2004-06 IUPUI Campus Bulletin

Dean's Remarks

Thank you for your interest in the Indiana University School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. Allied health degrees were first offered through Indiana University in 1940. The Indiana University School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences on the campus of Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) is one of the oldest allied health academic units in the country and has provided leadership in health and rehabilitation sciences, as well as research and education, to the citizens of Indiana, the region, and the nation for over 35 years. In 1967, the school was one of 13 allied health units from across the country to participate in the planning and formation of the field's national professional society—the Association of Schools of Allied Health Programs. The School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences is one of a cluster of health schools comprising the IUPUI Academic Health Center, one of the largest academic health centers in the country.

Perhaps our most cherished asset is the quality of our students. The grade point average of students selected for our professional programs routinely ranks among the highest on the university campus. Our students' commitment to excellence is expressed in many ways: honors programs, undergraduate research initiatives, national service awards, and pass rates on certification/licensure exams that exceed national averages, to name only a few. Over 90 percent of our students come from Indiana, and upon completion of their studies they seek careers in a wide variety of settings to promote the health and well-being of Indiana residents.

The school's faculty members are recognized nationally and internationally for their contributions. They serve on national licensure boards and are leaders of national professional societies, reviewers for federal granting agencies, and invited speakers. Their research is published in the best journals in their disciplines, and they routinely serve as consultants to community agencies, state and national health care facilities, and corporations. But their principal goal is to educate the next generation of practitioners to effectively function in the health care environment of the future.

The services offered by the school facilitate our student-centered approach to learning. Advising starts as soon as a student indicates a desire to study in one of our educational programs. Our Office of Academic and Student Affairs sponsors important student organizations in combination with its statewide advising network and is the entry point for learning more about our outstanding opportunities in graduate professional education.

To promote excellence in education, research, and service, the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences maintains strong relationships with a variety of critical constituent groups. Our alumni activities keep our graduates involved with charting the future of the school. We improve facilities and offer scholarships through generous donations by alumni and friends of the school. The school's collaboration with other academic units promotes creative research and teaching opportunities, and our affiliation with over 500 health care facilities gives students unique educational experiences. Moreover, the involvement of associate faculty is essential to fully implement the school's curriculum. We are proud of these relationships and continue to seek other collaborative opportunities.

Health care delivery in this country is undergoing dramatic change, but it remains one of the most personally fulfilling professions, and we know that most of our students pursue it with a sense of mission. The School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences strives to provide a comprehensive educational experience that helps students realize their goals and ambitions.

Vision

The Vision of the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences is to be recognized nationally and globally as a leader in graduate health sciences, and as a provider of excellent health care professionals for the state of Indiana and beyond.

Mission

In fulfilling its vision, the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences seeks to develop and maintain a scholarly and competent faculty who will provide excellence in:

• the teaching/learning process for programs in fields related to health professions,
• the advancement of knowledge through research, scholarship and creative activity, and
• the development of lifelong commitment to civic engagement locally, nationally, and globally with each of these core activities characterized by:
• collaboration within and across disciplines, the university, and the community,
• a commitment to diversity, and
• the pursuit of best practices

Statement of Values

The School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS) of Indiana University is committed to excellence in the education of its constituents, who will have a concern for the people they serve.

We value the commitment of students to learning; of faculty to the highest standards of teaching, scholarship, and service; and of staff to the highest standards of service.

The faculty recognizes students as partners in the teaching/learning process and provides them with opportunities to develop expertise, scientific knowledge, and professional attitudes that enable them to contribute to the health of society.

We are committed to the maintenance of individual professional competence and lifelong learning; to the development of new knowledge through research, scholarship and creative activity; and to the provision of service through civic engagement.

The SHRS values collegiality, cooperation, and creativity as well as honesty, integrity, and support for open inquiry and dissemination of findings.

We value the personal and professional development of a diverse community of students, faculty, and staff; and are committed to continuous improvement of all programs and services.

The SHRS is committed to training faculty and students involved in the community; to providing educational programs and working with a wide array of partners; to offering expert care and assistance to clients; to engaging in field research that serves Indianapolis, the state of Indiana, and beyond; and to building a strong, welcoming campus community for all.

History of the School

The School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences traces its origin to 1941, with the initial offering of allied health sciences degrees through the Indiana University School of Medicine. In 1959 by action of the Trustees of Indiana University, the Division of Allied Health Sciences was formed, and in 1960 the Trustees conferred upon the faculty of the School of Medicine the responsibility and authority to grant the Bachelor of Science degree to those students who successfully completed the prescribed curriculum in four allied health programs. Since that time, additional baccalaureate programs and new programs at the associate and graduate levels have been approved and initiated. In 1967, the Division of Allied Health Sciences was one of 13 similar units from across the country to participate in the planning and formation of the national professional society—the Association of Schools of Allied Health Sciences.

At the April 1991 meeting of the Trustees of Indiana University, the Division of Allied Health Sciences was granted school status. The School of Allied Health Sciences encompassed allied health programming on five of the eight campuses of Indiana University and incorporated 21 distinct allied health academic degree programs.

In 2002 the School of Allied Health Sciences was restructured to better align campus resources in support of the allied health sciences degrees. The resulting School of Allied Health Sciences focused solely on delivering graduate degrees in selected health and rehabilitation science disciplines. The undergraduate allied health sciences degrees migrated to other academic units on the IUPUI campus. To better reflect the more focused academic mission of the school, and based on faculty recommendation, in June 2003 the Trustees of Indiana University approved changing the name to the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. Four departments constitute the school: Health Sciences, Nutrition and Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy. During its over 40-year history the school has provided leadership in education, research, and civic engagement pertaining to health for the citizens of Indiana, the region, and the nation.

Accreditation

The School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences shares with the other schools of the university the accreditation accorded Indiana University as a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

In addition, the professional programs are individually accredited by appropriate governing agencies within the discipline. See program-specific sections.