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