A.T. Still University (ATSU) announces the reveal of its new mascot, Bucky, the Ram of Reason. ATSU students, faculty, and staff had the opportunity to submit and then vote for ram design concepts through a contest sponsored by the University Student Association. The winning logo concept for the mascot was created by Gregory Melton, a first-year medical student at ATSU’s Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM). Melton won a $100 Visa gift card and will receive the first apparel item displaying the new mascot.

The new mascot is named in honor of ATSU-KCOM Emeritus Dean of Students Francis “Bucky” M. Walter Jr., MA, BS, DOEd (Hon.), who passed away in August. He was known as the founding father of student support and development in Student Affairs. Walter served ATSU-KCOM as assistant dean and director of admissions, among other capacities, and was dean of students from 1961-1986.

The new mascot logo will be displayed on various items, and a live mascot will be used for various community and ATSU events. Bucky, the Ram of Reason, will channel the lighthearted spirit of his namesake. The mascot costume was donated to ATSU for students, faculty, and staff to use during outreach activities promoting health, wellness, prevention, and education.

The “Ram of Reason” is referenced in the 1897 autobiography of Andrew Taylor Still, MD, DO, founder of American osteopathy. He wrote about falling asleep and being butted awake by a “ram of great power.” When he escaped up the nearby “Tree of Knowledge,” Dr. Still wrote that each person must (metaphorically) climb his or her own tree of knowledge to find the secrets to success in life.

The history of the ram dates back to World War I when sporting competitions at the American School of Osteopathy (ASO) ceased. As students and sports returned to campus, discussions occurred that a mascot should be selected for the ASO, as was the custom of most collegiate teams. The ram was selected to be the ASO mascot when Dr. “Virg” Halladay suggested it as the logical choice, pointing out Dr. Still originally selected the ram as his symbol and that a ram’s head was displayed at the top of ASO diplomas.

(ASO to Use Ram as Its Mascot, “Daily News,” Nov. 11, 1921)

A.T. Still University-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM) Biomedical Sciences Club, in conjunction with Osteopathic Pride & Service Committee, presented a series of events Oct. 14-18, 2013, focusing on compassion and humanism in service to others. This week is observed by ATSU as part of Day of Compassion.

On Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2004, American Connection Flight 5966 crashed while traveling from St. Louis, Mo. to Kirksville. Most of the passengers were on their way to ATSU for a conference focused on developing a compassionate campus. The plane crash claimed the lives of 11 of the 13 passengers and both members of the crew. Eight of the 15 on board were members of the ATSU-KCOM osteopathic community, six of whom were tragically killed in the crash. Day of Compassion was created to honor those killed in the crash.

Students participated in various service and community projects to benefit a food bank and a local family recently displaced by fire. Activities included everything from a soup cook-off to participating in Truman State University’s homecoming parade. Christopher Halliday, DDS, MPH, dean, ATSU-Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health, gave a presentation to students on his experiences in the U.S. Public Health Service.

The annual Clark B. Ator, DO, Memorial Financial Award was presented to Micheal McGrew, OMS II.

Jae Hyun Park, DMD, MSD, MS, PhD, director of the postgraduate orthodontic program at A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health, was recently appointed as editor-in-chief of the Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists (PCSO) during the PCSO annual session.

The PCSO was established in 1912 and consists of about 3,000 orthodontic specialists as well as 12 postgraduate orthodontic programs. Furthermore, PCSO is known to be the largest constituent organization of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), and its component organizations include Hawaii, Arizona, and nine other states.

The PCSO journal publishes four annual issues, and Dr. Park oversees the development of content of the PCSO publications. Next year, the PCSO annual session will be a joint international conference between the PCSO and the World Implant Orthodontic Conference (WIOC). Dr. Park was also invited to be a speaker at this meeting. His lecture title will be Clinical Applications of TADs & Outcome Evaluations with 3D CBCT Superimposition.

Students at A.T. Still University’s Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM) recently held a Health Fair in Milan, Mo. Milan is an underserved area with a significant Hispanic population.

Under supervision, the students provided physical exams, nutrition and dental hygiene education, and osteopathic manipulative medicine diagnosis and treatment to around 50 patients.

More than 75 ATSU-KCOM students and supervising faculty provided service. The clubs represented were DOCare, Family Medicine Club, Medical Spanish, and Student National Medical Association.

Sarah Usher, D4, A.T. Still University Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ASDOH), has been selected as one of four recipients of a $5,000 scholarship from the Dental Trade Alliance Foundation to be applied toward tuition and fees. Congratulations, Sarah!

The A.T. Still Memorial Library held its 2nd annual Open House Oct. 15-16, 2013.

Refreshments, tours, displays, and a t-shirt giveaway were part of the event, which also included an exhibit from the National Library of Medicine – Everyday Miracles: Medical Imagery in Ex-Votos.

The Open House is an opportunity for the A.T. Still University community and general public to learn about the services provided by the library.

Greg Loeben, PhD, associate professor, ATSU School of Health Management (SHM), has been selected to serve as a board member of the Arizona Bioethics Network (ABN).

ABN is a community-focused organization currently supported through Arizona State University’s Lincoln Center for Applied Ethics (LCAE). The mission of ABN is to provide training and educational programs on the ethical dimensions of healthcare to its members. The Board is responsible for the overall strategic direction and strategic plans for ABN and annual review of the effectiveness of ABN’s education and training programs.

Regan Shabloski, DO, ’92, was among 10 recent graduates of the 2013 American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) Physician Leadership Institute (PLI), a rigorous, 12-month applied academic program with concentrations in political, organizational and academic leadership. Dr. Shabloski is the assistant dean of clinical education and an assistant clinical professor at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.

The goal of the PLI program is to offer ACOFP members with certification in concentrated tracks that will prepare them to assume leadership positions within the ACOFP and the greater osteopathic community. The training culminates in a final project, which the graduates presented during a symposium held at the AOA/ACOFP Annual Osteopathic Medical Conference and Exposition (OMED) in Las Vegas on Sept. 30.

The class of 2016 audiology students crossed the stage on Saturday, Oct. 5, to receive their white coats. The White Coat Ceremony marks the transition from completion of the first didactic year to the beginning of hands-on clinical rotations for students. Andrea Ruotolo, AuD, ’05 and adjunct assistant professor, Department of Audiology, was the keynote speaker.

A.T. Still University of Health Sciences congratulates our students and student advocates who are being recognized by the American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF) as 2013 HONORS recipients. Students were presented with their awards on Sept. 29 at the AOF’s annual HONORS celebration which was held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Las Vegas. This event served as a kick-off celebration for the Osteopathic Medical Conference & Exposition (OMED) sponsored by the American Osteopathic Association.

Students who received awards include the following:

ATSU-KCOM

Rebecca M. Jordan, OMS III – Welch Scholars Grant ($2,000)
Natalie Shurtz, spouse of Joe Shurtz, OMS IV – Donna Jones Moritsugu Memorial Award
Philip Hall, OMS II – Rossnick Humanitarian Grant ($1,123)
Alan Miner, OMS IV – Rossnick Humanitarian Grant ($1,800)

ATSU-SOMA

June C. Chapin, OMS IV – Welch Scholars Grant ($2,000)
Jill Haggerty, spouse of John Haggerty OMS IV – Donna Jones Moritsugu Memorial Award
Kyle Bohan, OMS II – Human Touch Student Leadership Project, Coachella Valley, Calif. ($875)