“The transition from high school to college was a real challenge for me. Despite taking Accelerated and Advanced Placement courses in high school, I struggled with the coursework and independence of being a student at Truman. Being a first-generation college student did not help at all, as I felt a bit isolated seeing the confidence and preparation of second-generation students. Nevertheless, I prevailed, but it was not without the support of systems in place within HES (and Truman at large) to help students who look like me and come from my background be successful. My academic aspirations (goals and plans) and expectations (likelihood of reaching those goals and plans) were not exactly aligned as a started my freshmen year within the Pre-Med concentration. As I sought to revise my aspirations, the warmth of the faculty welcomed me to seek advice that led to the development of an interdisciplinary pathway. This led to the development of longstanding relationships with Truman faculty members that have helped me to be the successful scholar I am today. Opportunities outside of (yet still supported by) HES made a big impact on my success at Truman as well, such as the Ronald E. McNair post-baccalaureate achievement program and other programming offered by the Multicultural Affairs Center (i.e. SEE program, tutoring services etc.). For a city boy with a small-town heart this was a great place for me to grow and transition into higher education. I earned a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Epidemiology and Biostatistics in 2014 and am now enrolled in a PhD program at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. I have had great work experiences with WestEd Justice and Prevention Research Center as well. I am incredibly grateful for my experiences! As an HES student at Truman, know that you will be encouraged, pushed and supported regardless of who you are, where you came from and how you learn!”
—Darius Taylor (’12), Health Science, Minor in Biology

While the Athletic Training major does not have a formal summer internship, many of the students sought out these learning opportunities. The following are some of the athletic training students sharing their experiences.

Paige Clawson, Senior

“I spent the summer working for JRobinson Intensive Wrestling Camps. I traveled to Forest City, IA; Edinboro, PA; Riverfalls, WI; and LaGrande OR, to work with high school wrestlers attending camps. The camps range from 10-28 days and involve 4 practices a day. I was able to treat over 900 athletes in the entirety of the summer. With the experiences of seeing and treating injuries from skin infections to broken bones and dislocations, it was a great experience working with so many different athletes and health care professionals. I had the experience of traveling across the country.”

Aaron Patterson, Senior

“My summer experience was with the professional women’s soccer team, FCKC, in Kansas City. They play in the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League). Through this experience I was able to learn how to apply my knowledge of athletic training to help professional athletes. Several things I was able to learn about the most were kinesiotaping, cupping, massage techniques and joint mobilizations. I was educated on many rehab exercises for different injuries such as a strained UCL, numerous ankle sprains, and LBP. I gained experience using a Kestrel WBGT. Most importantly I was introduced to all of the work and time it takes to be a professional athletic trainer and decided at the end of the summer that being a professional athletic trainer isn’t someone I want be. Overall, the internship was exactly what I needed. It boosted my confidence, helped me with my critical thinking, and learning how to use everything I have been taught to keep athletes as healthy as possible.”

 

Kailee Calvin, Sophomore

“This summer I got to work the Bridge the Gap To Health Marathon in Quincy, Illinois under a certified athletic trainer. I arrived at 7:00 am, and before the race, we made sure we had everything packed like the AED, tape, pre-wrap, gauze, and other important items. During the race, we worked the medical tent. Towards the end of the marathon is when things got exciting. Jackie Joyner-Kersee (an olympic athlete) handed everyone their participation medals. All medical staff stood at the end of the finish line and kept an eye on each runner as they finished. We handed runners waters and made sure they were hydrated and felt okay. Luckily, the only thing that happened was someone threw up. I got to observe 2 evals for athletes with runner’s knee.”

 

Two HES Students presented their research at the 2017 TruScholar summer symposium in August.

 

 

Michaela Mooney presented her research, Glenohumeral Forces in Lifting in Women. Her funded work continues with data collection. Michaela’s work was mentored by Michael Bird.

 

Caleb Bishoff presented his research, Relationship Between Force and Power Asymmetry During Jumping. Caleb’s work was spectacularly mentored by Jerry Mayhew.

 

“When I started my freshmen year at Truman, I couldn’t decide which major would be best for me although I have known I wanted be a dentist since age 11. Soon after I arrived on campus, I met with HES faculty and knew it was the right place for me. Little did I know my time in the HES department would help me develop a passion for health education and public health. I truly believe majoring in health science is going to make me a better dentist. The courses I took, along with t

he community service components made me more compassionate and aware of the importance of health education, and really drove home the need for comprehensive health education programs in communities.

After I graduated, I started working at Cerner Corporation in Kansas City, Mo. as an analyst. Currently, I am attending A.T. Still University – Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health (MOSDOH), as a member of the Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry class of 2021. I am thrilled to be living my dream every day! A.T. Still offers a joint DMD and MPH degree which I plan on taking advantage of fully.

I cherish the time I had at Truman, it challenged me and aided in developing my work ethic. I don’t think any Truman students or alumni would tell you it’s easy but that’s one of the many reasons why Truman ends up on list after list as a top university in the Midwest. My advice for current students is don’t give up on your dreams. It sounds cliché but seriously. I applied to dental school 3 times before I got in, but it made me a stronger person, and I wouldn’t trade my experiences for the world! The saying that everything happens for a reason is very accurate.”
—Caitlin Eikermann (’15), Health Science, Minor in Biology

“After graduating with my B.S. in Health Science and earning my Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) credential, I served in the Peace Corps as a community health development worker in Burkina Faso. After that experience, I accepted a job at the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) as their Adolescent Health Educator. I know that my education from Truman and having my CHES played a significant role in my selection for the job at DHSS. I am now in my second year of coursework to obtain a Master of Public Health with a focus in Maternal and Child Health from the University of Minnesota. I am also starting a yearlong Leadership Education in Adolescent Health (LEAH) fellowship. I know that I would not have had many of these opportunities without my education from the Truman HES department. One of the best things about the HES program is the ability to connect with classmates and faculty. By the end of my time at Truman, I had mastered relationship building which remains helpful years after graduation. By having smaller class sizes, HES students are given the chance to build social networks, which is not always possible in larger learning environments. I still feel comfortable reaching out to my former professors if I need a recommendation or advice, or checking in with former classmates about job opportunities or professional guidance.

-Emily Denight, Health Science (‘11)

 

“I loved my time in the HES department. I knew that I was receiving a unique education as an undergraduate in HES. After graduation I attended Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago and earned my Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree in May 2017. I now work for Clarkson Eyecare in Affton, Missouri. If you want to be part of a community that is welcoming and supportive, than Health Science is where you belong! The smaller class size and major allows you to be close with your faculty members and classmates. Truman HES was the best decision I made, and I often reflect on the great times I had in the HES department. I would do it again in a heartbeat.”
—Ashley Hemphill (‘09), Health Science, Minor in Business Administration

“After I graduated, I started working for the Primaris Foundation as an insurance counselor. I assisted consumers with their marketplace or Medicaid applications during open enrollment. During non-open enrollment periods I did outreach in one of my designated three counties. I recently changed positions to be the MIPPA Outreach Coordinator and Regional Liaison, which is a part of the Missouri State Health Insurance Assistance Program. The goal of the MIPPA project is to identify a

nd assist Medicare beneficiaries in rural and low income areas statewide in applying for federal and state benefits that may assist the consumer in lowering their healthcare costs. In both positions at the foundation, having my CHES is what got me hired. In June I started an online MPH program with a concentration in Healthcare Organization through the University of Alabama Birmingham. The education I received while at Truman has made working full-time while going to graduate school full-time much easier because the core classes are a review for me. My advice to current or prospective students is to take advantage of all of the great opportunities the HES Department offers. Those knowledge, skills, and abilities are invaluable and will look great on a resume.”

-Xavier Vaughn (’16) Health Science, minor in Business Administration

“With skills like communication, time management, and leadership that I developed in the HES department, I am able to balance responsibilities in my personal, academic, and professional life.  I am currently pursuing an educational doctorate at the University of Missouri-Columbia, while working as the Assistant Director of Student Services in the School of Nursing at a mid-sized institution.  My time spent at Truman prepared me for a career vested in improving quality of life for others.  My present role perfectly couples my passion for improving access to quality healthcare and broadening access to education.

I feel blessed to have received such a quality education from faculty that cared about more than grades and evaluations.  While I would not have been able to predict where my career would take me five short years ago, I have felt prepared to tackle every challenge and opportunity provided to me thanks to the learning and encouragement I received at Truman State University.

I would embolden each new student to be open to opportunities and to get involved in the HES department.  You will learn just as much inside the classroom as you will outside working with peers and mentors.”

— Alizabeth “Blair” Ballard (’13), Health Sciences

 

 

In early August, Abby McWilliams, Hanna Slosson, and Lara Pfeiffer attended the American Society of Biomechanics annual conference in Boulder, Colorado to present their research study titled “Kinematic Gait Characteristics of a Heterogeneous Population”. The project was led by Brandon Thurman, who unfortunately was not able to attend.

From turning a broken chair into an end table to making knick knack shelves from a pair of crutches, an environmental health class discovered creative ideas for recycling old items.

Janice Clark, professor of health science at Truman State University, encourages her students to think about National Recycling Day a little bit more than the average college student. Every fall in Clark’s HLTH 362 course, students are challenged with a “Second Life Project.” As part of Clark’s curriculum for the environmental health class, students not only give a second life to old products but also construct a paper to fully analyze the impact the project can make. “The Second Life Project is my original idea for a class project, and it’s been on the HLTH 362 schedule of course activities for the past five or more years,” Clark said. There are no restrictions for what products the students can use except for the minimal use of brand new products.

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