KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – A.T. Still University’s Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM) is pleased to announce Tarah L. Castleberry, DO, MPH, ’98, as  keynote speaker for the 178^th commencement. Dr. Castleberry serves on the Kirksville Osteopathic Alumni Association Board of Directors. Dr. Castleberry currently serves in several capacities at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Aerospace Medicine Division, including assistant professor, family medicine/preventive medicine, & community health, aerospace medicine residency program director, and general preventive medicine residency program director. She is board certified in family medicine and aerospace medicine and was active in the U.S. Naval Service from 2000-07. In addition to her teaching career, Dr. Castleberry worked for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration serving as flight surgeon and aerospace medicine specialist, deputy crew surgeon and physician support of U.S. and international partner astronaut training activities in Russia. She has also been published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine and served as principal investigator for several residency and training research grants. Commencement will be held at 10:00 a.m. on May 17, 2014, at Baldwin Hall on the Truman State University campus. The event is not open to the public.

ATSU’s Arizona School of Health Sciences’ (ATSU-ASHS) Physician Assistant Studies (PA) program is proud to announce its accreditation-continued status-by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

“Ultimately, it is our PA students and their future patients who will benefit from this accomplishment,” said ATSU-ASHS Dean Randy Danielsen, PhD, PA-C, DFAAPA. “Attaining re-accreditation for the PA program was a team effort, and I would like to acknowledge Dr. Bert Simon and his team, as well as ATSU President Craig Phelps and Dr. Norman Gevitz for their engagement in this successful process.”

Accreditation, which provides an assurance of quality educational preparation for professional licensure and practice, includes evaluation of program processes and outcomes, prospective students, institutional integrity, and dynamic involvement by faculty and staff.

“The ARC-PA’s positive decision is a testament to the quality of our Physician Assistant Studies faculty, staff, students and leadership,” said President Craig Phelps, DO, ‘84. “The program is back on track to become a preeminent national model exemplifying our University’s mission.”

ASHS’ Physician Assistant program has received the maximum accreditation of seven years.

Hello, spring! Spring is finally here. You can tell by the sale of antihistamines, spring training in Mesa, and the sighting of front yards in Kirksville. You can also tell by students and faculty eagerly anticipating spring and summer graduations. It won’t be long until the next graduating classes will be following in the footsteps of our alums and blazing new trails in healthcare. We wish all graduates well as they begin their next life adventure. Strategic planning update What will ATSU look like in 2020 and beyond? This is the next big question and opportunity facing ATSU as we begin our 2016-20 strategic planning process. Each of you will have an opportunity to help ATSU envision its future. Soon to celebrate 125 years, ATSU must continue developing its signature identity, embrace a strong interdisciplinary culture, foster health professions education innovation, and maintain its reputation as the “go-to” national and international authority on osteopathic medicine— whole person healthcare. Among the questions we must ask ourselves:

• How will ATSU accomplish its vision of preeminence?
• Which skills and resources will our faculty and staff need to continue successfully educating students?
• What experience will our students need to be post-graduate, market, and patient-care ready?
• What can ATSU do to best prepare for America’s changing demographic and economic future?

Megatrends facing America’s economy, higher education, and health professions education will be considered. Colleges and universities failing to confront tomorrow’s rapidly changing environment will find themselves uninformed and unprepared. ATSU will not find itself among the uninformed or unprepared as we prepare a bold and encompassing strategic plan. An inclusive group of internal and external stakeholders will discuss these questions and trends, and many more, while contributing to the design, refinement, and shepherding of the strategic plan. The strategic planning committee already has been established (see below), with Drs. Norman Gevitz and Michael McManis leading the charge. In 2015, the new plan will be shared with ATSU’s Board of Trustees for comments and approval. I look forward to hearing from you during the planning process. 2016-20 Strategic Plan Committee Steering Committee Michael A. McManis, PhD, vice president, planning, assessment, & institutional effectiveness, ATSU Norman Gevitz, PhD, senior vice president, academic affairs, ATSU Lori Haxton, MA, vice president, student affairs, ATSU O.T. Wendel, PhD, senior vice president, strategic university initiatives, ATSU Neal R. Chamberlain, PhD, associate professor, microbiology/immunology, KCOM, university faculty senate, ATSU Members

• Jeffrey Alexander, PhD, associate professor, health sciences, ASHS
• Lee Bonnel, academic success coordinator, SHM, staff council, ATSU
• Ann Lee Burch, PT, EdD, MPH, MS, vice dean and associate professor, ASHS
• John George, PhD, director, planning, assessment, & institutional effectiveness, ATSU
• Monnie Harrison, CPA, vice president for finance, ATSU
• Mary (Liz) Kaz, EdD, MS, associate dean, MOSDOH
• Bryan Krusniak, MBA, assistant vice president, information technology & services, ATSU
• Clinton Normore, MBA, director, diversity, ATSU
• Klud Razoky, BDS, assistant dean, ASDOH
• Randy Rogers, CFP, vice president, university advancement, ATSU
• Greg Rubenstein, MA, interim co-vice president, communication & marketing, ATSU
• Patricia S. Sexton, DHEd, associate dean, curriculum, KCOM
• Gaylah Sublette, MBA, associate vice president, sponsored programs, ATSU
• Alison Valier, PhD, ATC, associate professor, athletic training, ASHS
• Sharon Obadia, DO, director, SOMA

Students

• Addison Roberts, OMS II, KCOM
• Alison Kapchinske, OT, ’15, ASHS

Focus area updates Advancement success Thanks to a successful annual campaign, new donor participation is up 20 percent! Once again, thank you to all employees who made a gift to ATSU. Your support goes a long way with encouraging outside donors to invest in our University. Research and scholarship John Heard, PhD, vice president, research, grants, & information systems, continues to work with faculty and staff across the University to develop ATSU’s research agenda for assimilation into the 2016-20 strategic planning process. Learning centered education Norman Gevitz, PhD, senior vice president, academic affairs, has been working with deans and faculty on a common definition and strategy to further incorporate learning centered practices into all University experiences. Online programs to realign Beginning July 1, SHM will join with ASHS’ Doctor of Health Science and Master of Science in Human Movement programs to become the College of Graduate Health Studies (ATSU-CGHS). As part of the realignment, ATSU is combining non-discipline specific online programs to gain efficiency and improve quality, access, and affordability for its students. St. Louis groundbreaking On April 25 ATSU will hold an official groundbreaking ceremony for the ATSU-MOSDOH dental education and oral health clinic. Upon completion, the facility will provide state-of-the-art oral healthcare for some of Missouri’s most underserved and a “home” for MOSDOH’s third- and fourth-year student clinical experiences. Physician Assistant program ASHS’ Physician Assistant program has been granted accreditation-continued status by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant. Congratulations to PA program Chair Bert Simon, DHSc, and faculty and staff for receiving the maximum accreditation of seven years. ASHS spring commencement ASHS held its spring commencement ceremony for six online programs March 7 at the Mesa Arts Center. More than 150 students earned a master’s or doctoral degree in human movement, occupational therapy, advanced physician assistant studies, audiology, health sciences, and physical therapy. The keynote was given by Donald M. Pederson, PhD, PA-C, professor, family and preventive medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, who received an honorary doctor of humane letters degree. Congratulations to ATSU’s newest graduates!

ATSU ASHS Graduation – March 2014

Dr. Still is a Famous Missourian ATSU founder Andrew Taylor Still, DO, was selected for induction into the Hall of Famous Missourians at the state capitol in Jefferson City, Mo. Dr. Still received the most support in a public nominating and voting process, receiving nearly 38 percent of more than 34,000 votes. A bronze bust of Dr. Still will be inducted at an April 16 ceremony in Jefferson City. ATSU launches diversity web page ATSU recently launched its diversity web page. Because diversity is so important to the University, this content is a priority on the website, with top-level navigation on the home page. I encourage you to visit this section of the website, if you haven’t done so already, to see how the ATSU educational experience is shaped by diverse experiences, beliefs, and perspectives. ATSU is Fit-Friendly ATSU was named a 2013 Gold Fit-Friendly Worksite by the American Heart Association. Elite gold-level recipients are awarded for recognizing the importance of a healthy workplace for employees and taking steps to create a culture of wellness. For example, ATSU employees have the option of participating in the Still Healthy Lifestyle and Still Fitness programs. ASDOH honored with prestigious innovation award ASDOH was awarded the Gies Award for Outstanding Innovation by the American Dental Education Association at a presentation held March 17 in San Antonio, Texas. The Gies Awards honor individuals and organizations exemplifying dedication to the highest standards of vision, innovation, and achievement in dental education, research, and leadership. Faculty and staff accomplishments (as of March 1, 2014) Congratulations on recent promotions Verna A. Burkett , AS, clinical education coordinator, SOMA Cailee McCarty, PhD, ATC, assistant professor, athletic training, ASHS Tamara Valovich McLeod, PhD, ATC, FNATA, professor and director, athletic training, ASHS Robin Michela, assistant curriculum coordinator/administrative assistant, SOMA Katie Moore, educational specialist, MOSDOH Tracie Rogers, PhD, chair, human movement, ASHS Accomplishment kudos Jeffrey Alexander, PhD, associate professor, health sciences, ASHS, presented twice at the American Society on Aging, Aging in America Conference in San Diego, Calif., in March. Donna Allen, PhD, assistant professor, SHM, will co-present on positive psychology and wellness at the National Wellness Conference in June in Minneapolis, Minn. Dr. Allen also had a proposal selected for presentation at the National Wellness Conference, also to be held in June, and two proposals accepted for presentation at the 28th International Congress of Applied Psychology Conference in Paris, France. She also was appointed to the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity editorial board. Amanda Barstow, senior administrative assistant, Advanced Care Clinic, ASDOH, received the Arizona campus Employee Excellence Award for the fourth quarter of 2013. Ann Lee Burch, PT, EdD, MPH, MS, vice dean and associate professor, ASHS, was a member of the Women in Education Leadership at Harvard Graduate School of Education, held March 6-8. Neal R. Chamberlain, PhD, associate professor, microbiology/immunology, KCOM, reapplied for an additional five-year fellowship in his original submission category and was named an AACOM 2014-19 fellow for its National Academy of Osteopathic Medical Educators. Lori Dewald, EdD, assistant professor, SHM, had three presentations accepted at the American College Health Association annual conference in San Antonio, Texas, to be held in May. Dr. Dewald also was published in the Journal of Athletic Training. Jack Dillenberg, DDS, MPH, dean, ASDOH, received the 2014 AEEDC Dubai Personality of the Year Award. James Farris, PT, PhD, chair and associate professor, physical therapy, ASHS, was accepted into the 2014-15 cohort of the American Physical Therapy Association’s Education Leadership Institute Fellowship. Deanne R. Fay, PT, DPT, MS, PCS, ’07, associate professor and director of curriculum, physical therapy, ASHS, will attend the International Classifier Programme in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in April to become an international classifier for paralympic track and field events. Irwin Feinberg, DDS, associate director, periodontics, ASDOH, received the 2013 Outstanding Teaching and Mentoring in Periodontics Award by the American Academy of Periodontology. Carolyn Glaubensklee, PhD, associate professor, SOMA; Barbara Maxwell, PT, DPT, MSc, Cert. THE, ’06, director, interprofessional education, ATSU; and Mara Hover, DO, associate chair, family and community medicine, SOMA, were accepted for a poster presentation at the All Together Better Health VII conference to be held in Pittsburgh, Pa., on June 6-8. Colleen Halupa, EdD, assistant professor, ASHS, was named to the editorial board as a reviewer for the International Journal of Higher Education. John Heick, PT, DPT, associate professor, physical therapy, ASHS, was appointed as the federal affairs liaison to represent Arizona for the American Physical Therapy Association. Lynda N. Konecny, DHEd, MS, CHES, ’08, assistant professor, SHM, was selected to serve a three-year term on the Journal of College and Character editorial review board. Dr. Konecny also will co-present on positive psychology and wellness at the National Wellness Conference in June in Minneapolis, Minn. Michael Kronenfeld, MBA, MLS, AHIP, university librarian, ATSU Memorial Library, Arizona campus, was selected as one of 50 top alumni over the past five decades by the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Library and Information Studies. Richard LaBaere II, DO, MPH, associate dean, Still OPTI, was recognized as a Guardian of the Profession by the American Osteopathic Association. Tamara Valovich McLeod, PhD, ATC, FNATA, professor and director, athletic training, ASHS, was named to the board of advisors for MomsTEAM Institute. Dr. McLeod also was featured in the February issue of Athletic Business magazine. The residency team, Thomas E. McWilliams, DO, ’76, associate dean – graduate medical education development, SOMA; Lisa Watts, DO, director, medical education, SOMA; and Brian Ebersole, Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education, presented their residency model at the Osteopathic Medical Education Leadership conference in Austin, Texas, in January as part of a keynote panel Jae Hyun Park, DMD, MSD, MS, PhD, director, postgraduate orthodontics, ASDOH, was elected secretary-treasurer of the Arizona State Orthodontic Association. Corey Sanford, production specialist, academic technologies, ATSU, received the Missouri campus Employee Excellence Award for the fourth quarter of 2013. Eric Sauers, PhD, ATC, CSCS, professor and chair, interdisciplinary health sciences, ASHS, was accepted to the Harvard Macy Institute’s 2014 Program for Leading Innovations in Healthcare and Education. The Virtual Community Health Center (VCHC) team presented at the Osteopathic Medical Education Leadership conference in Austin, Texas, in January. The team includes Frederic Schwartz, DO, FACOFP, associate dean, clinical education and services, SOMA; Thomas Bennett, DO, director, VCHC project, SOMA; Monica Fernandez, PA-C, MMS, assistant professor, VCHC continuity and educational specialist, SOMA; and Lise McCoy, EdD (ABD), MTESL, curriculum specialist, SOMA. Patricia S. Sexton, DHEd, associate dean, curriculum, KCOM, reapplied for an additional five-year fellowship in her original submission category and was named an AACOM 2014-19 fellow for its National Academy of Osteopathic Medical Educators. Dr. Sexton also is the KCOM – NAOME fellows chair. Well wishes to faculty and staff celebrating anniversary milestones 5-year anniversary Stephen Emlund, web developer, administrative computing, ATSU Jim Farris, PT, PhD, chair, physical therapy, ASHS Lise McCoy, EdD (ABD), MTESL, curriculum specialist, SOMA Michael A. McManis, PhD, vice president, planning, assessment, & institutional effectiveness, ATSU David Owens, manager, A.T. Still Memorial Library, Missouri campus Sarah Pecorelli, MS, specialist, sponsored programs, ATSU Tracie Rogers, PhD, chair, human movement, ASHS Misty Seidel, online financial service coordinator, student financial assistance, ATSU Billy Strait, DO, associate professor, OMM, KCOM Pedro Torres, DA, sim lab coordinator, ASDOH Mary Voytek, OTD, MC, OTR/L, assistant professor, occupational therapy, ASHS 10-year anniversary Barbara Maxwell, PT, DPT, MSc, Cert. THE, ’06, director, interprofessional education, ATSU Kenneth Pamperin, MS, director, research support, ATSU 15-year anniversary Rachel Diamant, PhD, OTR/L, BCP, director, occupational therapy, ASHS Kathleen Hall, rotation site coordinator, Michigan region, KCOM Jane Johnson, MA, senior biostatistician, research support, ATSU Bryan Krusniak, MBA, assistant vice president, information technology & services, ATSU Mary Sims, MA, technical services librarian, A.T. Still Memorial Library, Missouri campus O.T. Wendel, PhD, senior vice president, strategic university initiatives, ATSU 20-year anniversary Robert Ehrlich, director, facilities/plant operations, Missouri campus 25-year anniversary Neal R. Chamberlain, PhD, associate professor, microbiology/immunology, KCOM Michael Evans, print technician, communication & marketing, ATSU Lori Haxton, MA, vice president, student affairs, ATSU Patricia Sexton, DHEd, associate dean, curriculum, KCOM RaElla Wiggins, animal caretaker, KCOM 30-year anniversary Norine Eitel, MBA, assistant to president & secretary to the board, President’s Office, ATSU Bonnie King, lab technician, physiology, KCOM In conclusion Thank you to each of you and congratulations to our faculty, staff, and students for their many wonderful accomplishments! Yours in service,       A.T. Still University of Health Sciences 800 W. Jefferson St., Kirksville, MO 63501 | 660.626.2121 5850 E. Still Circle, Mesa, AZ 85206 | 480.219.6000 Office of the President | president@atsu.edu ATSU Communication & Marketing | communications@atsu.edu

Don’t forget to register to participate in the 2014 Oral Cancer Foundation-Arizona 5K Walk/Run for Awareness which will be held Saturday, March 29 at the Papago Ball field on the northwest corner of Curry and College in Tempe.

Proceeds from the 5K Walk/Run will go to the Oral Cancer Foundation to increase awareness of oral cancer and promote the early detection and diagnosis of this debilitating disease. Preregistration is $25 (walkers), $30 (runners), and $10 for ages 6-10 yrs. Oral cancer survivors and children under age six can walk FREE. To register online, donate, or for more information, please go to azoralcancerwalk.com.

Physician assistant (PA) alumni and students in attendance at the Arizona State Association of Physician Assistants (ASAPA) Conference reconnected with one another and heard updates about the Arizona School of Health Sciences (ATSU-ASHS) and the PA program from ATSU-ASHS Dean Dr. Randy Danielsen, and PA program director, Dr. Bert Simon. Below is a summary of their updates:

• The PA department’s faculty and staff have put in much hard work preparing for a recent site visit by the Accreditation Review Commission (ARC). The site visit went very well and currently the Department of Physician Assistant Studies is awaiting ARC’s response.

• The Department of Physician Assistant Studies is always ready to welcome more preceptors to ensure students receive quality clinical experiences. If you are interested in becoming a preceptor, please contact Dr. Laura Witte at lwitte@atsu.edu.

• As ATSU-ASHS and the Department of PA Studies continue educating future generations of PAs and expanding our network of quality alumni, we look to supporters like you to help them through their journey. One of the many meaningful ways to show your support is to sponsor a student’s white coat. More information about sponsoring a white coat for a student can be found here.

• The next PA alumni reception will be held on May 24^th in Boston in conjunction with the AAPA Annual Conference. More details can be found here.

More photos can be viewed on the alumni Facebook page.

A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-ASDOH) has been awarded the Gies Award for Outstanding Innovation by the American Dental Education Association (ADEA). The award was presented on March 17 at a ceremony held in conjunction with the 2014 ADEA Annual Session & Exhibition, which took place March 15-18, in San Antonio, TX. The 2014 honorees were selected by a distinguished panel of judges consisting of the ADEA Gies Foundation Board of Trustees.

The Gies Awards, named after dental education pioneer William J. Gies, PhD, honor individuals and organizations exemplifying dedication to the highest standards of vision, innovation and achievement in dental education, research and leadership.

“This prestigious award, the most preeminent award in dental education, recognizes ASDOH’s commitment to innovation and community service,” said ATSU-ASDOH Dean Jack Dillenberg, DDS, MPH. “ASDOH’s unique culture honors our students, faculty and staff, and promotes public health principles while producing community leaders committed to improving the overall health of the communities they serve. We are honored for this national recognition and look forward to continuing our innovative advancements in oral health, community service, and dental education.”

A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-ASDOH) ASDA chapter received a Gold Crown award at the recent ASDA Annual Session. The chapter received second place in the ASDA/Crest Oral-B Community Dentistry award. As well, Jordan Janis, D2, was the recipient of the Outstanding News Article Award for his article, New legislative measures in cleft lip and palate insurance coverage.

The ASDA annual Gold Crown Awards recognize individual members and chapters for chapter achievements, excellence in journalism, and strong local leadership.

The ATSU-ASDOH ASDA chapter website (which is external to the ATSU website) can be viewed at asdohasda.org.

ADEAGies Foundation Announces Winners of the 2014 William J. Gies Awards of Vision, Innovation and Achievement

A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-ASDOH) has been awarded the Gies Award for Outstanding Innovation by the American Dental Education Association (ADEA).

The Gies Awards, named after dental education pioneer William J. Gies, Ph.D., honor individuals and organizations exemplifying dedication to the highest standards of vision, innovation and achievement in dental education, research and leadership.

“This prestigious award, the most preeminent award in dental education, recognizes ASDOH’s commitment to innovation and community service,” said ATSU-ASDOH Dean Jack Dillenberg, DDS, MPH. “ASDOH’s unique culture honors our students, faculty and staff, and promotes public health principles while producing community leaders committed to improving the overall health of the communities they serve. We are honored for this national recognition and look forward to continuing our innovative advancements in oral health, community service, and dental education.”

The Gies Awards will be presented March 17, 2014 at a ceremony held in conjunction with the 2014 ADEA Annual Session & Exhibition, taking place March 15-18, in San Antonio, TX. The 2014 honorees were selected by a distinguished panel of judges consisting of the ADEAGies Foundation Board of Trustees.

Previous Gies Award winners include University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine (2013, Innovation category), University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry (2012, Innovation category), Columbia University College of Dental Medicine (2009, Vision category), Harvard School of Dental Medicine (2008, Vision category), University of North Carolina Craniofacial Center (2013, Achievement category), Dalhousie University Faculty of Dentistry (2012, Achievement category), and Tufts University School of Dental Medicine (2011, Achievement category).

“ASDOH continues to innovate and redefine dental education,” said Roy Holexa, DDS, director, comprehensive care unit and assistant professor, ATSU-ASDOH. “Clinical services in pain management, dental sleep medicine, as well as a mobile application for dental care are being developed, and this is only the beginning.”

The William J. Gies (pronounced guys) Foundation was established in 1950 by colleagues and admirers of Dr. Gies with seed funds raised by the American College of Dentists. It was a private foundation and the first U.S. foundation to support dental education and scholarship. In 2002, it joined with the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) to form ADEA Gies Foundation, a public foundation.

This year marks the 10^th anniversary of the Aging Studies Project’s annual Lecture on Aging at A.T. Still University (ATSU). It all began in 2003 with the first Lecture on Aging. Alternating between ATSU’s Kirksville, Mo., and Mesa, Az., campuses, each year’s free, public lecture features a nationally recognized expert on an important topic in aging. This year’s lecture, “So Many Drugs, So Little Time: A Focus on Polypharmacy,” will be given by Joseph Flaherty, MD, a professor of medicine at St. Louis University and assistant program director for the St. Louis University Geriatric Medicine Fellowship program. This milestone lecture will take place in Missouri at noon and be telecast on the Arizona campus at 10:00 a.m.

The Aging Studies Project (ASP) has grown exponentially over the last decade. ASP’s goal is to bring all students into direct contact with community-based elders, expand learning resources for students and community members, and provide opportunities for interdisciplinary clinical interaction to strengthen student capacity for the interprofessional teamwork needed especially for geriatric care. This University-wide program emphasizes interactive, experiential learning for students and offers community outreach to elders and service agencies. By bringing students into direct contact with elders, it expands the learning opportunities for students and community members, as well as demonstrates the interprofessional teamwork needed for geriatric care.

Students have participated in programs like Service Saturdays, where they spend time on Saturdays working with residents in nursing homes and independent living centers on topics like nutrition education. Other programs and partnerships with community agencies over the years have included independent living, geriatric finance, drug therapy, death and dying, heart medications, patient safety and more. Most recently, a collaboration between ASP, Northeast Regional Medical Center, ATSU, and Truman State University is developing free heart health education programs on how to reduce sodium in the diet.

For more information on the ASP, visit http://www.atsu.edu/aging-studies-project/.

Jeremy Berger and Timothy Lemaire, both OMS ll students, led a group of 30 A.T. Still University’s School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA) students to DO Day on the Hill. Berger is a student ambassador, and Lemaire is the Class of 2016 president.

OMS students from years one through four at ATSU-SOMA participated in the event held on March 6 in Washington, DC. Students trained at the Washington Convention Center and had the opportunity to lobby with congressmen on Capitol Hill.

As part of their training, students attended an American Osteopathic Association session to learn about two important healthcare issues:

Reforming Medicare Physician Payment (HR 4015/SB2000); and Ensuring the Future Physician Work Force (SB1759), the Teaching Health Center Re-authorization Act.

“Many ATSU-SOMA students are passionate about S1759 because it will continue the funding for more residency programs based at Community Health Centers, such as the Wright Center-ATSU Residency Program in Washington DC,” said Berger.

Berger was able to meet with his congressional representative, the Honorable Ami Bera, MD, (D-CA-07) to discuss SB1759. “As a co-sponsor of the bill, Dr. Bera was very receptive,” said Berger. In his discussion with the congressman Berger noted that Dr. Bera stressed that “It is crucial to address the projected doctor shortage so that everyone can get the doctor they need.”

The students’ experience of DO Day on the Hill was featured in the March 14 issue of DO Magazine.