2026-06-03 –, Room #2 Language: English
The Clinical Research and Education Librarians at the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library (CWML) are piloting a transition from a liaison to a team-based service model when engaging and supporting patrons. The previous liaison model fostered relationships and met the needs of patrons for many years. With the new team-based model, the team strives to mirror the collaboration and interdisciplinary approach embraced by clinicians and health care professionals at Yale New Haven Hospital (YNHH). This approach allows librarians to lean into their strengths and interests, reduces workload, mitigates burnout, and provides a space for collaboration and feedback.
This presentation will explore the advantages and challenges of transitioning to a new model, highlight similar initiatives at peer institutions, and demonstrate how this approach supports both patrons and librarians in innovative ways. The unique perspective of being connected to a health system and a university library will also be examined. Attendees will leave with practical takeaways and resources to consider implementing in their own workplaces.
Casey Phillips, AHIP, MLIS is a Clinical Research and Education Librarian for the Cushing/Whitney Medical Library at Yale University. She has served her profession as a member and officer of the Missouri Library Association, the Midcontinental Chapter of the Medical Library Association (MCMLA), and the Medical Library Association. Her interests are health equity and climate justice. She received her MLIS from the University of Missouri – Columbia and her BA in International and European Studies from the University of Oklahoma. She has worked for the University of Kansas Medical Center and the University of Missouri – Kansas City Health Sciences Library.
Melissa Funaro, MS, MLS is an experienced Clinical Research & Education Librarian for the Cushing/Whitney Medical Library at Yale University. Melissa provides support for the clinical, educational, and research needs of trainees, faculty, and staff. In this role she provides training, consultation, and literature searches in support of evidence synthesis reviews, patient care, clinical research, animal welfare, and grants.
Melissa serves her profession as a member of the Medical Library Association, the North Atlantic Health Sciences Libraries (NAHSL), and Connecticut Association of Health Science Librarians (CAHSL).
Melissa holds a Master of Library Science from Southern Connecticut State University, and Master of Science in Horticulture from West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Delaware.
Carly is a Clinical Research and Education Librarian. They provide indepth reference, information, research and consultation services for clinical professionals and users in the health sciences community, including literature searches in support of systematic reviews, research, grants, clinical practice, animal use, teaching, and publishing.
She received her MLIS from Drexel University in Philadelphia and their BA in History from DePaul University in Chicago. She has worked for the University of South Dakota, Boston University, and the Medical College of Wisconsin.