New additions at the Kirksville campus library to kick off the semester
As we welcome new students, faculty, and staff, as well as returning members of our campus community, the library is excited to share a few updates to enhance your experience this academic year.
We’ve added another treadmill desk – bringing our total to four – to help you stay active while you study or work. Additionally, a new interactive computer panel (TV screen) has been installed in the main floor group study room, offering a more dynamic and collaborative space for group projects and presentations.
Stop by to check out these new additions, and remember: we are here to support your success and well-being. Welcome (or welcome back) to campus!
The California branch of the A.T. Still Memorial Library had the pleasure of adding four study carrels and a variety of new anatomy models into its collection this summer. The library also has a desktop computer, housed on its only non-movable adjustable standing desk on the east wall, and a new mobile standing desk with a second screen monitor. Two other mobile standing desks have been added in the library for use by students.
A graduate of ATSU’s online Doctor of Health Sciences (DHSc) program, Dr. Jones is currently the president and chief executive officer of the SHARE Foundation, a role he has held since 2017. He previously served as a member of the UAMS Family Practice Residency Council, the Arkansas Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging, and the Arkansas Humanities Council Board.
Dr. Jones also holds a graduate certificate in health care administration from Des Moines University and a Master of Science degree with a concentration in systems thinking from Lubbock Christian University.
Are you drowning in a sea of articles and resources while conducting your research? A citation management system could be your lifesaver! These powerful tools are designed to help you organize, store, and format your scholarly references with ease.
What is a Citation Manager?
Also known as reference managers or bibliographic management software, citation managers are programs that streamline the process of handling your research materials. They’re incredibly useful for:
Keeping track of important articles and other works: No more losing track of that crucial paper you found last week.
Formatting citations correctly: While you still need to learn how to format in APA or AMA correctly, these systems can automatically format citations in a wide variety of styles.
Facilitating research collaboration: Some systems even allow you to share research with a group of users, making teamwork a breeze.
Most citation managers offer a suite of valuable features, allowing you to:
Store your selected citations and even full articles
Create correctly formatted lists of citations in various styles
Double-check your formatting to ensure accuracy
Take notes on or about your saved articles
Share your selected citations and articles with others
As always, if you have any questions, please contact your liaison librarian.
June’s Staff Profile Highlight is Maud Mundava, MLS, MBA, AHIP, Missouri campus library head librarian and assistant university library director.
How long have you worked for the library? Since November 2021
What made you want to work in libraries? The opportunity to make a meaningful difference – often in small but impactful ways – that enhance learning and teaching outcomes for our faculty, students, and staff.
What do you like most about your job and about working for ATSU? I’m surrounded by collaborative colleagues who support one another and create a safe space to try new ideas, make mistakes, and grow.
What is a fun job you had before ATSU? Working at a community college. Most of the students were first-generation college students, and they often needed a lot of support – not just academically, but personally too. It was incredibly rewarding to be part of their journey, helping them navigate challenges and celebrating their successes. The sense of community and purpose made every day feel meaningful.
What is a fun/unique/exciting tidbit to know about you, or how do you spend your free time? I enjoy spending quality time with family, exploring nature, relaxing and walking, and fun fact, I enjoy dancing and gardening. During my undergraduate years, I joined the ballroom dance club and had the exciting opportunity to compete!
Since its founding in 1892, A.T. Still University (ATSU) has been deeply committed to an educational and collaborative environment embracing cultural proficiency.
For Brian Castillo-Murillo, MA, coordinator, ATSU Diversity & Inclusion, ATSU’s dedication to diversity and cultural proficiency is further exemplified through the University’s Safe Zone for All (SZFA) program, a unique resource for students, faculty, and staff that aims to identify, educate, and support allies within the ATSU community.
“As a queer, non-conforming individual, I believe SZFA is a vital program for the ATSU community, helping to create safe and inclusive spaces. I wanted to contribute by leading cultural proficiency sessions that provide valuable resources for those seeking to learn more about historically underrepresented communities,” Castillo-Murillo said.
“I believe everyone should champion and advocate for individuals’ unique identities, fostering a culture of support, equity, and allyship.”
SZFA’s mission is to cultivate a supportive and inclusive culture by developing Allies and Master Allies within the ATSU community. Allies play a crucial role in ensuring ATSU remains a safe, receptive, and accepting space for all students, faculty and staff members.
After completing a training session, Allies display their SZFA emblem on their person or in/around their workspace, signaling their commitment to advocacy, cultural competency, and inclusivity. Although they do not act as professional therapists or behavioral health counselors, allies listen authentically and without judgment, providing support in the form of encouragement, advice, information, or referrals.
“Programs like SZFA are essential because they help create safe, inclusive, and supportive spaces for everyone. They equip individuals with the knowledge and resources needed to advocate for others, foster cultural proficiency, and promote allyship. By embracing diversity and championing equity, programs like SZFA empower communities to uplift one another, ensuring that all individuals feel seen, heard, and valued,” Castillo-Murillo said.
ATSU students, faculty, and staff interested in becoming SZFA Allies can participate in upcoming virtual and in-person training sessions. To learn more or sign up, contact diversity@atsu.edu.
“My role encompasses curriculum and learning design, and I have been able to use what I have learned thus far in my practice,” Rockwell said. “I’m being called upon in all disciplines to be that expert. This has also enhanced my personal growth as I become more confident in what I have done and can do.”
An experienced nurse and nursing professional development senior specialist, Rockwell chose ATSU-CGHS for both the flexibility of its online format and its mission-driven approach to education.
“An online program fits perfectly into my work and life balance,” she said.
Focused specifically on health professions education, the EdD program at ATSU-CGHS prepares healthcare educators to teach and inspire the next generation of professionals. Through its context-based and mission-driven curriculum, students are able to make an immediate impact in their current roles and the broader healthcare industry.
For Rockwell, one of the most impactful parts of her EdD journey has been the level of support she has received from ATSU-CGHS faculty and staff.
“This was indeed an unexpected pathway,” Rockwell said. “I have received above-and-beyond support and guidance from my advisor and the faculty that I have encountered. It has been a breath of fresh air and has prevented me from losing sight of my goal. The compassion that I have received has been unconventional from past experiences.”
With her graduation set for the spring of 2026, Rockwell is ready to achieve her goals of providing high-quality educational programs to enhance professional growth in the nursing workforce and improve patient outcomes and satisfaction in her community.
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!
