President Danielle Ripich contributes to discussion on future of health professions education in Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions newsletter
UNE President Danielle Ripich, Ph.D., contributed an invited commentary to the December 2015/January 2016 issue of Trends, the official newsletter of the Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions (ASAHP).
As part of ASAHP President Linda Petrosino’s message, President Ripich’s piece was the first of a series of commentaries from invited guests that will be presented in the newsletter’s new format.
Ripich shared her thoughts on the future of higher education and how it will affect education in the health professions. She highlighted three specific influences that she predicts will have significant impact: shifting demographics with rapidly aging patients and faculty, a changing faculty model with the phasing out of tenure track positions and an increase in the importance of competency based education (CBE).
“We need to continue to look for ways to provide access, to keep costs for students contained and to creatively educate the next generation,” she stated. “It is an exciting time for higher education, and we can be leaders in many ways as we use our strengths to keep our programs engaged in these challenges and opportunities.”
Ripich served on the ASAHP Executive Board from 2002 to 2005 and was named an ASAHP Fellow.