Speaking to students of the University of Hartford’s College of Education, Nursing, and Health Professions, Juthani recounted a meeting she and other researchers had with Governor Ned Lamont, urging him to shut down indoor dining which had reopened in late 2020.
“I realized that data and talking about how packed the ICU was, was not really impacting anybody,” Juthani said. “But I reflected on patient stories that I had, I reflected on the older woman who I met, who was my patient, who had a heart transplant, who never left her home, but whose son was out at a restaurant or a bar and had come back and given her COVID. I tried to bridge that divide between academia and data and clinical practice to something that was relatable to everybody.”
Juthani was the keynote speaker at the “We Are ENHP” Scholarship Showcase, a celebration of the research, creativity, and dedication of ENHP students and faculty.
“Today is a showcase of innovation,” said Brian Swanson, ENHP’s interim dean. “It highlights ENHP student and faculty research and the power of interdisciplinary learning across education, nursing, and health professions. It shows how the college brings disciplines together to prepare students to make a real-world impact.”
Brian Swanson, College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions interim deanToday is a showcase of innovation. It highlights ENHP student and faculty research and the power of interdisciplinary learning across education, nursing, and health professions. It shows how the college brings disciplines together to prepare students to make a real-world impact.
From the podium and in poster displays, faculty and students showed off what they’ve learned about topics as diverse as fall prevention for older adults; how water intake can affect mental health; and the use of artificial intelligence in physical therapy and health care education.
Crucially, the event puts storytelling front and center, challenging participants to present their research in a way that’s compelling for an audience.
It’s a skill that paid off for Juthani. While not everyone agreed with her stance about indoor dining, it eventually led her to be involved with the state’s vaccine rollout—and finally to be tapped to lead the Department of Public Health.
“I had no knowledge of government or what a health commissioner did,” Juthani said. “I started in September 2021, and it's been almost five years since I've been in that job.”