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After I graduated from Truman, I entered the Occupational Therapy (OT) program at Rockhurst University. Going into graduate school, I felt very confident about my educational background. Coursework through the HES program at Truman gave me the foundational knowledge that prepared me to excel in graduate level courses. Truman also has a strong reputation among a wide range of graduate programs, which was helpful when applying and interviewing. In graduate school I presented a research project at the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) conference in Nashville, TN and later published an article in AOTA’s SIS Quarterly Practice Connections. I have worked in a pediatric outpatient clinic in Quincy, IL and now currently serve 4 school districts as a school-based OT through Northeast Regional Medical Center (NERMC). I also provide inpatient rehabilitation at NERMC in the summer. For anyone interested in becoming an OT, I recommend you take the time to job shadow and ask questions. Be sure to observe in a variety of settings, communities, and with a variety of professionals. Most importantly, care about others and be personable; that is a huge asset going into the field of OT.

Rachel (Chambers) Prewitt (’13), Health Science, Minor in Disability Studies

HES Alumni, Kirk Marsh, is having the time of his life performing as a circus clown for Circus Venardos! In an article written about Circus Vernados, the following was said of Marsh:

“Circus clown Kirk Marsh has been on and off with Circus Venardos for two years. Like many others at Venardos, Marsh shares a strong connection to the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus. As a child, he attended one of the Barnum and Bailey performances and knew he wanted to be a clown. Years later he returned home after falling out of love with college. He found in his room his old program from when he saw Barnum and Bailey as a child. In the back of the program was an advertisement inviting people to attend clown college. Marsh wrote a letter to the college, and of 3,000 applicants he was one of 30 invited to attend. Marsh described the college as harsh, exciting, grueling, and enlightening. “I learned that clowns have the power to change people’s day and life, by making them laugh when they may not be able to. I have had people come to me after shows, saying they have had many hard months, and this show was the first time they could laugh.””

Exercise Science senior Jessica Carlson traveled to Belize over winter break for AMSA’s 8-day medical mission trip. The purpose of the trip was to provide medical care to Belizean communities in need. This trip was an international servicing learning trip provided by ISL. In Belize the students were able to serve the community and also have fun. They provided medical care in the communities of Saint Margaret and Frank’s Eddy. They spent two days volunteering in each community. The first day they made home visits, going door to door asking families if anyone was sick so that they could make appointments for them at the free clinic. The second day they assisted in the volunteer clinic (which had a physician, pharmacist, students, and a massage therapist). At the clinic they were able to take patients’ medical histories, vital signs, assist in the pharmacy, and present their patient and possible diagnosis to the physician. As an added challenge, many of the conversations with members of the communities were in Spanish. Most students had some Spanish background so they were able to gather information with a little patience from the community members and some help from the translators. In addition to serving the community, they were also able to attend a class on suturing and learn and present about common tropical diseases in Belize. To add to the adventure, they visited the Xunantunich Mayan ruins, hiked a medicinal trail, explored the city of San Ignacio, and traveled to the island Caye Caulker to snorkel and relax on the beach. Jessica would highly recommend this experience to anyone interested!

Truman Students Jessica Carlson, Yu Xuan Lin and Clara Wolf, pictured on the far left from left to right, volunteer at a free medical clinic in Belize.

 

As a transfer student, I sought a reputable and established program that would allow me to achieve my educational goals within a specific time frame.  My education in Health Science at Truman far exceeded my expectations and provided me with a strong foundation that has been essential in shaping the professional I am today. I continue to feel prepared to take on new challenges because of the learning and mentorship I received as a student in the HES department. After graduating, I worked as a health promotion intern for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City and then accepted a health educator position with BJC HealthCare in 2014. In my current role, I support five rural public school districts by facilitating health education programming within K-12 classrooms. Each day on the job is different and I love that I get to empower students to make choices that will allow them to live healthy lives and reach their full potential. After attending several national Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) conferences, I became involved in the establishment of a Midwest chapter and enjoy supporting SOPHE Midwest by serving as their public relations chair. I encourage students to take advantage of every opportunity to gain experience in their local community and build relationships with professionals in the field.

Laura (James) Stade (’13), Health Science

Elijah Farrales is an avid cup stacker, and has been from a young age.  He is a Junior Exercise Science major and an Admissions Ambassador, as well as a member of the Track and Field team. Elijah aspires to enter the medical field and to use his knowledge to help others live fuller lives.

**Elijah also enjoys pogo sticking, origami, and serving others.

“As an international student, I was quite nervous about attending university in the U.S., but Truman was so welcoming that it became home for me for the years I spent there. After graduation I went back to my home country, Tanzania, so that I could work in the public health field there. In 2016, I accepted a job as a Program Coordinator in a Community Health Program under Sega Girls Secondary School, where I currently work with young girls from vulnerable environments in the community to ensure that they get the necessary health prevention education for diseases such as HIV & AIDS, STI’s, breast cancer, and many more. Through the program I have also partnered with other financial organizations to offer entrepreneurship and empowerment education to the girls so that we can advocate for a better future for them. Most of these girls have little to no chances of receiving any education after they complete  primary school because of their low income backgrounds and the environment surrounding them. My experiences in the HES Department, including the advocacy training and internship I completed in community health, prepared me very well for the work I currently do. I could not have had a better starting point for my career in public health.”

Clementina Mwambene, (’14), Health Science

On December 4, 2017 the following Health Science students in HLTH 440 (Program Implementation and Evaluation) course presented their Capstone projects:

Jessi Falvey & Nicole Sparks:  HLTH 255 & HLTH 290 Teaching Assistants

Aviance Webb & Mitchell Schroeder:  Dental Health for Pre-K & K Students

Shayda Afrassiab:  Matter of Balance Classes

Hyerin Kim & Raven Eisenberger: Sustainability Week

Chaney Cooper:  HLTH 405 Teaching Assistant

Ikeolu Oladipo:  HLTH 195/198 Research Project

Kiley Vineyard & Jace Galang:  Buddy Pack Coordinators

Hannah Denkler, John Frost, & Ben Peters:  Ability Inclusion Week

The students select their capstone projects during HLTH 366 (Health Assessment and Planning), taught by Dr. Alicia Wodika, and begin the initial planning.  In HLTH 410 (Health Communication Methods), taught by Dr. Nancy Daley-Moore, the students develop their advertising and social media plans for their project. Then, in HLTH 440, taught by Dr. Janice Clark, the students complete their campus/community health projects.

Where has the time gone?!?!  I graduated from Truman with an Exercise Science (Pre-Med) degree in 2005.  In my four years there, not only did I grow as a professional/student, I also grew as a person.  I can’t give enough credit to the phenomenal HES professors I had (many of which are still there to this day!) in helping me get started.  After spending four years at Truman, I was lucky enough to be accepted to the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine (hands down my first choice for medical school).  While medical school was challenging, I felt as prepared as I could to navigate the rigorous years of basic science combined with clinical experiences.  When I reflect on why I was able to succeed, I think it was the foundational knowledge and skills I gained in undergrad.  From the book knowledge, to how to submit an IRB and start a research project, to how to be a self-directed learner, the seeds for these skills were planted at Truman and then further refined in medical school.

Fast forward to today (nearly 12 years since I left Kirksville).  I’m now in my 4^th year as an Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics in the department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital—the #3 ranked children’s hospital in the country!  I have become the “teacher” and hold multiple leadership roles as the Medical Student Clerkship Director for University of Cincinnati PM&R and the Associate Program Director for the Triple Board Pediatrics/PM&R/Pediatric Rehab Medicine program at Cincinnati Children’s.  I’m also one semester away from receiving a Master’s of Medical Education.  Every day I get to use the physiology, musculoskeletal, development, and biomechanical knowledge I learned at Truman.  And even better, I get to pass along my love for education that was instilled in me during my time at Truman by some of the best and most compassionate undergraduate professors out there.  I have no idea where I’d be if it wasn’t for Truman, but I can certainly say it changed me and my career for the better!

Ashlee Bolger (Brown), MD (’05), Exercise Science

Athletic Training

Congratulations to our December graduates Caitlyn Harter, Paige Clawson and Brock Wright for passing their Board of Certification Exam on the first attempt!! They are now eligible for certification as an athletic trainer once they graduate! The Truman Athletic Training program is at a 100% first time pass rate for the Board of Certification exam.

After graduating from physical therapy school with my DPT degree and reflecting back on my years of education, I can confidently say the HES department at Truman prepared me more than I could have imagined when I chose to attend Truman. From day one, the faculty and staff within the department made me feel like family and always made an effort to get to know me on a more personal level. The professors are extremely knowledgeable about their respective areas, and it was a privilege to be able to learn from some of the best. Truman provided excellent opportunities in undergraduate research and formal presentations as well as extracurricular activities. My experience at Truman had such a positive impact on my life; therefore, I would highly recommend this program to potential students looking for an engaging curriculum to prepare them for success in PT school.

 

Brittany (Beeler) Eagen (’13), Exercise Science