Doctoral capstone projects address real-world challenges in healthcare, community engagement, and quality of life.
Leaving a Lasting Legacy
Celebrating the milestones that shaped our future and the programs that defined our past.
THE ROAD BACK
The Third Act
After two careers and one life-changing moment, Jason Graham found his next chapter.
Worth the Wait
A non-traditional student returns to the calling she first imagined years ago.
A Different Kind of Service
A former Air Force intelligence officer discovers a new mission in nursing.
Grace in the Detour
One wrong decision nearly changed everything. But sometimes life leads us back to where we're meant to be.
At the hardest moments in life, sometimes a person, a choice or a chance encounter changes everything.
4 CoxHealth Foundation
6 Highlights Around Campus
18 Where Are They Now?
COVER: Clinicals, exams, and just enough laughter to make it to graduation.
Photo provided by Student Nursing Association
Unless noted, all photos taken by Eric Baker. Concept, art direction, and illustrations by Eric Baker using AIassisted tools and Adobe Photoshop.
Cox College's Mission Cox College is committed to excellence by meeting the educational needs of students and the health care community.
Nursing school can be rough, so it's good to know your classmates are there to help you through it. These BSN graduates have a little fun celebrating the end of their program.
Photo credit: Student Nursing Association
Welcome
Distinguished Alumni, Students, and Friends of Cox College
A year has gone by and much has happened. As reported previously, The Alliance for Healthcare Education began renovations on the north end of Cox North as well as spaces formerly used by Cox College. Construction is expected to be complete by the end of summer. Among the additions are classrooms and clinical spaces, along with a new cafeteria that will open next to Primrose Park near the front entrance.
With summer nearly behind us, the fall semester is about to begin as the College enters its final two semesters. It is a bittersweet time, but one we are determined to finish strong.
That spirit is reflected in this issue's feature theme, The Road Back. We share the stories of five alumni whose journeys to success were anything but straightforward. From overcoming addiction and rebuilding after divorce to changing careers, recovering from illness, and returning to long-held dreams, each discovered that life's unexpected detours often lead us exactly where we are meant to be. Their stories are reminders that resilience, purpose, and the people who support us can change the course of a life.
As our alumni share stories of unexpected journeys and new beginnings, we also celebrate important milestones in the College's history. This issue highlights the first graduates of the Occupational Therapy Doctorate program and honors the final cohorts of the Radiography and Master of Nutrition Diagnostics programs. These firsts and lasts remind us that every ending creates space for something new to begin.
I hope you come away from this issue with a renewed appreciation for the people, programs, and legacy that have made Cox College such a special place for generations of health care professionals.
Until next issue,
Eric Baker
ALUMNI NOTE:
As the closure of Cox College approaches, we encourage alumni who would like a copy of their Cox College transcript or a replacement diploma to visit the Registrar’s webpage at https://coxcollege.edu/admissions/registrar/ to initiate a request.
Francka
After Cox College closes in May 2027, student transcripts will be managed and housed by Parchment. Additional information about this process will be shared as it becomes available.
The Pulse is a free publication of Cox College, Springfield, MO. Cox College is part of the CoxHealth system and is committed to excellence by meeting the educational needs of students and the health care community. If you have received this publication in error or no longer wish to receive it, please let us know by email at marketing@coxcollege.edu or by mail at: The Pulse Magazine, Cox College, 1423 N. Jefferson Avenue, Springfield, MO 65802.
Sonya Hayter, EdD College President
Raquel Morrow, EdD, LPC Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs
Kyle Brashear, DHSc, MS, RD/LD Dean, Health Sciences
Darla Stewart, MSN Dean, Nursing Department Chair, Associate and Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Amy Stark, OTD, OTR/L, BCP Department Chair, Occupational Therapy
Eric Baker, MPS Marketing & Web Coordinator Editor, Designer, Photographer for The Pulse
University and College Designers Association
Cox College Scholarship Transition
By
As Cox College evolves into the Alliance for Healthcare Education, one thing will remain the same. The scholarships that have funded generations of students will still be available for those seeking health care degrees. The process of applying will be streamlined through a new online scholarship site managed by the CoxHealth Foundation.
For decades, donors have trusted the Foundation to gift their nursing and health science scholarships to qualified students. The Foundation holds every donor intention to the letter when gifting scholarships, ensuring the donor’s criteria are met. These agreements will not change, and all scholarship awards will continue to honor the donor’s goals.
Starting in 2027, students of the Alliance for Healthcare Education will apply for scholarships through the CoxHealth Foundation website. Students will be required to provide information on their degree program, an essay on their healthcare goals, financial and education records as well as a reference. All applications will then be screened by a scholarship committee, matching applicants to scholarship criteria and creating a pool of potential awardees. In the 2025-26 semesters, CoxHealth Foundation gave away over $300,000 in scholarships to future nurses and health care providers.
One very important piece to the process is sharing the history of the scholarship gift with each awardee. The CoxHealth Foundation has a Scholarship Biography Book. It details each of the awards, the donor’s story and reason for creating the scholarship. Most include photos of the donor or honoree. This is a tradition that we will not break as the scholarships tell stories of courage, inspiration and connection to quality care.
We are honored by alumni like Grace Bales Hirst, Mary Belle Graham, Mary Louise Mackey and Peggy Hassler among many others who graduated, found great joy in their careers and gave back to
encourage and inspire through their scholarships. There are scholarships like the Elaine Crabtree, Ellen Duvall and Mary Ruth Cuddy that speak to the leadership roles found within nursing. Then there are those like Madge Mills Arthur. She formed her scholarship after a long career in the auction house business ended with the death of her husband. Madge became a volunteer at Cox North. She chose it because of its proximity to the College. Madge explained to me that her heart’s desire had been to be a nurse. She said she couldn’t afford to go to school, so she married and went to work. The scholarship was her way of finally living her dream through the students she would help graduate, beating the financial challenges she had faced many years ago. Her scholarship now supports 5-8 students each year.
While I could recount dozens more stories of those who created scholarships with Cox College, the bottom line remains that the impact of these scholarships is immeasurable. When you consider all the lives in the care of Cox College graduates, the number would overwhelm! This scholarship program is as important as it is significant to supporting the future of health careers.
Cox College has an incredible legacy through scholarships and that legacy will remain strong as we evolve again into the Alliance for Healthcare Education. If anyone would like more information on the future of scholarship awards, I can always be reached at Lisa.Alexander@coxhealth.com. Our heartfelt thanks for all whose scholarships will propel another generation into the most honorable of fields. n
Lisa Alexander, CFRE, President, CoxHealth Foundation
Photo credit: Lisa Alexander, CoxHealth Foundation
Through the support of the CoxHealth Foundation, Cox College is able to offer a variety of scholarships that help students pursue their education. Last year alone, more than $300,000 was awarded to students. Thank you to the Foundation and the generous donors who make these opportunities possible.
Madge Mills Arthur Nursing Scholarship
Mary Louise Mackey Black and Jerry Black Nursing Scholarship
Dr. Thomas Briggs Scholarship
Brisley-Phillips Scholarship
Dick Brumfield Nursing Scholarship
Loren and Mary Brunner Scholarship
Lillian Virginia Burks Memorial Scholarship
Charles Cecil Bush Memorial Scholarship
Janie Campbell Nursing Scholarship Fund
Ronald and Betty Campbell Scholarship
Eugene and Martha Charles Scholarship
Claudine Barrett Cox Scholarship
Lester E. and Mildred Lee Cox Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Lester L. “Bud” Cox Memorial Nursing
Scholarship
Elaine Crabtree Nursing Scholarship
Michelle Cross Good Nursing Scholarship
Mary Ruth Cuddy Endowment Nursing Scholarship
Robert and Ellen Duvall Scholarship
Frank Evans Scholarship
Cheryl Hasch Feeney Nursing Scholarship
Dr. Max Fitch Scholarship
Jo Anne Ford-Redburn Scholarship
Bill Foster Nursing Scholarship
Dr. E. B. Hannan Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Grace Bales Hirst Memorial Nursing
Scholarship
Dr. Daniel Holmes Nursing Scholarship
Robert and Evelyn Honig Nursing
Scholarship
S. Lee Honig Scholarship
Dr. George Klingner Nursing Scholarship
Evelyn Howard Memorial Scholarship
Allen Lawrence Memorial Nursing
Scholarship
Jack and Beatric Levan Nursing Scholarship
Jennifer Marie Linday Nursing Scholarship
Jack and Cathryn Lipscomb Nursing Scholarship
Lunn Family Undergraduate Nursing Scholarship
Dr. Hal Lurie Nursing Scholarship
Mary and Otis Macking Nursing Scholarship
Lucille Wood Magers Nursing Scholarship
Bob Millstead Memorial Radiology Scholarship
Jeanette L. Musgrave Scholarship
Peggy Pomeroy Nursing Scholarship
Dr. John Polk Nursing Scholarship
Dorothy Raterman Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Norman Dale Reimer Scholarship
Dr. Carl Rinker Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Jim and Edith Saunders Nursing
Scholarship
Thelma Silsby Memorial Nursing
Scholarship
Daphne Lynn Sundstrom RT Scholarship
Harold and Olive Teegarden Nursing Scholarship
Richard and Viola Thorp Nursing Scholarship
Lillie Ward Wood Nursing Scholarship
Dee Ann White Memorial Nursing
Scholarship
Mary Wortley Nursing Scholarship
Lidia "Lee" Wydock Nursing Scholarship
Lena Zongker Nursing Scholarship
MONA 4th District Scholarship
Patrick Moran Radiography Scholarship
Frances Gale Scholarship
Martha Thomas Memorial Scholarship
Mary Jean Totten Scholarship
Forest Lipscomb Nursing Scholarship
Shawn Snider Memorial Radiology
Scholarship
Judge A. P. and Faye Stone Nursing Scholarship
The Student Nurses’ Association of Cox College hosted the Spring 2026 Nightingale Pinning Ceremony on May 14 at Spence Chapel on the campus of Evangel University, honoring graduating nursing students and celebrating the dedication, compassion and perseverance that guided them on their journey to becoming nurses.
Nursing awards were given to 20 ASN and BSN students in recognition of exemplifying compassion, service, professionalism, leadership and clinical excellence. Special honors include DAISY Awards presented to Sophie Bleau and Professor Kathy Pittman. MSU Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) Golden Tickets were awarded to Lauren
Cox College Spring Nightingale Ceremony Spring 2026 Commencement Highlights From Around The College
Dahle, Bailey Clark, Emily Goddard and Alexa Delani Richert, granting them automatic interviews for the highly competitive CRNA program upon meeting eligibility requirements.
The evening concluded with the traditional pinning ceremony, the recitation of the Nightingale Pledge led by Professor Angela Ford, and the Blessing of the Hands prayer led by Professor Rachel Hodge. Cox College extends its gratitude to the SNA officers, and event sponsor CoxHealth Foundation for helping make the celebration possible. The College congratulates all nursing graduates as they begin their professional journey in nursing.
On Friday, May 15, Cox College celebrated its Spring Commencement at the O’Reilly Family Event Center — a ceremony made even more special by the graduation of 167 healthcare professionals, including the College’s first seven doctoral graduates in Occupational Therapy.
The commencement address was delivered by Kacie Craig, former director of the Associate of Science in Radiography program and current Family Programming Advisor for The Cute Syndrome Foundation and Patient Advocate Consultant.
Drawing from her experiences as both a healthcare professional and the mother of a child with a rare genetic disorder, Craig reminded graduates that while skill and clinical knowledge are essential, compassion and humanity are what patients remember most.
Through deeply personal stories, she reflected on the small acts of kindness that carried her family through difficult moments, leaving graduates with a simple but profound message: in healthcare, what you do matters — but who you are matters just as much. n
Graduate Showcase
The Cox College Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) and Master of Nutrition Diagnostics (MND) Graduate Showcase was presented Thursday afternoon, March 14th, at the Ozark Room at the Meyer Center. The event brought together friends, family, faculty, clinicians, and community members to celebrate the advanced scholarly work of our students.
Two MND students presented evidence-based research focused on holistic nutritional care, while seven OTD students showcased the outcomes of extensive capstone projects developed through months of research, collaboration, mentorship, and hands-on community experience (learn more about the OTD presentations on page 8).
We are incredibly proud of our students, faculty, mentors, and advisors for all they have accomplished. Congratulations to our graduates on this outstanding achievement! n
OTD Pinning Ceremony ASR Pinning Ceremony
The Cox College Occupational Therapy Department celebrated a historic milestone with the first pinning ceremony for its doctoral program on Thursday evening, May 14, at Cox South.
As the first cohort in Cox College history to earn an Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) degree, these students have already made a meaningful impact through national presentation acceptances, advanced clinical expertise, leadership service positions, entrepreneurial initiatives, and the development of sustainable programs serving special populations across multiple states.
Surrounded by friends, family, faculty, and mentors, students celebrated the culmination of years of hard work, research, and dedication as they prepare to begin the next chapter of their professional journey. n
The final cohort of the Cox College ASR program gathered Thursday evening, May 14, for their pinning ceremony at the Fountain Plaza Room. Surrounded by friends, family, and faculty, students celebrated the culmination of their hard work and dedication as they prepare to begin their careers in radiography.
We congratulate each of our graduates and wish them continued success as they move forward into the profession.
Advocating in Jefferson City Student Spotlight
Emilee Goddard recently received a CoxHealth All-Star Award, recognizing employees, volunteers, and students who go above and beyond in providing exceptional patient care. While working in the Emergency Department, Goddard earned praise for her compassion, professionalism, and commitment to ensuring every patient feels valued and heard during some of life's most challenging moments.
This spring, Goddard graduated from the accelerated BSN program and accepted a Registered Nurse position in the Emergency Department at CoxHealth Branson. She looks forward to continuing to grow in her nursing career while caring for patients during some of their most critical moments. Goddard credits the support of her team and remains committed to providing compassionate, patient-centered care.
Jordan Mize, assistant professor in the Nutrition Diagnostics program and Public Policy Coordinator for the Missouri Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, recently joined dietitians and dietetic students at the Missouri State Capitol to advocate for the Dietitian Licensure Compact. The group met with nearly all of Missouri’s legislators to discuss expanding licensure portability and strengthening opportunities for dietetics professionals across the state. Mize’s advocacy reflects Cox College’s commitment to advancing health care and supporting initiatives that strengthen the future of the nutrition profession.
Photo credit: Cox Health
Expanding the Reach of Occupational Therapy
Doctoral capstone projects address real-world challenges in healthcare, community engagement, and quality of life. The following summaries highlight each project. Scan the QR code to view the full executive summaries online.
Britany Angleton
Capstone Title: Caring for the Caregiver Through an Eight Dimensions Wellness Program
Capstone Experience and Setting: Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center, Neosho, Kansas, Hospital-based
For my capstone, I explored occupational therapy's role in workplace wellness, focusing on ergonomics, injury prevention, and employee well-being. This experience showed me how occupational therapy can improve health, safety, and productivity beyond traditional health care settings. It sparked a strong interest in occupational health and reinforced my commitment to promoting workplace wellness while advocating for occupational therapy's expanding role in supporting both individuals and organizations.
Cryslan Daughtry
Capstone Title: Enhancing Occupation Based Educational Support for Families of Children with Congenital Hand and Upper Limb Differences
Capstone Experience and Setting: Scottish Rite for Children, Dallas, Texas, Hospital-based
While studying at Cox College, I discovered a passion for both pediatrics and hand therapy. With guidance from professor Jamie Bergner, OTD, OTR/L, CHT, I found the specialty of pediatric hand therapy, which inspired my capstone project and future career goals.
For my capstone, I partnered with the American Society of Hand Therapists' pediatric committee to develop resources for therapists and families of children with congenital hand differences, along with a parent education program focused on support and empowerment. After graduation, I will begin working at an outpatient pediatric clinic in East Texas, where I hope to continue serving children and exploring opportunities in pediatric hand therapy.
I was thrilled to be invited to present my capstone poster session this fall at the American Society of Hand Therapists national conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Bailey Russell
Capstone Title: Empowering Fathers: Enhancing Play Based Interactions for Children with Autism
Capstone Experience and Setting: The Arc of the Ozarks, Springfield, Missouri, Outpatient Pediatrics
My passion for pediatric occupational therapy grew during my fieldwork experiences, where I saw the important role caregivers play in a child's success. For my capstone, I developed and implemented a caregiver training program to strengthen play-based interactions with children with autism during my placement at The Arc of the Ozarks.
The experience reinforced my commitment to pediatric care and led to a position with The Arc of the Ozarks, where I will serve as a pediatric and school-based occupational therapist supporting children and their families.
Maddy Froeschle
Capstone Title: The Importance of Group Leisure Participation in Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities
My capstone project explored the importance of adaptive group leisure opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Through this experience, I combined my passion for serving underserved populations with occupational therapy’s focus on
meaningful participation, inclusion, and community engagement. The project highlighted how accessible leisure activities can enhance health, well-being, and quality of life.
As I begin my career, I hope to continue advocating for greater accessibility and inclusion while pursuing my passion for pediatric occupational therapy. I look forward to helping individuals achieve their goals and participate fully in the activities that matter most to them.
Capstone Experience and Setting: Survival Adult Abuse Center, Warrensburg, Missouri, Community-based
My capstone focused on supporting survivors of domestic violence, combining my passion for advocacy with occupational therapy's role in mental health. The project deepened my understanding of trauma-informed care and strengthened my commitment to serving vulnerable populations.
The experience confirmed my goal of working in mental health practice and inspired future plans to pursue advanced certification while continuing to advocate for survivors of domestic violence.
Blake Williams
Capstone Title: Accessible Leisure for Individuals with Physical Disabilities
Capstone Experience and Setting: DASA Sport, St. Peters, Missouri, Community-based
For my project I partnered with the Disabled Athlete Sports Association (DASA) in St. Peters, Missouri, to develop and implement a trap shooting program for athletes with disabilities. The project provided participants with opportunities to build confidence, develop new skills, and engage in outdoor recreation.
Over five sessions, more than 20 athletes participated, demonstrating the value of accessible outdoor sports and the role occupational therapy can play in expanding recreational opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
(continued on the back cover)
ALeaving a Lasting Legacy
Celebrating the milestones that shaped our future and the programs that defined our past.
t Cox College, health care education has always been about preparing students to make a difference. This year, that mission is reflected in both a historic milestone and an enduring legacy.
A s the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program concludes, it leaves behind a strong record of service, leadership, and professional excellence. Since graduating its first cohort in 2017, the program has prepared hundreds of occupational therapists who now serve communities across Missouri, throughout the United States, and around the world.
Built on a foundation of evidence-based, client-centered education, the program equipped students with the clinical skills, critical thinking, and leadership abilities needed to improve lives and advance the profession. Its success also paved the way for a historic achievement at Cox College— the launch of the entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD), the first doctoral program in the institution's history.
While the MSOT program has come to a close, its impact continues through the graduates who serve in hospitals, schools, clinics, rehabilitation centers, and communities every day. As alumni pursue doctoral education, conduct research, and assume leadership roles, they demonstrate that while programs may evolve, their influence endures. The legacy of occupational therapy at Cox College will continue for years to come through the lives touched and communities served by its graduates.
The final cohort of Cox College’s Master's of Science in Nutrition Diagnostics program crossed the graduation stage this past May,
bringing to a close a twenty-year legacy that helped shape Registered Dietitian Nutritionists across southwest Missouri and beyond.
The program began in 2006 when Dr. Kristen Williams, inspired by her residency training under Nutrition Diagnostics pioneer Dr. Mary Ann Kight, launched the Cox College Nutrition Diagnostics Dietetic Internship with support from Donna Webb and Dr. Anne Marie Hunter. From the start, the program emphasized critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and evidence-based practice.
“Prior to studying with Dr. Kight, I had become disenfranchised as a practitioner and was considering leaving the profession,” Williams said. “The knowledge and experiences I gained in the residency was a game changer.”
Over the years, the program evolved from a dietetic internship into a master’s degree and later an ACEND Future Education Model Graduate Program, while remaining committed to advancing the profession and preparing highly skilled clinicians.
More than 200 graduates completed the program and went on to careers in clinical care, leadership, research, academia, public health, and community nutrition.
“For 20 years, this program has been instrumental in developing skilled Registered Dietitians who have gone on to improve the health of the communities served here in southwest Missouri and far beyond,” said Jesse Badeke, program alumnus and Administrative Director of Food and Nutrition Services at CoxHealth.
Though the final cohort graduated in May, the program’s legacy lives on through professionals it shaped and the patients they continue to serve. As Williams reflected, “I could never have imagined what has happened in 20 years. The hard work by all of the faculty and students is so special, and I am proud to have been a part of it.”
Scan in the QR code to find out more history about this unique program.
The Associate of Science in Radiography program celebrated its final graduating class this year with Cohort #71. Since transitioning from Cox South to Cox College in 2010, the program has prepared hundreds of radiologic technologists who now serve patients across the country and around the world.
Fittingly, the program's first department chair, Kacie Craig, returned as the 2026 Commencement speaker for the final cohort. While the program's chapter at Cox College has ended, its legacy continues through The Alliance for Health Care Education and Ozarks Technical Community College under the leadership of Dr. Daniel Edwards. n
Cohort 10 MSOT Graduates
MND Graduates
ASR Graduates
OTD Cohort 1 Graduates
The
Third Act
Jason Graham didn’t set out to become a nurse. Not by a long shot. In fact, for most of his life, healthcare wasn’t even on his radar.
A Springfield native and Kickapoo High School graduate, Graham grew up around sports. His dad was a coach and PE teacher, and he followed that path early on, earning a degree in sports management from Arkansas State University. He had his sights set on a career in athletics—maybe even working in sports media.
That dream led him to roles with the St. Louis Rams and Sporting Kansas City. But once he got there, something felt off.
“It just wasn’t the right fit,” he said. “I thought it was what I wanted, but it wasn’t.”
So he pivoted.
After two careers and one life-changing moment, Jason Graham found his next chapter.
Graham found his way into Kansas City’s growing hospitality scene, starting as a barback and working his way up. He trained under top talent, worked with James Beard–nominated chefs, and eventually became a consultant helping restaurants improve operations.
But more than anything, he found what he actually enjoyed.
“I loved taking care of people,” he said. “That part of it really brought out who I am.”
Then everything stopped.
When COVID hit, the hospitality industry took a major blow. Graham moved back to Springfield in late 2020, spending time with family and trying to figure out what came next. By 2022, he was getting ready to open his own bar and restaurant downtown.
I loved taking care of people. That part of it really brought out who I am.
Photo credit: Jason Graham
And then, out of nowhere, his life changed.
“I woke up in the worst pain I’ve ever felt,” he said.
What followed was a medical crisis that nearly cost him his life. Graham spent 60 straight days in the hospital with acute pancreatitis, including multiple stints in the ICU. At one point, doctors told him to call his family.
“They didn’t think I was going to make it,” he said.
It was a turning point in more ways than one.
“I always tell people—I had zero interest in healthcare before that,” he said. “But when you go through something like that, you see things differently.”
He saw what great nurses looked like. He saw the impact they had—not just clinically, but personally.
Months later, while recovering from another surgery, a home health nurse asked him a simple question: Had he ever thought about becoming a nurse?
I had zero interest in healthcare— until I saw what great nurses really do.
Looking back, it made sense. His entire career—whether in sports or hospitality— had been about connecting with people. This was just a different way to do it.
“I thought, ‘I should’ve died. I get a chance to change everything,’” he said.
In 2023, Graham started taking steps in that direction. He took a job as an aide on 4 East at Cox South, where he got a firsthand look at patient care from the inside.
“I fell in love with it,” he said. “Even just helping with small things—it mattered. And I could relate to what patients were going through because I’d been there.”
The nurses he worked alongside only reinforced that feeling.
“A lot of the best nurses I had—and the ones I worked with—came from Cox College,” he said. “That made the decision pretty easy.”
Because of his previous degree, Graham qualified for the accelerated BSN program and started in January 2025.
And this time around, school felt different.
“I’m a much better student now than I was back then,” he said, laughing. “You just look at things differently when you’ve lived
Now a graduate, Graham completed his capstone in the MICU and already has job
offers on the table—including a position at Cox South.
But for him, it’s about more than just the job.
“When people come into the hospital, it’s usually one of the worst days of their life,” he said. “They need someone who sees them, who understands that, and who can just talk to them like a real person.”
That perspective is what he hopes to bring into every patient interaction.
And for anyone thinking about nursing?
“Go try it,” he said. “Shadow, work as an aide—just get in there and see if it’s for you. If you care about people and want to help them through tough moments, you’ll be good at this.”
For Graham, the path to nursing wasn’t straightforward. But in the end, it led him exactly where he was meant to be. n
Celebrating the next chapter of
Graham during the height of his health scare
Graham during a lighter moment with his family
his life
Worth The Wait
A non-traditional student returns to the calling she first imagined years ago.
But then life shifted again.
After moving to Springfield, she focused on her family, homeschooling her kids for several years. It was a season that required her full attention, and Flottmann's career goals took a back seat. But once her children transitioned into public school and things began to settle, she found herself thinking about nursing again.
“It just felt like the right time to go back to it,” Flottman said.
Now in her late 30s with two pre-teen boys, she is pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing as a non-traditional student— something she doesn’t take lightly.
For Stevie Flottmann, nursing wasn’t a new idea—it was just one that took a little longer to come back around.
She grew up in Bland, Missouri, a small town about 30 minutes north of Rolla, and knew early on she wanted to go into healthcare. Right out of high school, nursing was the plan. But like a lot of plans, life had other ideas.
Instead, Flottmann went into radiologic technology, earning her certification in Rolla and working as an X-ray and CT tech. It was a solid career path—until the timing of the 2008 housing crash changed everything.
Her husband’s job was relocated, and she had to step away from her role. With the job
market oversaturated at the time, finding a similar position wasn’t easy.
So, Flottmann pivoted.
While working in Springfield, she finished her bachelor’s degree in health science through Drury University’s Rolla campus and later worked in home health recruitment while living in St. Louis. There, Flottmann worked closely with nurses—getting a front-row seat to the profession she had once considered.
When it came time to choose a program, Flottmann explored her options, including Southwest Baptist University. But Cox College’s accelerated program stood out as the best fit for her goals and timeline.
Today, she's a nursing graduate, bringing with her years of life experience, perspective, and a clearer sense of purpose than when she first considered the profession years ago.
And Flottmann's already thinking ahead.
She has begun the GNR program at Cox South and was recently accepted to the FNP program at Missouri Baptist in St. Louis. Flottman begins in August.
“I love bedside nursing,” she added.
For now, that’s where she’s focused— building her skills, connecting with patients, and fully embracing the career she once put on hold. Because for Flottmann, nursing wasn’t a backup plan.
It was always the plan—she just found her way back to it. n
Spending time in Simulation lab
Flottmann family having fun on the lake
Photo credit: Stevie Flottmann
A Different Kind of Service
A former Air Force intelligence officer discovers a new mission in nursing.
For much of her adult life, Lauren Tobie believed service would define her future.
Originally from Colorado, Tobie took a path few would expect, attending Mississippi State University after high school and joining the Air Force ROTC program. She majored in German—graduating as valedictorian—and even spent time studying abroad in Germany before being commissioned as an Air Force Intelligence Officer.
Tobie would go on to serve six years on active duty.
She had always appreciated the structure, discipline, and sense of purpose that came with military life. Those qualities suited Tobie. But over time, the work itself began to weigh on her.
Much of her role involved working with drones—watching, analyzing, and witnessing the realities of conflict from a distance. It was demanding work, but it also forced Tobie to ask a difficult question: Was this the kind of difference she wanted to make?
“I wanted to do something that actually benefits people,” she said.
Around that same time, Tobie's parents had relocated to Fordland, Missouri, and her mother offered a simple but meaningful incentive: if she moved closer, she’d help care for her grandchild. That was all the push Tobie needed.
She made a decisive move. The same day Tobie submitted her paperwork to separate from the Air Force, she applied to Cox College.
“I had had enough,” she said. “I knew I needed something different.”
At first, Tobie considered becoming a nutritionist and even began taking classes in that direction. But as she explored her options at Cox College,
nursing stood out as a path where she could make a more immediate, tangible impact.
It clicked.
Celebrating her achievement at the Nightingale Ceremony at Evangel University this past May
And the same discipline that helped Tobie excel in the military quickly became an asset in the classroom and clinical setting.
Now, she is stepping into the next chapter of her career, recently accepting a position in Neurotrauma. Like many new nurses, Tobie’s still discovering exactly where she wants her path to lead—but she already knows what matters most.
“I just want to make a difference and work a job I’m happy in,” Tobie said. “That’s the big goal.”
For her, the uniform may have changed, but the heart of service remains the same—only now, it’s measured one patient at a time. n
Photo credits: Terry Good
Lauren and Stevie celebrate the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.
Celebrating graduation with a cake made (with help) by her son
Grace in the Detour
One wrong decision nearly changed everything. But sometimes life leads us back to where we're meant to be.
Bailey Clark thought she was chasing freedom.
At 18, the Camdenton, Missouri, native was certain Phoenix, Arizona, was where she needed to be after high school. Her parents weren’t so sure. But after months of planning and securing a place to live, Clark surprised them by loading up her car and heading west.
She was determined to build a life on her own terms.
At first, things seemed to be going well. She found a job, made friends, and settled into life in a new city. But somewhere along the way, Clark found herself caught up in a crowd and choices that would change everything.
A traffic stop led to an arrest on felony drug possession charges. She was just shy of 20 years old. At her court hearing, Clark learned she could be facing up to three years in prison.
“Well, my life’s over,” she remembers thinking. “Three years felt like forever.”
For Clark and her family, it was a terrifying moment. Her mother, desperate to help, wrote a 12-page letter to the prosecutor, including family photos and a heartfelt plea for leniency.
At a later hearing, Clark remembers the judge initially refusing to modify her release conditions.
Then something unexpected happened. After a quiet conversation at the bench, the prosecutor intervened. Clark was released to pretrial services and eventually ordered to complete rehab.
That decision changed the course of her life.
Months later, after several follow-up court appearances and successful progress in recovery, Clark sought out the prosecutor to thank him. His response has stayed with her ever since.
“I would hope somebody would do the same thing for my daughter,” he told her, sharing that his own daughter was facing struggles of her own. Clark burst into tears. Her mother’s letter had struck a nerve.
Clark has now been clean since 2016.
What started as a second chance slowly became an opportunity to rediscover a dream she thought she might have lost.
Well, my life is over. Three years felt like forever.
Photo credit: Bailey Clark, M+j
Photography
Nursing had always been in the background of her life
Growing up in a large family, Clark was surrounded by healthcare. Her mother and two sisters were nurses, and the profession had been on her mind since high school. She had even shadowed a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) at Lake Regional in Osage Beach—an experience that planted a seed she never quite forgot.
But first, she had to rebuild.
After rehab, Clark worked in behavioral health, a role she loved. She also met her fiancé, Tyler, and together they began building a life of their own. After welcoming their first child, the couple made the decision to return to Missouri to be closer to family. They later welcomed a second child and opened a home remodeling business in Clever.
For a time, Clark focused on raising her family. But the dream of nursing never fully went away.
With the weight of her past still hanging over her, Clark assumed nursing school might no longer be an option. Still, when her youngest child turned 2, she decided to take a chance.
Before applying, she called the Missouri Board of Nursing to ask the question she had been carrying for years: Was nursing still possible?
The answer surprised her. "Sure, no problem."
She applied—and was accepted into Cox College’s ASN Nights and Weekend program.
“I didn’t even realize I could go to nursing school after what happened to me,” Clark said.
But her past wasn’t entirely behind her. During her third semester, as classmates began
applying for jobs and hospitals prepared to run background checks, Clark knew it was time to address her felony record. Attorneys quoted her more than $10,000 to help clear it. So, she did it herself.
Clark spent months researching legal procedures, calling the Phoenix Law Library for guidance, and compiling paperwork. Cox College faculty and administrators wrote letters of recommendation on her behalf. After completing three separate packets of documentation, her record was officially expunged in February.
“I told my fiancé, ‘Maybe I should become a lawyer—or a nurse attorney,’” she said, laughing. “Seriously, though, I’m pretty set on becoming a CRNA.”
That determination paid off.
Clark graduated in May and, during the Nightingale Pinning Ceremony, received the Clinical Excellence Award from her professors. She was also one of two ASN students selected to receive the Missouri State University CRNA Golden Ticket, guaranteeing her an interview for the highly competitive program once she meets eligibility requirements.
She has already secured a position at the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) at Mercy Hospital and hopes to eventually gain the ICU experience needed to pursue her longterm goal of becoming a CRNA. At the same time, she is continuing work on her BSN through Missouri State University, which she hopes to complete next year.
Looking back, Clark says her journey has taught her something important. Bad chapters do not have to define the rest of your story.
Bad chapters do not have to define the rest of your story.
“Nursing school is hard. Don’t get me wrong,” she said. “But I’ve been through harder things. I know I can handle harder things. And right now, I just don’t want to stop.”
For Clark, what once felt like the end of everything became the beginning of something new—a reminder that sometimes the road back is the one that leads you exactly where you were meant to be. n
Dr. Tracy Beckham presenting Bailey with MSU CRNA Golden Ticket
Some girl time with her daughter
The Things That Save Us
At the hardest moments in life, sometimes a person, a choice or a chance encounter changes everything.
Life rarely unfolds the way we imagine it will.
Some people chart their course carefully. Others simply go where life leads. And then there are those whose lives are upended in ways that would cause many to give up altogether. But sometimes, the path that seems like the worst possible detour leads somewhere better than anyone could have imagined.
For Amy Johnson, that detour began in 2008.
Raised in southern Illinois, Amy had spent years moving across the country with her husband’s career, building a life and raising three children along the way. They lived in Hawaii, Tennessee, California, Wyoming and beyond. Then, without warning, everything changed.
Her husband asked for a divorce.
Amy suddenly found herself facing a future she had never planned for — with three children, little formal education and no work experience. Her attorney gave her blunt advice: Go where you’ll have the most help. You’re going to have to figure out how to take care of these kids on your own.
Her mother and brother lived in Springfield, so Amy packed up her children and came to Missouri, carrying more uncertainty than answers.
“I need to know what to do with the rest of my life,” Amy remembers thinking.
She knew she needed a career that would allow her to support her family. Healthcare or education seemed like the most practical options. One day, she walked into Cox College and stood in front of a board listing academic programs, unsure of where to begin.
Then the elevator doors opened.
A woman stepped out, noticed Amy’s hesitation and asked a simple question:
“Do you need some help?”
That woman was Sonya Hayter.
At the time, Hayter directed the transcription program at Cox College. Amy explained her
Amy suddenly found herself facing a future she had never planned for...
Photo credit: Amy Johnson
situation — abandoned, overwhelmed, with a seven-week-old baby and two older children depending on her.
Hayter didn’t hesitate.
“Well then,” she told her, “you’ve come to the right place.”
That chance encounter would change the course of Amy’s life.
Hayter helped Amy enroll in the transcription program, a nine-month path that would get her into the workforce quickly. Amy returned to Wyoming, packed what she needed, sold what she could and came back to Springfield determined to start over.
It wasn’t easy.
There were nights Amy brought her baby to class because she had no childcare. There were moments when her confidence faltered. When her son became seriously ill, Hayter urged her to focus on her family and connected her with resources for help. Through it all, Amy kept going.
And Sonya Hayter understood exactly what that kind of struggle felt like.
Long before she became president of Cox College, Hayter had her own difficult road. As a young student, she admits she didn’t apply herself and eventually failed out of college. Years later, as a wife and mother
She made the decision to rewrite that story–not only for herself but for her children...
But Hayter believed Amy was capable of even more.
She encouraged Amy to continue her education at Evangel University.
Amy was hesitant.
Hayter was persistent.
“Your kids are watching you,” she told her. Amy listened.
What followed became a remarkable parallel journey. Amy earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration and later a master’s degree in education — graduating on the same day Hayter completed her own master’s degree, and later again as Hayter earned her doctorate.
importance of education, perseverance and hard work.
Determined to become the kind of role model she wanted them to see, Hayter returned to school through Ozarks Tech and Cox College and discovered something she had never fully realized: she could succeed.
While balancing family, work and coursework, she rebuilt her confidence semester by semester, eventually earning a teaching position at Cox College, followed by a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree and ultimately a doctorate in education.
In many ways, Sonya saw pieces of herself in Amy — a woman standing at the edge of uncertainty, needing someone to believe in her until she could believe in herself.
Amy completed the transcription program in just nine months and quickly secured a position with CoxHealth, first working in medical transcription for the sleep lab before later supporting cardiovascular, echocardiography and nuclear medicine
Johnson and family celebrate receiving her Master's degree
Along the way, Amy also taught personal finance classes during her student teaching experience at Central High School, often sharing her own story with students and encouraging them to pursue education and independence before life forced the issue.
Her career eventually expanded into patient advocacy and leadership roles across the CoxHealth system, including serving as a patient experience coordinator for Monett and Barton County hospitals. Today, she works with the Cox Family Medicine Residency Program, continuing a career rooted in compassion, resilience and service to others.
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The Things That Save us
(continued from previous page)
Both women had started from difficult places. Both had faced setbacks. And both had chosen not to let those moments define them.
For Amy, the impact of that decision reached far beyond her own career.
Her children watched their mother go to school at night, work during the day, and rebuild a life from the ground up.
They learned what resilience looked like.
Today, her oldest daughter is a professor and pediatric behavioral health specialist at the University of Utah. Her middle daughter works as a clinical social worker for an urban school district. Her son is studying aeronautical sciences at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with dreams of becoming a commercial pilot.
Amy’s story became their foundation.
What began as a moment of crisis became something else entirely — proof that when life forces you off the path you expected, it can still lead somewhere extraordinary.
And sometimes, all it takes is one person opening an elevator door and asking:
“Do you need some help?” n
Update
When The Pulse last caught up with Kiersten Meyer, BSN Class of 2020, she was navigating the final year of her Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) program. Since then, she has crossed the finish line—graduating in May and passing her board certification exam. Meyer now joins the ranks of CRNAs, marking an exciting milestone in her nursing career.
Burge and Cox College Alumni Association WHERE are THEY NOW?
Since 1907, our legacy of nursing education has shaped generations— from the early days of Burge School of Nursing to today’s graduates of Cox College. This page is dedicated to the students and alumni who have walked these halls, cared for countless patients, and carried our mission into communities near and far. Whether you wore a Burge cap or a Cox College pin, you’re part of the story—and we’re proud to celebrate you.
BURGE SCHOOL OF NURSING
Jackie Robbins Hoff, BSN, RN Burge Class of 1956
Jackie Robbins Hoff, a 1956 graduate of Burge School of Nursing, recently celebrated her 90th birthday surrounded by family. After graduating from Burge and earning her BSN from Drury University, Hoff enjoyed a nursing career spanning more than 40 years in California, Missouri, and Arkansas, serving as a private-duty nurse, charge nurse, nursing supervisor, and clinical instructor. From 1968 to 1974, she returned to Burge as a Clinical Instructor, helping educate future nurses.
Now retired in Mountain Home, Arkansas, Huff treasures time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her daughter-in-law, Mary Hoff, continued the family legacy as a 1986 Burge graduate. Hoff life reflects the compassion, dedication, and lasting impact of Burge nurses.
Dr. Hayter and Amy Johnson sharing a moment.
COX COLLEGE
Ashlee Price, ASN, RN ASN Class of 2020
After graduation, Price began her nursing career in the Cox South Emergency Department before joining the Outpatient Surgery team at Citizens Memorial Hospital in Bolivar.
She now works at Direct Primary Care, providing infusion services, phlebotomy, aesthetics treatments, and patient care support while pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing through Chamberlain University.
Jeanna Hood, MSN, PMHNP- BC, CARN-AP
ASN Class of 2012
After graduating, Hood earned her BSN in 2014 and MSN in 2019 from Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas, becoming a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
Since 2021, she has served with the Federal Bureau of Prisons after working in behavioral health settings across southwest Missouri, providing specialized mental health care to inmates with severe psychiatric conditions.
Hood credits Cox College faculty for helping her succeed as an adult learner.
“I will always be grateful to Cox College for giving me the opportunity to make a lifechanging career change,” she said. “My instructors were very supportive, even allowing me to bring my young son to class when babysitting fell through.”
Lakin Propps, BSN, RN BSN Class of 2023
Currently working at the Neonatal Intensive Care unit at Cox South caring for the littlest of patients. Propps completed her MSN in Nursing Education in December 2025 and aspires to teach at the collegiate level.
Jessie Jo Cheevers, OTD, OTR/L, LNHA MSOT Class of 2021
After earning her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy in 2021, she began working as a school-based occupational therapist, helping students develop the skills needed to succeed in and out of the classroom. Seeking to expand her impact, she earned her Doctor of Occupational Therapy from the University of Montana in 2025, where her capstone focused on sensory-motor strategies and tiered supports that improve student regulation, attention, and participation.
Abi Southard, RT(R)(MR)(AART) ASR, BSDI Class of 2023
After completing Cox College's Radiography and MRI programs, Southard transitioned into a fulltime role as an MRI Technologist in 2023. For now, she is focused on building her experience and advancing her career in medical imaging.
Cameron Lincks, CRNA, BSN, ASN, RN ASN Class of 2020
BSN Class of 2023
Since graduating from Cox College, Lincks has built an impressive career in both healthcare and military service. After earning his CRNA from Missouri State University, he joined Mercy Hospital Springfield's heart team. In the military, he was named Best NCO at the 2022 Region V Best Warrior Competition and now serves as a First Lieutenant in the Army Reserves, preparing to practice as a CRNA.
Victor Billey-Ulshafer, BSN, RN, CCRN ASN Class of 2020
Billey-Ulshafer began her nursing career as a nurse tech and extern in the CVICU at Mercy Hospital while completing her ASN, later earning her BSN from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2021. She went on to HCA Houston Clear Lake's CVICU, where she advanced into several leadership roles.
Inspired by a childhood encounter with a CRNA, she entered the Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia in 2025 and plans to specialize in highrisk cardiothoracic anesthesia after graduating in 2027.
Jami Blackwell, MBA, BSN, RN BSN Class of 2012 Burge Class of 1987
Celebrated 41 years at CoxHealth. Currently, CoxHealth Administrative Director of Hospital Service Line.
Isabel Long, ASN, RN ASN Class of 2025
Long works in the Emergency Department at Cox South while pursuing her BSN. She hopes to become a travel nurse and later earn her master's degree.
“College was stressful and overwhelming at times, but it has also been a period of tremendous growth— personally, professionally, and through friendships that will last a lifetime."
Melissa Palabiyik, MEd, RDN/ LDN DI Class of 2023
Palabiyik currently works as a registered dietitian at the Cambridge Eating Disorder Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where she supports patients receiving treatment for eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED), and binge eating disorder.
“As a dietitian, my goal is to use nutrition counseling and evidence-based interventions to help patients restore their health while building a more positive relationship with food and their bodies.
Calie Kanan, RT(R) BSDI RDMS (AB, FE, OB/GYN) RVT (VT) BSDI Class of 2022
Recently became Fetal Echo registered.. Currently working at Mercy Maternal Fetal Medicine as a registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer.
Ashley Bailey Capstone Title: Understanding the Complexities of Health Management in Older Adults with Chronic Conditions Through Client Centered Interviews
“I’m incredibly grateful for the faculty and staff at Cox College. Their encouragement and support made a lasting impact on my education and career.”
After graduation, Wischmeyer remained at CoxHealth’s Cardiovascular ICU before pursuing his DNAP at Missouri State University’s School of Anesthesia. Wischmeyer recently earned his certification as a Registered Nurse Anesthetist and will begin his career at Freeman Health in Joplin, Missouri.
My capstone project explored how older adults in rural communities manage chronic conditions and identified barriers to health management, including limited awareness of occupational therapy services and community resources.
After earning her BSN in 2020, she began her career in neuro medical-surgical nursing before relocating to Ohio, where she gained experience in adolescent inpatient psychiatry at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Following a year as a stay-athome mom, she found her passion in hospice care.
She has now worked as a hospice nurse for two years, providing compassionate endof-life care and support to patients and their families. She plans to continue her career in the specialty she finds most rewarding.
After earning a bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Biomedical Sciences from Missouri State University, Powers followed in the footsteps of her mother and aunt by pursuing nursing at Cox College. She spent more than five years in Mercy Hospital's Cardiovascular and Surgical ICU, serving as a charge nurse, ECMO nurse, and clinical supervisor.
Through collaboration with healthcare providers, I advocated for greater integration of occupational therapy into primary care and developed resources to strengthen interdisciplinary care. The experience reinforced my commitment to expanding access to occupational therapy services in rural communities.
This past May, Powers graduated from Missouri State University's Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) program and has accepted a position as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) at Cox Medical Center Branson.
Currently working night shift in the float pool at South. Gill eventually plans on going back to school to get her MSN.
"I feel like I'm where I was meant to be as a nurse, and I'm so glad I chose this career path."
Burge School of Nursing and Cox College alumni: There's one more issue left! Submit your update by December 1, 2026, for inclusion in our final issue. Include your program, graduation year, a brief update, and a current photo. Email: alumni@coxcollege.edu
