Health and Human Services News

MSU alumna thrives at Massachusetts General Hospital

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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

Changing lives and communities through speech-language pathology

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Brooke Beilman was no stranger to speech-language pathology.

When Beilman was 16 years old, her grandmother suffered an ischemic stroke that resulted in left side paralysis, cognitive-communication deficits and a complete transformation of Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). She needed assistance with tasks such as cooking, cleaning and taking care of herself.

Because of this, Beilman was exposed to the impact that speech-language pathologists (SLPs) could make on the lives of their patients.

This experience would shape the trajectory of her career and her personal mission in life.

“To be honest, my grandma did not get evidence-based care and that’s actually what made me want to go into speech (language) pathology because I really wanted to be a patient advocate for adults with dysphasia and swallowing disorders,” Beilman said.

“I knew that therapy could be really impactful for people who’d been through similar situations to what she had been through.”

“I wanted to really help patients and families understand what their loved ones are going through and how to support them in a way that’s person-specific.”

Motivated by her grandmother’s struggles with treatment and her own determination to provide person-first, evidence-based care, Beilman knew she wanted to pursue a career in speech-language pathology from a very young age.

Growing up in a family of health care professionals, both her aunt and mother attended Missouri State University at different periods throughout their career. Beilman also received her undergraduate degree from Missouri State.

A personal approach to speech-language pathology education

Brooke Beilman in her scrubs at a clinic.

Though she had several options for graduate speech-language pathology programs, Beilman ultimately decided on Missouri State because of the culture, her history with the university and her mentor/mentee relationship with Jennifer Pratt, clinical associate professor in the department of communication sciences and disorders.

“She had done everything that I aspired to be as a clinician,” Beilman said. “She really took me under her wing as an undergrad.”

While studying for her speech-language pathology master’s, Beilman was able to shape her education to suit her personal interests. “Not every program does that,” Beilman said.

She was able to tailor her externship to her areas of interest.

“Documentation is extremely crucial and that’s a huge strength, I think, of the MSU program,” she said. Beilman shared that she also appreciates the program’s focus on counseling and communication of individualized care plans, an area of practice she is very passionate about.

“MSU does a really good job of making sure that we were equipped to have those types of interactions.”

What can you do as a speech-language pathologist?

Today, Beilman is pursuing a clinical doctorate in speech-language pathology at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. She has maintained her relationship with her mentor, Pratt.

“She’s mentoring me in my research as a doctorate student,” Beilman said.

Not only have MSU’s programs impacted the success of her career, but Beilman herself helped guide current students of the speech-language pathology program.

“I’ve been working with the directors at MSU to help support the development of the medical side of the speech-language pathology program at MSU,” Beilman said.

She has even secured externship placements and permanent positions for several students.

Since graduating in 2017, Beilman has led a full career.

Beilman’s doctoral research is focused on studying the gaps in clinical education for head and neck cancer, and developing a program to teach clinicians how to evaluate and treat people for this condition.

“The goal is that my research will show that this program improves clinician confidence,” Beilman said. “It’s basically going to be my gift to the speech pathology community that if you take this, you will feel more confident in your ability to treat these patients.”

In addition to pursuing a doctorate, she is a full-time director of marketing and communications for TIMS Medical, a medical imaging software provider.

“I’ve always used that software in my clinical practice, so (it’s a) big honor to be asked to be the director of this department which is brand new.”

Her part-time work in acute care at a local trauma center helps inform TIMS Medical of software development.

What’s more, Beilman is teaching a dysphagia course through Maryville University in St. Louis, where she is originally from.

“There’s so many different things you can do,” said Beilman, sharing that the field of speech-language pathology is quite vast. “I have friends that specialize in cough. I’ve worked on a concussion team. I’ve looked at the correlations between emotional trauma and cognitive disorders.”

“You can really have many facets in your career, as I’ve already experienced in seven years.”

Explore Speech-Language Pathology at MSU

Transforming houses into homes

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Larra Alford believes people deserve to be proud of where they call home.  

“Four white walls with nothing to help you feel dignified is a shelter, not a home,” Alford said. 

Alford is the CEO and founder of the Passion House Project (PHP), a nonprofit that provides household essentials to those in need.  

But they provide more than the bare minimum. PHP helps people turn their houses into homes. 

An uphill battle 

Alford’s journey through life inspired her to create PHP. 

After an unconventional experience with her primary education caused her to stop schooling at age 13, Alford obtained her GED at 28 years old.  

“I spent several years at Ozark Technical College because I had to learn the information everyone else was taught from sixth to 12th grade,” Alford said. 

Alford moved on to Missouri State University to pursue her bachelor’s in psychology with a personalized minor.  

While she was in school full time, she was a mom of three and worked 60+ hours a week. 

“Missouri State saved my life. Coming back to college played a massive role in my journey,” Alford said. 

The beginning of something new 

During her time at Missouri State, Alford worked as a volunteer and mentor for the Drew Lewis Foundation (DLF). She is now employed as a personal development coach, serving on the advisory board for the Northwest Project/RISE.  

“Upon joining [DLF], I was deeply moved to see the work they were doing to support our underserved community. It sparked my passion for working with people.” 

“I graduated from Missouri State in 2019 and now here I am in 2022 opening my own nonprofit,” Alford said. “Goals — big or small — are attainable.” 

PHP’s warehouse and most current inventory have been donated by the Springfield community.  

“Everything has just fallen into place,” Alford remarked. “We have the kindest community.” 

Vandalism that occurred during the break-in of the Passion House Project
Vandalism that occurred at the time of the break-in.

Unfortunately, a devastating break-in and robbery forced PHP to postpone their grand opening from July 2022 to 2023. 

“We won’t give up,” Alford said. “We can’t wait to help people transform their houses into homes.” 

How can you help? 

If you want to help the Passion House Project, you may donate items, time or funds. 

Donations should be new or gently used. In addition to furniture, PHP accepts:  

  • Kitchen supplies. 
  • Cleaning supplies. 
  • Bedding materials. 

PHP is always searching for partners and volunteers. 

Connect with the Passion House Project 

Growing onward and upward 

The current PHP team consists of Alford and wife, Tess Alford, along with their three children. 

“I’m a big dreamer and I want us to grow as quickly as possible,” Alford said.  

Alford wants to set up as many PHP locations throughout southwest Missouri as their resources allow. 

For those who are itching to start their own nonprofit, Alford offers sage advice: 

“Keep dreaming. Keep chasing. Follow your dream. One day soon, your goals will become reality.” 

Explore the psychology department 

He gained the tools he needed to succeed in corporate health

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Matt Hancock earned a bachelor’s in exercise science, became a personal trainer and managed a gym.

The Springfield native eyed MSU’s health promotion and wellness management graduate program because he wanted to make change on a larger scale.

“I really wanted to get into corporate health,” Hancock said. “It has been blowing up over the past couple of years. There’s a lot of opportunity. Companies are realizing healthier employees are more productive, too.”

Working while completing his degree

Missouri State’s program was attractive because it was flexible and offered a mix of seated and online courses. He worked full time at Mercy and was able to go to school part time and tackle his degree in chunks.

“I really liked the core classes because they let me learn a lot more about the direct areas I was going into, such as how to build up a program, how to look at a population health approach. My undergrad was more studying facts. My master’s was more applicable to everyday life and translating into a working situation,” Hancock said.

As part of a clinical requirement for his master’s, Hancock completed a 420-hour internship at Bass Pro working for the company’s wellbeing program.

He added on a certificate in health education because Hancock felt it would give him an edge in the job market and it did.

Shortly after graduating in spring 2019, Hancock left Mercy and joined Prime Inc., as Driver Health and Fitness Coordinator.

Matt Hancock giving presentation at work.
At Prime, Inc., Matt Hancock oversees programs that improve employee health.

Making a difference

At Prime, Hancock was able to use the knowledge he learned in his master’s courses to directly impact driver health.

He revamped the wellness program and reaches nearly 8,000 drivers.

“In the past, Prime focused on a 13-week weight loss program for drivers,” Hancock said. “We have evolved to focus on a whole person virtual approach now. When COVID entered our lives, we had to look at our health initiatives in a different way. In-person services were no longer an option, so in October 2020 we began designing our own online wellness platform using a learning management system called Learn Dash.”

“The master’s program really helped prepare me for my career by giving me the base of knowledge I needed. I didn’t know anything about corporate health when I started. I learned a lot to prepare for the position I am in now.”

Through this platform they created health risk assessments, collected health data and designed and evaluated programs more efficiently to suit drivers needs based on the health risks that are prevalent in the occupation, such as fatigue and back pain.

A holistic approach to employee health

The platform will allow them to offer fitness, nutrition and mental health programs around-the-clock to fit drivers’ unique schedules over the road.

“All aspects will be gamified so we can create an engaging, competitive atmosphere by offering points to our drivers for completing certain health-related activities and tasks,” Hancock said.

Drivers can access virtual personal training and nutritional counseling with their registered dietitian.

Taking a holistic approach, they also addressed:

  • Mental health, which is so important during the pandemic.
  • Created a tobacco cessation program since 60 percent of drivers use tobacco products, said Hancock.
  • Formed a healthy driver task force and put together exercises that drivers can do at truck stops or using equipment on the truck
  • Showed employees how to make healthier choices on the road.

“Not everyone is interested in losing weight or eating right, but if we have several initiatives they can focus on, then we can let them hone-in on one that helps them lead a healthier life,” Hancock said.  “It has gotten a lot of traction. We are starting to see improvement in employee health. It’s really a rewarding job. This is what I’ve been wanting to do for many years. I want to make a big impact on driver health, satisfaction, happiness and lifestyle.”

Explore a master’s degree in health promotion and wellness management