SURGEON TO ADDRESS THE IMPACT OF COMMUNICATION ON PATIENT HEALTH AND SAFETY

Health and risk communication is one of the fastest growing fields of study as many colleges and universities, including Ashland University, are beginning to introduce health communication into their communication curriculum.  Those wanting to find out more about the health communication field and its impact of patient health and safety are invited to attend a presentation on November 8 at 7 p.m. in the Hawkins-Conard Student Center Auditorium. The presenter will be Dr. E. Phillips Polack, a prominent plastic surgeon and communication scholar.  His talk is entitled "Communication Costs, Communication Kills: Its Role in the Future of Health care." Dr. Polack is the author of several books and many articles assessing the impact communication in the delivery of medicine and the impact that problematic communication has on patient safety.  Through this presentation, the audience will learn about how communication in the health care system is extremely important as the country moves toward the future as well as how communication in a medical or health context is vital when attempting to save lives.  This event is being sponsored by the Department of Communication Studies and the College of Arts and Sciences.

PROFESSORS ELECTED TO LEADERSHIP POSTS

Professor and Chair of the Department of Communication Studies, Dr. Theodore Avtgis, was elected as Vice President of the Ohio Communication Association by his fellow scholars at the 2012 annual conference held at Kent State University in early October. “I am honored and humbled that my colleagues believed that I could provide leadership to this organization,” said Avtgis.  He will take over Presidential duties beginning in 2015.

Professor Dariela Rodriguez was elected to theboard of the Ohio Communication Association as the Central District Representative responsible for providing voice and representation for all departments of communication studies departments in cenytral Ohio.  She was elected at the 2012 annual meeting of OCA held at Kent State University in early October.  Rodriguez said "It was exciting to be elected as a representative on the OCA board.  The goal of the organization is to grow the network of communication researchers in Ohio.  I hope to help this process move smoothly and to help gain recognition for OCA on a national level."

STUDENT RECOGNIZED AS MOST DISTINGUISHED UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT

Senior Megan Wise was honored with the Most Distinguished Undergraduate Student as the annual conference of the Ohio Communication Association award reception. Wise was recognized not only for her scholastic achievements, but also for her involvement outside of the classroom within the field of communication studies. “This honor and recognition means a great deal to me and I am extremely humbled. I deeply care about my academics, so to be recognized for my commitment to my education is greatly appreciative,” said Wise.

 "I am so very happy for Megan receiving this award.  Her performance within the classroom, as my Editorial Assistant, as the President of both Accent on PR  and Lambda Pi Eta has been nothing short of stellar.  To have her recognized as the best Communication Studies undergraduate student in the state of Ohio should make all of Ashland University proud,”  said Dr. Theodore Avtgis, Professor and Chair of the Department of Communication Studies at Ashland University.

Professor Randall-Griffiths Wins Award

Dr. Deleasa Randall-Griffiths, Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Studies, was honored at the annual Ohio Communication Award Banquet with the most innovated teacher award. Her outstanding work and dedication in the classroom was acknowledged and the department is extremely proud of her accomplishment.  Dr. Randall-Griffiths is honored to receive this award because of her deep passion for teaching at the college level: “It was very affirming to have my peers from other institutions review my record and select me for the OCA 2012 Innovative Teacher award. I feel very valued and appreciated."  The OCA conference was a great success in Dr. Randall-Griffith’ mind and she thoroughly enjoyed her time spent at the conference. “I really enjoyed spending time with our students at OCA. The poster presentations were very professional and made us all so proud. As a teacher you sometimes feel a bit like a parent and it is always rewarding to see your students doing well outside the classroom. For me, it was particularly exciting to listening to Megan Wise's presentation, knowing that the initial topic came from my Interpersonal Communication class, but hearing how her research has grown and developed,” said Dr. Randall-Griffiths.

Students Present Research at OCA Conference

Five students representing Ashland University and the Department of Communication Studies in the brightest lights as they shared their research to faculty members and students at the Ohio Communication Association held at Kent State University.  Over 175 scholars gathered at the annual conference to exchange ideas and research findings.

Senior Megan Wise spoke on a panel about her research uncovering the multiple facets of the Interpersonal Deception Theory and she thoroughly enjoyed her experience. “I had a great time presenting at OCA. It was a great experience to share my research at a conference and talk with professors from around the state,” said Wise.

Students also presented their public relations research on specific health topics during a poster session at the conference. 

Sophomore Stephany Elgin spoke with the judges about her plan to increase the participation of organ donations. “I was happy to represent Ashland University at the conference and I enjoyed presenting my research to those who were interested, “ said Elgin. 

Senior Ashley VanGilder and Junior Chris Manthey explained their research to expand participation and membership at the Ashland YMCA. “It was good experience to present to others our project that we worked so hard on” said Manthey.

Lastly, senior Christina Miadich presented her research on the importance of Alzheimer’s patient caregivers in today’s society. “I was happy to be a part of such a great experience. OCA was the first conference I presented at and I was grateful to be given the opportunity to do so, “said Miadich. Miadich also won first prize for her poster research: “Winning the award of top student poster was a great honor and I was proud to represent Ashland University at OCA.”

The conference proved to be a great experience for all who presented and attended, and students were exposed to new aspects of communication and gained confidence as scholars in the communication field.