KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – A.T. Still University has named a new dean for the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Margaret Wilson, D.O.

“We at ATSU are very pleased to have Dr. Wilson assume the position of dean of the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM). Dr. Wilson possesses significant knowledge and experience in the field of medical education and will guide her program in a very positive direction,” said Dr. Douglas L. Wood, senior vice president-academic affairs.

Dr. Wilson is a 1982 graduate of ATSU-KCOM and has served as chair of the Department of Family Medicine, Preventive Medicine, and Community Health for ATSU-KCOM since 1995, as well as being a professor in that department. She also serves as medical director and staff physician for the Northeast Missouri Family Health Clinic in Kirksville, Mo, and has hospital staff affiliation at Northeast Regional Medical Center (NRMC) in Kirksville.

“Dr. Wilson has the leadership qualities and experience with ATSU-KCOM and the Kirksville community to be an outstanding dean of the founding school of osteopathic medicine. She will work with our other five deans to help ATSU educate highly competent and compassionate healthcare professionals,” said Dr. Jack Magruder, ATSU president.

As an avid spokesperson for community education, Dr. Wilson presents on a variety of health topics, including osteopathic medicine awareness and breast cancer and osteoporosis prevention. She has served on the Northeast Missouri Hospice Board since 2009. She also has experience as a residency director at NRMC, as well as a staff physician for the National Health Service Corps.

“Dr. Wilson is an excellent osteopathic physician and educator. We are fortunate to have her join ATSU’s four other fine deans on our journey to pre-eminence,” said Dr. Craig Phelps, executive vice president for strategic initiatives and president-designate.

Dr. Wilson will replace interim dean Jeff Suzewits, DO, at ATSU-KCOM on May 1, 2012.

ITS is excited to announce that the ATSU Mobile app is now available for iOS, Android, and Blackberry devices. Using your mobile device, you can have informative links about either campus in the palm of your hand.

To get started with ATSU Mobile, go to the apps store related to your mobile device and search for ATSU. Choose the download/install option to download the app.

Features:

• Bb Learn: Get instant access to all of your Blackboard Learn™ course content on the go. Check grades, post to discussion forums, view important class announcements, read and download assignments, upload content, and more.
• News: Keep up with all the happenings on and off campus with news from a variety of sources including News Releases and iconnect.
• Maps: Search campus buildings by name, pinpoint them on the map, and see their location relative to your own.
• Directory: Get in touch with many departments campus-wide.
• Events: Find and keep track of a wide range of ATSU activities. Browse events by name, subject, date, or location.
• Images: Browse or search hundreds of images. Check out scenic shots of the ATSU campuses and view extensive collections from the digital archive. Save images to your phone or save as a background to show your school pride.
• Videos: Access official ATSU video content in an easy-to-view place.
• Get Help: Get access to important numbers and information when you need them.

If you need assistance, please call the Help Desk. Also, ITS is collecting feedback about the app via either Facebook or Google+. Please let them know what you think.

A.T. Still University held its groundbreaking for the Missouri School
of Dentistry & Oral Health today. Hundreds attended the event,
including ATSU administrators, faculty, staff, partners, and community
members. Among those in attendance were Missouri Governor Jay Nixon
and Dr. Christopher Halliday, inaugural dean for the new dental
school. President Jack Magruder gave opening remarks saying, “We’re
here to break ground for a fantastic situation here in Kirksville,
Mo., that’s going to have ramifications throughout the world. We’re
going to break ground for the Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral
Health.”

A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Health Sciences (ATSU-ASHS) held its spring commencement ceremony for six online programs March 3 on its Mesa, Ariz., campus. A total of 185 students earned a master of science or doctoral degree at the ceremony. Graduates received degrees in human movement, occupational therapy, physician assistant studies, audiology, doctor of health sciences, and physical therapy. This was the first time most students had met each other in person, as they all acquired their degrees through online courses. “It was a true joy to see graduates cross the stage on such a beautiful Arizona day and celebrate their success,” said Barbara Maxwell, PT, D.P.T., M.Sc., Cert. THE, dean, ATSU-ASHS. They truly exemplify the hopes of the school and university that our graduates will commit to making a true impact on healthcare through a commitment to lifelong learning, interprofessional collaboration, and whole person care.” During the commencement ceremony, a keynote address was given by Estela Estape, Ph.D., dean of the School of Health Professions, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan. In her address, Dr. Estape spoke about the importance of recognizing opportunities throughout one’s life time as a bridge to realizing one’s highest expectations. “Surprises and opportunities can open doors you never thought existed,” she said. “When I stop and look back, I realize that the path I followed, although it was not the one I had planned for, probably resulted in more excitement, enjoyment, and satisfaction than the one I would have followed.” “Dr. Estape brought joy and inspiration to our graduates,” said Ann Lee Burch, PT, Ed.D., M.S., M.P.H., vice dean, ATSU-ASHS. “As a respected community advocate, leader, and innovative scholar in translational research, she exemplifies the values and vision of ATSU.” Dr. Estape, who was presented with an honorary degree from ATSU, is a medical technologist with a Ph.D. in pharmacology and toxicology from the Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico (MSC-UPR) and post-doctoral studies in electrophysiology from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. During her doctoral studies, she was a fellow of the National Institutes of Health, Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. In addition, Dr. Estape was a Veteran’s Administration Merit Review investigator for almost 16 years before becoming dean of the School of Health Professions, MSC-UPR in 1995. Her research interests are related to cardiovascular disease and biomarkers. “I am proud of all our health sciences graduates who will follow the lead of our founder, Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, and contribute to the common good of society, reduce pain and suffering, care for the needy, and, like Dr. Still, extend the touch of the soft hand of human kindness,” said ATSU President Jack Magruder. “Dr. Estape is a wonderful example to the highly competent and compassionate healthcare professionals who graduate from our university and who are making a positive difference in the world.”

Bethany Chernich, D.O.

Bethany Chernich, D.O., ’05, was recently featured in the online issue of The DO.

In the article, Dr. Chernich focuses on the importance of balancing her professional and personal life and shares why she specializes in osteopathic manipulative treatment.

[read more]

SOMA has launched The Global D.O., a competitive, international community outreach scholarship award for SOMA students interested in improving the lives of underprivileged individuals outside the United States.

This award honors the late SOMA Professor Julie Gibson, M.D., whose compassion to care for the underserved extended beyond the shores of the United States. Student doctors get an enriching, non-traditional learning experience while serving underserved communities in international locations. They get unique opportunities to understand and address public health needs for underprivileged individuals.

Student doctors will compete for one annual award that will provide an opportunity to serve in an international location. They will write a comprehensive essay outlining the reasons for their choice and how it fits with the mission of SOMA.

More information can be found here.

Luetkemeyer visits ATSU

Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer traveled the 9th district on March 12, making a stop at ATSU’s Gutensohn Clinic in Kirksville, Mo. During his visit to the Kirksville Family Medicine (KFM) Resident Clinic, Luetkemeyer met with pre-med students from Truman State University and students, senior residents, and physicians at ATSU to discuss the direction of healthcare in Missouri and the nation.

KFM Director Robert Schneider, D.O., hosted the event and led the Congressman on a tour through the clinic before he sat down with the group for a question and answer session.

“I wanted to be sure that the residents are politically aware of policies that may affect their delivery of care in this state,” Dr. Schneider said.

The group discussed topics on healthcare costs, access, and the importance of healthcare education in Missouri.

[read more…KTVO and Kirksville Daily Express]

Thursday, March 15, 2012

  A.T. Still University

800 W. Jefferson St.

Kirksville, MO

Connell Center, East parking lot

Parking is limited and carpooling is recommended (enter from Washington Street)

  10:30 a.m. Refreshments

11 a.m. Groundbreaking Ceremony

 The event will be held rain or shine

Bring your shovel and join us for this important groundbreaking event

Tony Hashemian, D.D.S., assistant professor and assistant dean for Global Oral Health, ASDOH, was a recipient of Arizona Business Magazine’s 2012 Healthcare Leadership Awards as Dentist of the Year.

The Healthcare Leadership Awards, held March 8 at the Arizona Biltmore, recognize the accomplishments of individuals and organizations that have made strides in helping Arizonans receive better care.

“Dr. Hashemian has always been involved in improving the quality of dental care and helping make dental care affordable for everyone,” said ASDOH Dean Jack Dillenberg, D.D.S., M.P.H. “This award is well deserved, and we are honored to have Tony as a member of our ASDOH faculty.”

Jae Hyun Park, D.M.D., M.S.D., M.S., Ph.D., director of the postgraduate orthodontic program at A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health, had his article selected as “Case of the Month” in the March 2012 issue of The American Journal of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics (AJO-DO).  In the article, “Angle Class III Malocclusion with Cleft Lip and Palate: Non-Surgical Treatment,”  authors discuss the treatment of a 26-year-old female with Angle Class III malocclusion, missing maxillary lateral incisors, and an eptopic maxillary right canine.