Health and Human Services News

Archives for December 2023

Nursing faculty member chosen for national leadership position of chief clinical officer

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Dr. Vicki Good, a nursing faculty member at Missouri State University, has been appointed the chief clinical officer of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).  

As the chief clinical officer, Good will lead the strategy and advocacy and practice excellence departments at AACN. Her role involves strategizing for nurses across the nation and engaging in discussions on health care issues. 

“It’s a huge honor and a blessing,” Good said. “It’s just the pinnacle of my career.” 

AACN and Good’s role 

The AACN serves as the largest professional organization in specialty nursing, with a membership of about 129,000 nurses.  

Their primary focus is on critical care, providing educational resources, certifications and advocacy efforts for nurses in this field. The organization engages in producing orientation materials and continuing education resources while actively participating in advocacy work on key health care issues like healthy work environments and clinician burnout. 

A journey of service and commitment 

Good’s involvement with the AACN dates back to 1989 when she first became a member. Over the years, she actively volunteered and served in several roles within the organization, including a board member and president. Her dedication and extensive experience with the AACN helped her to secure this coveted position. 

To Good, this honor represents an incredible opportunity to advocate for nurses nationwide, supporting over half a million critical care nurses across the United States.  

Her goal is to improve the work environment for health care professionals, focusing on creating a healthy and conducive space for optimal patient care. 

Good’s message to students and colleagues 

Due to the demanding travel and workload associated with her new position, Good will step away from her teaching role at MSU. She plans to offer guest lectures when her schedule permits. 

Good emphasizes the importance of a healthy work environment in health care and encourages students to engage professionally in their nursing careers.  

Her departure from teaching marks the end of a chapter, but she remains passionate about imparting wisdom and guiding the next generation of nurses. 

As Good takes on this new role, her legacy of dedication and commitment to nursing education will continue to resonate within the health care community. 

Learn more about the School of Nursing

Advocating for communal health

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Every year, the Missouri State University (MSU) Care Clinic and Mercy come together to serve underprivileged individuals in the Springfield community. The two partner to provide comprehensive health care to those who are uninsured.  

The Care Clinic serves as a lifeline for individuals whose income falls below 200% of the federal poverty line. They offer free primary care, lab services, medications and even a clothing bank and nonperishable food items. 

Art that makes an impact 

Recently, MSU and Mercy collaborated with renowned photographer Randy Bacon to create the Renewed Hope Exhibition, an inspiring collection of 12 powerful stories and portraits. These narratives highlight the transformative journey of patients who have found solace, care and a path toward stability through the clinic’s valuable services.  

“The exhibition aimed to resonate with the broader community, shedding light on the impactful role of health care in individuals’ lives,” said Justin Gassel, MSU Care Clinic practice manager. 

The exhibition’s culmination held in the O’Reilly Health and Science Center on Oct. 24 witnessed a celebration of these meaningful narratives. Patients, community partners and leadership from MSU and Mercy convened to appreciate the collective display of these stories.  

It wasn’t just an exhibition; it was a moment of profound recognition for the patients who courageously shared their stories, creating a space for empathy, understanding and appreciation within the community. 

Nurturing holistic well-being and community  

Beyond addressing medical needs, the clinic embodies a holistic approach, acknowledging the socioeconomic challenges individuals face.  

The stories display the profound impact of genuinely invested health care. By combining medical care with efforts to address basic needs like nutrition, shelter and overall well-being, the clinic fosters a path toward lasting change for its patients.  

“The exhibition’s core mission is to dismantle preconceived notions about health care and share the transformative power of authentic care,” Gassel said. 

As these stories resonate with readers and visitors, they encourage the community to support those in need.  

Learn more about MSU Care  

Dispelling common advising myths

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Hillary Mayes, director of the MCHHS Student Success and Advisement Center (SSAC) and student success specialist, has encountered more than a few advising myths during her time here at Missouri State University.

The two biggest misconceptions Mayes has found are that advisors and advisement centers are only for students who are falling behind or for students who need help choosing their academic courses.

“The term ‘academic advisor’ is a bit of a misnomer since advisement is far more than simply helping students pick out academic courses,” she said.

The MCHHS SSAC team works hard to understand students’ unique needs and help them navigate their college experiences accordingly.

“We aim to help them connect to their programs and their program faculty in ways that will help them develop their professional interests and move closer to their professional goals,” Mayes said.

Myth

Advisement centers are only for struggling students.

Reality

Advisement centers and advising staff are here to help all students. In fact, Missouri State requires that all first- and second-year undergraduate students meet with an advisor before they can enroll in classes.

Advisors are a vital campus resource for students to help them navigate university policies, processes and procedures.

Myth

Advisors only help with course scheduling.

Reality

Although helping students create plans of study and selecting courses is an important part of the advisor/advisee relationship, it is not the only type of support provided. Advisors can often serve as a designated person on campus with whom students can feel comfortable having discussions; these discussions don’t always have to be academic in nature.

As student champions, advisors are here to celebrate with students when they are excited or to brainstorm with students if they feel conflicted. Advisors can assist with career and academic major exploration, connecting to relevant resources or offices and with personal or professional development.

Advisors also work closely with academic units and faculty, assist with marketing and recruitment, engage in professional development and provide service to the university through committee work.

Myth

Advisors can register students for their classes.

Reality

Because students are in charge of their academic experience, this responsibility resides exclusively with them. Although advisors are happy to discuss course options with students and make suggestions related to timing, course loads and modalities, students are the only ones who can register for their own classes.

Myth

Advisors provide mental health services.

Reality

This is a common misconception; the role of an advisor is often compared to the role of a counselor. Although advisors do support students and frequently discuss sensitive topics with them, they aren’t licensed mental health providers and can’t legally provide this service. If a student needs mental health services, we have wonderful resources available to them through our Counseling Center located in the Magers Health and Wellness Center.

Myth

Advisors hold appointments only when fall and spring classes are in session.

Reality

If university offices are open, staff advisors are on campus and available to meet with students. Advisors are 12-month employees, meaning they are available and willing to see students throughout all months of the year.

Explore the MCHHS Student Success and Advisement Center

Dietetics student gives back

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KY3 recently featured Andrew Falk, exercise and movement science major, for his work at Ozarks Food Harvest (OFH).

Falk found OFH because he needed to fulfill the requirements in a dietetics class — a community engagement project that requires students to volunteer.

Watch the clip

The KY3 segment shows OFH prepping for the Thanksgiving season and Falk discusses his personal story; he’s found his volunteer efforts at OFH are a great way to give back and help “build a better community.”

“When I was a kid, we went through a hard time and had to go to pantries and stuff like that,” Falk said. “It feels like everything’s come full circle and it’s nice to give back.”

OFH serves over 270 different charities across 28 counties in the Ozarks, providing 1.5 to 2 million meals per month. They’re expected to spend an additional $500,000 on holiday meals this year.

Learn more about the exercise and movement science program