As dean for a day, Lt. Gov. Kyle Evans Gay (front right) talks with junior nursing students, Sophie McIntosh (back left) and Theresa Bosick (front left), and Kate Hatcher, a health behavior science major and Healthcare Theatre actress, after observing a pediatric simulation.

Dean for a day

Article by Amy Cherry Photos by Evan Krape November 17, 2025

Lt. Gov. Kyle Evans Gay visits UD to learn how CHS moves health forward

Lieutenant Governor Kyle Evans Gay traded her Senate gavel for a day on the University of Delaware’s Science, Technology and Advanced Research (STAR) Campus, serving as dean for a day at the College of Health Sciences.

“Having 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,” said Jillian Trabulsi, interim dean. “It’s an opportunity to highlight our impact throughout Delaware — from educating future health scientists and healthcare professionals, to advancing medical education and improving community health through our clinics — while strengthening the partnerships that move health forward.”

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.

“UD’s 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,” Gay said.

Her visit, organized by Michael Smith, director of strategic initiatives for CHS, began at UD’s 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.

“I was impressed by the level of innovation and technology, especially in the nursing program,” Gay said. “It’s 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’s possible in education.”

She toured UD’s 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 UD’s public-facing clinics, which serve nearly 40,000 patients annually, while providing hands-on training for students.

Left to right, College of Health Sciences Deputy Dean Buz Swanik, Lt. Gov. Kyle Evans Gay, CHS Interim Dean Jillian Trabulsi and Associate Dean of Research Freda Patterson, discussed CHS’ efforts to expand medical education and advance cutting-edge research. Lt. Gov. Gay also met with faculty and toured innovative laboratory spaces as part of the College’s Dean for a Day initiative, which brings in leaders from government, education, nonprofit, and healthcare industries to learn about the College and strengthen community partnerships.

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’s Food is Medicine Committee, while Robson serves on its Data, Research and Evaluation Subcommittee.

Her visit also highlighted UD’s 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’s research and is one component of the College’s comprehensive research portfolio.

“At CHS, we focus on academic excellence, research, clinical care and community engagement,” Trabulsi said. “Research 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.”

CHS research spans cognitive and cardiovascular health, aging, metabolic and cerebrovascular diseases, as well as women’s, children’s and family health.

“Our research expertise parallels the needs of the state and some of the leading causes of death and disability locally, regionally, and nationally,” said Freda Patterson, associate dean of research for CHS.

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 UD with clinical experience at Bayhealth and guarantees employment after graduation. Gay emphasized the importance of such initiatives for the healthcare workforce.

“Ensuring the workforce meets the needs of the services we want to provide to individuals across the state continues to be a huge focus,” Gay said. “UD and higher education institutions are key partners in preparing graduates for changing workforce needs, while retaining talent in Delaware.”