Health and Human Services News

Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic promotes collaboration between programs

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The Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic is a vital resource for the Missouri State campus and the surrounding community. Students and faculty work with patients in three programs: Speech-language pathology, early intervention of the deaf and hard of hearing and audiology. 

Dr. Lauren Jones, Tara Oetting and Dr. Sarah Jones oversee the clinic’s three programs. 

“The collaboration here is amazing,” Oetting said. “I have speech pathologists down the hallway to get information from and to help me learn different things, and audiologists are down the other hallway. The chance to learn from my colleagues, or even students in the other areas, is very rewarding.”  

Jones, Oetting and Jones discuss the collaborative and crucial work done in the clinic in May’s “Health Queries” episode.  

Listen to the episode 

 

Psychology professor to showcase Black woman representation in local exhibit

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Join Dr. Ashley Payne, assistant professor of psychology, as she showcases her research project: “#BlackGirlMagic: Illuminating Contemporary Representations of Black Girl and Womanhood in Hip Hop and Social Media” 

This project showcases photo and performative representations of Black girl and womanhood from local girls and women in the Springfield area.  

Payne will use this exhibit to highlight issues related to racism, sexism, education, mental health and identity.  

Exhibition details 

  • Friday, May 7 
  • 5:30-7:30 p.m. 
  • PSU Ballroom East 

Admission is free. You must RSVP.  

Check out Payne’s research

What makes a diet plan sustainable?

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Many people choose to follow a diet plan to lose weight and eat healthier.

But with so many diet plans available, from the DASH diet to the Keto diet to the Mediterranean diet and more, it can be a challenge to find one that’s effective and sustainable in the long term.

Registered dietitian Natalie Allen offers some insights about diet plans, including some of the better ones to follow. She’s also a clinical assistant professor of biomedical sciences at Missouri State University.

How to choose a diet plan that works for you

Read the full transcript

Check out the National Weight Control Registry

OT and PT 101

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Occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) have differences when it comes to treating patients.

OT focuses on helping patients relearn everyday tasks, like brushing teeth or cooking a meal. Physical therapy focuses on rehabilitating movement after injury, trauma or overuse pain.

However, the two disciplines often work together to form a comprehensive treatment plan for a recovering patient.

“We often work with someone who is post-stroke or post-brain injury,” said Dr. Traci Garrison, clinical assistant professor of OT at Missouri State. “So, they have movement issues, cognitive issues and psychosocial issues. With this patient, my PT colleagues will work on balance and specific transfers, while I help the individual get back to everyday tasks, like dressing themselves. It’s a very collaborative process.”

Dr. Traci Garrison works with a student in a biomedical sciences class in 2016.

Garrison and Dr. Jason Shaw, assistant professor of physical therapy, discuss the partnership between OT and PT in April’s “Health Queries” episode.   

Listen to the episode

View episode transcript.