Our college has a long history of successful applications for the FEO program through the Provost’s office. With all the exciting things happening in our classrooms, labs and the community that surrounds us, we expect the tradition to continue. Faculty can apply for an FEO in any amount, and past awards have ranged from $4,000 to more than $50,000.
Dr. Anna Baird-Galloway, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy
The awarded Faculty Enhancement Opportunity project will integrate medical improv into the Doctor of Occupational Therapy curriculum as an innovative pedagogical approach for enhancing students’ development of professional identities. Medical improv uses principles of improvisational theater to enhance students’ clinical reasoning, communication and adaptability. The project includes faculty development, curriculum implementation and a mixed-methods evaluation of student outcomes. Results will inform future applications of improv-based strategies in occupational therapy education.
Dr. Linda Cottler, Professor, Department of Epidemiology
This FEO will expand collaborations with colleagues at Chulalongkorn University’s College of Public Health Sciences in Bangkok, Thailand, that has been ongoing since 2008. The work includes expanding UF’s HealthStreet community engagement program in Bangkok by introducing surveys of perception and health needs assessments to their CU HealthStreet (established 2016), evaluating similarities and differences in opioid and other drug use, well-being and loneliness, as well as preparing for the initiation of a joint community-based intervention that is bidirectionally developed to reduce drug use and improve well-being in both settings. Additionally, while also continuing my funded grant effort, I will hold joint sessions with the students and faculty at CU and UF on career development, epidemiological methods and publications and academic visibility, facilitated by English being the official language spoken at CU’s College of Public Health Sciences.