The ASHS occupational therapy (OT) program held their annual research day on September 9 on the ATSU Mesa Campus. Third-year OT students presented five research projects as part of a half-day research seminar that included power point presentations and poster sessions.  For a complete list of topics and presentations see the attached.

Alumni in the Valley met in Tempe, Arizona to hear fellow alumnus Colin Rigney, DPT, ‘10 present, and to hear updates from ASHS Dean Randy Danielsen, PT Department Chair Jim Farris, Librarian Cynthia Porter, and ASHS Alumni Board Member Robyn Wilhelm, PT, DPT, ’09.

Summary of announcements:

• Colin Rigney – also a member of the orthopedic residency class of 2012 – has done extensive work with the diagnostic ultrasound imaging of the musculoskeletal system. We thank him for sharing his findings with us, and encourage anyone interested in learning more to contact him at crigney@atsu.edu.

• ASHS continues to stay at the forefront of health professions education. In the last year, ASHS has started a neurologic PT residency program and an OTD program, and upcoming programs include a master’s in pathologists’ assistant studies and a certificate in psychiatry for physician assistants. We’ll also be celebrating the 20^th anniversary of ASHS next year!

• The PT department is proud that its premier PT programs are being recognized across the country, with 900 hopefuls last year applying for the residential program and the City of Mesa giving the department an award for its efforts in decreasing injuries in the Mesa Fire Department.

• Did you know that as an alumnus you can receive three free scholarly articles per month through the A.T. Still Memorial Library? Our clinical instructors can receive 10 free articles per month. Please contact Robyn Wilhelm if you have any interest in becoming a clinical instructor.

• The ASHS Alumni Board was pleased to present the 2014-2015 Humanitarian of the Year Award to Karen Kilman, ’06, for her numerous efforts in providing humanitarian aid to hundreds of people in her community, notably for the victims of the Asaayi Lake Fire and to Phoenix children from low-income families.

More photos can be found on the alumni Facebook page.

Alumni, students, and faculty reconnected with ATSU’s Arizona School of Health Sciences Dean Randy Danielsen, Vice Dean Ann Lee Burch, program directors Bernadette Mineo and Rachel Diamant, and alumni board members Samantha Singler, MS, OTR/L, ’10 and Cynthia Wheeler , MS, OTR/L, ’98, at the 2014 Arizona Occupational Therapy Association (ArizOTA) fall conference. Summary of announcements:

• ASHS continues to stay at the forefront of health professions education. In the last year, ASHS has started an OTD program and a neurologic PT residency program, and upcoming programs include a master’s in pathologists’ assistant studies and a certificate in psychiatry for physician assistants.

• The online OTD program is going strong, with 11 students in the second class. Please take a look at the program as you consider advancing your career (alumni receive a 20% discount!)  ASHS is also looking at starting an entry-level OTD program in 2016 to stay current as the profession evolves.

• Students are more involved than ever in local and international communities, including doing more behavioral health at the Child Crisis Center, helping the elderly become safer drivers through CarFit, and going on mission trips to Guatemala and Hermosillo, Mexico. If you are interested in participating in any of these activities or have other projects in which to involve students, please contact Rachel Diamant at rdiamant@atsu.edu.

• Alumni serving as fieldwork educators can be an incredibly rewarding experience since students are very well prepared and can bring patients a different perspective. To learn more about becoming a fieldwork educator, contact Mary Greer at mgreer@atsu.edu.

More photos can be found on the alumni Facebook page.

ATSU welcomed 18 community health center (CHC) organizations from around the United States to the Arizona campus on Sept. 24.  The event was held from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Ross Farnsworth East Valley YMCA adjacent to the ATSU Arizona campus. Eighty-five students  from osteopathic and dental medicine, and the physician assistant program participated.

The CHCs were on campus as part of their association with the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) to recruit and network with soon-to-be graduates of dental and osteopathic medicine, and the physician assistant program.

“Your coordination, the helpfulness of the event planning team and the inquisitive future medical professionals that stopped by our table made the event an excellent opportunity for the Bureau of Health Systems Development,” said Michael Abbott, program projects specialist, Arizona Department of Health Services.” The successful completion of the 9^th Annual Campus Recruitment Fair reflects great credit upon the professionalism of A.T. Still University’s staff and scholars.”

A.T. Still University has been designated a 2015 Military Friendly® School by Victory Media, the leader in successfully connecting the military and civilian worlds.

Now in its sixth year, the Military Friendly® Schools designation and list by Victory Media is the premier, trusted resource for post-military success. Military Friendly® provides service members transparent, data-driven ratings about post-military education and career opportunities.

The Military Friendly® Schools designation is awarded to the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools in the country that are doing the most to embrace military students, and to dedicate resources to ensure their success in the classroom and after graduation. The methodology used for making the Military Friendly® Schools list has changed the student veteran landscape to one much more transparent, and has played a significant role over the past six years in capturing and advancing best practices to support military students across the country.

The survey captures over 50 leading practices in supporting military students and is available free of charge to the more than 8,000 schools approved for Post-9/11 GI Bill funding. As in past years, the 2015 Military Friendly® Schools results were independently tested by Ernst & Young LLP based upon the weightings and methodology developed by Victory Media with input by its independent Academic Advisory Board.

Six faculty and staff women from A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-ASDOH) recently attended the 5^th Annual American Dental Education Association (ADEA) held in Barcelona, Spain, Sept. 14-16.

Drs. Michelle Gross-Panico, Klud Razoky, Maureen Munnelly Romer and Janet Woldt, along with Colleen Reidhead and Monica Williamson Nenad, shared their poster presentation, “Assessing the positive and negative aspects of the dental education work environment:  Are we happy and do we know it?” at the conference. Last spring, all ATSU-ASDOH faculty and staff were surveyed to assess job satisfaction factors and levels.

In their study, the researchers concluded that female employees overall are more satisfied with their work environment, which supported their hypothesis. They also recommended that further study is needed in areas of differences in satisfaction to ensure that female employees are given the same opportunities, benefits and support as their male counterparts.

The ATSU AFA Balance and Hearing Institute is offering complementary communication strategies classes beginning Sept. 29 through Oct. 27 at the Institute located at 4838 E. Baseline Road, Ste. 126, in Mesa, Arizona.

The classes teach skills known to maximize effective communication skills for individuals with hearing impairment. Participants do not have to have a hearing test or hearing aids. Individuals with any degree of suspected or known hearing loss interested in learning about good communication strategies can benefit from the topics covered in the five sessions.

If you are interested in attending, or would like to refer a friend, family member or patient, please see the informational flyer. To register, or if you are unable to attend the classes in September and October, please contact Stacy Neal at 480.265.8067 for a list of upcoming classes.

Randy Danielsen, PhD, PA-C, DFAAPA, dean, A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Health Sciences, has been appointed by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer to serve a four-year term on the Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants.

In her appointment letter to Dr. Danielsen, Governor Brewer stated “One of the satisfactions of holding office is the opportunity to recognize outstanding citizens by naming them to positions of leadership within our state government.”

The Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants is the licensing and regulatory agency for more than 2,000 physician assistants.

“I was thrilled to even be nominated for this appointment by the Governor,” said Dr. Danielsen. “I am honored and humbled and look forward to serving the citizens of Arizona on this very important regulatory board for the PA profession.”

Misty Hyman, Olympic Gold Medalist, was the keynote speaker for A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-ASDOH) 2014 Faculty Advance held Sept. 5 and 6 at the Mesa Hilton. Hyman won a stunning upset victory when she came from behind to win the 200-meter butterfly at the 2000 Sydney games in Sydney, Australia. She is also recognized as a pioneer in the sport of swimming for her innovative dolphin kick, winning 13 U.S. titles, five NCAA national titles, and becoming a 28-time All-American. She holds an MBA from Stanford University.

Hyman, who lives in Arizona, spoke to the audience of more than 170 professionals about “Goal-setting and motivation.”  She is highly sought for her coaching and motivational speaking skills and understands the connection between motivation and success, and the need to be innovative to attain goals.

In addition to her dedication to swimming, Hyman has coached her former high school swim team, is involved in the Phoenix Women’s Sports Association, and works with Gina’s Team, a prison charity organization that helps guide women in developing leadership and life-enhancing skills.

Richard (Rick) Rieder, MBA, MM, has been selected as vice president of finance/chief financial officer for ATSU. He currently serves as vice president for administration/chief financial officer at the Kansas City Art Institute in Kansas City, Missouri.

Mr. Rieder brings 28 years of executive-level finance experience representing private higher education to ATSU. Prior to his position with the Kansas City Art Institute, he served as vice president for finance at several institutions of higher learning, including Millikin University (Decatur, Illinois), Malone University (Canton, Ohio), and Greenville College (Greenville, Illinois). His primary responsibilities included oversight of the business office, human resources, facilities, risk management, investments, and auxiliary services.

Mr. Rieder’s professional affiliations include the National Association of College and University Business Officers, College and University Personnel Association, financial review board and consultant/evaluator for the Higher Learning Commission, and Association of Business Administrators of Christian Colleges.

Combining his passion for business and performing arts, he earned bachelor of arts degrees in business and music from Baker University (Baldwin City, Kansas), a master of music from Oklahoma City University (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma), and a master of business administration from Regent University (Virginia Beach, Virginia).

Mr. Rieder’s wife, Darlene, will be joining him in Kirksville. He will begin his role with ATSU October 1, 2014.