William F. Brechue, PhD, professor and chair, Department of Physiology, ATSU-KCOM, served as grand marshal. After 37 years in higher education, Dr. Brechue will be retiring from the University in June.
Susan L. Thomas, PhD, president, Truman State University, was the recipient of the 2026 Chancellor’s Medallion Distinguished Service Award. Dr. Thomas was recognized for her outstanding service and support to healthcare and the osteopathic profession. Under her leadership, Truman State University has been a valued partner to ATSU and a cornerstone of Kirksville’s higher education legacy.
David L. Rhoiney, DO, FACS, ’14, vascular surgery fellow, Emory University, former department head of surgery, U.S. Navy, served as commencement speaker and was awarded an honorary doctor of science in osteopathy degree.
Speakers also included ATSU-KCOM Dean Margaret Wilson, DO, ’82, Gaylah Sublette, MBA, president, ATSU’s Missouri campus, and Jonathan Cleaver, DO, FAOCD, FAAD, FASMS, ’08, who delivered the Board of Trustees greeting. ATSU Chancellor Craig Phelps, DO, ’84, provided closing remarks.
Watch the complete commencement ceremony and check out more photos below!
Teresa A. Dolan, DDS, MPH, vice president and chief clinical officer, Dentsply Sirona, senior advisor and former chief dental officer, Overjet, delivered this year’s commencement address. Dr. Dolan urged graduates to lead with compassion and innovation to drive meaningful change for underserved patients and communities.
Speakers included Donald S. Altman, DDS, DHSc, EdD, ’12, interim dean, professor, ATSU-MOSDOH, Gaylah Sublette, MBA, president, ATSU Missouri campus, and Jonathan Cleaver, DO, FAOCD, FAAD, FASMS, ’08, who delivered the Board of Trustees greeting. ATSU Chancellor Craig Phelps, DO, ’84, provided closing remarks.
Watch the full commencement ceremony and view more photos below!
Dr. Burch joins the 2026-2027 cohort in September with the opening symposium in Washington.
The AGB Institute for Leadership and Governance is designed for innovative, adaptive leaders who have a passion for higher education, a drive to serve, and a commitment to shaping the future of the education sector.
The six-month institute is composed of challenging symposia, interactive online workshops, and one-on-one mentoring connecting participants with top higher education leaders to discuss challenges facing institutions of higher learning.
Memorial Day provides an opportunity to remember and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in our country’s armed forces.
In observance of Memorial Day, ATSU offices and patient care centers in Kirksville, Missouri; Mesa, Arizona; Santa Maria, California; and St. Louis, Missouri, will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2026. Facility access will be limited.
The Kirksville Thompson Campus Center will be closed on Sunday, May 24, and Monday, May 25.
Please click here to view library hours at each location.
Yours in service,
Craig M. Phelps, DO, ’84 Chancellor
Stephanie McGrew, DHSc, MPH, MHA, ’25, assistant director of diversity & inclusion for A.T. Still University of Health Sciences (ATSU), has been selected for two national STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) ambassador roles. Dr. McGrew, who leads ATSU’s Dreamline PathwaysTM program for young students interested in health professions careers, was selected by the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) as a Fields of STEM Ambassador and the Department of Defense (DoD) as a STEM Ambassador.
As a national STEM education leader, Dr. McGrew will be speaking at conferences across the country in 2026 to share the impact and innovation behind ATSU’s Dreamline Pathways™ program. Through these national platforms, she will highlight scalable models expanding access to hands-on, medical-based STEM learning for students in underserved communities.
Dr. McGrew frequently hosts middle school and high school students, as well as their teachers, at ATSU’s St. Louis Dental Center, a federally qualified health center operated in partnership with Affinia Healthcare. The dental center is a third- and fourth-year dental education clinic site for ATSU’s Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health students. At the St. Louis Dental Center, Dreamline Pathways™ students learn about dental science and innovations in dental practice through interactive, hands-on learning experiences. These immersive sessions are intentionally designed to engage young minds, demystify clinical environments, and encourage students to envision themselves pursuing careers in the health professions.
Through sustained University and St. Louis community partnerships and experiential programming, Dr. McGrew continues to build pathways connecting classroom learning to real-world clinical practice and long-term workforce development.
The NSTA Ambassadorship also opened the door for Dr. McGrew to become a DoD STEM Ambassador. Selected from a large pool of applicants from around the country, DoD STEM Ambassadors routinely meet and collaborate to share various resources to further STEM curriculum and education in schools across the U.S. “I am truly honored to be chosen to serve as a STEM Ambassador, and I look forward to contributing to STEM curricula throughout the country,” Dr. McGrew said. “Additionally, I will be able to share newly learned STEM resources with my University colleagues.”
A.T. Still University’s (ATSU) Missouri Campus Student Government Association (SGA) recognized students and faculty during its recent 2026 Awards Ceremony.
The SGA Awards Ceremony is conducted annually to recognize exemplary students and faculty members who have gone above and beyond with their commitment to ATSU’s mission. Winners were as follows:
Global Scholar of the Year Award: Hannah Billig, OMS III
ATSU-MOSDOH Elsie Gaber Compassion and Integrity Award: Caitlin Kauff, D2
ATSU-MOSDOH Class of 2028 Outstanding Teacher Award: Ammar Musawi, MDS, BDS, MPH
ATSU-MOSDOH Class of 2029 Outstanding Teacher Award: Ali Pourian, DDS, MS
ATSU-KCOM Max Gutensohn, DO, Class of 2028 Outstanding Teacher Award: Sumitra Miriyala, PhD
ATSU-KCOM Max Gutensohn, DO, Class of 2029 Outstanding Teacher Award: Shanu Markand, PhD
ATSU Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents Researcher of the Year: Jacob Ayers, OMS IV
ATSU Student Researcher of the Year: Gracejit Chahal, OMS II
SGA Leadership Awards: Megan Ott, OMS II, Tiana Staudinger, OMS II, Louie Perotte, OMS II, Isabelle Donjoian, D1
It is with sadness I share with you the passing of H. Charles Moore, PhD, former president of Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (now A.T. Still University). Dr. Moore served as the sixth president from 1973-1983.
The son of an osteopathic physician, Dr. Moore brought deep professional and personal roots to his leadership. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Albion College in Michigan, and his master’s degree and doctorate in administration and higher education from Michigan State University. Prior to becoming president, he served in leadership roles, including director of development and vice president for general administration, experiences that prepared him well for the presidency.
During his tenure, Dr. Moore led the institution through a period of meaningful growth and innovation. Under his leadership, the University secured funding for and developed the the Gutensohn Osteopathic Health & Wellness Clinic, expanding clinical education opportunities and strengthening its commitment to training family physicians. He also led the successful drive to establish the Thompson Campus Center, a dedicated space to enhance student life and campus community.
Dr. Moore was recognized nationally for his leadership in higher education and osteopathic medicine. He served as president of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, represented higher education at the White House Conference on Domestic and Economic Affairs in 1975, and was selected by the U.S. Jaycees as one of the “Outstanding Young Men of America” for his professional achievement as the youngest college president in the country.
Just a few weeks ago, Dr. Moore’s wife, Sonya, passed away. Mrs. Moore was remembered by her family for her love, humor, and many talents. Charles and Sonya recently celebrated 42 years of marriage and shared a life centered on family and service.
Dr. Moore will be remembered with gratitude by colleagues, alumni, students, and friends whose lives were touched by his leadership and commitment to osteopathic education.
On behalf of the entire ATSU family, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the Moore family and their many friends during this difficult time.
Yours in service,
Craig M. Phelps, DO, ’84 Chancellor
The spirit of the Old West met the cutting edge of medical education this April as A.T. Still University’s Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCOM) hosted the 7th Annual Simulation Challenge.
The event, held Saturday, April 11, combined rigorous clinical testing with a “Wild Wild West” theme, bringing a high-energy “Edu-Tainment” atmosphere to the clinical simulation labs. Six teams of four – consisting of two second-year and two first-year students – competed in high-stakes medical scenarios, judged by a panel of experts.
Team Glascow Cowboy Scale galloped away with the top prize. Members Edmund Conroy, OMS II; Elliott Briddle, OMS II; Charles “Chuck” Cooper, OMS I; and Madhuran “Maddy” Selvaa, OMS I, were awarded a $100 cash prize and unique 3D-printed A.T. Still trophies, custom-made by the University’s own 3D print shop.
Defending the home turf: Regional success
The Glascow Cowboy Scale team advanced to the 3rd Annual Regional Simulation Challenge on Saturday, April 18. ATSU-KCOM hosted challengers from Kansas City University and the defending champions from Southern Illinois University.
The judging panel crowned ATSU-KCOM the regional winners. The winning students received a $250 cash prize and gold 3D-printed A.T. Still trophies. Their achievement will be permanently commemorated with photos displayed in the trophy case on the first floor of the Interprofessional Education Building.
From left: Lisa Archer, RN, BSN, CHSE, director of simulation & performance assessment; Charles “Chuck” Cooper, OMS I; Elliott Briddle, OMS II; Madhuran “Maddy” Selvaa, OMS I; Edmund Conroy, OMS II; and Jake Settles, DO, medical director.
These events were made possible through the generous support of ATSU-KCOM Alumni and the University Advancement Team.
Enjoy these photos from the event!
A.T. Still University (ATSU) recently recognized faculty and staff at ATSU-Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-MOSDOH) and the St. Louis Dental Center during the Faculty & Staff Recognition and Award Ceremony.
Five-year honorees were: Jane Clark, MPH, Director, Dentistry in the Community
10-year honorees were: David Greaves, DDS, Assistant Professor and Director, Specialty Care; Akshay Vij, BDS, ACT, Associate Professor and SCU Director
For the third consecutive year, ATSU-KCOM is ranked No. 1 in graduates who go on to practice in rural areas. Additionally, ATSU-KCOM ranks No. 5 in most graduates practicing in primary care fields, and No. 22 in most graduates practicing in health professional shortage areas.
ATSU-SOMA ranks second for graduates practicing in primary care fields and is No. 24 in graduates practicing in rural areas.
U.S. News & World Report worked with the Robert Graham Center, a division of the American Academy of Family Physicians, as the data provider, and ranked medical schools by the percentage of each school’s 2017-19 graduates practicing in primary care fields.
Data shows 23.5% of those ATSU-KCOM graduates are practicing in rural areas, 44.6% in primary care fields, and 58.1% in health professional shortage areas.
“ATSU-KCOM is once again gratified to have served its mission by the rankings noted in U.S. News & World Report,” said Margaret Wilson, DO, ’82, dean, ATSU-KCOM. “Our commitment to rural communities, the underserved, and the need for primary care is reflected by these lists. The school continues to strive to meet the healthcare needs of the nation and does so with great pride.”
For ATSU-SOMA, 47.1% of those graduates are practicing in primary care fields, 10.1% are practicing in rural areas, and 31.9% are in health professional shortage areas.
“I am thrilled ATSU-SOMA has again been recognized and ranked for medical schools with the most graduates practicing in primary care,” said Sharon Obadia, DO, FNOAME, ’97, dean, ATSU-SOMA. “I am so very proud to share in this impressive distinction with our ATSU-SOMA alumni, faculty, staff, community partners, students, and University leadership as a testament to our thriving mission fulfillment.”
According to projections by the Association of American Medical Colleges, the U.S. will face a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036, including 20,200-40,400 in primary care fields. Another study published by the University of Washington’s Rural Health Research Center showed the rural physician workforce is aging rapidly, with fewer young doctors entering the field, widening the gap in access to care between rural and urban areas.
“We are honored to learn that ATSU-KCOM, the founding college of osteopathic medicine, continues to rank as a national leader in producing the type of physician most needed in America today; those who go into primary care specialties and are dedicated to serving rural and other health professional shortage areas. By doing so, we are living our mission and serving those most in need,” said Gaylah Sublette, MBA, president, ATSU Missouri campus.
“We are encouraged by this national recognition of ATSU-SOMA’s mission and outcomes,” said O.T. Wendel, PhD, president, ATSU Arizona and California campuses. “ATSU-SOMA is purposefully aligned with the realities of a growing physician shortage, particularly in primary care, rural, and underserved regions.
“At a time when access disparities are widening and the rural workforce is aging, we believe medical education must be both socially accountable and forward-looking. ATSU-SOMA was designed with that responsibility in mind, and these outcomes affirm that our graduates are not only well-educated but are also choosing to serve where they are most needed. This is the essence of our mission and a point of great pride for our university.”
