Health and Human Services News

Celebrating 50 years of oncology nursing

by

From April 9-13, the 50th Annual ONS Congress® took place in Denver, Colorado. 

Held at the Colorado Convention Center, the event welcomed more than 4,000 oncology nurses and professionals to commemorate the history and transformation of cancer nursing care. Among them was Yvonne Callahan, clinical assistant professor in the School of Nursing at Missouri State University. 

She not only attended the milestone event but also served as a main session presenter. 

This year’s theme, “Celebrating Yesterday and Transforming Tomorrow” set the tone for innovation, evidence-based practice and interprofessional collaboration in oncology nursing. 

Sharing expertise 

Callahan presented on “Cardio-Oncology: It’s not what you think it is!” to help nurses better understand this emerging field. 

Yvonne Callahan
Yvonne Callahan

While the term Cardio-Oncology may suggest a focus on heart cancers, it is actually about maintaining a healthy heart during and after cancer treatment.  

The session explored the impact of cancer treatments on the heart and discussed strategies nurses can use to assist patients in managing their cardiovascular health. 

“This field is still unfamiliar to many,” Callahan said. “But with the right tools and knowledge, nurses can make a big difference in long-term outcomes.” 

She emphasized the need for early education and evidence-based strategies to support patients during and after treatment. Her expertise also led to national engagement, including a podcast appearance, a feature in CURE magazine and a forthcoming article in ONS Voice. 

Turning insight into inspiration 

Callahan’s session showcased Missouri State’s dedication to advancing nursing education and leadership. 

“Being part of this milestone year was incredibly meaningful,” she said. “It’s a reminder of how nurses can lead change locally and globally.” 

Her voice contributed to shaping ongoing conversations in one of the fastest-evolving areas in oncology nursing. 

Back on campus, Callahan brings insights from the congress into the classroom. She teaches first-semester nursing students how evidence-based practice and professional identity shape meaningful careers. 

“When students understand the impact nurses can make, it helps them see their own potential,” she said. “That’s how we prepare them for leadership from day one.” 

Explore the School of Nursing

Faculty spotlight: Alexis Curran and Dr. Lori Taula

by

At Missouri State University, Alexis Curran and Dr. Lori Taula are dedicated to educating future nurses.

Curran is a visiting clinical instructor and Taula is a visiting clinical assistant professor in the School of Nursing. Let’s find out more about them.

Alexis Curran

Where are you originally from?

Curran: I grew up in Waynesville, Missouri. I moved to the Springfield area for college in 2012.

Taula: I’m from Kansas City, Missouri, but I lived in Arizona for many years.

What brought you to Missouri State University and how long have you been here?

Curran: I went through the nursing program at Missouri State in 2016 and decided my long-term career goal was to be a nurse educator. I knew from personal experience that the program and faculty were great, so I decided to come back to Missouri State to work. I started as an adjunct faculty in spring 2022, worked as the Simulation Center coordinator during the 2022-23 school year and have taught in the School of Nursing since fall 2023.

Taula: I’ve been here one and a half years. I love teaching and finding creative ways to help students learn and grow.

What’s your educational background?

Lori Taula

Curran: I graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Missouri State (go Bears!) in 2016 and my Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with an emphasis in nursing education from Arkansas State University in 2024.

Taula: I got my Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) and both my MSN in Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and BSN from the Research College of Nursing. I also have a bachelor’s degree in social psychology from Park University.

Why did you choose to pursue a nursing profession?

Curran: It’s an interesting story. I started out as an elementary education major when I first came to college. I worked at a bank in my hometown on holidays and we had a customer whose child was undergoing cancer treatment. One of the other tellers had lost a child to cancer and she would often talk with the customer whose child was in treatment about how great the nurses were and how much of an impact they had made during a very difficult time in their lives. I had a realization that I wanted to have that same kind of impact on people’s lives, so I decided to become a nurse. I thought I wanted to do pediatric oncology at first, but I fell in love with labor and delivery during my obstetrics class in nursing school.

Taula: My passion is working with underserved populations. I want to be a resource to patients and a provider who makes patients feel heard and seen. I want to help patients focus on progress not perfection and understand how their health connects to quality of life.

Where did you work prior to Missouri State?

Curran: I was a labor and delivery nurse at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. I worked there full time for almost six years and still pick up an occasional shift during holidays and summers off.

Taula: I’ve worked at Minute Clinic, Kansas City Hospitalist, Heritage Group PCP, Research Hospital, Advanced Wound Care and Two Rivers Psychiatric Hospital.

What do you do in your role at the university?

Curran: I primarily teach NUR 322: The Childbearing Family. I prepare and teach lectures, create and grade assignments, prepare and run simulated patient experiences, and oversee clinical experiences for students. I also help with creating and running simulations for the School of Nursing.

Taula: I’m a professor in the FNP program: Episodic-acute care, applied pathophysiology and advanced health assessment. I also guest lecture as needed as well and do clinic site visits for FNP students. I’m a chair to several DNP students and I belong to the graduate committee.

How do you incorporate real-world clinical experience into your teaching?

Curran: I try my best to stay up to date on current practices in the obstetric nursing world by being a member of professional nursing organizations and keeping up with my certifications in inpatient obstetric nursing and electronic fetal monitoring. I also really enjoy being able to incorporate my personal experiences as a labor and delivery nurse into my lectures and tie them into the content I’m teaching.

Taula: I like to give students real life experiences. I walk them through how they would handle those situations, which often involves using a simulation lab with patients (actors). I also like them to use the knowledge they already have and think about how they can apply that in real life. Additionally, I add cadaver labs and skills labs to classes.

What do you enjoy most about working at Missouri State?

Curran: I have amazing co-workers and get to work with some great students! They really are the best of the best!

Taula: The students and faculty are my favorite things. The faculty care so much about students and we all work as a team to help students succeed. I love seeing the students so dedicated to their education and overcoming challenges.

What do you do for fun or leisure?

Curran: I like spending time with friends and snuggling with my cat, Miss Kitty. When it’s nice out, I love hiking, swimming, camping and fishing. I also like to read and binge watch TV. I can play a little guitar and like to sing, as well. I’m on a bowling league, too, but I’m not that good at it. It’s just for fun and to spend time with friends.

Taula: I enjoy plants, gardening (food), hiking and travel (nature anything). I also keep up on house projects.

What are you looking forward to this summer?

Curran: Warm temperatures and sunshine! I love when it gets warm enough to go to the pool, lake or river. Summer is my favorite season.

Taula: I’m looking forward to hopefully visiting national and state parks.

Learn more about the School of Nursing

Faculty spotlight: Yvonne Callahan and Dr. Caitlin Masterson

by

Our featured McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS) faculty members are Yvonne Callahan, clinical assistant professor in the School of Nursing, and Dr. Caitlin Masterson, assistant professor in the School of Health Care Professions. 

Both bring a wealth of experience and a passion for education, shaping the next generation of health care professionals. Let’s get to know them better. 

Where are you originally from? 

Callahan: I grew up in a small town south of Santa Fe and east of Albuquerque, New Mexico. 

Masterson: I was born in Mississippi but grew up right here in Springfield, Missouri. 

Yvonne Callahan
Yvonne Callahan

What brought you to Missouri State University and how long have you been here? 

Callahan: After relocating to Missouri in 2013, I set a goal to earn a master’s in nursing and become a nurse educator. I joined MSU as an adjunct clinical instructor in spring 2021, transitioned to a full-time role in fall 2023 and became a course instructor in fall 2024.  

Masterson: My husband and I both have family here and wanted to be close by. I also was drawn to the unique opportunities for collaboration and teaching at MSU. I’ve been here since 2021. 

Where did you work prior to Missouri State? 

Callahan: I began my nursing career at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, working on a Medical-Surgical floor before moving to the Intensive Care Unit. Oncology became my primary focus, particularly in the Specialty Infusion Unit, where I administered immune therapies and targeted biologics. 

Masterson: After earning my PhD, I worked at Radford University in Virginia before moving to the University of Central Arkansas. When I moved back to Springfield, I became a biostatistician for a medical research company, a role I continue to hold while also working at MSU.

Can you share your academic journey? 

Callahan: I earned my undergraduate degree in English Literature and taught English as a Second Language in Bucharest, Romania. However, eventually I felt passionate about nursing education. Then, I completed my Bachelor and Master of Science in Nursing from Denver College of Nursing and Southwest Baptist University. I’m currently working on my Doctor of Nursing Practice at Missouri State. 

Masterson: I pursued my athletic dreams on a track scholarship at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock. My junior year, I switched from pre-med to psychology in the halfway considering better work life balance. I earned my Master of Science in Experimental Psychology from Missouri State then my PhD in Behavioral Neuroscience with a specialization in quantitative studies from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  

What inspired you to pursue a career in health care and higher education? 

Callahan: I’ve always loved science and learning about the human body. My aunt and great-aunt are both nurses and hearing their inspiring stories sparked my passion for health care and teaching. 

Masterson: I started pre-med but found my passion in neuroscience, research and statistics. Working in higher education is the cherry on top as I get to share that passion and show students that statistics isn’t so scary after all! 

Are there any trends or advancements in nursing or health care that you find particularly exciting?

Dr. Caitlin Masterson
Dr. Caitlin Masterson

Callahan I’m excited about the growing field of cardio-oncology, which addresses the cardiac effects of cancer treatments. As a member of the International Cardio-Oncology Society’s nursing advocacy group, I work to advance education and implement updated guidelines to improve nursing practices in this area. 

Masterson: I’m excited about AI’s growing impact on health care, revolutionizing research and data analysis. It uncovers patterns traditional methods might miss, which helps to make decision-making more precise and efficient. The intersection of real-time data, advanced statistics and technology holds incredible potential to improve population health. 

What do you enjoy most about your job and working at Missouri State?

Callahan: I’m an educator at heart. I love sharing about the nursing profession and all the different ways a nurse can make a difference in the community.

Masterson: I love the variety my job offers, from teaching research and statistics to collaborating with faculty and students through RStats consults. Exploring research beyond my field keeps my courses dynamic and I genuinely enjoy designing studies and analyzing data. Having grown up here, working at MSU feels like coming home. 

What’s your teaching philosophy and how do you engage students in the classroom?

Callahan: My teaching philosophy is rooted in leading by example, hands-on learning and creativity to build practical nursing skills. As president of our local Oncology Nurses Society chapter, I encourage students to join professional groups, attend advocacy events and engage in nursing conferences. 

Masterson: My teaching philosophy centers on fostering a collaborative, engaging learning environment. I emphasize real-world applications, clear and structured content and practical examples that make complex concepts accessible. My goal is to spark curiosity and build student confidence beyond the classroom. 

What are your favorite activities to enjoy during the spring season? 

Callahan: I enjoy hiking in local trails and exploring festivals like Artsfest and the Cherry Blossom Kite and Piñata Festival. I also love pizza nights at Millsap Farms, especially their New Mexico-style horno ovens. 

Masterson: I love getting coffee and going on walks with my husband at Sequiota Park while our 3-year-old rides his bike. I also spend a lot of time at Springfield Rugby matches! 

What’s something about you that might surprise people? 

Callahan: I never expected my passion for cardio-oncology to lead me to a national stage. This April, I’ll speak at the Oncology Nurses Society 50th Congress — not in a breakout session, but as a main session speaker! 

Masterson: I learned to kneeboard and waterski before I could ride a bike, thanks to my family’s love for water sports! That passion led me to teach waterski, wakeboard, kneeboard, barefoot and surf lessons in Branson for five years. 

Explore degree options in MCHHS