ASAHP Fellows
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Mary Haven M.S., FASAHP |
Mary Clare Haven was the Associate Dean of the School of Allied Health Professions at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) from 1995 to 2006. She is now an Emeritus Associate Dean of Allied Health Professions and Emeritus Professor of Pathology and Microbiology at UNMC. Mary received her B.S. and M.S. in chemistry from Creighton University. Mary was on the faculty at the University of Nebraska Medical Center for 39 years. The first 28 years at UNMC, she served as a clinical chemist in the Pathology and Microbiology Department during an exciting time of rapid growth in laboratory medicine. Her research interests during those years included the development and evaluation of automated immunoassays in the clinical laboratory, the evaluation of new automated instrumentation, and the diagnostic efficiency of various analytical methods for monitoring immunosuppressive drugs.
While Associate Dean, Mary focused on several key areas:
- Expansion of the number of courses and programs delivered via distance. Several allied health programs became available via distance, radiation therapy, radiography, clinical perfusion and cytotechnology. The clinical laboratory scientist program (formerly the medical technology program) was expanded to other states, Wyoming, South Dakota, the University of Missouri and the University of Iowa. A Doctorate in Physical Therapy degree completion program, Master of Science degree completion programs in physician assistant studies and clinical perfusion, and baccalaureate degree completion programs in radiation science technology and clinical laboratory science were also developed and delivered.
- Development of core interdisciplinary courses for allied health students. These courses included research methodology, health policy and economics, management, and an ethics course for allied health students.
- Provision of rural interdisciplinary training in diabetic clinics in Native American communities for health professions students. Students from allied health programs were offered the opportunity to work with the tribal diabetes programs in Winnebago and Macy, NE. In addition, classes on the prevention and management of diabetes were developed and delivered by allied health faculty to the tribal colleges in Winnebago and Macy. Allied Health faculty collaborated with the Tribal Diabetes Programs to consult with diabetic patients in the management of their disease.
- Building the research infrastructure of the school and increasing the funding from federal grants and contracts. Research emphases of the School included the development of vaccines for drugs of addition and possible bioterrorism agents, wellness programs for rural women, efficacy of computer based instruction versus traditional instruction, effect of exercise on disease activity and immune parameters in rheumatoid arthritic patients, and electromyographic activity of various exercises and in specific disease states. Funding increased from less that $100,000 per year to more than $1.25 million.
Mary was an active member of ASAHP, serving as committee chair for the Constitution and Bylaws Committee, and as a member of the Research Committee and the Government Relations Taskforce, as well as secretary/treasurer of the Midwest Deans. She served as co-host for the regional meeting of the Midwest Deans in Omaha, NE.
Upon retirement, Mary taught classes via distance education for three years. She developed an on-line certificate program in Leadership and Management for the American Association for Clinical Chemistry. She continues to be active in encouraging junior and senior high school students to pursue education in science, math and the health sciences. She and her husband love to travel throughout the world.
The School of Allied Health Professions has been in existence for over 35 years and has 11 different programs: Clinical Perfusion, Cytotechnology, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Medical Nutrition, Medical Technology/Clinical Laboratory Science, Nuclear Medicine, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, Radiation Therapy, Radiography and CT/MRI.