UFS Spring Plenary Attracts Downstate Faculty and Staff

By Office of the President | May 24, 2023

Faculty and staff representing Downstate on the SUNY University Faculty Senate (UFS) attended the UFS Spring 2023 Plenary at Upstate Medical University. UFS is the official agency through which the University Faculty engages in the governance of SUNY.

One Plenary highlight was the report on Interprofessional Education by Lori A. Hoepner, DrPH, MPH, SUNY Downstate Assistant Professor of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, and Darren Carboni, MBA, CAS-HSMP, Upstate Medical University Director of Interprofessional Education and University Simulation. As Health Sciences Sector Representative, Dr. Hoepner also discussed sector concerns with SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr.

IPE is a framework for preparing health professional students for collaborative practice by teaching the necessary skills–effective communication, teamwork, and roles and responsibilities—to help enhance existing abilities. The goal is to improve the patient experience, achieve better outcomes, and lower costs. Two other goals include addressing clinician well-being and health equity.

Joining Chancellor King were Rena Orman, Ph.D., SGS Research Associate Professor of Physiology and Pharmacology, Alternate Downstate UFS Senator, and UFS Operations Committee member; and Dr. Hoepner, who also serves as a Downstate UFS Senator and UFS Heath Sector Representative. Francisco Colon, MSW, SPH Assistant Director of Enrollment and Onboarding Management and UFS Awards Committee member; Alithia Alleyne, Occupational Therapy Administrator, SUNY UFS Communications Chair, and Anika Daniels-Osaze, Ed.D., MPH, SPH Associate Dean for Education, Clinical Associate Professor of Health Policy and Management, and Downstate Faculty Senator were also in attendance.