Health and Human Services News

Archives for August 2023

Welcome new faculty and staff

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This year, McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS) hired 15 new faculty and staff members. 

“I’m excited to welcome another amazing group of faculty and staff to the college. It’s a testament to the faculty and staff that we are able to attract and hire such a great group of individuals,” said Dr. Mark Smith, Dean of MCHHS. 

New members 

 The new faculty and staff will join eight areas of MCHHS:  

Nursing 

School of Social Work 

MCHHS Student Success and Advisement Center 

Physician Assistant Studies 

Research Statistical Training and Technical Support (RSTATS) 

Psychology 

  • Dr. Brad Powers (faculty). 

Kinesiology 

Occupational Therapy 

Learn more about MCHHS  

Stellar staff

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We are pleased to recognize academic administrative assistant Katy Day as a stellar staff member of the McQueary College of Health and Human Services.  

Let’s find out more about her. 

Where are you from? 

Day: I’m not really from one place. I’m from Thayer, Missouri, Springfield, Missouri, and Dickinson, Texas – I went to school in all three places. 

What brought you to Missouri State? 

Day: I applied to MSU some time before I received a call from the human resources department. After a while, I came in for an interview and the rest is history.  

What is your favorite part about working here?    

Day: Without a doubt, my greatest blessings at MSU are the faculty, staff and students with whom I get to work every day. Campuswide, the people here are simply the best. 

What are you most looking forward to about the new school year? 

Day: I look forward to all the excitement of the fall semester starting — the first-year cohort getting their student kits and name tags for clinicals, second-year students getting to share about their first clinical experiences over the summer and third-year students beginning preparations for their final clinical experiences.   

What is your favorite memory here? 

Day: Finding out when each of our graduates passed the board exam. In each of those moments, I realize that everything we do here is worth it! 

Learn more about the physical therapy department

New leadership in nursing

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Key role changes have occurred in the School of Nursing. Namely, Dr. Kathryn Patterson is now the school’s director and Alison Alaimo has taken on the role of undergraduate program coordinator. 

School of Nursing director 

Patterson is passionate about the nursing profession, as she’s been a nurse for 40 years and “has never regretted a day.” 

This motivation is what led her to apply for the position of director. 

Kathryn Patterson

“As director, I can share my passion and commitment to nursing with our faculty and students,” Patterson said. “I want students to know that we can help them succeed if they are interested in becoming a nurse or advancing their nursing education.”  

Nursing is much more than passing tests; it’s a profession defined as both an art and a science. Patterson firmly believes that as healthcare continues to advance and evolve, so must the education of nurses. 

“Science is our evidence, and art is the heart and soul of the nursing profession,” Patterson said.

It’s her hope that all students in the nursing program understand the impact and responsibility that comes with being a nurse. Therefore, the focus of all programs is to continuously evaluate, improve and advance the education they provide.  

Her goal is to ensure graduates are equipped with the clinical and academic expertise needed to thrive in today’s complex healthcare environment. 

Undergraduate program coordinator

Alison Alaimo

Alaimo is an alumna of both Missouri State’s undergraduate and graduate nursing programs. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2014 and her Master of Science in Nursing, with an emphasis as a Nurse Educator in 2020.  

She applied for the position because she enjoys working with students.  

“I hope to be an integral part of the work we’re doing to make the MSU nursing program a model educational program,” Alaimo said. 

Explore the School of Nursing

What’s the difference between micro and macronutrients?

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Our bodies need both micro and macronutrients to function properly. Macronutrients provide energy. Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals that don’t give you any calories, but they’re critical for bodily processes from brain function to digestion.

Registered dietitian Natalie Allen offers some insights about these two types of nutrients to Health Central. Allen is also a clinical assistant professor of nutrition and dietetics at Missouri State University.