Allan Cole, dean of Texas Social Work, delivered a special guest lecture at the University of Tennessee College of Social Work (UTCSW) on Friday, Sept. 25, highlighting the importance of medical humanities in social work and medicine.
The lecture, which came as part of a special collaboration with UTCSW ahead of the Tennessee Volunteers and Texas Longhorns football game in Neyland Stadium, examined how interdisciplinary work that draws on literature, philosophy, ethics, history, the arts, and related disciplines can understand the human dimensions of health, illness, disability, and care. Dean Cole also discussed how interprofessional education serves as a critical juncture amid advances in artificial intelligence, digital health, precision medicine, and data science.
In addition to the guest lecture, Dean Cole met with school leadership, faculty members and doctoral students at UTCSW to explore collaborative options between the schools.
“The social work profession is stronger when schools of social work act as collaborators with one another instead of acting like competitors,” said Dean Cole. “The work being done by the University of Tennessee College of Social Work and their leadership is impressive. I am grateful to be with our colleagues on Rocky Top, and also to learn from them.”
Lori Messinger, dean and professor at UTCSW, agreed, noting that schools of social work share similar goals, and are stronger when they share best practices to improve the vocation of social work.
“The strongest collaborations happen between peer institutions committed to excellence,” said Dean Messinger. “It was wonderful to spend the day with Dean Cole and exchange insights from our public flagship programs. The University of Texas brings innovative approaches to social work education and scholarship, and I’m energized about deepening this partnership as true collaborators moving the profession forward.”
Dean Messigner will make a return visit to the Forty Acres in the spring semester.