Health and Human Services News

Accomplishing a huge feat

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For the first time in Missouri State history, Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students earned a first-time 100% pass rate on the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE). 

This is a high honor, as only six out of 249 accredited DPT programs have this distinction. 

Additionally, the 2022 graduates scored higher than the national mean scale score in all nine content areas of the NPTE. 

MSU physical therapy department head Dr. Jeanne Cook said, “We’re extremely proud of our students, graduates and alumni, and their commitment to providing the best care possible for their future patients.” 

Learn more about the Doctor of Physical Therapy program 

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

Jumping from the track to the clinic

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William Smith needed a remedy. An all-state track and field athlete, Smith still had persistent hamstring issues.

The solution: physical therapy (PT).

Smith’s treatment sessions became job shadowing.

“I was very interested in athletics in high school, but also science,” he said. “(Physical therapy) would merge both of those passions. As I got into it, I learned more and found out there was more I could do.”

“Physical therapy got me healthy when I was younger. I wanted to give that back.”

Smith, after completing college, put those dreams on hold for a few years and worked as a trainer and rehab technician.

Eventually, he went back to school to become a physical therapist.

The Kansas City native picked Missouri State’s physical therapy program for the same reason many other students do.

Low costs and location.

“It’s more affordable than a lot of other physical therapy programs around the country,” Smith said. “Also, it’s in my home state. When I do get too stressed, I can always come home and visit my family.”

Bringing new faces into physical therapy

Three physical therapists, including William Smith, do a spine exam on a patient.
At the Missouri State physical therapy clinic, students and professors provide pro bono services to the Springfield community for patients who don’t have insurance coverage.

Being a non-traditional student did not prevent Smith from getting involved or making connections.

Smith has made his face known at Missouri State, not only within the program but across campus as well.

His resume includes: 

Smith and a few classmates also formed a Black student association within the MSU physical therapy program (Missouri State DPT BSA).

The goal: Improve minority representation in physical therapy.

“I want to be a voice and representation for minorities in our career field,” Smith said. “I want to show that people like me can be professional and successful in our field.”

“I love to talk to people regarding health and educate them about what physical therapists do. Many things are possible in this career field.”

But Smith’s biggest impact – and inspiration – occurs back at home.

He’s a role model for his three younger siblings.

“I’ve been told multiple times (my siblings) look up to me and the fact I’m about to earn a doctoral degree is encouraging to them,” he said. “I want to make sure I’m giving off the best impression.

“With the encouragement from my family, I can take that into the community when I work with patients. I know I’m being a skilled clinician and using everything in my toolbox to help them improve their lives to the best of my ability.”

What can you do as a physical therapist?

William Smith talks with physical therapy faculty member Dr. Kim Ennis during a lab activity. Smith is holding up a model of the human spine.
William Smith goes over details on spine care with physical therapy professor Dr. Kim Ennis.

Any time he has questions about classes or potential careers, Smith contacts expert sources.

His professors.

“The physical therapy faculty here have been very encouraging, and I really appreciate them,” Smith said. “I really enjoy the passion they show with each class they teach. Because of their passion, I know they want us to learn.”

Studying physical therapy has changed Smith’s career outlook.

He initially wanted to work with athletes, a tieback to his track and field glory days.

“As an athlete myself, I went through physical therapy. They were able to make me healthy and strong,” Smith said. “I wanted to give that back to other athletes at the time.”

In the physical therapy program at MSU, he’s moved on to working with the general population.

Long term, Smith could see himself teaching as well.

“I want to be the best clinician I can be, all around.”

Explore physical therapy at MSU

Looking at vaccine inequity in Missouri

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As COVID-19 vaccines rolled out across the country, vaccination disparities across racial and ethnic lines became quite clear. 

“Current data shows the rates at which the Missouri population is being vaccinated: approximately 36% for white people, 29% for Black people, 43% for Hispanic people, and 56% for Asian people,” said Dr. Melissa Penkalski, associate professor of nursing at Missouri State University.  

What’s causing the difference? 

The vaccination disparity has many explanations, according to Penkalski. 

Some communities have risk factors that can make members more susceptible. This leads to some communities with higher incident or infection rates. 

“These factors include lack of access, living in crowded housing, working in essential fields, stress, and chronic health conditions,” Penkalski said.  

The state is working to combat vaccine inequity, Penkalski noted. Improving access, providing education and making the vaccine readily available helps to ease the disparity.  

Penkalski stresses that vaccine hesitancy can be attributed to a lack of information on the topic. Providing people with additional information and acknowledging their concerns and beliefs can help to overcome this challenge.  

Get vaccinated