KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – The Museum of Osteopathic Medicine SM, Springfield-Greene County Library District, and the Missouri History Museum, St. Louis, have partnered to develop a new digitization project documenting Missouri’s World War I history.

“Over There: Missouri and the Great War” is a statewide, collaborative effort to place documents, photographs, artifacts and other media into a single digital archive. The project partners received a Library Services and Technology Act Digital Imaging grant from the Missouri State Library for$47,803 to develop the project. The grant was funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Said Debra Loguda-Summers, curator, “We welcome the chance to work with the Springfield-Greene County Library District, and the Missouri History Museum, St. Louis on this World War I project. Showing the role of osteopathy in World War I and examining the public and private collections in Northeast Missouri for artifacts that represent that period of time.”

Brian Grubbs, project director based at the Springfield-Greene County Library District, added, “We are very excited to work with the Museum of Osteopathic Medicine SM and the Missouri History Museum. Each of the partners has successfully completed digital imaging grants on Missouri history, and brings a vast knowledge to the table.”

The First World War reshaped much of the modern world, and Missourians actively contributed to various aspects of the war effort. Missouri industries fulfilled military contracts to supply mules, munitions and other goods to Allied armies.

According to the Missouri State Archives, more than 156,000 Missourians served in the war. Prominent Missourians who fought in the war include Gens. John J. Pershing and Enoch Crowder, the future President Harry S. Truman, and Walt Disney. The last surviving U.S. veteran from World War I, Frank Buckles, was a Missouri native.

Later this summer, project partners will begin to canvas the state searching for WWI collections. “Not only are we looking for material in museums, archives, and libraries,” Grubbs said, “but we will include private collections and family heirlooms in this project.”

More information about how the public can contribute to the project will be made available in the coming months.

This project seeks to enhance the understanding of Missouri’s role in the Great War in preparation for the centennial remembrance beginning in 2014.

A standing ovation greeted ATSU President Jack Magruder with his wife Sue by his side as they entered their retirement reception on June 22 on the Mesa, Ariz. campus.  Faculty and staff gathered to celebrate Dr. Magruder’s epic career in higher education.

Craig Phelps, DO, FAOASM, ATSU executive vice-president for strategic initiatives and president-designate, welcomed the Magruders by saying, “Today, we celebrate a couple who made contributions to the community and ATSU.  We celebrate Dr. Magruder’s commitment to education and community service.”

Dr. Phelps introduced leadership for ASDOH, ASHS and SOMA, who shared their thoughts about President Magruder.

ASHS Dean Randy Danielsen, PhD, PA-C, DFAAPA: “It is always difficult to say goodbye to great people. What I always noticed most about you is your integrity and your genuine love for what you do.”

ASDOH Vice Dean James Bell, DDS: “Thank you for being a part of ATSU, thanks for your time, energy and passion. It’s been an amazing, exciting, and bittersweet time.”

SOMA Dean Thomas McWilliams, DO, FACOFP: “Under your leadership, you have guided ATSU through transition to universitization.”

Especially touching was a poem read by Mindy Hansen, SOMA I, on behalf of the Student Government Association (SGA).  The poem was created by SGA for Dr. Magruder.

Sue Magruder shared her comments about the time when Dr. Magruder accepted the presidency of ATSU.  “I already knew that Jack could do this job, and he was the perfect man for the time,” said Magruder. “I know what kind of man I married 58 years ago, and I agree that he is stupendous!”

As a thank you for his leadership and service, President Magruder was presented with a sculpture of the state of Arizona engraved in copper and resting on an Arizona red rock base. Inscribed at the bottom of the sculpture is one of Dr. Magruder’s favorite quotes by Charles W. Eliot: Enter to grow in wisdom. Depart, better to serve your country and thy kind.

Watch the Arizona campus farewell reception here.

Kirksville says thank you and farewell

A long line of approximately 700 people greeted ATSU President Jack Magruder and his wife, Sue, at his retirement reception on June 29 on the Kirksville, Mo., campus. Faculty, staff, community members, and friends thanked Dr. Magruder and Sue for their work and dedication to the University and wished them farewell.

ATSU President Craig M. Phelps, DO, ’84, FAOASM, emceed the event, shared background information on Dr. Magruder, and introduced the event’s speakers.

“He will be greatly missed, but his touch on the University will remain,” says Dr. Phelps.

Multiple dignitaries presented Dr. Magruder and Sue with proclamations and other honors, along with Missouri Governor Jay Nixon, who appeared via video with a special message for the longtime educator, leader, and friend, thanking him for his many years of service.

“We live in a better state because of you,” said Gov. Nixon.

Dr. Magruder and Sue were also given president emeritus and first lady emerita statuses during the ceremony marking their contributions to the University.

Dr. Magruder recognized and thanked all those who have supported and worked alongside him during his career. He expressed his gratitude for the president emeritus status, saying it forges a unique link between ATSU and Truman State University, where he holds the same recognition.

He closed his final public remarks as president recalling the heart of that mission in the words of A.T. Still himself.

“He said, ‘All I wanted to do was extend the touch of the soft hand of human kindness to those in need.’ Folks, that’s what everybody associated with this University is doing, by doing their job,” said Dr. Magruder. “I’ve been blessed; Sue has been blessed as a result of this relationship.”

Watch the Kirksville campus farewell reception here.

Avnet, one of the world’s largest electronics distributors, 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.

“We thank Avnet’s Contributions Council for their generosity in supporting oral care needs of underserved children in our community. This is a true testament of good corporate citizenship,” said Jack Dillenberg, DDS, MPH, dean, ATSU-ASDOH. Smile Forward® is funded through the generosity of ATSU employees, individuals, grateful patients, and corporations and foundations.

James W. Farris, PT, PhD, is the new chair of the ASHS department of physical therapy. He will officially begin the duties as chair on July 1. Dr. Farris has been on the faculty at ASHS since 2008. Prior to that time, he had 13 years of previous teaching experience in physical therapy with five of those as program director and department chair at Arkansas State University. “He brings a wealth of clinical and educational experience to this job, and we look forward to his leadership in an already stellar PT program,” said ASHS Dean Randy Danielsen, PhD, PA-C, DFAAPA.

Physician assistant alumni gathered at Su Vino Winery in Scottsdale on June 12 for a reception hosted by Corey Whalin, owner of Su Vino. Corey is the son-in-law of Matt Corey PA ’97. Approximately 50 individuals were in attendance including ASHS Dean Randy Danielsen, PhD, PA-C, DFAAPA.

Ninety-two new doctors of osteopathic medicine crossed the stage at the Comerica Theatre in Phoenix, Ariz., on June 8, marking their completion of four years of study in a unique medical school curriculum model. ATSU-SOMA is one of a handful of medical schools across the country utilizing the clinical presentation-based medical education model where students are immersed in clinical care beginning in their second year of medical school.

“When this class first arrived at ATSU-SOMA, I challenged you to personally take charge of your education in order to continue your growth as life-long, self-motivated learners,” said Thomas McWilliams, DO, FACOFP, interim dean, ATSU-SOMA, in his address to students. “As an entire class you have successfully addressed this charge. You now have at your disposal more scientific knowledge than any prior generation of physicians and are ready to move into the next phase of your professional development, your postgraduate training.”

Dr. McWilliams added that his parting request was for students to keep alive the spirit of altruism during residency training. “Your healing touch is exactly what the nation needs at this place and time,” he said.

Also at the ceremony, Donald L. Weaver, MD, chief medical officer for the National Association of Community Health Centers, was the keynote speaker. In his comments, Dr. Weaver said, “I believe that Dr. A.T. Still is looking down on this class and faculty, as are many others, and beaming with pride because you are carrying on his tradition: Always looking for the most effective ways to care for those whom you are privileged to serve, committed to a lifetime of learning, and committed to caring for the whole person.”

Friends and family cheered as the A.T. Still University Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-ASDOH) class of 2012 entered the Comerica Theater in Phoenix, Ariz., for commencement ceremonies on Friday, June 8.

The 68 members of ATSU-ASDOH’s sixth graduating class received their Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree, 23 of whom also received a Master in Public Health (MPH) through ATSU’s School of Health Management (SHM). In addition, three postgraduate orthodontic program residents received their Doctor of Health Sciences (DHSc) degree.

Said ATSU-ASDOH Inaugural Dean Jack Dillenberg “We are proud of this extraordinary class, and are looking forward to the contributions that they will make in the communities where they choose to practice and serve,” he said.

A significant fact regarding the class of 2012 is the that six graduates are American Indian, which  is believed to be the largest number of American Indians to graduate from any U.S. dental school at one time. “I believe this is probably going to be a high-water mark for some time,” said George Blue Spruce, associate dean at the dental school and co-founder of the Society of American Indian Dentists. All six graduates plan to work with American Indian populations, such as those on reservations or at clinics affiliated with the national Indian Health Service.

ATSU President Jack Magruder presented an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree to Ronald F. Pollack, Esq., executive director of Families USA, the national organization for healthcare consumers. Families USA’s mission is to achieve high-quality, affordable health coverage and care for everyone in the country.  Mr. Pollack was also the keynote speaker at the graduation.

Pollack spoke to the graduates about the importance of being a part of the solution for the medically uninsured and under insured. “My wish for you as you launch into your careers is to be a part of fixing the problem of uninsured in this country,” said Pollack. “I urge you and challenge you to think of what you will do to improve oral healthcare for people across the country.”

The 1st Annual Clinical Presentation Curriculum (CPC) Proceedings was held June 9 on the ATSU Mesa campus. The event was sponsored by the newly formed Clinical Presentation Curriculum – Learning, Education & Research Community (CLEAR).  CLEAR is a group of medical educators interested in facilitating and implementing the clinical presentation-based medical education model.

“Given that many medical schools throughout the world have implemented or are considering implementing the CPC, we hosted what was (to our knowledge) the first Proceedings on the CP model,” said Gene Winfield, DO, assistant professor, ATSU-SOMA and chair, CLEAR committee.

The goals of the Proceeding were to facilitate a connected community of interested faculty in the CPC, to discuss important elements of the CPC and share individual challenges and solutions to these widespread issues, and to develop a shared repository of information on the CPC.

Keynote speaker at the event was Dr. Douglas Wood, ATSU senior vice president-academic affairs.  He encouraged participants to read Educating Physicians, by Cooke, Irby and O’Brien, in celebration of the Beyond Flexner report. “One of the four major areas of U.S. medical education which the authors found deficient was in the area of integration,” said Dr. Wood. “Their definition of integration was bringing together the basic sciences, the clinical sciences, and the social sciences across the model. I think that is what the CPC does.”

Approximately 50 medical national and international educators attended the Proceedings. For more information on CPC and the event, visit www.cpc-clear.org.

The SOMA class of 2012 enjoyed a night of awards, dinner, and dancing at the second annual Innovator’s Gala, held on June 7 at the Sheraton Hotel in Phoenix, Ariz.

The gala, which was attended by 340 guests, took place the night before graduation and allowed the students to spend time with their peers, SOMA faculty, staff, and their Community Health Campuses (CHCs).

A tribute video was created for the graduating class and can be seen here.

ATSU-ASDOH held its fifth annual Founders’ Ball on June 7 at The Phoenician in Scottsdale, Ariz.

All students from the class of 2012, along with one guest, were invited to attend the black-tie formal, reception, and dinner. The night included remarks by ASDOH’s dean, the presentation of the student-made DVD yearbook, and lots of dancing.

The ball, which was attended by 317 guests, is primarily funded by sponsorship, and this year consisted of five Gold-level sponsors ($2,500), eight table sponsors ($2,000), and 16 Friends of ASDOH ($100-$1,999).

The event originated in 2007 as a way to honor ASDOH’s Founding Member donors and celebrate the School’s first graduating class.