Honoring the Legacy

School of Allied Health Sciences Celebrates

A lot can happen in 40 years.

Just ask Dr. Shelley Mishoe, dean of the School of Allied Health Sciences. As the school celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, the dean reflects on a history that has culminated in eight departments, 15 disciplines and more than 40 degrees.

The largest growth, she notes, has been in recent years. “Over the past six years, enrollment in our graduate-degree programs has increased by a staggering 231 percent,” she says.

Such statistics attest not only to the quality of the school, but to the importance of allied health science in health care. Allied health scientists comprise more than 60 percent of the health care workforce.

“Allied health professionals play major roles in diagnostics and therapeutics, having specialized skills in technology, data and information for the delivery of quality health care,” Dr. Mishoe says. “They are uniquely trained not only in treating disease, but in preventing illness and promoting health.”

As the nation’s population ages and struggles increasingly with chronic disease and disability, the school’s mission of educating premier professionals has never been more vital, Dr. Mishoe says.

It’s a commitment that founding Dean Raymond Bard made when he insisted on the highest of standards 40 years ago. When Dr. Biagio Vericella assumed the reins in 1988, he redoubled those efforts. Dr. Mishoe’s seven-year tenure continues the legacy.

“First and foremost, the school has honored the legacy of providing the highest quality of educational programs to meet the allied health workforce needs of Georgia and beyond,” Dr. Mishoe says. “Each of our programs has had the longest possible length for accreditation, almost 95 percent student retention rates, pass rates on credentialing exams exceeding the national pass rates and full employment of our graduates.”

In addition to educational success, the school has bolstered its clinical mission, most notably with the recent implementation of the MCG Allied Health Sciences Practice Group, Inc.

“The practice plan has provided new opportunities for our faculty to provide clinical care and maintain cutting-edge professional skills,” explains Dr. Mishoe. “The practice plan also provides opportunities for faculty to earn competitive salaries, helping faculty recruitment and retention.”

Students benefit from the resource as well; the MCG Allied Health Sciences Practice Group, Inc. has increased clinical rotation and internship opportunities.

As educational and clinical achievements have multiplied, so has the school’s research initiative. The school has submitted 18 grants totaling $1.3 million in the past year.

“The school currently has two federal research grants and recently completed two federally funded training grants,” says Dr. Mishoe. “In addition, two faculty members have been awarded MCG intramural grants to pursue pilot projects.”

Industry- and foundation-funded research projects are growing as well.

Dr. Mishoe expects a “distinct evolution” of allied health professions in the next decade, citing emerging disciplines, increased collaboration and burgeoning technology. Such advances will be vital, she notes, in addressing workplace shortages that afflict many allied health professions. “As the flagship university for the allied health programs in Georgia, we will lead the evolution of the allied health professions in the state and nation.

“A huge issue will be the severe shortages of allied health professionals due to the increased demand from an aging population and a growing population in Georgia,” she says. “This is occurring at a time when the number of retiring individuals is much higher than the number of new health professionals graduating. We already have hospital vacancy rates as high as 20 percent in several allied health disciplines, and the need is projected to grow by 50 percent by 2012.”