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Health and Human Services News

Shaping future nurses with the Mid-America Transplant Scholarship

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The Mid-America Transplant (MAT) Scholarship funds 10 nursing students annually with $1,000 each. Beyond financial aid, the scholarship’s mission is to spread awareness about organ donation and transplantation.  

According to Dr. Kathryn Patterson, director of the School of Nursing at Missouri State University, the focus is on educating nursing students about organ donation. 

“It’s about introducing students to a specialized field within nursing, making them realize the significance of organ donation,” Patterson said.  

A transformative experience 

The scholarship extends beyond textbooks and lectures, offering an immersive tour of the Mid-America Transplant facility in St. Louis.  

“The tour opened our eyes to the intricacies of organ procurement and the advancements in medical technology,” Patterson said. “It was an educational encounter that gave the students’ perspective on this domain of nursing.” 

The tour showcased the facility’s comprehensive setup, from the operational rooms and laboratories to the protocols and equipment.  

“The experience wasn’t just about seeing the facility,” Patterson said. “It was about witnessing the empathy of the staff, the respect for donors and their families and the cutting-edge technology driving this life-saving mission.” 

Scholarship information 

The Mid-America Transplant Scholarship stands as a testament to the transformative power of educational initiatives.  

By blending financial support with hands-on experiences, the scholarship not only helps students, but also shapes their understanding of the profound impact nurses can have in the world of organ donation and transplantation.  

Nursing students interested in applying must submit an essay. It must include:   

  • A discussion of organ donation.  
  • The role nurses play in the organ donor process, including the impact of grief on donor families.   
  • The role MAT plays in southwest Missouri communities.   

Learn more about the School of Nursing 

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

The double life of a soon-to-be graduate

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Caleb Huettenmeyer, a fourth-year student graduating from Missouri State University’s School of Nursing, looks forward to what the future holds after graduation. 

“I’ve put in a lot of time, effort and work toward getting my degree,” Huettenmeyer said. “I’m excited to put everything I’ve learned into action.” 

Huettenmeyer secured a job at the prestigious Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis as an emergency room (ER) nurse.  

“They’re ranked number one in Missouri and 11th in the country, so it seems like an incredible opportunity to work with them,” he said. 

His goal is to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) the second week of June before he begins this position. 

Preparation for becoming a nurse 

Coming to MSU in fall 2019, Huettenmeyer completed his two years of pre-requisites and then applied to the nursing program in January 2021. After an extensive interview process, he was accepted as one of 48 out of over 150 applicants—beginning his journey through nursing school in fall 2021.  

Huettenmeyer began officially as a patient care associate (PCA), then transitioned to a nurse technician on the floor a few months later. Since August 2022, the rest of his nursing school days have been filled with work as an ER nurse technician at Mercy Hospital. 

“This past semester, I’ve been working almost every weekend,” he said. “I love the work, but it’s an intense job.” 

Typically, nursing students are expected to be on the floor as a general nurse technician before specializing. However, because of nursing shortages and his passion for the specialty, Huettenmeyer was able to nab the ER nurse technician position almost immediately. 

“I was rejected twice before meeting with them in person and persuading them to let me prove myself,” Huettenmeyer said. “They hired me soon after.” 

Nurse Boomer

Surprise! Guess who?!

For four years, Huettenmeyer has kept the secret of being our beloved Boomer bear. 

“It was like leading a double life. I’m excited to finally share the surprise with my friends at school when I wear the feet to graduation,” Huettenmeyer said.  

“I never got to go to a tailgate as myself, so I’m excited to return as an alumnus.” 

In addition to being Boomer, he was: 

After Barnes-Jewish, Huettenmeyer would like to transfer to an ICU somewhere and then become a flight nurse. The 10-year plan has him becoming a CRNA (certified registered nurse anesthetist) sometime in his 30s. 

“I’m ready to move on to the next chapter,” Huettenmeyer said. 

“The past two years have had some rough spots, but the friends I’ve made at Missouri State truly got me through it.” 

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Faculty fan-favorites

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Keith McShan, assistant professor in the department of kinesiology, and Kati Morgan, clinical assistant professor in the School of Anesthesia, are two valuable faculty members in our McQueary College of Health and Human Services. 

Let’s learn more about them during this last month of the academic year! 

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

McShan: In my ethics and diversity in American sports class, students ran a youth sports meeting in groups and discussed how they’d run a sports league. They had to address issues related to how they’d integrate refugee students into sports, deal with racism within their sports league and get girls involved in sports, among other topics. Students also had role-playing sessions where they acted as parents, athletes and coaches. The students and I had to leave the room because of the outrageously painful laughing we had during this activity. You had to be there! 

Morgan: My classroom is mostly in hospitals during students’ clinical rotations, but we also help them through rigorous simulation labs at the end of each semester. During simulations, it can get a little crazy. We create intense scenarios where the simulation patient is close to dying and the student needs to step in and resuscitate the person.  Some of these situations can get very interesting! 

Where are you from?   

McShan: Windsor, Ontario, Canada. 

Morgan: I’m a Springfield native and went to Hillcrest High School. 

What brought you to Missouri State? 

McShan: I finished my PhD in summer 2022. When looking for a faculty position, I wanted to teach courses in the areas of sport and exercise, psychology and sports management. MSU had these opportunities. 

During the interview process, I was enthused to see Missouri State’s focus on teaching. I was excited to create a club where students could develop their talents and I’ve been afforded that opportunity in creating the Kinesiology Research and Career Club. Finally, and most importantly, I felt God wanted me and my wife here at MSU. We sold everything we owned and moved here in faith, not knowing anyone or having ever even been to Missouri before. Since making that decision, my wife has received a job here at MSU and our daughter will be attending school here in the fall. It’s been the best leap of faith we’ve taken in our marriage. 

Morgan: I completed the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice program at MSU. I loved the program and the faculty. 

What’s your favorite part about working here?  

McShan: The students; they’re Godly, kind and respectful. I honestly enjoy coming to work every day. I pinch myself sometimes at how lucky I am to work with these students here at MSU. 

Morgan: I love watching our students grow and become confident providers working at the top of their game. Our students and alumni have a huge impact on our community through their anesthesia care. It feels good to be a small part of that.  

My other favorite part of being a member of MSU School of Anesthesia is the opportunity to work with an amazing team. Our department has always made me feel like a valued member of the team, which makes it a happy place to come to work each day. 

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Do you have a favorite class to teach?  

McShan: I love all my classes. It’s like having children—you’re not supposed to have favorites! One of my highlights so far was taking a group of 22 students to the NFL Draft in Kansas City, MO. Between an emergency room visit with a student, having Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers for the first time and having my first KC barbeque, it certainly was a fun and memorable time.     

Morgan: Time spent with students in clinicals is always my favorite!  It’s wonderful to observe how much they grow and the impact they have on their patients. 

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