Health and Human Services News

Stellar staff

by

We are pleased to recognize academic administrative assistants Tammy Shelton and Missi Lafarlette. Shelton works in the School of Nursing and Lafarlette works in the department of public health and sports medicine. 

Let’s learn more about them! 

What brought you to Missouri State? 

Shelton: I recently moved from the Kansas City metro area (a small town south of the city called Harrisonville, Missouri) when my husband returned to Springfield for his work.

Lafarlette: I’ve always known it was a great place to work.

What is your favorite memory here so far? 

Shelton: I love walking around the campus, especially in the fall. MSU has beautiful trees and landscaping, as well as buildings (both really old and some brand new) that are designed so interestingly. You can’t beat a beautiful fall day with leaves swirling and the crisp air blowing as you walk back from the Plaster Student Union. 

Lafarlette: My favorite memory has been volunteering for the United Way Day of Caring as a staff senator for the public affairs committee. Working at the Midtown Springfield Community Garden was very fulfilling. We learned the purpose of the gardens. We packaged freshly made fruit rollups for children’s programs. They explained that they donate veggies to local food banks and grow seeds for the public library’s giveaway. Did you know you can check out seeds at the library? It was very memorable and a great group of people to work with. 

Learn more about the department of public health and sports medicine 

What are your favorite Thanksgiving foods? 

Shelton: Pecan pie. My husband makes the best pie EVER! He worked his way through school as a baker for the Heritage Cafeteria here in Springfield (before it closed down). Pecan is his specialty! 

Lafarlette: Pie, any kind of pie. 

Where are you from? 

Shelton: I grew up in Springfield, graduating from Parkview High School. My family moved around some. I received my bachelor’s degree in communication science disorders from the University of Texas at Austin.

Lafarlette: I’m a local. I was raised in Fair Grove, but now live in Ash Grove. 

What are you most thankful for? 

Shelton: My family. We’re blessed to have two wonderful kids (twin boys) who have grown up into amazing men, married sweet wives and had great kids of their own.

Lafarlette: The health and wellbeing of my family of course. I’ve worked with some wonderful people during my time here and got to know people all over campus. MCHHS staff and faculty are the best. It’s a fun place to work. 

How many years have you been at Missouri State? 

Shelton: I started working at MSU in July of this year, but I’m an alumna from the SMSU (Southwest Missouri State University) days. I graduated with my master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders back in 1994.

Lafarlette: As of October, I’ve been at Missouri State for eight years.  

What’s your favorite part about working here? 

Shelton: I love supporting students who are pursuing their dreams to help others.  The School of Nursing has great people who are all committed to making this world better!

Lafarlette: We have some awesome students, and working with them is the best. Helping and encouraging them to reach their goals is very fulfilling.  

Learn more about the School of Nursing  

 

Empowering future leaders with the Pathways internship program

by

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has partnered with Missouri State University to offer statewide public health internships through Pathways. 

Robert Niezgoda, visiting assistant professor in the department of public health and sports medicine at MSU, received a grant of $2.1 million to fund this project. He plays a key role in facilitating the development of the program. 

Niezgoda spent time as a local health department director and student mentor for MSU’s Master of Public Health (MPH) program. This makes him a prime candidate to oversee this project. 

“The grant partnership was based on the MPH program’s history of successful field experiences and the connections with the DHSS,” Niezgoda said. 

Pathways public health internships 

Fifty Pathways public health internship positions are open to undergraduate and master’s students starting in spring 2024.  

The internships are either with a public health agency or with DHSS offices. Each internship is 320 hours and students will receive a stipend of $6,400. 

This opportunity is not limited to one branch of study. Any health care-related field from nursing to health care administration can qualify.  

“The purpose of these internships is to help local public health agencies find potential employees,” Niezgoda said. “We want to get more people excited about public health, while strengthening their workforce.”  

What this means for MSU and the state 

The Pathways Missouri public health internship program is an ideal opportunity for organizations to provide students with practical experience for roles in a new career field. This enables students to get on-the-job skills the classroom may not provide.  

The DHSS partnership with MSU promotes a workforce development strategy to create more applicants for full-time public health jobs. 

Other participating Missouri universities include:  

  • University of Missouri. 
  • Saint Louis University.  
  • Washington University in St. Louis. 
  • Lincoln University. 
  • Lindenwood University. 
  • Missouri Southern State University. 
  • Truman State University. 
  • University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis.  

These academic partners will aid in coordinating the internships and developing a sustainability plan.   

“The important part is there will be opportunities for students to have paid public health internships,” Niezgoda said. “This will strengthen the Missouri public health workforce leading to improved health for Missouri.” 

Learn more about internships or apply

MSU alumna thrives at Massachusetts General Hospital

by

Studying cell and molecular biology and graduating with her bachelor’s degree in May 2021 and her master’s degree in August 2022 from Missouri State University, Emma Wise has only continued to move onward and upward.  

Positive MoState memories 

For the first few years of college, Wise was a flute and piccolo player for the MSU Pride Marching Band. She had a wonderful experience and met a lot of great people through the music program.

In her free time and while studying, Wise loved to spend time on campus.

“I always enjoyed the fountain and the hammock stations. One of my all-time favorite spots to relax was behind the Plaster Student Union, especially in the spring when the trees are in bloom.”  

Oodles of hands-on research 

Because MSU allows undergraduate students to participate in research, Wise learned proper lab etiquette, how to operate complex equipment and how to properly analyze results. 

Wise started volunteering in Dr. Amy Hulme’s lab in 2019 where they investigated the early steps of HIV-1 replication. Wise continued this research when she transitioned to working on her master’s degree — finally completing her thesis on how the cellular factor Cyclophilin-A interacts with HIV-1.

“Missouri State fully prepared me for my current position,” she said. “Participating in real research early on in my academic career helped me gain the skills I use every day in my current profession.”   

Wise working on cell cultures in a laminar hood.

Life in the Anderson Lab  

Wise now works for the Wellman Center of Photomedicine in the Anderson Lab at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). Her focus is on how lasers and light can help the body.  

The lab’s current project involves studying how specific wavelengths of red light can affect muscle endurance. To do this, Wise treats muscle cells with light and then ‘exercises’ them using electric pulse stimulation to make them contract.   

After the exercise regimen, she analyzes different cellular byproducts, such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP) or lactate, to see what effect the light has on exercising cells.  

Recently, red light therapy is being considered for patients to help with blood flow and skin conditions, as well as to relieve muscle pain. Wise loves learning exactly how this light can affect the body at a cellular level.

“I’m enjoying my time at MGH and learning a lot from the Anderson Lab, as well as the other labs at the Wellman Center.”

Wise hopes to continue her education and become a research fellow — that way she can conduct her own research on any topic. For the time being, she’s content with exploring the research world and learning more about cell biology.

Explore the biomedical sciences program

Outstanding mentor in MCHHS

by

Dr. Ashley Payne, assistant professor of psychology, mentors in multiple capacities at Missouri State University. This has earned her recognition in the form of the Bear Bridge Outstanding Faculty-Student Mentoring Award. 

Bear Bridge places an important emphasis on creating mentoring programs for faculty and students; diversity, equity and inclusion are central to its mission. 

Learn more about Bear Bridge

Black Girl Talks 

As an advocate for Black voices, Payne is the creator and lead researcher of the Black Girl Talks Mentoring program. This identity-affirming program pairs Black high school girls in Springfield with Black college women at MSU.  

Students enjoy space to discuss issues related to Black girl and womanhood, education, identity and relationships with their mentor.  

This program is also a research site for students interested in learning about the experiences of diverse populations, youth participatory action research and program development.  

Additionally, Payne is the faculty advisor of five student organizations:  

  • Sister Circle. 
  • Psychology Club and Psi Chi. 
  • Sigma Lambda Gamma. 
  • Association of Black Collegians.  
  • MSU NAACP. 

Mentor philosophy  

Payne is passionate about being a mentor to Black girls and women who participate in the program or research, as she provides guidance in education, identity or other psychosocial needs. 

“I feel a drive to be the representation and change students need to grow and evolve,” Payne said.  

“As a woman and faculty member of color, I strive to make sure students see themselves in ways they may never have dreamed and support them to reach new heights.” 

Payne tries to equip all her students with the knowledge and expertise to get where they want to go and to push themselves to reach what may feel like impossible levels.  

By being heavily involved on campus and spending one-on-one time with students, Payne has the opportunity to build relationships and share her journey. 

“It’s important for me to let my students know that anything is possible, if you use your resources and put the work in.” 

Explore psychology