Aug. 24, 2021
The Digital Divide: Black families continue to face disparities in broadband access
COLUMBIA — The sudden shift to online learning right before quarantine caused change for every family. But for Black families, that change exposed the disparities in broadband access. Charity Martin remembers the struggles her family faced when Columbia Public Schools suddenly went online back in March 2020. “One minute they can talk to the teacher, see the teacher, next thing the whole thing is blank,” Martin said. Martin’s niece and nephew’s Zoom often faced disconnects from spotty broadband during virtual school lessons. Zoom meetings were the norm during the switch to virtual learning last year. Daily Zoom users spiked from…
Aug. 24, 2021
Fall 2021 tailgate registration available
Aug. 24, 2021 The School of Health Professions is pleased to invite alumni and friends to our Fall 2021 tailgate Saturday, Oct. 16. Join us for food, games and family fun! Then head to Faurot Field to watch the Tigers take on the Texas A&M Aggies. Please register in advance so we can make sure to have enough food and space for everyone. The tailgate will begin 3 hours before kick-off. Activities and refreshments will be available in the Lewis and Clark outdoor courtyard area, which is also home to our new Inclusive Playground. Campus safety protocols will be followed.
Aug. 24, 2021
Eric Hart named interim department chair of Health Psychology
Aug. 24, 2021 MU School of Health Professions Dean Kristofer Hagglund has named Eric S. Hart, Psy.D, interim chair of the Department of Health Psychology. Dr. Hart directs adult neuropsychology services and is a board-certified neuropsychologist and clinical professor. He has served as associate department chair since 2016. “Dr. Hart has a wealth of experience and has led many initiatives for the department,” said Dean Hagglund. “He will be a steady guide until a new chair arrives.” Dr. Hart will replace Laura Schopp, PhD, who will retire in September after 26 years of service at the…
Aug. 20, 2021
23 Health Professions students, faculty and staff help new students move in
Aug. 20, 2021 Twenty-three Health Professions students, faculty and staff helped students move into residence halls Aug. 19. Health Professions Dean Kristofer Hagglund, left, and Loren Bauerband, Health Sciences assistant professor, center, help a student move in at Southwest Village.
Aug. 18, 2021
Telehealth helped physical therapists support patients virtually during pandemic, MU study finds
August 18, 2021 Story contact: Brian Consiglio, 573-882-9144, consigliob@missouri.edu As a pediatric physical therapist in Clinton, Missouri, Jessica Luechtefeld was used to a hands-on coaching approach whenever meeting with her patients at their preschools, in their homes or at the Child’s Play Therapy clinic. But the COVID-19 pandemic forced physical therapists like Luechtefeld to cancel in-person sessions and quickly transition to telehealth appointments to continue providing essential care. While the switch to telehealth showcased new opportunities for how critical therapy services can still be delivered virtually, a new study at the University of Missouri found it also exposed some…
July 19, 2021
Neurologic Physical Therapy Residency connects residents with entry-level PT students
Lindsay Holland, Mizzou Therapy Services, MPT ’07 A new residency program gives physical therapists an opportunity to improve their clinical practice and specialize in neurologic physical therapy. The Neurologic Physical Therapy Residency is a joint venture between the School of Health Professions’ Department of Physical Therapy and MU Health Care. Lindsay Holland, MPT ’07, directs the program, and Rebecca Bliss, an assistant teaching professor, serves as program coordinator. Holland is a physical therapist at Mizzou Therapy Services. Residents will receive classroom instruction four hours a week in the Department of Physical Therapy, serve as teaching assistants in the department’s pro bono teaching clinic, PhysZOU, and receive training and hands-on instruction at…
July 18, 2021
Human trafficking: Who is being trafficked and what can we do?
MU expert in human trafficking explains common misconceptions and the demographics of trafficking survivors throughout the state. The views and opinions expressed in this “for expert comment” release are based on research and/or opinions of the researcher(s) and/or faculty member(s) and do not reflect the University’s official stance. In 2013, the United Nations named July 30 as “World Day Against Trafficking in Persons” to draw attention to the thousands of men, women and children who are trafficked each year. The hope is “to portray survivors as key actors in the fight against trafficking and the crucial role they play…
July 16, 2021
‘How Did We End Up Back Here Again?’ (The Atlantic)
For America, the pandemic might be fading. For places like southwest Missouri, this year will be worse than last.
July 14, 2021
Virtual schooling exposes digital challenges for Black families, MU study finds
July 14, 2021 Contact: Brian Consiglio, 573-882-9144, consigliob@missouri.edu A new study from the University of Missouri found the unanticipated transitions to virtual schooling due to COVID-19 exposed the lack of digital resources among Black families in the United States, including access to Wi-Fi and technological savviness. The findings help explain the extensive stress virtual schooling caused for many Black families trying to keep their children learning and engaged online while at home during the pandemic. “What we found was parents and caregivers often felt disempowered in the rapidly changing environment, as they did not necessarily…
July 7, 2021
Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences alumna crowned Miss Pennsylvania
July 7, 2021 While many students change their career aspirations several times throughout high school and college, Meghan Sinisi, who graduated in May 2021 with an MHS in Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences, always knew she wanted to work to benefit the autism community. Now that she’s been crowned Miss Pennsylvania, she’ll advocate for people with autism in a more informed way after completing the Speech-Pathology program in the Mizzou School of Health Professions. Sinisi first heard about Mizzou from her undergraduate college mentor, who relocated to Columbia and knew that Mizzou had the Thompson Center for Autism…