At any given time, up to 2000 students in the Kasiska Division of Health Sciences at Idaho State University are working in hospitals and clinics across the United States, learning alongside experienced professionals. We are sincerely grateful for these individuals who take time to mentor and train our students, and for the support of each facility as well.
These experiences are critical for the successful training of students as they begin their careers, and are monumental in inspiring and preparing them to become extraordinary clinicians. Truly, we could not meet our health professions education mission without them.You can read more about some of these individuals below.
Thank you very much to these individuals and the organizations who support their efforts, for your dedication to our students and for all you do to improve the lives of others.
Sincerely,
Rex W. Force
Vice President for Health Sciences and Senior Vice Provost
Idaho State University Kasiska Division of Health Sciences
Preceptor of the Month
Congratulations, and THANK YOU to our Preceptor of the Month: Ron Conlin, Centrum Hearing and Audiology. Ron was nominated by Samantha Snow, who had this to say:
"Outstanding clinical supervision. Ron is a supervisor who teaches by talking through processes, discussing the rationale for clinical practice, and encouraging hands-on practice after providing demonstration. His volunteering to be a clinical supervisor improves my efficiency in clinic as well as adds to my knowledge base to be a better clinician once I graduate. My favorite experience working with Ron was completing a hearing aid repair and then fitting the patient with their newly repaired hearing aid. The repair process demonstrated a new way of repairing an earmold and reattaching to a receiver. I was guided through the fitting process as it was a new software and brand I hadn't worked with yet. I felt as though I contributed to the appointment and outcomes, rather than being a technical support. In an hour, I learned skills and critical thinking points that will help after this clinical rotation is completed."
~Submitted by Samantha Snow, Doctor of Audiology program student
Preceptor of the Month
Congratulations, and THANK YOU to our Preceptor of the Month: Dallin Wilkes, Current Physical Therapy. Dallin was nominated by Jensen Haigh, who had this to say:
"Dallin is a wonderful representation of what it meants to be a physical therapist, and what it means to be a great Clinical Instructor. Dallin's passion and commitment to his work is contagious. As a Clinical Instructor, he fosters a learning environment where I feel comfortable asking questions and observing, but also feel comfortable to push myself out of my comfort zone."
~Submitted by Jesen Haigh, Doctor of Physical Therapy student, Class of 2023
Preceptor of the Month
Congratulations, and THANK YOU to our Preceptor of the Month: Makenzi Gwinn, Portneuf Medical Center. Dr. Gwinn was nominated by Anna Curet, who had this to say:
?Dr. Gwinn is an outstanding preceptor. As an ISU alumni, Dr. Gwinn truly understands what it takes to become an excellent Audiologist. She was willing to take me on as a student and working with her was an invaluable experience in my education. Dr. Gwinn is a phenomenal clinician and treats every patient with the most personalized care. She takes time out of her day to go the distance and ensure that each patient receives outstanding service, and ultimately, good outcomes for their hearing health.
Dr. Gwinn motivated me every day through her demonstration of actions and teaching, to work hard and provide quality care to each patient. As I continue to pursue my degree in Audiology, I will always think back to my experiences with her as my preceptor and the skills learned during my time at Portneuf Medical Center."
~Submitted by Anna Curet, Doctor of Audiology Candidate, Class of 2023
Preceptor of the Month
Congratulations, and THANK YOU to our Preceptor of the Month: Dr. Luke McCausland from Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George, UT. Dr. McCausland was nominated by physical therapy student Jordan Reed, who had this to say about his mentor:
"Luke was an excellent clinical instructor for the 8 weeks I was in St. George, Utah. From day one, he treated me like one of the team members. Each morning he would cheerfully greet me. It seems like a simple thing, but many co-workers do not enjoy this luxury on a daily basis. This set the tone for the rest of the day and helped me feel comfortable working along side him. He expected me to display professionalism in my interactions with others while he exemplified the attributes of a professional himself. During team meetings, he would ask my opinions and allow me to speak and give my input on matters. When correction or training was needed, he made sure to do so behind a closed door to avoid any potential humiliation that would come from doing so publicly.
Luke demonstrated a high level of competency and knowledge without boasting about it. He used his knowledge not to dominate, but to lift and educate students, patients, and co-workers. He exemplified using evidence based practice to treat people. On a weekly basis, we would discuss some study that was pertinent to our care. He would encourage me to not only read published articles, but to analyze the quality of work performed within them. He seemed to have an endless supply of good research articles or references to answer my questions and help me learn. I also watched him educate patients. Almost every person leaving his office would have learned something new about their condition or health in general because Luke took the time to share what he knows.
Lastly, Luke deserves to be recognized for going above and beyond what is expected of him. He would volunteer for responsibilities that others would avoid. More than once I caught him trying to be unnoticed while doing a kind act or helping someone be recognized for their accomplishments. He probably doesn't realize how many times I found him doing something good when he thought no one was watching.
I will truly be better clinician because of Luke's influence. He deserves to be recognized for his inclusiveness, excellence in knowledge and understanding, exceeding expectations, and regularly going out of his way often to help others. It would be my hope that all students would get opportunities as beneficial and enjoyable as mine with Luke.
Luke and I are the same in the fact that we both enjoy a challenge. On one occasion, he stepped back from treating a patient that I am sure he could have easily helped and allowed me to take the lead in treating her dizziness. It was the first time I had been placed in the situation to care for an individual with this specific condition. Because of the schedule, Luke allowed me to work with the patient a little longer than usual. I struggled through the steps of rehabilitation, sometimes making errors, sometimes recognizing success. It was with this individual and challenge that I first felt like a real physical therapist.
Afterwards, Luke mentioned how he liked to step back and let the student take the reigns because learning often occurs in these types of situations. Without being critiqued in the moment, it allowed me to think through the process and problem solve without someone hovering over me. This experience gave me the "ah-ha" moment to realize "I can do this therapy thing." I will always be appreciative of that opportunity and challenge he offered me."
~Submitted by Jordan Reed, ISU Physical Therapy Student
Preceptor of the Month
Congratulations, and THANK YOU to our Preceptor of the Month: Sean Jones from the Boise VA Medical Center in Boise, ID. Jones was nominated by physician assistant student Mitchell Bliss, who had this to say about his mentor:
"Sean is an amazing educator and was always very giving of his time in answering my questions during my general surgery rotation at the Boise VA Medical Center. Even after my rotation is over he has kept in contact with me and helped me get ready for my masters presentation and defense. He also precepts for a student during all eight of the PA program's rotation cycles which means in addition to his regular duties as a PA he is helping educate future providers over 40 weeks out of every year! One of the specialties Sean spends time in is ear, nose and throat (ENT). While spending time with him in the Boise VA ENT clinic Sean trained me on some very specific ENT skills like flexible laryngoscopy and ear micro suction. I'm very grateful that he took the time to go over such specialized skills with me."
~Submitted by Mitchell Bliss, ISU Physician Assistant Student
Preceptor of the Month
Congratulations, and THANK YOU to our Preceptor of the Month: Rae Krick from Terry Reilly Health Serrvices. Krick Jones was nominated by Kris Hilvers, who had this to say about her:
"She is an amazing preceptor to the dietetic interns. When COVID hit she continued to let the interns work with her even when other facilities wouldn't. Even though she is very busy, she still makes time for dietetic interns. She is always giving back to our profession. The interns have nothing but positive things to say about her."
~Submitted by Kris Hilvers, Coordinator, Dietetic Internship / Clinical Assistant Professor
Preceptor of the Month
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Congratulations, and THANK YOU to our Preceptor of the Month: Dianne Robison from Portneuf Medical Center. Dianne was nominated by Rachel Hulse, who had this to say about her:
"Dianne has been the clinical education coordinator for the laboratory for many years. She always goes above and beyond to advocate for taking ISU students in clinical rotations, effectively schedules each individual student to get the most out of their experience, and mentors students so they are excited about entering the MLS profession. Dianne is someone I can call and work out problems collaboratively. She is great to work with."
~Submitted by Rachel Hulse, Program Director and Assistant Professor, ISU Medical Laboratory Science
Preceptor of the Month
Congratulations, and THANK YOU to our Preceptor of the Month: Darcey Shalberg, MS, CCC-SLP, Boise Unified School District. Darcey was nominated by Amy Hardy, who had this to say about her:
"Darcey has been an off campus preceptor for many years for ISU and she was an ISU graduate herself. Darcey has also done adjunct positions during the fall, spring and then our intensive adult programs in the summer. Darcey is so dedicated to our SLP graduate students, there has never been a semester that goes by where Darcey has not taken a graduate student under her wing. She goes the extra mile and really dedicates her valued supervision by enhancing student learning and equipping them for off campus experiences."
~Submitted by Amy Hardy, MS, CCC-SLP, ISU Clinical Professor and Online Coordinator, Speech Language Pathology
