This year’s Premier Green Honors Chair visit was one for the books as students, faculty and members of the community gathered over three days to elevate their knowledge about successful teamwork.
Presented by Eduardo Salas, Ph.D., Allyn R. & Gladys M. Cline Chair Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychological Sciences at Rice University and recipient of the 2023 American Psychology Association Gold Medal Award for Impact in Psychology, each lecture was tailored to a different audience with the overarching goal: uncovering the secret to teamwork success.
Salas expresses that effective teams require defined goals and purpose; role clarity, timely and efficient communication; and a supportive leader set the foundation for effective teamwork.
“Effective teams lead to improved health care outcomes.”
The community event included a Meet & Greet and book signing with Salas. He educated and engaged over 100 members of the community and working professionals in learning the principles of teamwork as it applies to practice.
“The event was better than I expected, and I learned quite a bit!” said a student from the College of Science and Engineering.
The purpose of the student-facing presentation was to educate and engage students in the science and practical application of teamwork principles. With over 100 students in attendance, Salas shared his own experiences in conducting team science research and working with teams across multiple areas including business, the military, educational systems and health care.
TCU Nursing Associate Professor Pamela Frable stated event on Friday was, “one of the best” she’s ever attended at TCU. “We immediately applied what we learned to a project we are working on in class.”
His final presentation was attended by over 125 graduate students and faculty. Salas engaged this audience in the science and practice of teamwork. He also offered evidence-based observations on the state of the teamwork journey since the release of the 1999 Institute of Medicine report on medical error. The observations are translational statements summarizing the body of knowledge in teamwork.
“Team training works, but it’s not a panacea, and more is needed to transform one team at a time,” said Salas.
While in Fort Worth, Salas toured the Health Professions Learning Center in the Bass building as well as the simulation center at UNT Health Science Center. He also generously consulted with the Interprofessional Research, Practice and Education (IPREP) committee and Premier Green Chair committee, and members from Harris College, the College of Science and Engineering, the College of Education and the Burnett School of Medicine about our efforts surrounding teamwork in interprofessional education and practice.
“I want to thank everyone who came to our community, student and faculty events,” said Lynn Jackson, Ph.D., assistant dean for strategic initiatives in Harris College. “Dr. Salas talked with different audiences about team science and showed us all the various ways that our different programs across the university could connect through his own work.” Salas generously consulted with the
The Cecil H. and Ida Green Honors Chair program brings scholars and artists of national and international stature to campus for short residencies to stimulate new ideas, enrich intellectual exchange and nurture relations with the community.