Summer Barnes
Originally from Benton, KY Summer Barnes came to Murray State University to pursue her B.S. degree in exercise science. She graduated from Murray State in 2015. In 2014 she was named Ms. MSU, and exercise science student of the year in 2015.
“It was during my exercise science classes that I felt I was being led to a career in physical therapy. The education and mentoring I received during my time in the program was outstanding, and I truly wouldn’t be where I am today without the professors, community, and support system I found at Murray state,” said Barnes. “It was through my advisor, Dr. Dodd, and her wisdom and guidance that I was able to apply and properly prepare for physical therapy school interviews.”
Barnes was accepted into the University of Kentucky (UK) Doctor of Physical Therapy program in 2015, and graduated in 2018. She served as the UK physical therapy class of 2018 Vice President, and also volunteered at the Samaritan’s Touch Pro Bono clinic in Lexington, KY during her time there. She traveled to Ecuador for a global outreach project through UK where they provided free physical therapy services to those with decreased access to healthcare.
“After graduation, I received my dream job of being a staff physical therapist at Baptist Health Paducah in the acute care hospital setting. I get to work first hand with those who are acutely ill, and sometimes have the honor of helping them take their first steps after a life altering injury or surgery,” said Barnes. “Because of the education and preparation I received at Murray State University, I get to spend every day helping people attain their highest level of independence to ultimately improve their quality of life.”
In November of 2018 Summer married Langdon Barnes of Independence, KY. They currently live in Paducah, KY. In her free time she enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking, playing tennis, running and traveling.
“My advice to any student would be to strive to form a strong support system early in their college education and to find a mentor at Murray State that can help with discernment and decision making for your future career,” said Barnes.
Josh Davis
Josh Davis, a spring 2014 nursing graduate, is the new RN Orthopedic Navigator at Norton Audubon in Louisville, KY. Davis is not only the first RN Navigator focusing on the Orthopedic expertise, he is the very first specialty-oriented RN Navigator in the history of Norton Healthcare. As the RN Orthopedic Navigator Davis tends to the day-to-day needs of postoperative patients after they have left the hospital, as well as patients who are about to undergo surgery during pre-admission testing. He also informs patients about upcoming procedures, and answers any questions they might have regarding home health needs and assistance with medical equipment. He previously worked as the Orthopedic/Med-Surg RN at Norton Brownsboro Hospital.
“As human beings, we tend to forget the important questions we need to ask during important and stressful times. When a patient needs information after they have gone home, that’s where the RN Navigator steps in,” said Davis. “I make sure our patients are properly stocked with needed equipment, are following their prescribed rehabilitation programs, and act as a liaison between our patients and their physicians and surgeons.”
Davis lives in Jeffersontown, KY with his wife Katie, and their two dogs, Shooter and Chubbs. He met Katie while attending Commonwealth Honors Academy in 2008. They were married in 2015 at St. Albert the Great Church in Louisville, KY. Their shoes were the second set of shoes nailed to the New Shoe Tree in the quad at Murray State University. Both of Davis’ parents are also Murray State alumni.
In his free time Davis enjoys playing Monday and Wednesday night sand volleyball with family and friends, partaking in the country's finest bourbons along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, getting together with fellow Kentucky basketball and football fans and cheering on the Cats, keeping up with Racer basketball, and working around his yard in the summertime.
More information about the Shoe Tree, as well as other Murray State traditions, can be found at www.murraystate.edu/campus/traditions/index.aspx. Photo is of Josh and Katie Davis.
Emily Mason
Emily Mason, a 2011 Program of Anesthesia Master of Science graduate, recently received the Spirit of St. Claire award on March 19, 2019 for her outstanding performance after her experience dealing with a rare case of malignant hyperthermia. This type of event is a very difficult event to prepare for due to its rarity.
“Most people go their entire careers without seeing an acute malignant hyperthermia case. You have to pull from what you were taught in school and continuing education experiences, for a successful outcome,” said Mason. “Unfortunately, my case was a sweet little two year old boy, but the outcome was great because of the amazing teamwork of the St. Claire staff.”
The patient recovered quickly and is now home.
“All I can say at the end of a difficult day is, wow! We work with real superheroes in scrubs that save lives every day,” said Riki Watts, OR Director. “The team work and expertise that was displayed in the care of that little boy today makes me so grateful to be a part of the SCH team.”
Mason has received several other awards from her time with the Baptist Health Madisonville, Inc. and Murray State University Program of Anesthesia including a certificate of excellence in 2018, an award of appreciation in 2017, an instructor of the year award in 2015, and a clinical excellence award in 2011. She started at St. Claire Regional Medical Center in 2012 as a certified registered nurse anesthesiologist, and became the clinical coordinator for the Program of Anesthesia in 2015.
When asked what advice she would give to incoming students, Mason said, “Students must be willing to put everything they’ve got into the program; if they fully commit, they will be successful and it will be worth it. Anesthesia is a very rewarding career. I always give my students a quote to start orientation: ‘In order to succeed, we must first believe that we can.’ – Nikos Kazantzakis.”
Emily Mason is married to her husband, Justin Mason. They have one three year old son, Finley.
Animal Shelter Fund Raiser
Our students had a good start to 2019. Second and third year students and staff of the Baptist Health Madisonville, Inc. and Murray State University Program of Anesthesia worked together to collect a large amount of pet supplies for two local animal shelters during CRNA week.
The resulting collection of food will make a difference for quite a few rescues at Molly’s Mutts and STAR (Saving the Animals of Rowan). Afterwards they even had a “Bring Your Pet to School” day to celebrate the success!
“Next year we plan to put together a drive inviting the communities to join in the collection,” said Dr. Darlena Jones, Anesthesia Program Administrator. “We are so proud of our students.”
Information about Molly’s Mutts can be found at www.petfinder.com/member/us/ky/dixon/mollys-mutts-animal-rescue-ky426/, and information about STAR can be found at http://stardogrescue.org/
National CRNA Week usually falls on the third week of January. The week is dedicated to the celebration of anesthesia patient safety and the certified registered nurse anesthetists and student registered nurse anesthetists who make it possible.
Photos are of supplies being brought in by second (top) and third (bottom) year students.
Take Back the Night
Join us Tuesday, April 2 at 7:00pm at the Elizabeth college amphitheater as we Take Back the Night. This event will focus on education, available resources, and programming, as well as survivor’s stories. Take Back the Night is part of a nationwide campaign seeking an end to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual abuse, and all forms of sexual violence.
On Monday April 8, from 3:00-4:00pm in the Curris Center Ohio Room there will be a faculty and staff panel on responding to student disclosures of sexual violence. The panel will have an honest discussion with the audience about the nuances of responding to a student who discloses sexual violence. Topics will include what not to say, how to explain your obligation to report, connecting students to support services, and managing your own emotional reactions to disclosure.
“1 in 3 women worldwide experience some form of sexual violence or intimate partner violence. 1 in 6 men experience sexual violence. Less than 50% of victims report these crimes,” according to https://takebackthenight.org/.
Take Back the Night activities on campus are organized by the Women’s Center. Individuals interested in volunteering or assisting can contact Abigail Cox at cox33@murraystate.edu or 270-809-3016.
Dr. Kathy Stanczyk - Regents Teaching Excellence Award
Please join us as we congratulate Dr. Kathy Stanczyk. Dr. Stanczyk recently received the Regents Teaching Excellence Award for her exemplary service at Murray State University. The Regents’ Awards for Teaching Excellence have been instituted as an annual effort by the Murray State Board of Regents to honor faculty members who, in the judgment of peers, deserve recognition as exemplary teachers. The recipients receive a bound certificate signed by the Board Chair and University President and a monetary award. Plaques of award recipients are hung in Heritage Hall.
Dr. Stanczyk came to Murray State University in 2014, and teaches courses in nutrient metabolism, life cycle nutrition, medical nutrition therapy, pathophysiology, and research. Prior to Murray State she held positions as the Didactic Program Director at the University of Tennessee at Martin, the Nutrition Support Specialist at St. Joseph Mercy Health System in Ann Arbor, MI, the Clinical Dietitian at St. John Hospital and Medical Center in Detroit, MI, and as the Clinical Dietitian at Lutheran Medical Center in St. Louis, MO.
Dr. Stanczyk is married to her husband, Chris, a urologist at Murray Calloway County Hospital. Together they have a daughter, Katelynn, who is a freshman at Murray High School. She and her family love to travel. Dr. Stanczyk also spends a lot of her free time judging high school speech competitions.
Girl Scout First Aid Training
On Friday March 9, the Junior Girl Scouts from Troop 128 were able to complete their First Aid badge thanks to the help of Carolyn Tinsley, a faculty member in the School of Nursing.
“Carolyn helped them work on their Junior Legacy First Aid Badge, the last badge needed before they bridge to Cadettes,” said Dr. Leigh Johnson, troop co-leader, and Murray State University Accounting Chair. “She did a fantastic job, the girls are still talking about it.”
Tinsley primarily helped them with step 4 of the Junior First Aid handbook. “We practiced relieving a foreign body airway obstruction with adult and infant manikins. I showed them how to use practice inhalers and practice epi pens, and how to assist someone with inhalers and epi pens,” said Tinsley. “We also practiced placing pressure on a wound and securing dressings for wounds.”
They also simulated the dangers of choking hazards for children under 3 by using toilet paper and paper towel rolls to simulate an airway and toys to show what items might be potentially dangerous, and covered the importance of keeping a victim warm with blankets and other items.
Troop 128 is comprised of 5th graders from Murray Middle School, and is co-led by Dr. Leigh Johnson and Shavonne Chandler. Group photo is of Carolyn Tinsley and Troop 128. Other photos are of hands on learning including keeping victims warm, dressing wounds, and treatments for choking.
Dr. Miranda Terry
Dr. Miranda Terry joined us at Murray State University in 2015 as an assistant professor, and was named interim department chair of Applied Health Sciences in 2018. She teaches courses in health, health care administration, health information administration, public health, and political science.
“I enjoy service-learning courses as the students are able to apply the material we are learning in class to real-life health issues, issues that benefit our community,” said Dr. Terry.
Dr. Terry earned her PhD in Community Health, specializing in Disability Studies, and a minor in Gender and Women's Studies in May 2013 from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). She earned her MS degree in Rehabilitation Counseling in 2008 from UIUC as well. Her undergraduate degree, a B.A. in Psychology, was earned at Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL.
Dr. Terry stays involved with Take Back the Night, a nationwide campaign seeking an end to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual abuse, and all forms of sexual violence. This year she will be on a faculty panel responding to student disclosures on April 8th. More information on this event can be found earlier in this newsletter. She also is a board member for Lotus (formerly Purchase Area Sexual Assault and Child Advocacy Center) and CASA by the Lakes. These groups help raise awareness about sexual assault, provide services for individuals who have experienced sexual assault or other forms of abuse and neglect, as well as fundraise to provide services to individuals regardless of their ability to pay.
Some of Dr. Terry’s areas of professional research include improving the rights and lives of people with disabilities especially in the context of intimate partner violence, community health programming, inter-professional education, and pedagogical approaches to education.
“As a researcher, I discuss abuse and violence against people with disabilities, which is a more vulnerable population, but are usually left out of the discussions, policies, and resource accessibility,” said Dr. Terry. “My latest project focuses on violence against people with disabilities and how they are still missing from the conversation even in the midst of the #metoo movement.”
In 2018 Dr. Terry was elected to the Murray Independent School District Board of Education. She serves on numerous state boards and committees, such as the Lighten Up Calloway Health Coalition, Rotary Club of Murray, Murray Woman's Club, and the Kentucky Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.
In her free time Dr. Terry likes to volunteer in ways that allow her to give back to her community. She also enjoys reading, cuddling with her dogs, Kadin, 14, and, Theo, 13, walking around the arboretum, playing trivia and going to the movies with friends, and spending time with family at the lake in Gilbertsville, KY. She is also an approved foster-to-adopt mom for the State of Kentucky. She has fostered three children since becoming certified.
Dr. Sally DuFord-Foley Renewable Fund for Excellence Scholarship
The Dr. Sally DuFord-Foley Renewable Fund for Excellence Scholarship will provide a full-time graduate student in the Dietetic Internship program with the opportunity to participate in educational, professional and leadership development as well as student research and other scholarly activities.
The scholarship is named after Professor Emeritus Sally DuFord, who taught in the family and consumer studies program from 1977-1999, as a professor of nutrition. Sally is still an active participant in the Nutrition and Dietetics program’s activities. This scholarship is currently working toward endowment.
“I made the decision to establish this fund because I taught at Murray State for 22 years,” said DuFord-Foley. “I actually created the Dietetic Internship program on campus and I wanted to be able to continue to see it grow.”
Donations can be made by calling Jennie Rottinghaus in the Office of Development, 270-809-3406, or through the Murray State University Foundation website, www.murraystate.edu/giving/, select “School of Nursing & Health Professions Fund for Excellence,” click “Give Now,” and in the Comments box write “Dr. Sally DuFord-Foley Renewable Fund for Excellence.”
Photo is of Murray State University retired professor, Dr. Sally DuFord-Foley, and her husband, retired Calloway County Middle School teacher, David Foley.
Victoria Fasipe
Victoria Fasipe came to Murray State University from Nigeria to study nutrition. When she was younger she really enjoyed taking care of and babysitting her family and friend’s children. She also had a desire to understand the benefits of good nutrition, how nutrition relates to a healthy lifestyle, and a drive to use that knowledge to help those in need.
“I have always had a passion for cooking, food and nutrition. Even before college, my passion for nutrition could be seen in my cooking,” said Fasipe. “When cooking for my family, or myself, I try to be mindful of what goes into it, and ask myself several questions. Is it good for me? Does it taste good? I want to use my time here to get a better understanding of the science behind nutrition and healthy eating, and then share that knowledge with others.”
Fasipe is a member of the Student Nutrition Association, serves as the vice-president of her local chapter of The National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and was awarded an Outstanding Scholar Award from the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. After graduation Fasipe hopes to further her studies in graduate school, ideally in the field of Nutrition and Dietetics.
“My dream is to be able to work with the kids I have come to love,” said Fasipe. “Working with children brings laughter and joy to my heart.”
Fasipe is currently part of the Campus Light production, Colored Girls who have Considered Suicide, by Ntozake Shange and previously played in their rendition of Sister Act. She is a member of the Voice of Praise Choice Club, and the Voice of Praise Dance Club. She also volunteers with Career Services where she has helped with event logistics, hospitality, marketing, and data collection. She spends her free time going to the gym, participating in intramural sports, experimenting with new recipes, and writing plays, novels, and poetry.
Savannah Grogan
Savannah Grogan, a junior in the Exercise Science department, comes from Murray, KY. Grogan currently serves as president of the Exercise Science Club, and has been on the Dean’s list for all five of her semesters at Murray State University. She is active in Honors College, Honors Student Council, and previously served as a Student Ambassador. Grogan also volunteers in the community through the Special Olympics and within the field of exercise science, two activities she loves. During the summer she works at Camp Barnabas, a faith-based outdoors camp for individuals with special needs and disabilities.
“At Camp Barnabas I work on the ropes course where I get to combine my love for the outdoors with my passion for physical activity and these awesome individuals. My time at camp has helped me develop my passions and I believe it has shaped my ambitions for my future career,” said Grogan.
When asked how she manages to balance her academics with her community involvement, Grogan responded, “I’m passionate about my degree, and the work it will lead me to do, and while it isn’t always easy to motivate myself, a genuine interest in what I’m studying helps me make the time for my studies. I have made an effort to involve myself in activities that I genuinely enjoy, which makes it easy to balance everything I have going on. Because my schedule is filled with things I love, it doesn’t feel as busy as it looks on paper.”
Both of her parents work in rehabilitative therapy and have helped to shape her interest and passion for her future career field. After graduation Grogan hopes to attend a Doctor of Physical Therapy program to become a physical therapist.
“I have enjoyed the time I’ve spent in every setting of physical therapy, especially the relationships I have built with faculty and my fellow students,” said Grogan. “I have a passion for working with individuals with physical disabilities and special needs and hope to work with this population.”
In her free time Grogan loves spending time outdoors; rock climbing, hiking, and kayaking, as well as encouraging physical activity and healthy lifestyle habits in others.
Photograph is of Savannah Grogan while studying abroad with the Applied Health Sciences department in Italy (2017).
School of Nursing & Health Professions
Our school offers many different health careers that offer you the opportunity to influence the well-being of individuals, families, and communities.
Website: http://www.murraystate.edu/sonhp
Location: 120 Mason Hall, Murray, KY 42071
Phone: 270-809-2193