Health and Human Services News

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 

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

Missouri State University stands out

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Missouri State has been ranked one of the nation’s best schools for online degrees and certificates in the healthcare field for 2023.  

Six percent of regionally accredited colleges and universities earned a ranking position.  

The recognized programs are: 

Missouri State has excelled at producing an outstanding online program for each of these areas, landing high spots on EduMed’s already selective list.  

Top features 

EduMed researched and analyzed more than 7,700 accredited schools. The data science team then applied a proprietary algorithm to rank all qualifying schools for each healthcare discipline.  

Primary data points include:  

  • Academic counseling services 
  • Career placement services 
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 
  • Tuition 
  • Percent of students receiving school-based financial aid 
  • Amount of school-based aid per student 

To be eligible, a school must hold active regional accreditation and have at least one partially online program in the ranking subject. Just 8% of U.S. postsecondary institutions earned a ranking position. 

MCHHS Dean Dr. Mark Smith said that he’s not surprised by the high program placements. 

“We always strive to create the best learning environment for students, whether they’re in person or not,” Smith said. “It’s wonderful to see that our faculty and programs are receiving the recognition they deserve.” 

Explore MSU online degrees

Missouri State student receives national recognition

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Cassidy McCandless, MS, RD, is the sole champion of the 2022 PAS Student of the Year, determined by the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA).  

McCandless received this honor in May 2022 at a conference attended by hundreds of PA students and professionals from across the nation. 

When she initially had been told that she won, McCandless couldn’t believe that it was real. 

“I was on campus in one of the study rooms. I returned a missed phone call from a random number and was convinced there had been a mistake.” 

The first person she called to share the news? Her PAS advisor, Nathan Miracle. 

“I had been stressing out about the whole process for so long and all the while he was in my corner, constantly cheering me on,” McCandless said. “So were my family and friends, of course, but my advisor had a front-row seat the entire time.” 

One out of 10,000 

The AAPA PA Student of the Year is chosen at the end of a lengthy selection process. 

In order to be considered, students must: 

  1. Be nominated by a faculty member or peer. 
  2. Get contacted from someone from the AAPA.  
  3. Submit information, including a resume, details of volunteer experience, two short essays about the future of the PA profession, as well as describing where you see yourself fitting into the profession. 

There are over 280 PAS programs throughout the United States with the average class size being roughly 30 students per program. In any given year, there are about 10,000 PAS students per class. 

“There are so many unique and talented people within our program. It easily could’ve been someone else,” McCandless humbly stated.

“I’m in no way the best PAS student. I just happened to meet the requirements for the AAPA board’s criteria and had some luck. With that being said, I’m thankful that I was chosen.” 

Meeting her fans 

The craziest thing to happen since being chosen? The recognition she’s received within her local and PA community.  

“My friends came up to me and told me that I was on the front page of a local newspaper,” McCandless shared. “I had no idea where to even buy a newspaper. I found a stack at my nearest gas station and ended up buying three because I was so excited.” 

McCandless was also rendered speechless upon meeting Hayley Arceneaux, one of her idols. Arceneaux was the medical officer on the 2021 SpaceX flight, an astronaut PA, and the youngest American to fly in space. 

Her future in the PA profession  

With this prestigious honor under her belt, McCandless has had many new doors open to benefit her career as a PA. 

“I’ve been contacted by so many people and presented with some amazing job and volunteer opportunities after being recognized for this award.” 

McCandless began her medical career as a dietician. Her hope is to blend her new career as a PA with her background in dietetics. 

“Everybody always assumes that if you change professions, there’s something wrong with it. But for me, it was the opposite. I want to further my impact to reach a larger community.” McCandless said. “I wanted to learn more and become more involved with patient care.” 

The AAPA Student of the Year award gave McCandless the platform she needed to shed light on the issues with nutrition in healthcare, as well as the need for greater diversity within the world of medicine. 

“Becoming a PA allows me to share my nutrition background with my colleagues and patients,” McCandless said. “I hope to open the door for a more nutritious approach to medicine.” 

Learn more about the PAS program