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.”
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.
