This is part of a series of Q&As introducing faculty who have joined the College of Health Sciences for the 2023–24 academic year. Meet all of our new faculty members.

Patricia E. Alafaireet (also known as Pea)

Associate teaching professor, Department of Health Sciences

What classes are you teaching this semester?

This fall I’m teaching Clinical Decision Support Systems, Agile Project Management, and Patient-Based Learning (PBL) to graduate and professional students.

Tell us about yourself. What is your background?

I came late to academia. I had a long career in health and health services administration before I started working for MU. I managed a federal program, managed a division for the American Red Cross, and worked in USAID-funded international healthcare delivery. I have an undergraduate degree in anthropology, a master’s in health administration, and a Ph.D. in health informatics.

What brought you to Mizzou? To your field?

I came to Mizzou as an undergraduate, and things just evolved from there.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

I love to teach and make teaching tools!

What has you excited for this semester?

I’m looking forward to introducing AI-enabled clinical decision support into a course.

What is a fun hobby or activity that you enjoy outside of work?

I collect and curate cookbooks. I read them like novels.

Could you share a memorable moment from your time teaching?

I’ve been flabbergasted more than once, but I think the time that a student smuggled a small puppy into the med student lab I was responsible for is pretty unforgettable.

What is your hidden talent?

I’m not sure it is exactly a hidden talent — too many people know about it — but I make a mean cheesecake!

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received, and who gave it to you?

Even though life seems difficult at times, it all generally comes out alright in the end. My dad taught me that.