The ASDOH chapter (Beta Alpha) of Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU) national dental honor society held its annual convocation and induction on May 15 at Superstition Springs Golf  Club in Mesa, Ariz. Eight members from the class of 2012 (see photo) were elected into the society as well as faculty inductee, Herb Kaufman, associate dean, Clinical Operations, ASDOH.

The Kramer award was presented to student inductee Corbin Popp, D3.  ASDOH Inaugural Dean Jack Dillenberg, an OKU member, gave the welcome address. The guest speaker for the evening was OKU member Roger Cooper, DDS, PhD, associate professor, ASDOH.

ATSU’s physical therapy orthopedic residency program has received notification of credentialing by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) as a post-professional residency program for physical therapists in orthopedics.

“The residency curriculum is designed to elevate the professional’s clinical skills and knowledge from a general practitioner to that of a clinical specialist in orthopedic physical therapy,” said Cheri Hodges, PT, DPT, MAppSc, OCS, FAAOMPT, director, orthopedic residency program. Upon completion of the residency program residents are prepared to take the orthopedic board certification exam with the APTA and practice patient-centered, evidence-based orthopedic physical therapy at the competence level of an orthopedic clinical specialist.

There are only 11 other university-based orthopedic residency programs in the United States.

Dr. and Mrs. Jack Magruder

A beautiful love story began in a class registration line on the campus of what is now Truman State University; it was June 4, 1954, and a young Jack Magruder met a young lady named Sue Brimer and boldly struck up a conversation. Just months later they married and have been together ever since. They have three children: Julie, Kerry, and Laura—and seven grandchildren. Anyone who knows the family knows that the Jack-and-Sue love story is an enduring one.

A second love story is Magruder’s lifelong passion for education. He earned his degrees, including a doctorate, in mathematics and chemistry. He worked in a lab for a while mixing chemicals (often radioactive) and experimenting with new combinations, when he realized one day that this was not the job for him. He loved people, loved learning, and knew he wanted to help others learn. He decided to teach.  [read more]

Bernadette Mineo, PhD, OTR/L, associate professor and chair, Occupational Therapy department, has been selected for the editorial board of the Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT).

OJOT is a new peer-reviewed, open-access journal with a mission to publish high-quality articles that focus on applied research, practice, and education in the occupational therapy profession.

Dr. Don Altman

Don Altman, DDS, DHSc, MPH, MBA, MA, has been appointed to the American Board of Dental Public Health. Dr. Altman serves as associate professor, director, public health and research for ATSU-ASDOH and chair, Department of Public Health for ATSU-SHM. He received his doctor of health sciences from ATSU-Arizona School of Health Sciences in March 2012.

Dr. Altman will serve a five-year term as a diplomat of the profession.  Before board appointment, eligible dentists must have an MPH degree and complete a dental public health residency. They must also take a 2 ½ day comprehensive oral and written exam.

[read more]

More than 75 ATSU-SOMA and ATSU-ASDOH students and faculty gathered on the Mesa campus on May 23 to hear Thomas McWilliams, DO, FACOFP, interim dean, ATSU-SOMA, share his experiences in frontier medicine.  Dr. McWilliams, a third-generation osteopathic physician, started his frontier medicine experience as part of the Alaskan Native Health Foundation initiative.

For seven years, he practiced family medicine and emergency care medicine in rural towns in Alaska.  Dr. McWilliams said that it gave him the opportunity to get back to the basics of medicine and use his diagnostic skills to the fullest.

To the students, Dr. McWilliams advised, “Set your sights high.  You’re in a profession where the possibilities are endless.”

On May 12, the Arizona Still-Well Program held a kayak trip down the Salt River. The outing included 24 happy kayakers including students, staff, and faculty.

“Only one kayaker went overboard, but quickly made it back to her kayak,” said Beth Poppre, assistant vice president, student affairs, and Still-Well Program co-chair. The kayaker’s husband, DPT student Spencer Despain, lost his wedding ring while hanging on to her kayak. The couple joked that this was the second ring he has lost in the water.

Wildlife sightings included wild horses that live near the protected river, blue herons, eagles, and trout. After a two-hour float down the Salt River, the crew enjoyed a picnic lunch. “This will definitely become an annual event for Still-Well’s physical team,” said Poppre.

Maureen Romer, DDS, MPA, FADPD, DABSCD, has been named SCDA board president for 2012-13. Dr. Romer is associate dean, post-doctoral education, and associate professor and director of special care dentistry at ATSU-ASDOH.

“I am honored to be named board president, and I look forward to working with SCDA to advocate for the oral health of individuals with special needs,” said Dr. Romer.

SCDA is an international organization of oral health professionals and other individuals dedicated to providing service to and promoting the oral health of patients with special needs.

Patrick McKeon, PhD, ATC, ’01, currently assistant professor in the division of athletic training at the University of Kentucky, was awarded the 2012 New Investigator Award by the NATA Research and Education Foundation.

The New Investigator Award recognizes a researcher who is likely to continue to make significant contributions to the body of knowledge in athletic training and healthcare.

Dr. McKeon was the keynote speaker at the inaugural ASHS Research Symposium in 2009.

Lindsey Shepherd, AT ,’13, received the Warren Lee Memorial Scholarship, sponsored by Rocky Mountain Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA District Seven), from the NATA Research & Education Foundation Scholarship Committee. Shepherd will be recognized during the Pinky Newell Scholarship & Leadership Breakfast at the NATA’s 63rd Annual Meeting & Clinical Symposia in St. Louis on June 27-29.

Daisuke Yamada, AT ’13, received the Gary Delforge Scholarship, sponsored by the Friends of Gary Delforge, from the NATA Research & Education Foundation Scholarship Committee. Yamada will also be recognized alongside Shepherd during the Pinky Newell Scholarship & Leadership Breakfast.