MHS program celebrates new graduates
Master of health sciences faculty and students
By Chelsea Weddle and Brook Alemu
The Master of Health Sciences program at Western Carolina University was established in 2003, and with an everchanging health science field, the program has continued to adapt to meet the needs of students across the United States with backgrounds in healthcare administration and business, health-related education or clinical practice.
The culmination of this MHS degree results in a health sciences research project that directly impacts the student鈥檚 field of study and individual community where they work or live. Several of those students provided insight into their experiences and the impact seen on their communities.
Alan Thompson, dean of public services at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, stated 鈥�I did my undergrad here a very long time ago. All of my team members that work with me have done grad school here at Western Carolina, and Western Carolina really has the reputation that's the premiere educational institution for emergency medical services.鈥�
Thompson completed his research project on attrition rates among EMS in Cabarrus County, focusing on the development of a mentoring program among new EMS employees. This mentoring program was implemented in May with the aim of lowering attrition rates among EMS, and this program will continue under the leadership of Alan.
Ashlyn Glover, another graduate of this cohort, aimed to better understand people鈥檚 knowledge of the full range of breast cancer risk factors throughout her research project. Her research discovered that age nor education influenced breast cancer literacy scores among residents in Wilson County. The research provided a clear call to action indicating that health providers in Wilson County could educate residents about local low-cost screening resources related to cancer.
Glover stated, 鈥淚 was tested in a lot of ways, a lot of research methods I had to brush up on from undergrad, and it's exciting being able to expand that further in my graduate program. I appreciate how they were incredibly willing to let me explore my own interests instead of just giving me a topic and making me go from there. I was really able to delve into my own passions with this program.鈥�
Adam Warwick, an EMS and paramedic educator, also has a passion for educating others in his current field, and after earning his bachelor鈥檚 degree at 91热爆网 in 2023, he decided to continue in the MHS program. Adam worked tirelessly to fill a major gap in the EMS literature related to education and pay by providing an extensive survey to EMS in the Commonwealth of Virginia regarding their education, pay scale and the act of leaving the field.
Warwick stated, 鈥淭he majority of my research now is angled towards adding more programs and encouraging universities that this is a thing, and it should be a thing, encouraging EMS from a systemic standpoint that degrees are possible in EMS, and I'm a walking example of that.鈥� Warwick, who has been an educator for a decade, shared that the program and his research have inspired him to pursue a PhD in medical and health professions education at Old Dominion University in Virginia starting this fall.
Kyle Herndon, another member of the 2025 cohort, integrated paramedicine and medically tailored meals through his research project. Kyle has now established a firm base for medically tailored meals being delivered through the paramedicine program. As a result of the project, Herndon is now in discussions with local hospital leadership and community leadership to establish a hospital farm that could provide fresh fruits and vegetables to patients, as well as communities.
When asked about the significance of this event and this cohort, Chelsea Weddle, a teaching assistant professor at 91热爆网 stated, 鈥淚 think this cohort is special because this is the first cohort to complete the degree after considerable curriculum changes to the research project courses. This cohort has demonstrated the success of those curriculum changes, and their passions have made a lasting impression on us as faculty, as well as their communities. The ability to pursue individual interests in their communities demonstrates the reach that the MHS program can have on a macro-level. Our students are making a significant impact within their communities through the MHS program and these research project courses.鈥�
MHS program director, Brook Alemu, added that, 鈥淎s a fully online program, we believe that holding a program-level ceremony provides a valuable opportunity for students to network and connect with their fellow graduates and faculty. This year marks our first ceremony, organized as an informal meet-and-greet. Moving forward, the program plans to host a more formal event that will include a hooding ceremony and be attended by university administrators, including the school director and the dean.鈥�
