The Museum of Osteopathic Medicine(SM) and A.T. Still Research Institute at A.T. Still University have received the Advocates for the American Osteopathic Association (AAOA) Special Project’s Grant.

The Museum of Osteopathic Medicine(SM) and the A.T. Still Research Institute (SRI) were awarded $2,000 for “The Legacy Project,” who purpose to systematically capture video-recordings and stories from osteopathic physicians and researchers whose careers significantly impacted the osteopathic profession through their leadership, clinical skill, teaching, mentorship, and research.

Additional details can be found at the ATSU News website.

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A.T. Still University’s Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM) held a series of lectures Nov. 5-9 for National Primary Care Week.

National Primary Care Week is an annual event to highlight the importance of primary care and bring healthcare professionals together to discuss and learn about generalist and interdisciplinary healthcare, particularly its impact on and importance to underserved populations. This year’s theme included a variety of topics, including primary care in medical education and healthcare policy and reform.

The public was invited to attend the lectures, which were given by health professionals of various specialties. The lecture series was sponsored by ATSU-KCOM and Missouri Area Health Education Centers, along with student organizations and co-sponsors for each lecture.

The students appreciated the format of the event, with time at the end of each presentation for Q-and-A. They also enjoyed the personal stories shared by the speakers, noting that all of the speakers are so passionate about their work.

The speakers included several young physicians who talked about their chosen field and shared personal stories about why they chose pediatrics, family medicine, OB/GYN, or internal medicine. Lecture topics also covered National Health Services Corps, Indian Health Services, and post-traumatic stress disorder in older adults.

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – The Museum of Osteopathic Medicine^SM and A.T. Still Research Institute at A.T. Still University have received the Advocates for the American Osteopathic Association (AAOA) Special Project’s Grant.

The Museum of Osteopathic Medicine^SM and the A.T. Still Research Institute (SRI) were awarded $2,000 for “The Legacy Project,”who purpose to systematically capture video-recordings and stories from osteopathic physicians and researchers whose careers significantly impacted the osteopathic profession through their leadership, clinical skill, teaching, mentorship, and research.

In 2011, the Cranial Academy Foundation awarded a $10,000 grant to the museum and SRI to preserve the stories, documents, and other meaningful information regarding the work of Dr. Viola M. Frymann.

In early October, at the American Osteopathic Association’s annual conference in San Diego, Jason Haxton, museum director, met with three of the AAOA grant selection committee members. He was informed the museum’s work in preserving the history of the profession was unmatched, and it was with pride they supported the museum’s projects – this being the fifth grant the museum received from the AAOA.

“This grant from the AAOA Special Project committee will help further along our goal of collecting the history of those osteopathic physicians and researchers who have enriched the future of osteopathy,” says Debra Loguda-Summers, project director.

The AAOA Special Projects Committee awarded $12,000 to 12 different projects this year that aimed to support the osteopathic profession – the museum received the highest funding level.

The Above and Beyond Compassion Award recognizes ATSU students, faculty/staff, and administration for doing compassionate deeds, service, or acts that demonstrate caring or support of another person or group beyond what might be typically expected.

Award recipients on ATSU’s Missouri campus were recently named. Fall 2012 Above and Beyond Award recipients are:

• Lori Haxton, vice president for Student Affairs nominated by Lynda Crossgrave, assistant director, TCC
• Mike McIntrye, 2^nd year Biomedical Sciences student, nominated by multiple KCOM students and Dan Martin, director, Wellness Programs
• Tim Tucker, director, Learning Resouces nominated by Neha Valeja, OMS IV

Congratulations to all!

Employees gathered on the ATSU Mesa campus south patio to hear the results of the 2011-12 Employee Investment Campaign as well as opportunities for 2012-13. The event was held on Nov. 14 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.  Last year, ATSU Arizona employees invested $138,631 in six main areas of the University. Since July 1, 2012, $32,692 has been contributed by Arizona employees.

President Craig Phelps, DO, FAOASM, provided a brief overview of ATSU strategic initiatives, including diversity, interprofessional education, facilities and the Center for Learning.

Albert “Bert” F. Simon, DHSc, PA, chair of the PA program, was presented with a recognition award from ATSU-SOMA on Nov. 13 for his leadership and service with ATSU-SOMA. Dr. Kay Kalousek, DO, dean, ATSU-SOMA, presented Dr. Simon with the award.

As a member of the ATSU-SOMA faculty since 2005 (the last few years were as ATSU-SOMA vice-dean), Dr. Simon also previously served as special assistant to the ATSU-SOMA dean.

The wording on the plaque reads:  Thank You, Dr. Albert F. Simon, for your leadership and service as Vice Dean and founding member of A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona.

On Nov. 3, four PA students and faculty member Bob McMullen, MS, PA-C, associate professor, physician assistant program, provided medical care at the 5th Annual Walden Martial Arts Tournament in Mesa, Ariz. More than 100 participants, ranging in age from five to 65 in over a dozen different divisions, participated. PA students Lolly Edgerton, Nathan Ethridge, Melissa Jangula, and Brittany Jordan assisted in providing care at the tournament.

“Our students definitely enjoyed it and it was a great community service opportunity for them,” said McMullen. This is the second year that the ATSU PA program has provided first aid and medical care for the event.

The first 120 days have been a wonderful and humbling opportunity to get to know many of our faculty, staff, administrators, students, alumni, community supporters, and board members.

Meeting with each dean, ASHS program chair, president staff member, and student leadership has helped me better understand the mosaic of dedicated individuals and teams comprising ATSU.

While we have much to be thankful for, I better understand the needs many of you have for improved, effective University services. Whether it be streamlining our human resources and budgeting processes, upgrading ATSU’s website and presence, improving IT services, developing a comprehensive marketing plan, providing “best in class” student services, and/or maximizing grants and fundraising, it is imperative for ATSU to continue moving forward in each of these areas. I can assure you, leaders and team members of each university support service area, including me and my office staff, will engage with each school, department, and program to better understand and serve your needs.

Vision

Can ATSU really be the preeminent health sciences university? When our Board of Trustees adopted this vision statement for ATSU, it was not only bold but controversial. How could ATSU become preeminent with a fraction of resources as compared to a traditional research university? The answer from our board: When ATSU attains its four key “attributes” in its strategic plan’s vision over the next 10-20 years, it will become preeminent. The four key attributes are:

• Leading innovator in health professions education;
• Superior students and graduates who exemplify the University’s mission;
• Osteopathic philosophy demonstrated and integrated; and
• Pioneering contributions to healthcare education, knowledge, and practice.

During the October 2012 board meeting, a final set of metrics was proposed for measuring vision attainment. Michael McManis, PhD, interim vice president for academic affairs, along with faculty and staff, laid the groundwork for these important metric discussions. Recommended metrics, such as our strategic plan, will be evaluated annually and adjusted as needed based on relevancy, ease of attaining and accuracy of pertinent information, and strategic plan alignment. A final version of the vision attainment metrics will be available Dec. 15, 2012.

Interprofessional education (IPE), Diversity, and Center for Teaching & Learning Excellence

Great strides are being made on bringing forward the three strategic plan initiatives listed above. Many thanks to students, faculty, and staff for their participation.

Diversity Initiative Plan comments due date: November 30, 2012

IPE Case Competition date: December 1, 2012

Center for Teaching & Learning Excellence Plan comments due date: January 15, 2013

IPE Plan comments due date: January 15, 2013

You will receive emails inviting your participation/input in the above activities.

Visioning forward

In the last “Perspectives” you may recall each school/college and program was given funding to “dream” its future aligned with ATSU’s mission and vision. Many of you also attended Phase I of either the Arizona or Missouri facility/campus plan presentations. As we develop programing and revenue models for future school/college growth and analyze current and future utilization, a clear vision of what ATSU will need over the next several decades will emerge.

Measuring quality

Discussions are underway with deans and the senior vice president for academic affairs regarding measuring effectiveness of our schools’ and college’s teaching and learning, as well as overall institutional effectiveness. The Higher Learning Commission offers two programs for maintaining accreditation, the Standard Pathway and Open Pathway. ATSU will be using Open Pathway.

The Center for Advanced Oral Health Education

ASDOH Dean Jack Dillenberg, DDS, MPH, and a team including advancement staff, ASDOH faculty and staff, and community members have raised almost $700,000 in gifts and pledges to make The Center for Advanced Oral Health Education a reality. The center provides a wonderful opportunity for ATSU IPE endeavors as patients needing special care oral health services often present with complex medical, orthopedic, or behavioral health challenges. This unique and needed center also provides an excellent opportunity to tell ATSU’s story to the public in a manner consistent with its mission of caring for our nation’s underserved in a context of clinical and educational excellence.

Faculty and staff

In October we mourned the passing of George Scheurer, DO, ’54, retired emeritus professor of internal medicine and emeritus assistant to the president for facilities at KCOM. He will be forever remembered for his dedication to family and friends, his community, and the advancement of osteopathic medical education.

Congratulations to the following on his/her recent promotion through Oct. 31:

• Donald Altman, DDS, DHSc, MPH, MBA, MA, interim dean, SHM
• Deborah Clay, associate director sponsored research and program development, ATSU
• Julie Bauer Cook, MA, director of sponsored programs and quality administration, ATSU
• Lynn Daniels, development specialist, ATSU
• Nelida Deniz-Torres, administrative support, SOMA
• Michele Fiore, senior administrative assistant to the vice dean, ASDOH
• Anita Franklin, research and data specialist, ATSU
• Carrie Gaines, director of post-award compliance and management, ATSU
• Kimberly Hopely, MNpS, assistant vice president, ATSU
• Amy Kennedy, MS, OTR/L, assistant professor, ASHS
• Tracey Lantz, MBA, assistant director of university writing center, SHM
• Monica Nenad, RDH MEd, associate director of faculty development and accreditation, ASDOH
• Lisa Norman, project manager, ATSU
• Sarah Schmitzer, director of grants administration, ATSU
• Anna Self, MBA, director of sponsored programs, ATSU
• Letha Williams, PhD, chairperson, SHM

Kudos to the following:

George Blue Spruce Jr., DDS, MPH, assistant dean for American Indian affairs and assistant professor at ASDOH, was selected as an honorary commander at Luke Air Force Base.

Michelle Chasse, MBA, academic coordinator for the ASHS DHSc program, received the first annual ASHS Staff of the Year award. Chasse also received the Arizona campus Employee Excellence Award for the second quarter of 2012.

Elizabeth Curran, DT, CDE, assistant professor and director of dental laboratory technology at ASDOH, is the 2012 recipient of the American College of Prosthodontists Dental Technician Leadership Award.

Jack Dillenberg, DDS, MPH, dean, ASDOH, has been named the Man of the Year by East Valley Fresh Start.

Sue Foley, assistant for the KCOM AHEC program, received the Employee Excellence Award on the Missouri campus for the second quarter of 2012.

Lori Haxton, MA, vice president for student affairs, received the 2012 Above and Beyond Humanitarian award for KCOM.

Leisa Walter, library assistant, received the Employee Excellence Award on the Missouri campus for the first quarter of 2012.

Holiday message

This Thanksgiving our thoughts and prayers go out to those in need, especially the many survivors of Hurricane Sandy’s desolation, including students, faculty, staff, and alumni living in the affected area. Stacy, Zach, and I visited our students in Brooklyn and alumni in the area prior to Sandy’s arrival. We can only imagine the pain and suffering but also realize our nation’s collective spirit will rally to support rebuilding lives and communities.

If you are looking for a place to go for Thanksgiving dinner, Stacy and I will be hosting our Arizona students; all are welcome.

Yours in service,
Craig M. Phelps, DO
President

ATSU is continuing its mission of serving the underserved through a partnership with the San Ysidro Health Center (SYHC) in southeastern San Diego, Calif. SYHC opened its King-Chavez Health Center on Sept. 7, 2012, its latest effort to expand healthcare to low-income residents in underserved areas.

The new center includes a 10-chair dental department with a special unit tailored for adults with special needs and the medically fragile. The special needs dentistry unit is a partnership with ATSU’s Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-ASDOH), which donated $200,000 to help build the dental department of the health center. Fourth-year dental students will complete rotations at the King-Chavez Health Center, and a faculty member will be on staff.

The new King-Chavez center provides more efficient care to low-income and uninsured residents in a vulnerable population by providing medical, dental, mental health, lab facilities, and radiology under one roof. Jack Dillenberg, DDS, MPH, dean, ATSU-ASDOH, is excited about how ATSU’s partnership with the clinic is impacting the community.

“We are excited to partner with the San Ysidro Community Health Center in providing needed oral health services to the underserved in San Diego. The King-Chavez Health Center, which provides primary healthcare, is located in an ideal area to serve underrepresented minority clients.  ATSU-ASDOH is proud to be the sponsor of the Special Care Dentistry Clinic located on the third floor of the 25,000-square-foot facility,” says Dr. Dillenberg.