An interdisciplinary team of students represented ATSU at the 2012 Clarion Competition, an annual national event sponsored by the University of Minnesota. The competition requires interprofessional teams of four students to conduct a root-cause analysis of a sentinel health event.

In a joint effort with ATSU Senior Vice President-Academic Affairs, Dr. Douglas Wood, the AZ-SGA and the University Student Association sponsored the ATSU team. Elizabeth Hall, PA ’12; Brandi Molina, D3; Kelli Allegro, PT ’13; and Bhargav Chandrashekar, OMS II (KCOM), represented ATSU in Minneapolis. The team focused on improving the use of the EMR system (Epic).

“We had the most interdisciplinary team at the competition and the only team with a PA, dental, and DO student,” said Beth Poppre, MEd, assistant vice president, student affairs. Although the team did not win, they are very excited about mentoring next year’s team.  They would also like to host a case competition within ATSU.”

Be sure to attend this special event!

ATSU-KCOM student and faculty awards were presented April 11, 2012, by Isela Padilla, OMS II, Student Government Association committee chair.

• Snyder-Crummy Scholastic Achievement Award: Swati Buch, OMS II
• Student Doctor of the Year Award: Heather Martin, OMS III
• SGA Leadership Award: Chris Miller, OMS II
• Max T. Gutensohn Teaching Award: Dr. Neal Chamberlain and Dr. Peter Kondrashov

More than 300 underprivileged elementary school children from Mesa Public Schools and the Apache Junction Unified School District attended ATSU-ASDOH’s Give Kids a Smile® Day (GKAS) on April 13.

Through a partnership with the Arizona Dental Foundation (ADF), ASDOH dental students and alumni participated in GKAS for the 7^th consecutive year along with volunteer dentists from around the Valley.

GKAS was established by the Greater St. Louis Dental Society in February, 2002, when a group of dentists set up a temporary full-service clinic that treated nearly 400 children over two days. ATSU-ASDOH’s GKAS event has historically been the largest in the Southwest. This year also marks the 10^th anniversary of GKAS in Arizona.

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – A.T. Still University-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM) student and faculty awards were presented April 11, 2012, by Isela Padilla, OMS II, Student Government Association committee chair.

Swati Buch, OMS II, was presented with the Snyder-Crummy Scholastic Award in Anatomy for her outstanding achievements in gross anatomy, embryology, pathology, and neuro-anatomy.

Heather Martin, OMS III, was recognized as Student Doctor of the Year. This award is given to student doctors who exemplify professionalism, leadership, commitment to community service, and dedication to the profession, as well as embodiment of the osteopathic philosophy. Martin is currently on clinical rotations at Northeast Regional Medical Center. She has been involved with the Special Olympics Polar Bear Plunge, High Hope, and Operation Osteopathic Service. Martin was also presented a national award from the American Osteopathic Association.

Christopher Miller, OMS II, was presented with the Student Government Association Missouri Campus Leadership Award. This award given is to a student who exhibits exceptional leadership qualities through the Student Government Association. Miller served as chair of Disaster Awareness Response Training, which led to the certification of 155 people in Basic Disaster Life Support and 140 people in Advanced Disaster Life Support.

Peter Kondrashov, PhD, anatomy chair, associate professor, was one of two professors presented with the Max T. Gutensohn Teaching Award. This award is given annually to both a first- and second-year professor who students feel made their ATSU-KCOM experience unforgettable. Dr. Kondrashov is described by students as “a passionate person, especially about his teaching; he has a contagious enthusiasm that keeps students interested in the material.” Dr. Kondrashov is a past recipient of this award.

Neal Chamberlain, PhD, professor, microbiology/immunology, was honored as a recipient of the Max T. Gutensohn Teaching Award. He is described by students as “a very enthusiastic and dedicated teacher who is very passionate about helping students become the best doctors they can be.” Dr. Chamberlain has also received this award in the past.

ATSU’s Aging Studies Project held its 8th annual Lecture on Aging on April 4, 2012.

The keynote speaker, Christa M. Hojlo, PhD, RN, NHA, presented her lecture, “Caring for the Aging: Options, Opportunities, and Outcomes” to both campuses via broadcast.

Dr. Hojlo is the director of VA Community Living Centers, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, D.C.

The Lecture on Aging identifies opportunites for the community of healthcare professionals to facilitate healthy aging, explore outcomes of innovations in elder care, and discuss the revolution in nursing home care.

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Tonya Watson, MBA, PHR, assistant director, human resources, Mesa campus, was recently awarded the Still Well Distinguished Achievement and Advocacy Award. The award is given in recognition of unwavering personal and professional commitment to promote, encourage, and facilitate wellness experiences for students and employees.

“Tonya has been instrumental in the development of the Still Well and Still Healthy programs on the ATSU Arizona campus,” said Dan Martin, MA, director, ATSU Wellness programs.  For years she has dedicated herself to employee and student wellness though fitness assessments and seminars.  She was chosen for the award because of her longstanding commitment and continuing involvement.”

Congratulations, Tonya!

Locally-owned and operated Gateway Bank in Mesa, Ariz., is the newest supporter of the Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-ASDOH) Smile Forward® program. Smile Forward® provides dental care for children, families, and individuals with little or no dental insurance benefits who demonstrate financial need.

“We are Mesa’s hometown bank, and support for this program reinforces our social responsibility,” said Gateway Bank President & CEO, James Christensen.

Smile Forward® is funded through the generosity of ATSU employees, individuals, grateful patients, and corporations and foundations.  “Local businesses like Gateway Bank strengthen our commitment to provide high-quality education and care for the underserved,” said Jack Dillenberg, DMD, MPH, dean, ATSU-ASDOH.

Learn more about Smile Forward® at:  http://youtu.be/xsQbiBGpfRs

Congratulations to Erin Breitenbach, DHEd program chair, upon acceptance into the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

ATSU’s Physician Assistant (PA) students and the Kettle Society dedicated the month of March to St. Baldrick’s Foundation by holding a fundraiser where students shaved their heads and hiked Camelback Mountain.

The students vowed that for every $100 raised, one PA student would hike Camelback Mountain, and for every $1,000 raised, one PA student would shave their head.

“During the month of March a total of $4,082 was raised and because of this we upheld our side of the deal, but the spirit spread quickly and 11 students ended up shaving their heads (including one professor),” said Payton Leonhardt, PA, ’13.  “We hoped to demonstrate that we are willing to stand by the sides of those children fighting cancer and offer our hearts throughout the battle.”

The class sponsored a hike of Camelback Mountain and also hosted a bake sale to raise funds for pediatric cancers which raised more than $665 in one day.