Newsletter

Dec., 2022

Accomplishments

Dr. Lauren Roberson

Congratulations to Dr. Lauren Roberson on her recent presentation acceptance. The Kentucky Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (KAND) selected Dr. Roberson to present at its 2023 Annual Nutrition Conference & Expo (ANCE) scheduled March 23 in Lexington, Kentucky. Her presentation is titled, “Food-Drug Interactions: Asserting our Role as RD’s.”

Mark your calendar

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Commencement

We are excited to recognize the academic achievements of our 2022 centennial graduating classes at our Fall 2022 Commencement ceremony. Commencement activities will be held Saturday, December 10, 2022 at the CFSB Center. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. The most recent information and additional details can be found here.

Pictured are spring 2022 graduates and ceremony attendees.

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Nursing Recognition ceremony

Fall 2022 Recognition, previously the pinning ceremony, for nursing students will take place on Friday, Dec. 9 at 6 pm in Lovett Auditorium. This semester’s ceremony honors recent BSN and RN to BSN nursing graduates. Please join with us as we celebrate their accomplishments.

The nursing recognition ceremony has been in existence for over 50 years. Every nursing program in the U.S. has a unique pin for their graduating students. The Murray State nursing pin is in the shape of the shield of Murray State. The colors on the pin are blue and gold, the colors of Murray State. In the center of the pin is a red cross signifying the health profession. On the pin are the words Hope, Endeavor and Achievement.

Pictured is a Murray State University nursing pin.

Nursing honor society induction ceremony

The Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Sigma) induction ceremony for the Delta Epsilon chapter will be held on Friday, Dec. 9 at 4:30 pm in the Mason Hall auditorium. Membership is by invitation to baccalaureate and graduate nursing students who demonstrate excellence in scholarship, and to nurse leaders who exhibit exceptional achievements in nursing.

Sigma Theta Tau International is an organization that fosters scholarship in nursing. It is dedicated to improving the health of people worldwide by increasing the scientific base of nursing practice. Please join us as we celebrate our new Sigma Theta Tau inductees.

While you were away

Interdisciplinary workshop

On Friday Nov. 4 students and faculty from nutrition, nursing, speech-language pathology, and occupational therapy got together for an interdisciplinary workshop in Mason Hall. During the workshop students learned how to coordinate care with other disciplines. Students rotated through 20-minute lessons for each of the four disciplines, then worked in interdisciplinary teams to complete a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) case study.

“This workshop introduced students to other disciplines in healthcare that they will be working closely with in their careers,” said Lacey Latimer, didactic program in dietetics (DPD) director. “By learning the roles of multiple disciplines, students are more aware of different scopes of practice and who to consult with regarding specific patient concerns. The multidisciplinary approach provides the patient with comprehensive care, is a more efficient use of resources, and improves service coordination.”

“Within medical settings, health services professionals often operate in their distinct silos,” said Dr. Alison Brown, clinical supervisor in the center for communication disorders. “Unfortunately, competition and turf wars can result. Not only did faculty from different Murray State University colleges enjoy learning about one another professionally and personally, our students also engaged in meaningful ways. Hopefully this is a first step in rich interdisciplinary collaboration throughout their careers that will benefit their future patients.”

Several students responded anonymously to a Google survey conducted after the workshop:

“I never realized how intertwined all of the disciplines were with each patient.”

“Being able to work through the case study with members of other disciplines was very beneficial as I was able to learn much about the everyday practice decisions in each discipline.”

Pictured below, top row, are student participants.

Pictured below, bottom row, are students and faculty participating in interdisciplinary lessons.

Professor Lacey Latimer instructing students

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Marshall County High School Pathway and Career Fair

On Thursday Nov. 10 Carolyn Tinsley, nursing professor, and Anne Hess, Purchase AHEC health career coordinator, visited Marshall County High School’s Pathway and Career Fair. Sophomores, juniors and seniors attending the career fair asked questions about healthcare professions and got hands-on experience with Sonny the SonoMan, a sonography mannikin Hess brought to the fair. Students performed ultrasounds on the mannikin while learning about various health care fields including physical therapy and nursing, as well as the family nurse practitioner (FNP) and certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) programs offered at Murray State University.

While at the career fair Hess ran into a familiar face, Dr. Ethan Walker. “Dr. Walker completed several programs through our AHEC office,” said Hess. “Now, he is a practicing family medicine physician at Lourdes Hospital in Paducah, Kentucky. We are so happy that Dr. Walker is back and is a practicing physician in our region. What a full circle moment!”

Hess and Tinsley also visited with ReAnna Hargrove, APRN at the fair. Hargrove serves as the school nurse at Marshall County and is a Murray State nursing graduate. Fun fact, Dr. Walker, Hargrove and Tinsley are all Marshall County graduates.

The Pathway and Career Fair was attended by almost 40 local area employers including those from the fields of agriculture, auto body, business, carpentry, cinematography/video production, electrical, engineering, family and consumer sciences, health sciences, information technology, law and public safety, transportation and welding. More information about the event can be found at facebook.com/MCMarshals.

Pictured left to right are: Dr. Ethan Walker along with Sonny the SonoMan; Carolyn Tinsley, nursing professor, and ReAnna Hargrove, APRN; and Anne Hess, Purchase AHEC health career coordinator.

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Professor Carolyn Tinsley and ReAnna Hargrove, APRN

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Anne Hess, Purchase AHEC health career coordinator

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Patient transfer training scenarios

On Nov. 9 Murray State University second year occupational therapy (OT) students participated in a complicated patient transfer experience with occupational therapist Shandi James and occupational therapy assistant Samantha Burnett at the Murray State University simulation lab at Murray-Calloway County Hospital. During the training scenario occupational therapy students learned correct body positioning during sliding board and physical transfers. Students also learned how to manage catheter tubes and other lines safely when working with their patients.

“These students are preparing to begin their internships next semester and this practical experience helped them to become more confident with transfer skills and with interacting with their patients,” said Dr. Sherri Powers, occupational therapy program director.

Dr. Candace Alvey, occupational therapy faculty, Dr. Sherri Powers occupational therapy program director, Calla Murdock, simulation center coordinator and Carlos Lopez, simulations operations specialist, were on hand along to offer any needed assistance with the event.

Pictured are occupational therapy students working with Murray-Calloway County Hospital occupational therapist Shandi James and occupational therapy assistant Samantha Burnett at the simulation lab.

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Young Athletes program

During three Saturdays in November the Exercise Science Club collaborated with the Murray delegation of Special Olympics Kentucky to offer the Young Athletes Program. The program introduces participants to physical activity and sports while promoting physical, social and cognitive development. Each week, members of the Exercise Science Club planned and lead fun activities. This year several local high school students also volunteered.

“The Young Athletes program is offered to children ages two to seven and is an extension of our traditional competitive programs that begin at age eight,” said Laura Miller, West Regional Director for Special Olympics Kentucky. “Like many of our Special Olympics sports, this is an inclusive program, bringing together individuals with and without disabilities. We are extremely grateful for our ongoing partnership with Murray State University and the Exercise Science Club as we believe all involved have a lot they can learn from their experiences together.”

“Working with the Exercise Science Club to put on the Young Athletes program this year was one of the highlights of the semester,” said Sydney Kessler, Exercise Science Club president. “One Saturday, I was talking with a parent who mentioned the change they saw in their child from session one to session three. At first, the child was hesitant to participate, but by the end of the program, the child didn’t want to leave and was interacting much more with the other kids. Hearing statements like this from parents, in my opinion, shows the impact of the Young Athletes program, and this would not be possible without all of the volunteers.”

Pictured below are young athletes and volunteers participating in various activities. Pictured bottom are the volunteers.