Amber Schappaugh, DM-HCML, CMA (AAMA), CHW, AHI, MA, RMA is an Associate Professor of Health Sciences and Academic Program Director of Health Sciences and Medical Assisting at Methodist College (Peoria, IL). With two medical assisting credentials, she also serves as a site surveyor and writes curriculum for several programs.
Dr. Schappaugh’s experience extends outside of education as well. She has worked as both a medical assistant and clinical manager, and her research interests in rare diseases, trauma, and foster care each hold a special place in her life. Her doctoral dissertation (2017, Colorado Technical University) titled “Exploring the strategies needed to establish the FAST/FIRE team approach to Angelman syndrome research” identified that in rare disease research, leadership and collaboration is critical. Dr. Schappaugh has participated in a panel presentation “Talking about Trauma” as a parent of adopted youth from foster care. She has also presented several times on special needs parenting, sometimes as it affects medical assistants and providers in the office. Dr. Schappaugh agrees strongly with what Micere Keels, professor at University of Chicago, said, “Behavior is the language of trauma. Children will show you before they tell you that they are in distress.” She believes that as healthcare professionals, we must be listening with all our senses.
Dr. Schappaugh was a subject matter expert for the following titles.