In May, a significant contingent of our library staff journeyed to Pittsburgh for the highly anticipated Medical Library Association (MLA) 2025 conference. As the premier event for medical library professionals, MLA provides an unparalleled opportunity to connect with colleagues, both new and old, from medical libraries across the nation. Beyond the invaluable professional networking, the conference also served as a cherished “staff retreat,” allowing our ATSU Library team to gather in person, a rare and much-appreciated occurrence given our presence in three different states!
Our librarians actively contributed to the rich educational programming of the conference, showcasing their expertise and insights through immersion sessions and poster presentations. Their contributions reflect the innovative spirit and dedication to advancing the field within medical librarianship.
Immersion Sessions:
Maud Mundava, MLS, MBA, AHIP, Missouri campus library head librarian and assistant university library director, was a key contributor to two impactful immersion sessions:
“Succession Planning: Building Leadership for a Resilient Future!”
“AI Language in Vendor Contracts: Opportunities, Challenges, and Best Practices” (co-presented with ATSU Library Director Hal Bright, MLS, AHIP).
Poster Presentations:
Our librarians also presented compelling research and insights through their poster sessions:
ATSU Library Director Hal Bright, MLS, AHIP, presented two posters with colleagues from other institutions:
“Osteopathic Research: Literature Trends and Librarian Insights”
“Board Exam Prep Resource Trends in Academic Health Sciences Libraries Serving Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Programs”
A collaborative effort from Dot Winslow, MFA, CAPF-S, library assistant, Julia Peters, MS, BFA, library liaison,and Leslie Golamb, MLS, MBA, MHA, library liaison, resulted in the poster:
“Exploring the Impacts of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Medical Libraries”
The engagement and contributions of our library staff at MLA 2025 underscore our commitment to professional development, sharing best practices, and staying at the forefront of advancements in medical librarianship. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and the positive impact they continue to make on our profession.
A.T. Still University-Arizona School of Health Sciences (ATSU-ASHS) Dean Ann Lee Burch, PT, EdD, MPH, FNAP, presented awards during a virtual ATSU-ASHS faculty assembly meeting on May 13, 2025.
Faculty members were nominated and selected by their fellow colleagues for their contributions during the 2024-25 academic year. See below for award name, award recipient, and quotes from nominating colleagues.
“In the short 20 months that Dr. Hines has been at ATSU, she has accomplished a great deal in teaching, service, and scholarship, including integration of innovative teaching methods. Her service to the University spans opportunities at department, school, and university levels. She holds several leadership positions within national and state level professional organizations including the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and Black Men in White Coats Association. She has presented and published in the areas of disseminated research of culturally responsive practices, AI integration, as well as language and literacy development.”
“Dr. Fay’s service to adaptive sports is unparalleled, including her leadership at the international level to World Para Athletics and the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee. Dr. Fay has extensive national service with APTA’s Adaptive Sports Special Interest Group, APTA’s Qualitative Research Special Interest Group, and as a journal reviewer. She has served as chair of the ATSU-ASHS Promotion and Tenure Committee and has demonstrated exemplary service in multiple roles at the University, school and department level.”
“Dr. Radziak’s dedication and teaching practices are outstanding. The faculty assembly faculty award committee selected Dr. Radziak for her innovation, creativity and the impact she has had on students as an educator”.
“Dr. Barragan is a prolific scholar. Her areas of research include auditory discrimination in aging bilinguals, the effect of quiet and noise on Spanish-English bilinguals, motor activation for second language word processing, and more. She presents nationally and internationally, publishes consistently and serves as a mentor to others.”
Lynda Tierney Konecny, DHEd, DHSc, MCHES, ’08, associate professor, health professions education, served as the commencement grand marshal.
The commencement address was delivered by Donald Altman, DDS, DHSc, EdD, ’12, vice chancellor, academic support. Dr. Altman has served ATSU in various capacities since 2006, including as associate vice president of academic affairs, dean of ATSU-CGHS, and director of public health and research at ATSU-Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health.
Graduates were also congratulated by ATSU-CGHS Dean Marisa Hastie, EdD, MS, ACSM EP-C, PN-1, FACSM, ATSU Chancellor Craig M. Phelps, DO, ’84, and Gaylah Sublette, MBA, interim president, ATSU’s Missouri campus. Greg Loeben, PhD, MPH, ’22, associate professor, inducted graduates into the ATSU-CGHS Alumni Association.
Watch the full ceremony and check out more photos below!
May’s staff profile highlight is Dot Winslow, our lone library staff member on the Santa Maria campus who makes sure everything runs smoothly for our CCPA students and faculty.
How long have you worked for the library? Three years and two months.
What made you want to work in libraries? I love knowledge, teaching, and helping others make a positive impact.
What do you like most about your job and about working for ATSU? Getting to know people – colleagues, students, and other stakeholders – is my favorite part of the job.
What is a fun job you had before ATSU? I taught poetry in the schools as a side gig during my last career, and I loved it. Seeing kids (K-12) explore language and their own minds, and having fun while doing it, is a treat to witness and facilitate.
What is a fun/unique/exciting tidbit to know about you, or how do you spend your free time? I act in community theater!
In addition to their doctor of osteopathic medicine degrees, ten students also earned master of public health degrees and four students were military graduates.
American Osteopathic Association (AOA) President Teresa A. Hubka, DO, FACOOG, FACOG, CS, delivered the ceremony’s commencement address. ATSU-SOMA Dean Sharon J. Obadia, DO, FNAOME, ’97, ATSU Chancellor Craig M. Phelps, DO, ’84, and O.T. Wendel, PhD, president, ATSU Arizona & California campuses, also spoke to graduates and guests.
Watch the full ceremony and check out more photos below!
Arellano, who is currently completing her clinical rotations at El Rio Community Health Center in Tucson, Arizona, joins the 2025-26 SOMA National Board of Directors. As director, she will develop programming that promotes the full scope of osteopathic principles and practices (OPP), while supporting student well-being, boosting hands-on engagement, increasing awareness of the osteopathic philosophy, and encouraging student involvement.
“My goal is to make OPP more accessible and meaningful through interactive learning and resources for exams, rotations, and future practice, while also fostering pride in our identity as osteopathic physicians. Through both OPP and wellness initiatives, I aim to create a culture of balance that future physicians can carry into their careers to better care for themselves and their patients,” Arellano said.
She added, “Being inducted into this position means a lot to me because it gives me a chance to share my love for osteopathic medicine and help support my peers along the way. It’s an opportunity to serve, get creative, and work alongside other student leaders and professionals who are just as passionate about making a difference in our medical community.”
A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-ASDOH) celebrated the achievements of the class of 2025 at its commencement ceremony, held at the Mesa Arts Center on Friday, May 9, 2025. Along with 75 graduates earning their doctor of dental medicine degrees, 10 students were also awarded master of public health degrees.
The ceremony included remarks from ATSU-ASDOH Dean Desmond Gallagher, BDS, MA, FACD, at his first commencement ceremony, as well as ATSU Chancellor Craig M. Phelps, DO, ’84, and O.T. Wendel, PhD, president, ATSU Arizona & California campuses.
Tobias E. Rodriguez, PhD, strategic initiatives manager at the University of Pittsburgh, delivered this year’s commencement address. Jeremy Sant, DDS, assistant professor, led students in reciting the oath to the profession.
Watch the full ceremony and check out more photos below!
Joined by Wayne Tormala, an Emmy award-winning public health consultant, Dr. Kerzin addressed the often-overlooked issue of compassion fatigue, a state of emotional and physical exhaustion that can affect those who care for others. The workshop served as a reminder that caring for others begins with caring for ourselves.
Dr. Kerzin explored strategies to maintain balance and resilience, as well as ways to to help students, staff, and faculty identify and navigate signs of burnout. To conclude the workshop, attendees were guided through a brief group meditation led by Dr. Kerzin, encouraging them to take a moment to reflect on their own well-being.
A.T. Still University (ATSU) held its fourth annual Graduate Health Professions Scholarship (GPS) Golf Tournament on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at the Superstition Springs Golf Club in Mesa, Arizona.
The GPS is designed to support students who are pursuing degrees in healthcare fields including medicine, dentistry, and more, accentuating the University’s unique mission of service and leadership in whole person healthcare. The scholarship is awarded to students based on their academic achievements, financial need, and commitment to their profession.
This year’s tournament award winners were:
Men’s first place – Omega-Davis Team (Andrew Davis, Jerrold Boudreaux, Jeff Foster, Mayon Neal)
Women’s first place – MahoganyXan Inc. Team (LaTricia Woods, Pamela Williamson, Tameka Hartman, Ashley Kelly)
Second place – Flores Team (Benjamin Flores, Hector Yazzie, Steven Esparza, Abel Esparza)
Third place – YMCA Team (Greg Bouslog, Robert Wollenzien, Dustin Panoff, Thomas Disch)
Men’s Closest to the Pin – Brent Davis
Women’s Closest to the Pin – Jamie Miokiff
Men’s Longest Drive – Thomas Disch
Women’s Longest Drive – Desiree Dugger
Putting Contest Winner – Clinton Normore
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.
“I believe this program will make me more competitive when applying to PA programs and increase my chances of acceptance in the next cycle, ultimately helping me achieve my goal of becoming a PA,” said Khokhar, who also holds bachelor’s degrees in biochemistry and chemical engineering.
A unique online learning opportunity for individuals aspiring to pursue enrollment in PA school, the MSBMS program consists of 45 credit hours of study, which can be completed over the course of nine months. MSBMS graduates with a GPA of 3.5 or higher and who meet the prerequisite requirements will also be granted an interview with ATSU-ASHS’ PA program.
For Khokhar, who works full time, finding a program with maximum flexibility to continue her career outside of the classroom was essential. Despite the program being 100% online, she has built strong relationships with program faculty, who are experienced PAs with a passion for the profession.
“Whenever I emailed a member of the program, I received an immediate response, whether it was an administrative inquiry or a question about the content. Everyone was always eager to help,” she said.
The program’s science-based curriculum, consisting of classes like biochemistry essentials and medical writing, strengthens students’ academic backgrounds through clinically oriented, graduate-level training.
Though challenging, Khokhar has developed strong time management skills that allow her to maintain a healthy work/life balance while staying on top of her coursework.
“I didn’t wait until the last minute to complete assignments. Instead, I worked on them a little bit each day and listened to the audiobook versions of the textbooks to stay on track,” she said.
Additionally, the MSBMS program works with students on application preparation, interprofessional collaboration, and communication strategies to improve interview skills, all tools Khokhar is confident will help her stand out in the next PA admissions cycle.
