Henry Trahan, Au.D.; Tabitha Parent-Buck, Au.D.; and Thomas G. Rigo, Ph.D.

Thomas G. Rigo, Ph.D., associate professor, ATSU-ASHS Audiology program, was recently presented with The Academy of Doctors of Audiology’s (ADA) Joel Wernick Award at the ADA conference held in San Antonio, Texas, November 4-6. The award is presented annually in recognition of outstanding educational contributions within the professions of audiology or hearing science. Dr. Rigo was nominated by audiology’s graduating class. The award honors Joel Wernick, Ph.D., who was an active supporter of the ADA from its inception. He was a prominent scientist, teacher, author and industry executive that exemplified service through his commitment to dispense education and his willingness to share his own knowledge for the benefit of his peers and the profession. [read more]

ATSU Development representative Mark Burger presents a gift to Jean Sidwell, associate director of learning resources at the library.

KCOM alum Harmon L. Myers, D.O., ’54, of Tucson, Ariz., recently donated a copy of his book, “Clinical Application of Counterstrain,” to the A.T.Still Memorial Library on ATSU’s Missouri campus. The book was first published in 2006 by Osteopathic Press, a division of the Tucson Osteopathic Medical Foundation. Its forward is written by Andrew Weil, M.D.

Brandon Flippin, PT, ’11

Brandon Flippin, PT, ’11, completed the Ford Ironman Arizona in 10 hours, 54 minutes, and 31 seconds on Monday, Nov. 22 in Tempe, Ariz.  Flippin placed 275 out of 2,217 athletes that finished.

“This is a remarkable accomplishment,” says Pamela  Bosch, P.T., Ph.D., associate professor, physical therapy.  “The fact that Brandon could complete the rigorous training for the Ironman while also fulfilling his responsibilities as a DPT student demonstrates his commitment and focus as both an athlete and a student.”

The Ford Ironman Arizona is an ultra distance triathlon consisting of: 2.4 mile swin, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run.

ATSU alumni, students, and friends gathered at a dinner social at the Kuhio Grill-Marriott Hotel in Honolulu, Hawaii, on October 20. The event was organized by Admissions Associate Director Andrea O’Brien, M.S.

Those in attendance were Brother Bernie Ploeger, Chaminade University president; Robert Woodbury, OMS IV (ATSU-SOMA); Frank Morgan, D.O.; Andrew Perry, Chaminade University student; Chris Perry, D.O.; Nealanjon Pascua Das, D.O.; Gail Kyoko Nakaichi, D.O.; Kimberly Grace Perry, D.O.; Dr. Ric Custodio, medical director at Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center and director at ATSU-SOMA; and Patricia Lee-Robinson, Chaminade University.

O’Brien also traveled to the Waianae Coast Community Health Center on October 21 and visited with faculty, KCOM alumni, and SOMA students. ATSU alumna Terri Etsumi Kakugawa, D.O., and students Brennen Owan, Emily Ochmanek, Jane Kim, Jennie Zhu, Kimberly Theos, Levon Basso, Noel Blanco, and Seth Koster attended.

The Middletons have had a bumpy ride over the last several years. But with the Smile Forward® program, their children were able to get care at the ASDOH Dental Clinic. For Melvin and Amber Middleton, life has been full of challenges. Despite 17 surgeries in the last decade, Melvin has worked hard to provide for his young family until he was diagnosed with partial blindness and chronic kidney disease in 2009. “My children need so much help, and I am at a stage where I cannot provide anything to them. This has impacted my self-esteem,” he said. The couple’s children, Mackenzie Middleton (9) and Alrae Middleton (7), recently received care at ASDOH’s pediatric dental clinic thanks to the Smile Forward® program. Smile Forward® provides oral healthcare for children, families and individuals with little or no dental insurance benefits who demonstrate need. “I was initially nervous when I heard that the children will be treated at a dental school. But today, I feel much better. I have received double the care from competent students and faculty,” Amber said. “The students take time to talk to our children, they know their language and are very compassionate, and the doctors took time to patiently listen to our story,” Amber said of ASDOH students and faculty who provided care for the two children. “We are extremely thankful for what we’ve received,” she said. And their eldest daughter Mackenzie is now excited about a trip to the dentist. “How many children will do that?” Melvin asks. During Melvin’s illness, Amber worked two jobs to support the family. In between, she also faced health issues and had surgery. Recently, they moved from Wickenburg to Mesa to live with Amber’s parents. Amber has enrolled in a course to be a certified nursing assistant (CNA) and hopes to get a job and start providing for her family again. She understands that Melvin will be unable to work but hopes that being a nursing assistant will also enable her to take care of her husband. “We had so much going on in our lives during the last 10 years that we couldn’t take care of our kids’ healthcare needs.” Staying at her parents’ home has stripped the children of eligible insurance from the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment (AHCCCS) system. “I told them that I will sacrifice my insurance for getting care for my children, but they would not accept that,” Amber said. Today, both children are uninsured and both will need braces at a later stage. They expect to return to ASDOH. “The care we received has meant so much to me,” Amber said. For more information about supporting the Smile Forward® program, please call 480.219.6115 or email IA-Mesa@atsu.edu.

The November issue of CNN Money revealed its Top 50 Jobs in America. The list includes primary care physician as No. 34, occupational therapist as No. 19, dentist as No. 12, physical therapist at No. 4, and physician assistant at No. 2. That means at least five of the nation’s best jobs can begin with a degree from A.T. Still University. The jobs were ranked based on flexibility, satisfaction, stress level, and job prospects over the next 12 months and long term.

National Primary Care Week (NPCW) is an annual event that highlights the importance of primary care and brings healthcare professionals together to discuss and learn about generalist and interdisciplinary healthcare, particularly its impact on and importance to underserved populations, which is the mission of A.T. Still University. In observance of NPCW, ATSU’s Missouri campus held a series of lectures.

On November 1, Andy Grimm, executive director, NEMO Health Council; Mike Shimmens, director of recruitment, MO Primary Care Association; and Michelle Mollick, executive director, Northeast Missouri Area Health Education Center (AHEC), discussed “Caring for the Underserved: Community Health Centers and the Primary Care Workforce.”

The November 2 lecture focused on “Health Literacy:  A Patient’s Perspective” and was presented by speakers Arthur Culbert, Ph.D., executive director, Health Literacy Missouri, and Marty Ratermann, a cancer survivor.

On November 3,  Margaret Wilson, D.O. , a former NHSC scholarship recipient, and Tim Herbst, D.D.S., an NHSC loan repayment recipient, spoke about opportunities in the National Health Service Corps.

On November 4, speakers Arthur Freeland, M.D.; Matt Hardee, D.O.; Roxana Ionas, M.D.; Joe Novinger, D.O.; and Karen Snider, D.O., focused on the topic: “Primary Care Through the Lifespan.”

Gemma Ciesemier, D.O., addressed “Working with Medical Interpreters” at the November 5 lecture.

ATSU-KCOM’s AHEC office worked with student clubs ACOFP, SOMA, AMSA, OB-Gyn, Peds, IM, Medical Spanish, APO, and the Student Government Association Health and Education Committee  to provide each program and a  healthy lunch at each session.

ATSU lit up Kirksville’s night sky when it unveiled its newly renovated water tower on November 8. Faculty, staff, students, and members of the community gathered outside the Connell Information Technologies Center to watch the lighting and to enjoy cookies, cider, and hot chocolate.

ATSU President Jack Magruder and special guests, including Kirksville Mayor Todd Kuhns, spoke of symbolism between the university’s newly lit water tower and the shining light that ATSU represents for the community and for the world, as more than 17,000 D.O.s have hailed from ATSU.

Kirksville’s local television station, KTVO, aired a live segment of the lighting on the 6 p.m. news. Following the lighting, Dr. Magruder was presented with a water tower cake in appreciation of his leadership.

A bright and sunny 87 degree day greeted more than 400 staff, faculty, alumni, students, and their families at this year’s Founder’s Day, held Nov. 6 at ATSU’s Arizona campus.

The day began with a 5K run/1 mile walk, with participation from 40 students and faculty. Throughout the afternoon, children raced on an inflatable obstacle course, played Frisbee, received sticker tattoos, and enjoyed fresh popcorn and cotton candy.  Students, faculty, staff, and alumni enjoyed the warm weather and the buffet lunch, which included grilled hotdogs, hamburgers, and pulled pork sandwiches.

Individuals could step inside to cool off and listen to a live presentation from Jason Haxton, director of the Still National Osteopathic Museum. Haxton made a special trip to attend Founder’s Day to share his knowledge and artifacts of A.T. Still, M.D., D.O., with the Arizona campus.

The day concluded with a dodge ball tournament, where students and faculty battled head-to-head for the title of first place. Seven teams participated in the tournament: URMAMA, DPTs, Los Scorpions, Oral Specialists, Slow Moving Targets, The Au.D. (odd) Ones, and Really Awesome (Future) Dentists. The DPTs came out on top, followed by the Really Awesome (Future) Dentists, and Oral Specialists. First, second, and third place teams all received a medal, and bragging rights.

“Saturday was a beautiful day for Founder’s Day,” said Kamila Scott, assistant director, alumni services. “The food, cotton candy, popcorn, and root beer floats were enjoyed by all! The kids had a great time in the bounce house, and in the arts and crafts area, while the adults were able to enjoy a fantastic presentation by Jason Haxton.  Thank you to all those who helped set up the event and to everyone for attending.”

GetEducated.com, an online education consumer group that ranks online universities for cost and credibility, released its national online graduate school rankings of the most affordable online public health and healthcare schools.

The reviewers ranked A.T. Still University as the No. 6 and No. 15 most affordable online degree for graduate students seeking an advanced master of science in physician assistant studies from ATSU’s Arizona School of Health Sciences.

ATSU’s online master of public health (M.P.H.) program also earned a Top 10 ranking. The M.P.H. program offered at ATSU’s School of Health Management ranked No. 9 in affordability on GetEducated.com’s list of Top 12 Ranked Affordable Online Public Health Degrees.