Health Sciences 2022 Newsletter

HEALTH SCIENCES

N EW S LETT E R

Welcome!

As the Division Chair of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, I would like to take this opportunity to inform you about the exciting things happening in our Division. We are increasingly involving students in research projects and shadowing experiences. We are providing students with opportunities to travel internationally and experience service learning. Our Health Science Club is active and sponsors a variety of activities ranging from Homecoming floats to Chili Cook-off entries to bringing in medical professionals as speakers. Our division provides you with the tools to grow both intellectually and spiritually. Helping you travel the path to your profession is our ultimate goal. Our faculty are always available to help you decide on a career and guide you through your undergraduate experience. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions.

Nora Strasser, Ed.D. Chair of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math

Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine partnership program

Friends University and the Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (KansasCOM) have an alliance and partnership within the medical field. KansasCOM is part of the Kansas Health Science Center (KHSC) and the first private nonprofit osteopathic medical school in the state and located in downtown Wichita. KansasCOM offers a unique collaboration to a select number of Friends students to accelerate their career path with a 3+4 program. This program allows highly qualified students who meet KansasCOM admission requirements the opportunity to apply for, and begin, their first year of medical school in their senior year of undergraduate studies.

This partnership facilitates a seamless transfer of Friends University health science majors to KansasCOM to allow highly qualified and trained physicians to be workforce ready to provide superior and compassionate health care to patients in Wichita and other Kansas communities.

JUNIOR SPOTLIGHT

MACKENZIE COBB 2022 GRADUATES

How did you decide to major in health science?

I have been interested in the medical field for as long as I can remember. In high school I was accepted into a CNA program that allowed me to shadow different rotations within the hospital, in nursing homes and fire stations. I fell in love with being around medicine and felt drawn to make it a part of my life. My favorite part about being in the hospital was watching surgeries like knee replacements, shoulder replacements and even carpal tunnel hand surgery. One time, I went to the Cath Lab to watch cardiac stents put into place and found my love for cardiology.

What advice would you give freshmen to overcome challenges with their courses?

I personally struggled with math in high school. My advice is to always ask the teacher for help. Teachers can be intimidating but if you show them that you care it will significantly help you within that teacher’s class. Also, make friends! Have fun, but show up to your classes on time and be sure to have a good understanding of time management.

Tell us what you do as a scribe at Via Christi? Scribes are the people that write everything down. We work for physician assistants, midlevel’s and doctors. I write down the patient’s history and what they are concerned about. Once you chart everything on paper, then I chart it online. In addition, I pull in the patient’s labs and imaging results as well as orders that the doctors put into the system. I love my job!

How do you handle the complexity or network of activities with your studies?

The key is to have strong study habits for yourself.

What is your typical day like?

I will get up for weights around 6 a.m., have a few classes and end with Calculus at 2 p.m. I will then head straight to golf for a few hours and then head back home to do homework.

Have you had any previous leadership experiences?

In high school, I participated in Family, Career and Community Leaders of America and served as the Vice President of Competitive Events for Region III in the state of Texas. I set up regional events, times for students to compete and a charity for a food bank.

We know you are a member of the golf team. What drew you to golfing?

My dad is the one who got me into golfing. I love having the opportunity to go out and play with my dad. It is the little moments you have with your parents that you will cherish forever.

Do you want to become a pro golfer?

It is not my goal to become a pro golfer. Though that would be a very fun career choice, but my heart belongs to the medical field and golf is simply just a hobby I enjoy.

Jonathan Yoder and Dr. John Simmons

Jackie Ireland and Dr. John Simmons

Hugo Prats Nicolas and Dr. John Simmons

Rachel Taylor and Dr. John Simmons

Connor Lockhorn and Dr. John Simmons

(ICU), neonatal intensive care unit, trauma, pediatrics, oncology, neuro unit and cardio unit to name a few. There are even subspecialties under those specialties. For example, an IC oncology nurse can receive certification to administer chemotherapeutic agents.

There are many different opportunities for nurses to take their career to the next level with continuing education beyond health science classes. This opens the door for nurses to become nurse managers, educators, nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists or certified registered nurse anesthetists. I am very happy to have become a nurse and enjoy what I do. I have learned so much over the years and look forward to caring for patients every day. I do have plans to further my education, so we will see where I end up!

My Experience With Medical Interpreting by Grethel De La Torre

My name is Grethel De La Torre and I moved to Wichita in 2018 and later graduated from South High School. I used to live in Aguascalientes, Mexico. I always knew I wanted year at Friends University, I received a certificate in medical interpreting for the local medical community. It was a life-changing experience. During one experience I got to interp I interpreted for the parents and the doctors during 10 hours of labor for a healthy baby boy. It was a beautiful experience bringing a new life into the world. I feel so lucky and grateful for the good people I met on this journey (both patients and physicians) as well as my parents who taught me Spanish.

SPOTLIGHT

ICT Street Volunteering

by Mackenzie Cobb

I became a volunteer with the ICT Street team at the beginning of my freshman year at Friends. I received my Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification in high school so I could volunteer with organizations like the ICT Street team who help the homeless in many different ways and those in need of medical services. They provide a whole medical team, including a doctor, a physician’s assistant and nurses who see those having health issues such as cold symptoms or even help those unable to get prescriptions for chronic diseases.

MRS. BRENDA SMITH

Tell us about your degrees and how long have you been at Friends University.

I have a double major in math and German from Baylor University, a graduate degree in math from Missouri State University and a graduate certificate in academic advising from Kansas State University. I started at Friends University in 1995 and am starting my 28th year teaching here.

What drew you to math?

By junior high I already loved math. It’s fulfilling to know that I am “finished” with a math problem. There may be numerous ways to figure out a solution, but with math there is always an end. It’s satisfying to know that I figured it out and can prove the answer is correct. My mind works step-by-step, and math involves such a beautiful sense of order.

Did you always know you wanted to be a professor?

I never considered professor as a career in high school or college. My dad was a professor of religious studies, and I had visions of doing my own thing – not copying what one of my parents did. In graduate school I had to teach a math course each semester with no assistance. It was there I started realizing I had some natural skills and could break down concepts that many people have trouble understanding and then present those in a way that made sense to them.

What hobbies do you enjoy?

I play the drums! A few years ago, I decided to learn something new and started taking drum lessons. I also like to work in my flower gardens, hang out by the pool and bake elaborately decorated cakes for my kids’ birthdays.

We heard that you have an identical twin! Can we see a photo of you and your twin? Does she teach math too?

I am two minutes older than my identical twin. She has degrees in math but works in the information technology field in Denver.

Twins are good at playing pranks on teachers. Have you done any pranks you can share?

In high school, one of the spirit days for athletics was twin day. My twin and I dressed the same and switched classes.

I went to her Spanish class even though I had never taken Spanish. Once class started, I tried to listen carefully as the teacher called on students to read phrases aloud in Spanish. When she called my sister’s name, I did the best I could to mimic the sounds I was hearing. I must have faked it well enough because the teacher went on to the next student without saying a word. Everyone else in the class was trying not to laugh; other students could tell us apart and knew we had switched places, but the teacher had no idea.

We also heard that you have two sons. Do they want to become math professors too?

My 19-year-old is serving in the United States Coast Guard. In his specialized training with the Coast Guard, he is seeing practical applications of all the trigonometry concepts he learned in high school. My 18-year-old is a college freshman majoring in architecture, and his architecture professors have also stressed that mastering trigonometry is extremely important since it is used in every architectural design. Go math!

Mrs. Smith and her twin sister.

Which course did you find challenging in college and how did you overcome that? What advice can you give to freshmen on this?

I took a philosophy course my freshman year and discovered I wasn’t really interested in it. I did well on the first exam and not so great on the second exam once I stopped trying. Even though philosophy wasn’t my favorite subject, I realized that in order to achieve a bigger goal, there are times you have to stick things out that you don’t really enjoy so you can move on to those that you are passionate about.

How should students study when enrolled in a math class? What are good study habits for learning math?

Math is a skill, and skills need to be practiced over and over. If you are learning to serve a tennis ball, you don’t quit practicing as soon as you get one serve over the net. Similarly, with math you don’t quit practicing as soon as you get one homework problem correct. Math is a language, and you’ve got to learn how to speak it.

What advice do you have for college students? Go to class and pay attention. What you get out of the learning process depends on what you put in.

As a CNA, I have been able to volunteer in the local community and help a nonprofit organization. My role is to get all the essential information from the patient, check their vitals and ask about the reason for their visit. And then proceed to get them anything else they need, such as food or clothing that we also offer based on donations from the local church. I love getting to volunteer. I think this is a great way to help the community, especially in the downtown Wichita area.

HEALTH SCIENCE CLUB OFFICERS

Mackenzie Cobb | President

My name is Mackenzie Cobb and I am the Friends University Health Science Club President. I was born and raised in Texas and this is my second year at Friends. I currently work as a scribe at a local hospital. I enjoy working within the hospital setting as I find it very interesting. I plan to attend medical school after graduation and aspire to be a cardiothoracic surgeon.

Grethel De La Torre | Vice President

I am Grethel De La Torre. I am a junior, Health Science and Spanish major. I have been serving as the vice president of the Health Science Club for the past two semesters. I’m working hard to achieve my goal of becoming a plastic surgeon one day. My hobbies include reading, hanging out with friends, playing “Just Dance”, listening to music, and my favorite, roller skating. It’s important to stay positive and safe and do as much as we can.

I love making new friends, so just come talk to me if you need anything and I’ll try my best to help you out.

Vanessa Aguilar | Secretary

My name is Vanessa Aguilar and I am the current secretary of the Health Science Club. I was born and raised in Wichita, Kan. but I love traveling the world. My favorite destination is Barcelona, Spain, and the most spontaneous is Helsinki, Finland. I have been a member of the Health Science Club for three years with Dr. Prince Agbedanu, who has been an incredible mentor and professor during my time as a student.

Ava Staver |

Social Media Manager

My name is Ava Staver. I look forward to being part of the Health Science Club as the Social Media Manager. I am from Highlands Ranch, Colo. and a freshman at Friends University. I plan to pursue a Health Science degree at Friends University and then return to Colorado, where I want to attend Red Rocks Community College to obtain my Physician Assistant degree where I can then become a PA and start helping others! I like to spend time with my friends and family, play golf and pizza.

Zach Hamm | Treasurer

Hello, I’m Zach Hamm! As the Treasurer, I am glad to join the Health Science Club. I am a junior at Friends University and this upcoming fall of 2022 is my second year at Friends University. In my free time, I like to 3D print, play with my dog, Daisy and spend time with my wife, Annalee. I hope to go into the medical field as a radiologist, following in my dad’s footsteps, who also attended Friends University and is a radiologist.

HEALTH SCIENCE CLUB

ALEX GRIER | The spooky basket event was a fun experience, and it was for a great cause. Watching a movie and making baskets while spending time with and getting to know other students was a huge plus. We even got to help the kids at a local orphanage, making it worthwhile.

ASHER BREWER | When I heard the Health Science Club was selling tamales as a way to raise money for their club, I knew I had to buy a pack! It brought me great satisfaction to know my money went to an excellent club that uses the funds they raise to donate towards scholarships and support international opportunities for their members.

TREYTON RUSHER | I attended an event held by the Health Science Club this past school year. They welcomed everyone to join them in a friendly Kahoot competition that included some gift card prizes. It was fun to hang out with friends and play games for the night. The Health Science Club is always having a blast and connecting with others.

MACKENZIE COBB | I had the excellent opportunity to become the Health Science Club’s President this past spring. I love working on events and fundraising for the club. I have outstanding officers who always want to go out and do more with the student body. Coming to Friends has provided me with many opportunities that will benefit my future career, all thanks to Dr. Prince Agbedanu. My goal is to help others receive the same opportunities so they can be successful in their future jobs!

WADE BRIGHT | I was a part of the Health Science Club FSO Olympics team. We participated in many different games that allowed me to get to know other school clubs and engage with club members in a fun way. It was an excellent opportunity to have fun and even help fundraise for the Health Science Club.

For information about Friends University’s Health Sciences degree: friends.edu/health-sciences admissions@friends.edu 316-295-5100 | 800-577-2233