In this role, Mota-Beeks will represent the voice of PA students nationwide, and her contributions will directly influence important decisions regarding PA education, practice, and the future direction of the profession. The HOD serves as the AAPA’s policymaking body, responsible for establishing policies that guide the PA profession, advocate for PAs, and influence the broader landscape of healthcare across the country.
“I am beyond thrilled for this opportunity, and it has always been a dream of mine to become a PA. I am happy to represent my Hispanic community as a first generation college graduate. A huge thank you to the AAPA and ATSU for seeing my passion and commitment to medicine, and for allowing me to take an even further step towards positive change in our healthcare system. As a good friend of mine always says, ‘Mi gente Latino,’” Mota-Beeks said.
Mota-Beeks is the second ATSU-CHC student selected as an AAPA student delegate this year.
“As an educator with 16 years of experience in PA education, I can personally attest to the rarity of this feat,” said Jennifer Harrington, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA, department chair and program director. “To have two from CCPA elected simultaneously is truly unheard of and speaks volumes about the caliber of our students.”
As a student delegate, Chidalu will play a crucial role in representing the voice of PA students nationwide. Her contributions will directly influence important decisions regarding PA education, practice, and the future direction of the profession. This appointment reflects both her dedication to leadership and the program’s commitment to developing the next generation of healthcare leaders.
The HOD is the policy making body of the AAPA, responsible for enacting policies that govern the PA profession, advocate for PAs, and ultimately shape healthcare across the nation.
“My commitment in this role is to work tirelessly to excel in my education as a PA student, with the support and guidance of my professors, to join the PA workforce that diligently and continuously works to expand access to equitable healthcare, especially in medically underserved areas, while advocating for positive changes that impact the PA profession and reflect the interests of PA students,” Mbonu said.
“I am truly honored and humbled by this opportunity. I am also deeply grateful to my professors and the ATSU-CHC CCPA staff for their continued guidance and encouragement,” she added.
Working in small groups, students observed 18 children as they played with toys, rolled, crawled, walked, and interacted with other children, caregivers, and students. Following the observation period, students analyzed each child’s fine and gross motor skills, identifying developmental sequences and patterns.
This interprofessional lab offered a unique learning opportunity for the students, who spent the prior few weeks of the semester learning about motor development skills and the role of reflexes in early growth.
A graduate of ATSU’s Doctor of Education in Health Professions Education (EdD) program, Dr. Helmbrecht has been a member of the college’s faculty since 2015. In addition to her doctorate degree, she also holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Central Michigan University and a master’s in physical education from the University of Nebraska Kearney.
In her community, Dr. Helmbrecht is president of the Northwest Nebraska Trails Association, a member of the American College of Health Association, a certified group fitness instructor by the American Council on Exercise, and former secretary of Bike Walk Nebraska.
Alison Snyder Valier, PhD, ATC, FNATA, professor, athletic training, assistant director, research support, A.T. Still University-Arizona School of Health Sciences (ATSU-ASHS), will be a featured panelist during a virtual media briefing presented by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA).
Dr. Valier will join a panel of nationally recognized healthcare experts for the briefing, “Swinging Through Summer: A Look at Baseball, Body Mechanics & Injury Prevention: A Research & Roundtable Discussion.”
In this briefing, panelists will address the unique considerations of baseball players, from youth to the professional level, including injury prevention, training techniques, and the latest research. Panelists will also answer questions from attendees.
To view a live broadcast of the webinar, visit NATA’s Facebook, Instagram or X pages
August’s staff profile highlight is Leslie Golamb, MLS, MBA, MHA, our Mesa campus research and 3D printing guru, as well as liaison to many programs on the Mesa campus.
Position title: Liaison Librarian for ATSU-SOMA and the Physical Therapy, Audiology, and Speech-Language Pathology programs.
How long have you worked for the library: 2.5 years
What made you want to work in libraries? I love helping others and appreciate that not every day is the same.
What do you like most about your job and about working for ATSU? Working with students, staff, and faculty on their different research projects and the challenges that each project brings.
What is a fun job you had before ATSU? I’ve always worked in libraries, but my favorite role was as a solo public librarian, where I brought the community back to their town library and witnessed the growth in the summer reading program and saw the children in the community looking forward to the new books that I would get for them.
What is a fun/unique/exciting tidbit to know about you, or how do you spend your free time? I enjoy spending my free time outdoors and going on adventures with my daughter, and the annual road trips that my daughter and I take each year.
Marlene Salas-Provance, PhD, MHA, MA, CCC-SLP, FNAP, ASHA fellow, professor and vice dean of A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Health Sciences (ATSU-ASHS), has been elected to the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) Board of Directors as vice president for planning. She will serve as liaison to three boards including the Multicultural Issues Board, the International Issues Board and the Financial Planning Board.
As vice president for planning, Dr. Salas-Provance will help ensure the process of forward planning for the association, including development and implementation of the strategic plan. She will also help identify emerging trends impacting the profession and contribute to ensuring ASHA’s continued success in fulfilling its mission.
Throughout her career, Dr. Salas-Provance has provided services to ASHA in many capacities, as well as serving as a faculty member and chair in speech-language pathology programs nationwide. She was past president of the Missouri Speech-Language and Hearing Association and is a published author of a textbook, in its third edition, on culturally responsive practices in the field of speech-language and hearing sciences.
Dr. Salas-Provance has served as a clinical educator throughout her academic career, especially related to children with cleft lip and palate. She holds a doctorate in speech science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, master’s in speech pathology from New Mexico State University, and master’s in health administration from the University of Missouri School of Medicine-Columbia.
White coats have been worn for more than 100 years by physicians, and this formal ceremony recognizes students for reaching a milestone in their professional education. Characteristic of this ceremony is publicly swearing an oath acknowledging the students’ responsibility to their new profession and future patients.
Dean Sharon Obadia, DO, FNAOME, ’97, welcomed students and introduced the stage party, which included keynote speaker and alumna Alice Chen, DO, ’14, assistant professor, family medicine and public health, University of California San Diego School of Medicine.
View more photos below and watch the full ceremony here.
The White Coat Ceremony is a symbol of a student’s dedication to becoming a compassionate, competent healthcare professional. Characteristic of this ceremony is publicly swearing an oath acknowledging the students’ responsibility to their new profession and future patients.
Brittney Hulsey, DMSc, PA-C, ’15, program director and associate professor, welcomed the audience, followed by opening remarks from Ann Lee Burch, PT, EdD, MS, MPH, dean, ATSU-ASHS. Raven Williams, MPH, MSPAS, PA-C, ’20, maternal health program director, OB-GYN PA, Delta Health Center, delivered the keynote address.
Watch the full ceremony here, and check out more photos below.
A.T. Still University’s Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM), the founding school of osteopathic medicine, celebrated the class of 2029 with a White Coat Ceremony on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Truman State University’s Baldwin Hall in Kirksville, Missouri. One-hundred-seventy students received their white coats.
White coats have been worn for more than 100 years by physicians, and this formal ceremony recognizes students for reaching a milestone in their professional education, symbolizing and commemorating their commitment and responsibility to their chosen profession and future patients.
Kristin Blunk, MBA, assistant dean, academic affairs, presented the class of 2029, followed by Margaret Wilson, DO, ’82, dean and professor, ATSU-KCOM, who provided the introduction. Opening remarks were delivered by Gaylah Sublette, MBA, president, Missouri campus, and ATSU Chancellor Craig M. Phelps, DO, ’84, provided closing remarks.
Jeff Rudman, OMS II, president, class of 2028, transferred the symbolic key for the cabin of A.T. Still, DO, to class of 2029 member Hannah Martin, OMS I. The key is a symbol of the University’s heritage and of the commitment current students have to supporting members of the incoming class.
Watch the full ceremony here, and check out more photos below!
