The three-year grant (contract number MS250206001) will provide funding for Still OPTI to work with hospitals, healthcare providers, medical schools, and other public and private entities across Missouri in addressing healthcare workforce challenges. According to the MDHSS, 56% of students from Missouri who attend medical school and do their residency in Missouri ultimately stay in the state to practice. Missouri loses at least one-third of its medical school graduates to other states due to a lack of residency opportunities.
“ATSU-KCOM is historically known for producing rural physicians, and we’re excited to work with all of Missouri’s medical schools to ensure strong GME opportunities that keep physician talent in-state and serving Missouri’s residents,” ATSU-KCOM Dean Margaret Wilson, DO, ’82, said.
GME is mandatory, multi-year residency required for full physician licensure after medical school graduation. The GME TAC will provide assistance to Missouri’s existing residency programs, help expand current offerings and opportunities, and support those seeking to establish new residency programs.
Richard LaBaere II, DO, ATSU-KCOM associate dean of Still OPTI and GME TAC director, and Dana Nelson, MA, Still OPTI director and GME TAC coordinator, will lead the project.
“This grant will provide the needed support to develop new residency positions as well as anchor a network of Missouri GME providers, sponsoring institutions, and public and private hospitals, clinics, and medical practices hosting medical residencies throughout the state,” Dr. LaBaere said. “ATSU-KCOM Still OPTI is proud to play a vital role in graduate medical education and help increase access to physician care across Missouri. We look forward to cultivating collaborations and partnerships, which help educate and keep new physicians in Missouri.“ In 2023, the Missouri Legislature established the Missouri Graduate Medical Education Grant program to support expanding residency positions for primary care practice areas. The GME TAC is part of the commitment to address longstanding health inequities and grow the pipeline of providers for Missouri’s rural and underserved communities.
As Veterans Day approaches, A.T. Still University extends heartfelt gratitude to the men and women who serve or have served in the U.S. military. We are proud of our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends who have dedicated themselves to protecting our nation and preserving our freedom.
Your courage, sacrifice, and commitment to service embody the values we hold dear at ATSU. We honor your contributions and thank you for your unwavering dedication.
Yours in service,
Craig M. Phelps, DO, ’84 Chancellor
Jasmine Kathalyne Iturres, D2, was looking for a dental school with a very specific and unique set of priorities. For one, she wanted a school that provided early clinical exposure. At the same time, she wanted one with a commitment to work-life balance for its students.
“During my interview, I was drawn to the modular curriculum, which provides a structure that supports both academic success and personal well-being,” she said. “I also appreciated the opportunity for fourth-year external rotations, which allow students to gain hands-on experience in a variety of clinical settings across the country. As someone who enjoys traveling and exploring new places, this aspect of the program really appealed to me.
“More importantly, ATSU’s mission to serve underserved communities aligns closely with my own values. I’m passionate about holistic, patient-centered care, and I was excited to join a school that prioritizes those principles in its education and outreach.”
Iturres is from Orlando and graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in nutrition sciences.
“One of the things I value most about being a student at ATSU-ASDOH is the emphasis on balance,” she said. “Dental school is demanding, but our curriculum includes built-in self-study days and encourages us to take care of our mental and physical health. I also appreciate how inclusive and supportive my class is. There’s a strong sense of community here, and it’s reassuring to know that I’m surrounded by peers who are collaborative, not competitive. We make the most of our time together, even in the Arizona heat!”
Iturres holds several roles in various student organizations, serving as fundraising chair for the Hispanic Student Dental Association (HSDA), on the public relations committee for Give Kids A Smile (GKAS), and member of the Student National Dental Association (SNDA).
“I joined HSDA because I wanted to help guide the organization in a new direction and create meaningful opportunities for student involvement. As fundraising chair, my focus is on increasing our resources to support events that celebrate diversity and promote cultural awareness,” she said. “Being a first-generation Colombian dental student, I understand the importance of representation and the challenges many Hispanic communities face in accessing dental care. Through my role, I hope to strengthen HSDA’s outreach, encourage inclusion, help others better understand the diversity within the Latinx community by incorporating and sharing influences of my own Colombian culture, as well, and gain a deeper appreciation for the unique backgrounds our students and patients bring.”
Through GKAS, Iturres helps provide dental care to children who may not otherwise have access, while connecting with them in a fun and meaningful way. SNDA, meanwhile, supports historically underrepresented groups and promotes inclusion in dentistry, topics Iturres is deeply passionate about.
“It’s given me a sense of community and purpose, and it motivates me to advocate for representation and equity in the field as I grow in my career,” she said.
She also serves as an ATSU-ASDOH student ambassador.
“I became a student ambassador because of the positive experience I had during my own interview,” Iturres said. “The ambassadors I met were welcoming, genuine, and excited to share what they loved about ATSU-ASDOH, which made a lasting impression on me. As a first-generation Colombian-American college graduate, I had to navigate the dental school application process mostly on my own. That experience motivated me to be a resource for others, especially students who may be facing similar uncertainty. I also hope to be a source of support for other Latinx students pursuing dentistry, offering the guidance I wish I’d had along the way.”
Iturres describes herself as passionate about health and wellness, and outside of coursework stays active by going to the gym and playing sports like volleyball and soccer. She also loves to travel, take pottery classes, and go salsa dancing, and explores new coffee shops whenever she has a chance.
At ATSU-ASDOH, Iturres is preparing to become a well-rounded, compassionate clinician who not only provides excellent patient care, but also leads by example.
“ATSU has been instrumental in shaping this goal by challenging me to think critically: in the classroom, in simulation clinic, and during patient interactions,” she said. “I’ve had the chance to take on leadership roles and be involved in student organizations, which has helped me grow outside of academics. Learning from experienced and supportive faculty has also inspired me to keep improving. The early clinical exposure and focus on hands-on skills are helping me build the confidence and dexterity I’ll need in practice.
“ATSU’s learning environment constantly pushes me to be better, and I’m excited to keep growing through every experience it offers.”
“ATSU-SOMA is helping me prepare for this by providing a great education and connecting me with faculty who want us to succeed,” she said. “We are learning ultrasound, which is something I know will be helpful in my professional life.”
Huard is from Portland, Oregon, and graduated with a degree in biohealth sciences and minor in chemistry from Oregon State University. She said she quickly determined ATSU-SOMA was where she wanted to be for medical school.
“I chose ATSU because I immediately felt supported by the faculty I met on interview day,” she said. “Just from brief conversations I could tell the care faculty had for their students and I got a glimpse of the environment I would be learning in. Our curriculum allows us to get to know our peers very well and I am grateful for the friendships I have made that I know will last a lifetime!”
At ATSU-SOMA, Huard is a member of the Emergency Medicine Interest Group, PALS program, Health Without Barriers, Ultrasound Interest Group, and serves as a student ambassador.
“I became a student ambassador because I wanted the opportunity to share with prospective students all of the things I love about ATSU,” she said. “I really appreciate our curriculum and want to share how beneficial it is to my learning. I really enjoy getting to meet prospective students and answer their questions about what a typical ‘day in the life’ looks like, as I feel ATSU is great at allowing students to have a life outside of school. Being able to highlight that you can still have fun in medical school is something I love to reassure students about.”
In her free time, Huard enjoys cooking, going on walks, and spending time with friends and family.
On campus, she said she enjoys the camaraderie she has with her cohort.
“I enjoy the support I feel from all of my classmates. Everyone is working together and I do not feel like we are competing amongst each other, which helps foster a safe learning environment,” she said. “One of my favorite student life activities was participating in flag football last fall. It was super fun to be able to see my classmates outside of school and have fun without worrying about the stressors of school.”
“I hope to build a career grounded in both knowledge and compassion. At ATSU, I’ve seen firsthand how faculty model compassion and care – not only in their teaching, but also in the way they support students,” she said. “Their example inspires me, and I hope to carry that same approach into my own career, providing thoughtful and empathetic care to my future patients.”
Gudde is from Warrensburg, Missouri, and has a degree in pre-medical biology with minors in chemistry, health, and nutrition from the University of Central Missouri. She was uncertain about her next steps toward her long-term goals after undergrad, but after discussions with other ATSU-KCOM students realized the University offered a path that would be both challenging and full of opportunities.
“The welcoming environment and the familiar, hometown feel – similar to Warrensburg – made ATSU feel like the right place for me to grow personally and professionally,” she said.
At ATSU-KCOM, Gudde is a member of the Biomed and Rotaract clubs.
“I joined Rotaract because it provides meaningful opportunities to serve and support the local community. With the strong spirit of service embodied in the ‘Kirksville way,’ it felt like a natural way to give back to my new home. I enjoy connecting with others who are equally passionate about service, and I value the projects and activities that directly benefit those around us,” she said. “Rotaract has helped me build relationships while reinforcing the importance of community engagement alongside my studies.”
In her free time, Gudde enjoys cooking and baking for friends and neighbors, going on walks with her dog, and doing crafts.
On campus, Gudde enjoys immersing herself in the ATSU community.
“The close-knit environment makes it easy to connect with classmates and faculty, and I feel like everyone genuinely wants each other to succeed,” she said. “I also appreciate the balance between rigorous academics and opportunities for personal growth, whether that’s through involvement in student organizations, community service, or simply enjoying the small-town charm of Kirksville. Being part of ATSU has allowed me to build meaningful relationships while preparing for my future career in a welcoming and collaborative setting.”
A.T. Still University hosted the annual Founder’s Day 5K run and 2K walk event on Saturday in Kirksville, Missouri. Spencer Kramer was the overall race winner, with a time of 17:44, while Laykin Bytnar was the women’s overall winner with a time of 20:32.
Thank you to all of the runners who came out to make the event a success.
Other winners included…
19 & under: Jesse Scott
20-29 men: Ben Engleman, Dawson Woehr, and Brendan Wong
20-29 women: Peyton Bytnar, Ashlyn Tait, and Caroline Gwaltney
30-39 men: Bill Elam, Cole Young, and Nick Noyce
30-39 women: Amanda Noyce and Adelia Eben
40-49 men: Andy Kottwitz
40-49 women: Kelly Kirkland and Lilan Oses
50-59 women: Stephanie Howerton
60-plus men: Dennis Hendren
60-plus women: Sherrie Selenke, Melanie Grgurich, and Deb Mowry
2K walk/run: Clair Kim, Alaska Basnet, and Deanne Hunsaker
A.T. Still University (ATSU) faculty and staff joined the Board of Trustees and University administration for a dedication of the Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons (MAOPS) Gallery Hall on Thursday, Oct. 23, during Founder’s Day activities. The dedication ceremony honored MAOPS’ significant contributions to the Museum of Osteopathic Medicine and its continual advocacy on behalf of the osteopathic profession.
ATSU Chief Advancement Officer Bob Behnen, MBA, highlighted the centrality of charitable support to the continued operation of the museum and preservation of osteopathic history.
“Through their generosity, donors support exhibits that inspire, educational programs that enlighten, and the preservation of artifacts that tell the remarkable story of osteopathic medicine’s birth and evolution,” Behnen said. “Donor support not only sustains the museum’s daily work but expands its reach, inviting students, professionals, and the public to discover how osteopathy continues to shape healthcare today.”
ATSU Chancellor Craig M. Phelps, DO, ’84, described osteopathic medicine’s growth and influence. Today, at least one in four medical students are studying to become osteopathic physicians.
“The museum is truly a treasure of the University but also for all of humankind to understand the philosophy of Dr. Still, to understand the history of osteopathic medicine and the role it’s playing not only nationally but internationally,” Dr. Phelps said.
Osteopathic medicine extends worldwide as a discipline at the current height of its influence. Dr. Phelps emphasized it is more important than ever to preserve its history and heritage, and the museum is key to this preservation, as it houses important artifacts relating to the origins of osteopathic medicine and the philosophy of A.T. Still, DO. Through its generous six-figure donation, MAOPS actively contributes to this preservation. However, this is not the only way MAOPS supports the osteopathic community.
“They’re the folks who are doing the work every single day so the physicians can do what they need to do and enjoy what they do,” Dr. Phelps said.
Established in 1897, MAOPS enables osteopathic physicians to focus on their work, rather than the bureaucratic framework surrounding it, including legal and advocacy matters. Its efforts ensure physicians always have a support system in place. Katie Davenport-Kabonic, DO, ’12, president of MAOPS’ Board of Trustees, expressed appreciation for the association’s recognition and reiterated the importance of advocacy.
“MAOPS is an organization of osteopathic physician members from all stages of training and from all specialties,” Dr. Davenport-Kabonic said. “We are made of many members who have walked through this very hall and many members who originated from other colleges and states, with their own halls of osteopathic knowledge having found their pathway to Missouri to serve our communities. We are fortunate to be a family of so many backgrounds, so many pasts, and futures. Whether or not we study or practice osteopathic medicine on these very grounds, we all share our common roots here in Kirksville.”
Dr. Phelps unveiled a plaque symbolizing the University’s gratitude for MAOPS’ unwavering support and generosity, with a ribbon-cutting held at the hall’s entryway to Heritage Hall. The MAOPS Gallery Hall now serves as a testament to the power of advocacy and unity, and honors the commitment of an extraordinary group of individuals whose efforts will echo across the osteopathic profession for years to come.
“From the moment I stepped foot on campus, I knew this was the place I wanted to spend the next four years,” Mathur said. “The welcoming environment and supportive teachers make ATSU-ASDOH the excellent program that it is. I knew that if I attended this school, I would be exposed to an unmatched curriculum and develop clinical skills that could make me the dental provider I dream of being.”
Mathur is from Tucson, Arizona, and has a degree in biological sciences with a minor in psychology from University of the Pacific in Stockton, California.
Now in her second year on ATSU’s Mesa, Arizona, campus, those initial feelings have proven to be spot on.
“I love every aspect of being an ATSU student. I love being a part of a diverse student body, and I love being a part of such a welcoming and supportive healthcare family who truly care about our education and our clinical competency,” she said. “One aspect of student life I like are all of the clubs that we have on campus, which give students the opportunity to meet new people, be a part of amazing initiatives, and learn how to be better practitioners.”
Mathur is involved in many of those clubs, serving as vice president of the Local Student Research Group, whose goal is to provide research opportunities to dental students to enrich their curriculum and allow students to provide meaningful work to the dental industry. She is also a member of the American Student Dental Association’s (ASDA) Advocacy Committee, where she has an opportunity to address policies and legislation within the dental industry that affects dental students’ day-to-day lives, as well as their futures. Through ASDA, Mathur has had the opportunity to visit the Arizona Senate and House to speak with lawmakers about topics like water fluoridation and student loans.
Mathur also serves as a student ambassador.
“Visiting dental schools and making the big decision to commit to a program for the next four years is an incredibly daunting and stressful task,” she said. “Being the first in my family to pursue a healthcare career, I did not know what to look for in a dental school and how to pick the program that was truly right for me. I know this sentiment is shared by so many prospective dental students. I became an ambassador to help provide transparency and mentorship to students when it came to answering all the questions they had, so that they could make the best decision for their future. I love having the opportunity to mentor prospective students with limited healthcare backgrounds like me, and provide them with clarity to make a stressful process a little easier.”
In her free time, Mathur enjoys painting, cooking, and trying out new restaurants and coffee shops.
On campus, she’s preparing to become a dental professional who will make a difference in her community.
“I hope to graduate as a dental professional who is confident in my clinical skills and who is culturally competent so that I am able to provide dental care to everyone who needs it, and break down barriers to dental accessibility through dental services and education,” she said. “ATSU makes this their top priority by getting its students in the clinic early on, so that we can become comfortable and confident treating all kinds of patients with all kinds of dental needs. Additionally, our fourth-year external rotations allow us to get exposed to many diverse communities and begin to work towards providing greater dental access and education to our patients.”
“Today, we will honor and remember your loved ones for their unselfish gift. Because of their generosity, the medical students, nursing students, faculty, physicians, and many others have had the opportunity to learn the structures and functions of the human body,” said Casandra Luscan, anatomy lab manager for ATSU-KCOM, addressing the families of donors. “I understand that for some of you sitting down in the chairs it may have been difficult to accept or to make the decision to donate your loved ones. But my goal is that after today you will see the gift your loved ones had such a positive impact on so many people here around us.”
Peter Kondrashov, PhD, professor and chair, anatomy, ATSU-KCOM, similarly expressed the University’s gratitude for all donors and extolled the profound value of their gift.
“Obviously the anatomy study is super important,” Dr. Kondrashov said, “but the body of each donor is so much more than that. Really, this is the silent teacher who became our student’s first patient and provided an absolutely unique experience to our students. There is nothing that could replace that.”
This message was further reinforced by four speakers who spoke on behalf of several ATSU student organizations. These students testified to the impact of donors on their own education and incorporated elements of faith and tradition into their speeches, which offered unique perspectives on both the gift of body and the experience of loss.
“As medical students, we spend countless hours studying anatomy, physiology, and different diseases,” said Josh Avina, OMS II, Student Government Association president for ATSU-KCOM, “but no textbook, no model, and no video could ever teach us what your loved ones have taught us. Through their generosity, we learn not only about the structure of the human body, but also about humility, compassion, and respect. Their gift has shown us what it truly means to serve others selflessly.”
Smriti Kumar, who spoke on behalf of the Indian Student Association, echoed this sentiment.
“In many Indian traditions, life and death are seen as parts of a continuous cycle – not an ending, but a transformation,” Kumar said. “Our donors, through their choice, have allowed themselves to live on in us: in the skills we build, in the compassion we cultivate, in the patients we will one day serve. It is a reminder that knowledge, healing, and kindness can outlive us – that even in death there is promise and impact.”
Other speakers emphasized the concept of renewal in particular and built on their own religious background to offer empathy and support to the families present. Michael Newman, OMS II, on behalf of the Latter-day Saints Student Association, offered the reassurance God’s plan does not end with death, and the gift of renewed body is promised to all.
“I do not mean to say that we should not grieve, or there not be sorrow for loved ones who are gone. Even Jesus wept,” Newman said. “What I do mean to say is that God has comfort for those who will come to him and great promises made to us out of his abundant mercy.”
Leighton Douglas, OMS II, who spoke on behalf of the Christian Medical and Dental Association, followed Newman with a similar expression of the solace accessible through faith.
“We give thanks to God for these donors, thanks to the families, and thanks to the donors themselves for allowing us to further our understanding and education,” Douglas said. “May their gifts allow us to traverse the cycle a little bit longer, and a little bit smoother.”
Allison Goldenstein, DO, MPH, ’22, former anatomy fellow, highlighted the individual lives of each donor and celebrated their legacy of generosity and love.
“Your loved ones have not been forgotten, nor will they be,” Dr. Goldenstein said. “In our labs, their presence is felt each and every day, not just in the knowledge that they provide but in the way that they remind us to care for one another, and to treat the body, each patient, and each life in a sacred way, with the utmost care and dignity.”
Two student musical groups performed to honor the donors. The ceremony included a 21-gun salute by a local veterans’ organization, followed by the playing of “Taps.”
As Luscan returned to the podium to conclude the ceremony, she brought with her a letter addressed to the students gathered in the cemetery. This letter was penned by the family of Richard William Baker, a donor. The Baker family described Richard as someone who chose to spark small moments of joy, whether that be by dressing up as Santa on the holidays or randomly distributing two-dollar bills. He was deeply invested in the lives of those around him, even perfect strangers, and it was this innate empathy that led him to choose to donate his body. The family expressed their hope the students would be inspired by Richard’s life and even provided an envelope of two-dollar bills to be distributed to students after the ceremony.
Luscan then returned her attention to the families, again expressing deep gratitude and sincere condolences.
“Our hope is that the next time you’re mourning the loss of your loved one, or having a rough day, you stop and take a moment for all the lives that they’ve impacted around the world,” said Luscan.
A.T. Still University students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends gathered for Still-a-Bration on Friday evening in Kirksville, Missouri, celebrating Founder’s Day.
The annual Still-a-Bration festival featured music, games and activities for kids, and more.
