A.T. Still University (ATSU) Diversity & Inclusion recently hosted the Gila River Health Care Summer Scrubs program, a health career exploration program also supported by the American Indian Health – Area Health Education Center (AIH-AHEC).

On Tuesday, July 16, 19 students in the program visited ATSU’s Mesa, Arizona, campus, where they were introduced to several of the University’s programs, including ATSU-Arizona School of Health Sciences’ (ATSU-ASHS) Speech-Language Pathology and Occupational Therapy programs, and ATSU-School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA). 

The program aims to ​​strengthen the tribal healthcare system by preparing students for future careers in the health professions, from nursing to social work. While on campus, students viewed demonstrations of osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM), biosignals, ultrasound, and more.

For many students, the highlight of the day seemed to be the ATSU-SOMA Anatomy department’s HoloLens, an augmented reality (AR) headset that enables users to view computer-generated content overlaid against their real-world surroundings. 

An A.T. Still University-School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA) Anatomy professor known for her work in creating plastinated anatomical specimens had her work featured during an episode of CSI: Vegas.

Associate professor Ellen Savoini, PhD, MSc, is internationally recognized for her work in plastination. Developed in 1978 by Gunther von Hagens, plastination is a means of tissue preservation that prevents animal or human tissue from decaying through the infusion of silicone. This allows for the creation of dry, lifelike, and easy-to-handle plastic models.  

Dr. Savoini learned the technique in 2016 at a workshop conference in Toledo, Ohio, and today she runs Bare Bones Concepts, where she creates and sells plastination specimens for educational purposes.

This past February, Dr. Savoini’s specimens traveled from the anatomy lab to TV filming locations in California, where they were featured in the May 5, 2024 CSI: Vegas episode, “The Artist is Present.”

“I was working at home, and I get this phone call, and I personally think it’s a prank because the guy says that he’s this producer from Los Angeles,” she said. “But he says, ‘We’re filming next week.’ It was immediate.” 

After setting up a Zoom meeting with the set designer to determine which specimens to send, Dr. Savoini shipped off the plastinated organs to California, where they made their small-screen debut.

Seeing her plastinated specimens take this unexpected journey from the anatomy lab to the TV screen was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Dr. Savoini, and demonstrated a unique way in which science and creativity can intersect and bridge the gap between academia and popular culture.

In addition to her role at ATSU, which she began in 2020, Dr. Savoini is a professor of anatomy at Yavapai College in Prescott, Arizona, where she also utilizes these specimens in her teaching. She uses animal organs from meat processing plants in creating her specimens, repurposing byproducts that would otherwise be discarded. 

Although these organs are from animals, Dr. Savoini explained how these specimens often allow students in the lab to idealize the anatomy of human organs better, due to their enlarged size. 

“I try to cut my hearts for display so students can go, ‘Oh, I totally get why the anatomy looks like this,’ because they can see it 3D,” she said.

“It pops up in my reviews a lot, so students like it. I try to make it fun but I also try to be serious. I don’t like it when people try to make anatomy too fun, and they’re somewhat disrespectful of the body. There’s a fine line between being light-hearted and making it enjoyable versus being crass,” she explained.

A.T. Still University (ATSU) held the annual St. Louis Dental Center Employee Recognition & Award Ceremony on March 6, 2024.

The following faculty and staff members were honored for reaching five years of service with ATSU-Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-MOSDOH): Prashanth Haribabu, DDS, MSD, MDS, assistant professor, Clinical Education; Bryant Kiley, MBA, business operations manager, Administration; Richard Vargo, DMD, director, OMP, Clinical Education.

A.T. Still University (ATSU) hosted its annual Missouri campus Employee Recognition & Award Ceremony on Feb. 29, 2024, honoring outstanding achievements and employment anniversaries. 

ATSU’s Kirksville, Missouri, campus’ Distinguished Service Award went to Merle Glaspie, service worker, Environmental Services, ATSU. 

Nominators submitted the following comments in support of Glaspie:

• “Merle’s dedication to the University and campus community may be seen in his daily work. The best example of this is his dedication to ensuring the campus is ready for the campus community every day. The recipient responds when the campus community is in need. During the flood in August, he did not hesitate to return to campus late in the evening to help reduce the impact of the immense water. His dedication to continuously extracting water that was overwhelming the drains for hours, was truly impactful because it minimized the amount of water damage in the area he was working.”
• “He would do anything to help out a colleague or student. And, he’s just so darn pleasant about anything he’s asked to do. Very thankful for him, and he’s so very deserving of this award!”
• “He constantly goes above and beyond for me, and I’m just one person! He’s so quiet but always has a, ‘hello,’ or ‘good morning,’ for me.”

Other awards presented were as follows: 

ATSU-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM) Dean Margaret Wilson, DO, ’82, presented the A.T. Still Staff Award for Excellence in Teaching to Shanu Markand, PhD, assistant professor, Anatomy, ATSU-KCOM.

Elsie Gaber, PhD, EdS, MEd, presented the ATSU-Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-MOSDOH) Elsie Gaber Compassion & Integrity Award to Mandy Ledford, BS, assistant director of student success, ATSU-MOSDOH.

ATSU-College of Graduate Health Studies (ATSU-CGHS) Dean Marisa Hastie, EdD, ACSM EP-C, PN1, FACSM, presented the ATSU-CGHS Professor of the Year Award to Candace Ayars, PhD, associate professor, Doctor Of Health Education program, ATSU-CGHS.

2023 Quarterly Employee Excellence Award recognitions included: 

Lisa Weichelt, service worker, Environmental Services, ATSU.

Rebecca Nugent, administrative support, Residential Admissions, ATSU.

Lindsey Blake, BA, executive assistant, President’s Office, ATSU.

Sonya Clark, student accounts coordinator, Finance, ATSU.

2023 Service Award Recipients included:

35 years: Lori Haxton, MA, vice president, Student Affairs, ATSU; Tammy Kriegshauser, DHA, MBA, director, Clinical Affairs, ATSU-KCOM; Trish Sexton, DHEd, associate dean, Medical Education, ATSU-KCOM; Bill Sexton, PhD, professor, Physiology, ATSU-KCOM; RaElla Wiggins, animal caretaker, Animal Care, ATSU-KCOM.

30 years: Brian Degenhardt, DO, endowed chair, Osteopathic Heritage Foundation, Still Research Institute, ATSU.

25 years: Bryan Krusniak, MBA, vice president, Information Technology, ATSU; Tracey Lantz, MBA, director, Writing Center, ATSU; Dean Maag, manager, Academic Technologies, ATSU; Carolyn Stanley, clerical support, Research; ATSU. 

20 years: Julie Cook, MA, content director, senior strategist, Sponsored Programs, ATSU; Harvey Summers, gift income coordinator, Development, ATSU. 

15 years: Lee Bonnel, operations manager, Administration, ATSU-CGHS; Gary Brandeberry, operator, Boiler Plant, ATSU; Carlo Caroli, technician II, A.T. Still Memorial Library; Yingzi Chang, MD, PhD, professor, Pharmacology, ATSU-KCOM; Laura Harvey, MBA, Academic Advisor, ATSU-CGHS; Matt Heeren, JD, vice president and general counsel, ATSU; Lynn Hurt, MA, projects manager, Continuing Education, ATSU-KCOM; Zhiping Jia, BA, research technician, Pharmacology, ATSU-KCOM; Andrew Kottwitz, MA, instructional designer, Administration, ATSU-CGHS; Mike Lee, BS, assistant director, Residential Admissions, ATSU; Richelle Lee, osteopathic academic coordinator, Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, ATSU-KCOM; Robert Long, curriculum technician, Medical Education, ATSU-KCOM; Dianna Mullinix, patient services coordinator, OMM Clinic, ATSU-KCOM; Megan Smith, BA, assistant director, Residential Admissions, ATSU; Billy Strait, DO, associate professor, Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, ATSU-KCOM; Jennifer Tuttle, curriculum supervisor, Medical Education, ATSU-KCOM.

10 years: Zulfiqar Ahmad, PhD, professor, Biochemistry, ATSU-KCOM; Karissa Clark, service worker, Environmental Services, ATSU; Terri Corrick, simulation clinic coordinator, Administration, ATSU-MOSDOH;  Angela Daniels, AAS, curriculum coordinator, Medical Education, ATSU-KCOM; Richard LaBaere II, DO, associate dean, Graduate Medical Education, Department for the Advancement of Osteopathic Education, ATSU-KCOM; Greg Loeben, PhD, MPH, associate professor, Master of Public Health program, ATSU-CGHS; Katherine Foglesong, rotation site coordinator, Regional Medicine; ATSU-KCOM; Stephanie Hettinger, MBA, assistant controller, Finance, ATSU; Theresa Hunziker, MHA, admissions counselor, Residential Admissions, ATSU; Marsha Joyce, BA, director, Sponsored Programs, ATSU; Toni Matticks, BS, clinical system analyst, ITS Operations, ATSU; Yohei Norimatsu, PhD, associate professor, Physiology, ATSU-KCOM; Rebecca Nugent, administrative support, Residential Admissions, ATSU; Marcie Stansberry, MEA, learning specialist, Learning Resources, ATSU; Bruce Young, PhD, professor, Anatomy, ATSU-KCOM.

5 years: Vera Bannerman, MBA, academic advisor, Administration, ATSU-CGHS; Michael Bradbury, PhD, MPhil, Professor, Biochemistry, ATSU-KCOM; Richard Cook, BA, project manager, Sponsored Programs, ATSU; John Gardner, PhD, MEd, director, Policy & Employee Education, Title IX & Civil Rights coordinator, Human Resources, ATSU; Christine Gran, BM, coordinator, Alumni Relations, ATSU; Jill Graves, MA, BA, director, Enrollment Services, ATSU; MaKay Hettinger, MS, assistant director, Alumni Relations, ATSU; Leah Keller, administrative assistant, Physiology, ATSU-KCOM; Stephanie McGrew, MHA, assistant director, Diversity & Inclusion, ATSU; Dana Nelson, executive director, Department for the Advancement of Osteopathic Education, ATSU-KCOM; Whitney Nicholson, rotation site coordinator, Regional Medicine, ATSU-KCOM; Jackie Nobbe, analyst, ITS Operations, ATSU; Hanan Omar, BDS, PhD, MSc, assistant dean for research education, ATSU-MOSDOH; Susan Thomas, MSEd, instructional designer, Administration, ATSU-CGHS; Lisa Tuggle, institutional accreditation & data coordinator, Department for the Advancement of Osteopathic Education; ATSU-KCOM; Ramey Weichelt, manager, Thompson Campus Center, ATSU; Kendall Williams, operator, Boiler Room, ATSU.

A.T. Still University’s (ATSU) Arizona campus honored outstanding achievements and employment anniversaries at its annual Arizona campus Employee Recognition & Award Ceremony on Feb. 20, 2024.

Kathy Moralez, senior dental assistant, Advanced Care Clinic, ATSU-Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health, was the recipient of this year’s Arizona campus Distinguished Service Award.

Nominators submitted some of the following comments in support of Moralez:

• “She always goes above and beyond to care for the people around her. Even when she isn’t feeling her best, she is taking care of everyone else. She has extremely valuable talent and knowledge on many things dentistry, medicine, and otherwise. Her unique perspective on life inspires every one of us to be better. The way Kathy is with her patients and her own children is one of the truest, most honest examples of deep unconditional love that we should all strive to emulate.”
• “Kathy goes above and beyond for all our patients. She buys many of them gifts because she loves making them happy. She greets everyone with a warm hug. Kathy is so humble and unassuming. We all should live our lives a little more as Kathy does!”
• “She has a tremendous passion for caring for individuals with special needs and her wealth of knowledge about people with disabilities is something that can only be learned through experience.”

2023 Quarterly Employee Excellence Award recognitions included: 

Nick Cross, assessment coordinator, Physician Assistant Studies, ATSU-ASHS.

Julie Speer, instructional designer, Teaching & Learning Center, ATSU.

Nick Higginson, multimedia specialist, Academic Technologies, ATSU.

Kirsten Voak, project coordinator, Integrated Community Service Partnerships, ATSU-ASDOH.

2023 Service Award Recipients included:

25 years: O.T. Wendel, PhD, president, Arizona/California campuses.

20 years: Marcia Arbizu, MBA, director, integrated community service partnerships, ATSU-ASDOH.

15 years: Barton Anderson, DHSc, AT, ATC, professor, Athletic Training, ATSU-ASHS; Patricia Bere, MBA, senior director, development, ATSU; Kellie Bliven, PhD, ATC, department chair, Interdisciplinary Health Sciences; Ann Lee Burch, PT, EdD, MPH, dean, ATSU-ASHS; Miguel Castaneda, facilities manager, ATSU; Cynthia Kaye, senior executive assistant, President’s Office, ATSU; Lisa Kulkarni, lead dental assistant, Advanced Care Clinic, ATSU-ASDOH; Dawn Lende, operations manager, ATSU-ASDOH; Tresa Moralez, administrative assistant, Physical Therapy department, ATSU-ASHS; Daniel Ochoa, general maintenance assistant, Facilities, ATSU; Jae Park, DMD, MSD, MS, PhD, professor, director, Orthodontics, ATSU-ASDOH; Milton Pong, PhD, associate professor, Basic Medical Science Education, ATSU-SOMA; Amie Waldemer, MBA, director, online admissions, Admissions, ATSU; Demetrius Washington, DA, dental assistant, Advanced Care Clinic, ATSU-ASDOH. 

10 years: Aaron Allgood, DO, chair, associate professor, Clinical Science Education, ATSU-SOMA; Robert Beighey, technical support specialist, ITS Customer Service, ATSU; Jonathan Brennan, MD, DMD, MPH, associate dean, innovation & curriculum, ATSU-ASDOH; Nichole Dunn, administrative support, Arizona Region, ATSU-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine; Mai-Ly Duong, DMD, MPH, MAEd, director, Special Care Dentistry, associate professor, ATSU-ASDOH; Robert Gonzales, BBA, director, Clinic Operations, On-Site Clinical Education, ATSU-ASDOH; Heather Johnson, RDH, MEd, director, instructor, Dentistry In the Community, ATSU-ASDOH; Kimberly Kunkle, lead dental assistant, Advanced Care Clinic, ATSU-ASDOH; Linda MacConnell, DMSc, MAED, MPAS, PA-C, associate professor, Physician Assistant Studies, ATSU-ASHS; Whitney Marrs, BS, administrative assistant, Postprofessional DPT program, ATSU-ASHS; Marianne McGeady, BS, lead rotation site coordinator, Arizona Region, ATSU-KCOM; Zarin Mehta, PhD, associate professor, Audiology, ATSU-ASHS; Christine Morgan, EdD, assistant professor, Graduate Medical Education, ATSU-SOMA; Amanda Murphy, MBA, operations finance specialist, ATSU-ASDOH; Stacy Neal, patient service coordinator, AFA Balancing and Hearing Institute, ATSU-ASHS; Clinton Normore, MBA, vice president, Diversity & Inclusion, ATSU; John Olson, PhD, professor, Anatomy, ATSU-SOMA; Seena Patel, DMD, MPH, associate professor, director, Oral Medicine, Pre-Doc Education, ATSU-ASDOH; Albert Torres, dental services technician, On-site Clinical Education, ATSU-ASDOH; Anna Wright, director, operations, ATSU-SOMA.

5 years: Nora Alhaddad, MBA, assistant director, Sponsored Programs, ATSU; Martin Allison, MA, accommodation specialist, Learning Resources, ATSU; Mariam Alshukri, MS, director, Professional Development & Curriculum, ATSU-SOMA; Joshua Blanchette, BS, wireless network analyst, ITS Operations, ATSU; Jean Brady, MA, RDH, instructor, Dental Hygienist, ATSU-ASDOH; Victoria Bryant, PhD, associate professor, Basic Medical Sciences, ATSU-SOMA; Andrew Grass, PhD, associate professor, Anatomy, ATSU-SOMA; Wendy K. Hardina, operations assistant, Still Research Institute, ATSU; Alfredo Hernandez, DDS, associate professor, Pre-Doc Education, ATSU-ASDOH; James Keane, DO, MEd, assistant professor, Osteopathic Principles & Practice, ATSU-SOMA; Angela Kiselyk, EdD, MS, PA-C, assistant professor, director, Progression & Retention, Physician Assistant Studies, ATSU-ASHS; Eric Kosel, DMD, assistant professor, director, AEGD, Advanced Care Clinic, ATSU-ASDOH; Satish Kumar, DMD, MDSc, MS, director, periodontics, professor, Pre-Doc Education, ATSU-ASDOH; Robert Lewis, PhD, associate professor, Basic Medical Science, ATSU-SOMA; Tami Lofland, administrative assistant, Occupational Therapy, ATSU-ASHS; Binita Mool, dental assistant, On-site Clinical Education, ATSU-ASDOH; Melissa Nieves, MBA, analyst, administration, ATSU-ASDOH; Diane Paz, DrBH, MEd, RDH, instructor, Dental Hygiene, Pre-Doc Education, ATSU-ASDOH; Kelsey Picha, PhD, ATC, associate professor, Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, ATSU-ASHS; Clarissa Rodriguez, senior administrative assistant, Diversity & Inclusion, ATSU; Debosree Roy, PhD, assistant professor, Public Health, ATSU-SOMA; Morgan Shubert, dental assistant, On-site Clinical Education, ATSU-ASDOH; Caitlin Talkington, dental assistant, On-site Clinical Education, ATSU-ASDOH; Jesse Thompson, MEd, simulation specialist, Physician Assistant Studies, ATSU-ASHS; Tessa Tibben, DHSc, MSPAS, PA-C, associate professor, Physician Assistant Studies, ATSU-ASHS; Liz Sprout Valenzuela, BS, benefits coordinator, Human Resources, ATSU; Jenifer Vetter, MAEd, director, Orthodontics, ATSU-ASDOH; Christina Weaver, DO, assistant dean, clinical curriculum, interprofessional education & simulation, ATSU-SOMA; Lorie Weber, MS, PA-C, assistant professor, Physician Assistant Studies, ATSU-ASHS; Xingzhong Zhang, DDS, MSD, PhD, assistant professor, Orthodontics, ATSU-ASDOH.

A.T. Still University-Arizona School of Health Sciences’ (ATSU-ASHS) Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program presented awards and held a pinning ceremony for members of the class of 2024 on Thursday, June 6, 2024, on the University’s Mesa, Arizona, campus.  

Alexis Allen, MSOT, ’24, Shelby Danielson, MSOT, ’24, and Taylor Grantham, MSOT, ’24, received recognition for their exceptional commitment to the ATSU Center for Occupational and Physical Therapy as clinic student board members. 

Janette Cantu, MSOT, ’24, and Sarah Squires, MSOT, ’24, received the OT/PT Clinic Above and Beyond award, which recognized them for their patient treatment hours and the number of times they volunteered in the clinic. 

Emerson Jesus, MSOT, ’24, and Jackie Rufrano, MSOT, ’24, received the Academic Achievement award, which honors students who have excelled in their studies and have received the highest GPA in their cohort.

Taylor Grantham, MSOT, ’24, was the recipient of this year’s Spirit of Occupational Therapy  award. This award is given to a student who demonstrates a positive attitude, kindness, and compassion towards their classmates and others, along with an outstanding commitment to the program and field of OT.

Janette Cantu, MSOT, ’24, received the Leadership award, which is given to a student who has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and professionalism during their time at ATSU, going above and beyond in their responsibilities as a student and a representative of the program. 

Check out more photos below!

Marisa Hastie, EdD, MS, ACSM EP-C, PN-1, FACSM, dean of A.T. Still University’s College of Graduate Health Studies (ATSU-CGHS), has been appointed to the American College of Sports Medicine’s Exercise is Medicine (EIM) Underserved and Community Health committee.

Dr. Hastie will serve a three-year term on the committee, ending in 2027, joining a team of multidisciplinary experts from various healthcare fields who have a shared interest in promoting physical activity within diverse, underserved communities.

The committee develops strategies and provides resources to integrate physical activity assessment and promotion into healthcare settings serving underserved populations, connecting individuals with community resources to increase physical activity.

A.T. Still University-College for Healthy Communities (ATSU-CHC) held its second annual Founders & Friends event on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, where over 60 guests celebrated the College’s journey to improving access to health professions education and healthcare on the Central Coast of California.

ATSU Chancellor Craig Phelps, DO, ’84, Eric Sauers, PhD, ’97, professor and dean of ATSU-CHC, and O.T. Wendel, PhD, president, Arizona/California campuses, were joined by alumni, students, dean’s council members, founding supporters, and friends for this celebration at Ventana Grill in Pismo Beach.

Community leaders, including Alice Patino, mayor of Santa Maria, Paul Cook, CEO of CoastHills Credit Union, and Sue Andersen, president and CEO of Marian Regional Medical Center, along with representatives from Lompoc Valley Medical Center, Driscoll’s Berries, CenCal Health, Community Health Centers of the Central Coast, and Santa Maria Joint Union High School District also attended. 

Attendees were thanked for their support of the College, as many had either personally donated funds or were representing their respective companies which have also provided financial support.

Check out more photos below!

For Sean Irwin, MSOT, ’18, the path to becoming a pediatric occupational therapist hasn’t been a straightforward one.

“I had jobs building mountain bikes, I had jobs building houses, I had jobs doing quality assurance for houses, I was a superintendent. I literally changed jobs, it seemed like every two years for so many years,” Irwin said. 

Born and raised in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Irwin recalls struggling in traditional school environments, always preferring hands-on classes and dreading test taking, specifically in math.

“I didn’t have a lot of direction,” he said, and often recalls thinking to his younger self, “‘I’ve got to sit down and take this test? Can I just build something or make something much better suited for me?’”

At 19, after serving a mission in Arizona for his church, Irwin returned home unsure of what he wanted to do next and chose to start taking classes at a local community college. While attending school, Irwin met his future wife, who was coincidentally from Arizona herself and had come to Canada to study at the University of British Columbia. 

Two years of long distance later, the pair married, and Irwin eventually joined his wife in Mesa, where he again found himself unsure of what career path to take.

In 2007, the couple made their first leap into entrepreneurship by establishing Suzy’s Swim and Fitness Zone, where Irwin’s wife, Suzy, teaches swimming and tumbling lessons out of their home. This decision would become the catalyst for Irwin’s foray into pediatric occupational therapy. 

“That’s when I really learned money doesn’t really matter. I need something that brings me meaning or I’m going to hate whatever I do, and it won’t matter how much money I make,” he said.

Through their in-home lessons, Irwin began working with several children with autism, which required him to take a different approach to teaching.

“These kids would constantly say, ‘I can’t, I can’t, I can’t,’” Irwin said. “I was looking at them and I’m like, ‘Look, I know you can’t swim. I know that, but you have to start saying, ‘I can.’ 

“Because you’re saying no so much, your body won’t even let you try it, so you’re not allowed to say ‘I can’t,’ in my pool. You have to say ‘I can do this.’”

After these experiences, several parents encouraged Irwin to look into pursuing occupational therapy, but he was always discouraged due to his negative experiences in school.

“I was so nervous to sign up for school. It gave me, and I don’t mean any disrespect for someone who’s gone through something traumatic, but it was like PTSD in a way. I felt like such a massive failure,” he explained.

With a push from one student’s mom, who told him, “You’re being a hypocrite because you tell my kids every day, ‘You’re not allowed to say I can’t,’” Irwin enrolled in community college and would eventually graduate with a bachelor’s of science from Arizona State University in 2013. 

“I certainly would not have been able to get through all the schooling without my wife’s help and support and my daughter, Noel. Our twins were actually born right after graduation,” Irwin said.

Irwin’s journey in ATSU-Arizona School of Health Sciences’ (ATSU-ASHS) Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program began with a recommendation from a friend and program alumni, and was also primarily nontraditional, with Irwin partially completing his work as a part-time student.

“The opportunities I was given to do fieldwork that was set up by the School was extremely helpful, and all of the hands-on and volunteer opportunities with the fall prevention course they had,” Irwin said.

Today, Irwin’s journey has brought him to Arizona Autism, where he currently works as an independent contractor under his LLC, the Rolling OT. In this role, he incorporates bikes, hippotherapy, and aquatic therapy into his therapy interventions, supervises two certified occupational therapy assistants, and has been a fieldwork supervisor for many OT graduate students. 

As the Rolling OT, Irwin also owns a Lightning McQueen replica, which he uses in his work and rents out for events, spreading joy in the form of a 2015 Dodge SRT with a six-speed manual transmission.

About once a month, he takes his clients and caregivers for a ride in Lightning McQueen, where his passengers can feel the the vibrations of the gearshift as Irwin shifts through the gears. In addition, Irwin brings the vehicle to fundraisers organized by local nonprofits such as Raising Special Kids and events such as ATSU’s annual Spring Expo.

“I use it as a sensory tool, and for mOTivation,” Irwin explained. “I’ve had multiple people at stoplights and grocery stores tell me that it made their day to see it. I’ve had a couple of grown adults tell me they were having the worst day and just by seeing my car it made their day better.”

“Not once have I ever thought, ‘I am quitting.’ I love this job. Almost not a day goes by that I’m like, ‘I get paid to do this stuff,’” he said. 

“You just have to find the best fit for you and not worry about anything else.”

A.T. Still University-Arizona School of Health Sciences (ATSU-ASHS) alumna Cheri Jrolf, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, ’22, recently received the 2024 American Mother of the Year Award, representing the state of Florida.

Awarded annually since 1935 by American Mothers Inc., an organization dedicated to educating, inspiring, and recognizing mothers, the American Mother of the Year award honors the positive impacts made by moms in all 50 states. 

A graduate of ATSU-ASHS’ Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) program, Dr. Jrolf is a board-certified physician assistant and faculty member in the Lincoln Memorial University-School of Medical Sciences (LMU-SMS) Physician Assistant (PA) program in Tampa, Florida. She also serves as vice president of the Florida Academy of Physician Assistants Board of Directors.

In addition to her professional career, Dr. Jrolf is a mom of four boys and is currently in the process of fostering to adopt her grand-niece.