麻豆精品 S淗ealth literacy surveys have revealed that 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. has difficulty understanding basic health information, 麻豆精品 S� Zraick says.

Zraick is a leading expert and advocate for health literacy in the discipline of communication sciences and disorders. In one of his research mentoring classes this fall, he and his students in the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders are exploring whether the artificial intelligence (AI) website ChatGPT can improve how healthcare information is created, conveyed and understood.

This is one of many projects at UCF that is unlocking the future of AI. Explore more UCF AI initiatives here.

The group is gathering existing materials from key websites that address common medical conditions faced by patients with communications disorders 麻豆精品 S� information ranging from hearing loss to swallowing challenges to voice disorders. The content of this material is then entered into ChatGPT using prompts 麻豆精品 S� text-based input, such as a question or instruction. Students develop and refine prompts that seek to simplify the language and apply readability formulas to assess if the new text is more readable 麻豆精品 S� or not.

Upon completion of the project, the team will have evaluated and revised about three dozen web-based patient education documents.

They plan to submit their findings to a peer-reviewed journal next semester. The goal is to better understand if AI can be an effective tool for simplifying complex medical information and improving health literacy and patient education. Tools like ChatGPT, a large language model developed by OpenAI, may offer healthcare professionals new ways to efficiently deliver patient education materials. The technology may not only streamline the process but also enhance the clarity of information delivered to patients, improving understanding of their own health conditions and treatment plans and ultimately leading to better health outcomes.

One of the most promising applications of ChatGPT in patient education is its ability to simplify medical jargon and make health information more accessible to the public, Zraick says.

麻豆精品 S淚f you give AI, for example ChatGPT, the correct prompt, it will either create, edit or suggest revisions to an existing document that you might be trying to create for a patient, or that exists for a patient or their family. 麻豆精品 S�

This ability could allow healthcare professionals to quickly produce patient-friendly materials that meet readability standards recommended by institutions like the Institute of Medicine, which suggests health information be written at a fifth or sixth grade reading level 麻豆精品 S�.

AI also has clear advantages in terms of speed. 麻豆精品 S淵ou can ask ChatGPT to give you a script…that somebody with limited health literacy could understand, and it will do that in 20 seconds, 麻豆精品 S� Zraick says.

He emphasizes that while AI serves as a helpful starting point, students still need to ensure the information is accurate and apply it in their interactions 麻豆精品 S�.聽While AI tools like ChatGPT offer efficiency, they are not flawless and Zraick emphasizes that the role of the content expert remains crucial.

“We are the content experts, so I never trust ChatGPT 100%, but it’s a starting point. And then I look at it and review it for content,” he says.

Human review ensures that the information is not only accurate, but also contextually appropriate for the intended audience 麻豆精品 S�.

Beyond simplifying language, AI can assist in evaluating the readability of existing documents.

麻豆精品 S淭here 麻豆精品 S檚 no one readability formula that captures all kinds of documents. We usually use more than one formula to get a variety of metrics, and they tend to agree with each other, 麻豆精品 S� Zraick says.

Materials that are easier to understand are also more actionable, increasing the likelihood that patients will follow through with medical advice.

For Kelly Clevenger, a School of Communication Sciences and Disorders senior, the project gave her an opportunity for a deeper dive into AI, something she had only used superficially for things like checking grammar for class assignments. As part of the project, she attended a 麻豆精品 S減rompt engineering 麻豆精品 S� workshop designed to fine tune her ability to leverage ChatGPT 麻豆精品 S檚 functionality.

麻豆精品 S淧eople kind of think it just runs itself, and I think something that people should realize is that you really need to have a good idea of exactly how you want it to work before you even start prompting, 麻豆精品 S� Clevenger says. 麻豆精品 S淚f you don’t give it specific enough direction, it won’t give you exactly what you want. 麻豆精品 S�

She notes that while the tool isn 麻豆精品 S檛 perfect, it significantly cuts down the time required, enabling researchers to focus on higher-level analysis and interpretation.

This is not Zraick 麻豆精品 S檚 first foray into the world of exploring the use of AI in health communications. This year, he and colleagues published an article in a journal of 聽American Speech-Language-Hearing Association examining the use of ChatGPT as a tool to teach students in communication sciences and disorders how to write in plain language. The researchers believe that AI tools hold promise; the tech can enhance students 麻豆精品 S� abilities as well as offer an interactive environment that encouraged active participation and critical thinking.

AI adds a new element for Zraick, who, for decades, has taught students about health literacy.聽 Some of his courses include class assignments that have students complete written assignments describing medical concepts using plain language and participate in role playing exercises that stress clear communication. His ongoing research is assessing how effective this work is and whether teaching new graduate clinicians to use plain language will enhance the clarity and actionability of their patient reports.

Students will one day serve different audiences as speech-language pathologists and audiologists, and there 麻豆精品 S檚 a difference between writing for professionals and for patients, Zraick says.

麻豆精品 S淚f a student is writing a report or a treatment update for another healthcare provider, it 麻豆精品 S檚 a technical writing exercise, 麻豆精品 S� he says. 麻豆精品 S淏ut for patients, they need a plain language summary. 麻豆精品 S�

Clevenger also underscores the challenges of using AI in research.

“You can’t just throw any dataset at it and expect good results, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淲e’ve been working on refining the prompts we use to get better, more accurate outputs from the model. It’s a learning process, but the more we work with it, the better it gets.”

As the use of AI in healthcare continues to expand, the focus will likely shift toward refining these tools to ensure even greater accuracy and relevance, Zraick says.

麻豆精品 S淐linicians and educators have more tools to fine-tune skills and expand the skill set of a speech-language pathologist, or an audiologist, beyond the core content knowledge that they have to have, 麻豆精品 S� he says. 麻豆精品 S淚t’s like practicing for the 22nd century, not just the 21st century. 麻豆精品 S�

The episode included a contestant that was majoring in communication sciences and disorders. This field studies language science, hearing science, and speech and voice. Many graduates become speech-language pathologists or audiologists and work with a wide variation of communication disorders such as speech, language, and voice, and also work with patients with swallowing disorders.

麻豆精品 S淎fter learning a bit more about communication sciences, I started to take courses and fell in love with the field, 麻豆精品 S� Conrad says. 麻豆精品 S淚 am passionate about my major because I love being able to help others. 麻豆精品 S�

Research is important because it helps make for better speech-language pathologists, she says.

麻豆精品 S淩esearch matters greatly to me because I want to be able to help those who need it by having the capabilities to provide the best and most effective treatments possible, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淩esearch is also important to the world at large because studies can provide data about different disorders and specific types of treatment that could help patients more effectively. 麻豆精品 S�

Through her professors, Conrad got involved in research, which led her to the project she 麻豆精品 S檚 presenting at Student Research Week (March 29-April1), which is free, open to the public and ongoing in the Student Union.聽 We sat down with the Orlando native to chat about the research project and how that 麻豆精品 S檚 impacting his future career path.

Research Topic: How Aphasia Impacts Friendship: People with Aphasia 麻豆精品 S檚 Perspectives on Friendship Maintenance and Development After Stroke

How did you develop the idea for this research project?

This research project is a collaborative and multi-university project between UCF, FSU and Duquesne. Dr. (Lauren) Bislick from UCF, Dr. (Sarah) Wallace from Duquesne and Dr. (Elizabeth) Madden from FSU are the faculty members in charge of this project with help from research assistants at each university. They were interested in the impact of aphasia on friendships and social interactions and all hope that the results of the study can help implement new strategies that SLP 麻豆精品 S檚 can use to help improve and maintain friendships as well as quality of life.

What does your research examine and 聽how does it impact the community?

My research aims to understand the effects of aphasia on the friendships of individuals with aphasia. Aphasia is an acquired language disorder that can affect speech, comprehension, reading and writing, though it has no impact on a person 麻豆精品 S檚 intelligence. This study is especially important for individuals with aphasia as they struggle more in day-to-day life and lack of friendship can significantly reduce one 麻豆精品 S檚 quality of life. Due to the impact that aphasia has on friendship, we hope to find a way to improve quality of life through the results of this study while also reducing the stigma surrounding this disorder.

What should people know about your research?

The results of this study will contribute to a holistic understanding of the real-world impact of aphasia on friendships. Our collective goal is to aid in the creation of interventions the SLPs can use to help their patients with aphasia develop and maintain friendships, which will ultimately improve quality of life and social participation for these individuals.

What is your career goal?

My career goal is to become a speech-language pathologist and I would love to pursue becoming a traveling SLP in the future.

Health literacy allows you to be empowered about your health and medical care. If you are health literate, you can find key messages, understand those messages, act on the information you receive and remember that information so it continues to impact your behavior. But a study by the U.S. Department of Education found that 36 percent of people 麻豆精品 S� more than 1 in 3 麻豆精品 S� scored as 麻豆精品 S渂asic 麻豆精品 S� or 麻豆精品 S渂elow basic 麻豆精品 S� in terms of their health literacy. That means they might be able to circle a date on the calendar for their next clinic appointment but could not understand directions such as 麻豆精品 S淭ake one tablet every 12 hours with food 麻豆精品 S� on their prescription bottle. People over age 65, those with lower socioeconomic status and education, and those whose first language is not English are at the highest risk for health illiteracy. That makes health literacy the biggest social determinant of health 麻豆精品 S� those who cannot access health information have the poorest health outcomes.

Don 麻豆精品 S檛 think problems with health literacy could never happen to you. Studies show that 3 to 5 percent of college-educated adults have poor health literacy. Why? Those of us lucky enough not to have a chronic health condition may not have much experience with visits to healthcare providers, the medical jargon they can use, and the hand-outs of instructions we often receive after a visit. Plus, going to the provider can be stressful 麻豆精品 S� you 麻豆精品 S檙e unsure what 麻豆精品 S檚 wrong, you don 麻豆精品 S檛 feel well, you 麻豆精品 S檙e anxious. Those emotions can impact your understanding of what you 麻豆精品 S檙e being told. College students often have limited health literacy because their parents took the lead in handling their healthcare needs before they left home. Parents asked all the questions, filled out all the forms and told their child when and how to take prescriptions. As one student recently told a Student Health Services provider, 麻豆精品 S淲hen I filled out my medical history form, I had to call my dad. The only thing I could fill out was my name and address. 麻豆精品 S�

What 麻豆精品 S檚 the solution? First, if you 麻豆精品 S檙e a patient, don 麻豆精品 S檛 leave your healthcare appointment without having answers to these three questions:

1. What 麻豆精品 S檚 wrong with me?
2. What do I have to do to take care of this problem?
3. Why do I have to do this? (What happens if I don 麻豆精品 S檛 take the action you 麻豆精品 S檙e recommending?)

Healthcare providers also play an important role in this effort. Are your handouts, website and marketing materials simple in terms of words and images? Or are they complex, wordy, overwhelming? Also, pay attention to the three cues that a patient isn 麻豆精品 S檛 understanding what you 麻豆精品 S檙e saying: Your patient asks no questions, asks too many questions or says nothing and leaves it to their companion 麻豆精品 S� spouse, partner, child 麻豆精品 S� to ask the questions.

One way providers can improve their patient communication is with the 麻豆精品 S渢each back 麻豆精品 S� method. After you tell a patient what you need them to do, ask them to tell you in their own words what they are supposed to do at home to care for their health problem. If they don 麻豆精品 S檛 give the right or complete answer, reteach the information and ask again. Research shows the 麻豆精品 S渢each back 麻豆精品 S� process adds less than a minute to most patient encounters and achieves tremendous improvement in patient satisfaction and adherence to prescriptions and other therapies, while reducing re-visits to the clinic and negative health outcomes. Teach-back is such a powerful tool that a study is currently underway on its use and effectiveness at Student Health Services. Results are expected soon.

Dealing with COVID-19 麻豆精品 S� and any health condition 麻豆精品 S� is scary and unsettling. But it 麻豆精品 S檚 even more frightening if you can 麻豆精品 S檛 get 麻豆精品 S� or understand 麻豆精品 S� what you need to do to get better. That 麻豆精品 S檚 why we need to work together to improve health communications and health literacy.

Patients who are hospitalized due to COVID-19 are often put on ventilators to assist their breathing. Prolonged ventilator use puts a strain on the vocal cords and reduces respiratory muscle strength, which can impact breathing, speech and swallowing. Speech language pathologists are specialists in upper airway, aerodigestive and laryngeal function disorders and are a key part of patient recovery teams.

麻豆精品 S淭his course provides up-to-the-minute information that fills a need in the education of both practicing clinicians, and students about to enter the field. 麻豆精品 S� – Bari Hoffman Ruddy, associate dean of clinical affairs for the College of Health Professions and Sciences

麻豆精品 S淭his course provides up-to-the-minute information that fills a need in the education of both practicing clinicians, and students about to enter the field, 麻豆精品 S� says Bari Hoffman Ruddy, associate dean of clinical affairs for the College of Health Professions and Sciences, who co-designed the course with colleague Vicki Lewis, an instructor in the . 麻豆精品 S淭his specialized curriculum focuses on managing the potential medical issues patients may experience across the continuum of care. This course includes content that is not readily available and is ever-evolving as new data become available. We hope this course will yield workforce ready clinicians who are prepared to meet the challenges in today 麻豆精品 S檚 complex healthcare environment. 麻豆精品 S�

Both Hoffman Ruddy and Lewis specialize in complex medical conditions with a focus on upper airway and disorders of the larynx (voice box) making them uniquely qualified to lead the course.聽Lewis has over 25 years 麻豆精品 S� experience in the acute care setting working closely with cardiothoracic surgery, otolaryngology, pulmonology and other medical specialists.

Due to the pandemic, the course delivery will be fully online. xStudents will be mailed simulation materials and medical supplies which will be utilized throughout the course. Students will engage in hands-on training in how to accomplish a range of procedures, such as tracheostomy care, speaking valve care, and infection prevention.

麻豆精品 S淭his 3-credit hour master 麻豆精品 S檚 level course is available to current students in the graduate program in speech-language pathology and to clinical speech-language pathologists in the field interested in advancing their knowledge and skill set in medical speech-language pathology, 麻豆精品 S� says Jennifer Kent-Walsh, interim director of the School of Communication Sciences and Disorder. “The course affords immediate engagement with content relevant to the post COVID-19 patient, and is expected to be an important steppingstone for future interdisciplinary healthcare course offerings in the College of Health Professions and Sciences at UCF. 麻豆精品 S�

The course is offered in the Summer B term starting on June 23.聽Registration begins in early June.

麻豆精品 S淲hile COVID-19 will eventually be downgraded from a pandemic, what is here to stay is how we train our healthcare providers to respond to these types of situations, 麻豆精品 S� says Hoffman Ruddy. 麻豆精品 S淭his pandemic has forever changed how we deliver care. The course will meet both the short-term needs of the healthcare industry and strengthen the curriculum of future healthcare professionals at UCF. 麻豆精品 S�

Sophia had been very particular about the color choice for her new accessories. She did not want flesh-colored hearing aids, which might have been less noticeable. Sophia was never one to hide her gifts.

麻豆精品 S淚 have one foot in the hearing world, and one foot in the deaf and hard of hearing world. 麻豆精品 S� – Sophia Grilla, UCF student

Sophia is proud to show off her hearing aids, which are now a snazzy purple, and also uses American Sign Language to communicate. She learned how to talk before she lost her hearing, so it is hard for the casual listener to discern any deficiencies in her speech.

麻豆精品 S淚 have one foot in the hearing world, and one foot in the deaf and hard of hearing world, 麻豆精品 S� Sophia says. 麻豆精品 S淪ometimes I 麻豆精品 S檓 not considered deaf enough, and sometimes I 麻豆精品 S檓 not considered hearing enough. 麻豆精品 S�

Communicating and Connecting with Others

Sophia has attended some of UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 ASL classes and begun formal instruction in ASL this month. The communication sciences and disorders student hopes to receive her interpreter certification while at UCF.

麻豆精品 S淪he 麻豆精品 S檚 always been a child who has overcome and done things with a smile on her face, 麻豆精品 S� says Franco Grilla 麻豆精品 S�92, Sophia 麻豆精品 S檚 dad a UCF criminal justice grad. 麻豆精品 S淚 can 麻豆精品 S檛 even explain it. It 麻豆精品 S檚 amazing what she 麻豆精品 S檚 had to overcome, and you would never know it. 麻豆精品 S�

This quest to find her place in the world became crystal clear in middle school when she started acting with Shakespeare with Heart, a collaboration between UCP of Central Florida, the Exceptional Education Department of UCF and the Orlando Shakespeare Theater. Here, students with and without special needs work together to produce a Shakespeare play.

麻豆精品 S淚nvolved in these productions are people with Down syndrome, people with autism, and/or people who use wheelchairs. It 麻豆精品 S檚 just so amazing, gratifying, and beautiful to watch and be a part of, 麻豆精品 S� Sophia says.

Sophia performed in numerous plays with the group, alternating between using her voice and using sign language. Once, she taught the entire cast sign language to the closing musical number. Through this experience, Sophia learned that being able to bridge the gap between the hearing, deaf and hard-of-hearing population was a gift.

Parents Use Their Faith and Experiences as Athletes to Persevere

Wendy, who studied health services administration, and Franco met at UCF back in the 麻豆精品 S�90s when they were both student athletes. She was a cheerleader and he was the kicker for the football team.

Both say the lessons they learned as athletes helped them tackle life 麻豆精品 S檚 challenges: perseverance, hard work, trusting your coaches and the importance of teamwork. All these skills came in handy when finding the best care for their daughter.

They met their first 麻豆精品 S渃oaches 麻豆精品 S� as parents when Sophia was born almost two months premature. Being first-time parents, they devised a game plan with the help of multiple healthcare professionals to help Sophia thrive.

Later, when Sophia was in preschool, they found another coach. Her teacher told Wendy and Franco that Sophia preferred to play independently and that sometimes her speech was 麻豆精品 S渇unny. 麻豆精品 S� They brought these matters up at her next pediatric visit and asked the pediatrician for a referral to an audiologist.

Over the course of several months the Grillas pushed for answers. After many tests, Sophia received the diagnosis of mild-to-moderate progressive sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL).

According to the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA), a SNHL is the most common type of permanent hearing loss. Doctors told Wendy that the hearing loss was most likely unrelated to Sophia 麻豆精品 S檚 premature birth and could not be fixed by medicine or surgery. They recommended hearing aids for 4-year-old Sophia.

麻豆精品 S淔rom physicians, audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and deaf and hard of hearing itinerant teachers, this community of supporters is vital, 麻豆精品 S� Wendy says. 麻豆精品 S淲e relied on this team of experts to help us bridge the gaps and provide the best care for Sophia. 麻豆精品 S�

The Grillas realized that their daughter would benefit from speech therapy to help her overcome any deficits in that area. Sophia received speech therapy services for eight years.

Through it all, the Grilla family had faith in God 麻豆精品 S檚 plan for Sophia. 聽 麻豆精品 S淗is guidance was our best defense, 麻豆精品 S� Wendy says.

Life Amplified

Sophia debuted her hearing aids at her father 麻豆精品 S檚 induction into the UCF Football Hall of Fame.

Franco was wearing a new accessory too 麻豆精品 S� a receiver that linked directly to Sophia 麻豆精品 S檚 hearing aids, so she could hear her father speak.

As Franco was introduced and started talking about his UCF football career, a tiny 麻豆精品 S� but mighty 麻豆精品 S� voice came from the audience, 麻豆精品 S淚 hear you, Daddy! 麻豆精品 S�

Sophia has been told that story ever since she can remember, but she says,聽 麻豆精品 S淚 don 麻豆精品 S檛 really remember when I got the hearing aids. They 麻豆精品 S檝e just always been a part of who I am. 麻豆精品 S�

While it might sound like a 麻豆精品 S渇ix 麻豆精品 S� to wear hearing aids, users hear differently than their hearing peers.

麻豆精品 S淚t can be hard to describe what the world sounds like to a person with hearing loss, because no two people hear exactly the same way, 麻豆精品 S� says Linda I. Rosa-Lugo, an associate professor in UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 School of Communication Sciences and Disorders and the director of UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 Listening Center.

Rosa-Lugo met Sophia through community outreach events for deaf and hard of hearing individuals and their families. Rosa-Lugo noticed that Sophia was outgoing and welcoming to new families and cheerfully answered questions, many of which were regarding hearing aids.

Hearing aids are fine-tuned to each user 麻豆精品 S檚 specific hearing loss and only amplify sounds that are not naturally heard clearly.

麻豆精品 S淚t 麻豆精品 S檚 never 100 percent perfect, 麻豆精品 S� Rosa-Lugo says.聽 麻豆精品 S淭here can be feedback and interference from ambient noise; there can be listening fatigue to the user because it can be difficult to keep background noise at bay. 麻豆精品 S�

Listening to Her Calling

Sophia plans to major in communication sciences and disorders. Her ultimate goal? To become an audiologist.

She won 麻豆精品 S檛 be the first audiologist with hearing loss.

According to the American Speech and Hearing Association, advancements in hearing and assistive technology have made it possible for other individuals with hearing loss to enter the profession.

Sophia knows that her unique ability to relate to hearing loss will help others. But she says as she looks back over her life, she can see a path that had very little to do with her own will.

麻豆精品 S淭his is God 麻豆精品 S檚 story through and through, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淚t 麻豆精品 S檚 amazing to look back and see where He 麻豆精品 S檚 been! 麻豆精品 S�

Wendy says she hopes that Sophia can serve as an inspiration to others.

麻豆精品 S淪he humbles me and makes my heart want to explode when I see her relating to other children who may have obstacles to overcome,” Wendy says. “I want other people to see that no matter what you can or can 麻豆精品 S檛 do, you can still have dreams and accomplish many great and wonderful things. 麻豆精品 S�

Members of this particular group hail from Ecuador and Columbia, Haiti and Puerto Rico, France and Hungary. They speak Spanish, Creole, French and Hungarian. What they share is a desire to learn to speak English, which they are practicing with volunteers 麻豆精品 S� many of whom are UCF students.

麻豆精品 S淸Students are]聽not only learning the language, there 麻豆精品 S檙e learning what they need to know 麻豆精品 S� in day-to-day life. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S撀營man Al-Shabibi, LLC director and UCF student

The Church 麻豆精品 S檚 Language Learning Center was started in November 2016 to address a need in the community for a growing immigrant and refugee population in the area, says pastor Megan Collins. The program runs from August through May with monthly subjects focusing on topics that are useful in everyday life, such as finance, transportation, health and education.

Unlike other language assistance programs, the center serves people who speak any language, rather than just one, and provides specialized assistance from volunteers at the start and end of each class. The lesson plans also includes some real-world practices, such as the annual field trip through Winter Park that allows students to learn how to use public transportation.

麻豆精品 S淲hat we follow is a method that is kind of loosely based on a model I learned about in my classes [at UCF,] 麻豆精品 S� says Iman Al-Shabibi, the center 麻豆精品 S檚 director and a senior communications sciences and disorders major. 麻豆精品 S淸We] try to get [students] immersed in it as much as possible. They 麻豆精品 S檙e not only learning the language, there 麻豆精品 S檙e learning what they need to know 麻豆精品 S� in day-to-day life. That may not be what [others are] taught in a traditional classroom. 麻豆精品 S�

Local Outreach

Shortly before the program celebrated its two-year anniversary, Al-Shabibi took over leadership of the center. She started volunteering there in 2017 after learning about the opportunity through the UCF chapter of the , a pre-professional organization for students within her field.

For years, the association has provided members with opportunities to work with local elementary school students with autism spectrum disorder or Down syndrome. When the center reached out to the organization looking for volunteers, it was natural for its members to become involved.

麻豆精品 S淚t 麻豆精品 S檚 really interesting to help people in my community and get to know people I normally wouldn 麻豆精品 S檛 talk to. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S撀燤adison Buford, UCF student

麻豆精品 S淚 think it 麻豆精品 S檚 good to be connected to the community through NSSHLA, 麻豆精品 S� says Madison Buford, a senior communication sciences and disorders major and NSSHLA member. 麻豆精品 S淚t 麻豆精品 S檚 really interesting to help people in my community and get to know people I normally wouldn 麻豆精品 S檛 talk to. 麻豆精品 S�

Buford started volunteering in November and typically does so three times a month. Most recently she 麻豆精品 S檚 been working with two brothers, ages 13 and 11, from Mexico. But most often she works with young adults who want to learn English to find jobs and provide for their families. Buford has had her own challenges with adjusting to life in a foreign country.

麻豆精品 S淚 studied abroad in Korea and went through a similar program there, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淪o I think it 麻豆精品 S檚 just really interesting to be able to do the opposite where I help people with English, and I really empathize with their struggle. 麻豆精品 S�

Holistic Approach

In November and December, several students from UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 partnered with the center to lead sessions on nutrition and health. Lessons included how to find healthy foods at the grocery store, how to access healthcare services in Orlando, and even practicing how to talk about medical issues or concerns with practitioners.

麻豆精品 S淒ifferent religions or societal upbringings can have a huge impact on a patient 麻豆精品 S檚 perspective on healthcare issues, 麻豆精品 S� says volunteer Michael Mankbadi, a UCF medical student who moved to the United States from Egypt when he was 5. 麻豆精品 S淔or example, different cultures often have various perspectives on end of life issues and understanding that perspective is essential for providing the right care. 麻豆精品 S�

麻豆精品 S淏ecause I came to the United States so young, learning English came more naturally to me. 麻豆精品 S� [But my parents] went through that culture shock of coming to a new country, not really knowing anyone and had to go through that process of learning a new language, learning a new culture. 麻豆精品 S�

These are part of the reasons Mankbadi was interested in volunteering with the center, but his main motivation was to use his expertise to give back to the community. In turn, he 麻豆精品 S檚 become more mindful of how culture can impact medical treatment, and he 麻豆精品 S檚 working to line up UCF volunteers to assist with the center 麻豆精品 S檚 nutrition and health units at the end of 2019.

Impacting Students and Teachers

No matter the level of their English skills, students are always welcome to the program. Some have arrived in the United States just days before their first session while others have been living in America for years.

麻豆精品 S淔or me, [attending the center] is a good experience to meet American people who speak English with different accents so I can speak more fluently. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S撀燰茅ronique Benouaich, LLC student

One dedicated student is V茅ronique Benouaich, who lived in France until she married and relocated to Florida five years ago. Benouaich practiced physical therapy for more than 20 years in her native country. With a new start in the U.S., she 麻豆精品 S檚 taken to pursuing a passion she 麻豆精品 S檚 always had: art. Benouaich volunteers at the Albin Polasek Museum in Winter Park and runs an art gallery selling works from Parisian artists out of her home.

麻豆精品 S淔or me, [attending the center] is a good experience to meet American people who speak English with different accents so I can speak more fluently, 麻豆精品 S� Benouaich says. 麻豆精品 S淚t 麻豆精品 S檚 important for me and my business, Art at Home, that I meet a lot of people, and I meet different people at the center. 麻豆精品 S�

Since Benouaich started attending the center in September, Al-Shabibi says she 麻豆精品 S檚 improved greatly because she 麻豆精品 S檚 a dedicated learner. That quality has also helped Benouaich in her role as a teacher, which she fulfills as a French tutor to local middle and high school students. She even assists with new students at the center who are fluent in French.

麻豆精品 S淸Attending the center 麻豆精品 S檚 classes] helps me to explain to others in English the different grammatical issues in the French language, 麻豆精品 S� she says.

Benouaich knows that teaching others another language requires a lot of patience, which Al-Shabibi has a lot of, along with a welcoming friendliness that makes many of the students at the center feel comfortable.

The Program 麻豆精品 S檚 Future

Al-Shabibi balances her easy-going nature during weekly classes with disciplined organization throughout the week to fulfill the program 麻豆精品 S檚 administrative needs, such as developing lesson plans, connecting with current and potential students, and applying for grants. She does this on top of managing her own studies and a teaching-assistant position at a K-12 school.

麻豆精品 S淵ou don 麻豆精品 S檛 need a lot to start it. You need a couple good people, good conversation and a passion for helping. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S撀營man Al-Shabibi, LLC director and UCF student

But she 麻豆精品 S檚 looking to do even more with the program by advocating for more initiatives like this in Central Florida.

麻豆精品 S淚f we could have something like this [program] on every street corner then it would be doing its job, 麻豆精品 S� Al-Shabibi says. 麻豆精品 S淵ou 麻豆精品 S檙e dealing with people who may not have a car, who may not know how to use public transportation or who may have to walk. So when it 麻豆精品 S檚 difficult to get here, they won 麻豆精品 S檛 come.

After she graduates in the fall she hopes to stay on as director at the center, working full-time to further its mission. But even if more programs like this develop throughout the region without the center 麻豆精品 S檚 name, she says she 麻豆精品 S檇 be happy. In fact, she welcomes the idea of more organizations and people in the community helping others who are making their homes here.

麻豆精品 S淵ou don 麻豆精品 S檛 need a lot to start it. You need a couple good people, good conversation and a passion for helping, 麻豆精品 S� Al-Shabibi says.

The Pegasus Professor award is the highest academic award a professor can receive at the University of Central Florida. During an entire career at UCF, faculty who are exceptional in every area 麻豆精品 S� teaching, research and service 麻豆精品 S� are recognized for their work. These awards are determined by the president, and recipients receive a $5,000 stipend and a $5,000 research grant.

Josh Colwell,聽Naim Kapucu,聽Tison Pugh 补苍诲听Martine Vanryckeghem聽have been selected as the 2019 Pegasus Professors who have impacted students, fellow faculty and the community through their research and dedication to education.

Josh Colwell

Department of Physics, Florida Space Institute, College of Sciences

Josh Colwell has been interested in space exploration and science since he was a child. His mother likes to joke that he was bit by the space bug when she was eight months pregnant and saw the launch of Gemini 1. His career started in research, but after 17 years at the University of Colorado he came to UCF to pursue his passion for teaching.

“One of my goals is to make science, physics and astronomy more accessible to people. I love seeing that light bulb moment with students.” 麻豆精品 S� Josh Colwell

麻豆精品 S淥ne of my goals is to make science, physics and astronomy more accessible to people, 麻豆精品 S� he says. 麻豆精品 S淚 love seeing that light bulb moment with students. I 麻豆精品 S檓 always looking for new ways to make complicated subject matters relatable and understandable. 麻豆精品 S�

While Colwell loves his students, he 麻豆精品 S檚 also known for conducting experiments in what 麻豆精品 S檚 sometimes called the vomit comet 麻豆精品 S� a plane that descends rapidly to create weightless conditions. Has he thrown up? Too often to count, but many of his students have fared better on the plane.

His research works to uncover the story of the solar system and the formation of habitable planets like Earth throughout the galaxy. Colwell has been involved in multiple NASA missions, most notably the Cassini mission that orbited Saturn 13 years sending back views of the ringed planet and its dozens of moons never seen before. He also hosts a podcast, Walkabout the Galaxy, which he calls 麻豆精品 S渁ccidentally educational. 麻豆精品 S�

His advice to students is simple: 麻豆精品 S淭ake advantage of the resources at UCF. Go see your teachers. They want to be asked questions, and they want to help you understand so you can succeed. 麻豆精品 S�

Naim Kapucu

Director, School of Public Administration, College of Community Innovation and Education

Naim Kapucu came to UCF in 2003 fresh off of his doctoral program at the University of Pittsburgh with his dissertation about emergency and crisis management during 9/11. His father wanted him to become a politician and eventually a governor, but he told his father he would one day become 麻豆精品 S渁 professor of governors, 麻豆精品 S� specializing in public administration and policy.

While his work on 9/11 became well-known, Kapucu planned to never touch emergency-management research again, but the opposite happened after his move to Florida.

麻豆精品 S淢y passion is being an academic, scholar leader and having a big vision for our school. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S斅燦aim Kapucu

麻豆精品 S淚 麻豆精品 S檝e focused on leadership and emergency and crisis management, 麻豆精品 S� Kapucu said. 麻豆精品 S淢y passion is being an academic, scholar leader and having a big vision for our school. 麻豆精品 S�

For the past four years, Kapucu has directed the School of Public Administration. He 麻豆精品 S檚 led creation of six new degree programs, including the fully online Masters in Research Administration, and has brought top journals in the field to UCF. Kapucu 麻豆精品 S檚 leadership and relationships put the school 麻豆精品 S檚 programs on the map. The school has two U.S. News & World Report nationally ranked graduate degree programs: No. 7 emergency management and No. 8 nonprofit management.

The Emergency Operations Center at UCF was one of the first in the nation at a university 麻豆精品 S� thanks to a grant that Kapucu helped secure.

麻豆精品 S淐oming to UCF was the best decision I ever made, 麻豆精品 S� he says. 麻豆精品 S淚 tell students, faculty and staff to be yourself, know yourself and let other people be themselves. Have a vision with a solid plan to accomplish your goals. But keep in mind: In the world of public administration and policy, a vision without execution is hallucination. 麻豆精品 S�

Tison Pugh

Professor, Department of English, College of Arts and Humanities

Tison Pugh is best known among students for his Harry Potter studies class, but that 麻豆精品 S檚 not what he 麻豆精品 S檚 most proud of. He arrived at UCF in 2001 after receiving his doctorate in English literature from the University of Oregon, and he has also published 19 books in 17 years.

麻豆精品 S淭wo of the things I 麻豆精品 S檓 proud of is the minor in medieval and renaissance studies. And I was the founding faculty editor of the UCF undergraduate research journal, The Pegasus Review,”聽Pugh says. 麻豆精品 S淭hese are curricular initiatives that will still be available to students after I 麻豆精品 S檓 long gone. 麻豆精品 S�

麻豆精品 S淚 always stress to students that I love literature and that I love to read and study it. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Tison Pugh

Pugh hopes his enthusiasm and love for literature shines through in his teaching, even for any resistant students. He believes the key to keeping students engaged is to tap into their passions.

麻豆精品 S淚 always stress to students that I love literature and that I love to read and study it, 麻豆精品 S� he says. 麻豆精品 S淚 don 麻豆精品 S檛 think I would be a good professor if I didn 麻豆精品 S檛 do that for my students. When they start reading, they find the hidden humor 麻豆精品 S� and once they find it 麻豆精品 S� they are addicted to it as well. 麻豆精品 S�

Martine Vanryckeghem

Professor, School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, College of Health Professions and Sciences

Martine Vanryckeghem began her work in fluency disorders in Belgium, which has shaped her international career. A fluency disorder involves the interruption in the flow of speaking, and the most common one is stuttering. Vanryckeghem is an expert in how to diagnose and treat stuttering in children and adults.

Her research in fluency disorders has led her to co-author standardized diagnostic tests for children and adults that investigate the emotional, behavioral and cognitive effects stuttering can have on an individual. Her work has been translated, researched and published in 30 different countries.

麻豆精品 S淭he tests provide an inventory and give a good idea of the different dimensions that surround the person who stutters, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淎n individual who stutters typically thinks negatively about him or herself and will use coping mechanisms to not stutter. The tests give the clinician a good assessment of the disorder and how to treat it. 麻豆精品 S�

Vanryckeghem credits her late husband with a lot of her success. They met while he was in Belgium giving a workshop.

麻豆精品 S淯CF made me an all-around citizen.” 麻豆精品 S斅燤artine Vanryckeghem

麻豆精品 S淗is high standards and scientific rigor served as a role model for me, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淚 have tried to continue to lead by that model and if I can use the Pegasus mythology, he was the wind beneath my wings. 麻豆精品 S�

As for her students, Vanryckeghem hopes to make a small impact on their lives through academic and clinical instruction and research.

麻豆精品 S淯CF made me an all-around citizen. I don 麻豆精品 S檛 see myself as only an academician or researcher, I see myself as a faculty team member and leader 麻豆精品 S� a UCF ambassador around the world, 麻豆精品 S� she says.

, and Cathy Binger, a UNM associate professor of speech and hearing sciences, will study what level of instruction and intervention is needed for children with severe speech impairments to maximize the capabilities of commercially available apps that verbalize words for a user.

Apps currently on the market allow a user to select images in sequential order that represent the words the user wants to communicate, and the app then verbalizes that sentence.

麻豆精品 S淚f a young child with unintelligible speech, or no speech at all, comes up to you with an iPad and starts speaking to you in full sentences, this creates a big mind shift about what that child is truly capable of doing, 麻豆精品 S� said Binger.

However, there have been little to no evidence-based training options available for children to learn how to use these apps as communication tools. Kent-Walsh and Binger are changing this through their research.

麻豆精品 S淭his grant is the culmination of many years of work and a lot of pilot data showing that it is possible to teach children to use picture symbol-based apps to communicate in grammatically accurate phrases and sentences, 麻豆精品 S� said Kent-Walsh.

The goal of this research is to better understand how to support the development of children with severe speech impairments. Children with disorders such as Down syndrome, cerebral palsy or childhood apraxia of speech could benefit from this research, as well as any child whose communication needs are not being met. In the United States, about one in 12 麻豆精品 S� or about 8 percent 麻豆精品 S� of children have communication disorders.

麻豆精品 S淲hen children can 麻豆精品 S檛 use their speech to communicate effectively, they often get frustrated and they may act out or shut down, 麻豆精品 S� Binger said. 麻豆精品 S淚t can lead to all kinds of problems, like social issues and poor communication with family members. If these children are not provided with other ways to help them communicate, they also can end up with educational placements that may be inappropriate. 麻豆精品 S�

Binger and Kent-Walsh 麻豆精品 S檚 new grant will focus on 3- and-4-year-old children who have severe speech impairments. At the onset, participating families will receive basic instruction in how to use the communication app, while some participants also will receive enhanced intervention sessions led by Binger and Kent-Walsh that are aimed at teaching them how to 麻豆精品 S渟peak 麻豆精品 S� using the app. Results from each group will be compared to determine if the enhanced intervention had a positive effect on the child 麻豆精品 S檚 ability to communicate.

麻豆精品 S淲e are thrilled to have come to a point where we are ready to roll out this intervention on a larger scale and track the communication performance of many children across states, 麻豆精品 S� Kent-Walsh said.

The hope is that by providing these children with the necessary technology and instruction to more effectively communicate, they will be able to take full advantage of the same educational and social opportunities as their peers, which may, in turn, allow them to lead more fulfilling and successful lives.

The research will take place at UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 new (FAAST) Assistive Technology Demonstration Center in Research Park and UNM 麻豆精品 S檚 Speech and Hearing Clinic.

Kent-Walsh and Binger are seeking preschool-aged children with speech impairments to take part in this study (NIH#: R01DC016321) and a related study also funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH#: R15DC014585). Those interested in participating at UCF should contact Kent-Walsh at jkentwalsh@ucf.edu. Those interested in participating at UNM should contact Binger at cbinger@unm.edu.

A new UCF Adaptive Community Project is seeking up to 70 participants to join sports teams, a theater production and/or a choir adapted to fit the needs of neuro-atypical conditions. Participants can join as many teams as they 麻豆精品 S檇 like for free.

The opportunity is open to greater Orlando residents and includes sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, softball, acting and script-writing positions in theater, and a choir for those with acquired speech disorders. Each activity will have modified equipment, such as beeping balls for those with visual impairments to detect where the ball is by sound, costumes made for those in wheelchairs, and more.

The Adaptive Community Project is an interdisciplinary effort developed and led by UCF neuropsychologist and clinical associate professor Megan Sherod. Her goal is to give members of the local neuro-atypical community a new outlet to socialize and exercise.

麻豆精品 S淲hat 麻豆精品 S檚 lacking in the community is this type of resource and opportunity for people who weren 麻豆精品 S檛 born with neuro-atypical conditions, but who 麻豆精品 S檝e acquired them through accident, injury or disease, 麻豆精品 S� she said.

Oftentimes, those diagnosed with neurological disorders end up feeling socially isolated from the rest of the community, she said.

Sherod consulted with Robert Pritchard, a former UCF football player who while at his home in Georgia, that led to speech and physical impairments. He helped guide Sherod in developing the sport aspect of the project.

Like Pritchard, survivors of strokes, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, West Nile Virus and other life-altering events that led to neurological disorders are the target of the program.

Participants will practice once a week for at least a semester, and will work up toward a tournament, concert or live theatrical performance.

Practices and script writing will begin by the end of September, but participants can join at any time. For more on how to join, see:

Through Sherod 麻豆精品 S檚 outreach, UCF Psychology, Theatre, Music, Student Health Services, Communications Sciences and Disorders, Physical Therapy, Student Development and Enrollment Services, and the Recreation and Wellness Center have all chipped in space and equipment, faculty expertise or student volunteers. For instance, graduate students studying how to become speech language pathologists will assist each team with communication.

麻豆精品 S淪tudents who volunteer in this initiative will have a better understanding of how acquired neurological impairments are more than just a label or a diagnosis. It affects the survivor 麻豆精品 S檚 bodily functions, their engagement with family, friends and the community, 麻豆精品 S� said Amy Engelhoven, a lecturer in Communication Sciences and Disorders and director of the Aphasia House at UCF.

More than 60 volunteers from UCF, including students, faculty and staff, are needed to help run the program. Volunteers of all abilities are welcome.

Jonathan Trufant, for instance, will volunteer as coach for the wheelchair basketball team despite having cerebral palsy.

麻豆精品 S淲hen I was a kid, I needed a disabled role model to show me I can function in society, too, 麻豆精品 S� said Trufant, a UCF psychology student. 麻豆精品 S淚t 麻豆精品 S檚 super important to have people within your community to connect with. 麻豆精品 S�

A grant from the Office of the Quality Enhancement Plan at UCF will help Sherod purchase adaptive equipment for the program.

It 麻豆精品 S檚 intended that the program will be offered year-round. Ultimately, Sherod hopes to enhance UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 partnership with the local neurological community.

Repeating from last year, the Counselor Education program earned UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 highest ranking, moving up a notch to No. 9 nationally. The program prepares students for careers as counselors and practitioners in schools, community mental health agencies, hospitals, institutions and private practice.

麻豆精品 S淭his ranking exemplifies the hard work of our Counselor Education faculty and staff and the progress we have achieved, 麻豆精品 S� said Pamela S. Carroll, dean of the College of Education and Human Performance. 麻豆精品 S淲hat an honor to be listed in the top 10 in the nation in this field. 麻豆精品 S�

The next highest UCF rankings were No. 14 for the atomic, molecular and optical sciences programs in the College of Optics & Photonics, and No. 17 for the Nonprofit Management program in the College of Health and Public Affairs, a jump of eight places.

Two more programs in the College of Health and Public Affairs were ranked in the top 50 麻豆精品 S� Criminal Justice (26) and Healthcare Management (38) 麻豆精品 S撀燼nd Industrial Engineering聽was ranked at No. 39.

Others in the top 100 were: Communication Sciences and Disorders (53), Public Administration (63), Computer Engineering (64), Materials Science and Engineering (65), Electrical Engineering (66), Civil Engineering (75), Environmental Engineering (75), Social Work (78), College of Engineering & Computer Science (82), Physics (85), Medical Research (88), Computer Science (90), College of Education & Human Performance (91), and Doctor of Nursing Practice (100).

The Best Graduate Schools 2017 edition will be available on newsstands April 5.

The U.S. News rankings were announced one day after The Princeton Review and PC Gamer magazine named UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy the best video game graduate school in North America.