“I chose ATSU-CHC for its focus on whole person healthcare and service to underserved communities, which aligns with my commitment to compassionate, community-based medicine.”
What do you enjoy about being an ATSU-CHC student?
“What I enjoy most about being an ATSU-CHC student is the supportive environment created by both our professors and classmates. One of my favorite memories was our beach bonfire, celebrating the end of didactic year and the start of clinicals. It reminded me how grateful I am to learn alongside classmates who genuinely support and encourage one another, they really are the best!”
What do you hope to achieve professionally, and how is ATSU helping prepare you for your career?
“I hope to build a career as a compassionate PA dedicated to providing high-quality, patient-centered care. ATSU’s emphasis on whole person healthcare and comprehensive clinical training has prepared me to approach patient care with empathy, professionalism, and a strong commitment to service.”
Why did you choose to join different student organizations?
“I joined the student ambassador and mentorship programs to support incoming students as they transition into PA school. The mentorship I received from the class before mine made such a positive impact, and I wanted to offer that same support to others. It’s been really rewarding to connect with new students and contribute to the supportive community at ATSU.”
Why did you become a student ambassador, and what do you enjoy about serving in this role?
“I became a student ambassador to help new students feel welcomed and supported as they start PA school. I know how intimidating those first few weeks can feel, so it’s been rewarding to share what I’ve learned and help make their transition as smooth as possible!”
What are some of your interests, hobbies, or achievements outside of ATSU?
“Outside of ATSU, I enjoy cooking, practicing yoga, and spending time with my family at our cabin in northern Wisconsin. It’s a great way to relax, stay balanced, and recharge outside of school.”
Buhk is from Jenison, Michigan, and has a degree from Michigan State University in human biology, statistics, psychology, and neuroscience, with a minor in bioethics and mathematics.
Buhk is president of the Sexuality in Medicine Club, and is National Liaison Officer for the ATSU-KCOM Chapter of the Student Osteopathic Medicine Association (SOMA), with seats on the National Community Outreach Committee and the National Resolution Committee. Buhk is also a member of the First Generation Student Physician Club, Pediatric Club, and serves as both a mental health ambassador and student ambassador. Additionally, Buhk is part of The Miller Lab.
Congratulations on being named SGA Student Researcher of the Quarter! What can you tell us about your research?
“The research I’m working on with Dr. Miller is considered computational chemistry, so we use computer simulation and the principles of biochemistry to evaluate thousands of potential drug candidates. Specifically, the project I’m working on evaluates the Multiple Lineage Leukemia (MLL) transcription factor cMyb:KIX:MLL complex. We know that this complex is involved in activating transcription and when mutations occur, transcription is allowed to happen unregulated and leads to leukemia (AML and ALL). By focusing on where MLL binds to KIX, we are testing thousands of potential drug candidates to see if any would bind as a competitive inhibitor for MLL and thus would treat leukemia. We do this with a lot of computational modeling, simulation, and data evaluation.
“I’m specifically interested in practicing pediatric hematology oncology, so gaining such an in-depth understanding of how leukemia can occur is really fascinating to me. I’ve always enjoyed understanding the full spectrum of how processes work, and being able to investigate this protein and trial drugs this way has really opened my eyes to elements of research and scientific advancement I hadn’t considered. I really enjoy it.”
Why did you choose ATSU-KCOM?
“I chose ATSU-KCOM because on my interview day, everyone felt like a family and every individual seemed truly happy to have me there. In my entire application and admissions process, instead of making me feel like I would be lucky to attend, they made me feel like they would be lucky for me to choose ATSU, and that is something truly unique for the world of medical school.
“Academically, I love that it is a graduate-only campus, so everything is focused and centered on graduate education, and this allows me to take full advantage of every opportunity and build personal relationships with staff and faculty, because they really are here for us.”
What do you enjoy about being an ATSU-KCOM student?
“I love being an ATSU-KCOM student. I feel truly supported here by faculty, staff, and my classmates. We are in a small town where ATSU is at the center of a lot, and because of that we really do become a family. The staff is so welcoming and approachable, everyone is here to help us succeed, and they do an amazing job of making us feel supported.
“I enjoy the variety of opportunities here. From running different cases in the Human Patient Simulation Lab, to practicing ultrasound skills, there is always something I can try and learn that will better my abilities for my future patients.
“All in all, it is clear that everyone in the ATSU community is dedicated to the same principles that A.T. Still, DO, started the school with: to care for patients holistically and to best prepare physicians to do so. Taking it a step further, they want us to treat ourselves like we do our patients, prioritizing our own body, mind, and spirit. I could have never imagined being a medical student in a place that embodies the idea that I can’t care for others if I don’t first care for myself, and it inspires me every day to work hard and carry that attitude into the medical field and share it with those around me, patients and caregivers alike.”
What do you hope to achieve professionally, and how is ATSU-KCOM helping prepare you for your career?
“I hope to practice in pediatric hematology oncology and ATSU-KCOM is integral in this journey for me. There is pediatric material integrated into every unit that we study, which has allowed me to remain connected to the content that excites me the most. Our Pediatrics Club has given me the opportunity to step into this content further, as well as the chance to speak to pediatric subspecialists to better understand my options.
“The coursework and academic opportunities are allowing me to be a well-rounded medical student and preparing me for the necessary testing, but outside of the classroom, I’ve been able to experience the many facets of research and feel more comfortable with research presentation and the scientific process, skills I will use as I continue my journey into residency and fellowship. I’ve also been able to attend several national conferences where I’ve been able to network and better understand the options I have for postgraduate training.
“ATSU was also able to place me with a pediatrician for my two-week clinical experience, which was a great experience and allowed me to be directly in the field, strengthen my understanding of the patient-parent-physician dynamic in pediatrics, and practice my exam skills on patients ranging from birth to 18!”
Why did you choose to join different student organizations?
“I joined SOMA because, as a first-generation medical student, I wanted to get involved with the osteopathic medical profession and be an active part of the field I will be entering. SOMA has introduced me to so many resources and opportunities to be an active member in the profession, even as a student, and helped me to realize all the ways I belong and that I can use my voice to better the osteopathic medical student experience.
“With SOMA, I have been able to attend three conferences focused on leadership and policy, including DO Day on Capitol Hill, the American Osteopathic Association House of Delegates, and most recently the Osteopathic Medical Education conference (OMED).
“I joined the Sexuality in Medicine Club because I know from both personal and professional experience that the LGBTQ+ community is often excluded from the conversation, and being intentional about guiding students to accurate resources and better understanding this community will help all of our future patients. With this club I’ve been able to help organize educational events and build a safe space in our ATSU community for all to come to freely and know they are accepted and belong.”
What are some of your interests, hobbies, or achievements outside of ATSU?
“Outside of ATSU, I love staying active by walking my two dogs (Archie is a deaf Standard Australian Shepherd and Nala is a mini Australian shepherd mix, both of whom we rescued from the local humane society). I also love to travel whenever possible. Recently my wife and I went to St. Louis for a concert and Kansas City for a football game, and we travelled to Door County, Wisconsin last summer.
“I’m a big fan of live music and never miss watching a Detroit Lions game. I enjoy cooking and baking and unwinding with a good book, movie, or a TV show!”
The event featured oral and poster presentations of research studies by ATSU graduate students, faculty, and staff; Still OPTI resident physicians; Truman State University undergraduate students; and other biomedical researchers and students.
Jeffrey C. Winer, MD, MA, MSHS, MHIIM, FAAP, provided the keynote lecture. Dr. Winer serves as chief medical informatics officer at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare and adjunct associate professor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. With degrees from Harvard, Yale, George Washington University, and Tennessee, he integrates clinical expertise, data science, and health informatics to advance healthcare.
Dr. Winer has authored over 40 peer-reviewed publications and 60 invited reviews, and is particularly recognized for his dedication to academic mentorship – supporting over 50 medical students, residents, fellows, and faculty in launching and sustaining scholarly projects in clinical research and quality improvement.
IBRS winners were as follows…
Jack Magruder Research Award Poster Presenter: Dagmawit Kebede, senior, interdisciplinary studies major, Truman State University Author: Bill Miller, PhD, associate professor, ATSU; Haleluya Merga, junior, biochemistry and molecular biology major, Truman State University; Makda Gebreegziabher, senior, biology major, Truman State University; Arsema Woldeamanuel, junior, nursing major, Truman State University Sponsor: Dr. Miller Project:Allosteric inhibition of MMP-9 in silico as a potential cancer therapeutic
Neil J. Sargentini Memorial Award Poster Presenter: Sydney Christopherson, OMS III, and Ashley Quintana, OMS III Author: Christopherson and Quintana Sponsor: Pinak Shah, MD, FACP, associate program director, Internal Medicine Residency program, Mountain View Hospital, Las Vegas Project:HRT and Autoimmunity: What We Know and Where Research Must Go.
Max Gutensohn Award Poster Presenter: Alan Boruch, DO, physician and research scientist, Northeast Regional Medical Center Author: Dr. Boruch and Brian Degenhardt, PhD, professor Sponsor: Dr. Degenhardt Project:Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy in an Infant with Inclusion Cell Disease
Best Oral Presentation Oral presenter: Madison Richards, OMS I Author: Madison Richards, OMS I Sponsor: Karl Jepsen, MD, PhD, associate dean for research, University of Michigan Project:Reevaluating the cortical fraction
Graduate Case Report Poster presenter: Sydney Christopherson, OMS III Author: Christopherson Sponsor: Pinak Shah, MD, FACP, associate program director, Internal Medicine Residency program, Mountain View Hospital, Las Vegas Project:An Undiagnosed Case of Persistent Leukocytosis and Multisystem Involvement
MAOPS President Clinical Graduate Student Research Award Poster presenter: Ava Thielman, OMS III Author: Thielman, Lydia Lundquist, OMS IV; Brooke Johnson, OMS IV; Ahmed Baghdady, DO, resident, Henry Ford Warren-Madison Heights; and David Siegel, DO, surgeon, Henry Ford Warren-Madison Heights Project:A Rare Case Presentation of Merkel Cell Carcinoma
MAOPS Rising Star Student Competition Winner Poster Presenter: Sydney Christopherson, OMS III Author: Christopherson Sponsor: Pinak Shah, MD, FACP, associate program director, Internal Medicine Residency program, Mountain View Hospital, Las Vegas Project:An Undiagnosed Case of Persistent Leukocytosis and Multisystem Involvement
MAOPS 1st Place Overall Student Competition Winner Poster presenter: Nicholas Noyce, DO, Still OPTI Author: Dr. Noyce; Brock Davis, DO, Still OPTI; and David Cleaver, DO, Still OPTI Project:When Cancer Changes Costume: The importance of full body skin checks
Today, and every day, we are thankful for the generosity and dedication of our students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Your compassion, service, and commitment enable A.T. Still University to live its mission and make a lasting impact in the communities we serve.
In observance of Thanksgiving, ATSU offices and patient care centers in Kirksville, Missouri; Mesa, Arizona; Santa Maria, California; and St. Louis, Missouri, will close at 5:00 p.m. local time, Wednesday, November 26, 2025, and reopen Monday, December 1, 2025.
The Missouri Thompson Campus Center will close at 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, and reopen on Sunday, November 30, 2025.
Please click here to view library hours at each location.
Wishing you and yours a happy Thanksgiving!
Yours in service,
Craig M. Phelps, DO, ’84 Chancellor
Adepitan Owosho, BChD, (D)ABOMP, (F)AAOMP, (F)AAOM, FAMedS, professor of oral and maxillofacial pathology and oral medicine, and Specialty Care Unit director for oral medicine, dental oncology, and urgent care at A.T. Still University’s Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health, was recently inducted as a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences of Nigeria.
This past month, he also served as the distinguished guest speaker for the 27th annual Shepard Lectureship at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The Wilma and Earl Shepard Dental/Otolaryngology Memorial Lecture annually highlights nationally recognized leaders in dentistry and medicine.
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.”
