A dream that began almost two years ago has come to fruition.

Missouri State University will officially unveil the newly renovated Ann Kampeter Health Sciences Hall – home of the McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS) – to the community next week.

About the dedication

The Ann Kampeter Health Sciences Hall dedication is set for 1:30 p.m. Sept. 6 at the south end of the building. Kampeter Hall is located at the corner of Kimbrough and Cherry streets.

Parking is available in Bear Park North.

The event is free and open to the public. Tours of the building will take place after the ceremony.

Space for growth

MCHHS Dean Dr. Mark Smith said this project benefits students and their learning.

“The building renovations are significant to both current and prospective students,” Smith said. “The building’s modernization demonstrates that the environment in which people work, learn and study is important to MSU.

“Additionally, with the investment in the Student Success and Advisement Center, MSU and MCHHS are sending an important message that we care about student success and are willing to invest in it.”

Thankful to donors

The multi-year building renovation project was made possible by gifts to the Missouri State University Foundation.

Kampeter, parish secretary for St. Stanislaus Church in Wardsville, received her bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders from MSU.  She’s also a member of the MSU Board of Governors.

“Ann’s motivation behind the donation was that she wants students who studied in the Professional Building (now Kampeter Health Sciences Hall) to have the same experience as students who entered other newly built and renovated spaces on campus,” Smith said.

Facility upgrades

Features in the newly renovated spaces of Kampeter Hall include:

• • Dedicated student study spaces.
  • A centralized MCHHS Student Success and Advisement Center.
  • Two upgraded classrooms.
  • Newly renovated bathrooms on all floors.
  • Upgrades to all common spaces.
  • Upgraded administrative suites.
  • Significant upgrades to the heating and cooling systems in the building.

This time of year it’s tempting to put out bird feeders for your sweet neighborly birds to visit.  

Dr. Kip Thompson, associate professor of public health and sports medicine at Missouri State University, recommends waiting until warmer months. 

Avian flu, specifically the highly pathogenic strain of H5N1, has been sweeping across the United States and around the world. The first cases showed up last November and have only been increasing. 

Summertime should hopefully bring an end to the avian influenza outbreak, noted Thompson. It is similar in many ways to the influenza humans contract, which also tends to die down in time for summer. 

How commercial poultry is affected 

Poultry farms are suffering because of these outbreaks. 

“This year has been especially bad. We’ve lost a lot of commercial poultry,” Thompson said. 

“The rising prices of eggs and chicken are surprisingly not from COVID-19. It’s primarily because we are having to cull millions and millions of chickens.” 

Culling is a term used for removing chickens (or other birds) from the population. It’s necessary when a bird has been exposed.  

Because H5N1 is so contagious, it is important to separate the bird as soon as possible. 

Are humans in any danger? 

Though highly unlikely, it is possible for humans to contract avian influenza.  

“It’s almost always occupational in the U.S.,” Thompson said.   

“For underdeveloped countries, poultry is typically kept near the house, if not inside, at nighttime — for protection. This increases the chances of humans contracting the H5N1 strain from their birds.” 

If you don’t work at a poultry farm handling birds all day, then it is almost impossible for you to contract avian influenza, he added.  

For those with a small number of chickens in their yard, do your best to keep wild birds away from your flock. This can be done by ensuring the holes in your coop aren’t wide enough for any other birds to come through. 

Explore degrees in public health 

A few years ago, while adjusting the curriculum for the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Missouri State University, faculty and staff identified a need in the Springfield community. 

A large portion of the Springfield population was uninsured and not able to receive the treatment they needed.  

In response, the PT department created a pro bono clinic for patients without insurance or patients lacking insurance coverage for physical therapy services.  

More than physical therapy 

During patients’ visits, social work students meet with patients to help with other needs. 

“When you look at Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, people need shelter, food and water. And when they don’t have those things, it’s hard to focus on PT,” said Wendy Jackson, clinical instructor in the School of Social Work.  

“We try to help with all of those needs while they are here receiving treatment.” 

How the clinic operates 

The free clinic offers:  

• Neurological services. 
• Joint care. 
• Posture and spine programs. 

“We are fortunate enough to have state-of-the-art equipment to provide quality care to every patient,” said Dr. Jeanne Cook, head of the physical therapy department. 

Students in the PT program evaluate and work with patients under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist.  

“Our students are able to work every week in our clinic and gain real on-the-job experience,” said Cook. “They end up working over 1,000 clinical hours before starting their clinical courses.”

 Learn more about the clinic