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CHP looking for ways to expand resources by Heather Woolwine Public Relations The only constant in life is change, and the faculty, students and administration of the College of Health Professions (CHP) need only to look back a year to prove that theory.   Last year, a new learning facility opened its doors to house all of those in CHP under one roof. A nationally-acclaimed simulation expert arrived to share his expertise, and a beloved dean left the college to pursue the challenge of a college presidency in New England. But with change comes progress, and interim CHP Dean Becki Trickey, Ph.D., foresees the future of her college burning as bright as the summer sun.   Dr. Becki Trickey “We think that we are at one of the best places our students could be, and Dr. (Ray) Greenberg has commented that we are one of the top, if not the top, health professions colleges in the nation in terms of state-of-the-art technology,” Trickey said. “We have the very best to offer in educational technology; we have a gifted faculty, a beautiful learning environment, and outstanding students. GPAs are excellent and applications to the college are up… The college mirrors the quality of students that make up our programs.”   With markers for success in place, Trickey described several items on CHP’s immediate agenda for this academic year.   “The search for the new dean [closed] at the end of August. Dr. (Valerie) West is chairing the search for our new dean and it’s my understanding that she wants to begin conducting interviews in October or November,” Trickey said. “The plan is to make an offer to someone by the beginning of the new (calendar) year and have that person on campus by the beginning of our next academic year.”   In addition to finding a permanent dean for the college, Trickey felt it was equally important to move forward in conjunction with MUSC’s strategic plan and SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) accreditation. (For more information about SACS, search The Catalyst archives at http://www.musc.edu/catalyst/).   “We’re specifically looking at ways to expand and enhance our students’ interprofessional resources, clinical opportunities on campus, and to begin pilot projects working with Dr. John Schaffer and the simulation laboratory. We’re looking at what our needs are, and what MUSC’s needs are, and hope to balance those to meet our education, research and patient care missions,” she said.   CHP will continue to integrate its new technology within the college and has almost completed installing all of its technological upgrades, bells and whistles. “We’ve added features and are very close to being fully integrated,” Trickey added.   Another project on Trickey’s list is the renovation of building C, or one of CHP’s former homes on the corner of Bee and President streets. In that building, funded research projects and a motion analysis lab will roost.   “We’re going to continue with what we’re doing well already, increase our research capacity, and continue with our capital campaign. We are planning to increase our alumni chapters and activities, and use this year’s historical perspective, the college’s 40th anniversary, as inspiration for our future. We’ve provided the best context in which students can come and learn, and if they’re ready, I don’t think they could find a better education anywhere else in the country,” Trickey said.     Friday, Sept. 1, 2006 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.