SSU Everyday Heroes
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted not only our on-campus experiences, but also the everyday work of our alumni working various healthcare specialties, research fields, and essential roles across the county. Below are just some of the stories we have received of our alumni working as SSU Everyday Heroes.
To make a submission, email alumni@shawnee.edu.
Kendall (Mitten) Garner
Class of 2009
Physical Therapy Assistant
Physical Therapist at Adena Rehab & Wellness West Outpatient in Chillicothe, Ohio
A 2009 Shawnee State Graduate, Kendall is a Physical Therapist Assistant working at Adena Rehab & Wellness West Outpatient in Chillicothe for the last six years. Due to discontinuing non-emergency surgery and only being allowed to treat Orthopedic patients due to COVID-19, they are currently working only a quarter of their normal hours in the therapy department. Relocated to the hospital for additional jobs that have been created due to the surge in COVID patients they are expecting in the upcoming weeks, she currently is assisting in screening, mandatory temperature checks, and transport. Eventually, the plan is to move the current inpatient therapy staff to strictly COVID patients and then serve as the mobility team that goes to the more typical patients in the hospital to try to assist them to be mobile enough to be sent home as quickly as possible. She is hoping for the return of normalcy in their jobs and in our homes and praying for all effected by COVID-19.
Blake Prather
Class of 2010, 2011
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Associate of Applied Science - Emergency Medical Technology
Ohio State Highway Patrol State Trooper
“Stay home and keep your distance. Try to find the silver lining of this dark cloud. Enjoy the opportunity to spend time with your family so we can look back on this and know we made the best effort as a nation to save each other's lives.”
Blake is married to Cera (Snyder) Prather “12, another essential worker during this time.
Cera (Snyder) Prather
Class of 2012
Associate of Applied Science in Respiratory
Bachelor of Individualized Studies - Healthcare
Registered Respiratory Therapist
“During all this I try to remember everything my RT instructors taught me about PPE, hand-washing, and proper use and cleaning of equipment and such. Their voices are always in the back of my head. That being said, it is hard to navigate with these constant changes, so take each day the best you can, take care of yourselves, do those projects you never had time to do, and spend that time with your little families as your able to. We will all come out of this better. To those you care for – check on them, love your people, and remember we are all in this together no matter how we feel about one another. I love what I do and am happy to serve on the frontlines, but it doesn't mean it isn't scary for my entire family. During a crisis like this you learn who is going to be there for you and truly have your best interest in mind. And to those people I could never thank enough as they have been caring for my son and checking on me and my husband when we are unable to be around him. I am forever grateful for those people and everything Shawnee did to help mold me so I was prepared to be on the frontline!”
As Cera, has been exposed to COVID-19, her son Jayce has been staying with her brother Corey for at least 14 days as a precaution.
Cera is married to Blake Prather “10, ‘11, another essential worker during this time.
Hannah (Davis) Kimsey
Class of 2013
Associate Degree in Respiratory Therapy
Respiratory Therapist at UCHealth: West Chester Hospital & Clinical Instructor at University of Cincinnati & Cincinnati State Technical and Community College
“Being a Respiratory Therapist in a respiratory virus induced pandemic has its challenges. We set up and manage the ventilators, assist or perform every intubation, help with bronchoscopies, give breathing treatments, and attempt to get your lungs back to tip-top shape before you can go home. Thanks to SSU for providing me the education to get me to where I am today – on the frontlines caring for those who need our help and for everything Shawnee did to help mold me so I was prepared to be on the frontline!”
Melanie Smalley
Class of 2017
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Registered Nurse at Southern Ohio Medical Center on the Progressive Care Unit
“This has been a time of uncertainty for us all as we have faced situations many of us never expected to in our lives. I am thankful to be part of this community and to work for an organization that has been immensely supportive through all of this. We will get through this together!”
Megan (Skaggs) Currier
Class of 2007
Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
“COVID-19 has completely changed the way we are able to deliver services to the students we service. Occupational Therapy in the school setting is very hands-on, so we have had to completely reinvent the wheel so to speak and learn how to provide services to our students through Telehealth. While it has been challenging, we are very fortunate to live in a time where we have access to distance learning and various other resources to still be able to help our students even when we can't physically be there for them. One thing Occupational Therapy Assistants do well and often in any setting is thinking outside the box, and I feel like I have definitely been challenged to do just that during this uncertain time.”
Top from left to right: Chris Myers, company owner; Megan Currier (OTA, ‘07); Sarah Hill (OTA, ‘17); Middle from left to right: Kathy Fielder (OTA, ‘98); Erin Blower (‘15); Bottom from left to right: Leslie Younge (OTA, ‘12); Lauren Baker (OTA, ‘08).
Justin Meyer
Class of 2016
Bachelor of Science - Plastics Engineering Technology
Innovation Engineer at iMFLUX
"iMFLUX has stepped up to assist in the fight against COVID-19 by building molds for personal protective equipment (PPE) and other medical supplies. The company is actively producing headbands for face shields and has enabled other companies to help contribute by building molds for COVID-19 test swabs. There are five Shawnee State University alumni and one student employed at iMFLUX who have all played a part in making this work come to life."
Adam Miller
Class of 2009
Chair, Department of Engineering Technologies
Assistant Professor, Plastics Engineering Technology
Shawnee State University
As Chair of the Engineering Technology Department, Adam is overseeing and partaking in the production and distribution of face shields to the local health care community. Several Plastics Engineering Technology students are assisting in their production in the Plastics Lab.
“The demand for our face shields is still very high, and we are working hard to produce the face shields as fast as possible. We understand the importance of having this protective personal equipment to our local health care workers, and we are happy to help any way we can.”