Christopher D. Ingersoll, PhD, LAT, ATC, FACSM, FNATA, FASAHP, FNAP, senior associate dean and chair, Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, delivered the distance learning commencement address. Gail M. Whitelaw, PhD, clinical professor, clinic director, and clinical audiologist, The Ohio State University, presented the residential commencement address.
At each ceremony, ATSU-ASHS Dean Ann Lee Burch, PT, EdD, MS, MPH, welcomed guests and graduates, while ATSU Chancellor Craig M. Phelps, DO, ’84, and O.T. Wendel, PhD, president, ATSU Arizona & California campuses, also delivered remarks.
Watch the distance learning commencement ceremony here, and watch the residential ceremony here.
The award honors chapters that demonstrate excellence across several areas, including leadership development, advocacy and awareness, service to the community, promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and professional growth opportunities.
Led by faculty advisor Ivonne Maldonado De la Rosa, PhD, CCC-SLP, instructor, ATSU-ASHS’ Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) department, the ATSU-ASHS chapter earned the distinction as the state’s only Gold Chapter Honors winner.
“This distinction places our chapter among the top in the nation and reflects the exceptional commitment, collaboration, and leadership of our students and faculty,” Dr. Maldonado De la Rosa said.
The NSSLHA is a national organization made up of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students in the field of CSD. The organization offers students a wide variety of leadership opportunities, scholarships, awards, and advocacy resources.
In addition to their doctor of osteopathic medicine degrees, seven students graduated with master of public health degrees.
Kyu Rhee, MD, MPP, president and CEO, National Association of Community Health Centers, delivered the ceremony’s commencement address. Dr. Rhee was also presented with an honorary doctor of humane letters degree. Other speakers included ATSU-SOMA Dean Sharon J. Obadia, DO, FNAOME, ’97, O.T. Wendel, PhD, president, ATSU Arizona & California campuses, and Danielle Barnett-Trapp, DO, FACOFP, ’11, who delivered the Board of Trustees greeting.
Jeffrey L. Alexander, PhD, FAACVPR, ACSM-CEP, professor, Health Sciences, served as the ceremony’s grand marshal, while the commencement address was delivered by Kyle Smith, DO, EdD, FACP, FASDIN, ’23, founding medical director and clinical assistant professor, Tarleton State University.
Additional speakers included ATSU-CGHS Dean Marisa Hastie, EdD, MS, ACSM EP-C, PN-1, FACSM, Gaylah Sublette, MBA, president, ATSU’s Missouri campus, and Danielle Barnett-Trapp, DO, FACOFP, ’11, who delivered the Board of Trustees greeting.
Dr. Geoghegan was recognized at an awards ceremony on Apr. 27 at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix. She was honored with the award for her excellent community engagement and patient care.
The milestone recognized 16 students and their transition from didactic and clinical training in Arizona to full-time clinical training at locations across the country, reflecting the dedication they have shown throughout their first year.
The Sullivan County Health Department Board of Trustees and Administrator Deborah Taylor announced the appointment. Hillerman will serve in the interim role through July 31, at which point she will officially assume the permanent administrator position following Taylor’s retirement.
Hillerman joins the Sullivan County Health Department with a public health and nursing background spanning nearly 30 years, including 26 years devoted specifically to public health service. Her professional experience includes work in communicable disease management, epidemiology, emergency preparedness, women, infants, and children services, public health initiatives in educational settings, and regional leadership responsibilities.
A research team that includes Kenny Lam, ScD, ATC, FNATA, a professor with A.T. Still University-Arizona School of Health Sciences’ (ATSU-ASHS) Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, has been named the 2025 recipient of the Journal of Athletic Training‘s Clint Thompson Award for Clinical Practice Advancement.
The award-winning study investigated how quickly secondary school athletes receive an evaluation from an athletic trainer following an acute injury. Drawing on data from ATSU’s Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network, the team found that while nearly half of injured athletes were seen on the same day, meaningful disparities existed based on athlete sex, sport level, and the setting where the injury occurred.
The research was featured at a national NATA press conference on youth sport safety in January 2025. Dr. Lam and his co-authors, Madison N. Renner, Emily C. Srygler, Stephanie N. Adler, Jennifer S. Chambers, and David R. Bell, will formally accept the award at the NATA Annual Meeting in Philadelphia in June.
This recognition marks the fourth time Dr. Lam has been a named author on a Clint Thompson Award-winning manuscript, a distinction that speaks to his exceptional and sustained contributions to athletic training scholarship. Faculty in the Departments of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences and Athletic Training have now received this honor eight times dating back to 2008.
A.T. Still University Diversity & Inclusion hosted its fifth annual Graduate Health Professions Scholarship (GPS) Golf Tournament on Saturday, Apr. 18, at the Superstition Springs Golf Club in Mesa, Arizona.
All proceeds from the tournament went to ATSU’s GPS Scholarship Fund, a focused initiative supporting students whose life experiences align with ATSU’s mission. Recipients are selected based on academic achievement, financial need, and commitment to their profession.
Interested in supporting ATSU’s Graduate Health Professions Scholarship fund? Click here to donate. All outright gifts are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Mason Vig was a 26-year-old talented athlete and ATSU-ASHS Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program student who was committed to serving his patients and helping others. Despite being diagnosed with cancer during his junior year at Augustana College, Mason played college baseball, while fighting and winning his battle with cancer. Set to graduate in 2013, Mason passed away in February 2012.
Tania Shearon, MOT, OTR/L, CHT, assistant professor, ATSU-ASHS’ occupational therapy department led attendees through the yoga session. Mason’s parents, Patti and Joe Vig, also attended the event.
To support the Mason P. Vig Endowed scholarship program, donate here.
