Teresa Cochran, D.P.T., has been named assistant dean of the College of Allied Health Professions at the Health Science Education Complex (HSEC) on the University of Nebraska-Kearney campus. Her permanent appointment was effective December 2018. She served previously in an interim role.
At the HSEC, Dr. Cochran loves seeing UNMC’s emphasis on interprofessional education and team-based care come to life in a whole new way.
At UNMC’s Kearney campus, “A lot of the relationships and trust — things that are the basis of strong team-based care — have developed organically,” she said. “Because so many programs and professions share this state-of-the-art facility, those relationships grew naturally.”
This culture is growing, she said, from the ground up. The complement of allied health professions programs in Kearney not only work together, but also work with UNMC’s College of Nursing, Kearney Division. Interprofessionalism becomes not a conscious effort, but, instead, second nature.
The allied health programs also have the advantage of being able to build upon the trust and presence the College of Nursing has built in Kearney and its surrounding community for decades. Dr. Cochran said she enjoys the strong partnership with nursing’s assistant dean for the Kearney Division, Cathrin Carithers, D.N.P.
“Dr. Cochran’s national experience in interprofessional education is a tremendous asset for the HSEC and a great match to the skills and interests of Dr. Carithers,” said Kyle Meyer, Ph.D., dean of the College of Allied Health Professions.
“We have similar perspectives,” Dr. Cochran said, “and I believe we each value that. Together, our goal is to create a supportive environment and help faculty and staff develop to the very top of their skill sets.
“I see my role as helping our strong program directors in Omaha, and helping support their faculty, staff and students.”
The students at the HSEC have the same UNMC educational experience as their Omaha counterparts, utilizing the latest in technological tools and experiential learning — but, with an eye toward eventually serving Nebraskans who live in rural communities throughout the state.
Having served as president of the Nebraska Physical Therapy Association and knowing colleagues across the state, Dr. Cochran said, “The rural aspect of care, helping patients have access to scarce health resources is one of our big issues.”
Establishing a home base in the central part of the state and building upon nursing’s longtime presence there is a key step toward better reaching some of Nebraska’s more medically underserved communities, she said.
“The community has been very welcoming of the expanded UNMC presence here,” Dr. Cochran said. “UNMC is respected in the community and a number of the faculty members who teach here are from this community.”
Congratulations on officially dropping that "interim" part of your title. Whatever the title, you are doing great work that benefits both the faculty and the ever increasing number of CAHP students attending at the HSEC. Keep up the good work!
Congratulations, Dr. Cochran!
Congratulations, Teresa! You have come a long way since you sat in my office a number of summers ago. I am so glad to have played very small role in your professional career.