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  • McQueary College of Health and Human Services

A powerful partnership to create an autism center of tomorrow

April 27, 2023 by Strategic Communication

MSU fountain

Tim Dygon, executive vice president at Arc of the Ozarks and Letitia White-Minnis, associate dean of the McQueary College of Health and Human Services, discuss what the partnership will do for the community in the present and in the future. 

“This all started with a conversation and a dream,” Dygon said. “We’re now all working together to open a large-scale autism and neuro-developmental center that will provide autism evaluations and screenings, as well as ongoing therapies.” 

“It always starts small. It always starts with an idea and a discussion. We know that if we continue to have strong partners like Missouri State and Mercy at the table, we’ll have great ideas that will grow into something incredible.” 

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE

Filed Under: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Health Queries Podcast, MCHHS Clinics, MCHHS News Tagged With: Communication Sciences and Disorders, Health Queries, Letitia White-Minnis, MCHHS, MCHHS Spotlights, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Psychology

Taking time for continuing education

February 28, 2023 by Jonah Rosen

Campus on August 23, 2022. Jesse Scheve/Missouri State

MCHHS is committed to providing professional development opportunities for faculty and staff.

Last fall’s professional development event centered on de-stigmatizing mental illness.

This spring, the focus is on engaging GenZ students in higher education.

On March 3, the college will shut down in the afternoon and students will receive alternative assignments.

Faculty from across the college will gather at the Darr Agricultural Center to participate in an interactive workshop with researcher and author Dr. Meghan Grace.

“I’m looking forward to an engaging afternoon with Dr. Grace and MCHHS faculty as we seek to support student retention within MCHHS,” said Dr. Letitia White Minnis, MCHHS associate dean.

About Grace

Grace is a researcher, consultant, international speaker and author.

She’s also host of the podcast #GenZ, and co-author of the books, “Generation Z Goes to College” and “Generation Z: A Century in the Making.”

Studying Generation Z since 2014, she and her research partner, Dr. Corey Seemiller, lead the Institute for Generational Research and Education.

As a senior consultant with Plaid, LLC, Grace supports clients in their pursuit of “being better” through designing and implementing research, assessment and evaluation solutions, along with curriculum development, program design and organizational development.

Learn more about MCHHS

Filed Under: MCHHS News Tagged With: MCHHS, McQueary College of Health and Human Services

Transforming houses into homes

November 16, 2022 by Strategic Communication

Community members gathered in support of PHP during a fundraising event

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 

Filed Under: MCHHS Alumni Tagged With: Alumni, MCHHS, Psychology, Spotlights

Putting the patient first

November 10, 2022 by Kai Raymer

Jaimie Kuchem.

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

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: MCHHS, MCHHS Spotlights, Physical Therapy, Spotlights

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