2013

March 4, 2013

MU’s Rebecca Johnson to Take on National Advisory Role

March 04, 2013 Story Contact(s): Nathan Hurst, 573.882.6217 COLUMBIA, Mo. — Rebecca Johnson, a professor at the MU College of Veterinary Medicine, director of Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction, and the Millsap Professor of Gerontological Nursing in the Sinclair School of Nursing, has been elected to the National Academies of Practice (NAP) and the Veterinary Medicine Academy (VMA) as a distinguished scholar and fellow. Johnson will be inducted into the NAP in April during the organization’s annual meeting and forum. The NAP was founded in 1981 to advise Congress in health care practice and delivery. The Academy comprises 10…

Feb. 25, 2013

Dogs Improve Quality of Life for Families with Children with Autism, MU Study Finds

New social media mapping methods allow MU researchers to analyze posts by families affected by autism Feb. 25, 2013 Story Contact(s): Nathan Hurst, 573.882.6217 Families who have children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are often faced with significant challenges, such as caregiver burden, sleep deprivation, and psychological distress. Because of these difficulties, ownership of pet and service dogs by families with ASD children has received growing attention as a way to provide benefits for these children and their families. However, there has been little research on how dog ownership affects families with ASD children. Now, through a novel…

Feb. 12, 2013

School launches new DNP program area

Feb. 12, 2013 Columbia, Mo. — The University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing (MU SSON) is launching a new online doctoral program area with a $250,000 investment from the university. The new nursing leadership and innovations in health care area of study within the current doctor of nursing practice (DNP) program will allow students to prepare for nurse executive roles. “The complexity of today’s health care systems demand that top nurse executives receive doctoral preparation,” said Judith Fitzgerald Miller, MU SSON dean. “Nurse executives must be able to manage complex information systems, reimbursement for care and safety challenges and…

Jan. 29, 2013

Low-income Pregnant Women in Rural Areas Experience High Levels of Stress; Mothers’ and Babies’ Health at Risk, MU Researcher Says

Jan. 29, 2013 Story Contact(s): Jesslyn Chew COLUMBIA, Mo. – Stress during pregnancy puts mothers’ and their babies’ health at risk, previous research has shown. Now, a University of Missouri study indicates low-income pregnant women in rural areas experience high levels of stress yet lack appropriate means to manage their emotional and physical well-being. Health providers should serve as facilitators and link rural women with resources, the researcher suggests. “Many people think of rural life as being idyllic and peaceful, but, in truth, there are a lot of health disparities for residents of rural communities,” said Tina Bloom, assistant…