Health and Human Services News

Achieving success in public health

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In February 2001, the Board of Governors established the Ozarks Public Health Institute (OPHI), a Missouri State University state-wide institute with an aim to address public health issues in Missouri.

“Since the day we started, we have been focused on researching and addressing public health issues in Missouri,” said Dr. Dalen Duitsman, director of OPHI.

“We also help with interventions surrounding a wide range of topics including health disparities, mental health, tobacco, obesity, school wellness, workforce and emergency management.”

Often, staff members at the OPHI get hired by the state and local public health agencies to help them with projects they may be working on.

Last month, three of the staff at OPHI were recognized for their work in public health at the Annual Joint Public Conference with Missouri Public Health Association (MPHA) awards.

About the awards

Jaci McReynolds, OPHI communications, was awarded this year’s Group Merit Award. This award gives recognition to an agency or group who made a significant contribution to public health in Missouri within the past five years.

Jaci received this award for her work as the communication coordinator for the #HealthierMO initiative. This initiative advocates for long-term, systems-level change that will lead to healthier families, healthier communities and a healthier Missouri.

Cassandra Henne, project coordinator, received the Health Professional Scholarship. The $750 Health Professional Scholarship is available for MPHA members who are working on an undergraduate or graduate degrees in a public health related field that will further their careers.

“Cassandra received the Health Professional Scholarship because of the outstanding contributions she has made to OPHI over the last year,” Duitsman said. “She has made a substantial impact on its growth and success.”

Duitsman won the W. Scott Johnson Award. It is the highest honor given by the Missouri Public Health Association. It focuses on the “skill, integrity, devotion to duty and constructive leadership” of the recipient.

“I am so honored to work with the remarkable team we have at OPHI, and to see the number of graduate assistants who have passed through OPHI who now have successful public health careers, and who are contributing their talents and skills to build a healthier Missouri,” Duitsman said.

Learn more about the OPHI

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

Centralizing student success

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One of the major additions to the new Ann Kampeter Health Sciences Hall is the Student Success and Advisement Center.

Prior to this addition, the MCHHS advisors were located in different buildings throughout campus.

Now, all the advisors are located on the first floor of Kampeter Health Sciences Hall.

“I think having one centralized office where students can come and meet with advisors is pivotal,” said Hillary Mayes, director of the MCHHS advising center.

“It allows us to come together as a team and provide students with the most help possible.”

Connecting students and mentors

MCHHS uses a unique advisement model that connects students with both staff and faculty advisors.

That means our students have a whole team of experts helping them navigate their academic journeys.

Typically students are transitioned to their faculty mentors when they are formally admitted to their undergraduate programs of study or have met other departmental requirements.

“College is hard, and students need someone in their corner to help them navigate their time here at MSU,” Mayes said.

“Our hope is to provide them with someone who can help make their college journey easier.”

Services offered

The office provides academic support and advisement services to all undergraduate and graduate students.

These services may include:

    • Helping students learn about different degree programs.
    • Registering for classes.
    • Educating students on campus resources.
    • Answering questions students may have.

To learn more about the MCHHS Student Success and Advisement Center, contact the office at MCHHSAdvisement@Missouristate.edu or call 417-836-3065.

Learn more about the Student Success and Advisement Center

What you should know about monkeypox

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Over the last few months, news about the increase in monkeypox cases has spread around the world. Few people understand that it has been around for a long time.

“Monkeypox was first identified in 1958 with a group of research monkeys, which is why they call it monkeypox,” said Robert Niezgoda, visiting assistant professor of public health and sports medicine at Missouri State University.

“The first human case was recorded in 1970 with cases periodically after that.”

Monkeypox is considered a DNA virus and comes from the orthopox virus family. That’s the same virus family that causes smallpox.

Considered a zoonotic disease, monkeypox can be transmitted from animal to human and vice versa. Humans can spread the disease through direct contact.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), there are currently 19,962 confirmed monkeypox cases in the U.S., and currently 55 cases in Missouri.

Effects of monkeypox

Though very similar to smallpox, monkeypox is said to cause less severe symptoms.

“There are different strains of monkeypox, and the strain circulating is on the milder side,” Niezgoda said. “In terms of case fatality rate, it is on the low end which is a good sign.”

Most people first identify monkeypox by the rash it causes all over the body.

Other symptoms of monkeypox include:

    • Fever.
    • Chills.
    • Swollen lymph nodes.
    • Exhaustion
    • Muscle aches and backaches.

Mitigating the illness

“In May of 2020, the CDC launched an emergency response to monkeypox,” Niezgoda said.

“This includes educating the public, expanding laboratory testing and outlining prevention strategies.”

Currently, no treatments exist specifically for monkeypox. Since monkeypox and smallpox viruses are genetically similar, antiviral drugs and vaccines developed to protect against smallpox may prevent and treat monkeypox infections.

The CDC also purchased a large amount of the monkeypox vaccine for those who may be worried about contracting the virus.

If you think you may have been exposed to the monkeypox virus, call your doctor and local health department.