SETON HALL UNIVERSITY

Seton Hall Professor Awarded National Grant to Use AI and Virtual Reality in Teaching Social Determinants of Health

- Leslie A. Rippon, Ph.D., ATC, received a $26,000 research grant from the Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions (ASAHP) for interprofessional research. - Rippon is one of two nationwide recipients of ASAHP's 2026 Interprofessional Collaboration Research Grants, which total $53,000 this year. - The project uses virtual reality simulation and AI-enabled virtual patients to teach students about social determinants of health (SDOH) that shape patient outcomes. - The work aims to foster deeper engagement and empathy, preparing students for team-based, contemporary healthcare environments.