Health and Human Services News

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  

 

Faculty fan-favorites

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As a special treat for Women’s History Month, we’re sitting down with three strong women in MCHHS. 

Sarah Bowman, clinical instructor for public health and sports medicine, in addition to Kelly Dudley and Salina Bollinger, both clinical instructors in the School of Social Work, are three fun members of our impressive MCHHS faculty.  

Let’s get to know all three of them! 

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

Bowman: I teach online, so the crazy things that happen are editable! Students are video recorded when they take exams. I received an alert once because a student was in and out of the frame during her exam. Turns out, she was letting her dog in and out.  

Dudley: Watching students feel safe enough in my classroom to be vulnerable and take risks – that might be the wildest thing to happen in my classroom. I’m always inspired by the courage and passion they demonstrate. 

Bollinger: I attempted to use balloons for a group activity once. It was quite noisy and distracting, but we still managed to learn a few things. 

Where are you from?   

Bowman: Fair Grove in Springfield, Missouri. 

Dudley: You might think this is an easy answer, but I moved 12 times before turning 18 years old. I’ve lived in six states and four countries. Springfield is the longest place I’ve ever lived (12 years now) and even though I love it, I still can’t bring myself to say I’m from here. 😉 

Bollinger: Granite City, Illinois, across the river from St. Louis. I often visit family there, but Springfield has been home for 25 years now.    

What’s your favorite part about working here?  

Bowman: I enjoy interacting with my coworkers. I feel a sense of belonging and community at work. Additionally, I love advising students and helping them think about the next step.   

Dudley: Obviously the schedule. Ha! Kidding. Sort of. 

In all honesty, it’s challenging myself and others. Our society is becoming increasingly dichotomized. Having the freedom to challenge myself and my students to think beyond the prominent rhetoric around any given topic is my favorite thing. Learning to hold and – hopefully teaching others to hold – perceived contradictions is thrilling. 

Bollinger: I love spending time with students. They energize me and give me hope for the future. I also work with an incredible crew of people!   

Explore the School of Social Work

Do you have a favorite class to teach?  

Bowman: Health Literacy. I have the most expertise, experience and passion for this subject. 

Dudley: I love teaching Human Behavior in Social Environment to juniors. In that class, we learn why we are the way we are. Sitting front row and watching all the lightbulb moments as students consider different perspectives is too much fun. 

Bollinger: Social Justice is probably my favorite. I love open discussions. We learn about ourselves while learning how to support marginalized individuals, groups and communities. 

Peer into the world of public health and sports medicine

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

What you should know about monkeypox

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Over the last few months, news about the increase in monkeypox cases has spread around the world. Few people understand that it has been around for a long time.

“Monkeypox was first identified in 1958 with a group of research monkeys, which is why they call it monkeypox,” said Robert Niezgoda, visiting assistant professor of public health and sports medicine at Missouri State University.

“The first human case was recorded in 1970 with cases periodically after that.”

Monkeypox is considered a DNA virus and comes from the orthopox virus family. That’s the same virus family that causes smallpox.

Considered a zoonotic disease, monkeypox can be transmitted from animal to human and vice versa. Humans can spread the disease through direct contact.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), there are currently 19,962 confirmed monkeypox cases in the U.S., and currently 55 cases in Missouri.

Effects of monkeypox

Though very similar to smallpox, monkeypox is said to cause less severe symptoms.

“There are different strains of monkeypox, and the strain circulating is on the milder side,” Niezgoda said. “In terms of case fatality rate, it is on the low end which is a good sign.”

Most people first identify monkeypox by the rash it causes all over the body.

Other symptoms of monkeypox include:

    • Fever.
    • Chills.
    • Swollen lymph nodes.
    • Exhaustion
    • Muscle aches and backaches.

Mitigating the illness

“In May of 2020, the CDC launched an emergency response to monkeypox,” Niezgoda said.

“This includes educating the public, expanding laboratory testing and outlining prevention strategies.”

Currently, no treatments exist specifically for monkeypox. Since monkeypox and smallpox viruses are genetically similar, antiviral drugs and vaccines developed to protect against smallpox may prevent and treat monkeypox infections.

The CDC also purchased a large amount of the monkeypox vaccine for those who may be worried about contracting the virus.

If you think you may have been exposed to the monkeypox virus, call your doctor and local health department.