Faculty spotlights

In celebration of our 50th anniversary, we are highlighting some longtime faculty members in the College of Health Professions. The College wouldn't be where we are today without our amazing faculty. Their role is vital to shaping the culture of our College and delivering a great student experience. Faculty are not only teaching, they're facilitating clinical rotations, presenting research and volunteering at community events. They put their heart and soul into teaching, and many contribute to scholarships and engage students in applied learning activities. Students often keep in contact with faculty after graduation and we love hearing what our alumni are doing! Thank you to our faculty for their dedication to our students, university and the health care industry!  

Longtime Faculty Members

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Amy Drassen Ham, PhD, MPH

Amy Drassen Ham is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences. Amy began teaching at WSU as a graduate teaching assistant in the Department of Anthropology in 1996 and continued as a lecturer from 1997 to 2003. She became an instructor in the Department of Public Health Sciences in 2001. She has designed dozens of classes and taught more than 200 course sections. 

Tell us about the changes you have seen in the College of Health Professions during your time at WSU.
Some of the most dramatic changes I鈥檝e witnessed include technological advances. As an early adopter of online options, the robust learning management systems, videos, simulations, and access to new research created sophisticated methods for expanding students鈥 learning experiences.

It鈥檚 also mind-blowing to witness expansion of our programs. Some of my courses have grown from about 15 to more than 160 students each year. While this progression is challenging to manage, it鈥檚 also remarkable to have this reach and share public health with so many students.

What makes working for the College of Health Professions special?
I love my faculty family, but it鈥檚 the students who make CHP special! We are privileged in this college to have students who are driven by serving others. It鈥檚 an absolute honor to be part of their preparation and my greatest joy is watching how they reshape approaches to health inequity.

Why have you been with WSU for so long?
I鈥檝e been part of this campus since 1988 with three of my degrees from WSU 鈥 so being a Shocker is core to my identity! 

amy drassen ham          amy drassen ham          amy drassen ham


Alicia Huckstadt, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP

Dr. Alicia Huckstadt is a Full Professor & Director of Graduate Nursing Programs for the School of Nursing.

The College of Health Professions and 成人头条 have always been a perfect fit for me. I am so fortunate to have combined my roles as a family nurse practitioner, a researcher, an administrator, and an educator into a faculty role.  Learning has been the essential catalyst for me in all the roles. The College has provided numerous opportunities, support, and challenges that solidified this combination of roles.  I knew I was in the right place, first as an educator in a grant funded program for alcohol education in the college, then as I taught in almost every undergraduate nursing course (except OB and peds) and then in the graduate nursing program. I was able to include an active faculty practice as a Family Nurse Practice for over twenty years with the WSU Student Health Services.  I became the Director of the Graduate Nursing Programs in 2000 and secured over two million federal dollars for graduate nurse practitioner students to complete their education.  I am particularly proud of the accomplishments of the thousands of students, alumni, and faculty in the School of Nursing who improve health care for individuals, families, and communities.  

Alicia Huckstadt            Alicia Huckstadt          Alicia Huckstadt


Raymond Hull, PhD, CCC-SLP/A

Raymond Hull is a Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders and Audiology/Neuroscience.

Ray HullWhat year did you start teaching/working at WSU? 
I was hired to begin in fall 1997. 

What department(s) have you worked for or what courses have you taught?
I have been teaching in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders since I was hired. I was also Director of Graduate Program Evaluation for the WSU Graduate School for five of those years on a part time basis.

Tell us about the changes you have seen in the College of Health Professions during your time at WSU.
We have had four Deans since I have been in the College of Health Professions. The College has grown fairly significantly in student numbers, faculty and staff. The Advanced Education in General Dentistry was established and built their own building near the Metroplitan Complex, our Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Clinics were moved from Hubbard Hall to the Metroplitan Complex so that we would have additional space and more parking for patients. There have been a number of changes and I can鈥檛 name them all here!

What makes working for the College of Health Professions special? Why have you been with WSU for so long?
Even though I moved here from my University in Colorado where I was Chair of our Department of CSD for 14 years, and was Director of Planning and Budget for the Office of the President and I truly enjoyed working at my University and living in my beautiful state of Colorado, I love working here because I very much appreciate my wonderful students, I love our faculty and staff here in the College of Health Professions, and I very much appreciate all of my friends and colleagues across the WSU Campus!!! The people here are very special!!


Richard Muma, PhD, MPH, PA-C

Richard Muma is the Interim President at 成人头条, and the former Professor and Chair for the Physician Assistant Program and Department of Public Health Sciences. 

Richard MumaRichard MumaWhat year did you start teaching/working at WSU?
1994-1999; 2001-present

What department(s) have you worked for or what courses have you taught?
Physician Assistant and Public Health Sciences

Tell us about the changes you have seen in the College of Health Professions during your time at WSU.
The stature of the college has been raised over the last 25 years locally, regionally, and nationally. This is mostly due to its strong programs, which have become more prominent and important to the delivery of health care in the U.S.

What makes working for the College of Health Professions special? Why have you been with WSU for so long?
The people. We have a very dedicated group of faculty and staff, concerned about their students; making sure they are able deliver quality health care and services as graduates.
 


Sue Nyberg, MHS, PA-C, DFAAPA

Sue Nyberg is a Professor and Director of Clinical Education for the Physician Assistant Program.

Sue NybergWhat year did you start teaching/working at WSU?
1996

What department(s) have you worked for or what courses have you taught?
Department 鈥 Physician Assistant
Courses Taught 鈥 over the years I鈥檝e taught various didactic courses in Clinical Medicine (gastroenterology, EENT, dermatology, musculoskeletal, PA Professional Issues, research methods, alternative medicine) and currently am responsible for clinical medicine rotation courses during the clinical phase of the PA Program. I was also fortunate to be involved in the creation of CHP鈥檚 Leadership Academy as well as our anatomy and physiology courses.

Tell us about the changes you have seen in the College of Health Professions during your time at WSU.
One of the most significant changes I鈥檝e seen in the CHP has been recognition of the importance of individual leadership and interprofessional collaboration. In the early days, each of the departments functioned very independently and even sue nybergcompetitively at times. I believe we began seeing a shift toward a more collaborative effort with the formation of the CHP Leadership Academy. We began to recognize the value of individual leadership across all departments to improve and expand the impact of the College in the university and our community. This was occurring at about the same time as recognition of the importance of interprofessional education in healthcare education. CHP faculty and students have worked very hard to promote the value of working together to promote and create collaborative opportunities for our professions to promote excellence in healthcare delivery to our patients. We are a different college than we were 20 years ago, it鈥檚 been rewarding to experience the collective energy and enthusiasm for exciting opportunities that lie ahead.

What makes working for the College of Health Professions special? Why have you been with WSU for so long?
I am fortunate to have the privilege to teach, mentor and influence future providers of healthcare. I also enjoy the opportunity to work with and learn from other talented CHP faculty and staff in a collective effort to improve the education we provide to our students.