Health and Human Services News

Nursing faculty member chosen for national leadership position of chief clinical officer

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Dr. Vicki Good, a nursing faculty member at Missouri State University, has been appointed the chief clinical officer of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).  

As the chief clinical officer, Good will lead the strategy and advocacy and practice excellence departments at AACN. Her role involves strategizing for nurses across the nation and engaging in discussions on health care issues. 

“It’s a huge honor and a blessing,” Good said. “It’s just the pinnacle of my career.” 

AACN and Good’s role 

The AACN serves as the largest professional organization in specialty nursing, with a membership of about 129,000 nurses.  

Their primary focus is on critical care, providing educational resources, certifications and advocacy efforts for nurses in this field. The organization engages in producing orientation materials and continuing education resources while actively participating in advocacy work on key health care issues like healthy work environments and clinician burnout. 

A journey of service and commitment 

Good’s involvement with the AACN dates back to 1989 when she first became a member. Over the years, she actively volunteered and served in several roles within the organization, including a board member and president. Her dedication and extensive experience with the AACN helped her to secure this coveted position. 

To Good, this honor represents an incredible opportunity to advocate for nurses nationwide, supporting over half a million critical care nurses across the United States.  

Her goal is to improve the work environment for health care professionals, focusing on creating a healthy and conducive space for optimal patient care. 

Good’s message to students and colleagues 

Due to the demanding travel and workload associated with her new position, Good will step away from her teaching role at MSU. She plans to offer guest lectures when her schedule permits. 

Good emphasizes the importance of a healthy work environment in health care and encourages students to engage professionally in their nursing careers.  

Her departure from teaching marks the end of a chapter, but she remains passionate about imparting wisdom and guiding the next generation of nurses. 

As Good takes on this new role, her legacy of dedication and commitment to nursing education will continue to resonate within the health care community. 

Learn more about the School of Nursing

Dispelling common advising myths

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Hillary Mayes, director of the MCHHS Student Success and Advisement Center (SSAC) and student success specialist, has encountered more than a few advising myths during her time here at Missouri State University.

The two biggest misconceptions Mayes has found are that advisors and advisement centers are only for students who are falling behind or for students who need help choosing their academic courses.

“The term ‘academic advisor’ is a bit of a misnomer since advisement is far more than simply helping students pick out academic courses,” she said.

The MCHHS SSAC team works hard to understand students’ unique needs and help them navigate their college experiences accordingly.

“We aim to help them connect to their programs and their program faculty in ways that will help them develop their professional interests and move closer to their professional goals,” Mayes said.

Myth

Advisement centers are only for struggling students.

Reality

Advisement centers and advising staff are here to help all students. In fact, Missouri State requires that all first- and second-year undergraduate students meet with an advisor before they can enroll in classes.

Advisors are a vital campus resource for students to help them navigate university policies, processes and procedures.

Myth

Advisors only help with course scheduling.

Reality

Although helping students create plans of study and selecting courses is an important part of the advisor/advisee relationship, it is not the only type of support provided. Advisors can often serve as a designated person on campus with whom students can feel comfortable having discussions; these discussions don’t always have to be academic in nature.

As student champions, advisors are here to celebrate with students when they are excited or to brainstorm with students if they feel conflicted. Advisors can assist with career and academic major exploration, connecting to relevant resources or offices and with personal or professional development.

Advisors also work closely with academic units and faculty, assist with marketing and recruitment, engage in professional development and provide service to the university through committee work.

Myth

Advisors can register students for their classes.

Reality

Because students are in charge of their academic experience, this responsibility resides exclusively with them. Although advisors are happy to discuss course options with students and make suggestions related to timing, course loads and modalities, students are the only ones who can register for their own classes.

Myth

Advisors provide mental health services.

Reality

This is a common misconception; the role of an advisor is often compared to the role of a counselor. Although advisors do support students and frequently discuss sensitive topics with them, they aren’t licensed mental health providers and can’t legally provide this service. If a student needs mental health services, we have wonderful resources available to them through our Counseling Center located in the Magers Health and Wellness Center.

Myth

Advisors hold appointments only when fall and spring classes are in session.

Reality

If university offices are open, staff advisors are on campus and available to meet with students. Advisors are 12-month employees, meaning they are available and willing to see students throughout all months of the year.

Explore the MCHHS Student Success and Advisement Center

Dietetics student gives back

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KY3 recently featured Andrew Falk, exercise and movement science major, for his work at Ozarks Food Harvest (OFH).

Falk found OFH because he needed to fulfill the requirements in a dietetics class — a community engagement project that requires students to volunteer.

Watch the clip

The KY3 segment shows OFH prepping for the Thanksgiving season and Falk discusses his personal story; he’s found his volunteer efforts at OFH are a great way to give back and help “build a better community.”

“When I was a kid, we went through a hard time and had to go to pantries and stuff like that,” Falk said. “It feels like everything’s come full circle and it’s nice to give back.”

OFH serves over 270 different charities across 28 counties in the Ozarks, providing 1.5 to 2 million meals per month. They’re expected to spend an additional $500,000 on holiday meals this year.

Learn more about the exercise and movement science program

Stellar staff

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We are pleased to recognize academic administrative assistants Tammy Shelton and Missi Lafarlette. Shelton works in the School of Nursing and Lafarlette works in the department of public health and sports medicine. 

Let’s learn more about them! 

What brought you to Missouri State? 

Shelton: I recently moved from the Kansas City metro area (a small town south of the city called Harrisonville, Missouri) when my husband returned to Springfield for his work.

Lafarlette: I’ve always known it was a great place to work.

What is your favorite memory here so far? 

Shelton: I love walking around the campus, especially in the fall. MSU has beautiful trees and landscaping, as well as buildings (both really old and some brand new) that are designed so interestingly. You can’t beat a beautiful fall day with leaves swirling and the crisp air blowing as you walk back from the Plaster Student Union. 

Lafarlette: My favorite memory has been volunteering for the United Way Day of Caring as a staff senator for the public affairs committee. Working at the Midtown Springfield Community Garden was very fulfilling. We learned the purpose of the gardens. We packaged freshly made fruit rollups for children’s programs. They explained that they donate veggies to local food banks and grow seeds for the public library’s giveaway. Did you know you can check out seeds at the library? It was very memorable and a great group of people to work with. 

Learn more about the department of public health and sports medicine 

What are your favorite Thanksgiving foods? 

Shelton: Pecan pie. My husband makes the best pie EVER! He worked his way through school as a baker for the Heritage Cafeteria here in Springfield (before it closed down). Pecan is his specialty! 

Lafarlette: Pie, any kind of pie. 

Where are you from? 

Shelton: I grew up in Springfield, graduating from Parkview High School. My family moved around some. I received my bachelor’s degree in communication science disorders from the University of Texas at Austin.

Lafarlette: I’m a local. I was raised in Fair Grove, but now live in Ash Grove. 

What are you most thankful for? 

Shelton: My family. We’re blessed to have two wonderful kids (twin boys) who have grown up into amazing men, married sweet wives and had great kids of their own.

Lafarlette: The health and wellbeing of my family of course. I’ve worked with some wonderful people during my time here and got to know people all over campus. MCHHS staff and faculty are the best. It’s a fun place to work. 

How many years have you been at Missouri State? 

Shelton: I started working at MSU in July of this year, but I’m an alumna from the SMSU (Southwest Missouri State University) days. I graduated with my master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders back in 1994.

Lafarlette: As of October, I’ve been at Missouri State for eight years.  

What’s your favorite part about working here? 

Shelton: I love supporting students who are pursuing their dreams to help others.  The School of Nursing has great people who are all committed to making this world better!

Lafarlette: We have some awesome students, and working with them is the best. Helping and encouraging them to reach their goals is very fulfilling.  

Learn more about the School of Nursing