Health and Human Services News

Archives for October 2022

Understanding the why

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Students enrolled in the doctor of audiology program at Missouri State University are exposed to a unique way of learning.

“Every class in the program allows our students to utilize our research labs to translate conceptual knowledge to hands-on experiences,” said Dr. Wafaa Kaf, professor at Missouri State.

“Our students must know how to evaluate, diagnose and interpret information for their patients. These labs allow them to practice before working in a clinic using evidence-based protocols and guidelines.”

Gaining practical experience

Audiology students have access to state-of-the-art facilities to apply the knowledge they are learning. They also develop the clinical and research foundations needed for a career in audiology.

Some of the focus areas of the research labs include:

    • Amplification research laboratory.
    • Auditory electrophysiology laboratory.
    • Vestibular laboratory.
    • Diagnostic Laboratory: Middle ear, migraine, and tinnitus research

These labs are also a recruitment tool for Missouri State’s audiology program.

“We are very fortunate to have access to these labs,” said graduate student Alyson Morgan. “They allow us to understand not only how to use these different resources to integrate the learned information from classes and reading materials, why and how to apply them before seeing clients.”

Students also must complete a doctoral research thesis/project before graduating, so they apply their knowledge and clinical skills using different test protocols and equipment  to conduct their own research on a topic of their interest in audiology.

Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic

Students in the doctor of audiology program also spend valuable time in the on-campus Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic, starting in their first semester in the program.

The clinic provides evaluation and treatment for people of all ages in the areas of speech-language pathology and audiology. Additionally, they provide early intervention for children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Here in our Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic, graduate students participate in the testing and management of clients with hearing- and balance- problems as well as other communication disorders.

Learn about our doctor of audiology program

Expanding health care access

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Access to health care is important for everyone. The MSU Care Clinic  recently adjusted their guidelines to provide health care to more people in our community.

“Last week, we approved an increase for income guidelines. This allows us to extend health care to those 200% above the federal poverty line, or lower,” said Brock Hughes, practice manager at the MSU Care Clinic.

This would mean that a family of five with a monthly income of $5,412 would be eligible for care. Often, families with this amount of income are not able to get medical help.

Before, the clinic was only able to serve those who were 150% above the poverty line. The clinic hopes the new guidelines will allow them to reach more people in the community who need help.

“Our mission is to meet the health care needs of medically underserved adults in our community,” said Dr. Letitia White-Minnis, associate dean of the McQueary College of Health and Human Services at Missouri State University.

“I’m excited about the changes to the financial eligibility guidelines because they will enable us to help more people and show off this hidden gem we offer to the southwest Missouri community.”

How the clinic operates

In the late 1980s, a group called The Kitchen Inc. started an outpatient clinic to support those in Springfield who could not afford health care.

In 2015, Missouri State and Mercy Hospital partnered and re-established the clinic, renaming it the MSU Care Clinic.

“Our clinic is largely supported by students in the and programs,” Hughes said. “All students work with a medical professional to help provide direct care for patients.”

This clinic allows students to work with a very specific population and gives them real life experience while they are still taking classes.

Services offered

The clinic offers free primary care services and a pharmacy free of charge for all patients.

“We partnered with UMKC’s School of Pharmacy to offer medications at the clinic,” Hughes said. “Through programs with Mercy, we’re able to offer free medications for our patients.”

Clinic services include:

  • Physical examinations.
  • Blood tests.
  • Pharmacy services.
  • X-rays.
  • Mental health education.
  • Referrals to community resources.

If you think you may benefit from MSU Care Clinic services, contact the clinic at 417-837-2270 or at msucare.missouristate.edu.

Learn more about MSU Care Clinic

Masters of intubation: More than putting patients to sleep

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For those of you who don’t know much about nurse anesthesiology, look no further than your backyard. 

Started in 1952, the Missouri State University School of Anesthesia is one of roughly 115 in the country. If that’s not unique enough, they also boast an impressive skills lab and an equally stunning simulation lab.  

“Watch out, because our program just continues to get better,” said Dr. Monika Feeney, director of the School of Anesthesia and interim director of the School of Nursing at MSU.  

Staying ahead of the curve 

This program is not for the faint of heart. 

Only 24 students are admitted each year.  

Before admission, students must first undergo a lengthy process to achieve the title of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA):  

  1. Become a nurse. 
  2. Work one to upward of five years in intensive care. 
  3. Apply to the graduate/doctorate anesthesiology program. 

“Being a CRNA is a lot of responsibility and pressure to place on a person,” Feeney said. “For that reason, it’s a difficult program. It’s probably one of the hardest things to endure. 

“But it’s so worth it, in the end.” 

Making headway toward the future 

With the addition of a new skills lab and simulation lab, Feeney explains that the nurse anesthesiology department has more advantages to provide students. 

“We have a beautiful simulation lab that looks just like an operating room (OR),” Feeney said. 

The simulation lab is modeled after an OR theater, making it the perfect place to watch or practice how procedures are performed and how anesthesia is done. 

“We also have a stellar skills lab fully equipped for practicing multiple techniques,” Feeney added. 

The skills lab enables students to practice the following anesthesia maneuvers: 

  • Epidurals.  
  • Central line placement. 
  • Intubation. 
  • Ultrasound block placement. 
  • Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) testing.  

“I love seeing the lightbulb turn on within students and the understanding as it’s taking place,” Feeney said. “Our labs provide that space for them to become acclimated and gain confidence.” 

Bringing Bear pride wherever they go 

Feeney is extremely proud of the anesthesiology program and her flourishing students. 

Students handle over 1,000 clinical cases by the time they graduate, giving them a surplus of hands-on experience. 

To put that into perspective, the national requirement for anesthesiology students is only 600 cases, so Missouri State’s program goes above and beyond. 

“Employers love our students because they hit the ground running,” Feeney said. 

There are over 50 clinical sites nationwide where students are sent to expand their horizons and build experience.  

Students typically visit at least four during their time in the program, so they can get a good sense for which part of the country they’d eventually like to work in. 

They often get offered jobs on the spot at one or more of the locations they visit. 

“We hold life in our hands,” Feeney said. “Our job is essential — to keep you alive while the surgeon does what he or she needs to.” 

Learn more about the school of anesthesia