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Two Truman HES students, Mutiara Schlanker and Allison Oligschlaeger,  have been awarded early acceptance into A.T. Still University via the Still Scholars program. This prestigious award eliminates the need for them to take the MCAT, and guarantees their acceptance into A.T. Still’s Medical School as long as they continue to demonstrate academic excellence and meet A.T. Still’s requirements.

Mutiara applied to the Still Scholars program a year late, as a Junior, however, because she will be staying a fifth year at Truman, she was still able to apply. Mutiara says that she decided to pursue medicine fairly late, and as such didn’t begin her shadowing until Spring and Summer of 2021. Due to the pandemic, she says shadowing here in Kirksville was nearly impossible. Instead, she worked in surrounding communities such as Laplata and Brookfield in order to achieve her shadowing requirements. She then worked all summer towards the application. She is so excited to have received early admission, stating this will allow her to continue to serve Kirksville and the surrounding communities, and says she cannot wait to someday serve as a physician in areas that need it most.

Allison, on the other hand, knew from very early on that she wanted to pursue a career in medicine, and thought since 2019 that the Still Scholars program was the right fit for her. She states she is so excited to be able to finish her undergraduate degree with guidance from A.T. Still and without the stress of applying to multiple other schools or taking the MCAT. She says that she is now one step closer to achieving her dream of becoming a physician, and she gets to do so all while continuing to live and serve in Kirksville.

The entire HES Department would like to congratulate Allison and Mutiara. We are so proud of them and wish them continued success.

Bellow: Mutiara Left; Allison Right

 

Truman Partners in Prevention is continuing to promote Ask, Listen, Refer, a free online suicide prevention program available 24/7. The 2020 Missouri Assessment of College Health Behaviors (MACHB) found 66% of Truman students would be willing to complete an online suicide prevention training program, but only 50% of students had heard of Ask, Listen, Refer. According to the CDC, suicide is a leading cause of death in the US (for more information go to https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/suicide/); identifying and supporting those at risk of suicide makes a difference. In an effort to increase awareness about Ask, Listen, Refer, free giveaways with the training website are available in the lobby of the Pershing Building at various times throughout the semester. Items distributed include popsockets, webcam covers, fidget sticks, and toothbrush covers. Brochures on the table provide more details about Ask, Listen, Refer, as well as mental health conditions such as depression, panic disorder, and social phobia. Ask, Listen, Refer is designed to help students, faculty and staff prevent suicide by educating them on how to identify people at risk, recognizing the risk factors, protective factors, and warning signs of suicide, as well as how to respond to, and get help for, those at risk. The online program is free, takes about 20 minutes, and provides a certificate upon completion. If you would like to learn more about Ask, Listen, Refer, go to http://asklistenrefer.org/tru. Be sure to stop by, grab some free items, and take some time to learn about and complete Ask, Listen, Refer.

On Sunday, March 21^st, Health and Exercise Science students Alec Mundle, Baylee Jennings, and Molly Jones helped stuff goody bags for the Truman Partners in Prevention campaign “Drive Safe, Drive Smart.” This campaign helps to distribute information on seat belt safety, dispel seat belt myths, crash safety, and statistics on safe driving habits. The goody bags were distributed to residence halls during the week of March 22^nd to March 26^th. Goody bags contained information on safe driving, hand sanitizers, popsockets, highlighters, and ID card holders. Truman Partners in Prevention organizes goody bag distribution a few times a semester. This was their last event for the semester, so be on the lookout in the Fall of 2021!

On February 21st, the Student Public Health Association (SPHA) hit the small gym in Pershing Building for a socially-distanced session of yoga organized by the Social Committee co-chairs Natalie Stanfield and Israel Olorunda. The relaxing Sunday session was guided by Dr. Donahue, a Health and Exercise Science faculty member and Certified Yoga Instructor. For many, this was their first time participating in a yoga session, but it was well-received by participating members. An additional session is being scheduled for April, date to be determined. That session will be held outdoors, weather permitting.

Members of the Student Public Health Association (SPHA) took to the streets on March 19th as part of their Adopt-A-Street clean-up service initiative. SPHA has adopted West Illinois Street, which runs adjacent to Walgreens. The process took around an hour and offered a chance for members to mingle and safely get to know each other while helping to make the city of Kirksville a cleaner, safer, and happier place to live.

Partners in Prevention is tabling once again against prescription drug misuse. In the entry way of the Pershing Building students will find a table with free goody bags filled with pens, stress balls, tissues, and cards with information on how to safely dispose of prescription drugs and where to find additional resources about prescription drug misuse. Make sure to stop by, grab a bag, and do your part in preventing prescription drug misuse.

Anna Livingstone, a 2020 Health Science graduate, has written to us regarding her first year at medical school. Anna was a Still Scholar, meaning she was granted early acceptance to A.T. Still University (ATSU) where she is studying to become a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. She writes that she enjoys med school, with the academic rigor of labs, workshops, and patient encounters ensuring she is never bored. She also writes that her experience has made her very thankful for the education she attained as an undergraduate student at Truman, stating that Truman gave her a solid background that allows her to succeed. In talking about her peers, she feels that the preparation Truman provides its pre-medical students gave her a leg up, and she attributes this to the labs, intimate class sizes, and the relationships she was able to form with her professors. In offering advice, Anna says, “Enjoy your time at Truman, and take advantage of all the opportunities available to you.” We wish her the best of luck as she continues her journey and are excited to watch her continue down her path of success.

 

Congratulations are in order for Health Science student Mary Claire Hogan. Mary Claire has recently been recognized as Truman State’s 2021 Outstanding Undergraduate Major of the Year by the Eta Sigma Gamma organization and NCHEC, the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing. On being recognized, Mary Claire writes, “I am deeply honored… Receiving this award is truly humbling and motivating, and it has reassured me that I have found my calling.” She is currently pursuing occupational health and safety, a career path that has been shaped by her internship experience during the summer of 2020. Mary Claire spent her summer at MilliporeSigma of St. Louis, MO as their Environmental, Health and Safety Intern. It was here that she feels she gained immeasurable knowledge and strengthened her professional skills, analytic, and leadership qualities. On her achievements at MilliporeSigma, Mary Claire states that most of her focus was on the evaluation and updating of the company’s Respiratory Protection Program throughout the St. Louis region. Her impressive accomplishments include creating an updated training presentation for all employees in the program, updating employee fit-test data, and developing education communication materials related to the Respiratory Protection Program. It was this experience, she writes, that helped her discover her love of worksite health. Mary Claire thanks all Health Science professors for their constant support and guidance, writing that it was Truman’s Health Science program that “ignited a passion within me for serving others.” Mary Claire hopes to obtain her Master’s in Healthcare Administration and states that she looks forward to using the skills and knowledge she gained as an undergraduate Health Science student in all of her future endeavors. The Truman State Health and Exercise Science department is proud to see her graduate this May, sad to see her leave, and wishes her continued success for years to come.

Kirstyn Dietle, a Sophomore health and exercise science student, has recently made an incredible accomplishment. She has been accepted as an AHEC Scholar.  AHEC is the Area Health Education Centers, and they help to provide the necessary skills and competencies needed to better serve rural and underserved communities. They have a curriculum that is self paced, and they offer internship, experiential and service learning opportunities.

Kirstyn found out about the program through Dr. Donahue and subsequently reached out to Laura Wallace at the NEMO AHEC branch here in Kirksville. To apply, Kirstyn simply went to the AHEC scholars website. She writes that she had to fill out a questionnaire, give references, and submit her resume, adding that the process was quick and easy. She states Mrs. Wallace was there every step of the way if she had any questions.

Kirstyn writes that she believes it will affect her future by helping her better understand rural communities like the ones she is from, and how to better serve and advocate for them. Kirstyn grew up in rural Northeast Missouri, and has seen firsthand the issues that arise with access to health education and health services. She states she wants to take the training and certifications she acquires through this program to serve people that live in areas and deal with the issues that are so near and dear to her heart.

Congratulations Kirstyn!

 

As we draw closer to World Polio Day, which falls on October 24th of this year, one hard working class of Dr. Donahue’s is tabling to raise awareness. These students are volunteering to spread the word about a disease on the brink of eradication. They can be found volunteering outside of the Pershing Building, and would love to have interested visitors stop by! Students interested in their mission are encouraged to  visit Bellacino’s on Monday, 10/19 from 5-8pm. Say “polio” or visit online and type “polio” in the suggestion box. All proceeds from the event will go towards ending polio infections!