Who We Are
The RenewU program was conceptualized and constructed by an interdisciplinary group of Academic Health Science Center faculty from the University of Central Florida. The faculty team represents a diverse representation of health professions educators and practitioners, including medicine, nursing, physical therapy, psychology and social work. The RenewU team also includes two instructional designers, a project coordinator, and two research assistants.
The 10 evidence-based interventions highlighted in the RenewU program were selected after review of more than 200 peer-reviewed scientific articles. The final selection of the interventions to include in the program was based on the criteria of moderate to high levels of certainty as described by the United States Preventive Services Task Force.
The RenewU program is a model of productive interdisciplinary work and reflects the concern all members of the team have for both our current and future health professions workforce.
An Interprofessional Team of Experts
Denise Kay, PhDDenise Kay, PhD
Denise Kay, PhD is a Counseling/Education Psychologist and a co-PI on the grant. Denise brings expertise in learning theory, motivation and behavior change to the project and served as the subject matter expert and content author for the Active Rest and Emotional Intelligence intervention materials. She managed the team in the development of the Interprofessional Health Promotion for Health Professionals course and the RenewU website.
Magdalena Pasarica, MD, PhDMagdalena Pasarica, MD, PhD
Magdalena Pasarica, MD, PhD is a Co-PI for the grant project. She is a Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine. Dr. Pasarica is a physician-scientist-educator bringing extensive expertise in research, quality improvement, and healthy lifestyle for patient care. She is the subject matter expert and content author for the Omega-3 Fatty Acids intervention materials. She has provided overall oversight for the quality improvement interventions and the clinical site implementation of the project.
Katherine Daly, PhDKatherine Daly, PhD
Katherine Daly, PhD is a licensed psychologist and a co-investigator on the grant. She is an Associate Professor of Clinical Sciences, and Director of Counseling and Wellness Services at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine. She specializes in counseling tailored to the needs of healthcare professionals and applying health promotion and positive psychology to reduce burnout and mental health symptoms. She is the subject matter expert and content author of the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy & Mindfulness and Sleep intervention materials.
Desiree Díaz, PhD, FNP-BCDesiree Díaz, PhD, FNP-BC
Desiree Díaz, PhD, FNP-BC, CNE, CHSE-A, ANEF, FSSH, FAAN is a co-investigator on the grant. She is a Professor in the College of Nursing at the University of Central Florida. She is a subject matter expert in simulation (role-play). She is the content author of the Emotional Freedom Therapy intervention materials.
Laurie Neely, PT, DPT, NCSLaurie Neely, PT, DPT, NCS
Laurie Neely, PT, DPT is a co-investigator on the grant. She is an Associate Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of Central Florida. She brings expertise in interprofessional education and physical activity. She is the subject matter expert and content author of the Physical Activity intervention materials.
Asli C. Yalim, PhD, MSW, MAAsli C. Yalim, PhD, MSW, MA
Asli C. Yalim, PhD, MSW, MA is a co-investigator on the grant. She is an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Central Florida. She is the subject matter expert and content author of the Psychological Detachment and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy intervention materials. She brings expertise in the theoretical underpinning for the toolkit’s design and structure.
Denyi Canario Asencio, RYT 200Denyi Canario Asencio, RYT 200
Denyi Canario Asencio, RYT 200HR, is the research assistant and a co-investigator on the grant. She provides trauma-informed Yoga for the Department of Veterans Affairs and for a non-profit organization to veterans dealing with PTSD, anxiety, and depression. She is the subject matter expert and content author of the Yoga intervention materials. As the research assistant she is responsible for creating surveys, reports and requirements to our grantor, coordination with clinical site partners, and is primarily responsible for authenticating the copyright information for the data used to create the content of our interventions.
Administrative and Instructional Design Team
Monica Bailey, MAMonica Bailey, MA
Monica Bailey, MA, is the lead instructional designer on the grant. She has experience in medical education, with a focus in e-learning and promoting engagement through active learning pedagogies. In collaboration with subject matter experts, she designed and developed the evidence-based learning modules with interactive learning activities and the Interprofessional Health Promotions course. She also developed the surveys and contributed to the website design content.
Melissa Cowan, MAMelissa Cowan, MA
Melissa Cowan, MA, is an instructional designer on the grant. She has a background in multimedia and graphic design and expertise in instructional design and technology with an emphasis on e-learning. She is an Instructional Learning Designer at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine and she assisted with developing the evidence-based learning modules and the Interprofessional Health Promotions course.
Karla Rosario, BAKarla Rosario, BA
Karla Rosario, BA, has a background in communication science and disorders and is the project coordinator on the grant. She manages grant communication and provides administrative oversight for grant-related meetings and processes. She has also contributed to supporting the Interprofessional Health Promotion course and maintaining/updating grant materials.