Health and Human Services News

Congratulations to the MCHHS 3MT winners

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MCHHS hosted the college Three Minute Thesis Competition (3MT) on Oct. 31.  

Students were prompted to research an issue that was occurring in their field of study, and then present to a panel of judges in three minutes or less.  

This year’s competition included:  

  • 9 presentations 
  • 5 departments 
  • 21 students  
  • 8 faculty advisors 

The results  

The top four presentations were: 

  • Breanne McLay and Cameron Bruso, School of Anesthesia, Two-Handed Mask Ventilation with Alternative Ventilatory Device. 
  • Sarah Waterman, nutrition and dietetics, Accessing SNAP Benefits at a Midwestern Public University. 
  • Cecelia Peine, Jesse La Fond and Tyler Boyer, occupational therapy, How OT’s Can Address Scamming Among Older Adults. 
  • Cody Haether, Zach Gaarder and Jordan Sandusky, School of Anesthesia, Advanced Airway Techniques. 

“I would like to say a huge thank you to the participants of the 2022 MCHHS 3MT Competition and to Dr. Monika Feeney for organizing the competition,” said Letitia White-Minnis, associate dean MCHHS.  

“I also want to congratulate our winners on their presentations.  It is challenging to summarize an entire research project into 3 minutes, and they each did so in an outstanding way.” 

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

Missouri State University stands out

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Missouri State has been ranked one of the nation’s best schools for online degrees and certificates in the healthcare field for 2023.  

Six percent of regionally accredited colleges and universities earned a ranking position.  

The recognized programs are: 

Missouri State has excelled at producing an outstanding online program for each of these areas, landing high spots on EduMed’s already selective list.  

Top features 

EduMed researched and analyzed more than 7,700 accredited schools. The data science team then applied a proprietary algorithm to rank all qualifying schools for each healthcare discipline.  

Primary data points include:  

  • Academic counseling services 
  • Career placement services 
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 
  • Tuition 
  • Percent of students receiving school-based financial aid 
  • Amount of school-based aid per student 

To be eligible, a school must hold active regional accreditation and have at least one partially online program in the ranking subject. Just 8% of U.S. postsecondary institutions earned a ranking position. 

MCHHS Dean Dr. Mark Smith said that he’s not surprised by the high program placements. 

“We always strive to create the best learning environment for students, whether they’re in person or not,” Smith said. “It’s wonderful to see that our faculty and programs are receiving the recognition they deserve.” 

Explore MSU online degrees

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