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  • McQueary College of Health and Human Services

Missouri State student receives national recognition

July 20, 2022 by Olivia R. Fowler

Cassidy McCandless, MS, RD, smiles in her PA labcoat

Cassidy McCandless, MS, RD, is the sole champion of the 2022 PAS Student of the Year, determined by the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA).  

McCandless received this honor in May 2022 at a conference attended by hundreds of PA students and professionals from across the nation. 

When she initially had been told that she won, McCandless couldn’t believe that it was real. 

“I was on campus in one of the study rooms. I returned a missed phone call from a random number and was convinced there had been a mistake.” 

The first person she called to share the news? Her PAS advisor, Nathan Miracle. 

“I had been stressing out about the whole process for so long and all the while he was in my corner, constantly cheering me on,” McCandless said. “So were my family and friends, of course, but my advisor had a front-row seat the entire time.” 

One out of 10,000 

The AAPA PA Student of the Year is chosen at the end of a lengthy selection process. 

In order to be considered, students must: 

  1. Be nominated by a faculty member or peer. 
  2. Get contacted from someone from the AAPA.  
  3. Submit information, including a resume, details of volunteer experience, two short essays about the future of the PA profession, as well as describing where you see yourself fitting into the profession. 

There are over 280 PAS programs throughout the United States with the average class size being roughly 30 students per program. In any given year, there are about 10,000 PAS students per class. 

“There are so many unique and talented people within our program. It easily could’ve been someone else,” McCandless humbly stated.

“I’m in no way the best PAS student. I just happened to meet the requirements for the AAPA board’s criteria and had some luck. With that being said, I’m thankful that I was chosen.” 

Meeting her fans 

The craziest thing to happen since being chosen? The recognition she’s received within her local and PA community.  

“My friends came up to me and told me that I was on the front page of a local newspaper,” McCandless shared. “I had no idea where to even buy a newspaper. I found a stack at my nearest gas station and ended up buying three because I was so excited.” 

McCandless was also rendered speechless upon meeting Hayley Arceneaux, one of her idols. Arceneaux was the medical officer on the 2021 SpaceX flight, an astronaut PA, and the youngest American to fly in space. 

Her future in the PA profession  

With this prestigious honor under her belt, McCandless has had many new doors open to benefit her career as a PA. 

“I’ve been contacted by so many people and presented with some amazing job and volunteer opportunities after being recognized for this award.” 

McCandless began her medical career as a dietician. Her hope is to blend her new career as a PA with her background in dietetics. 

“Everybody always assumes that if you change professions, there’s something wrong with it. But for me, it was the opposite. I want to further my impact to reach a larger community.” McCandless said. “I wanted to learn more and become more involved with patient care.” 

The AAPA Student of the Year award gave McCandless the platform she needed to shed light on the issues with nutrition in healthcare, as well as the need for greater diversity within the world of medicine. 

“Becoming a PA allows me to share my nutrition background with my colleagues and patients,” McCandless said. “I hope to open the door for a more nutritious approach to medicine.” 

Learn more about the PAS program 

Filed Under: Dietetics, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, MCHHS News, Physician Assistant, Spotlights Tagged With: diversity, MCHHS, Physician Assistant Studies, Spotlights

Achieving a 100% pass rate

June 22, 2022 by Olivia R. Fowler

Occupational Therapy students studying in the classroom

When an entire cohort of students passes the top exams in their field, it’s clear the program is succeeding at meeting the demands to prepare students.  

For the seventh year in a row, all Missouri State University occupational therapy (OT) students have passed both the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) and MSU comprehensive exams. 

Occupational therapy department head Dr. Sapna Chakraborty said, “They always work so hard and it’s amazing seeing them be rewarded for that.” 

The program admits up to 28 students every year.  

The importance of passing both comprehensive and NBCOT exams 

Passing both exams is essential to show professors and future employers that OT students have retained all the valuable information from their MSU courses. 

In the comprehensive exam, questions are derived from five semesters worth of information in OT courses. 

The NBCOT is taken after their fieldwork is completed, putting their knowledge to the ultimate test. 

How are our students so successful? 

Chakraborty believes the reason all their students excel is because of how well the program is taught. 

“Our program stands out because it focuses so much on building a strong foundation in theory and scientific background of occupations in variety of contexts for students,” Chakraborty states. “Once the foundation is set, students then analyze and apply the skills in the lab and clinic environments before hitting the final aspect of learning. That’s when they create intervention plans independently in fieldwork to use the same skills in real world scenarios later in their practice.” 

The combination of solid foundational classes, caring professors and access to a pro-bono clinic makes all the difference when it comes to student success. 

“We’re so proud of our students and are happy to be a stepping stone for each one of their bright futures.” 

Learn more about the occupational therapy program 

Filed Under: Occupational Therapy, Uncategorized Tagged With: Occupational Therapy

The bittersweet end to an eight-year journey

May 16, 2022 by Olivia R. Fowler

Sarah Rowland poses in her cap and gown on Missouri State campus

Usually, the stereotype is that if students take a break from school, they’ll never come back.  

Sarah Rowland, health services student, made it her mission to be the exception and defy the odds that tried to keep her from graduating. 

Rowland shares the struggles she’s endured over the past eight years and why walking across the stage will be so special to her in May’s podcast episode. 

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE

Filed Under: Health Queries Podcast Tagged With: commencement, diversity, health services, McQueary College of Health and Human Services, students

Behind the Brohort

April 28, 2022 by Olivia R. Fowler

Seven male nursing students pose together

Making up such a small percentage of the nursing program at Missouri State University, male nurses can easily be overlooked. 

The common stereotype within hospitals is to have a doctor being assisted by a female nurse. So what is it like to go against the grain, being a male nurse? 

Nursing students Caleb Huettenmyer and Trevor Whittington share about their experiences within April’s podcast episode, just in time for National Nurse’s Month around the corner. 

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE

Filed Under: Health Queries Podcast, Nursing, Student organization spotlight Tagged With: diversity, McQueary College of Health and Human Services, Nursing

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