October 2023 The Pulse

THE FUTURE OF COX COLLEGE

A Letter from Dr. Amy Wutke

HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONS:

IT'S A FAMILY AFFAIR

Turning Loss Into Purpose

A Calling Shared: A Mother and Daughters Journey

Healing Bonds: Two Sisters Find Purpose In Nursing

MASH CAMP HOSTED BY COX COLLEGE

Area Students Learn About Health Care

And MORE!

4 The Power of Your Gift

5 The Next Chapter for Cox College

A letter from Dr. Amy Wutke

8 MASH Camp

5 8 8 17 16

8 Turning Loss Into Purpose

12 A Calling Shared: A Mother and Daughter's Journey

10 17

14 Healing Bonds: Two Sisters Find Purpose in Nursing

16 From Fatigues to Scrubs

17 Feeding Curiosity

18

Where Are They Now?

Back Cover: Burge Class of 1978 Holds

Cover: The focus of this edition is on family in health care professions. Our cover photo showcases the inspiring story of Vicky and Alexandra Lurvey, a remarkable mother-daughter duo who recently graduated as ASN students in May. Their journey towards this accomplishment was filled with unexpected detours and challenges. Although they initially pursued separate career paths, both finally found their calling in the field of nursing. To delve deeper into their remarkable tale, flip to page 12. Additionally, do not miss the chance to explore other narratives of students and family members who have embraced the vocation in the health care profession

Photo by Eric Baker.

Back

Welcome to the latest issue of The Pulse Magazine!

Our hope is that you, as alums, enjoy reading about your alma mater. We thank you for paving the path to a longstanding rich and solid foundation for building on for future alums.

To our current students – thank you for choosing Cox College. We value you and your commitment to becoming an outstanding health care professional.

For new prospective students, our hope is that you find something in our publication that piques your interest – please come and see us, take a tour, and let us know if we can help you in your pursuit of achieving your dream of becoming a health professional.

Happy Fall and Best wishes,

Sonya Hayter, EdD VP

Student Affairs and College

Advancement

Fall Semester Begins

The fall semester at Cox College is a time-honored ritual that marks the beginning of an academic journey for hundreds of students each year. It is a season filled with anticipation, excitement, and a touch of apprehension as students embark on a new chapter of their lives.

The first week of school students were welcomed back with food and snacks provided by CoxHealth and the College.

We wish all our students the very best as they gain new knowledge, achieve goals, and leave to serve our community and beyond.

pulse the

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 Wutke, 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, MSN, RN Department Chair, Associate and Bachelor of Science in Nursing

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

Daniel Edwards, Ed.D., R.T.(R)(MR)(ARRT), ATC/L Department Chair, Radiological Sciences

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, Photographer, Writer for The Pulse

Kyle DeVries, BS Outreach Coordinator

Contributing Writer for The Pulse

and College Designers Association

Photos by Eric Baker and Kyle DeVries

The Power of Your Gift

By Lisa Alexander, CFRE President, CoxHealth Foundation

You might be surprised how many times I hear this statement: “I wish I could give more, but this is what I can do.” Followed by, “I don’t think $100 will do anything, but I hope it helps.” Please know that EVERY gift, no matter the size is greatly appreciated and having an impact at Cox College. Whatever someone has in their heart to give, is a blessing to the students served. Please no apologies for incredible generosity!

As an organization, Cox College has always focused on keeping costs under control. Cox College operates on tuition and fees. As a private college there are not large amounts of state or federal funds funneling into our coffers annually to offset the tuition costs! Additional dollars to support capital needs, scholarship and faculty are coming from donors, grants or other methods of fundraising. Many of our students are not even able to qualify for any kind of financial aid if they are coming to nursing/health sciences after already receiving a degree in a different field. Loans are often many of our student’s only options.

When we talk about giving levels, scholarships are a key example of the power of the 100-dollar. Thanks to our Annual Giving Campaign, established scholarships and the Burge Alumni Appeal, 102 nursing scholarships were awarded for the 2023-2024 session along with 15 for Health Sciences and four for

Occupational Therapy. This totaled over $300,000 in financial aid directly from donor support. The majority of these gifts are the compilation of $25, $50 and $100 gifts over time. For a student who relies heavily on financial aid for their tuition, the impact is high!

Without those hundred dollar gifts, many more Sabrina’s (see below) would not have earned the letters RN.

Our capital campaign for the College renovation raised 100% of what it cost to prepare Cox College for growth. Tuition did not have to be raised and donors gave Cox College larger classrooms, an expanded Simulation Lab, Skills Lab, and a fresh face that has aided in recruitment and retention of students. The campaign was kicked off with an alumni appeal that resulted in 1,300 gifts – again many in the $100 range. If not for all gifts, the goal would not have been raised and the College would not have moved forward with the project. The well-known phrase “it takes a village”, can also be interpreted: it takes all levels of donors to put on the new roof!

We at the CoxHealth Foundation find great joy in working with our donors, alumni and today’s students. Thank you for responding to our appeals. Your outreach to learn what you can do to help your alma mater and the next generation of outstanding health professionals has helped both to thrive.

I work, am raising two children and am taking classes. My scholarship is what allowed me to start Cox College. It gave me the push to believe that I can have a career that I love and will support us. I am beyond grateful for the scholarship that opened the door for me to Cox College.

– Sabrina N, ASN program

We would like to acknowledge those alumni and faculty whose generosity continues to propel Cox College forward. This includes former president, Dr. Anne Brett who bestowed us with our first faculty/staff fund entitled the Dr. Anne Brett Faculty Innovation Endowment Fund. Faculty can apply for a gift from the fund to support an area of innovation in their course of work. The Lunn Family Undergraduate Nursing Scholarship, from former College president Dr. Robert Lunn and The Robert and Ellen Duvall Nursing Endowed Scholarship Fund from former faculty member Ellen Duvall who wishes to honor a hardworking student with financial challenges through scholarship. Recent alumni support includes The Mary Louise Mackey Black (1959) and Jerry Black Nursing Scholarship Fund, The Mary Belle Graham Nursing Scholarship (1962) and a scholarship created from the memorials of alums Jeane Fullerton Skyles, (1959), Lynette Copeland and Jean Ann Pence, (1962).

It’s my personal belief that the greatest gifts are those that come from a place in the heart. It makes sense when you hear time after time, “my years at Burge/Cox College were the best of my life.” It becomes obvious that the heart wants to see that repeated for today’s students and those to come. Thank you for investing in Cox College at whatever dollar amount and in whatever way that fills your heart with joy. If we can help you find rewards in giving to Cox College, please contact me at lisa.alexander@coxhealth.com or 417-269-7109.

To make a donation or find out more information, scan the QR code with your smartphone camera or QR code app.

The Next Chapter for Cox College

A letter from Dr. Amy Wutke, President of Cox College

After extensive discussions and careful consideration, we are pleased to announce that CoxHealth will be joining the Alliance for Healthcare Education (the “Alliance”).

The Alliance is a nonprofit corporation created by CoxHealth, Missouri State University (MSU), Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC), and Springfield Public Schools (SPS). The Alliance’s mission is to form an educational enterprise that will create a seamless secondary and post-secondary educational experience. This bold, collaborative approach to healthcare education seeks to develop the talent to meet–and exceed–our region’s healthcare workforce needs for decades to come. The Alliance will create unprecedented and exciting opportunities for students across the region, with Cox North serving as the primary educational site.

The goal of the Alliance is to coordinate resources among member institutions for the benefit of students and the community. Additionally, the Alliance will grow in the future to include other participating organizations. Cox College will continue enrolling new students in its existing programs though the Spring 2025 semester. Thereafter, Cox College will no longer enroll new students. The Alliance is targeted to open in Fall 2025. As of that time, Cox College students will have the opportunity to complete their education at Cox College or enroll with MSU or OTC, as partners of CoxHealth in the Alliance. For students who continue their education at Cox College after the Alliance’s opening, Cox College will remain fully operational for the period necessary to teach ongoing programs through completion. Once Cox College programs that commenced in Spring 2025 have concluded, Cox College will close, transitioning its operations to the Alliance and its members.

The decision for CoxHealth to partner with MSU, OTC, and SPS in the Alliance was made with the utmost commitment to our students' and alumni’s best interests and professional pursuits. Cox College has grown to become one of the larg-

est allied health colleges in Missouri, but we cannot meet all healthcare workforce growth demands alone. By combining our resources and expertise with our partners, we will significantly increase the number of healthcare professionals for our rapidly-growing region. In addition, this partnership will provide more opportunities for students to connect to industry earlier in their academic careers.

We are currently working with the Alliance and its members to finalize all details, which will depend in part on discussions with regulatory agencies. Specifically, our plans related to the Alliance may be subject to approvals from the Higher Learning Commission and other regulatory bodies.

Throughout the process of transitioning Cox College operations to the Alliance, we will prioritize open communication and transparency to address your questions and concerns. The formation of the Alliance will not impact the availability of financial aid for Cox College students, and the CoxHealth Foundation plans to continue to distribute scholarships as it has historically. In the coming weeks, we will launch an Alliance for Healthcare Education tab on Cox College’s website that will include information about the Alliance, as well as answers to frequently asked questions.

As students and alumni, your experiences and achievements have shaped Cox College's legacy, and we value your continued involvement in and support for this exciting new phase of health care education. Together, we will build upon our proud traditions and forge new connections. Through the Alliance, we will create stronger, more dynamic and sustainable educational opportunities for students which will prepare them for success in the rapidlychanging landscape of health care education.

NOTE: On Tuesday, August 26th the formation of the Alliance and its partners were announced in a press conference at the Fountain Plaza patio at Cox North. In attendance were various members of the media, state legislators, CoxHealth administrators, Cox College board of trustee members, and Cox College administration and staff.

Photo credits from press conference: Eric Baker

From left to right: Dr. Grenita Lathan, superintendent of SPS, Cliff Smart, president of MSU, Max Beutow, president and CEO of CoxHealth, and Dr. Hal Higdon, chancellor at OTC.

Cox College Board of Trustee members Jan Harris, and Dr. Robert Lunn.

Harris, OTD, OTR/L

New Faculty and Staff

Jessica Walker, OTD, OTR/L Occupational Therapy Faculty

Walker has been an Occupational Therapist for 19 years specializing in pediatric OT. She currently works part-time at the CoxHealth Meyer Center and has been an adjunct faculty member at Cox College for the last 5 years. Walker earned her Doctorate in occupational therapy from Belmont University in Nashville, TN.

Jamie Bergner, OTD, OTR/L, CHT, COMT Occupational Therapy Faculty

Bergner has been an occupational therapist for 22 years. In 2016, she earned her post-professional doctorate from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. She currently works with clients with traumatic injuries of the hand and upper extremity at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Bergner is the founding facilitator of the Rehabilitation Research Committee, leading and developing clinician-led pathways for research and publishing as a principal investigator. In addition to being a therapist, she teaches continuing education courses nationally and co-directs the Hand & Upper Extremity Track for the International Academy of Orthopedic Medicine - US. Bergner joined Cox College as an adjunct faculty for the MSOT program in 2019 and is stepping into a part-time position this fall split between the MSOT program and the OTD program.

Meagan Green, OTR/L

Occupational Therapy Faculty

Green earned her Associate of Arts degree at Ozarks Technical College (OTC) then transferred to MSU to complete her Bachelor of Science in biology with a minor in chemistry. She has worked for CoxHealth for nine years in various positions–from a secretary at a walk-in clinic, an acute care therapy tech, an occupational therapist at the rural hospital in Lamar, Missouri, to currently an occupational therapist at Cox South. In addition, Green has been teaching labs for the occupational therapy department at Cox College since the spring of 2019. She is Cox College alumni having received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) in December 2018. Green is currently working on her post professional doctorate in occupational therapy at University of Missouri.

Libbianna Jones, OTR/L, ASDCS Occupational Therapy Faculty

Jones received her associate’s degree from OTC and practiced as an occupational therapy assistant for four years. She graduated from Cox College in 2019 with her Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy. Jones is currently pursuing her post professional doctorate degree in occupational therapy with a graduate certificate in healthcare ethics at the University of Missouri. Her primary area of practice is pediatrics. “I am very excited to be back here at Cox College, this time in a different role and impacting the lives of future OT students!”

Occupational Therapy Faculty

Harris has been an occupational therapist for 18 years and transitioned into academia in 2019. The last four years, she has taught for and aided in developing the University of Arkansas UAMS Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program.

Lindsey Steiro, BSN, RN, CEN

Undergraduate Nursing Faculty

Health care was a second career for Steiro who started out at Citizen’s Memorial Hospital in Bolivar, Missouri, as an LPN in the clinic float pool. It was there Steiro became interested in acute care. She graduated with her ASN in 2014 and has worked at CoxHealth in the Emergency Department ever since. In addition, Steiro has worked three years as Instructor and Program Coordinator at Bolivar Technical College (BTC) from 2016 to 2019. Following teaching at BTC, she accepted the role of Clinical Educator for Cox South Emergency Department and continued that role until 2022. Steiro then decided to pursue her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree, which she is currently completing and will transition into academic education full-time.

Cassandra VanMiddlesworth, BSN, RN, WCC

Undergraduate Nursing Faculty

VanMiddlesworth graduated from Cox College with her ASN in December 2010 and BSN in December 2011. She recently completed her MSN in nursing education. VanMiddlesworth has experience in medical-surgical, gynecologicaloncology, home health, nursing leadership and clinical nursing. Wound care is one of her passions! In addition to Cox College, VanMiddlesworth works PRN for CoxHealth at Home.

COXHEALTH 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!

, call 417-269-3282 or email us at CoxFitnessCenters@coxhealth.com.

Anna

Tamara Boyd, MSN, BS, RN

Undergraduate Nursing Faculty

Boyd has nursing experience in Cardiac and Neuro-Trauma in addition to leadership as a house supervisor and nurse manager. She has been teaching four years.

Camille Kochs, MSN, RN

Undergraduate Nursing Faculty

Kochs completed her ASN degree from Cox College in 2010. She earned her BSN from Western Governor’s University, and her MSN from Southwest Baptist University (SBU) in Bolivar, Missouri. Kochs has six years experience in inpatient Oncology at Mercy, and a year-and-a-half as Oncology Unit educator. In addition, she has taught one year at Bolivar Technical College (BTC), and was Course Coordinator/Clinical Instructor for the ASN programs for over five years at SBU Springfield.

Rye MacFee, BS Admissions Counselor

MacFee recently graduated from Evangel University (EU) with a Bachelor’s degree in biology (pre-med). He is originally from Arizona and moved here to attend EU. He joined the admissions staff in April.

Dr. Amy Stark Uchtman Appointed to Board of Occupational Therapy for the State of Missouri

Dr. Amy Stark Uchtman, chair of the Occupational Therapy (OT) programs, was appointed to the Board of Occupational Therapy for the State of Missouri.

Congratulations Dr. Stark! Thank you for serving Missouri OTs and COTAs in this role.

Fall 2024 Start

ASR January 15th, 2024

ASN & BSN-E March 1st, 2024

BSDI April 1st,

MSN March 1st, 2024

MSOT March 1st, 2024 Contact

MASH CAMP

By Carol Francka, MSN, RN CSSC Director

Cox College, in cooperation with Southwest Missouri Area Health Education Center, hosted a two-day MASH camp offering high-school students from Springfield Public Schools and surrounding areas the opportunity to experience a fresh new take on the traditional “career day.”

A myriad of volunteers, including representatives from Cox Health EMS, Pet Therapy of the Ozarks, and Cox College donated their time to invest in the future of students in attendance. Some of the highlights include a realistic vehicle extrication simulation, complete with dramatic helicopter rescue, a glimpse into the indispensable role

of a forensic nurse, and food catered from Jimmy Johns and Rocco's Pizza courtesy of Cox College and CoxHealth.

Faculty and support staff from both Cox College and CoxHealth facilitated fascinating hands-on activities that deeply impacted the minds and hearts of those in attendance. It is impossible to list all of the creative activities the amazing faculty designed and implemented. A few student favorites included participating in the X-ray process, suturing with actual medical instruments, and learning how to save lives through CPR. This inclusive, communitycentered approach embodies the studentfirst vision of Cox College as we seek to

Photos by Eric Baker and Kyle DeVries

improve the health of the communities we serve. When asked to provide feedback for this event, one especially engaged student responded, “This experience solidified my decision to become a doctor. The only thing wrong with the camp was that it was too short!”

If you know of a high-school student interested in exploring healthcare as a possible career choice, encourage them to join us next summer! Stay tuned for more information.

If you would like more information about Cox College or would like to schedule a tour, please contact Admissions at admissions@coxcollege.edu n

This experience helped solidify my decision to become a doctor. The only thing wrong with the camp was this it was too short.

Turning Loss Into Purpose

How Family Tragedy Shaped a Young Women's Career Path

Story by Eric Baker

In the movie “Forest Gump” the titular character recounts a saying of his mother, “life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get.”

This was true of the life of Kori Johnson, current occupational therapy student at Cox College.

Both she and her brother were born premature, six weeks early, and spent a fair amount of time at the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Cox South in Springfield, Missouri. They are from a small family with a set of grandparents, two aunts, uncles, and four cousins, and love the closeness it provides.

They also share another common denominator, Cox South. Her mom, Kristie, and cousin, Whitney, are both pharmacists there. Kori currently works part time in Acute Care as she works through her OT program.

This connection would also frame her career path.

Kori was introduced to health care early on by her mom and later her cousin who enrolled at University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) school of pharmacy. The cousins were close, and Kori viewed Whitney as a role model of sorts, but a career as a pharmacist was not a consideration.

“I’m not good at math or chemistry. It wasn’t my vibe. My brother was considering getting a degree in physical therapy at University of Mississippi, so I wasn’t for sure where I would land.”

It would take a traumatic family event to put help her find her true path.

During Kori’s first year in middle school her dad was diagnosed with multiple myeloma–cancer of the bone marrow. It was a total shock to the family as early diagnosis proves challenging due to the absence of symptoms. Their doctor informed them that despite the presence of a cancer center in Springfield, the city lacks the kind of specialists that treat this particular cancer.

Her parents decided to get a second opinion.

After researching, they decided the cancer center in Little Rock, Arkansas had specialists with experience in dealing with this type of cancer. This would require Kori’s dad driving down on the weekends for chemotherapy. Her mom insisted that Kori’s grandfather drive him because she worried that in his weakened state he might have an accident on the trip home.

Miraculously, after a year of treatments, he was declared cancer free. Going forward, he only had to report for checkups periodically to make sure the cancer had not returned. The family was ecstatic. Life could return to normal.

Kori’s dad had always worked at maintaining a certain appearance. He liked to look his best and stay in shape. Cancer had been devastating to him because he lost his hair due to chemotherapy. So, as he started to return to a normal life, he refused to wear a mask as he thought it would give people the opinion he was still sick.

Things were fine for a while, but a family trip would change all of that.

If you're dealing with grief and loss

Don't go it alone. Seek help. Below are several resources that you can utilize to provide aid during difficult situations for either yourself or your loved ones.

Hospice Foundation of America

https://hospicefoundation.org/Grief-(1)

Grief Share

https://www.griefshare.org/

Grief Support Groups

https://www.coxhealth.com/patients-andvisitors/support-groups/

Resources for grieving children and families

https://www.dougy.org/

Lost and Found Grief Center of the Ozarks

https://lostandfoundozarks.com/

Photo credits: Eric Baker and Kori Johnson

The family went to Colorado with a group of friends. Upon returning, the family immediately came down with a cold. They did not think much about it because it was just the sniffles and a cough. However, later it was discovered to be the H1N1 flu. Kori's dad started complaining about his ear. A family friend who was an EMS looked and could not see anything. Eventually her dad was taken to see a doctor who determined that the H1N1 flu virus had settled in his ear. It was literally eating his inner ear to the point that he became partially deaf.

Kori's dad was admitted to the hospital for more testing and he quickly developed major fluid buildup in his lungs. Because of his weakened immune system due to past chemotherapy the flu virus developed into double pneumonia. The family faced a tough decision. Breathing had become difficult and his body was in a fragile state. Do they intubate and put him in a medically induced coma or not?

After discussing it among themselves they decided to ask him what he wanted to do. “I’m tired, really tired," and he gave them his consent.

It was at this point that Kori’s future plans started to solidify. She started taking notice of the health care professional’s role when working to save a patient’s life.

“My world is flipping upside down and everything I’ve known has changed. The staff at the hospital were great and they helped make this awful thing easier to deal with.”

Kori's dad ended up being in a coma for a few weeks and began showing signs of improvement. One day his eyes opened. Her dad's physician happened to be in the room at the time and said “Good morning, sunshine. Glad you could join us.” They quickly lowered his sedation, and he regained consciousness. In the next few days, he was moved to Meyer Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Hospital to recover.

Kori’s father had lost some muscle during the coma, so it was the job of the occupational (OT) and physical therapists (PT) to help him regain use of his body. Kori took notice. PTs help a patient’s ability to move their body whereas OTs help a patient with performing activities of daily living.

“Helping my dad regain his independence was their main goal. His injury didn’t matter. His disability didn’t matter. It wasn’t a matter of ‘no, that’s not possible,’ but ‘let’s figure out how to do it.’ That’s when I decided occupational therapy was for me.”

After several weeks of intense sessions, he was cleared to go home, and later that year able to help move her brother into his dorm at Mississippi University. Things started to settle in.

Next year, for Spring Break, her brother left to go to Florida. Kori was enjoying time off from high school, and her mom was going back to work. During that week, she woke up to her mom heading out the door letting her know her dad was in the kitchen. She remembers him coughing, but then he started to gag. Kori ran to the kitchen and saw him coughing up blood and immediately contacted her mother who rushed back. Rather than wait for an ambulance, they placed him in the car and raced to the hospital. Unfortunately, while en route to the hospital her father stopped breathing. There was little they could do to revive him in a moving vehicle.

Upon reaching the ER, the staff was able to revive him and while his body was still alive, his brain had been without oxygen for too long with most of his brain seizing. Kori’s dad was moved to the medical intensive care unit (MICU) to assess the extent of the damage and it was there that they determined he was technically brain dead. The difficult decision to remove him from life support was made and he was taken off the ventilator.

“That wasn’t my dad. It didn’t look right. He had been filled with so much spirit, but now he was just a shell.”

Later the family got together for dinner, played his favorite music, shared stories, and celebrated his life.

Kori recounts how this experience put a dark cloud over everything, and she was worried that it would change her perspective about health care.

Fortunately, it did not.

Four years later she went to Missouri State to get her bachelor’s degree in exercise and movement science/health studies. Her cousin, Whitney, was working her way through pharmacy school and Whitney’s husband was in medical sales. They would talk about their love for what they do. Kori's mom encouraged her to pursue her passion for occupational therapy. Soon after, she applied for and was offered a position as an acute care tech assisting with patients.

“Cox South no longer was a place of trauma for me. This is a place of life. Babies are born here. People come here to get their life back.”

Kori recounts how she often works in some of the rooms that her dad had been in and feels his presence.

Working at Cox South has been very instrumental in helping Kori with her education. She is grateful for having pursued the opportunities that came her way. Kori has been able to receive experience working with a variety of patients and applying some of the things she has learned in class. She will be starting her second year soon and will be graduating in December 2024.

What is in store afterwards? Kori is not sure. She has an affinity for acute care because of the pace and nature of types of patients she encounters, but she could also see herself in geriatrics. Ultimately, the sky is the limit. Occupational therapists can work just about anywhere.

Her advice to anyone considering a career in occupational therapy?

“Keep an open mind and an open heart. You’re usually seeing patients on their worst day. If you have a heart for people and want to make an impact, this is a great career.” n

Left to right: Tyler Johnson (brother), Whitney Hardesty (cousin), Kristie Johnson (mom), Kori, and Jose Laboy.

A Calling Shared: A Mother and Daughter's Journey

Story by Eric Baker

In a heartwarming culmination of two years of hard work, mother and daughter step onto the stage and place a nursing pin on each other’s lapel, smiling from ear to ear. Such was the case this past May for Vicki Lurvey (mother) and Alexandra Lurvey (daughter) at Cox College’s Nightingale Ceremony at Spence Chapel, Evangel University. The roads taken to get to this moment were somewhat similar, but uniquely distinct.

Vicki’s Journey

For Vicki, 62, the path to nursing came later in life. When she was first starting out, Vicki graduated from Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State University) with an undergraduate degree in nutrition. Later, she earned her Master’s of Science in human nutrition with a dietetic internship, and began her health care career as a registered dietitian working at Freeman Hospital in Joplin, Missouri. Several years later Vicki would return to Springfield and take a position in the weight loss program at the Smith Glynn Calloway Clinic. Eventually, she left to become a consultant with local nursing homes.

During this time, Vicki had been considering a career in health care management. Consequently, she returned to school and completed the requisite coursework to become eligible for the CPA exam. Not long afterwards Vicki began work at Baird, Kurtz & Dobson (now FORTIS) as a staff accountant. The firm had the largest health care segment regionally, and she eventually worked in cost reporting for long-term care facilities to help their clients maximize their Medicare/ Medicaid reimbursements.

During this time, Vicki met Alexandra’s father and the two were married.

“Working behind gray walls soon became tiring, “ Vicki explains. Consequently, she and and her husband decided to embark on a new venture and launched their own business called, Successories. Their focus was on selling motivational items, both retail (at the Battlefield Mall and two locations in Oklahoma) and business-to-business.

As time went on, the demanding nature of their business began to take its toll. Late nights and long hours started to wear thin leading them to eventually shutter the business and her husband decided to go into resort sales. Vicki found herself at a crossroads, unsure of the next step. Then she met a hospice nurse, Mindy, and they became quick friends.

Mindy mentioned in one of their discussions that she was a traveling nurse. This struck a chord within Vicki. She knew she was destined for a career in health care, but nursing had not even entered her mind until this discussion. That is when, she said, it all clicked.

“It was like God telling me to do it. And I thought, that’s it. This is what I’m going to do.”

Vicki enrolled in the ASN Nights & Weekend program and found the whole admissions process flawless. She encountered no struggles

getting admitted to the nursing program. She was grateful for that since the previous ten years had been personally challenging for her.

“Here I am in my sixties with my nursing degree. Never would I have thought I’d be good at that, but it shows you that sometimes you don’t know yourself very well. God does. I plan on working another 10-12 years.”

Alexandra’s Journey

Her mom, Vicki, recounts that when Alexandra was a child, she was always talking about molecules and drawing pictures of dinosaurs. She loved science and the history that goes into it, so she wanted to either be an anthropologist or archaeologist. Deciding between the two was hard. She loved TV shows like True Crime and procedurals like Law & Order.

After high school, Alexandra took a yearand-a-half off to determine the path she would choose.

She ultimately decided to enroll at Ozark Technical Community College in Springfield

Photo credits: Alexandra Lurvey and Eric Baker

for her first two years and then finish out at Missouri State. Initially, Alexandra had considered a major in anthropology, but after consulting with her professors, she learned that even with a doctorate degree in the field the pay would be insufficient for her needs. This prompted her shift to criminology and criminal justice as it would provide better job opportunities and financial stability.

For her degree Criminal Justice senior project, she opted to develop a program or policy focusing on women’s health care within correctional facilities. During her research, she discovered that a substantial number of incarcerated women were also mothers. Her findings brought to light a noteworthy connection between the United States and other nations, demonstrating that enhancing health care in medical prisons can effectively reduce recidivism rates. In contrast, numerous foreign correctional institutions grant incarcerated mothers the opportunity to fulfill their maternal roles.

Despite her initial interest in criminal justice, this project served as a turning point for her. It made her realize that while she still had an affinity for the criminal justice system, her true

passion was in health care. Seeing this growing love for the health care aspect, her mom encouraged her daughter to consider the nursing profession.

“You can still advocate for people…even more so as a nurse, “her mom explained. Alexandra took her advice and like her mom, everything just fell into place. She is so thankful and has loved every minute of it.

While going to Cox College she worked as a pharmacy tech and nurse’s aide in the medical intensive care unit (MICU) at Cox South. Both roles proved beneficial in her college studies. The pharmacy staff would help quiz her about various drugs and their comorbidities. As a nurse’s aide, she gained confidence in dealing with patients.

An Unexpected Opportunity

Later in the Nightingale Ceremony, Alexandra received an extra surprise. She was one of four students who had received an automatic interview certificate for CRNA school.

Alexandra had heard about the CRNA opportunity during her first semester but did not actually apply until her fourth semester. She remembers filling out a form and writing an essay about how she benefitted from the nursing program, and submitted it. Amidst the intensity of completing her final semester, Alexandra had inadvertently let it slip her mind.

“I had no idea that it was going to be announced on pinning day, so I was floored when they called my name, “Alexandra states.

CRNA school has an esteemed reputation, typically attracting around 120 applications per cohort. Out of those applications, only 25 candidates are selected for interviews. Once Alexandra meets all the necessary prerequisites, gained the required experience, and earns her CCRN certification, she will present the director of the school of anesthesia her letter and be granted an interview for the cohort of her choice.

“I love the surgery aspect of it. I was able to observe a CRNA in the Cath lab and see how they worked and the process they used. I just love that environment, that setting."

What The Future Holds

Both graduated together in May and have started their graduate nurse residency (GRN).

Vicki currently is at the Transitional Care Rehab unit at Meyer Orthopedic Hospital. Eventually she would like to transition to endocrinology or dialysis and use her former experience as a registered dietitian to treat patients. “Because there’s a lot of nutrition that goes into all of that,” she said.

Alexandra is still in the MICU and will be working toward gaining as much experience as she can, get her BSN degree, and eventually take the CCRN exam to fulfill all the requirements for CRNA school. She hopes to apply in two to three years.

Both mother and daughter are testaments that it is never too late to change your path.

“We graduated together because we want to be examples to future generations of our family," Vicki says with a smile, “ and to others who are maybe thinking about their ‘what next?’ Whatever life throws at you, you CAN do it.” n

Healing Bonds: Two Sisters Find Purpose in Nursing

Story by Eric Baker

Jordan and Tara Hancock hail from Monett, Missouri, just 45 minutes west of Springfield, Missouri. While three years separate them chronologically, they both followed similar paths. Both sisters have been interested in nursing from an early age and, when in high school, took CNA classes at Scott Regional Technology Center in Monett. Upon graduation they both took jobs at Cox South as certified nursing assistants (CNA), and eventually both went to Cox College to earn their Bachelor of Science in nursing degrees.

Their interest in nursing sprang from Jordan’s health issue when she was a child. She had been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Consequently, her experiences receiving treatment and staying cancer free influenced her perception. She saw the importance in compassion and patient advocacy.

“Unfortunately, I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly, “Jordan said, “and I wanted to be a part of the good and make it better.”

Tara remembers what her sister went through. It, too, shaped her opinion, but she also recounts the excitement she experienced

hearing Jordan’s stories about nursing school. When it was time for her program to begin Jordan was there for her.

“It was nice having a partner in crime,” Tara recalls fondly, “she would tell me ‘now these are the classes you need’ and kind of laid out the path for me.”

Both agree that working at Cox South before going to college helped them prepare for nursing school by exposing them to the processes they would learn about later.

Jordan stated that “I loved my job and the environment I was in and when it came to getting my nursing degree, Cox College’s

Photo credits: Jordan and Tara Hancock

leadership goals aligned with my vision of what becoming a nurse should be.” She added that she trusted the College to give her the best education possible. “I was set up for success from day one.”

Tara felt that “the process to get enrolled into Cox College was seamless. Admissions helped make it super easy to navigate. The professors were helpful, and of course having a specific spot for clinicals was great.”

Upon graduating, Jordan started her career at Cox South as a neuro-trauma intensive care unit (NTICU) nurse. After a couple of years, she began contemplating the need for a change of pace. However, the fear of the unknown held her back. She eventually left to become a traveling nurse at RTG Medical.

Jordan is glad she did. She loves that she can combine her love of traveling with her love of nursing. This past summer she worked at a wilderness lodge in the Wrangell St. Alias National Park. Eventually she would love to work search and rescue in the remote wilderness. She says she has worked with some of the best bush pilots and is amazed by their stories and experiences. “Everyone has a five-year plan. I would say working search and rescue is at the top of my list. However, my mind-set lately has been less about ‘the plan’ and more about living in the moment.”

Tara has taken a different route. She, too, took a job in the NTICU, but just recently became a flight nurse. During her CNA training at Scott Regional Technology Center, the instructor had a flight nurse come and talk to the class. Tara had always been an adrenaline junkie and so it piqued her interest.

In 2017, she applied to go on a ride along with Mercy Lifeline in Branson and that trip helped her decide it was definitely something she wanted to do. Becoming a flight nurse requires three years' experience in a critical care setting like an ER and then getting one’s certification. It can be a Certified Emergency Nurse certification (CEN), Critical Care Registered Nurse certification (CCRN), or a Certified Flight Registered Nurse certification (CFRN).

History in the Making In ASR Program

The Associate of Science in Radiography program had its largest class start this fall semester. A total of 26 students began their journey to become radiography technicians.

"If you work in Branson or the Arkansas bases you must have your Arkansas EMT license as well. I went ahead and received my paramedic certification, too, just for fun,” she said smiling, “to make myself a bit more hireable.”

Tara had considered working towards a master’s degree as a nurse practitioner, but once she started as a flight nurse she knew this is what she wanted to do for the foreseeable future.

The sisters' agree that if you are considering nursing, just go for it.

“It puts you in a place to help others and if it’s your calling, it the best field to be in. There are so many opportunities and career paths. It’s tough, “ Jordan states, “but if you put your mind to it, you’ll get the most out of it.”

Tara points to pre-College experience at the hospital. “Get some hospital experience because that will help introduce you to health care. Plus, as an employee at CoxHealth you get a 20% discount and tuition assistance.” She also recommends studying a lot and taking extra courses. “If you have your certifications in advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS), basic life support (BLS), pediatric advanced life support (PALS), neonatal resuscitation program (NRP), getting an emergency medical technician (EMT) license (especially if you want to become a flight nurse) is very important.” n

Interested in a nursing career?

Scan the QR code to find our more information or email admissions@coxcollege.edu. If you’re a CoxHealth employee, be sure and ask about tuition reimbursement and assistance.

First Cohort of Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program

Seven students began their journey in May to become the first cohort in the inaugural Occupational Therapy Doctorate program at Cox College. Best wishes to these trailblazers!

Nursing Students Learn About Disaster Management

Earlier this year, nursing students in NRSI 404 Community Health participated in a disaster management intensive developed by Jason Henry, Emergent Care Administrator at Cox Health, and Hannah James, Emergent Compliance Coordinator at Cox Health.

This intensive involved several centers that aide the community in time of disaster. One activity involved a tour of Great Southern Bank Arena, a sporting and event venue that in times of disaster can be used as a staging area for relief efforts.

Students also visited the Red Cross where they learned about on the scene care during a disaster and the type of support and services offered by the Red Cross.

From Fatigues To Scrubs

National Guard Service Member's Journey to becoming a CRNA

Cameron Lincks embodies unwavering determination.

Originally from Southeast Arkansas, Cameron and his family moved to the Missouri Bootheel when he was a junior in high school; however, returned to his home state to attend the University of Arkansas in Monticello. After one year there, he elected to transfer to Missouri State University where he received a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. This was quite a culture shock coming from a much smaller college.

While at Missouri State University, Cameron chose to enlist in the National Guard. Despite having a family member in the military, it did not directly influence his decision. Instead, he recalls, it was a persuasive conversation with a close friend that convinced him to embark on his military journey.

During one of his military tours, he recalls being stationed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. As a medic with the military police he was tasked with not only overseeing detainees, but assisting in medical treatment for soldiers, airmen, and marines. One day a soldier with a minor chronic illness came in seeking treatment. Cameron was given an opportunity to assist the doctor and administer a nerve block. He was absolutely fascinated by what he saw. This experience ignited his fascination with medical procedures and operations leading him towards becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA).

Upon returning from deployment, Cameron, sought permission to shadow CRNAs and observe the process which served to only deepen his commitment to the nursing profession and applying for nursing school. Choosing Cox College came as a result of the long-associated history of educating nursing professionals.

While working on his Associate of Science in Nursing Degree (ASN), Cameron applied for and received an interview for CRNA School and was overjoyed. After graduation, he began working at Mercy in Springfield, Missouri, in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU). With his eye on CRNA School, he sought a commission in the reserves as a critical care nurse and ultimately came back to Cox College to complete his Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing Degree. This summer he began the CRNA program.

“It’s been intense and I spend all my time studying.” Cameron is married with two small

children. “I want to do my very best but also want to make sure to spend quality time with my children.” Cameron looks back on his time at Cox College with gratitude. “The health care profession is very competitive. You need to know what you’re doing and be able to think critically. I really believe Cox College helped prepare me for that.”

Cameron’s military journey has been marked by steady progress in ranks. After his tour in Guantanamo Bay, he attained the rank of sergeant and joined an infantry unit. Medics are often sought after due to the high demand for their skills in various units, offering him increased flexibility. Subsequently, he transitioned to an engineering unit and was promoted to staff sergeant. Currently, Cameron is pursuing his commission as a second lieutenant in the Army Reserves, specifically as a 66S Critical Care Nurse.

As for the future, he will finish the CRNA program in three years. Recently, Cameron moved to a small town north of Springfield and hopes to complete 20 years or more in the reserves. n

Photo credits: Cameron LIncks

Photo credits: Shutterstock

Story by Eric Baker

Feeding Curiosity Dr. Kyle Brashear's Passion for Nutrition

Story by Kyle DeVries

Whether he is educating the future of dietitians, advocating for the transformative power of nutrition, or baking a pizza in his backyard oven–Dr. Kyle Brashear is going to give it everything he has got.

Cox College’s Nutrition Diagnostics department features two innovative programs: a Master of Science in Nutrition Diagnostics and a Dietetic Internship. Dr. Kyle Brashear, department chair, is training his students' to be efficient, problemsolving dietitians.

Dr. Brashear was once a Nutrition Diagnostics student at Cox College. After several years of working as an registered dietitian (RD) at CoxHealth and continuing his education at various universities, he is now leading those same nutrition programs at Cox College. Married with one child, Kyle enjoys crafting the perfect pizza in his specialized oven that gets up to 900 degrees! He studies bread making and bakes pizzas multiple times a week in his backyard.

Just like pizza-making, Dr. Brashear is going to explore the depths and learn all there is to learn about the task at hand. His curious and strategic mindset leads him to ask questions and find the root cause of problems in all aspects of life. This same approach applies directly to his mindset as a dietitian, and it sets the foundation for how he teaches his students to process information and expand their knowledge.

“The goal is teaching students to be good thinkers; they aren’t spoon-fed information,” Dr. Brashear said. “We use a flipped classroom

(continued on next page)

Photo credits: Eric Baker and Kyle Brasher

Feeding Curiosity

(continued from previous page)

of this year. These changes will allow our program to create a more student friendly journey that is more efficient and allows them to get into the field in a shorter amount of time. The goal of this new model is to emphasize the importance of demonstrating competency of the learning objectives, not just memorizing things to get a good grade on a test.

Burge and Cox College Alumni

WHERE ARE

COX COLLEGE

class, they are prepared to do some higher level learning activities. Students are synthesizing and critiquing information so they can apply that knowledge to case scenarios.

A common misconception is that dietitians are more reactionary to health problems, but Cox College’s students are learning how to take preventative measures to identify possible nutritional deficiencies before they are obvious. Rather than waiting until big issues arise, dietitians find the root cause of deficiencies and apply holistic intervention to cure problems.

What dietitians bring to the field of health care is nothing short of amazing, yet it is an area of health care that does not get the recognition it deserves. The incidence of chronic illnesses is increasing, and there is a shortage of RDs in the United States, making their services more essential than ever before. Additionally, nutrition services are not usually covered by insurance companies, so patients must pay out of pocket. Insurance covers anything else in health care–imaging, surgery, physical therapy, so why not nutrition services? There is a lot of work yet to be done. Dr. Brashear is always working with our colleagues at CoxHealth to find ways to provide innovative care and advance the field of nutrition on a macro level.

One of those strategies is training a higher quantity of nutrition students and getting them into the field. The current education model that many colleges and universities use is outdated and creates barriers for students.

“You have to know you want to be an RD early on and it’s a long road to switch careers,” Dr. Brashear says.

Cox College’s Nutrition Diagnostics program is looking to adopt a new competencybased educational model as early as the end

Dr. Brashear has already embraced this innovative learning style in many ways already. Cox College has a state-of-the-art simulation center in which students can practice their skills, an expert faculty group, and a department that is focused on implementing cutting-edge practices. It is no surprise that many Cox College students enter the field and are more skilled and better prepared than their peers.

Morgan Ashley VanLandingham, OTL/R Currenlty working at Desoto Family Counseling Center in South Haven, Misssissippi.

Kimberly Johnson, BS, RD DI 2021

Recently started a new position as Registered Dietitian at Foodsmart, a personalized telehealth integrating registered dietitian services, meal planning, and online food delivery.

Sydney Kremer, OTR/L MSOT 2022

Started a new position as a traveling occupational therapist based out of St. Louis, Missouri for CompHealth, CHG Healthcare.

Angelica Goodrich, OTR/L, CLT MSOT 2019

According to Dr. Brashear, now is a great time to be a registered dietitian. “It’s an exciting, ever-changing field that directly impacts people’s health.”

As for the big changes on the horizon; he is fully embracing them, remembering the advice he got from his mentor and predecessor, Dr. Kris Williams, to "get comfortable being uncomfortable." n

Interested in a career in Nutrition Diagnostics?

Scan the QR code to find our more information or email admissions@coxcollege.edu. If you’re a CoxHealth employee, be sure and ask about tuition reimbursement and assistance.

Currently working for Midwest Physical Therapy in the Lake of the Ozarks area. Goodrich is a dementia specialist and is lymphedema certified.

Laine Ebbert, MS, RD, LD DI 2021

Completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Eastern Illlinois University, then came to Cox College for her Dietetic Internship. Ebbert currently works at Cox South as a clinical inpatient dietitian. She has worked with a wide variety of patients in neurology, general inpatient, pediatrics, NICU, trauma ICU, and the outpatient ALS Clinic.

Lydia Martinez, MS, RD, LD, CNSC

DI 2017

Completed her masters at MSU and came to Cox College for dietetic internship. Has worked as a clinical dietitian at Cox Branson for the last six years. “My favorite part about being a dietitian is educating patients and dispelling nutrition myths that make a meaningful impact on their life.”

From left to right: Amanda Allen, dietetic assistant professor, Lindsey Kelsay, assistant professor, Jordan Mize, associate professor, Shannon Crosby, clinical dietitian preceptor, and Dr. Brashear.

Student conducting the nutrition focused physical exam.

ARE THEY NOW?

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.

Casey Palvik (Flanigan), RT(R)(MR)(ARRT)

ASR 2020

After graduating from Cox College, Palvik returned to the St. Louis, Missouri area and worked at Barnes Jewish Hospital for six months in the diagnostic radiology department (x-ray). She then had the opportunity to cross-train in MRI and took courses through the University of Missouri's online MRI program. Pavlik successfully passed her MRI registry, is currently working full time in MRI.

Cody Cates, BSR(R)(T)

ASR 2019

After completing the ASR program at Cox College, Cates went on to the CARTI Radiation Therapy program in Little Rock, Arkansas. After the 12-month program, he worked as a full-time radiation therapist at Central Cancer Center in Bolivar for eight months. Cates then returned to work for CoxHealth where he is currently working and attending medical dosimetry school online through Southern Illinois to earn his master’s degree as a medical dosimetrist.

Muneeba Hasan, MS, RD

DI 2023

Started a new position as a Registered Dietitian at Banner UMC in Tucson, Arizona.

Abby Fisher, MS, RD

MNDI 2022

Recently started a new position as a registered dietitian at CoxHealth.

Whitney Weaver, RN

ASN 2023

Currently working in both the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) and the Critical Care Unit (CCU) at Cox South.

Summer 2023 Daisy Award Honoree Burge School of Nursing 1979 Alumna

Kyla Parsons, RN

ASN 2023

Currently working in the Neuro Trauma ICU at Cox South.

Lindsey Gelber, MS, RDN, LD MNDI 2016

After graduation, Gelber worked for a local hospital for over six years working in various departments–from inpatient to bariatric surgery outpatient clinic to skilled nursing and rehabilitation. She is currently working for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in the outpatient clinic in Springfield, Missouri. In addition, she also works in the VA's MOVE! Self Management Weight loss clinic–a comprehensive program to assist with lifestyle and behavior changes to assist with weight loss and improve health markers.

"I love the 'light bulb' moment. Nutrition can appear so complicated and overwhelming, but when someone sits down with me and I walk them through a healthy diet and what nutrition needs they have–and then they get it, and do it, and see the results. Its an amazing feeling. "

Kayleigh Verry, OTL/R

MSOT 2019

In January, Verry was promoted to Director of Therapies with Lexington Therapies in Phoenix, Arizona.

Melissa Palabiyik, OTL/R

MSOT 2019

Started a new position in September as Nutrition and Cooking Class Facilitator in the Boston, Massachusett' area for Kid's Test Kitchen

Melissa Sandridge, Burge School of Nursing class of 1979, was one of the summer 2023 DAISY Award honorees! This recognition is given to nurses who go above and beyond to serve our patients.

Sandridge is a nurse within Cox South's Same Day Surgery Unit. A peer from CoxHealth nominated Melissa for going above and beyond to make a patient feel special during a stressful time.

“After multiple failed pregnancies, the patient was scheduled for surgery to assess her reproductive status. A routine pre-operative pregnancy test came back positive. The doctor was contacted, and blood tests were run to get a definitive answer. When those results came back positive, Missy ran to the gift shop and bought the patient flowers and a balloon. Missy waited for the doctor to come to tell the patient her results and sprang into the room with the gifts!

“She always brings a ray of sunshine to our department, but it really shows how much she cares when she performs acts of kindness like this for no reason. It is an honor to work with such a compassionate person, and our hospital and department are lucky to have her.”

Source: CoxHealth website

Lana Scott, Burge Class of 1985

Retires from CoxHealth

After nearly four decades at CoxHealth, Lana Scott will be retiring. A Burge alumna, Scott has worked in various departments, including the ICU, Labor and Delivery, the Emergency Department, Outpatient Radiology, Cardiology, and Population Health. "I honestly feel like CoxHealth is my home and have always been proud to say that I work for CoxHealth."

Source: CoxHealth website

Burge School of Nursing Class of 1978 Holds 45th Reunion

Submitted by Esther Murray

The Burge School of Nursing Class of 1978 gathered on April 29th to celebrate their 45th class reunion in the Fountain Plaza Room at Cox College. The day was beautiful and the weather was perfect for conversations on the patio and sharing memories. Tours of the College and the Clinic Skills and Simulation Center (CSSC) were coordinated by Flora Morgan, academic advisor, and given by College ambassadors and nursing students, Chance Hasten and Lauren Jackson.

Most of the attendees lived at the school during their nursing school years and revisited nooks and crannies they called home for over three years. "We were blessed to see 24 of our class come together at the reunion," stated Esther Murray, one of the coordinators for the reunion. Many of the Burge Faculty joined the group for the afternoon lunch. Among the faculty present were Debbie Essary, Mary Belle Graham, Nancy Cox, Virginia McNeeley Jones, and Karen Davis their librarian and Burge School of Nursing historian.

Since their graduation, six of their classmates have passed – Denise Coil Cleeton, Ann Armstrong, Melisa Aleshire Harp, Garry Moore, Nancy Freeman Owens, and Sandra Bird. n

Photo credits: Eric Baker