Health and Human Services News

Welcome new faculty and staff

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This year, McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS) hired 15 new faculty and staff members. 

“I’m excited to welcome another amazing group of faculty and staff to the college. It’s a testament to the faculty and staff that we are able to attract and hire such a great group of individuals,” said Dr. Mark Smith, Dean of MCHHS. 

New members 

 The new faculty and staff will join eight areas of MCHHS:  

Nursing 

School of Social Work 

MCHHS Student Success and Advisement Center 

Physician Assistant Studies 

Research Statistical Training and Technical Support (RSTATS) 

Psychology 

  • Dr. Brad Powers (faculty). 

Kinesiology 

Occupational Therapy 

Learn more about MCHHS  

New leadership in nursing

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Key role changes have occurred in the School of Nursing. Namely, Dr. Kathryn Patterson is now the school’s director and Alison Alaimo has taken on the role of undergraduate program coordinator. 

School of Nursing director 

Patterson is passionate about the nursing profession, as she’s been a nurse for 40 years and “has never regretted a day.” 

This motivation is what led her to apply for the position of director. 

Kathryn Patterson

“As director, I can share my passion and commitment to nursing with our faculty and students,” Patterson said. “I want students to know that we can help them succeed if they are interested in becoming a nurse or advancing their nursing education.”  

Nursing is much more than passing tests; it’s a profession defined as both an art and a science. Patterson firmly believes that as healthcare continues to advance and evolve, so must the education of nurses. 

“Science is our evidence, and art is the heart and soul of the nursing profession,” Patterson said.

It’s her hope that all students in the nursing program understand the impact and responsibility that comes with being a nurse. Therefore, the focus of all programs is to continuously evaluate, improve and advance the education they provide.  

Her goal is to ensure graduates are equipped with the clinical and academic expertise needed to thrive in today’s complex healthcare environment. 

Undergraduate program coordinator

Alison Alaimo

Alaimo is an alumna of both Missouri State’s undergraduate and graduate nursing programs. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2014 and her Master of Science in Nursing, with an emphasis as a Nurse Educator in 2020.  

She applied for the position because she enjoys working with students.  

“I hope to be an integral part of the work we’re doing to make the MSU nursing program a model educational program,” Alaimo said. 

Explore the School of Nursing

Faculty fan-favorites

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Dr. Jennifer Yates, clinical assistant professor at the department of occupational therapy, and Sherri Ramirez, clinical assistant professor at the School of Nursing, are two fantastic members of our MCHHS faculty. 

Let’s ask them some questions! 

What’s been the craziest thing to happen in your classroom?  

Yates: I was introducing virtual reality as a means for therapeutic rehabilitation, but I think I will keep that experience between me and the students. I will say I am definitely not meant for virtual reality. 

Ramirez: I have a class that is very competitive. I love doing a Kahoot or a case study where they try to show they know the information. The names they give themselves in a Kahoot are very entertaining to the class. You never know what they are going to come up with. They also act out scenarios of what patients might do. That can always be interesting. 

Do you have a favorite class to teach?  
Yates posing with her students
Yates posing with her students and a recipient of a custom-made car for OT’s annual Go Baby Go event.

Yates: I love all the classes I teach and I have quite a wide array, but I am particularly fond of my assistive technology course. It’s a very hands-on course. The students participate in many community projects, but my favorite one is a program called Go Baby Go. The students adapt small, motorized vehicles for children with special needs. Most of these children would otherwise not be able to experience this type of mobility through play. Play is a child’s occupation and a fundamental right all children should be able to experience.  

Ramirez: I love teaching the medical surgical nursing class because they are so eager to learn, go to clinicals and take care of patients. They want to “get their hands dirty” and soak up as much information as they can in order to save lives. I can see how proud they are of themselves when they connect the dots of didactic and clinical practice. 

Where are you from?   

Yates: I am originally from Missouri, but I have lived around Nashville, Tennessee, and Dallas, Texas, for roughly 15 years before returning to Springfield in 2020.   

Ramirez: I’m a Navy brat and from everywhere. If I had to name my home base, it would be Texas, but I’ve lived in Springfield for the majority of my adult life. 

What brought you to Missouri State?

Yates: I’ve always known I wanted to eventually get back to southwest Missouri. After starting and owning my pediatric therapy practice, I knew the next step I wanted to pursue was teaching and research. Missouri State is my alma mater and it feels like home to be back here.  

Ramirez: I have known many faculty members from Missouri State from my previous hospital nursing positions and they were all impressive to me. They love their students and have a great rapport with the hospital staff.  

Learn more about the department of occupational therapy

What’s your favorite part about working here?  

Yates: The people for sure. I truly love coming to my job every day. The faculty, staff, students and administrators are all the best. We have a wonderful program that is next to none. I cannot say enough good things.  

Ramirez: I have worked at a couple of different nursing programs, and here I felt at home from day one. It doesn’t matter who I’m having a conversation with, the dean of nursing, the director of nursing or the AMAZING administrative staff in the school of nursing. We all have mutual respect for each other. 

Explore the School of Nursing

Faculty fan-favorites

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Alison Alaimo, clinical assistant professor in the School of Nursing, and Katelyn Maben, assistant professor in the department of physician assistant studies, are two Missouri State alums who are now members of our unique MCHHS faculty.  

Let’s have a chat! 

What’s been the funniest or craziest thing to happen in your classroom? 

Alaimo: For nursing, we discuss bodily functions that most people think are embarrassing. We even teach students how to categorize stool for charting. Every semester, I have to be prepared for every question you can think of (and some you don’t) on this topic. It is always a very entertaining few weeks!  

Maben: I wish I had a really great story to answer this question, but I really can’t think of any overly funny/crazy classroom experience yet — ask again in a few years! It’s bound to happen eventually, right?  

Where are you from?  

Alaimo: I’ve been a Missouri girl my entire life, having grown up in a small town about two hours away. I’ve been here in Springfield for the last 25 years. After I graduated from Missouri State, I just never left! 

Maben: I’m from Macon, Missouri — a small town about an hour north of Columbia. 

What brought you to Missouri State? 

Alaimo: Ever since I graduated with my BSN, I knew I wanted to teach nursing at Missouri State. After I graduated, I went out and worked in one of the local hospitals to gain practical knowledge. While there, I was able to start working as a nurse educator to get some practice in teaching. Finally, I found an opening as a clinical professor at Missouri State, and I’ve been here since.    

Maben: After graduation, I stayed with Missouri State’s PA program by taking students for their clinical rotations. I always thought I’d come back as an educator at some point, and I have! Missouri State feels like home to me and I’m glad to be on faculty here, pouring into future PAs.  

What’s your favorite part about working here? 

Alaimo: The STUDENTS! They are so eager to learn everything they can. Taking them to clinical settings and watching them apply what they have learned in skills lab and the classroom is incredibly rewarding.

Maben: I love watching students master a concept, skill, or technique for the first time. They work so hard to accomplish their goals, and it’s amazing to see their confidence growth. We have such great, hard-working students, and it is fun to be alongside them in their education.  

Explore the school of nursing 

Do you have a favorite class to teach? 

Alaimo: My favorite class to teach is the Art and Science of Nursing I. This is essentially a nursing fundamentals course. This is the students’ first course in which they get to participate in clinical experiences. I love seeing how far the students have progressed by the end of the semester in both the clinical and didactic components.    

Maben: My favorite thing to teach is Women’s Health. This was something I already loved as a clinician, but I am hopeful that by educating future PAs I can make a positive impact on the way future providers approach patient care in this setting. 

Dive into the department of physician assistant studies