Breaking News

Dr. Chang promoted to Brigadier General

L. P. Chang, D.O., M.P.H., FACOFP, 1980, Alexandria, Va., was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General in the U.S. Army Reserve by Secretary Thomas Hall, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs. Dr. Chang is serving as Commanding General of the 807th Medical Command and commands all Army Reserve Medical Forces in Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa, and Nebraska. He also serves as a member of the Board of Visitors at The Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Va., and continues to practice osteopathic family medicine in Alexandria.

Pictured here is Secretary Hall and Dr. Chang’s wife, Bernadette, “pinning” Dr. Chang during the Promotion Ceremony held for him.

The Kirksville Osteopathic Alumni Association (KOAA) Nominations and Awards Committee requests recommendations of candidates to serve on the KOAA Board of Directors and for KOAA awards. Nominations should be received before January 20. Please go here to learn about the responsibilities of KOAA Board membership and guidelines for KOAA awards and submit recommendations.

ATSU University Relations received two communication awards from the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine. ATSU’s 2004 annual report, “What is Osteopathic Medicine Today?,” won second place in “Best Development Publication” and StillNews won second place in “Best Newsletter, any constituency.”

Orin Mock, Ph.D., emeritus professor of anatomy, Toni R. Smith, D.O., FAOCA, 1979, medical clinical chair of surgery, and Carl Giacchi, class of 2006 biomed student, served as volunteers. Dr. Mock, a Peace Corps volunteer in the 1960s, answered the call from FEMA to former volunteers to join Crisis Corps and serve for a month in ravaged states. During September-October, Dr. Mock worked for FEMA in Mississippi assisting in the relief effort. This was the first time that Peace Corps volunteers were deployed in the United States.

Dr. Smith volunteered for the relief effort in the Gulf Coast and was there for a two-week deployment. Her volunteer assignment was coordinated through the Northeast Missouri Medical Reserve Corps.

Giacchi also worked in the ravaged area with a FEMA team.

In Kirksville, the Kirksville Area Health Education Center ( AHEC) staff focused their efforts on collecting a variety of goods, including money, clothing for people of all ages, and supplies for infants such as formula and diapers to donate to the North Louisiana AHEC. Go here for the complete article.

In addition, David W. VanWyck, MS I, from Virginia Beach, Va., raised more than $2,300 in four days for the victims by setting up a donation box on the Kirksville Campus. The money raised was given to the Red Cross as part of the Kirksville community’s Operation Round-Up fundraiser. Go here to learn more.

In Mesa, faculty, staff, and students held a campus fundraiser, which resulted in more than 1,200 pounds of goods (pictured above) being shipped to victims staying at the Phoenix Memorial Coliseum. Student services held a bake sale, with more than $120 raised in less than two hours. The funds were sent to The Community Foundation of Acadiana in Lafayette, La.

Sports Health Care contributed to the purchase of gift cards that were sent to Louisiana State University for distribution to athletic training students affected by the hurricane.

In June 2005, second-year osteopathic medical students at ATSU-KCOM took part one of the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Exam (COMLEX) administered by the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners. First-time takers of the exam passed at a rate of 98 percent, more than seven points higher than the national average of 90.9 percent. Please go here to read more.

On October 3, ATSU officially launched its community campaign to finish fund raising for construction of the Connell Center and meet the challenge of The Kresge Foundation, a prestigious organization that recognizes and encourages growth and improvement in the non-profit sector. The Kresge Foundation has challenged ATSU to raise $780,000 in order for the University to receive a $225,000 grant. Currently, about $200,000 is needed to meet the Kresge challenge. Visit the construction site webcam often to watch progress on construction.

To make a gift, please visit the ATSU Online Giving Form and select the "Connell Information Technologies Center" in the supported gift area. Several naming opportunities are still available.

One year ago, the ATSU community was saddened to lose six of its own in the crash of Flight 5966, which claimed the lives of 13 people traveling to Kirksville. On October 19, the first anniversary of the tragedy, ATSU faculty, staff, and students continued their legacy by participating in a "Compassion Celebration” on ATSU’s Kirksville Campus.

Keynote speaker John E. Krogh, Ph.D., regional assistant dean for ATSU-KCOM’s Utah region and survivor of Flight 5966, (pictured at left above with Orin Mock, Ph.D., professor emeritus of anatomy) addressed a full house and gave a riveting account of his experiences on board Flight 5966, as well as his recovery and the compassion extended to him.

Following Dr. Krogh’s address, students attended a presentation on compassionate care at the end of life from staff members who lead the FOOTPRINTS program at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, and faculty and students participated in community outreach activities at area care centers.

ATSU has adopted a new visual identity to reflect the recent changes in institutional structure. ATSU was established in 2003, and the new visual identity mirrors the University’s relationship with all four of its schools: Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, School of Health Management, Arizona School of Health Sciences, and Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health. To learn more and to see the visual identity, please go here . In addition, ATSU’s new tagline, “defining whole person healthcare,” will be appearing on publications to summarize the University’s special contribution to mankind.

During January, February, and March, KCOM alumni, spouses, students, faculty, and staff will work together to launch the 2006 ATSU-KCOM Tel-Alumni Campaigns. Seven regional campaigns will be held in Missouri, Michigan, Oklahoma, Florida, New Jersey, Ohio, and Oklahoma. Kirksville Osteopathic Alumni Association Board members and other graduates will host these events that enable student and alumni volunteers to contact alumni. At the same time, the Campaigns help the University update alumni records and increase contributions to the Annual Fund. A “Wrap-Up Campaign” will be held on the Kirksville Campus on March 21-23, with students, faculty, and staff contacting alumni not reached in the earlier regional campaigns. If you would like to volunteer a few hours of your time to help your alma mater, please contact Robyn Kollar.

During the meeting held September 23 and 24, the Board re-elected the executive committee: Marian Osterweis, Ph.D., Chair; Gerald A. Perkins, D.O., 1967, Vice Chair; Richard Stefanacci, D.O., MGH, MBA, CMD, 1989 and ’03, Secretary; Stephen A. Kardos, D.O., 1968, Chair of the Education/Research Committee; and Peter Detweiler, Chair of the Finance Committee.

Board members re-elected to three-year terms were: Richard W. Anderson, D.O., FACGP, 1946; Brandy L. Embry, MS, PA-C, 1997; Kenneth E. Jones, D.O., 1983; Martin S. Levine, D.O., M.P.H., FCFP, FACOFP, 1980 and ’03; Linda Niessen, D.M.D., M.P.H.; and Paul Willging, Ph.D.

In addition, Daniel L. Biery, D.O., FACOI, FACG, 1972, was elected to the Board. Dr. Biery, a gastroenterologist, is the president of the medical staff, director of gastroenterology and endoscopy, and chair of the department of medicine at Clifton Springs Hospital and Clinic in Clifton Springs, N.Y. He served for nine years on the Kirksville Osteopathic Alumni Association Board of Directors, and was president in 1998-99.

Ron Gaber, Ed.S., Vice President and Dean of Students, received the prestigious George Windsor Award, which is presented by the ATSU Board of Trustees to someone who has exhibited the characteristics of fairness, loyalty, intelligence, and service.

The Board approved allocating funds to expand the student lounge area on the ATSU Mesa Campus and to buy property in Kirksville.

James J. McGovern, Ph.D., President, reported that the former Golden Spike Tavern and the house adjoining it in Kirksville were purchased by the University in August. The buildings are being leveled and the land turned into green space to resemble adjoining University property.

In June, 13 osteopathic medical students traveled to Cape Town, South Africa, to spend two weeks at the Atlantis projects, a community formed during the 1950s apartheid movement in South Africa . “We originally planned to assist the underserved communities by performing basic physical and wellness exams for children,” said Andy Jou, MS II, one of the 13 traveling students. “The project evolved into a much more comprehensive experience.” The students spent six days of their two-week trip seeing patients at a rate of 100 to 400 per day. In all, the group evaluated more than 1,200 children. Go here to read the full story.

On September 21, alumni faculty, staff, and students gathered on campus to commemorate the annual Founder’s Day celebration. The State of the University address was given by James J. McGovern, Ph.D., President; State of the Medical School address by Philip C. Slocum, D.O., FACOI, FCCP, FCCM, 1976, vice president of medical affairs and dean; and the Founder’s Day address presented by John Gimple, D.O., vice president of clinical skills testing for the National Board of Osteopathic Examiners. Later in the day, Karen M. Steele, D.O., FAAO, 1978, Associate Dean at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine and immediate past president of the American Academy of Osteopathy, gave the annual Scott Memorial Lecture, which focused on osteopathic manipulation on children . (Dr. Steele is pictured above with Stephen D. Laird, D.O., M.H.P.E., FACOS, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.) The day concluded with the annual Still-A-Bration, which included games, picnic, bonfire, talent show, and dance for all employees, alumni, students, and their families.

The ATSU-KCOM class of 2009 began with orientation on August 19 and on the 20th they participated in the annual White Coat Ceremony. All incoming class members attained undergraduate degrees, and one student had an M.A. More than 2,600 applications were received for the 172 seats available for this class.

Facts about the KCOM class:

Total number of students: 172 (66 women, 106 men); average age: 25; total states represented: 40; top state represented: Missouri (28); foreign countries represented: 6 (Japan, Kenya, Thailand, Pakistan, India, and South Africa); average science GPA: 3.36; average overall GPA: 3.47

ATSU’s School of Health Management held its annual commencement ceremony September 10 and awarded master’s degrees in public health, health administration, and geriatric health to 38 graduates . In addition, two doctorates of humane letters were presented to honor distinguished careers in health management and services. Mary Tellis-Nayak, M.S.N., M.P.H., business development executive for the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities’ Continuing Care Accreditation Commission, provided the keynote address.

Rear Admiral Kenneth P. Moritsugu, M.D., M.P.H., deputy surgeon general of the United States, gave the keynote address at the ASHS graduation ceremony held August 10. ASHS conferred graduate and doctoral degrees to 233 students in nine programs. The ceremony was held at Arizona State University’s Grady Gammage Memorial Auditorium. The complete story appears here.

In July, the D.P.T. class of 2006 participated in the annual Physical Therapy Pinning Ceremony.

Triathletes from across the nation converged on Kirksville on September 11 to compete in the event, which was sanctioned by USA Triathlon. The top three finishers in each of the 28 divisions qualified for the USA Triathlon 2005 National Championship. The event featured a three-quarter mile swim, an 18-mile bike course, and a five-mile run. Go here for the complete story.