On February 27, 2015, the second symposium of the State of Homelessness Conference series was hosted at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) College of Health Sciences (CHS). Organized in partnership with the Opportunity Center and the UTEP CHS Department of Social Work, the conference series has focused on identifying precursors and causes for homelessness, addressing stigma attached to the homeless population and discussing future solutions to mitigate the effects of homelessness. The Conference included a galleria containing 35 images taken by 12 participants from the "Voices and Images of the Residents of the Opportunity Center for the Homeless: A Visual Project" and a documentary featuring the project participants stories. Led by Dr. Eva Moya, Assistant Professor of the Department of Social Work, Jacqueline Loweree (Sociology graduate student), Corene Seymour, MSW (MRC student), Courtney Adcox (MSW student), Julia Volkovika (MSW student) and Paola Chavez, MA (UTEP Alumni) the documentary featured the stories of the project participants who discussed their journey as depicted by the images displayed in the galleria to an approximate 281 conference attendees. The Conference also served as a venue to present a Call to Action for community leaders and policy makers for  improving the quality of life of individuals experiencing inadequate housing as well as enhancing service delivery of programs designed to assist the homeless population. Community leaders and policy makers in attendance were UTEP President Dr. Diana Natalicio, Senator Jose Rodriguez, Bishop Mark Seitz, Dr. Kathleen A. Curtis, Dean of College of Health Sciences; El Paso County Sheriff Richard Wiles, El Paso City Representative Lily Limon and Consul Jacob Prado of the Mexican Consulate of El Paso. Additionally, representatives from organizations such as Center Against Family Violence, Villa Maria, YWCA Transitional Living Center and La Posada collectively announced their commitment to continue to provide services for homeless individuals, actively seek other resources, and request further funding to help the homeless population. The final session of the 3-part Conference is expected to happen in Fall 2015.  

The University Wellness Program is recruiting UTEP Health Plan members to join this year's UT System Physical Challenge. Registration is now open and closes on Friday, April 10. The Challenge begins Monday, April 6 and ends Friday, May 17. The goal is to complete at least 10,000 steps per day (or the equivalent in other physical activity), 5 days per week for six weeks (50,000 steps each week). UTEP will be competing with other UT institutions and the institution with the greatest participation and completion rate will be awarded the traveling trophy! A Get Ready to Move Miners! Kick Off is planned for April 6th and wellness activities and events will be scheduled weekly throughout the challenge. For more information contact the University Wellness Manager, Eileen Aguilar at [email protected] or 747-6738. To learn more about how to register for the UT Physical Activity Challenge go to http://www.livingwell.utsystem.edu/challenge.htm.

The El Paso Area Society of Health-System Pharmacists (EPASHP) is a local organization composed of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, students and industry representatives. The group works to enhance the professional and intellectual development of its members to positively impact pharmacy practice and to improve patient care. EPASHP members are lead by a Board of Directors (BOD). This year marked the first time a pharmacy student, Stacy Evans, was selected to be involved on the Board. The student serves as a liaison between pharmacists and students and collaboratively with the BOD to coordinate pharmacy events and scholarship opportunities. Additionally, the student assisted with the development of EPASHP's "Rxtra Newsletter," which is provided to all members.

The EPASHP BOD worked diligently to prepare for its annual Frontiers in Pharmacy Conference, which offered pharmacy professionals an opportunity to earn Continuing Education hours toward their licenses. The all-day event took place on Saturday, March 7th at the Tech H2O Resource Center. Several pharmacists served as guest speakers for the event including the Executive Director of the Texas State Board Pharmacy and Dr. Ogechikca Alozie, a physician from the Texas Tech University Health Science Center. Conference session topics ranged from antimicrobial stewardship to updates in pharmacy law. Attendees included pharmacists, technicians, and students, creating a diverse environment for numerous networking opportunities. Industry representatives were also on site to offer their support and enlighten attendees about medications on the market. The event was highly successful and provided 6 hours of pharmacy education to all in attendance.

2014-2015 EPASHP Board of Directors (left to right): Christina Sanchez (PharmD), Kathryn Zortman (PharmD), David Romero (RPh), Stacy Evans (PharmD Candidate 2015), Terrie Martinez (PharmD), John Andrade (PharmD), Celeste Vinluan (PharmD), Jessica Hernandez (RPhT), Jesse Chaffino (Industry representative).

The Speech-Language Pathology program participated in the SUNS Health Fair, hosted by Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, on Saturday, February 28th. Suzanne Crow, clinical supervisor, and graduate students (Luisa Esquivel, Brenda Compean, Alexandrea Burciaga, Joanna Scott, and Grisel Rodriguez) provided screenings (hearing, cognitive and speech) to approximately 60 participants, children and adults.

Rocio Alvarenga, Clinical Instructor in the Department of Occupational Therapy, was a presenter at the Sun Conference held at UTEP on March 6-7, 2015. Alvarenga presented a poster "Understanding the multidimensional client when choosing intervention approaches". The poster presented an educational strategy using dilemma problems to promote conceptual learning to occupational therapy students. The strategy focuses on an approach to goal setting and providing appropriate intervention plans for clients presenting with psychosocial, biomechanical, and rehabilitative concerns. Students using this learning approach met the goal of demonstrating a broader understanding of the multidimensional client.

UTEP Pre-Pharmacy Organization (PPO) students actively participated at Project MOVE on Saturday, February 28th. Project MOVE (Miner Opportunities for Volunteer Experiences) is The University of Texas at El Paso's annual day of volunteer service. The project started five years ago and draws over 2,000 Miner Nation members to assist in a wide range of jobs. Every year the Pre-Pharmacy Students volunteer for at least one community service project a month in their mission to help the city of El Paso. This year, Pre-Pharmacy Organization students participated in the "Rebuilding Together" project. Rebuilding Together is a national non-profit organization preserving affordable homeownership and revitalizing communities. Rebuilding Together provides free renovations and critical repairs to the homes of low-income Americans across the country. Joining in on Rebuilding Together's mission, the PPO provided critical home rehabilitation services to El Paso residents. We are very proud of the efforts of these dedicated students! 

Dr. Jose Rivera, Director of the UTEP/UT Austin Pharmacy Program, joined the UTEP Pre-Pharmacy Organization (PPO) in Austin, Texas to attend the 2015 Explore UT Celebration. Marking its 16th anniversary this year, Explore UT gives attendees the opportunity to learn about the (approximately) 400 programs the University has to offer. Each educational program spends the day engaging with visitors of all ages through fun-filled activities; educating them about future career interests and allowing them the convenience to speak with UT advisors, faculty members, and current students.

The UTEP PPO had the opportunity to volunteer at this event assisting current Pharmacy students in spreading the word about the UTEP/UT Austin Cooperative Pharmacy Program. Participating students also attended presentations, exhibits, lab workshops, and were able to mingle with individuals that share the same interest in Pharmacy.

The 17^th annual Rehabilitation Psychology conference, organized by the American Board of Rehabilitation Psychology (ABRP) and Division 22 (Rehabilitation Psychology) of the American Psychological Association (APA), was held in San Diego, CA from February 26^th to March 1^st, 2015. Division 22 explains "Rehabilitation Psychology is a specialty area within psychology that focuses on the study and application of psychological knowledge and skills on behalf of individuals with disabilities and chronic health conditions in order to maximize health and welfare, independence and choice, functional abilities, and social role participation across the lifespan." This year's conference theme was: Innovations in Rehabilitation Psychology. Attendees consisted of Rehabilitation Psychologists and other allied health professionals (educators, researchers, and clinicians) as well as trainees (students, interns, and postdoctoral fellows) from across the United States. Dr. S�nchez serves on two committees within Division 22, the Diversity Committee and the Science Committee. As part of her involvement with the committees, Dr. S�nchez hosted a Networking Dinner, a Breakfast Roundtable, and attended meetings.

Dr. Jennifer S�nchez (UTEP) in collaboration with Dr. Jessica Brooks (UNT), Dr. Fong Chan (UW-Madison), Mr. Jered Holder (UTEP), and Mr. Scott Cool (UTEP) presented a poster entitled, "Relationships Between the World Health Organization ICF Constructs and Participation in Adults with Severe Mental Illness," which was funded in part by the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Evidence-Based Practice in Vocational Rehabilitation (RRTC-EBP VR) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Wisconsin-Stout and with funding provided by the U.S. Department of Education, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR; Grant H133B100034). Holder and Cool, graduate students in the Rehabilitation Counseling program, gained valuable research experience, including collaborating with team members, interpreting empirical results, and creating their first poster under the direct mentorship of Dr. S�nchez.

The UTEP Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program and the Greater El Paso District of the American Physical Therapy Association were pleased to welcome back Marcos Lopez, PT, DPT on March 19, 2015. Dr Lopez is an alumnus from the Class of 2012, the first cohort to complete the full DPT curriculum. After graduating from UTEP, he began the Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency Program at UT Southwestern which he has just completed.

Dr Lopez came to UTEP to present "Pain Science Education and Physical Therapy Interventions for Pain" to local clinicians, students, and faculty. He presented a multifactorial view of pain including the psychosocial and behavioral components of pain, and offered current evidence-based interventions for chronic pain.

The DPT Program faculty are proud to recognize Dr Lopez's current achievements. With his commitment to evidence-based practice, lifelong learning, and active involvement in the professional organization, Dr Lopez is a great role model for our current and future students.