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Academic Affairs
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Academic Affairs

The Office of Academic Affairs provides administrative oversight and academic leadership essential to achieving excellence in teaching and learning, innovative instruction, and resource allocation.

Serving as the chief academic officer, the senior vice president works closely with the deans of the colleges/schools on the planning, developing, implementation, and evaluation of ATSU’s programs. The senior vice president also has the responsibility of making final recommendations to the president with regard to the establishment of new academic programs, academic policies and procedures, and educational standards for both faculty and students.

The office oversees faculty and student resources such as the A.T. Still Memorial Library, Continuing Education, Interprofessional Education and Collaboration, Teaching and Learning Center, and Aging Studies.

Should you have questions, please email atsuacademicaffairs@atsu.edu.

  • Administration and staff +

    • Norman Gevitz Norman Gevitz, PhD
      Senior Vice President-Academic Affairs

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      ​Norman Gevitz, PhD, is A.T. Still University’s senior vice president of Academic Affairs. Dr. Gevitz earned a BA and an MA in political science from New York University and a PhD in sociology from the University of Chicago. Prior to joining ATSU, he was professor of history and sociology of medicine, Department of Family Medicine, at New York Institute of Technology, New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, where he also served as director of the Academic Medicine Scholars program and associate director of the Health Policy Fellowship certificate program.

      Dr. Gevitz is the author of the book entitled “The DOs: Osteopathic Medicine in America,” published by John Hopkins University Press. He is the editor of two other books and more than forty articles and chapters.

      Dr. Gevitz has obtained grants from the National Institutes of Health (Library of Medicine), the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the U.S. Department of Education. He has received seven honorary doctorates and public service awards for his activities related to the osteopathic medical profession.

      Don AltmanDon Altman, DDS, DHSc, EdD, MPH, MBA, MA
      Associate Vice President for Academic Innovation

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      Don Altman, DDS, DHSc, EdD, MPH, MBA, MA, is the associate vice president of Academic Affairs. He previously served as the Dean of A.T. Still University’s College of Graduate Health Studies.

      Dr. Altman graduated from the University of Texas Dental Branch (DDS). He completed his Master of Public Health degree at the University of Texas School of Public Health and became Board Certified in Dental Public Health in 1999. Dr. Altman completed his MBA at the University of Phoenix and a MA in Bioethics from Midwestern University. He graduated with a Doctor in Health Science (DHSc) degree in from the Arizona School of Health Sciences at A.T. Still University (ATSU-ASHS).

      Dr. Altman has worked for The City of Houston, the State of Texas, the State of Arizona, as well as The Principal Financial Group. Dr. Altman’s public health experience includes: served as President of the Arizona State Board Dental Examiners, the American Board of Dental Public Health, and the Arizona Public Health Association; volunteering with Health Volunteers Overseas (Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos); Director of the National Oral Health Leadership Institute; and serving as the Consumer Representative to the Dental Products Panel for the Food and Drug Administration.

      Leonard Goldstein Leonard B. Goldstein, DDS, PhD
      Assistant Vice President for Clinical Education Development

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      Leonard B. Goldstein, DDS, PhD, serves as A.T. Still University’s assistant vice president for Clinical Education Development. Dr. Goldstein earned his doctor of dental surgery degree from Case Western Reserve University and his PhD from the City University of Los Angeles. Immediately following dental school, Dr. Goldstein served in the U.S. Army as a captain in the Dental Corps during the Vietnam conflict.

      Prior to joining ATSU, Dr. Goldstein was the director of clinical education and associate professor of family medicine at the NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine from 2005-2014. He was the co-author of NYITCOM’s Accelerated Family Medicine/DO Residency Continuum program, as well as the co-author of the HRSA grant that supported the program. He also wrote and ushered four master’s degree programs for NYITCOM through the NYS Education Department for approval. Prior to that, he was the assistant dean for graduate program development at the Touro College School of Health Sciences from 2000-2005. At Touro, he wrote and directed the nation’s first Master of Science in Forensic Examination program.

      Dr. Goldstein has been awarded Fellowship in the International College of Dentists, the Pierre Fauchard Academy, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the American College of Acupuncture. He holds Diplomate status in the American College of Forensic Dentistry and the American Academy of Pain Management. He has authored or co-authored over 200 published scientific articles in peer reviewed journals, and he has co-authored "Best Practices in Dental Sedation: A Desk Reference," which is being published by Quintessence Publishers and will be available in early 2022. Dr. Goldstein maintained a private dental practice for over 30 years, as well as directing a hospital-based, multi-specialty facial pain center.

      Stephanie Elsea Stephanie Elsea
      Senior Executive Assistant

      Stephanie Elsea is senior executive assistant for the Office of Academic Affairs. She earned a Bachelors degree in Justice Systems from Truman State University. Stephanie joined A.T. Still University in July 2016 as enrollment support for the College of Graduate Health Studies (CGHS). She has since worked as employment coordinator in the Human Resources Department and as an executive assistant in the President's Office. She joined the Office of Academic Affairs in August 2022.

      Brenda Jackson Brenda Jackson
      Senior Administrative Assistant

      Brenda Jackson is the senior administrative assistant for the Office of Academic Affairs. Brenda helps support the Teaching & Learning Center, Interprofessional Education and Collaboration, Office of Assessment & Accreditation and Continuing Education. She earned a Bachelors degree in Business Administration from Mars Hill College. In September 2022 she earned her certificate in Project Management. Brenda joined A.T. Still University in October 2016.

  • Reporting units +

    • A.T. Still Memorial Library – Available to residential and online students, the library’s online full-text collections include tens of thousands full-text journals, more than 200,000 online reference works and textbooks, and several of the top point-of-care products. The library also teaches evidence based practice skills, provides search strategy and literature searching support, and hosts the 3D Print shop.

      Continuing Education – Supports each ATSU profession with educational activities which serve to maintain, develop, or increase the knowledge, skills, and professional performance of attendees which can lead to improved patient outcomes.

      Interprofessional Education – The purpose of the Office of Interprofessional Education and Collaboration is to advance interprofessional practice and education across ATSU. The Office designs and delivers interprofessional educational activities to develop interprofessional collaborative practice competencies for ATSU graduates. It supports ATSU programs in meeting interprofessional education and collaborative practice accreditation requirements. The office provides expertise on interprofessional curricular design and evaluation for faculty and staff development opportunities focused on enhancing their knowledge and facilitation skills in supporting students to develop collaborative competency. The Office also supports collaborative research, grants, and dissemination.

      Office of Assessment & Accreditation – The Office of Assessment & Accreditation (OAA) supports assessment, accreditation, and quality improvement efforts of ATSU. This includes the management of data to allow for accurate and timely provision of information and reports to members of the ATSU community including the board of trustees, administrators, faculty, staff, students, and appropriate external constituencies. Additionally, the OAA provides strategic and operational support in pursuit of our university’s re-accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission.

      Teaching and Learning Center – The Teaching & Learning Center (TLC) provides faculty with quality resources, programs and activities to promote innovative teaching and learning-centered practices to positively affect student-learning outcomes. TLC collaborates with University colleges, schools and programs; the University Library; Academic Technologies; and others to sponsor a variety workshops, webinars and events focused on innovative teaching and engaged learning.

      University Writing Center – The UWC is a free academic support service for currently enrolled ATSU students. Its goal is to help students become better writers in the health care professions. The UWC offers document review for papers, main discussion posts, case studies, and other assignments; English-as-a-second language writing assistance; individual chapter review of dissertations, doctoral research projects, and other final projects; and a tutorial on the proper use of sources (by referral only). The UWC is typically open from 12 am Mondays to 8 pm Saturdays (Central Time).

      Schools and Colleges

      Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health – Prepares dental students with a strong foundation of critical inquiry, evidence-based practice, research, cultural competency, an orientation to prevention, and interdisciplinary healthcare experiences.

      Arizona School of Health Sciences – Offering a variety of accredited master of science, doctoral, and online programs, the School is committed to educating and preparing its students to practice at the forefront of a dynamic healthcare system.

      College for Healthy Communities – Educates students to become community-oriented physician assistants who will provide whole person primary care to the nation's underserved communities.

      College of Graduate Health Studies – Educates and prepares healthcare professionals with management and administrative online healthcare degrees for a variety of settings.

      Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine – Educates students to become osteopathic physicians and related health professionals and to preserve and advance osteopathic principles, practice, and philosophy.

      Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health – Prepares students to become leaders in dentistry who have an in-depth understanding of and a desire to serve populations in need.

      School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona – Unique curriculum and teaching methods emphasize cutting-edge technology and individualized, active, and self-directed learning. In addition, students spend three of their four years training in community health centers located across the country.

  • Reporting unit leaders +

    • Tracey Lantz, MBA
      Director

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      Tracey Lantz, MBA, works remotely from North Carolina as the director of ATSU’s University Writing Center. She previously served as the UWC’s assistant director. In her 10 years with the UWC, she has worked with many students, reviewing over 9,900 papers, helping finalize over 120 dissertations, and assisting over 130 students with the Proper Use of Sources tutorial.

      In her previous ATSU life, Ms. Lantz worked 14 years in the President’s Office as assistant to two presidents, secretary to the Board of Trustees, and the University’s accreditation liaison officer. She also served on several accreditation site visit, focused visit, and self-study steering committees, and was the liaison for the Board’s presidential search in 2012. In 2010, she received the Kirksville Osteopathic Alumni Association Living Tribute Award; in 2008, the ATSU Distinguished Service Award; and in 2004, she received the Board of Trustees’ George Windsor Award.

      Prior to ATSU, Ms. Lantz worked for Truman State University in Kirksville, MO, West Virginia University School of Medicine in Morgantown, WV, and Andrews Industrial Controls, Inc. in Carnegie, PA. She has a master’s degree in business administration from William Woods University and a bachelor’s degree in organizational management from Alderson-Broaddus University.

      Hal Bright, MLS, AHIP
      University Library Director

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      Harold “Hal” S. Bright IV, MLS, AHIP, is the University Library Director for the A.T. Still Memorial Library. Formerly, he was the Electronic Resources Librarian.

      Mr. Bright earned his bachelor of arts in Spanish from the Arizona State University and his master of arts in library science from the University of Arizona.

      Mr. Bright began his career in public libraries in 2000 working for several libraries in Connecticut. Mr. Bright joined ATSU in 2008 as the library’s electronic resources librarian supporting the technology behind the library’s vast digital collections. Mr. Bright was appointed University Library Director of the A.T. Still Memorial Library in 2019.

      Mr. Bright is a member of the Association of Health Information Professionals (AHIP). His scholarly interests include resource discovery and the connection of practitioner interaction with health information systems. He is an active member of the CABL, AZHIN, MLGSCA and MLA where Mr. Bright has held officer positions, and served on many local and national committees, including national conference committees and co-chair of a regional conference committee. He also serves on several university committees including having served as president of the university staff committee.

      Quincy Conley ​Quincy Conley, PhD
      Director, Teaching & Learning Center

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      As a dedicated instructional designer and curious educational researcher, Dr. Conley has led, supported, and mentored educators from all disciplines with the central mission of investigating how to design exceptional learning experiences that can positively impact an individual’s potential to learn more. Dr. Conley specializes in combining biometric research technology with existing rigorous research methodology to discover ways learners can benefit from new educational techniques and technologies as they become more readily available. Dr. Conley earned his PhD in educational technology from Arizona State University, and both his MA in instructional design & technology and BA in aerospace science from the University of North Dakota.

      Jan BaumJan Baum, MA
      Director, Continuing Education

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      Jan Baum, MA, is the director of continuing education at A.T. Still University, and works with the continuing education steering committee, composed of members from various ATSU departments, to help coordinate collaborative continuing education programs and meet the accreditation standards

      Ms. Baum brings more than 20 years of continuing education experience to ATSU including hospital and medical education in the private and for profit sector. She has worked with various medical organizations to provide accredited continuing medical education programs for physicians and other healthcare learners. In addition, she has experience with both the American Osteopathic Association’s continuing medical education accreditation requirements as well as those of state medical associations, and the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education. Ms. Baum was instrumental in achieving AOA's Accreditation with Commendation award for our Continuing Education Certification.

      Prior to joining ATSU, Ms. Baum was the director of education for the American Urological Association in Linthicum, MD, and continuing medical education coordinator and medical librarian at John C. Lincoln Health Network in Phoenix, Ariz.

      Jan Baum holds a master’s degree in advanced adult education from Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., and holds an advanced certification in media and library science from the University of Missouri, Columbia, Mo.

      Elton Bordenave, PhD, M Ed ​Elton Bordenave, PhD, M Ed
      Interim Director, Interprofessional Education and Collaboration

      Dr. Elton Bordenave is an associate professor, the interim director of Interprofessional Education and Collaboration and the director of the Center or Resilience in Aging at ATSU. He received his B.B.A. (Bachelor of Business Administration) from the Baylor University, his M.Ed. from Grand Canyon University, and his PhD from Northcentral University. He has over twenty years of experience teaching health care administration and regulation courses in the Arizona School of Health Sciences. He earned an Advanced Certification in Health Care Compliance. In the past decade, he managed 13 separate grants that funded interdisciplinary community-based programs focused on health and health related concerns including dementia, heart failure, falls prevention, transitional care, and support for family caregivers. His grants were awarded by local and national foundations and the Centers for Disease Control. Students from all disciplines can participate in interprofessional teams in the Center’s contextual learning experiences.

      During his tenure, the Center’s programming has received awards locally as well as national recognition. The Still Standing Falls Prevention Outreach, which he initiated in 2008, is the largest sustained falls prevention program in Arizona. In 2015, the Still Standing Fall Prevention Outreach was honored with Empowerment System’s Community Impact Award and was reported on in the Wall Street Journal in 2016.

      Dr. Bordenave is actively engaged in the community in several leadership roles. He served on the Arizona Attorney General’s Office Task Force on Elder Abuse and the Arizona Department of Health’s Healthy Aging Advisory Board. He is currently on the board of directors for the Area Agency on Aging, Region 1 and the leadership council of the Arizona Falls Prevention Coalition. He is a founding member of the Arizona Falls Prevention Coalition and was recognized by the Coalition in 2019 with a leadership award.

      Forrest Bollow ​Forrest Bollow, EdD, EdS, MA
      Director, Office of Assessment & Accreditation

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      Forrest Bollow, EdD, is the director of the Office of Assessment and Accreditation at A.T. Still University (ATSU).

      Dr. Bollow earned his doctor of education degree in educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Missouri in Columbia, and an education specialist degree in leadership from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville. He also earned bachelor of science degrees in biology and biology education and master of arts degree in secondary education from Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman State University). His prior experience in education includes two years as an educational technology consultant, 13 years as a high school science teacher and coach, and two years as a principal, followed by 13 years as a district superintendent before retiring from public education and joining ATSU in 2017. Initially hired as ATSU’s OAA accreditation specialist, Dr. Bollow became OAA’s data manager in 2018. Since joining ATSU, Dr. Bollow has led the rollouts for Taskstream, the University mapping and assessment software system, and for EvaluationKit, the end-of-course survey software system. He has actively contributed too many mapping projects, including mapping of ATSU’s core professional attributes and various accreditation standards. He has also participated in standardization of Deans’ Annual Reports, program reviews, and collection of outcomes data from graduating students and alumni.

      Dr. Bollow played an essential role in the completion of the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Assurance Argument during 2017 and 2018, contributing, fact-checking, and linking all supporting evidence as the final report was written. Dr. Bollow is a co-author of a chapter on assessment and related technology use for a recently published book by Peggy Maki, and has given several presentations at HLC and Watermark annual conferences since 2018.

      ATSU Deans

      Robert Trombly ​Robert Trombly, DDS, JD
      Dean, Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health

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      Robert Trombly, DDS, JD, is the dean of the Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health. Formerly, he was the associate dean of clinical education and student success.

      Dr. Trombly earned his bachelor of science and doctor of dental surgery degrees from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry; completed a general practice residency program at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota; and earned a juris doctor degree from the University of Denver School of Law.

      Dr. Trombly began his academic career in 1985 at the University of Colorado as a part-time clinical instructor while in private general dental practice. Prior to joining ATSU-ASDOH, Dr. Trombly served in several faculty and administrative roles at dental schools including associate dean for academic administration at the University of Detroit Mercy, executive associate dean at Western University of Health Sciences, associate dean for clinic administration, and associate dean for community affairs and curriculum, both at the University of Colorado.

      Dr. Trombly is a Fellow in the American College of Dentists and International College of Dentists, and a member of the Pierre Fauchard Academy and Omicron Kappa Upsilon. His scholarly interests include educational research, community-based education, law and ethics. While at the University of Colorado, Dr. Trombly served as the principle investigator for a six-year Ryan White grant to increase access to oral healthcare for HIV-infected populations through training dental students at community-based sites. He is an active member of the ADA and ADEA, where Dr. Trombly has held officer positions, and served on many local and national committees, including site visitor and review committee member with the Commission on Dental Accreditation.

      Annlee Burch, PT, MPH, EdD
      Dean, Arizona School of Health Sciences

      Dr. Ann Lee Burch is the dean of A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Health Sciences (ATSU-ASHS). Dr. Burch received her doctor of education from Columbia University, Teachers College in 2005. She received her masters of public health from Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health in 2002 and her masters of physical therapy from Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1989. She was a postdoctoral fellow with the Research Group on Health Disparities at Teachers College, Columbia University. Her BA is in psychology from the University of Rochester.

      Prior to her appointment as dean, Dr. Burch served as vice dean for ATSU-ASHS. She served as the chair of the Physical Therapy Department from 2008-January 2012. Prior to ATSU, Dr. Burch was the director of physical therapy at the University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She has held administrative and/or faculty positions at the International Center for the Disabled in NY, NY, Mercy College in NY, and Long Island University in Brooklyn, NY.

      Dr. Burch’s area of scholarly interest and application of that interest is in knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy of health care providers and healthcare professional students towards underrepresented patient/client groups.

      Dr. Burch is the author of a Guide to Physical Therapy (Vault Publishers) which was written to increase information access about physical therapy to both high school graduates and re-entry adults. She was a co-investigator on an NIH grant at the University of Puerto Rico exploring the feasibility of an exercise program for breast cancer survivors living in San Juan.  Dr. Burch has lived in Symi, Greece, Taipei, Taiwan, Ahmdebad, India and San Juan, Puerto Rico, and is committed to research, teaching and service that further the understanding of the impact of socioeconomic and cultural variables on health.

      She was a member of the class of 2014 cohort of Women in Educational Leadership at Harvard Graduate School of Education. In 2017 she was the co-PI on a Centers for Disease Control, Association for Prevention and Teaching grant exploring a population health case study format for teaching and communicating the impact of social determinants of health on health disparities. She was recently appointed a peer reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission.  

      Marisa Hastie ​Marisa Hastie, EdD, MS, ACSM-EP, PN-1, FACSM
      Dean, College of Graduate Health Studies

      ​Marisa Hastie, EdD, MS, ACSM-EP, PN-1, FACSM is the Dean of the College of Graduate Health Studies at AT Still University. Dr. Hastie received her doctor of education from George Fox University (2013), her master of science in exercise and sport science with an emphasis in biomechanics from the University of Oregon (2003) and her bachelor of science in exercise science from Gonzaga University (2001). She is a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and is a certified Exercise Physiologist.

      Prior to joining ATSU, she was a Professor of Exercise Science and Program Chair for the Exercise Science Program at Lasell University (Newton, MA). Dr. Hastie also served as the Faculty Fellow for the Fuss Center for Research on Intergenerational Education and Aging and received the deWitt Excellence in Educational Leadership Award from Lasell University. Dr. Hastie served as Faculty Chair of the University’s governance system.

      Dr. Hastie has served in several leadership roles at the regional and national level of the ACSM, which include her current roles on the Professional Education Committee at the national level and as the President Elect for the New England chapter. Her research interests have included exploring the connection between lifelong physical activity and long-term health outcomes, the relationship between exercise training and cognition, and the effects of discrimination experiences on health-related coping behaviors.

      Dr. Hastie has extensive experience in online program development, teaching, and assessment. She developed an online Master of Science in Nutrition for Human Performance program and has 18 years of experience in both synchronous and asynchronous teaching formats. She became an educator because she strongly believes in the development of the whole student as a crucial responsibility of higher education institutions.

      Margaret Wilson ​Margaret Wilson, DO
      Dean, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine

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      Margaret Wilson DO, ’82, is the dean and professor in the department of family medicine, preventive medicine and community health, has been with the University since 1985.

      Dr. Wilson graduated from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1982 and completed her post-graduate training at Grandview Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. She is board certified in family practice. Dr. Wilson served in the National Health Services Corp in Mound City, Kansas before her return to Kirksville.

      Prior to her role as dean, she served as chair of the department of Family Medicine, Preventive Medicine and Community Health from 1995. During her time as chair she developed and served as course director for The Complete DOctor course, which teaches communication and physical exam skills and clinical skills.

      Dr. Wilson has been the project director for numerous HRSA PreDoctoral education grants over the years and a prestigious George Washington Institute for Spirituality and Health grant award.

      Dr. Wilson still serves as a staff physician at the Northeast Missouri Health Council community health clinic where she was medical director for over twenty years.

      Dr. Wilson has received the Governor’s Award For Excellence in Teaching in 2000, the KOAA Living Tribute Award in 2009, the Missouri Primary Care Association Samuel Rodgers Achievement Award in 2010 and the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award in 2012.

      Dwight McLeod, ATSU-MOSDOH dean ​Dwight E. McLeod, DDS, MS,
      Dean, Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health

      Dwight E. McLeod, DDS, MS, is dean of A.T. Still University’s Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-MOSDOH).

      Prior to joining ATSU-MOSDOH, Dr. McLeod served as a professor for Southern Illinois University’s School of Medicine. He was also chair for the Department of Applied Dental Medicine and section head of Periodontology. For the American Dental Education Association, Dr. McLeod served as chair of the Section of Periodontics and as a councilor. In 2000, Dr. McLeod founded the Jamaica Dental Mission, which operates three clinics in western Jamaica. More than 16,000 patients have received dental care though this mission.

      Dr. McLeod received his doctor of dental surgery degree from Howard University College of Dentistry, certificate in general practice dentistry from the Veteran Administration Health Center in Washington, D.C., and master of science degree and certificate in periodontics from University of Iowa School of Dentistry. He is a member of the American Dental Association, American Dental Education Association, American Academy of Periodontology, Missouri Dental Society, St. Louis Dental Society, American Board of Periodontology, and Midwest Society of Periodontology.

      Sharon Obadia Sharon Obadia, DO, FNAOME
      Dean, School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona

      Sharon Obadia, DO, FNAOME, ’97, is the interim dean of A.T. Still University-School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA) and associate professor of internal medicine. Dr. Obadia previously served as ATSU-SOMA’s associate dean for clinical education and services, in which her primary role was to foster strong and enduring partnerships with its National Association of Community Health Centers partner sites throughout the U.S. Dr. Obadia has also served as chair of Clinical Science Education and director of faculty development at ATSU-SOMA. She is a 1997 graduate of ATSU’s Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and trained at Banner Good Samaritan/Carl T. Hayden Veterans Affairs Medical Center’s Internal Medicine Residency program in Phoenix, Arizona. She has been board certified in internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine since 2001 and is a fellow of the National Academy of Osteopathic Medical Educators. From 2010-12, Dr. Obadia completed fellowships in teaching and learning and educational leadership at the University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine. Dr. Obadia has a long history of caring for patients experiencing homelessness at Maricopa County’s Health Care for the Homeless Clinic, and then, Circle the City, Phoenix’s first post-hospital homeless respite center.

      Dwight McLeod, ATSU-MOSDOH dean Eric Sauers, PhD
      Dean, College of Healthy Communities

      Dr. Eric L. Sauers is an innovative leader with over 20 years of experience in higher education administration and non-profit association leadership. Currently, he is a tenured Full Professor and Dean of the College for Healthy Communities (CHC) at A. T. Still University (ATSU), in Santa Maria, California. Dr. Sauers earned his PhD from Oregon State University and is a graduate of the inaugural 1997 class of the ATSU Master of Science in Sports Health Care program. He is also a graduate of the Harvard Macy Institute Program for Leading Innovations in Health Care and Education, where he subsequently served on the alumni faculty.

      Dr. Sauers is a well-respected scholar, author, speaker and academic administrator with extensive experience designing and implementing successful new academic degree programs and recruiting and retaining strong faculty and staff teams committed to student-centered learning. He has extensive experience in non-profit volunteer leadership in the health professions sector with expertise in accreditation / quality assurance, credentialing, and higher education and has authored numerous successful institutional, organizational, and programmatic accreditation reports.

      Prior to becoming the he was the Founding Chair of the Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences within the ATSU Arizona School of Health Sciences. He also held a joint appointment as a Research Professor within ATSU’s School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona. Dr. Sauers joined ATSU in 2000 as the Athletic Training Program Director.

      Dr. Sauers is currently the Board President for a Commission on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) recognized programmatic accrediting body and has previously served as the Board President for a multidisciplinary specialty healthcare society, and as the Executive Director of a local community non-profit association. He has chaired and served on national committees in the areas of health care education, research, and accreditation and has served as an external consultant to university programs both nationally and internationally and for the Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina. Dr. Sauers has led the development of international accreditation, residency and fellowship accreditation, and specialty certification as a non-profit association leader within his profession.