Health and Human Services News

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  

A powerful partnership to create an autism center of tomorrow

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Tim Dygon, executive vice president at Arc of the Ozarks and Letitia White-Minnis, associate dean of the McQueary College of Health and Human Services, discuss what the partnership will do for the community in the present and in the future. 

“This all started with a conversation and a dream,” Dygon said. “We’re now all working together to open a large-scale autism and neuro-developmental center that will provide autism evaluations and screenings, as well as ongoing therapies.” 

“It always starts small. It always starts with an idea and a discussion. We know that if we continue to have strong partners like Missouri State and Mercy at the table, we’ll have great ideas that will grow into something incredible.” 

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE

Increasing health care access

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Access to health care has been an ongoing issue in the Springfield community — especially for people without health insurance.

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

In 2015, Missouri State University and Mercy Hospital partnered together and re-established the clinic as the MSU Care Clinic.

“The goal of the clinic is to understand and serve the health needs of medically underserved adults in our community,” said Brock Hughes, practice manager at the MSU Care Clinic. “It also gives students the opportunity to learn in a real clinic setting.”

How the clinic operates

The clinic serves those in the local community who do not have health insurance and those who are at 150% of the poverty level and below.

“Our clinic is largely supported by students in the nursing and physician assistant studies programs,” said Hughes. “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 are able to offer free medications for our patients.”

Clinic services include:

    • Physical examinations.
    • Blood tests.
    • Pharmacy services.
    • X-rays.
    • Education to patients about their mental health.
    • 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 the MSU Care Clinic

Educating through experience

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When the weather gets colder and the leaves change colors, it can only mean one thing: fall sports have arrived.  

While watching sports in the Springfield community, you may be able to spot MSU athletic training (AT) students getting hands-on clinical experience. 

In addition to their instructional course work, students must complete certain clinical experiences to become nationally certified athletic trainers. 

“We currently have students going to high school and college clinics, as well as other experiences, depending on their professional interests,” said Dr. Tona Hetzler, head of the public health and sports medicine department.  

Other clinical experiences include tactical athletic training, performing arts training, physician offices and rehabilitation clinics. 

“These different clinics allow our students to gain experience in different aspects of athletic training that they may not know exist,” said Dr. Allan Liggett clinical associate professor athletic training. 

Types of clinical experience 

MSU offers  AT students two types of clinical experiences: immersive and integrated. 

The three immersive clinical experience requires students to complete eight weeks fully immersed in a clinical setting. Students spend the entire workday getting hands-on training.  

The integrated clinical experience is for students who attend classes in the morning, then participate in a clinical setting in the afternoon.  

The amount of time MSU students spend in clinical settings allows them to stand out from other universities’ AT programs.  

“Our students are averaging 15-20 hours a week of clinical training over six semesters,” Hetzler said. “Our students are graduating with well over 1,500 hours of experience.” 

This program offers students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the Springfield community and embrace MSU’s mission of community engagement.  

Learn more about MSU Athletic Training