Skinner to Lead Interprofessional Education at UAMS
| LITTLE ROCK – Experienced academic administrator Diane Skinner, Ed.D., M.P.H., has been named director of interprofessional education at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), leading a new effort to develop educational experiences and programs that promote collaboration across health care disciplines.
Skinner will work in partnership with students and faculty leadership from the five UAMS colleges (Health Professions, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Public Health) and the Graduate School, to provide leadership in needs assessment, implementation, and evaluation of interprofessional activities. The focus will be activities that prepare students to provide coordinated and effective team care while working with those from different professional backgrounds.
Additionally, the director will serve as liaison between education technology groups and faculty leadership regarding the development of technology that will enhance student interprofessional education.
Since 2007, Skinner has served as the associate dean for academic and student affairs in the UAMS College of Health Professions, where she was responsible for academic and student issues in the college that encompasses 21 academic programs. Prior to that she worked from 1995-2007 as director and a professor in the Office of Educational Development, which provides educational consultation and support for the UAMS colleges, Area Health Education Centers and institutes.
Also during her tenure at UAMS, she served 11 years as co-director of the Teaching Scholars program, a professional development program for faculty members from all UAMS colleges.
Skinner received a doctorate in instructional technology in 1979 from Indiana University. In 2007, she received a master’s degree in health behavior and health education from UAMS. She also received a master’s degree in American civilization in 1968 from the University of Wyoming.
UAMS is the state’s only comprehensive academic health center, with colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Professions and Public Health; a graduate school; a hospital; a statewide network of regional centers; and seven institutes: the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, the Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, the Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy, the Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, the Psychiatric Research Institute, the Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging and the Translational Research Institute. Named best Little Rock metropolitan area hospital by U.S. News & World Report, it is the only adult Level 1 trauma center in the state. UAMS has more than 2,800 students and 775 medical residents. It is the state’s largest public employer with more than 10,000 employees, including about 1,000 physicians and other professionals who provide care to patients at UAMS, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, the VA Medical Center and UAMS’ Area Health Education Centers throughout the state. Visit www.uams.edu or uamshealth.com.