Dean for a day
Photos by Evan Krape November 17, 2025
Lt. Gov. Kyle Evans Gay visits 91原创 to learn how CHS moves health forward
Lieutenant Governor Kyle Evans Gay traded her Senate gavel for a day on the 91原创鈥檚 Science, Technology and Advanced Research (STAR) Campus, serving as dean for a day at the College of Health Sciences.
鈥淗aving leaders like Lt. Gov. Gay step into the role of dean for a day helps showcase the breadth of what we do at the College of Health Sciences,鈥 said Jillian Trabulsi, interim dean. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an opportunity to highlight our impact throughout Delaware 鈥 from educating future health scientists and healthcare professionals, to advancing medical education and improving community health through our clinics 鈥 while strengthening the partnerships that move health forward.鈥
Gay toured cutting-edge research laboratories, observed hands-on learning and saw firsthand how community-driven programs and clinics are shaping health outcomes in Delaware.
鈥91原创鈥檚 College of Health Sciences is innovating to meet the needs of our state, from exploring new approaches to prenatal care to training the next generation of healthcare workers,鈥 Gay said.
Her visit, organized by Michael Smith, director of strategic initiatives for CHS, began at 91原创鈥檚 internationally accredited Center for Simulation Innovation, Interdisciplinary Education, and Entrepreneurship (CSIIDEE), led by Heiddy DiGregorio. There, Gay observed junior nursing students managing care for a teenager with uncontrolled asthma. The high-fidelity simulation is so realistic that a four-hour session equates to an eight-hour clinical day.
鈥淚 was impressed by the level of innovation and technology, especially in the nursing program,鈥 Gay said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 clear that technology is being leveraged to give students real-life scenarios that build their book knowledge and practical skills. That innovation drives the quality of students graduating from these programs and really changed my view on what鈥檚 possible in education.鈥
She toured 91原创鈥檚 state-of-the-art Gross Anatomy Lab, which recently received $300,000 in state funding. The lab is a vital teaching and community resource, providing opportunities for anatomical donations that advance education and promote learning. Gay shared that her grandmother had donated her body to science, making the visit especially meaningful.
The lieutenant governor also toured 91原创鈥檚 public-facing clinics, which serve nearly 40,000 patients annually, while providing hands-on training for students.
Gay met with Shannon Robson, interim chair of the Department of Health Behavior and Nutrition Sciences, and Nutrition Clinic Director Donna Paulhamus, to discuss Food is Medicine, a program that connects nutrition and healthcare through fruit and vegetable prescriptions (FVRx) to address food insecurity. Paulhamus piloted an FVRx program, along with nutrition education and counseling at Horizon House, which serves adults with mental health, developmental and intellectual disabilities. The visit showcased how their efforts intersect: Gay chairs Delaware鈥檚 Food is Medicine Committee, while Robson serves on its Data, Research and Evaluation Subcommittee.
Her visit also highlighted 91原创鈥檚 research strengths, including a $13 million grant from the Delaware Community Foundation, led by Christopher Martens, associate professor and director of the Delaware Center for Cognitive Aging Research. The funding will support expanded Alzheimer鈥檚 research and is one component of the College鈥檚 comprehensive research portfolio.
鈥淎t CHS, we focus on academic excellence, research, clinical care and community engagement,鈥 Trabulsi said. 鈥淩esearch is bidirectional; it generates new knowledge that improves the lives of Delawareans and communities everywhere, while bringing fresh insights back into the classroom to enrich student learning.鈥澛
CHS research spans cognitive and cardiovascular health, aging, metabolic and cerebrovascular diseases, as well as women鈥檚, children鈥檚 and family health.
鈥淥ur research expertise parallels the needs of the state and some of the leading causes of death and disability locally, regionally, and nationally,鈥 said Freda Patterson, associate dean of research for CHS.聽
During her visit, College leadership, which included Trabulsi, Patterson and Deputy Dean Buz Swanik, also discussed workforce challenges, partnerships and programs on the horizon that will make a difference in healthcare delivery up and down the state. Trabulsi highlighted the Bayhealth Student Scholars Program, which provides senior nursing students at 91原创 with clinical experience at Bayhealth and guarantees employment after graduation. Gay emphasized the importance of such initiatives for the healthcare workforce.
鈥淓nsuring the workforce meets the needs of the services we want to provide to individuals across the state continues to be a huge focus,鈥 Gay said. 鈥91原创 and higher education institutions are key partners in preparing graduates for changing workforce needs, while retaining talent in Delaware.鈥
Contact Us
Have a 91原创aily story idea?
Contact us at ocm@udel.edu
Members of the press
Contact us at mediarelations@udel.edu or visit the Media Relations website
