Achieving Healthy Diversity

The School of Health Sciences’ annual Healthology Symposium, where science, practice and social interests meet, enables students, faculty and community partners to make meaningful connections, affecting positive change and impacting the needs of citizens within the campus community and beyond.

The 2025 Symposium, Achieving Healthy Diversity, explored the many areas of life that impact health. From ensuring literacy and communication, to supporting communities and connection for overall health – it is more important now than ever for health professionals to collaborate to best serve the broad array of patients and communities, effectively meeting their distinct needs.

The day’s festivities – hosted by the School of Health Sciences and supported by all of Oakland University's health, medical and human services programs – brought together 28 co-chairs and speakers from 20 different organizations to present informative uplifting symposia celebrating many ways of Achieving Healthy Diversity.

Health Literacy

Left to right: Jason Wasserman, Stephanie Mabry, Glenn Ellis, Misa Mi, Ramin Homayouni, Jamie Watson, Kevin Ball

Co-chaired by Stephanie Mabry (SHS - Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences), Dr. Jason Wasserman (Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine) and Dr. Glenn Ellis (Strategies for Well-Being, LLC), the Health Literacy session explored knowledge translation for care transformation - meeting people where they are.

Dr. Jamie Watson (Cleveland Clinic) presented how health literacy improves consent, interpersonal trust and patient outcomes. Dr. Misa Mi (OUWB) shared strategies for improving health literacy of patients experiencing homelessness through community-based research projects. Stephanie Mabry (OU SHS) discussed the importance of applying appropriate context to laboratory results in improving patient-centered care. Dr. Ramin Homayouni (OUWB) identified how AI chatbots can help people engage in better discussions with providers.

Communication and Advocacy

Left to right: Ewa Matuszewski, Julie Kruse, Lusilda Agolli, Deana Hays, Sharon Kim, Carla Lough, Edward Rohn

The Communication and Advocacy session was led by Drs. Edward Rohn (SHS - Interdisciplinary Health Sciences), Julie Kruse (OU School of Nursing - SON) and Ewa Matuszewski (Medical Network One) as co-chairs. This session emphasized the importance of patient and provider query and conversation in decision-making.

Lusilda Agolli (Practice Transformation Institute) emphasized the meaningful role of community health workers in fostering communication, improving access and empowering patients in underserved and marginalized communities. Dr. Deana Hays (OU SON) discussed strategies for helping patients navigate an environment of information overload and misinformation to make informed, evidence-based decisions. Sharon Kim (Center for Health Research and Transformation) shared how encouraging questions can foster trust, clarity and better health outcomes through her own touching story. Carla Lough (Molina Healthcare Michigan) concluded by discussing how to create interprofessional strategies to build stronger communities through collaboration, for health equity and overall well-being.

Community Resources

Left to right: Robert Jay, Shaun Taft, Heather Hartford, Lisa McKay-Chiasson, Mozhgon Rajaee, Maria Beam, Brent Wirth

Co-chaired by Dr. Mozhgon Rajaee (OU SHS - Public and Environmental Wellness), Dr. Maria Beam (OU Social Work - College of Arts and Sciences) and Brent Wirth (Easterseals MORC), the Community Resources session focused on exploring and celebrating the diverse health support available for those in need.

Shaun Taft (Wayne County Resource Champions) spoke about how to utilize practical tools, foster reciprocal relationships, and enhance understanding to offer effective support to individuals. Lisa McKay-Chiasson (Oakland County Health Division) highlighted the power of partnership to connect those in need with competent social, mental and physical care. Heather Hartford (Easterseals MORC) discussed how Easterseals is increasing access for people with disabilities, families and communities to achieve whole-person care. Robert Jay (Michigan Mutual Aid Coalition) highlighted cost-effective food aid programs that reach all in need.

Restorative Well-Being

Left to right: Darlene Groomes, Becky Lewis, Jennifer Matthews, Todd Leibert, Terry Dibble, Krystina Miller, Debbie Cavender

The Restorative Well-Being session, led by Terry Dibble (OU SHS - Human Movement Science), Dr. Darlene Groomes (OU School of Education and Human Services) and Becky Lewis (OU Recreation and Well-Being) emphasized how encouraging physical, intellectual and social participation empowers individuals to create connections for emotional wellness and overall health.

Krystina Miller (MATRX Health and Fitness) shared how adaptive sport and recreational activities foster physical and psychological resilience. Dr. Todd Leibert (OU Counseling Dept.) highlighted the importance of positive perspective in decision-making and achieving motivation to improve health. Debbie Cavender (Strategic Wellness, LLC) discussed how small, sustainable choices add up over time for positive health outcomes. Dr. Jennifer J. Matthews (OU Counseling Dept.) concluded with thoughts on emotional intelligence, noting how identifying, differentiating and sharing feelings with others improves social relationships.

Each set of lightning talks was followed by vibrant interactions between presenters, external vendors and guests.

Celebration of Scholars

Impactful research was shared at the inaugural Celebration of Scholars. This engaging poster session featured 16 projects from students and faculty, with exciting, multidisciplinary topics ranging from laboratory and diagnostic work, education and mentoring, and more.

The Hoffmann Family - left to right: Thomas, Julia, John, Donald, Alex, Danielle

Health Achievement Leadership Legacy Award

The Hoffmann Family - John, Donald and Alexander - were inducted into the School of Health Sciences' HALL of fame for their visionary Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) leadership, including an incredible 35 years of scholarship support to the School of Health Sciences and formative involvement on the EHS Industry Advisory Board.

The Health Achievement Leadership Legacy (HALL) Award honors outstanding health science contributions, advancing leadership, community service, research, practice or teaching. 

Celebratory Keynote — New Day Foundation

Michael Spehn

The evening concluded with a truly insightful, inspiring and heartfelt talk from Michael Spehn and Gina Kell Spehn.

After losing their spouses from cancer within weeks of each other, Michael and Gina met, shared their experiences and wonderfully came together to raise their five children in a blended family.

Driven by their personal experiences, they started New Day Foundation to provide financial, emotional and social support to families struggling with the burden of cancer.

Gina Kell Spehn

From telling their personal stories to providing insight into the resources available for families in need - Michael and Gina's presentation held the audience captive, inspiring health care professionals and community members alike to share their personal experiences and motivation to get involved.

The School of Health Sciences proudly presented them with a $5,000 donation to New Day Foundation to support their mission of providing resources for families in need.

About Healthology

Visit the Healthology website to learn more about the history, vision, mission and goals of the impactful symposium.

An event like this truly takes an interdisciplinary, diverse team, and the School of Health Sciences expresses their utmost gratitude to everyone who made this event possible:

Event Sponsors

McLaren Health Care / Karmanos Cancer Institute, Apricity Foundation, The McGruder Family, Oakland University Division of Student Affairs and Diversity, Oakland University Oakland Center, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, MedNetOne Health Solutions, Easterseals MORC, United Dairy Industry of Michigan, DirectRx, Kevin A. Ball and Margaret J. Afheldt Health Symposium Endowment, Priority Health, M Dunbar Safety Consulting LLC, McGraw Catalpa, Strategies for Well-Being LLC

Event Speakers, Co-Chairs, and Campus and Community Partners

Health Literacy
Glenn Ellis (Strategies for Well-Being, LLC), Jason Wasserman (OU William Beaumont School of Medicine - OUWB), Stephanie Mabry, (OU SHS), Ramin Homayouni (OUWB), Misa Mi (OUWB), Jamie Watson (Cleveland Clinic)

Communication and Advocacy
Ewa Matuszewski (MedNetOne Health Solutions), Julie Kruse (OU School of Nursing - SON), Edward Rohn (OU SHS), Lusilda Agolli (Practice Transformation Institute), Deana Hays (OU SON), Sharon Kim (Center for Health Research and Transformation), Carla Lough (Molina Healthcare Michigan)

Community Resources
Brent Wirth (Easterseals MORC), Maria Beam (OU Dept. of Social Work), Mozhgon Rajaee (OU SHS), Heather Hartford (Easterseals MORC), Robert Jay (Michigan Mutual Aid Coalition), Lisa McKay-Chiasson (Oakland County Health Division), Shaun Taft (Wayne County Resource Champions)

Restorative Well-Being
Becky Lewis (OU Recreation and Well-Being), Darlene Groomes (OU School of Education and Human Services), Terry Dibble (OU SHS), Debbie Cavender (Strategic Wellness, LLC), Todd Leibert (OU Dept. of Counseling), Jennifer J. Matthews (OU Dept. of Counseling), Krystina Miller (MATRX Health and Fitness)

The 2025 Healthology Planning Committee

Kevin Ball, Terry Dibble, Janice Eaton, Renee Lesnau-Kennedy, Stephanie Mabry, Mozhgon Rajaee, Edward Rohn, Kristine Thompson, Jillian Wolf

University Support Services

School of Health Sciences and OU Administrators
University Advancement - Cheryl McGinnis and Kate Lionas
University Communications and Marketing
Video and Technical Services
The OU Print Shop
The Oakland Center and Staff
Chartwells at OU

And YOU, the community

for without you, the concept of Healthology would not exist.