ATSU

Bob Basham, CFRE, retired in May. Basham served as vice president, university advancement, from 2005-13. He then transitioned to director, alumni relations, focusing on building a strong university-wide alumni association. (more…)

Eighteen ATSU-ASHS occupational therapy (OT) students, an OT alumna, and OT faculty advisor Melissa Clark, MS, OTR/L, CES, CHT, assistant professor, department of occupational therapy, participated in a service learning mission trip to Guatemala Sept. 11-19. The OT mission group collaborated with the sponsoring organization Service for Peace to prepare a need’s assessment for training, treatment, and healthcare supplies.

Prior to their travels, the students completed a series of educational modules related to cultural competency, international travel and safety, the Guatemalan healthcare system, and traditional healthcare customs and beliefs. The OT mission group visited a variety of settings, including an adult hospital, an orphanage for children and adults with disabilities, and a vocational rehabilitation site.

The group experienced intense cultural immersion and had the opportunity to provide clinical training on the topics of splinting and preventative intervention strategies. The international service learning project provided rich opportunities for cultural and clinical exchange, and served as a springboard for ATSU-ASHS occupational therapy students to continue a path of global health service.

“Words cannot describe how proud I am of this group of OT students,” said Clark. “They provided compassionate service and truly embraced the Guatemalan culture throughout the trip. It was a gift to take part in this opportunity and witness the students’ personal and professional growth first-hand.”

OT alumna
Latoya Imadiyi, ‘12

OT students (Class of 2015)

Brianna Aker –Student Leader
Shoshanna Abels
Tayler Ball
Christine Brammer
Lucille Caigne-Martin
Lindsay Cuomo
Bonnie Elliot
Kortney Holbrook
Melanie Hosbein
Macaile Hutt
Lizzy Johnston
Sarah Koffenhoefer-Little
Shannon Lambert
Jessica Meyer
BreAnne Robison
Rebekah Ross
Kelly Sills
Jennifer Wifler

Students from A.T. Still University (ATSU) and area universities came together on November 3 and 8 in Missouri and Arizona for the annual Interprofessional Education Collaborative Case Competition (IPE-CCC).

The competition provides health professions students with an interprofessional teamwork experience to gain insight into collaborative practice competencies. Additionally, IPE-CCC reveals the complexity of healthcare delivery and the need for collaboration between healthcare professionals in order to reach the best health outcomes for clients and patients.

Students from ATSU, Arizona School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Arizona State University (ASU), Arizona Summit Law School, Grand Canyon University, and Truman State University, worked collaboratively for six weeks building an interprofessional team to care for a hypothetical patient and their family.  At the end of the process, they presented their findings and recommendations for enhanced collaboration to a panel of judges representing leaders from various disciplines within the healthcare programs.

The William McKinney Award was presented to first-place teams on both the Arizona and Missouri Campus. The Dr. William McKinney Award, made possible by O.T. Wendel, PhD, senior vice president for ATSU university strategic initiatives, is a living tribute to Dr. McKinney, who is considered the founding father of biomedical ultrasound. Dr. McKinney inspired Dr. Wendel to go on to pursue a graduate health degree in pharmacology and served as a mentor and motivator to him throughout his education.

On the Missouri Campus, the first place Dr. William McKinney Award was presented to Jessica Stevens, communication disorders student at Truman State University; Austin Stephenson, athletic training student at Truman State University; Anna Wang, health sciences student at Truman State University; Ashley Anderson, D1; and Molly Roberts, nursing student at Truman State University.

On the Arizona Campus, the first place award went to Vy Vy Vu, D1; David Bunzell, nursing student at Grand Canyon University; Ecila Barnett, social work student at ASU; and Daniel Schweibert, law student at Arizona Summit Law School.

Second and third place teams were also recognized for their presentations.

On the Missouri Campus, second place went to Alexis Hackett, health science student at Truman State University; Michele Draper, health science student at Truman State University; Katelyn Thomason, nursing student at Truman State University; and Josh Coffey, D1. The third place team consisted of Liz Turnure, nursing at Truman State University; Emma Staecker, health science student at Truman State University; Meghan Crider, communication disorders student at Truman State University; and Maryann Forsell, D1.

On the Arizona Campus, second place recognition went to Jessica Randall, psychology student at Arizona School of Professional Psychology, Argosy University; Sara Ceglio, D2; Cassandra Woodland, PT, ’16; and Kathryn Weber, OMS I. Third place recognition went to Mary Shouse, OT, ’17; Nisharag, Shah, PT, ’17; Chase Taylor, D1; Ina Blue, social work student at ASU; and Tiffani Doan, OMS I.

Mary-Katherine Smith, DrPH, MPH, MCHES, CPH, has been named chair for the Master of Public Health (MPH) program at A.T. Still University’s (ATSU) College of Graduate Health Studies. She joined ATSU in 2007 and previously served as an associate professor for the MPH program.

Dr. Smith holds a doctorate of public health with an emphasis in social and behavioral sciences from the University of North Texas Health Science in Fort Worth, a master’s in rural public health from Texas A&M University Health Science Center School of Rural Public Health, and a bachelor’s in biology from Texas A&M University. She is also a master certified health education specialist and is certified in public health.

Dr. Smith has extensive experience in epidemiology, program planning, community health, and public health preparedness, with experience working in the non-profit sector, government sector, and academia. Prior to academia, she was the first full-time pandemic influenza program planner in the state of Texas at Dallas County Health and Human Services. She has also served as a national spokesperson for the American Heart Association as well as former chairman of the American Heart Association Cultural Health Initiatives Tarrant County Task Force. Dr. Smith is also a member of the American Public Health Association, as well as the National Rural Health Association where she serves as a member of the Multiracial and Multicultural Conference Planning Committee.

She will begin her position as chair on Dec. 1, 2014.

Twice a day, five days a week, Grzegorz Ros puts on his makeup and costume, or lack thereof, and starts his warm-up routine. His adrenaline crescendos as he hears the 30-, 15-, and five-minute warnings to the top of the show. (more…)

Eleven countries, 15 mission trips, and four more on the docket: April Westfall, DMD, ’10, has no shortage of stamps in her passport. (more…)

The Centers for Disease Control reports nearly one out of every two adults has at least one preventable chronic illness. The public’s need to take charge of their health is more apparent than ever. For David Fife, DO, ’06, preventive medicine served as inspiration for his new entrepreneurial venture to encourage others to invest in their health. (more…)

Although a more recent ATSU graduate, Tom Abdenour, DHSc, MA, ATC, ’11, has nearly 40 years of experience in athletic training and has been honored with multiple awards including the NBA’s Athletic Trainer of the Year (1980) and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association’s Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award (2014). (more…)

Brian Goodman, DO, MBA, ’14, began his journey at SOMA with one goal in mind: to return to his hometown and practice medicine. Now completing his first year of medical residency at Mountain Vista Medical Center in Mesa, Ariz., he is well on his way to reaching his goal. (more…)

With one hand on a table outside of a hospital cafeteria, Patrycja Wierzbicki lifted her small frame off the ground and held a jaw-dropping pose only an exceptional athlete could execute. Her body was weightless, parallel to the ground. (more…)