors for donors to embrace philanthropy and support institutions like AHS.”

Daugherty is eager to see how students, alumni and the general public react to and learn from the Charlotte Holt Collection. As an educational resource with a special connection to UIC, it’s a donation that is especially meaningful. “We’re deeply appreciative of this gift from the AMI,” Daugherty says. “In many ways, it feels like the work is returning back home to the place where it was conceived and born—pun intended.”

BVIS students and faculty have benefited from a variety of in-kind gifts in recent years. The department has been the recipient of medical atlases and textbooks, personal libraries, anatomical models, a 60-inch interactive touchscreen display and collections of medical illustrations and related artwork.

“

In-kind gifts are a great way to show pride for your affiliation with BVIS while supporting generations of graduates,” Daugherty says. “Your gift will be treasured for years to come.

”

Above: Illustration of auscultation of fetal heart tones during labor, created by Holt.

Left: Plastic model of a physician guiding a newborn through the birth canal, created by Holt.

Summer 2021

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THE BIOMEDICAL VISUALIZ ATION DIVERSIT Y AND INCLUSION SCHOL ARSHIP FUND Thanks to the generosity of one of our donors, the Biomedical Visualization Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship Fund was established in the UIC College of Applied Health Sciences to increase diversity among the Program in Biomedical Visualization student body. The fund makes it possible for us to provide financial support to BVIS students who have financial need and who have attended a minority-serving institution or a Chicago Public School; are first-generation college students or members of a Native American tribe; and who demonstrate a history of commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and empowerment of populations that are under-represented in biomedical visualization. Help ensure biomedical visualization and its related disciplines thrive through the support of diversity and inclusion. Make your donation to the Biomedical Visualization Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship Fund online at ahs.uic.edu/support or contact Kristen Kepnick, associate director of engagement and participation, at kkepnick@uic.edu or at (312) 996-8219.

PEOPLE AHS Alumni Highlights Editor’s note: for this section of UIC Applied Health Sciences Magazine, we are featuring recent AHS alumni who, through their profession, service and more, are advancing our vision of a world in which every person can live a healthy and self-determined life.

Howard Anton ’19 MS HI

Hailee Gibbons-Yoshizaki ’20 PhD DS

“I collaborate with health care personnel from around the globe to deliver next-generation sequencing reports that display cancer genes and the treatments to which they are susceptible. I’m part of a team that translates various reports into machine-readable format and builds the pipelines to deliver the data. What’s most exciting to me is helping people through the application of artificial intelligence, machine learning and natural language processing. Being a part of this from a relatively early point in Tempus’ existence is something for which I’m extremely grateful, and it all stemmed from earning my MS in HI at UIC.”

“I seek to enhance students’ understanding of the lived experiences of disability; the social, cultural, political and economic forces that shape disabled people’s lives; and the ways in which disability intersects with race, gender, class, age, immigration status and other social identities. Teaching students to examine health, illness, disability and aging through critical lenses is an essential aspect of undoing the harm caused by the medical industrial complex and creating new, more equitable and just systems of medicine, support and care. What I find most exciting about my work is the ripple effect it may have as my students go on to become practitioners. It is my hope that they apply what they’ve learned and work toward social justice for disabled people within their own spheres of influence.”

Senior integration analyst, Tempus Labs Inc.

Assistant professor, Biomedical Humanities, Hiram College

Joanna Domanski ’17 BS KINES, ’20 DPT Physical therapist, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

“I’m a young, passionate clinician driven to maximizing patient functional outcomes through evidence-based practice. What I love about physical therapy is that I can find a way to use my profession to help anyone—and my current position allows me to do exactly that! I work with an array of neurological, orthopedic and cardiovascular/ pulmonary adult and pediatric conditions. Learning to treat a wide range of patients empowers me to become a well-rounded clinician. Whether it’s helping someone take their first step [again] or stepping up to their first marathon—helping patients achieve their goals and reach their independence makes my work extremely gratifying.” Summer 2021

Timotheus Gordon Jr. ’19 MS DHD

Research associate, Institute on Disability and Human Development, UIC “I’m happy to be in a place where I can provide for myself and my family financially while in a profession where I combine my writing, social media and research skills with self-advocacy and my love of art and culture to help promote disability pride, inclusion and acceptance, particularly in communities of color. I co-founded the Chicagoland Disabled People of Color Coalition, also known as Chicagoland DPOCC, to further promote disability acceptance and self-advocacy in communities of color throughout the Chicagoland area.” UIC APPLIED HEALTH SCIENCES MAGAZINE

PEOPLE

Kia’ikai Iguchi ’19 MS NUT

Registered dietitian, Adult Eating Disorder Recovery Service, Rogers Behavioral Health “Every day, I am reminded that eating disorders do not discriminate and that some populations, especially those in marginalized communities, are disproportionally affected by this deadly disorder. I often share my lived experience as an individual with multiple, marginalized identities with clinicians to help them better support gender-diverse and culturally diverse individuals. I am fortunate to be doing the work that I do in and outside of my ‘day job,’ even on challenging days, because this is exactly what I envisioned myself doing ever since I decided to work at the intersection of mental health and advocacy. There’s nothing more special than being able to be ‘science-y’ and ‘therapeutic’ at the same time.”

Ricardo Ramirez ’19 MS OT, ’20 OTD Occupational therapist, UI Health

“I work with adolescents and adults in both behavioral health and acute care settings. I have also worked with a community-based organization that serves individuals affected by cancer. Most recently, I was invited to serve as an inaugural member of the American Occupational Therapy Foundation’s Standing for Research Inclusion, Diversity and Equity (STRIDE) Committee. I love my career, as it allows me to enable participation amongst individuals who face barriers to everyday life while promoting health equity.”

Dania Viveros ’20 BS RS

Campus recruiting coordinator, Medline Industries Inc.

Nooreen Nisa ’20 BS HIM

Implementation analyst, Aledade Inc. “Graduating as the pandemic took the world by storm was overwhelming to say the least. Entire businesses were either evolving rapidly or crumbling to pieces. I scrambled to adapt to the new reality of entering the workforce in a remote environment and after what seemed like a long, turbulent ride, I arrived at my destination. I help deliver value-based care solutions to patients by partnering with primary care physicians and providing them with tools to deliver high-quality health care while maintaining low costs through streamlining care processes. I am proud to say that my work provides great value to patients and the health care industry.” 24

“I knew that I wanted to work in the health care industry but not in a clinical setting. Working for the largest privately owned manufacturer and supplier of medical supplies was the perfect fit! As a member of a campus recruiting team tasked with hiring stellar young talent, and as a first-generation student and minority, I know how important it is to recruit individuals with diverse backgrounds and to provide them with all the resources and support they need to be successful so that, in turn, we can continue to be successful.”

Stay connected!

Exciting life change? New milestone? Ready to get involved? Contact Kristen Kepnick, associate director of engagement and participation, at kkepnick@uic.edu or 312-996-8219 to send us an update.

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REFLECT

on the contributions made by our alumni as educators, discoverers, collaborators and advocates

CONNECT

with health professionals from a number of fields and disciplines

S A V E T H E D A T E

AHS CELEBRATES

A TR ADITION OF SERVICE AND SUPPORT WITH COMMUNIT Y PARTNERS Presented virtually on

Thursday, November 4

5:30 p.m.

2021 AHS Alumni Award recipients

LEARN

how we’re working to help people live self-determined lives in a society without barriers

Edward Mirzabegian ’79 BS MLS Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award

Robert Gould ’11 MS DHD, ’16 PhD DS New Alum Award

Alison Liddle ’98 BS PT Loyalty Award

Marie Jarrell ’87 BS PT Service Award

Details forthcoming, visit go.uic.edu/ahscelebrates to learn more.

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Articles inside

100 years of biomedical visualization

An artist’s homecoming

The human factor