Cox College Fall 2018 The Pulse Magazine

the

cox college / fall 2018

Begin with small steps

DESTINATION: HAITI MAKING A CHANGE A NEW DIRECTION

EDEN VILLAGE: HOPE FOR THE HOMELESS AND MORE!

fall '18

cont ents

Summer fun at camp banabas

in this issue...

regular

5 20 26 27

AROUND CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY

Cox College makes its mark in the community and beyond

EXCEPTIONAL FACULTY Highlights of faculty accomplishments

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

The latest news about Burge and Cox College Alumni.

IN MEMORIAM

Preserving the memory of past graduates who are no longer with us

noteworthy

4 6 7 18

DAISY AWARD

Three Cox College alumna are recipients of the CoxHealth Daisy Award.

Q & A: WHY TAKE COX COLLEGE GENERAL EDUCATION CLASSES?

Vanessa Lippelman, Academic Advisor, talks about the advantages of Cox College's General Education courses

ALUMNI PRIDE AT COX COLLEGE

Lisa Alexander, CoxHealth Foundation President, shares news about the College renovation.

DIETETIC INTERNSHIP Cox College offers a new alternative in the Nutrition Diagnostics program

FEATURES

8 11 12 16

DESTINATION: HAITI

Cox College's largest group of students, faculty, and community members travel to Haiti to provide medical aid

MAKING A CHANGE

Professor Kathy Pittman shares her experiences in the Go Red Better U program

NURSING SCHOOL ISN'T THAT HARD

Cox College graduate, Shelbi Goswick, shares her tongue-in-cheek experiences as a nursing student

A NEW DIRECTION

Kevin Liljenquist was enjoying a successful career as a business owner, but found something lacking. He shares how his life took a new direction.

20 22

CAMP BARNABAS

24

EDEN VILLAGE: HOMES FOR THE HOMELESS

Cox College staff share their experiences at Camp Barnabas, a special needs summer camp

COMMITMENT TO THE JOURNEY

Professor Tracie Bishop's journey through nursing school was tumultuous.

She shares her story and advice for those considering nursing.

Linda Brown, Burge School of Nursing alumna, and her husband make their life's mission to help the homeless in Springfield, MO

greetings!

the

volume 2, issue 2

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, no longer wish to receive it, or would like to added to the mailing, 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.

Dr. Amy DeMelo College President Dr. Sonya Hayter Vice President, Student Affairs & College Advancement Jayne Bullard, MBA Vice President, Business & Finance Dr. Amy Townsend Chief Nurse Administrator Dr. Amy Vaughan Department Chair, Occupational Therapy Elicia Sutton, MSN, APRN, FNP-C Department Chair, Master of Science in Nursing Michelle Masengill, M.Ed., BSRT(R), RDMS, RVT Department Chair, Radiological Sciences Kristen Williams, MS, RD, LD Department Chair, Nutrition Diagnostics Michelle Buchman, MS Department Chair, Medical Assisting Heather Stockford Sade, BA, M.Ed Chair of eLearning & General Education Canvas Administrator

Eric Baker, BS Marketing & Web Coordinator Designer, The Pulse Kyle DeVries, BS Outreach Coordinator Allison Rainey, BS Administrative Assistant Student Affairs

University and College Designers Association

Cox College and Burge alums have never been timid and this past year proves we are ready to take bold steps toward the future.

A huge "thank you" to Lisa Alexander, CoxHealth Foundation President, and her team along with you, our alums, and the many community leaders and individuals who worked tirelessly on this renovation initiative.

This past year has been one of achievement. Raising the funds in less than one year proves we have a solid foundational history while continuing to be progressive in health science education. Those two things together are charting a course that will allow our health care community and the students we serve to thrive for generations to come.

To all the alums who have come before us and to those to come, on behalf of the faculty and staff at Cox College I would like to express a heartfelt thanks and enduring gratitude for the generous support you have shown to our Cox College/Burge organization.

This is an exciting time for Cox College– what an unprecedented opportunity which lies before us!

Stay tuned...

Sonya Hayter, EdD (Health Science ’01)

Record enrollment for Fall 2018 semester We are pleased to announce Cox College is currently at an all-time record high enrollment! Please join us in congratulating our faculty, staff, and students who are a part of this incredible accomplishment!

Why Choose Cox College?

DAISY Award Honorees Are Cox College Alumni

166% GROWTH NATIONALLY IN DEGREES CONFERRED IN HEALTH PROFESSIONS SINCE 2009-10

7.4-1

All three CoxHealth DAISY award winners are Cox College alumni!

Congratulations to Kari Howell, Johnna Mortensen, and Emma Rodriguez on their selection as CoxHealth's recent DAISY Award honorees in Springfield! These nurses are being recognized for going above and beyond for our patients.

welcome new

faculty & staff

AVERAGE STUDENT TO FACULTY RATIO

94% AVERAGE FIRST TIME PASS RATES ON LICENSING REGISTRY

$40,400 AVERAGE STARING SALARY FOR COX COLLEGE GRADUATES

Katelyn Schmitt, BA Admissions CounselorRecruiter

Flora Forbes, MS Academic Advisor

Jordan Mize, MS, RDN, LD

Brittany Carpenter, RDN, LD

Clinical Dietitian Preceptor

Clinical Dietitian Preceptor

Holly Jullian, MS

Heather Shackelford, MSN

OUR STUDENTS ARE IN

DEMAND MOST HAVE JOBS

BEFORE GRADUATION SOURCES: https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d16/ tables/dt16_322.10.asp?current=yes; HLC Institutional Update for Academic Year 2017-18; http://coxcollege.edu/cox-college-scorecard/; https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/search/?zip=65804&distance=50 &sort=salary:desc

Bing Shang, BS

Systems Administrator

Megan Moles

Bookstore Assistant

4 The Pulse • Fall 2018

Undergraduate Nursing

Assistant Professor

around the

Campus & Community Cox College is committed to excellence by meeting the educational needs of students and the health care community.

Cox College Makes Front Page

Cox College's renovation story made the front page of the Springfield News-Leader.

Plinth Tables Donation

Thanks to CoxHealth for the donation of plinth tables to the Cox College OT Program.

We appreciate your support in all our Cox College educational programs!

Cox College Participates in Day of Caring Staff from the College help place a fresh coat of paint on Smith Park in Springfield.

Local Organizations Sponsor Food Tables for First Day of Classes

Citizens Memorial Hospital, CoxHealth, Mercy, Phoenix Home Care, BirchPointe Health & Rehabilitation, Oxford HealthCare, and ANW Education Cooperative sponsored food tables for the first week of classes. We want to thank each of them providing breakfast and lunch snack for our students!

KY3 Features Story about Cox College and ARC Media

Canvas and ARC Media have helped Cox College students and faculty improve the learning process. KY3 featured a story on the impact ARC has had in the last year.

Faculty and Staff Celebrate Record Fall Semester Enrollment

We celebrated our incredible staff and faculty with lunch in the courtyard.

SNA Fundraiser Success The Student Nursing Association (SNA) fundraiser at Painting with a Twist was a success!

Participants in this event helped raise $385 for SNA.

SummerScape Program Visits the College

Students from Drury University's SummerScape program came to visit our simulation lab and virtual hospital.

5 Cox College • Springfield, MO

DON'T FORGET! Help make the difference in the future of health care by donating to the CoxHealth Foundation. Please review the giving envelope inside this issue. There are several worthy funds that need your help.

THANK YOU!!

Q&A

why take cox college general education classes?

By vanessa lippleman, MS General Studies Educational Specialist Students come to Cox College for a variety of reasons and in a variety of seasons during their lives. Some choose to transfer general education coursework, whereas others choose to take those first steps toward their health care profession with us. We have watched as more students are taking those steps over the summer of 2018. In fact, this summer, we have experienced a 5% increase in general education students over last summer.

Q: Does Cox College have their own general education courses and, if so, why should someone take them?

A: Cox College offers all the general education courses you need to start a nursing program, and practically everything to start many of our other program tracks, as well. So if you start with us, you can finish with us.

Secondly, you should take your general education

courses with us because our education courses cater to your needs and schedule.

We already offer evening, weekend, and online programs; it’s only fitting that our general education courses also provide students with flexibility in their schedules. Many of our general education courses are taught online, and some in eight-week blocks to help offset the workload.

There are a few courses you can’t take online—specifically, the science courses (Anatomy, Microbiology, and Chemistry)— but even those come with more fluidity than you would find at other academic institutions, such as night options.

Night courses (even those that meet for longers sessions thereby reducing class frequency) allow students the ability to balance both work and academic lives with a bit more ease.

Scheduling is an important factor, but it’s not the only one. The end-goal of your education is also tantamount, and at other intuitions, that end-goal will vary from

6 The Pulse • Fall 2018

student to student. At Cox College, the career trajectories of our students are very diverse, they all have one thing in common: all of our students are planning to become health care professionals. This makes Cox College unique, and allows us the freedom to adapt our general education courses to further reflect the end-goal.

Q: Isn't a Psychology course a Psychology course?

A: Yes, but ours is specifically geared to the student’s future career.

How? Through discussions or assignments challenging students to consider how they will apply the subject to their career field. This allows students to directly connect the work they do in their general education courses to the work they’ll be doing in the field. It becomes less hypothetical and more practical, and therefore more accessible.

So come get started with Cox College! Get on your path toward your professional future with caring instructors, caring staff, and unique class settings that focus on your career goals! Small class sizes, big opportunities!

foundation update Lisa Alexander, CFRE

President, CoxHealth Foundation

ALUMNI PRIDE AT COX COLLEGE

When you reference your college, do you get an automatic reaction? Graduates of Burge/Cox College have and do to this day. That's because your education comes with a reputation.

You are known not only as outstanding clinicians, but outstanding people. Starting with Ellen Burge herself, a standard was set for what was expected of nursing students. Those standards have transcended time.

Today's nursing students have first time licensure passage rates that exceed both the state and national average. Health science students’ certifications are setting the bar across the region. Students are embedded in a culture where the qualities of compassion and empathy, as well as passion and patience, mean our students are listening to their patients. They’re hearing not just the symptoms but the situations.

Cox College students are known for addressing the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of those in their care.

Ellen Burge and This is what her students, sets our alumni circa 1909-1921. apart. Our students are hired before graduation because employers know Cox College students are ready to meet the challenges of today's health care settings.

It's a pride thing, but BurgeCox College alumni have no reason to be shy. Shout it out. I’m a Burge graduate! I'm a Cox College graduate! When you are the best—OWN IT! As part of the renovation of Cox College, we will be creating a new Alumni Center. This center will house the history and traditions that makes us who we are. This Alumni Center will be used to store the records to keep you

Questions?

connected to your classmates.

It can also be used as a gathering spot for classes to meet, reconnect or mentor today's students.

As part of the campaign, rooms were given donor designations. The CoxHealth Foundation set aside a special room for the Alumni Center.

Alumni were given the opportunity to name the room in a alumni raffle. The raffle drawing was held during the annual Alumni Dinner banquet on Saturday, September 22nd. Mary Hoff, a 1986 Burge graduate, was the raffle winner, but decided her-mother in-law, Jackie Hoff, was the perfect recipient of this honor.

Right to left: Jackie Hoff and Mary Hoff

Contact Lisa Alexander at 417-269-7109.

Construction on the project is slated to begin this fall with an 18-month timeframe to completion. Stay tuned for more information on our DEMO DAY kick off for the start of this exciting new chapter in the story of Cox College!

7 Cox College • Springfield, MO

HAITI DESTINATION The classroom is a great place to gain knowledge, but sometimes getting out of the classroom and into the real world can be the best learning experience. Cox College sends students to Haiti every year, but last May, the largest ever group went to pursue lifechanging learning opportunities.

The destination was the village of Grande-Goave in Haiti. What is considered to be the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti resides in the Caribbean and shares a land border with the Dominican Republic.

In January of 2010, a largescale earthquake devastated Haiti, with the Haitian government estimating more than 300,000 people killed and

Story by Kyle DeVries

Photo by Amy Cline, Beth Richards, Devon Aydt, and Teagen Sumners

hundreds of thousands more uprooted. Due to an already inadequate infrastructure and lack of building codes, structures across the country essentially disintegrated.

The effects of this tragedy still linger today. “The country looks like a demolition zone. Most of the island is just dust and rubble,” said Beth Richards, a Cox College student. The visiting group of students and

instructors quickly realized the list of needs was long, but despite these challenges, the people of Haiti were remarkably positive.

Students began training for this journey several months in advance. Cox College professors Debbi Groves and Leisa Lower, who also made the trip to Haiti, initiated the efforts to prepare students for an experience unlike anything they could imagine.

How can you tell a patient to take a pill four times a day when most people don’t have clocks or access to clean water?

8 The Pulse • Fall 2018

“The students experienced a different culture. They saw environmental issues such as a lack of clean water, as well as a lack of money for adequate treatment options and medicine,” Groves said.

Because of the environmental challenges, students were forced out of their comfort zones and had to think outside the box to help patients. “How can you tell a patient to take a pill four times a day when most people don’t have clocks or access to clean water?”

Groves observed.

To help them navigate unfamiliar barriers, students received help from two American physicians, one Haitian physician, and a staff of Haitian nurses. The barriers quickly turned to teaching opportunities as students strengthened their skills.

Students interviewed patients, determined their needs, and worked with them to integrate treatment options.

Beth Richards, BSN student

“Ultimately, the students learned how to be patient and flexible, and to work together as a team.” The group accompanied Lifeline Christian Mission at two mobile clinics and provided medical care to the nearby communities.

“From sunrise to sunset, we were busy every day,” said Richards. “I worked in the clinic and was able to assist in some minor surgeries of lump and bump removals and learned how to complete pediatric assessments. Additionally,

Lindsey Brockman, BSN-Acclerated student, and her father, Dr. Don Brockman

9 Cox College • Springfield, MO

I had the opportunity to help prepare medications in the pharmacy and find clothing and shoes for people in the clothing distribution center.”

Despite these unsanitary and unfortunate conditions, the people of Haiti are happy and value their relationships with one another. “We were received with arms wide open,” said Joshua Hawkins, a Cox College student. “The Haitian people (Continued on next page)

Deborah Groves, Assistant Professor

DESTINATION: HAITI (Continued from previous page)

are best described as tough, resilient and full of love. They appreciated their families, churches, and community above all else. That was inspiring.”

Amy Cline, who graduated from Cox College in May and volunteered to come along, said, “The Haitian people were so loving and appreciative of all that we did. They were so happy to see us and spend time with us.”

Front left to right: Ali Frazier, ASN student; De Dashtipour, Assistant Professor; Amy Cline, ASN student; and Michelle Teague, ASN Student

Devon Aydt, ASN student

“The students looked at each patient holistically, and with their provider, they assessed the patient’s physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

This resulted in them doing some introspection of their own spiritual needs,” Groves said.

Greg Stevenson, Director of Marketing at Hiland Dairy said, “I went to the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and met some of the wealthiest people in the world.” Greg accompanies Cox College on their trip to Haiti every year.

Taegen Sumners, BSN student

Cox College’s next trip to Haiti will be May 23-31, 2019.

Leisa Lower, Assistant Professor

Health care Industry Career Fair

Tuesday, October 30, 2018 at 11 AM – 3 PM Interested in a career in health care? Stop by the Fountain Plaza Room at Cox North and visit with recruiters from 30 employers from local and national hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare-related organizations. This event is free and open to students, employees, and those in the community seeking employment or opportunities to network.

10 The Pulse • Fall 2018

Making a Change

BY KATHY PITTMAN, MSN

"I knew it was my chance to change my habits and hopefully reduce my risk of heart disease."

One in three women die of heart disease and stroke. My mother was one of those women, and I am determined to have a different outcome. When I saw the application for the "Better U" program, I knew that it was my chance to change my habits and hopefully reduce my risk of heart disease.

The Go Red Better U program is a 12-week program developed by the American Heart Association that took me stepby-step to learn more about heart health, eating healthy, and exercising. Ten local women were selected from a large pool of applicants and we each

received assistance from local cardiac, fitness, and nutrition experts. I had a complete heart-risk assessment from Mercy Women's Heart Center.

I also received hands-on support from a trainer with the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, as well as from Loehr Chiropractic. The group of women had weekly activities where we participated in different types of exercise to learn what we liked the best.

We also learned about financial health, stress reduction, and goal setting.

At the end of the program I had lost weight and inches,

but more importantly had improved my heart risk assessment to the category of "You're Doing Well!" I can now walk up to my office on the 4th floor without too much trouble, and I feel better than I have in years.

This program has changed my life, and will help me meet my goal of making the rest years of my life, the best years of my life. It is also something I plan passing on to my students

Kathy Pittman is an assistant professor at Cox College in the Undergraduate Nursing department.

Whether you’re looking to lose weight, get in shape, keep your heart healthy or boost your mood, the Fitness Center at Cox North is here for you.

Conveniently located on the Cox College campus, make Cox North your fitness center.

Try a free week on us and see why we were voted “Best Place to Workout” by 417 Magazine.

• • • • • •

24/7 access to three locations Free orientation to get you started Free classes Certified exercise professionals Referral and loyalty awards Discount on massage therapy

For more information, call 417-269-8882

11 Cox College • Springfield, MO

nursing schoolisn

that

hard Story and photos by

shelbi goswick

12 The Pulse • Summer/ Fall 2017

g n't

I quickly realized that memorizing a textbook was not enough.

I could regurgitate information as if I were Meredith Grey herself, but really I was just Ellen Pompeo who knew the lines but couldn’t actually perform a cholecystectomy...

This is what I told myself as other graduates ranted about “giving up their lives” and the stressful paperwork and studying that kept them up all night. I ignored them; after all, I’d never had trouble before, so why should this be any different? In fact, to be completely honest, the constant complaining and endless excuses grated on my nerves. Yeah. I was that person.

I think you know where I'm going with this.

Yes, I was wrong. I was completely, utterly, all-theadverbs-you-can-find wrong.

So I first need to apologize for ever thinking those bitter thoughts and second, thank the friends who tried to warn me, even though I didn’t listen. The entire process of becoming a nurse was and is the most exhausting, overwhelming, and trying thing I’ve ever done. With that said, I would like to share my personal dos and dont’s with anyone currently considering, approaching or enduring this phase of professional education.

My hope is that maybe, maybe, the brick wall you fly into only breaks a few bones...

This will be a continuous trial and error process. First semester, I hardly opened a textbook.

You may spend a few hours “studying” with friends and call it good. Or you may need time, to develop flashcards, or even consider a tutor. There is no wrong approach. Just remember that however you start, it’s okay to adjust your methods. What works for one test or one class may not work for another.

Be flexible!

Also, be creative! Pinterest is your friend, complete with fun diagrams, charts, and visuals that others have created. These are great study resources—in fact, most of my study methods came from Pinterest. My personal favorite: if you are actually reading the textbook, don’t highlight; write in the margins. That’s right, get out your pencil and write key application notes in the margins.

Not only are you reading and retaining important information,

13 Cox College • Springfield, MO

but you are training yourself to apply what you read, which will be very helpful as your content gets heavier. Caveat: I started with sticky notes before I graduated to taking margin-notes, but by the third semester, the book was falling apart at the seams.

The moral of this story is to find a method of studying that helps you absorb the content. You must have the knowledge before you can apply it.

That’s actually something you’ll hear a lot in school: the knowledge is only valuable if you can apply it. If you’re anything like me, this won’t make much sense to you, until one day it just clicks.

This happened for me in my third semester, when I felt completely under water, and it hit me that memorizing a textbook wasn’t enough.

I could regurgitate information like Meredith Grey but really, I was just Ellen Pompeo— I knew the lines but couldn’t actually perform a cholecystectomy.

(Continued on next page)

socks will help minimize how much your feet throb at the end of the day. q Look your best daily Odds are, your hair is a wreck, your scrubs are wrinkled, and you barely washed your face that morning. However, by taking time daily to put your best self forward, you will give your confidence a boost when you go into your patient’s room. Consider this, taking those few minutes, you will feel you're making the best of those great looking oversized student scrubs and white leather, non-slip tennis shoes!

To transform from Ellen Pompeo into Meredith Grey, I advise you to start doing test questions early. NCLEX style, multiple choice, and alternate format test questions. I admit, I thought this was a stupid idea—both a waste of money (and more books to lug around) and a waste of time. But trust me—it’s the only way to turn knowledge into application.

You don’t have enough time to gain this in clinicals and, most likely, your patient won’t have anything remotely similar to what you have talked about in class. Be prepared for realworld scenarios. Test questions are the way to go.

My test-question book suggestions: Saunders NCLEX Examination with Notes, Priority and Delegation

I’ll make this short and sweet— clinicals are tough. You’re bushed from doing paperwork all night, your nurse is ex-

hausted and overworked, and you are doing your best to not make matters worse for your patient. Here are a few tips to make the day go by smoother: q Follow your nurse Work hard and learn as much as you can from your professor.

Similarly, follow your clinical nurse by watching what he/ she does and offer to help!

Nurses have very busy schedules so it important to show your clinical preceptor nurses you are willing to jump in and learn how to start an IV, perform a procedure (with oversight of course), or offer help wherever needed. In addition to passing meds with my professor's oversight, I have also learned so much from observing, asking questions, and assisting my nurse! Both professors and clinical preceptor nurses are great and together can teach you so much. q Wear compression socks No one is going to see them under your frumpy pants anyway (though you can find cute designs if you look). These 14 The Pulse • Fall 2018

Take care of yourself It’s easy to get overwhelmed.

It’s also easy to try and block out the rest of the world and focus on school. I’m here to tell you to take time for yourself.

Catch a movie, cheer for your sports team, hang out with friends, binge Netflix—cut yourself some slack. There has to be a balance. Personally, I ran myself so thin, it simply wasn’t worth it. And I can say, standing now on the other side, I feel I missed a lot of opportunities to just enjoy that stage of my life. Suddenly, BAM, you’re a real adult with life insurance, rent, and groceries.

If you need a boost in the middle of the night, ENJOY that cup of coffee. While we all know 8-9 hours is what we should aim for, try to get at least 5 hours of sleep each night. Most importantly? Don’t lose yourself. Go to your bible study and seek God for your strength. He knows and He will bring you through if it is His will.

NCLEX At the time of this writing, it has been 48 hours since I took my NCLEX. Passed in 75 questions and never looked back! But that is not the case with everyone. For some, it takes all 265 questions, while others fall somewhere in the middle. And if you do not pass the first time, don’t beat yourself up. Take a deep breath, get back on the horse, and just do your best! I personally used a Hurst live-review and 1000s of test questions from UWorld. In both applications, your test practice screen looks exactly how it will look in the real exam, which helped ease my anxiety. You become familiar with the way the test is set up and operates ahead of the real thing. By the time you get to this point, it’s not worth opening up your textbooks and reading everything again.

The test questions themselves will reveal what you don’t know, allowing you to fill in those gaps. Don’t limit yourself to the programs I mentioned.

They worked for me, but there are other programs that have worked wonders for other students. Pick what works for you and dive in. You got this!

Getting a job Apply as early as you can because spots fill up, especially in high demand areas, like ICUs, L&D, ER. Look up some interview questions a week or so before your interview so you have some time to think about it.

They probably won’t ask what you consider your “greatest weakness” to be; instead, they will ask how you react to specific situations—such as, “Give us a specific time in which you thought outside the box.”

And trust me, it’s not an easy thing to answer when you’re staring down a panel of experienced nurses and nurse managers. Even if you don’t land your dream job, use your experience to become better. I recommend finding a hospital with a nurse residency program.

Again, in this opportunity, your preceptor is your greatest resource. Ask questions!

Dance it out, w that 's hoish! you fin

Keep calm. You can do this!

Your professors are there to help you succeed, and all of them keep a stock of tissues handy for the times the stress gets to you. Voice your concerns, absorb their feedback, and try to follow their suggestions.

Choose joy every day, even when the task ahead seems impossible. A bad attitude has never once made anything better.

Start each day with a grateful heart. Not everyone has this opportunity, whether they weren’t accepted, couldn’t afford it, or faced one of the thousands of potential obstacles that keep so many people from standing where you are now.

Appreciate where you are and what you’ve accomplished.

The support you need to pull through is there. Just keep going. I can’t wait to serve with you on the other side!

Yes, nursing school is that hard. Just take it one week, one day, or even one hour at a time. Lean on your nursing school friends because they know exactly what you are going through, and hey, they need you too. Sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself is grab a bunch of fellow nursing students and study over dinner.

Shelbi graduated from Cox College this past Spring and is currently is a Registered Nurse (RN) at Cox Health Labor and Delivery.

15 Cox College • Springfield, MO

A new

DIRECTION Story by Kyle DeVries

Photo provided by Kevin Liljenquist

evin Liljenquist was having the time of his life. He was enrolled at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah and played a key role on a very talented lacrosse team. In 2007, all of Kevin’s hard work came to fruition when BYU won the MCLA (Div. 1) National Championship in Lacrosse.

While things were going great on the field, off the field was a different story. With most of his time and effort dedicated to lacrosse, classes and grades took a backseat. As a collegiate athlete, particularly one of his skill level, Kevin had no shortage of external pressures. He had coaches, teammates, and fans depending on him for every game, and was therefore committed to continually exceeding their high expectations through intense focus and training.

Kevin would have liked his grades to have been higher, but he wasn’t too concerned with what life would look like after college.

Back home in Orlando, Florida, his father owned a construction company where Kevin spent his summers getting valuable experience under his belt. After graduating from Brigham Young University with a 2.5 GPA and a degree in exercise science, Kevin returned to Orlando to the job waiting for him, and eventually branched off and formed his own company designing and building swimming pools. While this venture yielded financial success, he found there was something lacking. He wanted a more fulfilling

16 The Pulse • Fall 2018

The externship and capstone portions of the program helped me realize confidence in my abilities as a nurse, and I was able to learn from those individuals that I would soon be working with.

career, one in which he could make a positive impact on the lives of others.

Then one day, everything changed. One of Kevin’s friends was graduating as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), and Kevin took note.

A financially sound career that would not only be fulfilling on a personal level, but allow him more time to spend with his family? It sounded ideal. Yet the road to becoming a CRNA was not without its obstacles. Aside from the considerable time investment, the cost was steep and the courses rigorous. To even apply to a CRNA school, students must have a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) or a similar degree. They also must have obtained a license as a registered nurse and spent at least one year working as a registered nurse in an acute care setting. Even after these hurdles are crossed, getting accepted into a CRNA program is not a sure deal, and can in fact be the most difficult part of the process.

But Kevin was committed, and started taking the appropriate prerequisite courses in Florida.

And he gave it his everything, pushing himself harder than he ever had in academia, and earned all As. When his sister’s family informed him of the nursing programs in Springfield, Missouri, he didn’t hesitate to apply. One application and a cross-country interview

later, and Kevin was accepted into Cox College’s BSN program.

College, Kevin built the foundation for his future career.

This opened the door to Kevin’s future, though he was still concerned about meeting the high academic requirements necessary to later be accepted into CRNA programs. As expected, the nursing classes were intense, but Kevin was committed and, unlike before, he had a support system. His wife, Nicole, took the lead in taking care of their children to ensure Kevin was able to dedicate as much time as possible to his coursework.

The love and support he received from his family, despite a relentlessly busy schedule, helped him earn a 3.7 GPA— with honors—a far cry from his previous program’s 2.5. And in 2016, Kevin was accepted into CRNA program at Missouri State University.

“The faculty has high expectations for their students at Cox College. A lot of effort and studying needs to be done outside of the classroom,” Kevin said. “I really enjoyed my clinical experiences while at Cox College. The externship and capstone portions of the program helped me realize confidence in my abilities as a nurse, and I was able to learn from those individuals that I would soon be working with.”

The path may not have been direct, but Kevin found his passion and stuck with it. He spurned complacency and dedicated himself to a profession that directly impacts the lives of others. At Cox

To anyone interested in a career in health care, Kevin has some advice.

“Make sure it is what you want to do. It isn’t easy, but it is definitely worth it.”

In 2019, Kevin will begin his journey in the Missouri State University CRNA program and will graduate in 2022. Postgraduation, after passing the National Certification Examination (NCE), he hopes to find a job in the Springfield, Missouri area.

Online

OPEN HOUSE October 22nd through November 5th

Check Cox College's social media and website for more information.

Schedule your personal tour and visit with us one-on-one.

17 Cox College • Springfield, MO

dietetic int New program offering

This fall, the Nutrition Diagnostics Dietetic Internship (DI) program made its debut at Cox College.

The ten month program prepares students for specialty and advanced practice in Nutrition Diagnostics. Additionally, should a student desire a Master’s degree in Nutrition Diagnostics, one year in the DI program will count as Master’s level curriculum, decreasing classroom time. The preexisting 22-month Master’s degree program at Cox College has a focus on clinical experiences, while the internship program maintains a broader focus on community health and prevention. Students in the internship move to different rotation sites to best diversify their educational experiences.

Brittany Carpenter and Jordan Mize are Cox College alumnae and current Clinical Dietetic Preceptors in the Cox College Dietetic Internship.

“Prevention is going be our main focus,” Carpenter said.

Right now, many dietitians walk into patients’ rooms with

Brittany Carpenter, RDN, LD

Jordan Mize, MS, RDN, LD

the news that they need to change their diet after experiencing a heart attack or have been diagnosed with a serious illness. A central focus of the DI program is to change how dietitians communicate with patients. The aim is for dietitians to educate people on how they can avoid these issues before they happen.

Unlike similar programs offered nationwide, Cox College’s DI program takes a unique approach teaching nutrition at a deeper level, with an increased focus on micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) and in-depth physical exams.

“After I graduated, dietitians who had been in the field for years often asked me how to do a physical exam because they were never taught how.

As a recent graduate and an

18 The Pulse • Fall 2018

Story by Kyle DeVries

entry-level dietitian, I knew as much or more than experienced dietitians,” Mize said.

This revelation highlights the key differences between the Cox College program and those offered elsewhere.

“Cox College students are taught to assess muscle mass, lips, eyes, and other parts of the body for deficiencies,” Carpenter explained. “Other programs across the country are teaching dietetic students how to go in and provide a supplement.”

Students are spending time in clinics, grocery stores, and public gardens to gain communityrelated experiences.

“We’re sending students into venues that have never had dietitians on-staff to show

ternship Cox College students are taught to assess muscle mass, lips, eyes, and other parts of the body for deficiencies.

Other programs across the country are teaching dietetic students how to go in and provide a supplement. them what we bring to the table,” Carpenter said. “We want to prove that dietitians are needed. Our hope is that they won’t want us to leave so they add dietitians to their staff.”

Springfield is home to several self-sufficient community gardens whose produce goes directly to stores and markets in the area. One of those gardens is located across the street from Cox North Hospital and uses the hospital’s kitchen facility to teach classes.

Participants in these classes can learn about the Zero Waste Method (consuming the entire vegetable) and chronic diseases. The garden outside Cox North Hospital will be used as a community rotation for the DI program. Students will learn the medicinal properties of plants, assist with classes and grant proposals, and may even learn how to pull a few weeds.

The third major piece of the DI program is the clinical experiences. Students work as dietitians and support staff as

they learn new skills. Cox College’s relationship with CoxHealth again gives students an advantage, in that they have an arena in which to learn and the potential to be hired as regular staff after completing the program.

In return, DI students assist dietitians in their work and perform tasks that CoxHealth dietitians would otherwise perform.

“We’re training future employees,” Mize said.

This symbiotic relationship between CoxHealth and the Cox College Nutrition Diagnostics programs is supported by the shared philosophy of preventative nutrition methods. “CoxHealth is very progressive in the healthcare community.

They’re doing things that aren’t being done other places,” Carpenter said.

The hands-on experience in the same hospital that might be their future employer provides another boon for students.

19 Cox College • Springfield, MO

“Because CoxHealth is so advanced in practice, students are able to apply things they’re learning here,” Mize said. “Many of the things I learned at Cox College were not as easily applied at another hospital where I worked because the health system just wasn’t at that level.”

Jason Bauer, a Cox College alum, is the System Director of Food and Nutrition Services at CoxHealth. Jason was instrumental in the creation and design of this new DI program, and he continues to be an advocate for nutrition and dietitians in the Springfield area. Additionally, he is directly responsible for the clinical time Cox College students are able to obtain through CoxHealth.

“Our dietetic internship is considered one of the top (Continued on next page)

dietetic internship (Continued from previous page)

programs in the nation due to its nutrition diagnostics,” said Bauer. “Our interns are taught to look at the medications our patients are on and see how they affect the nutrients they are consuming. Along with the medication analysis, we also do physical exams to help us correctly identify malnutrition.”

Additionally, Bauer’s longterm plan is to purchase produce from the community gardens and implement it the hospital’s meals.

The DI program was designed and taught almost entirely by alumni of Cox College. The instructors are passionate, intelligent and beyond qualified to educate future dietitians.

The leadership from CoxHealth recognizes the need for dietitians in the health system and is supportive of this new program’s preventative methods and initiatives to improve community health.

For more information about this program call (417) 269-3401 or go online to CoxCollege.edu

Amy Vaughan, OTD, OTR/L, BCP has been nominated for the American Occupational Therapy Association national award for Emerging and Innovative Practice Award. She was nominated based on her efforts in working with Jordan Valley Community Health to develop an occupational therapy fellowship/ paid internship, a full time occupational therapy Vaughan position in primary care (the first of its kind in SW MO), and expanded fieldwork placements for occupational therapy students.

These positions will provide support in our community for children with physical, mental, or social concerns. The occupational therapists will address developmental issues and facilitate participation in daily life activities. The occupational therapists will work with families using recovery-oriented approaches to health and wellness.

Stacy Bohn, instructor at the Houston, Missouri campus, recently took and passed her Certified Nurse Educator exam.

Congratulations to faculty member, Amanda Cole, Bohn Cole being recently named a Health Care Champion by Springfield Business Journal! Watch for more information in the next issue.

20 The Pulse • Fall 2018

No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.

Story by allison rainey

Photos provided by Camp Barnabas

Our admissions and advisement team recently had the opportunity to visit Camp Barnabas for a day. This educational experience highlighted the daily operations of the camp as well as some of our own students’ stories.

Tracie Bishop, Medical Director of Camp Barnabas and Cox College faculty member, once again revealed her passions while touring the camp and explaining the operation.

Campers from all across the country travel to Camp Barnabas, while staff and volunteers work tirelessly to make sure their summer is one for the books. The students of Cox College provide medical attention to those campers with disabilities.

We spoke to four current Cox College current students: Shelly Bassham, Taylor Baehr, Beth

Richards, and Cameron Dykes, and Burge School of Nursing Alumni, Karen Bargas. The consensus was that working with Camp Barnabas was lifechanging, allowing for handson experience with actual people living with special needs. Clinicals, they say, cannot compare to the reality of working in the field.

“The whole time I’ve been in nursing school and clinicals, I have not had the chance to work with a special needs child until coming to Camp Barnabas,” said student Taylor Baehr. “Some nursing students never do.”

This opportunity provides students with the chance to expand their knowledge and training in an unusual environment.

21 Cox College • Springfield, MO

Karen Bargas, Burge School of Nursing Alumni, oversees the student nurses on-site. The experience, she emphasizes, is indescribable. By being in action, students naturally develop the trust and confidence to work on their own, and in turn credit their time at the camp with providing them the tools they need to succeed beyond school.

Students and staff agree that spending even a week at Camp Barnabas can make you a better nurse overall. You will experience new things, experience working with diverse groups of people, and receive hands-on training in a variety of categories. Even if you don’t have experience in the medical field, the extra help is appreciated. There are so many factors that go into making Camp Barnabas a haven for special needs campers. The camp has come a long way since being established in 1994, and the future continues to look bright.

For more information about Camp Barnabas, visit their website at www.campbarnabas.org/.

JOURNEY Commitment to the

Story by Allison Rainey

hrough struggle and hardship, Tracie Bishop tells us how becoming a nurse was more a necessity than an aspiration. Originally, her ambitions were aimed at medical school, but the reality at home made this particular mountain nearly impossible to climb.

After high school and with two mentally ill parents, Tracie found herself living on the streets, strapped for cash but still chasing the dream of working in the medical field. This dream eventually

brought her to nursing school.

No one can call Tracie’s path boring. She partially financed her education through water skiing, a sport in which she had competed as a child. She perfected her skills as an adult, and was able to save money toward getting an education in the field she’d set her sights on at an early age.

Tracie was committed to remaining in school, going to extreme measures to achieve her goals. She recalls nights when she slept in her car, worked overnight shifts at the local charity hospital, and grabbed showers in the athletic building. In 1992, Tracie’s hard work, drive, and passion paid off when she graduated from Southeastern University of Louisiana.

As so many others have discovered, it’s the journey that makes us become who we were meant to be.

Tracie’s journey shaped her 22 The Pulse • Fall 2018

into the nurse, coworker, professor, and professional she is today—someone who has earned the praise and respect of her peers and students.

“I literally have learned more on how to be a better human and probably had fifty thousand life lessons from her this semester,” wrote one student. “The book stuff anyone can teach, but it’s the heart stuff that makes the difference between a good nurse and a great nurse. Somehow Bishop pulls it out.”

Tracie learned through trial and error that education can’t be limited to books and classrooms, and seeks to impart this wisdom on every student who crosses her path. This stalwart dedication cannot be confined to a normal, more traditional schedule, so it’s

Y

I think what I have learned through teaching is that one of the gifts I have is to reach students that are struggling, because of what I’ve been through. I put it in perspective that, yes, I am reaching people in a way that is profound. not uncommon for Tracie to be found helping students outside office hours and on weekends.

Tracie’s determination has made her a living example for her family as well. When her son expressed interest in the special education field, she volunteered alongside him one summer at Camp Barnabas, and was quickly recognized for her outstanding commitment and passion for special education.

This led to her being recruited for an open position within the camp, and later selected as Director of Medical Services.

Summer 2018 was her third summer working with Camp Barnabas. As is the case for all people with intense drive, Tracie looked to other areas of the foundation that could be improved upon. Now, along with summer camp, she works with two programs for special needs adults, and continues to make a significant impact on the lives of those she touches. With the summer alone bringing more than 2,500 campers to Camp Barnabas, there are even more opportunities to leave a lasting impact.

indescribable. Your employability is unparalleled, your choices are unlimited.

It is so diverse but it all goes back to the same root of what we teach in the nursing process.”

In recognition of her humble upbringing, the obstacles she has surmounted, and the name she has made for herself within the community, Tracie Bishop was recently honored with the Daisy Award. This award recognizes nurses who create an environment where compassionate care thrives—a description that fully embodies Tracie Bishop and the impact she has had on students and the CoxHealth system as a whole.

“It was a big honor,” Tracie said.

“I think what I have learned through teaching is that one of the gifts I have is to reach students that are struggling, because of what I’ve been through. It put it in perspective that, yes I am reaching people in a way that is profound.”

Tracie has advice for anyone contemplating nursing school.

“It is so doable,” she said. “For anybody, in any point in their life. Having a realistic idea of the commitment it takes and the value of actually following through in your ability, employability, and viability in the healthcare field is

23 Cox College • Springfield, MO

Tracie Bishop is an example to all, especially those struggling to get by day-today or contemplating a career change. She has been there, and we applaud her success as a valued member of our institution.

Cox College Gains National Attention Through Use of Canvas ArcMedia Cox College uses Canvas, an online learning management system, to assist faculty with the organization of online classes. Students can find assignments, lectures and news on Canvas. Recently, Canvas released a new video platform called ArcMedia, and Cox College has been one of the first institutions to incorporate it into the curriculum of various programs. In addition to a Canvas video crew visiting and shooting footage at Cox College on the many ways ArcMedia is used, Heather Stockford-Sade and Amanda Cox were chosen to speak at Instructure's "CanvasCarn," an international conference showcasing ArcMedia. Both of these events have helped increase awareness of Cox College.

story by Allison Rainey and Eric Baker Photos by Eric baker, KYLIE WRIGHT, AND heidi sanders photography

or most, retirement is the professional’s end-goal, when life ceases being dictated by the clock. A time to travel, seek out new experiences, fulfill lifelong dreams, or enjoy family and friends. For Burge School of Nursing Graduate Linda Brown (Class of ’67) and her husband, Dr. David Brown, retirement was an opportunity to be of service to the less fortunate.

Eight years ago, the Browns and eight others from a local church grouped together to establish The Gathering Tree, a drop-in center, with the purpose of providing aid and support to the homeless in downtown Springfield. The idea was simple—provide free meals for people in need.

They set up operations in a small shop, and before they knew it, they were feeding nearly 200 people nightly and

space had become an issue.

The Gathering Tree expanded to new locations and, with the help of community volunteers, were able to provide food, host activities, and develop relationships with the community homeless for five nights a week.

But the need wasn’t getting any better, and resources were finite. The Gathering Tree found itself without a home for a time before Rusty Worley and The Vineyard Church provided a solution and a place where people can take part in activities, enjoy computer access, and fill up on coffee.

Despite the remarkable strides made toward providing relief to the homeless community, the Browns remained focused on the dramatic need still present.

They could lock up every

24 The Pulse • Fall 2018

night and go home, a luxury not afforded to the homeless men and women who had become their friends.

Thus, they created Eden Village—a community for the chronically disabled homeless,

built on the foundation of compassion and love. A place for people who go to sleep each night not knowing where they will sleep tomorrow. A place of stability for those who have none. By providing a steady environment with housing, laundry facilities, on-site pantry, life-skill classes, a community center, and even recovery meetings, the residents were empowered to work toward the thing everyone wants—a better life.

After researching similar neighborhoods in other cities, the Browns hired Nate Schlueter to help them make Eden Village a reality. Nate had worked on a similar project in Austin, Texas, so he had the experience in addition to the necessary skills to make the process easier.

Nate Schlueter, COO (Chief Operating Officer), of Eden Village hands housekeys to Tom Yarberry, Eden Villages first resident will be dedicated to the memory of eleven individuals who sadly passed last year on the streets, but during their time here, provided the Browns with friendship and inspiration to make Eden Village a reality.

Eden Village has been a success so far, with the aid and collaboration of local

Linda’s work as a part-time real estate agent provided her the perfect opportunity to look for potential locations for Eden Village. One day, she stumbled upon a vacant mobile home park with ample potential, and Eden Village had found its home.

Today, fourteen houses make up Eden Village, and the remaining ones are on their way. A greenhouse has also been donated to the property and will be accompanied by a memorial garden. This garden

government, real estate companies, design teams, and charity foundations. No such undertaking is simple— through capital campaigns, grants, events, and donations, Eden Village raised $2.7 million, eclipsing the halfway point of its goal. And as of the August 28 ribbon-cutting

Linda Brown and her husband, Dr. David Brown

ceremony, Eden Village has already welcomed its first resident, Tom Yarberry (above) to his new home, and the next chapter of his life Still, there is a long way to go.

The Browns hope to reach the second half of their financial goal, and plan to continually move in new residents with the objective of having the village full and operational by the end of the year.

The micro homes are just one part of the overall need.

Residents will need furnishings, among other basic everyday things, such as towels, silverware, and beds. The community response has been phenomenal, but there is no such thing as too much help.

If you have a way to help or know an organization that could, please reach out to Eden Village or go to their website www.gatheringtree. org/eden-village for more information.

Gathering Tree

25 Cox College • Springfield, MO

Burge and Cox College alumni

stay in touch

We want to hear from you! Send all submissions (including photos!) to alumni@coxcollege.edu.

Lieble

Brucks

Lauren Lieble, MS, RD, CSP, LD, MND Class of ’15 Was part of the first class of Nutrition Master's Degree graduates. After graduating, she was immediately hired at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, where she currently works, covering a couple of general pediatric teams as well as the inpatient rehab team. Over the past three years, Lauren has given numerous presentations to the Children's Mercy Nutrition Department regarding the Nutrition Physical Exam, a skill she feels Cox College prepared her for.

Barbara (Hickam) Brucks, graduate of Burge School of Nursing Class of '77 Has retired from nursing, and is currently a happily married newlywed living in Newell, South Dakota with her husband, Tom Lewis. She treasures her years at Burge, the quality education she received from caring instructors, and the 37 years she spent in Neonatal Nursing, both at the bedside and management.

Gaylene Hermann, BSN, RN, graduate of Burge School of Nursing, '82 Worked at St Johns in Springfield, MO, from 1982-84 Surgical Intensive Care Unit; 1984-2010 Pediatric Intensive Care; 2010-present Cardiovascular

Hermann

Faulkner

Intensive Care Unit. She also worked from 1998 to present as Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Specialist at Childrens Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. She earned her BSN from Evangel College in 1982.

Larry Faulkner, MBA, BSN, RN, CEN, ASN Class of '02 Currently employed with Philips Blue Jay Consulting, Springfield, MO, as a Senior Consultant.

Joy Dixon Ballard, BSN, RN First Accelerated BSN Class of '03 Mrs. Dixon is mom to five children, homesteading in the river valley of Arkansas. She is currently pursuing her passion for helping people by teaching preventive health, wellness through lifestyle choices, and nutrition as an entrepreneur and Platinum leader with Young Living Essential Oils.

Maggie Head, MBA, BSN ASN class of 'O2 Has spent the majority of her career working in the business side of health care. She is currently an Advanced Analytics Senior Consultant for Anthem, Inc., in Sullivan, MO. She primarily prepares analytics and reporting, including statistics, return on investment analyses, and custom visual analytics reports.

26 The Pulse • Fall 2018

Ballard

Head

Ethan Hampton, FNP, MSN BSN Program, Class of '09 MSN Program, Class of '13 Worked at Cox South Surgical Intensive Care Unit for several years. Later he received his Master of Science in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner at Cox College, while working part time (Continued on back cover)

In Memoriam

Willam David LaFevers, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP Class of '91

In Memoriam

Davis Connie Davis, Faculty, Burge School of Nursing Ms. Davis passed away on August 18, 2018 in Monett, MO. She taught nursing at the Burge School of Nursing in Springfield for many years and retired in 2011 from Cox-Monett Hospital, as a Registered Nurse.

Lelia Green, Burge School of Nursing, '68 Ms. Green passed away on August 22, 2018 in Springfield, MO. She devoted her life to Nursing, having graduated from The Burge School of Nursing 1967. She later obtained her Bachelor's

Dr. LaFevers passed away on February 15, 2018. (From the AANP website) "Dr. LaFevers’ leadership capabilities were evident in the many initiatives that he undertook, mentoring nurses and NP students at the Missouri APRN Day held at the Capitol every year from 2008 – 2017; presenting at regional, state and national meetings; utilizing his skills as a JAANP reviewer from 2013 – 2018; and holding his position as AANP Missouri State Representative from 2015 – 2018. He established strong relationships through his work with NONPF, MONA, APNO and AACN, providing leadership by chairing numerous committees and think tanks and mentoring the next generation of NPs."

Green

Rutan

degree in Nursing from Drury University and became one of Springfield’s first nurses working for Cox Hospital.

Mildred Rutan, Faculty, Burge School of Nursing Ms. Rutan passed away on May 19, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida.

Lenore (Jump) Zarker, Burge School of Nursing, '45 (Provided by her son) My mom died in May 2015 at the age of 90, having led a wonderful life, one spent seeing the world and loving her family with Ray, her husband of 70

Zarker years. She graduated from Burge School of Nursing in 1945 and served as a nurse until her retirement. She would regale others with stories of how difficult her nurse’s training was, since many of the regular nurses were away with the war effort and the students had to work 40 hours per week in the hospital in addition to their classes and studies.

She was a wonderful lady.

Have a great day, do good things, have fun, learn lots, and be a decent human being.

(From wife and friends) "Dr. LaFevers loved his life, family, friends, and colleagues. He believed his purpose was to make life better for others around him. His family came first in his busy life, but our family extends beyond our blood lines. This is why his quote speaks so strongly to those that knew him.

The driving force behind his advocacy for nurses was his recognizing that the profession is significantly underrepresented at a state and national level when it comes to policies and practices in health care. He knew that improving conditions for

27 Cox College • Springfield, MO

nurses and nurse practitioners would ultimately improve patient care as well. He firmly believed that nurses needed a stronger voice when it came to policy and the business of health care.

We had many discussions about the challenges and the joy of teaching. More importantly, we talked about how important it is to have instructors that are tuned into the needs of the students, as well as willing to share and pass on the skills needed to continue quality education/care for the next generations. We both believe in setting the example for our students in everything we do.

1423 N. Jefferson Avenue Springfield, MO 65802

Burge and Cox College alumni

Hampton

Stuppy

Gear Up For Fall

Russel

(Continued from page 26)

it North Kansas City Cardiovascular ICU. Currently working with Meritas Health, an internal medicine clinic, in Kansas City area. My wife and I have adopted a sibling set of two and are in the process of adopting a sibling set of three.

Currently living in Overland Park, KS. Gerri Buchanan Stuppy, FNP, MSN Accelerated BSN program, Class of '09 Stuppy went on to get her MSN degree and graduated from Central Missouri State Univeristy in 2014. She currently works for Cox as a Nurse Practitioner in Emergency Department at both South and North.

Shannon Casey Russel, ASN Class of '03 After graduation, Russel began working in the CVICU at CoxHealth and for 13 years. While there, she completed her CCRN certification, Bachelors and Masters degrees. She is now working as a NP in General Surgery/Surgical Oncology at Cox.

October 28, 2018 Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque 601 E. St. Louis Street • Springfield Tickets can be purchased online at Eventbrite.com

Fall weather is around the corner. Get comfy and show your school spirit with a visit to The Store @ Cox College.

We have sweatshirts, a selection of long sleeve Comfort ColorsÂŽ T-shirts, and other branded mugs, cups, etc.