Newsletter

Mark your calendar

• Dining at Oakley
• Diabetes update for health professionals

Accomplishments and awards

• Dr. Jessica Naber and Grace Phelps
• Meal management surprise inspection
• Dr. Dana Todd

Alumni news

• Kentucky Nurse going green

Faculty spotlight

• Lori Ballard

Scholarships

• Bailey Holt Memorial Scholarship's first recipients

Student spotlight

• Jade Townsley
• SONHP ROTC students

While you were away

• Etiquette breakfast
• Occupational therapy students presentations

This spring senior nutrition and dietetics students will prepare a variety of themed meals in the Oakley Dining Room for their meal management course. Every Wednesday, a different student will take charge and transform the Oakley Dining Room into a themed restaurant. Students will manage the entire dining experience including recipe development, organization of a themed menu, décor, plate presentation, service, meal costs, nutrient analysis, budgeting and purchasing food, food safety, marketing and even methods for evaluation and process improvement. This experience is part of the capstone course for the nutrition and dietetics major at Murray State.

This spring’s themed lunches will include:

• March 25- A Mamma Mia! Dining Experience by Cassie Blandford. $10.
• April 1- Gluten Free in the Heartland by Britney Tilford. $10.
• April 8- A Taste of the Olympics by Madison Stewart. $8.
• April 15- Taste of the South by Kendall Clark. $9.
• April 22- A Dinner You Can't Refuse, Inspired by The Godfather by Katie Mattingly. $10.
• April 29- Baja Bash by Zach Lawrence. $10.

A full list of the menus, themes, and recipes can be found at murraystate.edu/OakleyDiningRoom. You can enjoy one of these delicious lunches by signing up through the reservation link bit.ly/OakleyReservation.

Pictured are dishes from spring 2019 themed lunches.

Join speakers Dr. Janice Thurmond and Dr. Summer Cross on Thursday March 26 for a diabetes education program. The purpose of the program is to educate health care providers about the latest treatment strategies for diabetes. Signs and symptoms as well as treatment of gestational diabetes will also be covered.

Upon completion of the program, the participant will be able to:

1. Discuss current diagnostic criteria for diabetes mellitus
2. Explore newer methods for home glucose monitoring
3. Summarize newer pharmacologic therapies in the management of diabetes mellitus
4. Review recommended dietary and exercise guidelines for individuals living with diabetes mellitus
5. Identify complications associated with diabetes
6. Describe the effects on pregnancy on glucose metabolism
7. Identify fetal and maternal complications and risks associated with diabetes in pregnancy
8. Identify diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes
9. Develop a plan of care for the pregnant woman with diabetes

The event will take place on Thursday March 26 from 6-8:30 p.m. in Mason Hall, room 214. To register please go to, surveymonkey.com/r/RG93CKK. A light meal will be provided with the free registration. For more information contact Dleonard@purchasehealth.org.

This program has been approved by the Kentucky Board of Nursing for two contact hours for nurses, registered dietitians and licensed diabetes educators. Provider #4-0072-12-20-011. Kentucky Board of Nursing approval of the individual nursing continuing education program does not constitute endorsement of program content. To meet KBN requirements and receive contact hours, participants must attend entire session, participate in applicable test and evaluate the offering. Late arrivals or early departures will result in loss of contact hours.

Congratulations to Dr. Jessica Naber, associate professor, and Grace Phelps, sophomore in the nursing program. They recently had their article, “Blue Zone of Ikaria: Greece: An education abroad program for nursing and health-related disciplines,” published in the Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 10(5), 31-35.

The article abstract, as well as a link to a pdf of the complete article can be found at sciedu.ca/journal/index.php/jnep/article/view/16820.

Pictured left to right are Grace Phelps and Dr. Jessica Naber at Thea’s Inn and Restaurant during a study abroad program in Ikaria, Greece.

On Wednesday, Feb. 26, the health inspector visited with Mrs. Josie Bryant and her meal management course for an unannounced bi-annual food establishment inspection of the Oakley Dining Room. We are happy to announce they received a 100 percent score. Congratulations to Josie Bryant, Lori Crouch, and Dr. Kathy Stanczyk for all of their efforts in keeping things in tip top shape in the Oakley Dining Room.

More information about the Oakley Dining Room can be found at murraystate.edu/OakleyDiningRoom.

Pictured left to right are Josie Bryant, Lori Crouch, and Dr. Kathy Stanczyk.

Congratulations to Dr. Dana Todd, interim BSN program director, on her recent poster presentation acceptance. Dr. Todd’s abstract, “Collaborating for the Health of It” has been selected as a poster presentation at the 2020 Association of Community Health Nursing Educators (ACHNE) Annual Institute to be held June 3-5 in Louisville, Kentucky.

The Kentucky Nurse Association and Kentucky Nurses Foundation send out the The Kentucky Nurse quarterly to all registered nurses in Kentucky. Starting in 2020, this publication is only going to be sent via email. To continue receiving updates please register here.

Mrs. Lori Ballard is a two-time Murray State University alumna. She received her Bachelor of Science in nursing in 1989 and finished her Master of Science in nursing as an advanced nurse educator in 2010. Mrs. Ballard started working on campus in 2006 with student health services, and began teaching full time in 2011. During her time here, she has taught courses in nursing transitions, adult health, fundamentals, mental health, nursing and healthcare delivery, leadership and practicum clinical.

Before coming to Murray State, Mrs. Ballard worked for 17 years in a variety of nursing practice settings ranging from surgery, post-anesthesia care, endoscopy, gastroenterology, home health, case and resource management, emergency, triage and urgent care.

Mrs. Ballard has presented at a concept based curriculum symposium and nurse educator conference on her teaching style and on NCLEX-RN mentoring. She has contributed to presentations on improving student outcomes on NCLEX-RN for Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society, with whom she serves as the Delta Epsilon vice president. Mrs. Ballard was also published in the Kentucky Journal of Excellence in College Teaching and Learning in 2018 for her co-authored article, “Mentoring Program for Graduating Bachelor of Science in Nursing Students.”

A lifetime resident of Graves County, Kentucky, Mrs. Ballard has lived in Fancy Farm for the past twenty five years. She enjoys spending time with her parents, children, grandchildren and husband, and volunteers as a pianist for the music ministry at her church. Her hobbies include spending time outdoors with her pets, gardening, crocheting and attending flea-markets and craft fairs.

Lakyn Rye and Danielle York were named the first Bailey Holt Memorial Scholarship recipients. Each recipient was awarded a $500 scholarship for the 2019-20 academic year.

“The Bailey Holt Memorial Scholarship has helped me to be able to chase my dream of becoming an RN, and hopefully one day being able to become a CRNA,” said Rye, a third semester nursing student. “The meaning behind this scholarship hits very close to home for me and I am very grateful to be chosen as a recipient.”

“I am so grateful for being selected as a recipient of this scholarship in memory of Bailey Holt,” said York, a senior nursing student who will graduate in May. “This scholarship holds a special place in my heart. On Jan. 23, 2018 my family was changed forever with the loss of my cousin, Preston Cope. It means so much to our family that the lives of these two have been honored in such a profound way. Like Bailey, I also held the dream of becoming a nurse, and this scholarship is allowing me to do just that. After graduation I hope to work in an intensive care unit where I can comfort and support families in their time of need.”

To all of the generous donors who made this scholarship possible, thank you. Your generosity will help many aspiring students achieve their dreams to become nurses for years to come.

Pictured left to right, Lakyn Rye and Danielle York.

Jade Townsley started her college journey after being named the winner of the McCracken County Community Career Endowment (MCCCE) Fred and Peggy Paxton scholarship. Townsley is a 2014 Paducah Tilghman High School graduate and a former Class III Paxton Scholar. She transferred from West Kentucky Community & Technical College where she obtained her Associate of Science degree, and is currently a senior at Murray State, majoring in public and community health with a focus on healthcare administration. She is on track to graduate this May. During her time at Murray State Townsley has also been awarded the Charlotte E. Russell Endowed scholarship, the Blue Diversity scholarship, and the Johnnie Green scholarship.

“I am so thankful for the continuous encouragement and support I have received from MCCCE Paxton Scholars program, and the faculty and staff at Murray State,” said Townsley. “The Charlotte E. Russell Endowed scholarship has also been a tremendous help with educational expenses during my last semester at Murray State.”

Townsley is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., where she serves as the Ivy Leaf Reporter for the Zeta Zeta chapter and as the Central Region Undergraduate Cluster 7 Coordinator. She has been named to the Dean's List, and has received several awards including the Diversity Achievement Award, awarded to multicultural students that receive over a 3.0 GPA, and the Student Impact Award, awarded to multicultural students that serve as leaders on campus. She was also a member of the Transfer Student Association, a former leadership team member in the Office of Multicultural Initiatives, and a former L.E.A.D (Leaders Enhancing Academic Diversity) team member for the Office of Recruitment.

“My current goal is to complete my last semester, including an internship as an administrative intern at Mercy Health – Lourdes Hospital,” said Townsley. “My internship has helped me gain insight into my profession, build up my skill set, and has provided me with many networking opportunities. After graduation I plan to work in my field around Paducah or the western Kentucky area. I've also been researching graduate schools and am considering pursuing a master’s in healthcare administration.”

Townsley was raised by her mother, Jeanette and stepdad, John, and has one younger sister, Jlea, in high school. In her free time she enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants, visiting museums, shopping and trying out new makeup products and techniques. One of her favorite pastimes is watching YouTube videos, especially makeup and hair tutorials.

You can read more about Townsley in her Murray State Scholar Stage article at murraystate.edu/admissions/scholarships/scholarstage/jadetownsley.aspx, as well as at WPSD Local 6, bit.ly/2wx1fk9.

Balancing life, work, and academics can be a daunting challenge. Today we’d like to bring your attention to one group of students who are doing just that, Army ROTC members. We asked them for advice and tips for balancing a demanding college and life schedule, as well as what drew them to their career path and choice of major. This is what they shared.

Travis Tack on major and career choice

"During high school I knew I wanted to do something in the medical field. After experiencing several job shadowing opportunities I realized I wanted to be a nurse, and eventually a CRNA. I also knew I wanted to serve in the military since I was young. Many of my family members have served in every branch, and growing up in that environment gave me a strong desire to pursue a career of my own in the military. I spent numerous hours researching different avenues for becoming an officer via Military Academy, Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), and Officer Candidate School (OCS). When I chose Murray State University, I looked for information on the ROTC program and decided that it was the appropriate route for me."

Travis Tack on time management

"Nursing school and ROTC both require a lot of time and dedication. I would advise anyone who is considering joining either field to research it thoroughly, and make sure that they are fully invested. If it is truly what you want to do, and find it enjoyable, then the multitude of hours and late-nights won’t seem quite as tiresome.

"I personally keep a calendar for major events and deadlines far in advance of the actual date. Before each week I mark all of the small events and tasks that need to be accomplished. It’s also important to allow some time to focus on yourself so you don’t become overwhelmed, and yes, you and many of your peers will get overwhelmed at times. Possessing a strong mental will, and accomplishing the task-at-hand without questioning or complaining, makes every future scenario that you may encounter much easier."

Travis Tack is a junior at Murray State pursuing his degree in nursing.

Ashley Orr on time management

"Balancing a schedule should be based on personal preference. Some people plan days or even weeks ahead while others plan for the next day. Either approach can be effective, you just have to figure out which method works best for you. This may take time to figure out, so be patient and stay motivated. In order to stay organized, I need to picture the whole week. I use a planner to sketch out exactly what is happening each day. This allows me to see what free time I have. During my free time, I schedule personal activities which include studying, eating, working out, or taking a power nap.

"You’ll want to personalize your schedule based off your priorities and interests. It is important to succeed academically, but you also need to take time for yourself and complete tasks that bring joy to your life. If you like to go bowling with your friends, then plug it into your schedule. You can’t be successful without being mentally and physically healthy. I also leave space in my schedule in case I come across something unexpected, like a meeting. This allows me to move things around in my schedule instead of being overwhelmed. It’s important to be flexible when managing your time because nothing ever goes completely as planned. Always have a plan B…and C and D."

“Plan for the worst, but hope for the best.”

Ashley Orr on major and career choice

"I’ve always wanted to go into the medical field, and nursing was best suited to my character. I chose Murray State because of the friendly environment, and the closeness I saw between the students in the nursing program. My nursing class is as close to me as family. We’re there to help each other out any way we can and we want to see each other succeed.

"After I began classes, I realized tuition costs were more than I could afford and had to look at other sources of funding. I reached out to the Murray ROTC Program and learned they would pay for tuition if I committed to serve as an Army nurse after I graduated. Before making the commitment, I was able to experience ROTC life for a semester. I went to morning workouts three times a week, MIL class once a week, and a couple of weekend field training exercises during the semester.

"Throughout that semester I grew as an individual and gained confidence and leadership skills. I am now on a career path to become an Army nurse when I graduate in May, 2021 with the rest of my nursing class. Upon graduation I will become a Second Lieutenant and serve as an Army nurse in the Medical Corps. Without ROTC, I would not have been able to afford nursing school and would not have had the opportunity to become a nurse."

Ashley Orr is a junior at Murray State pursuing her degree in nursing.

More information about Murray State’s Military Science (ROTC) program can be found at: murraystate.edu/rotc.

Pictured left to right are Travis Tack and Ashley Orr.

On Thursday Feb. 6, exercise science students led by Mr. Jeremy Erdmann joined with nutrition students led by Mrs. Josie Bryant for breakfast. During the breakfast Mr. Erdmann and Mrs. Bryant taught students how to properly set a table, and offered etiquette reminders, such as sending the utensil you used back with the dish after you have finished a course, as well as advice on basic table manners. Meal management students were also taught skills including verbal and nonverbal communication as a server, proper server and table clearing approaches, and how to facilitate guest experiences in the Oakley Dining Room.

Breakfast consisted of three courses. The first course was a fruit salad. During the second course diners were served oatmeal and vegan sausage, or egg casserole with sausage. The final course consisted of vegan and traditional yogurt parfaits.

The etiquette breakfast was a combined effort between Mr. Erdmann’s EXS 471 organizational management in health science, and Mrs. Bryant’s NTN 422 meal management courses offered at Murray State University.

Pictured below are students with proper silverware placement, and a group photo of the event.

On Tuesday, Jan. 28 several students from Murray State University’s Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program presented at the combined Western District Kentucky Occupational Therapy Association (KOTA) and Purchase District Kentucky Physical Therapy Association (KPTA) meeting. Students presented research projects on a variety of topics including exercise in college aged adults, the Size Matters Handwriting Program, and on leisure activity programs in assisted living facilities during this professional meeting.

“The meeting was well attended,” said Dr. Amelia Dodd, interim assistant dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions. “Our students did a great job with their presentations.”

Pictured below, from left to right are the class of 2020 MSOT students: Rebekah Hogancamp, Colton Woodward, Katelyn Brinkmann, Colton Ramage, Brittny Banks, Aaron Myers, and Lindsey Sharer (immediately below); and students presenting at the conference.

Our school offers many different health careers that offer you the opportunity to influence the well-being of individuals, families, and communities.

Website: http://murraystate.edu/sonhp
Location: 120 Mason Hall, Murray, KY 42071
Phone: 270-809-2193