Dear Alumni, Friends and Colleagues,
This is our first Impact Report since I stepped into the role of Dean for the College of Health Sciences—and I couldn’t be more proud of what it reflects.
Since joining the college in 2012, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside an incredible group of students, faculty, and staff who show up every day to serve our communities. I’m continually inspired by the ways our programs, partnerships, and people are helping move the needle on health and well-being across Idaho.
Inside these pages, you’ll see the heart of who we are. Our programs prepare students to step into high-demand healthcare roles. Our faculty are shaping stronger health systems through research and service. And our students—many of whom stay right here in Idaho—are bringing lasting value through their dedication and care.
You’ll find stories that show how our programs are evolving to meet the moment, how our people are leading with heart and impact, and how we’re shaping the future of health through research, service, and bold thinking.
Thank you for being part of our students’ success, our programs wouldn’t be possible without your support – and for that I’m so grateful.
Take care,
Jo
Joelle Powers, PhD
Dean and Professor
College of Health Sciences
From Meeting the Need to Making the Impact
The College of Health Sciences (COHS) at Boise State meets real needs in real time – shaping industry leaders through relevant, high-quality degree programs and building strong foundations for a talent pipeline into the health workforce that everyone – students, families, employers and the community – can count on. Partners know they can look to COHS to deliver; as Idaho’s recognized leader in health professions education, nationally accredited and nationally recognized, the college has proven itself the first-choice for quality education.
Meeting the Need
Education that Serves Idaho
New bachelor’s degrees, timed and tailored for today’s students and to meet demand in white-hot fields. Certificates that keep professionals current and enhance their career trajectory. Opportunities to take part in rigorous, path-breaking research. Training for nurses and technologists that doesn’t just respond to changes in practice – it anticipates them
To meet local and national workforce needs, the School of Medical Imaging and Radiologic Sciences has expanded the modalities they offer in their on campus and online programs. In addition to syncing most modality offerings on campus and online, the department added five new modalities.
Yonghwan Kim joined Boise State in fall 2024 to direct the new interdisciplinary neuroscience program. He’s working alongside graduate and undergraduate students in his lab studying Parkinson’s Disease. Research is a key component in the first undergraduate neuroscience program in Idaho and students work with faculty in biology, psychology, engineering, kinesiology, special education, among other disciplines to gain hands-on experiences.
New and Expanded Academic Program 2023-2025
New Undergraduate Programs
- Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience
- Minor in Neuroscience
- Bachelor of Science in Health Data Analytics
- Bachelor of Science in Exercise, Physical Activity and Sport
- Bachelor of Arts in Social Work Online
New Medical Imaging Modality Emphases and Certificates
- Interventional Cardiology
- Interventional Radiology
- Vascular Ultrasound
- Echocardiography
- Mammography
Certificates
- Vulnerable Populations
- Addiction Studies
- Disaster Preparedness and Response
- Global Health
- Health Navigator
- Public Health
- Rural Health
- Population Health Management Through Value-Based Principles Workforce Development
Graduate Programs
- Bachelor of Science to Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
- Accelerated Master of Public Health
Expanded Pre-license Nursing Cohort
- Pre-license nursing cohort expanded from accepting 80 students twice a year to 100 students
Competency-based Curriculum
In 2023, the Boise State pre-license nursing program was the first in Idaho to adopt the American Association of Colleges of Nursing new essentials core competencies for professional nursing curriculum – the most significant change to nursing education in 20 years. The new competency-based curriculum has 10 domains that represent the essence of professional nursing practice and the expected competencies for each domain. Our students benefit from timely advice given by Idaho’s health care leaders to college leadership that informs clinical instruction, workforce needs, and opportunities for internships and field placements.
COHS is Idaho’s leader in online healthcare education.
The College of Health Sciences’ online programs are helping students across Idaho – and beyond – overcome barriers to education. With 10 fully online degree programs and nine certificate offerings, nearly 1,700 students across the country are advancing their careers in healthcare while balancing work, family, and rural living. These programs offer more than flexibility and affordability – they’re a critical bridge for students who might otherwise be left out of the health workforce pipeline. Designed to support success through accessible course structures and virtual student resources, the programs are nationally recognized for their quality and innovation, making high-caliber health education more accessible than ever.
While scholarships help students afford their college education, a fellowship can open new doors to enhance their education.
The Ralph R. Jones, MD, FACS Pre-Medical Fellowship program fosters undergraduate research opportunities that enrich students’ understanding of the field of medicine and provides them with the experience necessary to stand out during the competitive medical school application process. The fellowship supports students and faculty by providing the student a stipend while they spend a summer working in a faculty’s lab on medical research and by providing the faculty some funds for supplies in addition to student help.
Learn more about the Ralph R. Jones, MD, FACS Pre-Medical Fellowship
“I was able to experience a different side of medicine. It’s increased my curiosity and has created a new passion for research. I’ve made some amazing connections and learned some new and very valuable skills for my future in medicine. While this fellowship will help a lot with medical school, I have found it is so much more than that. Research is a very important aspect of medicine and I am so grateful for this opportunity to be exposed to it.” Maddie Summers, a 2023 Ralph Jones fellow, said.
Over half a million hours of Hands-On Learning in an academic year
560,000
2,800
Amber Howe
“I learn a lot when I’m doing things hands-on. Having the opportunity to practice a skill, see a procedure being done or see a patient change is different than learning about it in school. When I physically watch the change at clinicals, I understand so much more, even on concepts that I have already fully wrapped my head around. Understanding them while seeing it on a real person, in real life, in real time, it really makes me feel more confident.”
Alyssa Zemke
“In addition to being able to translate theoretical classroom knowledge into practical patient care, clinical experiences expose students to the dynamic and often high-pressure hospital setting. This solidifies their clinical competence and cultivates key professional attributes, including communication, teamwork, and adaptability, thereby facilitating a smoother transition into their roles as respiratory therapy professionals.”
Hands-on Learning Statewide and Beyond
Every site represents a real-world learning opportunity that prepares our students to serve their communities.
COHS has established relationships and clinical sites across all 50 states. Here’s a look at the communities in Idaho where our students have experiential learning opportunities.
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11
46
516
33 of 44
2,149
Dave Hammons
“Clinical education experiences are a critical piece of the athletic training student experience. The knowledge and educational work experience that students gain from the Athletic Training preceptors in the Boise State Athletics Department enhance the students’ experience.”
Marc Paul
“Being involved with our Master of Athletic Training program has enabled our staff to contribute to the students overall experience and provide much needed services to our community here in athletics. They have been and will continue to be part of a successful, high visibility college athletics program going forward. I believe our staff gets just as much out of being preceptors as our students do being in the program.”
Top Pass Rates
Boise State health sciences students pass their credentialing exams at rates higher than the national average, complete rigorous clinical placements in relevant settings and graduate in demand and well-prepared, confident in their skills and ready to serve their communities – and many go on, building on successful undergraduate careers by becoming “Double Bronco” grads with advanced degrees. Every day hospitals, schools and clinics across Idaho – and patients, students and colleagues – welcome highly skilled Broncos to join them in the satisfying and meaningful work of healing and making a difference in the world.
Top Pass Rate Data
| Program | Boise State Pass Rate | National Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Social Work | 88% | 72.5% |
| Athletic Training | 85.7% | 68.7% |
| Nursing | 87% | 66.5% |
| Counselor Education | 100% | 89.3% |
| Radiologic Sciences | 96.5% | 74.6% |
| Respiratory Care | 95% for two exams | 69.9% on first exam; 62.9% on second exam |
Double Broncos
Kaydin Griffin
Double Bronco Kaydin Griffin is committed to making a difference in Idaho. She earned her 2022 bachelor’s degree in Health Studies, her 2024 Master of Public Health from Boise State and is now a Senior Health Education Specialist at Southwest District Health, which serves six Idaho counties, including Adams, Canyon, Gem, Owyhee, Payette and Washington.
“The College of Health Sciences has countless enriching experiences and study pathways. I’ve been able to take what I’ve learned in the classroom and apply it to our Idaho communities. It has given me connections to others who work in this space and they have provided me with guidance, insight, and support. Idaho holds a special place in my heart. I hope to improve the quality of life for Idahoans through meaningful research, public health initiatives, and active community engagement.”
Since graduating, I’ve had the opportunity to serve our Southwest Idaho communities by actively engaging in community-wide public health initiatives. This work has allowed me to translate foundational public health knowledge into meaningful, real-world practice with a strong focus on community involvement and collaboration.
Nic Hunt
Double Bronco Nic Hunt, ‘22 MSK, ‘20 Kinesiology, will be a Triple Bronco next year when he earns his PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Boise State. “I have had so much buy-in from the faculty. They were excited to help students through meaningful interactions. My faculty mentor Tyler Brown, was particularly influential. He pushes and supports me while also giving me freedom in my research. The Boise State community as a whole is unique and has been really good to me.”
Developing Leaders: Investing in Students and Faculty, Launching them into Powerful Careers
At COHS, students and student success come first. A welcoming and
supportive environment, compelling, quality and easy-to-access pathways that take future health professionals toward gratifying leadership and service roles in health care – all are the signature and legacy of a profoundly talented, nationally recognized and deeply dedicated team of faculty members and college leaders.
Daniela Valdez
Daniela Valdez, a Health Studies student, found support through the McNair Scholars Program, a two year academic achievement and graduate school preparatory program for undergraduate students who are first-generation and/or income-eligible. “The experience was a turning point and helped me discover what I’m passionate about and want to embark on in my future endeavors.” While developing and conducting research, she developed a deep and meaningful connection with her faculty mentor, Vinta Sharma, School of Public and Population Health assistant professor.
Jeleana Petra Loa
Jeleana Petra Loa , ‘24 Radiologic Sciences graduate and current Master of Public Health student, has a long list of accomplishments, including her year as president of the Student Association of Radiologic Technologists and the class representative of her Radiologic Sciences cohort. She discovered a passion for research and a career goal to become a Radiologic Sciences faculty member while working with her faculty mentor Travis Armstrong, ‘21 MPA, ‘00 Radiologic Sciences and School of Public and Population Health clinical associate professor.
College of Health Sciences Advising
COHS faculty and staff know that students choose the college for its hands-on, up-to-date, career-aligned education.
Focused on Student Success
The COHS advising team advises most of the college’s 3,500 undergraduate on-campus students. They also host two dozen workshops, school visits and alumni panels, weekly drop-in advising hours, plus countless scheduled appointments and emails with students. All to help keep students on track for graduation and for successfully applying to graduate and professional schools. The team also fosters community for health sciences students hosting a fun welcome-back-to-campus picnic and involvement fair.
9
900
3,500
Student Success Is:
- Achieving learning outcomes in classes
- Staying enrolled and on track to graduate
- Gaining skills and knowledge for future careers and education
- Graduating
- Finding employment after graduation
Emerson Dufloth
“My academic advisor played a pivotal role in helping me transition to a new major and is currently ensuring I am on track to complete all the prerequisites required for admission to the nursing program.”
Adaline Doerr
“My academic advisor supports me by helping me choose courses that align with my healthcare career goals and meet program requirements. They also provide valuable guidance on internships, research opportunities, and graduate or professional school preparation.”
Recognized Faculty Leaders
The word-of-mouth raves are no accident – COHS invests and believes wholeheartedly in its renowned faculty members, instructors, researchers, advisers and administrators, all of whom work tirelessly to launch students into high-demand health careers that serve Idaho communities.
Amy Spurlock
As the JoAnna “Jody” DeMeyer Endowed Chair in Nursing Amy Spurlock is raising the visibility of research and scholarly works in the School of Nursing while promoting a culture that emphasizes student success and involvement in research. She has grown the school’s nursing student research assistant program while continuing her revolutionary research on the advantages of blended tube feeding, when whole foods are blended up for patients rather than using a formula.
Amanda Leightner
Amanda Leightner the inaugural Merrick Family Professor in Respiratory Care, is an expert in respiratory and sleep-related health. She seeks to help Idaho patients, specially those in rural communities, through research, innovation and education.
Lynda Ransdell
Lynda Ransdell, divisional dean of the School of Kinesiology, has added yet another accolade to her impressive resume. She received the Distinguished Scholar award at the 2025 National Association of Kinesiology in Higher Education conference. She’s also a fellow in the National Academy of Kinesiology, the National Association for
Kinesiology in Higher Education and the American College of Sports Medicine.
Leslie Kendrick
Leslie Kendrick, ‘04 MS, ‘96, associate professor and chair of the School of Medical Imaging and Radiologic Sciences, was named as an Outstanding Educator by the Association of Collegiate Educators in Radiologic Technology. In the association’s 50 year history, only 16 Outstanding Educator awards have been given.
Respiratory Care Fellows
In November 2024, the American Association of Respiratory Care inducted three Boise State faculty members into its fellowship program, which recognizes those who meet a standard of excellence in respiratory care. Rarely is more than one fellow from the same institution inducted. Megan Koster, ‘11 MHS, ‘07 Respiratory Care and chair of the Department of Respiratory Care, Kristen McHenry, MSRC program director, and TJ Wing, ‘18 EdD, ‘07 MHS, ‘02 Respiratory Care and RRT-BS Degree Advancement Program director, join three other Boise State faculty fellows – meaning that six of the eleven Boise State Respiratory Care faculty hold fellowship status, solidifying the department’s reputation as one of the best in the nation.
Powering Innovation
The best and brightest thinking from around the world, shaped for our region and our times and fashioned in ways that kids and adults can tap into and benefit from. Tangible, quantifiable results that improve lives, homes, hospitals, classrooms, neighborhoods and entire communities.
Innovation, research and practice at all levels – online, in person, in workplaces and agricultural fields, in clinics and labs – make COHS education come alive in exciting and meaningful ways that are driving important changes in education, systems of care, public policy and the design of the future.
Communities for Youth
Megan Smith, School of Public and Population Health associate professor, leads a team on a mission to create the best possible communities for Idaho’s young people. Communities for Youth (C4Y) focuses on “upstream prevention” to improve youth mental health and well-being. The team works with school communities to assess data and change conditions that lead to crisis, thus helping more youth with their mental well-being. C4Y, parents, teachers, local leaders, and students from a school district commit to work as a regional initiative over five years to move youth mental health upstream. The first regional Initiatives are with Boise, Blaine, and Marsing school districts, all of which are starting to see a decrease in the reports by youth of moderate to serious depression. In 2024, C4Y hosted more than 20 community outreach meetings and events, with an approximate reach of 3,000 people from the participating communities and a growing list of new Idaho communities who want the team’s help for their kids.
Learn more about Communities for YouthMitigating Bullying
Aida Midgett, professor and chair of the Department of Counselor Education, and Diana Doumas, director for the Institute for the Study of Behavioral Health and Addiction and a Boise State distinguished professor, developed a tool to help mitigate bullying in K-12 schools more than a decade ago. They’ve adapted the in-person intervention into online modules and a team of graduate students are helping them study its effectiveness in Idaho, Vermont and Mississippi.
Agricultural Health
Cynthia Curl, School of Public and Population Health associate professor, is dedicated to understanding how agricultural pesticides can affect the health of people – both the farmworkers and the produce consumers. Her team of student researchers in the Agricultural Health Lab and faculty in Sociology have a variety of research projects – from studying the effects of pesticides on Latinx farmworkers in Idaho to reducing potato production hazards for farmworkers. They also study herbicide exposure in pregnant women and whether or not eating organic food during pregnancy can reduce pesticide exposure for the mother and baby.
Learn more about Cynnie Curl’s researchCOHS programming and service initiatives improve health outcomes for families and communities across Idaho. By addressing real challenges and providing evidence-based solutions, instruction, research and service projects focus on measurable outcomes and health improvements, guaranteeing critical skill-building for COHS students – and valuable results for community partners.
Palliative Care
Kate Doyon, associate professor in the School of Nursing and Cambia Health Foundation Sojourns Scholar, has been working with five undergraduate students to promote and study the nuances of palliative care – supportive, holistic care for patients with serious illnesses offered in combination with curative care. Palliative care is intrinsically interdisciplinary with a range of health and well-being disciplines, which is why the research team is also multi-disciplinary – two social work students and three nursing students. Here the team poses with their community advisory board, who helps them gather wide-ranging perspectives of how resettled refugees, the focus of their study, view palliative care.
Learn more about this palliative care researchIdaho Caregiver Alliance
One in every four Idahoans is a family caregiver, who fulfill critical, ongoing responsibilities for their loved one. Caregiving is usually more than a full-time job and is most often unpaid and undervalued. Sarah Toevs, professor emeritus, created the Idaho Caregiver Alliance, which is dedicated to providing a responsive circle of support to these unsung heroes, who wear multiple, and often too many, hats. The state-wide alliance engages over 1,000 individuals and organizations, including individual family caregivers, nonprofits, healthcare providers, government agencies and insurers. The alliance is increasing their support and outreach in rural Idaho, were many caregivers struggle with accessing resources, housing and transportation in addition to their own health concerns.
Exercise is Medicine® – On Campus
The School of Kinesiology has started a campus-wide initiative to promote exercise as a key component of health and well-being that can and should be prescribed like medicine for patients’ health and well-being. Boise State joined Exercise is Medicine® On Campus, a nationwide program sponsored by the American College of Sports Medicine. The Boise State initiative brings together COHS academic disciplines, Campus Recreation, Wellness Services, Athletics, and more to increase awareness about physical activity opportunities in the community and to use physical activity for chronic disease prevention and management. Kinesiology offers BroncoFit activity classes that allow students to learn and participate in a variety of activities for a pass/fail credit.
Learn more about Exercise is MedicineData Analytics for Statewide Health "DASH" Collaboration Lab
The Data Analytics for Statewide Health “DASH” Collaborative Lab began in 2023 to provide students with hands-on data experiences that benefit community health partners throughout Idaho. Student teams utilize data from partners such as St. Luke’s Health System and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to gain insights, drive action and promote positive change through data.
Involving students in research benefits both faculty and students. Not only do faculty get help with their research, but mentoring and collaborating with students also helps them stop, review and find new ideas. The students’ enthusiasm and energy also enhances the project. Meanwhile, students get experience in research, which helps with their critical thinking, communication, writing, time management, and organizational skills grow.
Learn more about the DASH LabAlumni Leading the Way
25,000+ living COHS alumni are at the frontlines of health care, research and community service. Our graduates are dedicated leaders and proud Broncos.
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David McFadyen
’02 Health Information Technology
President and CEO, West Region Trinity Health, Saint Alphonsus Health System -
Misty Robertson
’21 DNP, ’00 ASN
CEO of Blue Mountain Health District in John Day, Oregon -
Drew Taylor
’97 Radiologic Sciences
Chief Operations Officer, St. Luke’s Boise Medical Center -
Scott Christensen
’86 Radiologic Sciences
Vice President of Operations, Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise -
Misti Leavitt
’12 RN-BS
Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Operations for Saint Alphonsus Nampa -
Lauren Smith
’03 BSN
Chief Nursing Officer, Saint Alphonsus Health System
Scott Curtis '02 MSW
CEO of Idaho Youth Ranch Scott Curtis earned his Master of Social Work degree from Boise State in 2002. He’s dedicated to making a difference for those who are struggling. “Building community is the answer and the way that happens is by building compassion. I’ve been very fortunate in that my social work training and my experiences have led to today. I feel really connected to human beings and the human experience.”
COHS Employees
139
89
204
Focused on Students
Students By the Numbers
5,738
1,548
1,130
378
9
$847,527
Delivering Value
Day in and day out, the College of Health Sciences at Boise State University delivers value to students and to the state of Idaho -advancing health and well-being, staying connected to and embedded in neighborhoods and communities, engaging in partnerships and collaborations, helping to build the state’s health infrastructure and serving as a consistent force for good in Idaho’s health care landscape.