The University tries to maximize opportunities to expose students to learning experiences that cross program disciplines, one of the many advantages of a Salus education. This year, one of these opportunities is a pilot program for first year Audiology students.

     The students have a Head and Neck Anatomy class in their first semester taught by Dr. Lorraine Lombardi, who has developed successful virtual anatomy classes for Optometry, Audiology and Physician Assistant students.

      The new Audiology pilot program is a six-hour prosection lab extension to Dr. Lombardi's virtual Head and Neck Anatomy class.  (Ed. Note: A prosection lab is one in which cadavers/parts have been dissected before the students receive them). Beginning this month, the Audiology Class of 2014 will have three additional classes in the University's Physician Assistant (PA) cadaver lab.

      Unlike Physician Assistant students, Audiology students "are examining relatively more limited areas of the body, many of which feature extremely small and fragile structures," according to Dr. Michael Speirs, PA gross anatomy course instructor. His goal for the pilot is "to have them appreciate the density and complexity of the relationships between the physically small structures of the head and neck, which have huge significance for normal human well-being."

      The first year class is divided into two sections for this program. Each section will have three two-hour labs with Dr. Speirs,who utilizes plastic models, slides and prosected parts to illustrate what the students already have learned. The smaller group format (one class of ten; one of nine) allows students to engage in more discussion with Dr. Speirs and one another, and permits Dr. Speirs to expand on the knowledge the students have acquired in Dr. Lombardi's virtual class.

       Dr. Speirs credits Osborne College of Audiolgy dean, Dr. Victor Bray, for suggesting the integration of the cadaver lab into the Audiology program. "Dr. Lombardi teaches the students a tremendous amount about head and neck anatomy," he noted, adding with a smile, "ironically, there is nothing like a cadaver lab session or two to consolidate that information and 'bring it to life' in a three-dimensional context."  

       It appears student reaction would confirm this. After the first lab session, Sarah Kate Deatrich '14, emailed Dean Bray, ". . .I just wanted to let you know that my classmates and I enjoyed the cadaver lab we had today. . . . I think that activities like that are what set our program apart from others."

       According to Dean Bray, the pilot program will run for one year. At its end, a survey of the participants, along with a study of the results will help the University's academic curriculum committee to determine whether to incorporate this into future curricula.To see a slideshow of the first class.