April 2023 The Pulse

PLANNING THAT PUTS EDUCATION WITHIN REACH

Updates from CoxHealth Foundation

LIVING HEALTHY

Micronutrients: Food And Fitness Go Hand In Hand

MAKING DREAMS COME TRUE Student Stories

ROAD TO NURSING Laura Sperry

And MORE!

NEW DOCTORAL PROGRAM

Hybrid OTD Program Starts in May

welcome! pulse the

Greetings from Cox College and Happy Spring!

Welcome to the next edition of the Pulse. We love sharing with you many success stories related to our college, current students, and our alums. As always, we strive to be “committed to excellence” for both our students and the community we serve focusing our efforts and initiatives on our mission and for continued growth. We invite you to continue following us on social media or stopping by – we always welcome you back to your college, your institution, where you began.

Thank you for all you have done to get us to this point – as always, we are forever grateful!

Blessings!

Sonya Hayter, EdD VP Student Affairs and College Advancement

The Finish Line Is In Sight

By the time this issue comes out, we'll be past the midpoint of the spring semester. For many students, the finish line grows near. However, even though the end may be in sight, our students know they have to work hard every day to get there!

This group of nursing students is graduating in May. They had just completed a simulation in which their patient had a heart attack. Edna, a nurse from Cox South Med-Surg unit 900, played the role of the patient. We appreciate our colleagues at CoxHealth who support our students daily!

Best wishes to all our soon-to-be graduates!

The Pulse is a free publication of Cox College, Springfield, MO. Cox College is part of the CoxHealth system and is committed to excellence by meeting the educational needs of students and the health care community.

If you have received this publication in error or no longer wish to receive it, please let us know by email at marketing@coxcollege.edu or by mail at: The Pulse Magazine, Cox College, 1423 N. Jefferson Avenue, Springfield, MO 65802.

Amy DeMelo, EdD College President

Sonya Hayter, EdD Vice President, Student Affairs & College Advancement

Amy Townsend, EdD, MSN, RN, CNE Vice President, Student Nursing

Jayne Bullard, MBA Vice President, Business & Finance

Stacy Bohn, EdD, MSN, RN Department Chair, Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Laura Sperry, MSN, RN Department Chair, Associate of Science in Nursing

Michelle Masengill, M.Ed., BSRT(R), RDMS, RVT Department Chair, Radiological Sciences

Amanda Cole, PhD, MS, BSN, BS, CNE-CL Department Chair, Graduate Nursing

Amy Stark, OTD, OTR/L, BCP Department Chair, Occupational Therapy

Kyle Brashear, DHSc, MS, RD/LD Department Chair, Nutrition Diagnostics

Eric Baker, MS Marketing & Web Coordinator Designer, The Pulse

Kyle DeVries, BS Outreach Coordinator

Association

Photo provided by Professor De Dashtipour

Planning That Puts Education Within Reach

By Lisa Alexander, CFRE President, CoxHealth Foundation

n January of this year, I lost my father. It was the hardest day of my life especially given that it was very unexpected and he had been living a full and rewarding life. Dad walked three miles a day, volunteered three days a week and had lots of plans for this coming year. At 83, he was still a young man!

Following the funeral we began going through his documents and found that in his estate plan, he wanted to support a college scholarship at his alma mater. My father had always valued an education and told all four of his children early in our lives that education is what would help guide us. This was so true. We were blessed with parents who taught us the value of a dollar and how to save. I didn’t have to take out a loan for college, but I found amongst my peers that was pretty unusual. Today, despite savings, many parents still find it hard to send their children to college given the cost of an education. I remember to the dollar I paid $940 a semester for my degree at MU. (I kept my tuition receipts and still have them in my lock box!) If only that was the cost now.

At Cox College, the tuition and fees are what comprise the budget of the organization. The students are what pay the salaries of staff, the price of new equipment and the maintenance on a building that has been beautifully renovated, but still resides inside a 1956 core. The cost of education does continue to rise despite the great efforts of administration to control it as best it can. Donors and grants received have assisted in abating some of the larger needs but the student body remains at over 88% requiring financial aid to attend.

In the past two years over a dozen Burge/Cox College graduates have left the college in their estate plans. These gifts have created new scholarships and contributed thousands of dollars in support of technological advancements. Students like Keri Jones who received a newly gifted scholarship from a planned gift wrote to the donor’s family, “I had to detour my nursing dream ten years due to family, but now my four boys are older and I’m able to pursue my passion. I am close to finishing my degree and plan on working in a trauma based setting. I promise to use this generous donation to be the best nurse I can be.” Another recipient, Dominque Schuster wrote, “This scholarship will help me tremendously as I am financially independent. I am excited to put

my full heart and mind into succeeding in nursing school. I can’t express enough how grateful I am to be the recipient of this scholarship.”

The common theme amongst many of our Cox College students is that they have families, are on their own, and are working and going to school to support themselves and their children. Scholarships often do make the difference between a student pursuing nursing or not. In this day when most hospitals run hundreds of nurses short, every student lost is another 20-40 patients a day without access to care. As the nursing shortage continues to escalate again, Cox College is a key to CoxHealth and hospitals that draw from our graduates, in being able to continue to provide outstanding care.

As I look at my dad’s plan for his giving, what I see is another young person fulfilling their dream, meeting a goal and providing outstanding service to the next generation. If you are considering your plan for the remainder of your life’s rewards, it is our hope you will see an amazing young person delivering quality care to thousands over their lifetime. In making this gift you are the one making that lifetime of service a reality. What an incredible gift that can be.

If you have an interest in creating an estate plan and including Cox College within it, please give us a call at 417-269-7109, email me at lisa. alexander@coxhealth.com, or scan the QR code below. We would be happy to assist you in meeting this life changing goal.

Thank you for your service TODAY!

The CoxHealth Foundation has given over $365,000 in scholarships in 2022!

If you are considering your plan for the remainder of your life's rewards, it is our hope you will see an amazing young person delivering quality care to thousands over their lifetime.

Show your school spirit with authentic Cox College Gear.

• Hoodies • Quarter Zip

• T-shirts

• Polos

Caps • Water Bottle

For more information, email alumni@coxcollege.edu or visit Primrose Perk at Cox College.

Proceeds benefit Student Emergency Fund

Start Your Day With A Cup

Of

Co f fee.

Or something sweet and savory to get the juices flowing! Located at the entrance to Cox College.

BURGE SCHOOL OF NURSING CLASS OF 1978

Announces its 45th Reunion

Saturday, April 29th

10:00am - 7:30pm

Fountain Plaza Room

Open house, schedule of events to follow.

We look forward to seeing you and sharing stories from our time at Burge. For more information, or to RSVP, please contact Esther Murray at murray.e78@gmail.com.

ASN Night & Weekend A program that fits your lifestyle

Are you looking for a career change, but need to keep working?

Good news! We have night and weekend classes available for our ASN program! Contact our Admissions/Recruitment team by email at admissions@coxcollege.edu or scan in the QR code below to visit our website.

New Faculty and Staff

Shelby Thomas, BSN, RN ASN Faculty

Thomas graduated with a BSN from College of the Ozarks and has been a perioperative nurse for the last four years. She is currently working on her MSN in nursing education. As a perioperative nurse, Thomas specialized in neuro and orthopedic trauma, and is part of a trauma team and organ retrieval team.

Hailey Wecker, BSN, RN, PCCN Nursing Coordinator, Monett

Another BSN graduate of College of the Ozarks, Wecker moved to Rochester, Minnesota, to work at the Mayo Clinic in the Medical Cardiac Progressive Care Unit. She and her husband, Josh Wecker (currently Desktop Specialist for Cox College), moved back to Springfield where she did a short stint in the Neuro Trauma ICU at Cox South. Rogers later transferred to the Cardiovascular ICU, before coming to Cox College as Nursing Coordinator at the Monett campus.

Regina Rogers, BS, BA Administrative Assistant

Originally from Columbus, OH, Rogers made her way to Dallas, Texas before moving to Springfield to attend Cox College. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration, and a Bachelor of Science in mathematics. She has been a school teacher and worked for Bank of America in their property preservation division. Regina came to the College because of all the colleges she reviewed, Cox Colleges checked all her boxes. See her story on page 9.

Dr. Dustin Cox Receives Research Doctorate

Dr. Dustin Cox recently defended his dissertation and was granted his Ph.D. in Health Sciences (research doctorate). He previously earned his clinical doctorate (DPT).

Dr. Cox's dissertation focused on how psychological characteristics and different forms of feedback affected physical therapist abilities to learn and implement Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). ACT is a third wave therapy that involves clients to engage in the world around investing in their values while dealing with the challenges that very human faces as we live in a complex world. The opioid epidemic and challenges with treating chronic pain has been a large ongoing health care challenge. Treating clients with chronic pain through interdisciplinary approach is important and having the team use the same psychological frame of reference could help increase consistency in the treatment. Therefore, it was necessary to investigate how different forms of feedback affected the psychological characteristics and fidelity of treatment of physical therapist learning about ACT.

Professor Stacy Bohn Receives Doctorate

Stacy Bohn, BSN chair, recently received her Doctorate of Education (EdD) from Grand Canyon University. Dr. Bohn has been with Cox College since 2017. Before leading the BSN department she was a professor at the Cabool/Houston campus.

Dr. Carol Conley Published in Nurse Education Today

Dr. Carol Conley, BSN professor, was recently published in Volume 121, February 2023 edition of Nurse Education Today. The article, Student nurses’ end-of-life and post-mortem care self-efficacy: A descriptive study, was written for her Doctorate of Education thesis in 2020.

"The study aims to investigate the reliability and validity of the 'End-of-Life and Postmortem Self-Efficacy Scale' and explore nursing students' self-efficacy associated with the nursing duties and responsibilities of caring for individuals during the active phase of dying and immediately after death."

So far, she has been contacted by a nursing instructor at Hacettepe University in Ankara, Turkey for permission to use the scale in their own study.

OT Faculty Presentations

Dr. Amy Stark presented at an AOTA Live Webinar February 21st. Her presentation, "Mitigating Burnout in Healthcare," explored the symptoms of burnout and the related impact of burnout on professional life and patient care.

Dr. April Swanson presented for the Missouri Occupational Therapy Association on February 23rd via Zoom on accessible housing design. She is passionate about accessibility and has contributed to multiple types of built environments to enhance lives in Springfield and surrounding communities.

Inaugural class of BSN Fast Track Program Starts

Morgan Burdett, Caleb Wiseman, and Zoe Bergant are students in the inaugural class of our BSN Fast Track program!

Previous medical experience is not required for this program, but all three students came from health care backgrounds and were ready to take the next step in their careers. Morgan and Zoe were emergency room technicians and Caleb was an EMT. Soon enough, they will be nurses!

Cox College's BSN Fast Track program allows students to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in as quickly as three years, and no prior bachelor's degree is required.

MSOT Students Attend MOTA Day on the Hill

Practicing occupational therapists (OT), OT students, and Missouri residents were invited to the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City on March 1st. Those in attendance were able to tour the building and advocate to legislators regarding changes that need to be made within the state in order to meet the needs of those with disabilities.

OT students from Cox College had the opportunity to hear from Missouri residents as they rallied together discussing topics such as transportation issues, additional funding/grant needs, and the need for more caregivers.

In addition, students were able to communicate with legislators, Missouri residents, and OT students from surrounding schools on the role of occupational therapy and ways we can help make a change for the better!

First Doctorate Program Announced at Cox College

Cox College is thrilled to announce our new Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program will be launching in May, 2023! The OTD program will provide doctoratelevel training for occupational therapists, one of the most in-demand health care occupations in America.

College Launches Nuclear Medicine Program

Cox College recently launched a Nuclear Medicine program! This 12-month, fully online program is ideal for radiologic technologists looking to take the next step in their career, or for anyone interested in diagnostic imaging.

The benefits of our program include:

- No waiting list

- Students can request clinical sites based on their location

- Fully online courses that can be completed in 12 months

- Pre-approved clinical sites in Springfield and Branson

- Students can sit for the ARRT Nuclear Medicine board upon successful completion of the program

Ready to learn more?

Call for a visit or scan the QR code.

The OTD program at Cox College is the first doctorate degree program in our 116-year history. Dr. Amy Stark, who serves as Occupational Therapy Department Chair will lead both the OTD program and Cox College’s Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program, which has trained occupational therapists since 2015.

While both masters and doctoral degrees prepare students for licensure exams and practice, the doctoral degree has additional focus. The doctoral program incorporates advanced training in leadership and research, along with a student self-directed research project with intensive faculty mentorship.

The OTD program is a nine-semester, hybrid program featuring hands-on, skill-based practice and online coursework. The hybrid format offers the best of both worlds: flexibility and the application of hands-on learning.

Included in the program are 24 weeks of level 2 fieldwork with direct supervision from an occupational therapist. Once students complete fieldwork, they will finish their program with a capstone project in which they explore an area of occupational therapy they are most passionate about.

The OTD program has achieved candidacy status through the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) and will continue working through initial accreditation as the first cohort progresses through the program.

We are taking applications for our inaugural OTD class now! To learn more, contact an admissions counselor at admissions@coxcollege.edu, visit our website at CoxCollege.edu by scanning the QR code.

Dr. Amy DeMelo (president of Cox College), Dr. Amy Stark (OT Chair), Dr. April Swanson, and Carrie Miller celebrate the approval of the new OT doctorate program.

MAKING DREAMS COME TRUE

Story compilations

by Eric Baker

Except where noted, photos provided by students

Cox College has a proud tradition of training health care professionals. Our alumni have gone on to be leaders in their field and have accomplished much. In this issue, we take a look at four nursing students–what brought them here and their plans for the future.

Lizabeth Salas ASN, Monett Campus

She always knew she wanted to work in the medical field, because she has always loved helping people. During her sophomore year, she transferred from Purdy to Monett High School where she graduated. After graduation she received her certification as a nursing assistant (CNA). When she started as a CNA she thought about becoming a dental hygienist, but after job shadowing in that area she changed her mind. Her next rotation found her job shadowing an ER nurse and it was then she knew she had found her calling.

“I was instantly interested in everything the nurse had to say. She explained the duties and her experiences. It was such a challenging and interesting career and I saw the impact I could have on others.”

Completing her prerequisites through Drury University, Salas was accepted into ASN program in 2021. She is currently in her second semester of nursing school and mother to a healthy, beautiful four year-old girl.

“It’s been an amazing experience and having the campus so close to home is so helpful. I’m proud of my accomplishments and my professors have been supportive and helpful. When I thought I wasn’t going to be able to continue, Professor Sperry helped me believe in myself."

In addition to her studies, Salas works at the Monett hospital on the Med-Surg floor. After graduation, she plans on studying for the state boards and NCLEX exam, and dedicating more time to family. She also hopes to find a job in Labor and Delivery n

Being a first-generation college student can be challenging. Being a firstgeneration college student AND a mother adds a whole new level of complexity.

Lizabeth Salas, ASN student at Cox College’s Monett campus, is the oldest of three daughters of immigrant parents. Born in Aurora, Missouri, her parents left Zacatecas, Mexico to pursue the American dream.

Once Salas received her CNA, she decided to attend Drury University because she knew Drury partnered with Cox College to offer nursing programs.

“Cox College is a great school as it focuses on what I have always wanted to do as a career.”

During her sophomore year in high school, Salas became pregnant. This pregnancy added stress, however Lizabeth saw it as a blessing and was determined to be successful and have a bright future for herself and her baby.

Jonathan Gonzalez

ASN, Springfield Campus

“Flora Morgan, my advisor, was a great help to me in getting everything lined up,” he stated.

Each semester has been challenging, but Gonzalez believes the professors have been supportive and have helped guide him in the right direction.

Whether it’s been time management or finding better ways to study for exams, he feels his professors have given him the necessary feedback to help improve. “It helps when your professors are passionate about nursing and helping you achieve your goals.”

children, but soon changed her mind. “I didn’t like having to take my work home with me.”

Her next job was working at Bank of America in their property preservation division. Regina enjoyed the experience but eventually left due to the cyclical nature of the real estate market. “Layoffs occur frequently in this sector and I wanted stability.”

When you think of a nurse, what comes to your mind? To Jonathan Gonzalez, it wasn’t a male nurse. However, a good friend of his who worked in health care reminded him that yes, men can become nurses. She told him he would be a great fit because he wa s compassionate and selfless.

Gonzalez was born and raised on Long Island, New York, to immigrant parents from San Salvador. His family eventually moved to Springfield, Missouri, after his freshman year in high school.

Moving to Springfield was quite a culture shock. Long Island has a very diverse population, and they relied heavily on mass transit. “The pace of living was different. I lived by a train station and I remember a more stimulating environment,” Gonzalez said. When he was 16, he obtained a a job as a dishwasher in a restaurant and soon was working in construction and warehousing.

“I built a strong work ethic from working in construction, restaurants, and warehouses. I’m not your traditional student that goes to college right after high school.”

After 11 years, Gonzalez realized that he wasn’t finding fulfillment at work, and wouldn’t until he furthered his education. His family never had much, so he had a soft spot for the less fortunate. “It’s easy for me to empathize with strangers,” he said, “I genuinely feel good helping people and that led me to pursue nursing.”

Gonzalez soon applied to Cox College because a friend of his graduated from the College and mentioned the opportunities and experience she gained while attending. He finished his prerequisites at a local community college, and then took the TEAS test.

Currently Gonzalez is in his last semester in the ASN program. He hopes to graduate in May and become the first in his family to graduate from College. His mom, brothers, and sisters are very excited for him. “They know how hard I’ve worked and understand I’ve had to overcome,” he said. Gonzalez already has a Graduate Nurse Residency (GNR) opportunity lined up at the NTICU at Cox South after graduation.

Ultimately, he hopes one day to apply and be accepted into a CRNA program. n

Regina Rogers BSN, Springfield Campus

After living in Dallas, Texas for 10 years she made the move to Springfield, Missouri, to attend Cox College. “I was ready for a change of pace,” Rogers said, “And I don't regret it.” She had applied to other colleges, but would have had to wait. Cox College fit all her parameters, without the wait. "Sure, I could have gone to school in Dallas, but in the end it would've cost more."

Recently she took a part-time position at the College as an administration assistant. “My time here so far has been great, “Rogers says with a smile, “Working at the front desk has allowed me to inform prospective students that they won’t find a more encouraging and supportive learning environment.”

Rogers is over halfway through her program at Cox College. She will graduate May of next year. Her plan after graduation is to work in an ICU as an RN. n

Jarod Taliaferro ASN,

Springfield Campus

Inspiration can come from anywhere. A random act of kindness. A word of encouragement. Most often it can come from those closest to you. This was the case for Regina Rogers, BSN student. Her mom had been a nurse for over 30 years. “My mom retired from the Ohio State University hospital,” she recalls. “She inspired me to return to school and pursue a nursing career.”

Rogers was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, with several brothers and a sister. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration and a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics. She thought she wanted to be a teacher because she enjoyed helping

Ever since he was a little boy, Jarod Taliaferro wanted to be a soldier. “My mom would tell anyone who would listen that’s what I wanted to be.” And sure enough, he became one.

Taliaferro was born in Springfield, Missouri. When he was seven he moved to Texas with his father, and later moved back to Branson, (continued on next page)

Photo by Joseph Giddens

Jarod Taliaferro

(continued from previous page)

Missouri during his sophomore year in high school. After graduating, he enlisted in the army where he began basic training. Taliaferro was eventually assigned to Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, and while there he was required to take two medical-based classes, Combat Lifesaver (CSL) and Eagle First Responder (EFR).

His unit, the 101st Airborne Division (the Screaming Eagles), were deployed to Afghanistan in 2016. While there he put the skills he learned from the CSL and EFR classes to use, and discovered that he enjoyed the medical side of things.

After his first tour, he had planned to visit several colleges to see what was available. His mom heard about an Open House at Cox College through a friend who worked there, and she encouraged her son to attend. Taliaferro came, toured the College, visited with students and faculty, and ultimately decided this was where he belonged.

He applied and was accepted, but decided to do another three year tour and put his nursing journey on the back burner. His time as an infantryman soon took a toll on his body.

“I really enjoyed my time in the military,” he said, “I met some of my closest friends there, but I was starting to have some chronic injuries.” His doctor told him that maybe it was time to think of doing something else.

“I had never planned on making the military a career, so it seemed like a good time to pick up where I had left off and pursue my nursing degree.”

Taliaferro is currently in his first semester here at the College. He appreciates his professors and their willingness to make sure h e understands the concepts and answer questions.

His goal after receiving his ASN degree is to complete an RN-to-BSN degree and ultimately a Masters degree as a nurse practitioner. Taliaferro wants to focus on trauma care due to his military background. n

Professor Debra Oss Retiring

Debra Oss, assistant professor in the nursing department, will be retiring at the end of the Spring semester. She has been with the College 15 years. During most of that time she has been part of the Simulation and Skills lab team. Oss has also coordinated nursing courses, developed and taught clinical simulations, and taught in the classroom and hospital clinics.

She remembers having a strong desire to become a nurse when she was a child. Several of her ancestors had been nurses, so you could say it was in the family DNA. Both the science and the caring aspects have been important in her nursing practice.

Her career at the College began with being recruited by Ellen Duvall, now a retired emeritus faculty.

“I was very grateful for the opportunity afforded me by meeting with her. I don’t believe it was by chance and I have always felt my time at Cox College has been one of purpose.”

Oss has enjoyed the diverse types of positions and experiences in her career. She believes that each one prepared her for future opportunities.

“The students and my colleagues at the college have enriched my life both personally and professionally.”

As to the days ahead, she hopes to spend time with my family and friends whether at home or travel. Oss would like to keep active in exercise, faith-based or community service, and learning.

“I look forward to what opportunities lie ahead.” n

OT Alumni Represent at AOTA Fieldwork Educators Workshop

Cox College Alumni represented well at the AOTA Fieldwork Educators Workshop, designed for fieldwork educators and academic fieldwork coordinators. Topics included effective strategies to integrate learning theories, engagement models, strategies for best practices, and more. These OTs represent Cohort 1, Cohort 3, and Cohort 4 of the MSOT program.

Bachelor of Science In Diagnostic Imaging

SONOGRAPHY

Are you tired of being put on a waiting list for a sonography program? Skip the line and start at Cox College now!

Cox College's sonography program has a 100% job placement rate and ARDMS pass rate, which means 100% of our graduates become registered sonographers. We offer three concentrations: vascular, abdomen, and OBGYN.

If you're ready to start your career sooner rather than later, we can help. Learn more by scanning the QR code.

Pictured from left to right: Libbi Jones (C3), Jami Hogan Seidel (C4), Carrie Miller (C3), Lauren Brown (C3), Kati Kroutil (C1), and Ally Myers (C1)

The Road to Nursing

Story by Eric Baker

Professor Laura Sperry, Cox College ASN chair, has had quite a career so far. She earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary and mid-level education from University of Northern Iowa in 2004 and began teaching in 2005 in Muscatine, Iowa. By 2009, she earned her Masters in Education Leadership from Western Illinois University.

However, five years into her public teaching career, Sperry felt something was missing. “I had wanted to become a doctor in high school,” she said, “but changed my mind after I spent a day teaching the human body to 5th grade students.” It was then she knew she wanted to change course and pursue a career in nursing.

Earning her CNA license in May 2010, Sperry began working on prerequisites for nursing school. Two years later she began nursing school at Pikes Peak Community College in Colorado. By May 2014, she graduated, passed her NCLEX, and began work at Centura Health as an RN. During her time there she worked in both inpatient (Med-Surg & Ortho/ Neuro/Trauma) and outpatient (Family Practice/Neurosurgery/OB-GYN/ENT) services. Moving to Des Moines, Iowa in 2019, she became an adjunct instructor for Mercy College of Health sciences working on the Neuro floor. Her husband later received a promotion resulting in a move to Springfield and Sperry began working at Cox South in the NICU.

“I enjoyed my time with students at Mercy College and wanted to have the same opportunities with students in Springfield”

Sperry applied to Cox College in 2020 and was hired as an adjunct in the BSN department working with professors Carol Francka and Dr. Helena Cox. Later that year, she was hired full time to be the Simulation Coordinator in Monett where she helped set up the program and taught several courses. The next year a leadership position for the ASN Chair became available. Sperry was selected for this position, one that she relishes.

The ASN department is composed of 14 fulltime faculty, 3 shared faculty with the BSN department, and 3 adjunct clinical faculty. There are two ASN programs–the traditional day program and for those who need more flexibility due to work, a night and weekend program.

“I enjoy working with my team and especially the students–hearing their success stories and the growth they are making on the clinical units. There’s that moment when they make the connection to what’s being taught and what they’re seeing in a clinical setting.”

Family fun in Branson, Missouri

“I get the opportunity to develop policies, assist with curriculum, and evaluate program outcomes so that we ensure our students are provided the experiences they need for a quality education,” Sperry stated. “We prepare them not only to pass their classes, but the NCLEX, and to begin their career as a novice nurse.”

Sperry feels today’s nursing education is helping students in an ever-changing medical environment. “Nurses have the opportunity to work in roles that are remote and incorporate telehealth, advocating for their patients while following policies to promote safe & effective care,” she said. Nursing schools, like Cox College, use in-person high fidelity simulation using Manikins, but in the future Sperry sees high quality computerized virtual reality simulation being used to improve critical thinking in a safe learning environment.

“Nursing is the backbone of health care. Each day you will give a piece of yourself to help patients heal their mind, soul, and body.”

Edwards Brashears

Her advice to those considering a career in nursing? “There will be endless opportunities, lifelong learning, and the chance to touch lives,“ she said adding, “You have the chance to be the nurse you would want to have caring for yourself or your family in time of need.”

For those already in nursing she offers, “Never forget why you were drawn to the field and the power you have to make a difference in the lives you serve. More importantly, never forget to wash your hands.” n

Sperry's graduating class from nursing school at Pikes Peak Community College

Photos provided by Laura Sperry

STUDENT RESEARCH

Macronutrients: Food And Fitness Go Hand-in-Hand

By Courtney Middle Student in the Dietetic Internship program

Nutrition can make or break your fitness goals and workout routines. How well or poorly the body is nourished can have an immense effect on the quality of your exercises and your overall physical health. A well-balanced diet is the best “diet” for optimal health, ensuring to include all macronutrients such as carbohydrates, protein, and fat into everyday meals, which is going to best fuel your body.

Carbohydrates

Although carbohydrates get a bad rap on many fitness recommendations they are a crucial macronutrient to include in every single meal Carbohydrates are the body’s main source of energy, which means the body would not be able to function without them. Carbohydrates get stored as glycogen (a form of carbohydrates) in your muscles, which is the first source of energy your body uses during exercise (Gollnick, P.,D, 1984). In addition to adding them into your everyday diet, it can also be beneficial to consume a small amount of a “simple carbohydrate” 30 minutes before training to ensure your muscle glycogen stores do not deplete before workout completion. Simple carbohydrates are a type of carbohydrate that can be easily and quickly digested by the body and be used as energy right away. It includes any kind of fruit, juice, energy drinks, or energy bars. A whole piece of fruit will have more nutrient density compared to other simple carb choices. It is also imperative to consume a carbohydrate-rich meal after a workout to replenish lost glycogen stores such as pasta, sandwiches, potatoes, etc. Doing this will help with muscle recovery and help with post exercise muscle fatigue (Alghannam, 2018).

Protein

Protein is important to include in your diet consistently because they help with muscle mass, function, strength, and recovery (Beerman, 2021). The amount of daily protein varies from person to person depending on their age, gender, type/intensity of exercises, and overall fitness goals, however, the recommended daily allowance (RDA) is 0.8g/kg per day for healthy individuals. For example, a 140 pound individual would need about 50g of protein per day (140/2.2=63.6 X 0.8=50.9g of protein). Complete proteins are protein

substances that contain all nine essential amino acids, while incomplete proteins contain only some, not all. Your body produces some amino acids, but the ones that cannot be produced, must be gathered from food. Since complete proteins have all essential amino acids that the body cannot produce, they will have a greater effect on muscles, and you will need less of it to see results. Examples of complete proteins are most foods that come from animals that include beef, chicken, eggs, and cheese. One ounce of poultry contains 7g of protein, and a usual portion size is about 3oz, meaning an average portion of chicken, ham, or turkey will have 21g of protein out of your total needed for the day.

Fat

Although fat isn’t the most important macronutrient in relation to fitness, it does have an impact on certain kinds of workouts. For example, it was mentioned above that muscle glycogen is the body’s first energy source for quick, intense workouts. However, for long, moderate workouts, fat storage is the main source of energy. Some examples of a moderate workout would be a brisk walk at 4mph for about 45 minutes or biking 10-12mph for 45 minutes. Moderate workouts can also include activities of daily living such as heavy, intense cleaning (vacuuming or mopping) or mowing the lawn for long periods of time (Harvard College, 2023). Because of this, it is important to include fats in your diet, making sure to emphasize healthy fats such as mono and polyunsaturated fats to minimize a potential risk for cardiovascular disease. Some examples include olive oil, avocados, fish, and nuts/seeds.

In conclusion, it is important to eat a well-balanced diet consisting of carbohydrates, protein, and fats to ensure your bods fully fueled and nourished to perform to the best of its ability. Here are great examples of well-rounded meals and snacks that would be great to include during your fitness journey:

Time/When Food Example

Pre-workout snack ideas

Peanut butter and banana toast

Yogurt and berries

Cheese and Crackers

Post-workout meal ideas

Chicken Pesto Pasta with asparagus

Roast Beef with Potatoes and Carrots

Salmon with Rice and Roasted Zucchini

References

Alghannam, A. F., Gonzalez, J. T., & Betts, J. A. (2018). Restoration of Muscle Glycogen and Functional Capacity: Role of Post-Exercise Carbohydrate and Protein Co-Ingestion. Nutrients, 10(2), 253. https://doi.org/10.3390/ nu10020253

Beerman, K. (2021, July 26). Dietary protein and exercise: Is there a winning combination? American Society for Nutrition. Retrieved February 20, 2023, from https://nutrition.org/ dietary-protein-and-exercise-is-there-awinning-combination/

Gollnick, P. D., & Matoba, H. (1984). Role of carbohydrate in exercise. Clinics in sports medicine, 3(3), 583–593.

The President and Fellows of Harvard College. (2023). Examples of Moderate and Vigorous Physical Activity . Hsph.harvard.edu. Retrieved February 23, 2023, from https://www.hsph. harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/

About the Author

Courtney Middle is a dietetic intern in our Dietetic Internship program and will graduate this spring. She is from Colorado and has an interest in sports nutrition and outpatient clinical dietetics.

Interested in becoming a Dietetic Nutritionist?

The Cox College Nutrition Diagnostics Dietetic Internship program is an advanced practice approach to nutrition diagnostics. Combined with our master’s degree coursework, this internship will prepare you with innovative problem solving skills to meet the demands of a registered dietitian nutritionist in an ever-changing healthcare landscape. Our program’s unique concentration in prevention will equip you with the practice skills you need to take the lead in emerging industry trends and priorities.

The internship includes both didactic and supervised practice components, earning you 12 hours toward a master’s degree in nutrition diagnostics. Plus, you’ll have all the knowledge and training you need to qualify for and ace the registration exam for dietitians

For more information scan the QR code or call 417-2693401 to talk to one of our admissions recruiters..

Nutrition Diagnostics Students Educate Community

Three Nutrition Diagnostics students participated in a health fair at Hy-Vee (Fitness Fair) on January 18th. Students Brooklyn Liberato, Lexie Buchman, and Courtney Middle (pictured below, left) sampled out protein shakes, provided the community with nutrition tips, and were able to connect with other community health care teams at the event.

Fall of last year, students participated in the Dining for Diabetes event. This annual event is held to support local patients who need assistance with diabetes education, medications, supplies, and related-services. Participating interns included Susan Cook, Matthew Bertoldi, Lexie Buchman, David Ramirez, Brooklyn Liberato, and Muneeba Hasan (pictured below, right).

Traveling Journal Club Instituted by Diagnostics Students

The Cox College Nutrition Diagnostics students are implementing a traveling journal club this semester. Due to staff shortages and busy schedules, many clinical dietitians are not able to participate in journal clubs offered off-site. The traveling journal club is offered at the clinic or site where dietitians work day-to-day. Students are able to choose articles specific to the needs of the patient population served there. The first traveling journal club took place Friday, February 24 at CoxHealth Center for Health Improvement (CHI) with several CHI dietitians and diabetes educators participating and earning free continuing education credit. Future journal clubs are being planned at CoxHealth East Battlefield Clinic, Ozarks Dialysis Services, and Cox South. If your clinic is interested in hosting a nutrition focused journal club, email Shannon.Crosby@ coxcollege.edu to get scheduled!

Dietetic Interns Present

In-Person Demos

Cox College Dietetic Interns gave a healthy food demo on Thursday, March 9 celebrating National Nutrition Month. The recipes "Sweet Potato and Kale Quesadilla" and " Edamame and Corn Salad" were demonstrated, and participants were able to taste test samples.

Photos provided by Shannon Crosby and Twila Anderson

Burge and Cox College Alumni Association

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

COX COLLEGE

Christine Coleman-Kromer BSN, RN ASN 1997

Coleman-Kromer worked in the OR at MercyLebanon from 1998-2009. After leaving Mercy, she went into school nursing working at Lebanon elementary, middle school, and currently at the high school.

Anna Guzman, RD/LD DI 2020

Earlier this year, Guzman started a new position as Director of Food and Nutrition Services/ Regional Clinical Dietitian at SoutheastHEALTH.

Sydney Kremer, OTR/L MSOT 2022

Kremer recently relocated to KC to work in a traveling OT position at Mosiac Hospital in St. Joseph, Missouri, an acute/long term acute care facility.

“I am beyond blessed for this opportunity and excited for the adventure ahead.”

MaKayla

Elliot, BSN, RN

BSN 2021

Elliot is celebrating one year of working as a nurse in MICU/CCU at Cox South.

“I have learned and gained so much experience over the past year in the ICU, and have been surrounded by some amazing nurses whom I now call friends. They have made my transition from scared new grad to competent nurse so seamless. I am truly living out the dreams of my past self and feel so blessed!”

CLASS NOTES

We'd love to hear from you! Tell us about your new job, career pivot, or your latest award. Celebrate a personal achievement or share a favorite campus memory. Send your submissions, along with any photos, to alumni@coxcollege.edu. Your submissions may be edited for clarity, length, and style.

Breanna Jain, DNP, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP

ASN 2013, BSN 2014

Jain completed her PHMNP degree at 2017 and her DNP in 2021, both from UMKC. She and her husband co-founded Eustasis Psychiatric and Addiction Health, an award winning mental health organization with 150 employees serving 28,000 patients in Missouri and Arkansas locations. She was voted one of Springfield Business Journal's Most Influential Women of 2020, SBJ Health Care Champion Health Administration winner in 2022, and was featured in How She Leads, SBJ honoring women in leadership roles.

“We started Eustasis due to the enormous need for prompt access to mental health. Our backgrounds were on the medical side of hospitals and we saw patients with severe medical complications from poor access to services like psychiatry, neurotrama, and others.”

Jain spent time in graduate studies focusing on finding a solution to access to care and helping to solve the national epidemic in her own community. Using evidence-based guidelines and clinical expertise, she and her husband were later able to develop a solution that would provide the highest quality mental health care for patients.

“Our biggest challenges were getting stakeholders to hear us out. We encountered resistance which is why we decided to do it ourselves. During the pandemic, we had staffing issues. The need for services quickly outgrew what two people could do. Fortunately we’ve been blessed with qualified people who share our vision.”

Jain is grateful for her time at Cox College. She was a single mom working to help pay the bills and complete school. She is thankful that she was able to take advantage of scholarships through the CoxHealth Foundation which helped meet the need. Jain believes the foundations were laid for academic success and the rigors she would encounter in her academic career.

“The reality is that nursing teaches us to advocate for our patients and the field–it makes us well prepared to create change and look for solutions. I encourage other nurses to pursue their doctorate because we have a place in leadership and this is a good way to move the position forward!”

Bev Eli Burge School of Nursing 1979

Bev Eli recently retired from her position as Administrative Director of Nursing at Cox Monett. She dedicated over 40 years of service to CoxHealth in a multitude of ways after graduating from Burge School of Nursing in 1979.

Retiring Monett Administrative Director

Jennifer Runge, FNP-C

MSN 2021

Runge started a new position as Family Nurse Practitioner at Signify Health in Kansas City, Missouri. Previously Runge has worked as a RN in endoscopy for Ascension health systems.

"I thoroughly enjoyed the FNP program at Cox College and passed AANP boards the first try. Great program with amazing faculty!"

Michelle Welch, RN, BA

BSN 2008

Welch began her career as a RN on 300 Pulmonary Med/Surg at Cox South and eventually became a nurse recruiter. She recently accepted a position as a Program Advisor in CoxHealth's Center for Professional Development.

Rachael Duncan, BA, RT(R)

ASR 2020

After graduation she worked as a radiologic technologist for Barnes-Jewish Hospital and currently for the Mercy health systems in St. Louis, MO.

Sherry Neal, RDN, LD, CLC DI 2011

Neal worked for Cox South for a year after completing the internship, and then was offered a position with the Army/ Department of Defense as an Supervisory RD in 2012.

She has since worked with the Army as an Registered Dietetic Nutritionist (RDN) and Licensed Dietitian (LD) for over 10 years. The first five years were at Fort Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital as an inpatient/outpatient RDN where she was in charge of patient feeding management in the kitchen (she will return there this summer). The last five years, she has been in Germany with the Army as an outpatient RDN, LD and a (CLC) Certified Lactation Counselor.

Neal completed her Masters in Exercise Science last fall, completing the degree remotely due to being overseas.

"I miss Cox College. Their program was a fantastic comprehensive education program."

Brittany Carpenter, MS, RDN DI 2013

After completing her Dietetic Internship at Cox College, Carpenter was a clinical dietitian at Cox Health, a dietitian at Hy-Vee, and corporate dietitian at Pyramid Foods. After years away, she decided to come "home" to Cox College as a Clinical Preceptor where she helped pioneer a new way of bringing dietetic students into the clinics to gain experience from various patient populations. Carpenter provided "on-the-job" education for several cohorts of students. She recently left to pursue her own virtual private practice, Dietitian Brittany, where she and a team of dietitians help women resolve gut and hormone complaints through targeted nutrition therapy.

Jessica Miller, RDN, CDE DI 2009

Miller received her Certificate in Diabetes Education in 2011. She took her interest in good nutrition as disease prevention to the grocery store aisles. Miller shifted into retail and created a retail dietitian program for an independent grocery store chain, Pyramid Foods. She was later promoted to buyer and category manager for natural, organic, and specialty foods.

Currently, Miller is the Nutrition Communications Manager for the Seafood Nutrition Partnership (SNP), where she coordinates nutrition education and outreach and works to maintain SNP as the go-to resource for nutritious seafood information.

Luis Rodas. BS, RT(R)(CT)(T) ASR 2017

Rodas earned his bachelor’s degree at Missouri State University in 2018 and crossed trained in CT at Mercy. In 2021, he graduated with his certificate of Radiation Therapy at Central Arkansas Radiation Therapy Institute (CARTI) located in Little Rock, Arkansas. Rodas is currently traveling as a Radiation Therapist and has been to Washington and California. He loves meeting new people and still learning how different facilities have their own unique ways of treating cancer patients. In the near future, Rodas is planning to further his education by becoming a medical dosimetrist.

Rachel Mistry, MS, RDN, IFMCP MNDI 2018

After graduation, Mistry took a position as registered dietitian and Functional Medical Practitioner at Root Cause Medical Clinic in Saratoga, California. Last fall, she left to join The Funk'tional Nutritionist, an online health care practice that attempts to understand and resolve the underlying root causes of imbalance and illness in the body, as lead practitioner.

"The Cox College MS/DI program was a game changer for my career! It was one of the first times I was asked to think critically, which set me up for success working as a functional medicine practitioner. Professor Kelsay’s contemporary nutrition class was where I first learned about the impact that gut health can have on the rest of our bodies! I’m passionate about taking a root-cause approach when it comes to women’s health and I currently work for a virtual functional medicine practice supporting patients with various hormonal, digestive, and autoimmune concerns."

Lindsey Durden. BS, RT(R)(N)(CT), CNMT ASR 2018

Durden graduated from Research Medical Center’s Nuclear Medicine program in 2019. During school she worked at Children’s Mercy in Kansas City. Shortly after that she moved to Portland, Oregon for a Nuclear Med/CT Hybrid position at Oregon Health and Science University. Durden cross-trained in CT in 2020 and now works in general NM, PET, and CT. Her current employer is the only hospital in the Pacific Northwest to have a PET/MRI hybrid scanner.

Stephanie Sparlin, RDN, CDE

ASR 2017

Sparlin worked at Mercy in the in-patient department for the two years following graduation. She transitioned to the lead x-ray tech at Mercy Occupational Medicine three years ago. Sparlin has been active in the Missouri Society of Radiologic Technologists (MoSRT), and serves as the 5th district treasurer and secretary for the past four years.

In Memoriam

Judith Elaine Ballweber-Ruban , 60, passed away December 27, 2022. She graduated from Burge School of Nursing in Springfield, Missouri in 1984. After graduating, she earned a BSN degree from Providence Hospital in Anchorage, Alaska in 1988, and was a nurse and Assembly of God MAPS missionary in Nome Alaska from 1985-1988. BallweberRuban received her Master's degree in Nurse Midwifery from University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1997, and was a certified nurse midwife (nurse practitioner) in Soldotna, Alaska from 1997-2000. Following her desire to be a career missionary, she received her Master's of Divinity at AG Theological Seminary in Springfield, Missouri in 2003. After graduating, she served as an AG World Missionary in Russia and Ukraine.

Nancy (Freeman) Owens, 64, passed away on June 21, 2022. She graduated from Burge School of Nursing in 1978.

(continued from previous page)

Kyle Sartain, BA, RT(R)(T) ASR 2019

After graduation, Sartain attended Central Arkansas Radiation Therapy Institute (CARTI) in Little Rock, Arkansas, and earned a radiation therapy certificate in 2020.

"We’re told we shouldn’t bring our work home, but my passion for radiation physics and treating cancer patients spilled over through my year of schooling to the point that my wife was inspired to shadow a radiation therapist as well."

He and his wife moved to Galveston, Texas, for his first radiation therapy job, and so Sartain's wife could enroll in same program at another institution. They eventually both became travelling radiation therapists, going to where they were most needed.

Recently, the opportunity to work in the state of Washington led to their decision to plant down roots, working together for the same cancer treatment center.

Caleb Skyles, RN, BSN, CCRN BSN-A 2013

His duties now revolve around creating a "Nurse First" experience that provides excellent service to their nurses, while providing solutions for our hospital clients' staffing needs. He also collaborates with the executive team in forecasting and establishing growth targets, partnering with other departments across the organization (Marketing, Sourcing, Compliance, and Account Management) to drive growth and revenue.

Skyles current plan is to continue growing with NextMove Healthcare while pursuing his Executive MBA.

Emily Crewse

ASR 2014

After graduating Cox in 2014, Crewse started her journey as a Radiation Therapist at Arkansas State University. Upon graduating from the program in 2015, Crewse moved to Arizona to start her first radiation therapy job at Arizona Center for Care Cancer.

In 2017, she decided to further her skills as a radiation therapist and moved to Colorado to work at Centura Health. During this time, Crewse was able to work with companies like Varian (a Siemens Healthineers company), VisionRT, and Orfit to beta-test radiation oncology products and equipment.

Sandra Bird, 66, passed away September 9, 2022. She graduated from Burge School of Nursing in 1978, and went on to have a career at CoxHealth working in the specialties of oncology and dialysis.

Ann Harris Armstrong Haren, 39, passed away January 25, 1993. She graduated from Burge School of Nursing in 1978. After graduation she was employed at Cox Medical Center. At the time of her death, she was employed as a flight nurse for Spirit of Kansas City Life Flight out of St. Luke's and St. Joseph's Hospital.

We want to honor all our alumni who are no longer with us. Please send all In Memoriam submissions (including photos) to alumni@ coxcollege.edu.

After graduating, he became a CVICU RN at Cox South in Springfield for two years, and then left to become a travel ICU nurse for more than five years.

"Being a travel nurse was one of the most enriching experiences I've had, but I knew after more than five years of it that I wanted to be 'on the business side' of things, while remaining in the healthcare space."

In April 2020, Skyles took a chance on a startup in Kansas City, Missouri called Next Move Healthcare, a leading provider of clinical talent for facilities nationwide. As the company has grown, he has moved from Recruiter to Team Lead (managing a team of recruiters), and then in March 2022, moved to Director of Recruiting.

She moved back to Arizona in 2021 to become a Lead Therapist at Arizona Center Care Center. In 2022, Crewse was offered and accepted the position of Clinical Implementation Consultant at Varian. With her new role, she gets to travel to Oncology clinics over the United States to help with the transition of new EMR systems and workflows.

Abby Hockman, OTR/L

MSOT 2022

Hockman recently started a new position at Meyer Orthopedic Rehabilitation Hospital in inpatient rehabilitation. She will be working with patients who have had strokes, trauma brain injury (TBI), multi-trauma, orthopedic surgeries, and more.

Kylee Smith, OTR/L

MSOT 2022

Started a new position as an OT at the Webb City School District in Webb City, Missouri.

Esther Murray, MSN, RN, COHN-s, CSPHP Burge School of Nursing 1978

Currently, teaching international ESL students twice weekly thru the Daniel Educational Center. She preps them to take their TOEFL (English proficiency exam for college entry). Many international countries recognize that English proficiency is needed to send students to college. Many countries pay for the college education for students to become doctors, dentists, etc. as they do not offer these schools in their country. Murray's class is offered with Lai Rem Mawi, an international student who graduated with a BBS from Evangel University, as a zoom class thru the Daniel Educational Center. They work with companies like Varian (a Siemens Healthineers company), VisionRT, and Orfit to beta-test radiation oncology products and equipment.

Honoring alumni who are no longer with us

Island Nurse

“Pretend you are on an island with all the order sets, but it’s just you.”

That was the scenario my nursing professors used when helping us prepare for nursing exams Little did I know, four years later I would be working on an island calling upon the many lessons learned while in nursing school.

During my time at Cox College, I was fortunate to go on several trips to Haiti and fell in love with medical missions. After receiving my BSN degree, I planned on taking a position as a clinic nursing director in Haiti. Unfortunately, the country fell into severe political uncertainty and was no longer safe for Americans to stay. The COVID-19 surge hit immediately afterwards, and suddenly my dreams were put on hold.

I started my nursing career working at a Level 1 Trauma ER in Springfield, Missouri and had to deal with the challenges of a global pandemic. I also became a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) specializing in treating children that come into the ER. In addition, I helped open

the new pediatric ER at Mercy, but eventually left to work in the ER department at Orlando Health in Orlando, Florida.

Through of all this my heart to do medical missions never left, and eventually I was offered a position in the Virgin Islands. I was ecstatic! And to my surprise, I learned a majority of the local population we treated were Haitian. I felt like I had come full circle!

Being an island nurse is very challenging. I have to fall back on my core skills to do dosage calculations or mix my own meds, run labs, and read scans–things that a mainland hospital has departments to take care of. Also, there are no specialties here–you learn to do all and treat all. My experience is in the ER, but I could be called to the ICU, medical, surgical, labor and delivery, or NICU at a moment's notice.

Getting supplies to the island is hard, too, and not always guaranteed. It can be expensive to get, be on back order, or not available at

problem solve. One week we ran out of syringes, so simple daily tasks such as drawing blood, or giving medications, became a huge challenge. We eventually had to empty out flushes to use as syringes. I no longer sweat the small stuff.

The biggest adjustment to island life has been the community aspect. Everyone takes care of everyone, and patients become family. It’s not unheard of for one of us to drive a patient home. We even get calls to meet a patient to give us fresh fruit or baked goods as a “thank you.” The core of island nursing is community, faith, and compassionate care.

The hospital that I work in is the only hospital for five islands and one of the only ports that treats patients from cruise ships. Anything and everything walks through our doors. Cruise ship days can easily add 20,000 people to the island. Those patients need to be seen and treated quickly so that they can get back to port before their ship leaves. Local residents, however, don’t present to the ER until they are literally on their death bed, so they add to the challenge of triaging and moving patients.

Yes, my job is intense and far from dull. It can seem like combat medicine at times, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I joke that I live in a postcard, but it’s true. I’m proud of what I’ve been able to do and grateful for all the doors nursing has opened for me. I get to live in paradise. n

Story and photos by Beth Richards, BSN, RN, SANE BSN 2020

Photos provided by Jessie Jo Cheevers

Yes, my job intense and is far from dull. It can seem like combat medicine at times, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I joke that I live in a postcard, but it's true.

Touching Lives, Making a Difference

Kathryn Dyche, RN Class of 1999

That following year, an EF5 tornado swept through Joplin and she took on the challenge of working in a tent hospital/cath lab that was set up to tend to a hurting and devastated community.

Later in 2011, she moved to Tyler Texas to work for ETMC Tyler (now known as UT Health East Texas) using her nursing skills for the next six years in the ER, Stress Lab, and Heart Valve Center.

In the summer of 2017, Dyche began working as the clinic nurse to one of the most prominent cardiologists in Tyler, Texas. She excelled in that position and was promoted to the role of practice manager for Christus Trinity Clinic Cardiology in February of 2020. In the spring of 2021, she took on the additional responsibility of daily oversight of the Heart Failure Clinic.

One never knows the effect one’s life can have on the life of another. Such was the case with Kathryn Dyche, Class of 1999. During a hospital stay at Cox Hospital, she was attended to by a caring and friendly student nurse. Her interactions with that student nurse resulted in Kathryn’s decision to look into becoming a nurse herself.

“I loved her compassion and thought maybe I could be that for someone else, too.”

Several years later she applied and was accepted into the nursing program at Lester L. Cox College of Nursing & Health Sciences (now

Cox College). She chose the College for no other reason than both of her daughters had been born at Cox Medical Center.

Kathryn graduated with her degree in 1999 and started her career in nursing at St. John’s Regional Center in Joplin, Missouri, in the Med-Surg, Renal/Diabetic department as a floor nurse. She was eventually promoted to Shift Coordinator and held that position for 11 years.

In 2010, Kathryn took an opportunity to expand her horizons and learn something new by working in the Cardiac Catheterization Lab.

Kathryn now leads a team of 13 providers along with almost 40 associates. Her clinics have won both Qualtrics Survey Patient Experience Awards for Northeast Texas and the Cardiology Clinic was voted “Best in Town” by a reader’s choice award through the local paper.

“Each step I’ve taken in my nearly 24 years of nursing has made me proud of who I am and where I am today. It all started with Cox College and their belief in me. Thank you for helping to give me the opportunity to touch lives and to show new nurses that nursing is nursing whatever role you may take.” n

Alumna Lindsey Brockman, BSN 2019, Daisy Award Honoree

Lindsey Brockman was selected as one of the winter 2022 DAISY Award honorees this past January. This recognition is given to nurses who go above and beyond to serve CoxHealth patients.

Brockman is an RN at Cox South's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Her colleagues nominated her for the care she showed a family during an extremely difficult time.

“Lindsey showed tremendous compassion for a family during the most challenging circumstance - the loss of their very premature daughter. Lindsey was part of the team that took care of the baby from the minute they came into the hospital and stayed by their

side. She was there for the parents during this sudden, scary and life-changing circumstance.”

Lindsey then came back in the middle of the night after working a long shift to be there for the family.

“Lindsey stayed and helped with the bereavement care. Lindsey always takes extraordinary care of our patients and makes a special place in her heart for our NICU parents. She goes out of her way to form a bond. She is a great crafter and made special keepsakes for the family to take with them to remember their baby.” n

Story by Eric Baker

Photo provided by Kathyrn Dyche

Story and photo reprinted from CoxHealth website

Kacie Craig always knew she was destined for a career in the medical field.

Her eyes were opened unexpectedly to the world of health care when she broke her arm at a very young age. Taking an x-ray might be intimidating for some kids, but Kacie was instantly enamored with all of it. The human anatomy aspect was interesting, but she knew it was a truly promising career when she saw the bill!

In high school, she completed job shadowing in the radiography department at Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan, Missouri. When it was time to start thinking about college, she asked the x-ray technicians at the hospital for recommendations. They unanimously answered with CoxHealth’s School of Diagnostic Imaging.

The rest was history; Kacie packed her bags for Springfield, Missouri.

The next few years consisted of graduating from CoxHealth’s School of Diagnostic Imaging in 2005, working as an x-ray technician, and performing fluoroscopy at the Martin Center. A part-time teaching position became available in CoxHealth’s Diagnostic Imaging program in 2009, and Kacie’s former professor recommended she interview for it. At this point in Kacie’s career, she had excelled at everything she set out to do. It seemed like the natural decision to try her hand at teaching, so she interviewed and got the job!

In 2010, CoxHealth’s School of Diagnostic Imaging moved over to the Associate of Science in Radiography Program at Cox College, and in January of 2013, Kacie was named the Program Director.

Life on the Other Side

Former ASR Program Chair, Kacie Craig, leads the CUTE Foundation, raising awareness and funding for SCN8A research.

Story by Kyle Devries

As the ASR Program Director at Cox College, Kacie helped build the program into something she’s very proud of. She has witnessed too many student success stories and achievements to count. A highlight of her time here was the implementation of the radiography simulation labs. After a little help with planning and funding from Cox College President, Dr. Amy DeMelo, the radiology sim labs became a state-of-the-art facility for students to apply what they were learning in class. “The radiography labs made such a big difference in how we taught our students. It brought the real world into a teaching setting,” Kacie said.

Outside the walls of Cox College, Kacie loves to spend time with her family. She and her husband, Ken, have two children, Lincoln (10) and Stella (7). While they are a very happy and tight-knit family, they face some unique challenges that have forced them to change the way they approach daily life.

After having Lincoln, they had difficulties getting pregnant with Stella. In remembering those struggles, Kacie said, “It felt like the world was saying not yet, not yet. She’s going to need a lot of attention and you’re not ready yet.”

When that time finally came, everything went according to plan. It was a healthy pregnancy and they had no reason to believe anything was wrong. However, when Stella was just six weeks old, she started having seizures.

“So this is what it’s like on the other side,” Kacie thought. She had worked in health care for over a decade, but had never seen it from this perspective. “Your daughter’s life is in other peoples’ hands. It was a tough, tough time.”

Stella has a very rare genetic disorder called SCN8A. There are only 450 cases worldwide, but Stella’s specific mutation is 100% unique to her. The SCN8A gene provides instructions for making sodium channels in the body, and the channels allow positively charged sodium atoms to pass into cells. An SCN8A gene mutation results in those channels staying open longer than usual or closing too early, causing seizures. Stella has no head or trunk control, limited limb coordination, and is wheelchair dependent. She is non-verbal and is visually and cognitively impaired.

The extreme rarity of Stella’s condition has caused immense challenges for her care. It also means regular trips to St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Numerous helicopter trips, ambulance rides, and nights spent in hospitals can start to take a toll.

(continued on back cover)

Lincoln and Stella sharing a light hearted moment

Kacie and her husband, Ken, in 2016

Photos provided by Kacie Craig

1423 N. Jefferson Avenue Springfield, MO 65802

COXHEALTH NORTH FITNESS CENTERS

CoxHealth Fitness Centers-North is conveniently located next door to Cox College and is open 24/7 to meet your busy class schedule! Three floors that give you the space you need and the CLEANLINESS you deserve.

• Cardio

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• Circuit Functional Fitness Room

• Locker Rooms Personal Training Services

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STUDENT DISCOUNT ON MEMBERSHIP

For more information on touring the facilities or joining the fitness center, call 417-269-3282 or email us at CoxFitnessCenters@coxhealth.com

Life on the Other Side

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Despite these challenges, Stella’s energy is joy ful and infectious. She has a sweet demeanor and loves to be with her family. Her brother, Lincoln, has been a great big brother to her, too. Stella is the heartbeat of the Craig family.

After nine years as the Program Director of Cox College’s Radiography program, Kacie is entering new territories. She resigned from her position at Cox College and is the Executive Director at the CUTE Foundation. The CUTE Foundation helps raise money for SCN8A research, and they create social and emotional programming that supports the families.

“I honestly thought I was going to retire at Cox College. I love it here,” Kacie said. “It’s just been increasingly getting harder to juggle and keep all the plates spinning.”

Kacie felt both worlds tugging her in opposite directions. “There were times when Stella was not in a good place, and I would have to turn around and teach 20 students and pretend my world wasn’t crashing down. The students deserved my attention and the education they were there for.” After flipping back and forth between the ASR program director and Stella’s mom for almost seven years, Kacie decided it was time to seek balance.

In her new position, she is working part-time from home. This allows her to tend to Stella in a moment’s notice. Kacie hopes to start a new program with the CARE Foundation that helps families pay for their medical bills.

It was a very difficult decision to move on to something completely new, but Kacie knows she will be putting her time and efforts towards something that means the world to her and her family.

Kacie has been a cornerstone member of Cox College for the last decade and she is missed. We appreciate everything Kacie has done here and we wish her continued success in this new endeavor! n

Kacie speaking with Hillary Savoie, the founder of TCSF at an annual gathering.