Health and Human Services News

What are five lifestyle tweaks to make for better well-being?

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Today, more than ever, wellness is at the forefront of societal discussions. From mental health to physical well-being, women are making significant strides in bringing about change, introducing innovative solutions and setting new standards.

Despite facing unique challenges, they break barriers, inspire communities and are reshaping the very definition of health and wellness.

Dr. Ashlea Cardin, a pediatric occupational therapist and associate professor of occupational therapy at Missouri State University, shares with Authority Magazine the five lifestyle tweaks that will help support people’s journey toward better well-being.

Preparing occupational therapists for the Ozarks region

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Occupational therapy (OT) is a growing career field with a need for trained professionals. Missouri State University currently has two OT programs: a master’s degree and a post-professional doctorate. The latter welcomed its first cohort in fall 2023.

The entry-level OT doctorate will welcome its first cohort in fall 2024. All three programs are the only ones offered in the region. 

Dr. Ashlea Cardin is an associate professor in the department of occupational therapy at Missouri State. She also works in the neo-natal intensive care unit as a certified neonatal therapist. Cardin discusses these different OT program offerings and the importance of the programs to rural health and to the Ozarks region. 

OT programs bring opportunity to the Ozarks

Read the full transcript

Learn more about OT at Missouri State

Attend TechMOFest 2023

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The MO Better Foundation, Missouri State University’s department of occupational therapy (OT) and Hold Fast Brewing have joined forces to present a “MO Better” Assistive Technology Awareness and Resource Day. 

This informative and fun event will take place from 1-5 p.m. Sept. 9 at Hold Fast Brewing (located downtown at old Fire Station #1). 

TechMOFest hopes to build awareness of the many resources in the Springfield area to help those living with disabilities live life “more better.” 

Show your support for this heartwarming event 

Celebrate, meet local healthcare representatives, vendors and organizations and learn more about advanced technology and recreational equipment in a family-friendly setting. 

The event will showcase many local and regional resource providers of assistive technology, augmentative and alternative communication devices, adaptive recreational and entertainment devices, and much more. The event will also feature live music, a food truck, craft beer, raffles and lots of fun activities. 

Dr. Jennifer Yates, OT assistant professor at MSU, will help lead the event. She teaches a master’s level course on assistive technology and environmental adaptations. 

“We’re so excited to be part of this event and provide the opportunity for our students to feature a few projects they’re working on in my class,” Yates said.  

“The MO Better Foundation is wonderful to work with and has partnered with our department on many great causes to help individuals in our local community.” 

Learn more about the department of occupational therapy

Occupational therapy professor publishes randomized controlled trial on medication management

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How much do you know about the role of an occupational therapist in a primary care setting?

Dr. Traci Garrison, clinical associate professor for the department of occupational therapy at Missouri State University, recently published research in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy (AJOT).

She worked with two other researchers to write the “Effect of Occupational Therapy in Promoting Medication Adherence in Primary Care: A Randomized Controlled Trial.”

The article helps to clarify the occupational therapist’s role in medication management.

The research was completed as part of Garrison’s doctoral degree. It provided an opportunity for collaboration with Jordan Valley Community Health Center (JVCHC).

Typically at JVCHC, patients with uncontrolled high blood pressure or type two diabetes are referred to the clinical pharmacist to address disease management.

In Garrison’s study, patients were also randomly assigned to receive occupational therapy to address medication management. The focus was on improving adherence.

“The occupational therapy intervention used motivational interviewing,” she said. “There was an emphasis on health literacy and collaborative examination of the patient’s habits, roles and routines to develop patient-centered strategies.”

Garrison hopes the article sheds light on how occupational therapists can assist in improving medication adherence and be a vital resource on primary care medical teams.

The article is in the third issue of Volume 77 for AJOT, which published on June 13.

Learn more about the department of occupational therapy