Teaching excellence starts with FLARE

Dr. Bliven is Chair of the Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences at ATSU, where she also serves as professor and director of clinical anatomy. She co-teaches human anatomy for dental, occupational therapy, and physical therapy programs on the Mesa campus, having previously taught in ATSU’s Kinesiology and Athletic Training programs as well as Indiana State University’s Athletic Training Department. Her research on shoulder function and health addresses mechanisms of shoulder stability, muscle activation during rehabilitation, adaptations in the throwing shoulder, and quality of life in throwing athletes. In addition to directing the Interdisciplinary Research Laboratory, she is vice chair of the Institutional Review Board at ATSU-Mesa. Dr. Bliven edits the Journal of Sport Rehabilitation and contributes to professional committees such as the BOC Exam Development Committee. She holds a BS in Biology and Physical Education from Denison University, an MS in Kinesiology from Indiana University, and a PhD in Kinesiology with an Athletic Training emphasis from Temple University.

Dr. Burch has served as Dean of ATSU’s Arizona School of Health Sciences since 2019, after holding roles as vice dean and Chair of the Physical Therapy Department (2008–2012). She earned her EdD (2005), MPH (2002), and MSPT (1989) from Columbia University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Health Disparities at Teachers College, Columbia. Her scholarly interests focus on healthcare providers’ knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy toward underrepresented patient groups, as well as higher education leadership during times of crisis. Dr. Burch authored A Guide to Physical Therapy and co-investigated an NIH grant exploring exercise programs for breast cancer survivors in Puerto Rico. She has held clinical, administrative, and faculty positions at institutions including the University of Puerto Rico, Mercy College, and Long Island University. A 2025 National Academies of Practice Distinguished Scholar Fellow, she has lived and worked internationally in Greece, Taiwan, India, and Puerto Rico.

Dr. Maldonado De la Rosa is an assistant professor in ATSU’s Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Program. She earned her PhD in Second Language Research from Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, an MS in Speech-Language Pathology from Universidad Ana G. Mendez, and a BS in Biology from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras. Prior to ATSU, she worked as a bilingual SLP and pediatric feeding specialist in settings ranging from skilled nursing facilities to telehealth. Her research focuses on Speech-Language Pathologists’ approaches to code-switching when working with culturally and linguistically diverse clients. She serves on the board of ASHA’s Hispanic Caucus and holds training as a University Innovation Fellow from Stanford and in bio-entrepreneurship from California State University I-Corps.

Dr. Hastie is Dean of the College of Graduate Health Studies at ATSU and a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine. She holds an EdD from George Fox University (2013), an MS in Exercise and Sport Science (biomechanics) from the University of Oregon (2003), and a BS in Exercise Science from Gonzaga University (2001). Previously, she was Professor and Program Chair of Exercise Science at Lasell University, where she also served as Faculty Fellow for the Fuss Center for Research on Intergenerational Education and Aging. Dr. Hastie chairs ACSM’s Ethics and Professional Standards Committee and serves on its Exercise Is Medicine Underserved and Community Health Committee; she is also an HLC Peer Reviewer. Her research explores lifelong physical activity’s impact on health outcomes, the exercise–cognition relationship, and discrimination’s effects on health-related coping behaviors. With over 20 years of experience in synchronous and asynchronous teaching, she developed an online MS in Nutrition for Human Performance and champions collaborative, inclusive learning environments for students and faculty alike.

Dr. Lam is Professor and Director of the Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences at ATSU, with a BS in Athletic Training, an MEd in Human Movement, and an ScD focused on Movement Sciences—all from Boston University. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship in patient-oriented outcomes research at ATSU’s Center of Clinical Outcomes Studies. His current research examines how lower extremity sports injuries affect patient-oriented outcomes such as health-related quality of life. In addition to his teaching, Dr. Lam directs Faculty Advancement and Mentoring for Excellence (FAME), leads the Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network (AT-PBRN), and serves as vice chair of ATSU-Mesa’s Institutional Review Board. He sits on the NATA Foundation’s Research Committee and Athletic Training Research Committee, and he is on the editorial boards of the Journal of Athletic Training and Journal of Sport Rehabilitation. A 2022 Fellow of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, he practiced as a certified athletic trainer at Boston University, Rutgers–New Brunswick, and MIT before joining ATSU.

Dr. Lusk devoted his career (since 1994) to higher education, guiding students through career counseling, coaching, and courses on lifespan development, personality psychology, counseling theories, and assessment. He specializes in helping clients assess strengths, build authentic helper-client relationships, and address issues such as motivation, crisis management, autism, ADHD, and career indecision. He earned dual undergraduate degrees in Psychology and History (minor in economics) from Bethel College in 1992 and a PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Kansas in 2001, followed by an APA-accredited internship at Kansas State University. Recently retired as Associate Vice President of Career Development at Truman State University, he now consults with higher education institutions and has collaborated with ATSU campuses on using the MBTI for incoming dental and oral health student cohorts. Dr. Lusk remains passionate about “bringing resources to the needs” of learners and advancing student development.

Dr. Merritt is the founder of Athena Compliance Partners and owner of SafeWhistle in Troy, Michigan. She has over 25 years of experience in healthcare compliance and internal audit. Andrea provides various compliance and HIPAA consulting services for various organizations. She has presented for many professional organizations in the area of compliance effectiveness, compliance investigations, and statistical sampling and auditing. Andrea earned a Doctorate in Education with a specialization in Adult Learning and Instructional Technology. She also earned an MBA and BS in Accounting from Wayne State University and a Certificate in Healthcare Leadership through Cornell University. Andrea is Certified in Healthcare Compliance through HCCA, a Certified HIPAA Compliance Officer through AIHC, and is a Certified Internal Auditor

Dr. Normore serves as Chief Diversity Officer and Instructor at ATSU, having previously been Vice President for Diversity & Inclusion and the inaugural director of diversity since 2013. He oversees a comprehensive initiative spanning ATSU’s seven graduate health professions schools (Kirksville, St. Louis, Mesa, Santa Maria, and online), extending into community health centers to advance ATSU’s mission of serving underserved populations. A 2015 NIMHD Scholar, he is trained as a Civil Rights Investigator (ATIXA), Campus Security Authority, and Safe Zone Master Trainer. Under his leadership, ATSU earned the HEED Award for inclusive excellence from 2017–2024; he has embedded cultural proficiency across curricula and campus culture. Before ATSU, he was Director of Multicultural Student Affairs at Oklahoma City University (2001–2013), where he supervised international student life, advised student organizations, and created scholarship and bridge programs that improved retention and graduation. Dr. Normore has delivered national workshops on diversity, serves as faculty at ATSU’s Missouri and Arizona dentistry schools, and is active in Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., chairing its community-oriented policing committee. His diverse background includes roles as a police officer, business owner, teacher, coach, and member of the 1988 University of Kansas national championship basketball team. He holds an EdD from ATSU, an MBA from Oklahoma City University, and a BS from the University of Central Oklahoma.

Dr. Sexton is the Associate Dean for medical education and tenured professor for ATSU-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Department of Family Medicine. Dr. Sexton earned a Bachelor's degree in Biology from Rockhurst University, a Master's degree in Molecular Microbiology from the University of Missouri School of Medicine, and a Doctoral degree in Medical Education from ATSU. She was founder and an inaugural member of the National Academy of Osteopathic Medical Education and continues as an active fellow. Additionally, she completed the American Osteopathic Association Osteopathic Heritage Foundation Health Policy Fellowship. Dr. Sexton currently serves on the Arnold P. Gold Foundation Board and the Gold Humanism Honor Society Advisory Council. She has served on the AACOM Professionalism and Ethics Task Force, the Project on Empathy in Osteopathic Medical Education, and many others. Most recently she has consulted for the Michigan State College of Osteopathic Medicine Institute for Global Health in areas of Curriculum and Assessment and Faculty Development.

Ms. Taylor is a Licensed Professional Counselor (GA, MI, AZ), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (CA), Clinical Mental Health Counselor (UT), and National Certified Counselor with over a decade of experience in inpatient psychiatric, community-based, and higher education behavioral health settings. She holds an MS in Counseling and Certifications in Multiple Treatment Modalities. Throughout her career, she has supported young adults, adults, and families facing obsessions, compulsions, mood and personality disorders, anxiety and trauma, addictive behaviors, conduct disorders, abuse, anger and stress management, teen issues, relational problems, dating violence, self-harm, criminal thinking, and more. Her therapeutic approach is grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, supplemented by Person-Centered, Psychodynamic, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI). Emphasizing the mind-body-spirit connection, she helps clients replace irrational thoughts with healthier alternatives and believes that hope and tools for change are keys to transformative growth.

Dr. Anderson is an educator, social worker, and public health professional with over 20 years of experience in higher education, health professions training, and community health. She currently serves as Associate Professor of Public Health and Director of Community Oriented Primary Care at A.T. Still University-School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA). Dr. Anderson is also an advocate, researcher, published author, and dedicated mentor. Her research focuses on educator and staff well-being, social determinants of health, and structural inequities in medical education.

Dr. Gardner is the Associate Dean of Academics, Assessment, and Curricular Innovation of the College of Graduate Health Studies at A.T. Still University. She previously served as the Associate Chair of the Department of Health Studies at American University. Dr. Gardner has over 25 years of experience in higher education. She earned a Doctorate in Community Health Education and Health Services Administration from The Ohio State University, and she is certified as a Health Education Specialist. Additionally, she holds a Master of Arts degree in Health Promotion Management from Ohio State and a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Iowa State University. Dr. Gardner’s academic and research interests include public health and health services education and curriculum development; health behavior change initiatives; and, issues associated with stress, loss, and grief.

Dr. Konecny j Dr. Konecny is a longtime faculty member at A.T. Still University’s College of Graduate Health Studies (ATSU-CGHS), where she teaches and designs courses for the Master of Education and Doctor of Education in Health Professions programs. She also mentors doctoral students as a research project chair. Since joining ATSU in 2005, she has contributed extensively to professional literature, presented nationally, and served on numerous university committees. Her research focuses on innovative teaching methods, educational technologies, student wellness, online learning design, and the impact of student services in virtual education. Dr. Konecny holds Doctoral degrees in Health Science (Nova Southeastern University) and Health Education (ATSU-CGHS), a Master’s in Counseling from Emporia State University, and a Bachelor’s in Behavioral Psychology from Northern Michigan University. A Master Certified Health Education Specialist, she also spent 20 years as a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor. Dr. Konecny is a U.S. Army veteran and former Major in the Army Reserves, having served in Operation Desert Storm.