Seton Hall’s Academy for Health Communication Innovation (AHCI) is a forward-looking initiative designed to foster interdisciplinary and interprofessional collaboration within the health sciences field, specifically in health communication.
Health communication is instrumental for not only a functional, engaged, healthcare system, but also for the entire array of health sector organizations. There is a growing need for research focusing on the implementation of effective healthcare communication (Business Wire, 2022), as noted by the rise in industry-led health communication centers around the country. The ACHI therefore offers an interprofessional, innovative, and inclusive enterprise that encourages participation from scholars, practitioners, researchers, and public and private organizations with emphasis placed on integrating marginalized and vulnerable group participants and perspectives to serve as valuable contributors for developing health advocacy communication.
The AHCI is an innovative space where research and media production related to health and healthcare is produced, ranging from research into healthcare PSA, provider/patient communication, the role of media in health knowledge, and more. Not only does the Academy host a new journal, Health Communication Innovation, centering health communication advocacy and support student and faculty research and learning in these areas, it also serves to promote innovative events, webinars, and seminars related to health and communication.
To that end, the Academy has already supported both in-person seminars and other scheduled events, virtual interactive sessions, and collaborations for less formalized sharing and learning experiences between organizations, communities, groups, individuals, and students. Thus, this Academy directly serves Seton Hall’s mission to enhance our students’ ability to be leaders in an ethical and professional way, as well as the Harvest Our Treasures strategic goals, as identified below.
| Harvest Our Treasures | Academy for Health Communication Innovation |
| Goal #1 Provide rigorous and distinct education in the liberal arts tradition. |
The interdisciplinary and interprofessional nature of the Academy relies on the strong undergraduate liberal arts tradition of the University to ensure that all initiatives (seminars, teaching modules, podcasts etc.) offered reflect the scholarly foundation and inclusive principles that guide Seton Hall. |
| Goal #2 Support faculty in strengthening academic quality and advancing scholarship. |
Primary benefits for faculty include publication opportunities in Seton Hall-sponsored new health communication journal, Health Communication Innovation, and a platform to share media artifacts and other scholarship products with both public and private audiences. The ACHI plans to sponsor important and national health communication expert webinars, panels, and learning events that increase media skills. |
| Goal #3 Cultivate and nurture a trusting and collaborative community that advances equity, inclusion and social justice. |
The focus on health communication as an inclusive tool enabling the development of equitable health policies and expertise in social and health advocacy not only supports the University’s mission of servant leadership but contributes to addressing entrenched health disparities and social injustices. |
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Madison Krall, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Communication College of Human Development, Culture, and Media View Profile |
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Ruth Tsuria, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Communication College of Human Development, Culture, and Media View Profile |
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Angela M. Lis, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Department of Physical Therapy School of Health and Medical Sciences View Profile |
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Anne Hewitt, Ph.D. Department Chair and Professor Department of Interprofessional Health Sciences and Health Administration View Profile |
Seton Hall’s Academy for Health Communication Innovation (AHCI) invites full-time faculty members to participate in the Health Communication Collaboration Faculty Seminar for Spring 2025.
Faculty and administrators gathered together to celebrate the progress and achievements of the University’s Academies program at an Innovative Ideas Networking Brunch held on Thursday, May 23, 2024.
The Academy for Health Communication Innovation presents its first guest speaker, Mariah L Wellman, Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
For more information on the Academy for Health Communication Innovation (ACHI) please contact Madison A. Krall, Ph.D. at [email protected].