Health and Human Services News

Faculty fan-favorites

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Alison Alaimo, clinical assistant professor in the School of Nursing, and Katelyn Maben, assistant professor in the department of physician assistant studies, are two Missouri State alums who are now members of our unique MCHHS faculty.  

Let’s have a chat! 

What’s been the funniest or craziest thing to happen in your classroom? 

Alaimo: For nursing, we discuss bodily functions that most people think are embarrassing. We even teach students how to categorize stool for charting. Every semester, I have to be prepared for every question you can think of (and some you don’t) on this topic. It is always a very entertaining few weeks!  

Maben: I wish I had a really great story to answer this question, but I really can’t think of any overly funny/crazy classroom experience yet — ask again in a few years! It’s bound to happen eventually, right?  

Where are you from?  

Alaimo: I’ve been a Missouri girl my entire life, having grown up in a small town about two hours away. I’ve been here in Springfield for the last 25 years. After I graduated from Missouri State, I just never left! 

Maben: I’m from Macon, Missouri — a small town about an hour north of Columbia. 

What brought you to Missouri State? 

Alaimo: Ever since I graduated with my BSN, I knew I wanted to teach nursing at Missouri State. After I graduated, I went out and worked in one of the local hospitals to gain practical knowledge. While there, I was able to start working as a nurse educator to get some practice in teaching. Finally, I found an opening as a clinical professor at Missouri State, and I’ve been here since.    

Maben: After graduation, I stayed with Missouri State’s PA program by taking students for their clinical rotations. I always thought I’d come back as an educator at some point, and I have! Missouri State feels like home to me and I’m glad to be on faculty here, pouring into future PAs.  

What’s your favorite part about working here? 

Alaimo: The STUDENTS! They are so eager to learn everything they can. Taking them to clinical settings and watching them apply what they have learned in skills lab and the classroom is incredibly rewarding.

Maben: I love watching students master a concept, skill, or technique for the first time. They work so hard to accomplish their goals, and it’s amazing to see their confidence growth. We have such great, hard-working students, and it is fun to be alongside them in their education.  

Explore the school of nursing 

Do you have a favorite class to teach? 

Alaimo: My favorite class to teach is the Art and Science of Nursing I. This is essentially a nursing fundamentals course. This is the students’ first course in which they get to participate in clinical experiences. I love seeing how far the students have progressed by the end of the semester in both the clinical and didactic components.    

Maben: My favorite thing to teach is Women’s Health. This was something I already loved as a clinician, but I am hopeful that by educating future PAs I can make a positive impact on the way future providers approach patient care in this setting. 

Dive into the department of physician assistant studies

Masters of intubation: More than putting patients to sleep

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For those of you who don’t know much about nurse anesthesiology, look no further than your backyard. 

Started in 1952, the Missouri State University School of Anesthesia is one of roughly 115 in the country. If that’s not unique enough, they also boast an impressive skills lab and an equally stunning simulation lab.  

“Watch out, because our program just continues to get better,” said Dr. Monika Feeney, director of the School of Anesthesia and interim director of the School of Nursing at MSU.  

Staying ahead of the curve 

This program is not for the faint of heart. 

Only 24 students are admitted each year.  

Before admission, students must first undergo a lengthy process to achieve the title of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA):  

  1. Become a nurse. 
  2. Work one to upward of five years in intensive care. 
  3. Apply to the graduate/doctorate anesthesiology program. 

“Being a CRNA is a lot of responsibility and pressure to place on a person,” Feeney said. “For that reason, it’s a difficult program. It’s probably one of the hardest things to endure. 

“But it’s so worth it, in the end.” 

Making headway toward the future 

With the addition of a new skills lab and simulation lab, Feeney explains that the nurse anesthesiology department has more advantages to provide students. 

“We have a beautiful simulation lab that looks just like an operating room (OR),” Feeney said. 

The simulation lab is modeled after an OR theater, making it the perfect place to watch or practice how procedures are performed and how anesthesia is done. 

“We also have a stellar skills lab fully equipped for practicing multiple techniques,” Feeney added. 

The skills lab enables students to practice the following anesthesia maneuvers: 

  • Epidurals.  
  • Central line placement. 
  • Intubation. 
  • Ultrasound block placement. 
  • Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) testing.  

“I love seeing the lightbulb turn on within students and the understanding as it’s taking place,” Feeney said. “Our labs provide that space for them to become acclimated and gain confidence.” 

Bringing Bear pride wherever they go 

Feeney is extremely proud of the anesthesiology program and her flourishing students. 

Students handle over 1,000 clinical cases by the time they graduate, giving them a surplus of hands-on experience. 

To put that into perspective, the national requirement for anesthesiology students is only 600 cases, so Missouri State’s program goes above and beyond. 

“Employers love our students because they hit the ground running,” Feeney said. 

There are over 50 clinical sites nationwide where students are sent to expand their horizons and build experience.  

Students typically visit at least four during their time in the program, so they can get a good sense for which part of the country they’d eventually like to work in. 

They often get offered jobs on the spot at one or more of the locations they visit. 

“We hold life in our hands,” Feeney said. “Our job is essential — to keep you alive while the surgeon does what he or she needs to.” 

Learn more about the school of anesthesia

Celebrating alumni success

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The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) presented Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) Jacqueline Bates, DNAP, with the Clinical Instructor of the Year Award during its 2022 Annual Congress, Aug. 12-16, in Chicago. 

Established in 1991, the Clinical Instructor of the Year Award recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to the teaching of student registered nurse anesthetists in the clinical area.  

The award recognizes the individual’s commitment to the profession of nurse anesthesia and to the advancement of educational standards that further the art and science of anesthesiology and result in high-quality patient care. 

About Bates 

For more than 15 years Bates has been an adjunct professor and clinical educator of Gonzaga University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program. She also is a staff CRNA at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, where she instructs medical students, nurse anesthesia students and nurses in the characteristics and methods of administration of anesthetics, signs and symptoms of reactions and complications, and emergency measures to employ when necessary.  

In addition, she is on staff at Pullman Regional Hospital, as well as an independent practitioner, delivering anesthesia care in digestive disease and eye disease centers. 

Bates received her doctorate in nurse anesthesiology practice from Missouri State University. She earned a master’s degree in nurse anesthesia from the University of New England in Biddeford, Maine, and bachelor’s degree from Colby College in Waterville, Maine, as well as a Bachelor of Science in nursing at Washington State University in Pullman. 

“This award is an honor and a privilege,” Bates said. “I approach students and patients by reminding myself every day about the Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz: Be impeccable with your word. Don’t take things personally – others’ comments about you are a reflection of themselves. Don’t make assumptions – no matter what you observe you never know the whole story and; always do your best.” 

Learn More about the School of Anesthesia

Ensuring educational success

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In order to provide the best care to patients, healthcare workers must constantly learn new things to stay up-to-date in their field. Continuing education has become an important tool in the healthcare industry.  

“When working in the hospital as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), you are sometimes given continuing education money in order to keep your license,” said Dr. Monika Feeney, department head School of Anesthesia.  

The world-renowned medical organization, the Mayo Clinic, has established a program to ensure its employees get the best continuing education possible.  

“The Mayo Clinic recently announced that they will pay 100% of the tuition for any of their CRNA employees wanting to get the DNAP at Missouri State.” 

How the program works 

CRNAs who are wanting to get into the program must currently have their master’s and be prepared to get their doctorate.  

“The doctorate degree can be completed in one, two or three years,” said Feeney. “They are all distance classes, so students can complete the program where they currently reside”  

The university also has a satellite campus on Mayo Clinic’s campus where they offer onsite options for required Campus time. “Our program is made for working people and that drew the attention of Mayo Clinic,” said Feeney. “We are really excited about the opportunity they are giving their employees and this partnership we have.” 

How to apply 

Current CRNAs at Mayo Clinic are asked to apply through the Missouri State DNAP application.   

Applicants will then go through an interview process to determine if they are eligible for this program.  

Students will be selected shortly after the interview process. 

Learn about our DNAP Completion Program