Communication Studies Newsletter—Dec. 2004
WVU is #1!
In a recent report listing the top researchers and universities in communication studies, the Department of Communication Studies at West Virginia University was recognized as the top program in research productivity for the years 1996-2001. Additionally, six current faculty members were recognized as being among the Top 50 productive researchers for that same time period.
Topping this list, as might be expected, is the number one all-time published researcher in the field of communication studies, James C. McCroskey. Additional members of the faculty that are included in the list are Matthew M. Martin (#3), Scott A. Myers (#4), Theodore Avtgis (tied for #12), Virginia P. Richmond (#14), and Melanie Booth-Butterfield (#26). Two alumnus of WVU also made the list: Judee Burgoon (tied for #6) and Timothy P. Mottet (tied for #36).
“To have six professors on this list belonging to one faculty at one time is really amazing. Only one other school had more than two professors on the list,” stated Dr. Matthew M. Martin, Chair of the Department. “WVU is very fortunate to have this group of researchers. Besides being good researchers, these professors are do-gooders. They do good things.”
“I am extremely excited that faculty members in the department of communication studies have been recognized as authorities in research in their field of study,” said Rudolph Almasy, interim Dean of the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences. “Because of how prolific this faculty is in their research, our students are in the hands of the most knowledgeable instructors in the nation.”
(the whole report can be found in the Fall 2003 issue of Communication Research Reports)
Lambda Pi Eta Inducts Top Communication Students
On December 5, 2004, Lambda Pi Eta held their initiation ceremony for new members at Elevation 127 at the Hotel Morgan. While the West Virginia University Chapter of Lambda Pi Eta has been in existence for three years, this was the first formal initiation ceremony for members. Members who were initiated included: Jessica Allen, Lauren Barford, Amanda Bury, Ashley Carder, Candace Davis, Kaylan DeLawder, Cassandra Fragale, Zach Kessler, Michelle King, Linsey Marshall, Jaymie Myers, Jennifer Ratliff, Mary Redman, Leah Rye, and Jessica Sadler.
After brief words of welcome from Chapter Advisor Dr. Maria Brann, the officers of Lambda Pi Eta spoke about the meaningfulness of being a member of this group. Three candles were lit, representing Ethos, Pathos, and Logos. President Elizabeth Ayers then presented the new members with their membership certificates and pins.
“The initiation was a wonderful opportunity for the students to be recognized by faculty, family, and friends for their excellent academic achievements,” Brann said. “We were very pleased with the number of people who acknowledged this accomplishment and attended the event to show their support.”
During the spring semester, Lambda Pi Eta members have several activities planned, including a community service project in Morgantown and a mentoring workshop for pre-communication majors.
“The students are very enthusiastic about working in the community to showcase their skills by helping others,” Brann said. “While right now there are no explicit volunteer hours required, the group members wanted to add this component to the organization so that people in the community and on campus would recognize our organization as having a positive impact on those around us.”
Lambda Pi Eta is an Academic Honorary Fraternity limited to the best Undergraduate Communication Studies students. Only students who have completed 60 hours with an overall grade point average of 3.00 or above and a grade point average of at least 3.25 in Communication Studies are invited to join. Besides receiving a certificate to recognize their accomplishments, students also receive red and white honor cords to wear at graduation.
Below are the officers of Lambda Pi Eta at the initiation ceremony, from left to right: Secretary Jaymie Myers, Treasurer Michelle King, President Elizabeth Ayers, and Vice-President Ashley Carder.
December 2004 Graduation Reception
On December 12th, 2004, West Virginia University held its Fall Graduation Commencement. On December 11th, the Department of Communication Studies held a Graduation Reception for those students completing either their undergraduate or graduate degrees this August or December. Over 200 graduates, family members, and friends attended this event. Congratulations to all of the graduates.
In the picture above are several of the individuals from our Charleston Organizational Cohort who received their Master of Arts degree this last August. Below is a picture of recent on campus Master graduates at this event, as well as a picture of faculty members congratulating one of the graduates.
Does Patient Confidentiality Exist?
Reporters across the country are interested in research being conducted by one of our very own faculty members. News reports have appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, The Washington Times, and numerous other media outlets on research being conducted by Dr. Maria Brann, assistant professor.
Media attention has been generated by a recent publication in the journal Health Communication, in which Dr. Brann is the lead author of an article titled, “Toward a typology of confidentiality breaches in health care communication: An ethic of care analysis of provider practices and patient perceptions.” The study, which sparked a continuing line of research in the area of confidentiality disclosures in health care communication, was part of her Master?s thesis research.
“While volunteering at a hospital as an undergraduate at Purdue University, I noticed several instances when health care providers would discuss patients’ information with other health care providers without being very discreet,” Brann said. “As I noticed how freely information was being shared, I was really disturbed by it.”
Dr. Brann’s research shows that casual conversations among health care providers in common areas of hospitals such as hallways, waiting rooms, and cafeterias pose a threat to the confidentiality of patients? medical information. First-hand observations were made of these disclosures, and 51 patients were interviewed to learn about their experiences with breaches of confidential health information.
“Confidentiality breaches are occurring daily,” Brann said. “While health care providers may not be malicious in their disclosures, they are still sharing patients’ most personal information with unauthorized individuals, which has the potential to create problems for the patients.”
One of the most common problems Dr. Brann is referring to is discrimination. This can occur in the hospital, the workplace, or in social settings. Her goal then was to identify how often confidential health information was being disclosed, who was disclosing information, what types of information was being disclosed, and what patients knew about these actions in order to hopefully remedy some of the potential problems.
“I think the most important thing for health care providers to recognize from this study is that their routine activities can often compromise patients’ care,” Brann said. “Their everyday habits may place patients in positions that could detrimentally affect their health. Depending on who gains access to this information, patients may lose their jobs, their reputation may be jeopardized, or they may stop seeking care because of the disclosure, which may affect their physical and mental health.”
With the implementation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) last year, one may think that these potentially harmful disclosures would have disappeared. However, Dr. Brann notes that more recent research has shown findings consistent with the original research recently published.
“As I continue to research this area, I am amazed at how many disclosures of confidential health information still occur,” Brann said. “This is an issue that needs to be addressed so that patients are comfortable seeking the care that they need.”
Theses of 2003-2004 Master Students
This past school year, four master students successfully completed and defended a thesis. Starting several years ago, West Virginia University started posting theses and dissertations on the library website so individuals would have better access to these documents. Below the students are listed, along with the title of each thesis and the thesis advisor. This link will take you to the web page where you can access an abstract of each document: https://etd.wvu.edu/etd/controller.jsp?moduleName=authorsearch
Daniel Brewster: Exploring the stereotypical perceptions of gay males. (Advisor: Dr. James C. McCroskey)
Vincent J. Cicchirillo: The effects of personality traits and playing video games on aggressive thoughts and behaviors. (Advisor: Dr. Rebecca Chory-Assad)
Katie Neary Dunleavy: Application of Turning Point Theory to communication following an acquired disability. (Advisor: Dr. Melanie Booth-Butterfield)
Christine E. Kunkle: Adolescents’ perceptions of interpersonal conflict and the impact on their aggressive traits. (Advisor: Dr. Scott A. Myers)
All of last years’ Master students participated in research projects that were presented at the Central States Communication Association Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. Below is a picture of the group that attended the convention after their presentations.
Kathleen DuBois Recognized as a WV Young Gun
In the Fall 2004 issue of West Virginia Executive, Ms. Kathleen J. DuBois was recognized as one of the state of West Virginia’s Young Guns. She also is a recent graduate of the Department of Communication Studies’ Master of Arts in Corporate and Organizational program. Ms. DuBois is the President and Owner of both Progressity Development Solutions and DaisySeed Communications, Inc.
Progressity Development Solutions (http://www.progressity.com/) is a consulting firm that focuses on nonprofit development, while the emphasis of DaisySeed (http://www.daisyseed.com/index.htm) mainly involves marketing for commercial businesses. DaisySeed recently was recognized by the United States Department of Justice with a national award for a gun violence prevention campaign.
This was the sixth year the West Virginia Executive identified the Young Guns of West Virginia. These individuals are recognized for being outstanding leaders who have made significant contributions to the state of West Virginia. This year 10 individuals were selected from over 300 nominations.
The Department of Communication Studies would like to offer their congratulations to Ms. DuBois for this recognition and wish her continued success in her endeavors.
