MCHHS Spotlights Archives - Page 8 of 16 - Health and Human Services News

Health and Human Services News

Building community and college connections

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With a mission of public affairs at Missouri State University, it is crucial that MCHHS connects with the community we serve. 

In that spirit, the college established the MCHHS Advisory Board in the Spring of 2021. Since that time the board has met on five occasions to discuss a wide range of topics related to the college, including enrollment, retention, program and student success, and operating budget. 

“Our college advisory board is made up of 16 individuals, which include alumni, former faculty, community leaders, and those with an interest and passion for the success of MCHHS” said Dr. Lyon Hough, Associate Professor of biomedical sciences and faculty representative to the advisory board. 

 “Our discussions have provided insight into how MCHHS programs can best meet the needs of the workforce and support student development.”   

Each department has its own advisor, and there are also five at-large advisors who report to the dean, to discuss issues related to the college as a whole. 

Board members meet with departments to discuss the needs and innerworkings of MCHHS and voice any recommendations to the dean, departments, and fellow board members.  

Objectives for the board 

The board’s mission is to create meaningful connections among the community, the departments and the college.  

“Board members represent our community,” MCHHS Dean Dr. Mark Smith said. “They provide advice, criticism and guidance to our college, departments and programs to help MCHHS navigate challenges and opportunities.” 

The college hopes to utilize the experience and advice of the board to help students succeed in their future careers. 

Meet the advisory board

Learn more about the MCHHS Advisory Board

Reflecting on the past and preparing for the future

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Over this past year, MCHHS accomplished many goals that support student success including:

Looking ahead to 2023

For the last few months, the MCHHS Leadership Team has been planning and strategizing for 2023.

“I firmly believe that in the coming months, MSU and MCHHS have an excellent opportunity to build upon the strong foundational stones that have helped propel us to success through thinking big, examining existing structures and creating new partnerships,” said Dr. Mark Smith, Dean of MCHHS.

Here are some things to look out for in 2023:

  • New doctoral programs starting in fall 2023: PsyD and the OTD.
  • New College: Judith E. Reynolds College of Arts and Humanities (July 2023).
  • Opportunity to reimagine academic structures.
  • March 3, 2023: First College Wide Professional Development Half-Day for MCHHS.
  • Coming fall 2023: College facilities upgrade application process for faculty and staff.

Learn more about MCHHS

Building bridges with Burrell

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Have you heard about the new PsyD program? 

Dr. Adam Andreassen, Chief Operating Officer of Burrell Behavioral Health, and Dr. Paul Deal, psychology department head at Missouri State University, lift the curtain to discuss what the partnership with Burrell entails. 

“We want to develop a workforce that is going to meet a demand that is extremely prevalent at this time. All of us at Burrell are thrilled about this partnership and the creation of this Doctor of Psychology program,” Andreassen said. “It’s going to change the community; it’s going to change the state and it’s going to save lives.”  

Listen to the episode 

Putting the patient first

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If you were in hospice care and only had a few weeks to live, what would you do? Who would you talk to?

With someone like Jaimie Kuchem by your side, you would have the best experience possible.

Hospice work is one of the many real-world experiences Kuchem has had during her time as a physical therapy student at Missouri State.

“I saw a lot of these people in the last week of their lives,” Kuchem said. “I was there as somebody to talk to, somebody who would listen to them or play games with them.”

“It was something that changed my life. It was cool to hear the families say, ‘You made a difference in my loved one’s life.’ There’s nothing more I can ask for in life than to make that positive impact.”

“I want to help people and be a part of their lives that will make an impact on the world.”

Physical therapy has many career paths – hospice, rehab, acute care, hospitals and more.

Kuchem, whose grandfather has Parkinson’s disease, wants to specialize in neurological care.

Wherever she works, Kuchem’s mission is simple.

“For me, I believe you should really put other people’s needs before your own,” she said. “As a physical therapist, I could do that every single day of my life.”

No delay in clinical experiences

Jaimie Kuchem walks outside with a student who is wearing old age simulation gear.
Jaimie Kuchem (right) conducts research during an old age simulation lab.

In many physical therapy programs, your clinical placements only occur in the final few semesters.

Not at Missouri State.

Physical therapy students begin their clinical experiences in the second semester of the three-year program.

“That’s been really cool because it reinforces what I’m learning in the classroom,” Kuchem said. “I’ll have six to eight weeks each semester where I can go out and apply what I’ve learned.”

Emotional moments are common.

“When I go forward to my patients, I always try to ask them what gives them meaning, what is something that makes them happy – and I try to integrate that.”

Kuchem, job shadowing a physical therapist at the time, recalled one patient’s goal.

“The patient said, verbatim: ‘I just want to walk my daughter down the wedding aisle,’” Kuchem said. “I was not there long enough to see if he was able to do it, but from hearsay, I’m pretty sure he was. It’s cool to help people do that stuff.”

Other days, it can be fun and games.

For a sports-loving stroke patient, Kuchem designed soccer drills.

“We played soccer and I had him try to kick over cones in different directions to help him recover,” she said. “Being able to tap into something that gives you meaning, something that gives you worth or just makes you happy, is really important to heal yourself.”

Finding her groove

Jaimie Kuchem walks down a hallway while talking to a classmate in her physical therapy program.
Jaimie Kuchem, left, is president of the Association of Student Physical Therapists (ASPT) at MSU.

Studying to become a physical therapist can be stressful.

For academics, Kuchem’s go-to contact is her advisor: Dr. Marcia Himes.

“Dr. Himes is always there to support me and help me become the professional I’m supposed to be,” Kuchem said.

When Kuchem needs a break from school, she goes into dance mode.

“Dancing has been something I’ve always loved to do,” Kuchem said. “Anyone who knows me would know that if you start playing music, I’ll start to boogie a little bit. It’s just a really good release.”

With a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, Kuchem will be ready to fulfill her other passion.

“To help people with what they want to do in life,” Kuchem said. “When they think they would never be able to do something again, and now they can, how rewarding would that be?!”

Explore physical therapy at MSU