As healthcare educators and support staff, it is important to remember the words we use—whether in person or on social media—can have a lasting impact. Our ATSU community is built on respect, cultural proficiency, empathy, and the exchange of diverse perspectives.
We each share a responsibility to communicate in a civil and thoughtful manner, in alignment with University policies, including the Code of Ethical Standards. Even when views differ, we can choose to engage one another with kindness and professionalism.
The strength of our community lies in our ability to listen, learn, and grow together. By approaching conversations in good faith and honoring one another’s dignity, we ensure ATSU remains a safe and supportive environment for all.
Thank you for your continued commitment to upholding these values.
“I chose ATSU because of its commitment to underserved populations,” she said. “I have always been passionate about underserved medicine since my undergraduate years, and it was a top priority to attend a PA school that incorporated this into the curriculum.”
Greenlief, from Huntington Beach, California, is a graduate of University of California, Santa Barbara and has a bachelor of science in biological sciences, with a minor in Spanish language and culture.
“I became a student ambassador because I have always loved mentorship roles, and I was so excited to help prospective students by giving tours, offering application advice, and being present at the PA interviews,” she said.
In her free time, Greenlief enjoys swimming, hiking the nearby Superstition Mountains, and finding the best coffee shops around.
Her goal is to become an emergency medicine PA and work with underserved populations in her hometown and beyond, through work and volunteering in her free time.
ATSU-ASHS is providing a positive environment for her to prepare for that future.
“I really enjoyed meeting my classmates at the beginning of the year and going through didactic year with them. I have formed incredible friendships within my class and rely on my friends to get me through the week. I can’t wait to see where we all end up after we complete our clinical year,” she said.
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Each year, Labor Day offers a meaningful opportunity to reflect on and recognize the hard work and dedication of individuals across the country. At ATSU, the commitment and excellence of our faculty and staff continue to strengthen our mission and foster a supportive environment for learning, service, and innovation. Thank you for all you do.
In observance of Labor Day, ATSU offices and patient care centers in Kirksville, Missouri; Mesa, Arizona; Santa Maria, California; and St. Louis, Missouri, will be closed on Monday, September 1, 2025. Facility access will be limited.
The Thompson Campus Center in Kirksville will be closed on Sunday, August 31, and Monday, September 1, 2025.
To view library hours at each location, please click here.
Stay safe and well this holiday weekend!
Yours in service,
Craig M. Phelps, DO, ’84 Chancellor
A.T. Still University students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends gathered Monday at the Kirksville Country Club in Kirksville, Missouri, for the annual Max Gutensohn Golf Classic.
This year’s event raised money to support Adair County YMCA programs.
This year’s tournament was won by a team including Bill Sexton, PhD, physiology, Henry Han, PhD, pharmacology, Dan Martin, MA, Thompson Campus Center director, and Ryan Romprey, MA, finance.
Enjoy these photos from the event!
A.T. Still University of Health Sciences (ATSU) has appointed two distinguished professionals to its Board of Trustees: Kari S. Bernard, PhD, PA-C, ’04, of Anchorage, Alaska, and Helen J. McBride, PhD, of Woodland Hills, California. Both bring extensive expertise in healthcare, research, education, and leadership. Their diverse accomplishments and commitment to advancing health and science will help support ATSU’s mission to prepare highly competent professionals to serve communities in need.
Dr. Bernard is the founding director of The College of Idaho’s Doctor of Medical Science program and a nationally recognized speaker on provider wellness, burnout prevention, and psychological safety in healthcare. An alumna of ATSU’s Arizona School of Health Sciences, she earned her PhD in industrial and organizational psychology from Walden University. Her career spans leadership in physician assistant education, clinical practice in emergency medicine and psychiatry, and national service in clinician well-being initiatives. She has held key roles with the American Academy of Physician Assistants, Alaska Academy of Physician Assistants, and the National Academy of Medicine’s Action Collaborative on Clinician Well-Being and Resilience. Dr. Bernard is also a widely published scholar and frequent conference presenter on topics of burnout prevention, wellness, and leadership in healthcare.
Dr. McBride brings more than 25 years of experience in life sciences, biotechnology, and investment to the board. She is a partner at Bold Capital Partners, where she invests at the intersection of technology and life sciences to advance innovative solutions to improve human health span, and serves on multiple biotech and medical device boards. Her career includes senior leadership roles at TORL Biotherapeutics, California Institute of Technology (Caltech), and Amgen, where she led and contributed to multiple therapeutic projects, a handful of which are now commercial products generating over $3 billion in revenue. Dr. McBride holds a PhD in oncological sciences from the University of Utah and a bachelor of science in microbiology from Texas A&M University. An accomplished scientist and strategic leader, she has authored more than 35 peer-reviewed articles and remains active in professional and community leadership, including serving as president of the Los Angeles chapter of the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA).
“We’re thrilled to welcome these distinguished leaders to our board,” said ATSU Chancellor Craig M. Phelps, DO, ’84. “Their unique expertise and deep commitment to ATSU’s mission will be invaluable as we continue to innovate and advance health sciences education for our students and the communities we serve.”
Trustees continuing service on the board include Danielle Barnett-Trapp, DO, ’11, of Glendale, Arizona, board chair; Reid Butler, JD, of Phoenix; Marco Clark, EdD, of South Bend, Indiana; Renee Clark, MAcc, of Durham, North Carolina; Jonathan Cleaver, DO, FAOCD, FAAD, FASMS, ’08, of Kirksville, Missouri; Herb Kuhn, of Lohman, Missouri; Michelle Mayo, PhD, of Orangeburg, South Carolina; Alan Morgan, MPA, of Elkton, Virginia; Kimberly Perry, DO, MBA, MHCM, FACEP, FACOEP, ’91, of St. Louis, secretary; Floyd Simpson, CFA, CAIA, of Philadelphia; Michael Torgan, MBA, NHA, of Los Angeles; and Felix M. Valbuena Jr., MD, DABFM, FAAFP, of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
The next Board of Trustees meeting will be held Oct. 24-25, 2025, in Kirksville, Missouri.
“I chose ATSU-MOSDOH because of its strong commitment to serving underserved populations, which aligns closely with my goal of making a meaningful impact in rural and underserved communities,” Neville said. “Additionally, the school’s partnership with Affinia Healthcare provides students with exceptional hands-on clinical training, offering one of the most comprehensive educational experiences in dental education.”
Neville is originally from Hooker, Oklahoma, and attended Oklahoma Panhandle State University, where he graduated with a degree in biology and minored in chemistry. At ATSU-MOSDOH, Neville serves as president of Student Government Association (SGA) and member of the Christian Medical & Dental Association (CMDA), Dental Sigma Delta (DSD), and American Student Dental Association (ASDA).
“I joined these organizations to grow personally and professionally outside the classroom. Being part of SGA has allowed me to advocate for my peers and enhance communication between students and administration. CMDA provides a faith-based community that has strengthened my faith with a group of like-minded peers. Through DSD and ASDA, I have connected with a network of people who are passionate about dentistry and leadership,” Neville said. “These organizations have been a blessing and have provided me opportunities to participate in service projects, leadership development, and community outreach, which are some of the highlights of my ATSU experience.”
A bigger highlight is being able to do all of this alongside his fiancée.
“One of the things I enjoy most about being an ATSU-MOSDOH student is the opportunity to learn and grow in my dental journey alongside my fiancée. We met in dental school, and having a partner who understands the daily challenges and triumphs of this experience has been an incredible part of my time at ATSU. Sharing this journey has made the demanding aspects of dental school more rewarding and has added a unique and meaningful dimension to my student life,” Neville said.
Neville said he hopes to one day have his own private practice where he provides high quality dental care, with a focus on underserved populations.
“I hope to incorporate advanced technology into my practice to ensure that everyone has access to modern, comprehensive care. ATSU-MOSDOH has been instrumental in preparing me for this future, not only through a strong education but also through leadership opportunities like serving as SGA president and participating in the Smiles for Veterans scholarship program. These experiences have helped me step outside my comfort zone, build confidence, and stay committed to my mission of expanding care for those who need it most,” he said.
A.T. Still University of Health Sciences (ATSU) has signed a lease for a campus in San Luis Obispo, California. Located at 651 Tank Farm Road, the campus includes a 65,000-square-foot building and parking structure for 400 vehicles. Mindbody, Inc. previously leased the facility.
“The University will relocate its College for Healthy Communities (ATSU-CHC), which houses our Central Coast Physician Assistant (CCPA) program, from Santa Maria, California, to San Luis Obispo in summer 2026,” ATSU-CHC Dean Eric Sauers, PhD, said. “We remain strongly committed to the Santa Maria Valley and Santa Barbara County, where many of our students will continue to complete their clinical education. We are excited to extend our reach and impact through new program development made possible with this move, and will continue our focus on recruiting students from the Central Coast and educating them throughout the region.”
“The new campus will allow ATSU to expand health professions degree offerings and assist with solving local workforce, patient care, and health professions education needs,” said O.T. Wendel, PhD, president of ATSU’s Arizona and California campuses.
ATSU is a nonprofit university with campuses in Arizona, California, and Missouri. ATSU-CHC’s CCPA program is a 24-month master’s program with a goal of educating community-oriented physician assistants who will provide whole person primary care to underserved communities along the Central Coast and across the nation.
ATSU-KCOM’s master’s program provides a perfect opportunity for him to enhance his knowledge, skills, and application, as he pursues that goal.
“I chose this program to broaden my education through extensive research opportunities, namely through the MSBMS program, and move closer to my goal,” O’Connell said.
A graduate of Drury University, from where he holds a bachelor’s of science in biochemistry, O’Connell is from Republic, Missouri. At ATSU-KCOM he serves as MSBMS class president, president and volunteer coordinator with the Biomedical Sciences Club, member of the Christian Medical and Dental Association, and student ambassador.
“I became a student ambassador to pass along the many advantages of ATSU and the University’s exceptional caliber to prospective students, just as I experienced from previous student ambassadors when I was applying,” he said.
O’Connell competed as a member of the wrestling team at Drury and now coaches younger wrestlers when he has an opportunity. He also enjoys playing guitar, both electric and acoustic.
“My main influences are Eddie Van Halen, Glenn Campbell, and John Mayer,” he said. “A close second-favorite leisure activity is hiking and simply being in nature.”
O’Connell said there are ample opportunities to get involved with the ATSU community, which is something that enriches the student experience.
“I’m grateful to be a student at ATSU because of the people I have been able to meet through the many events that occur throughout the year,” he said. “One example is the Founder’s Day flag football game!”
O’Connell is currently aiming to publish his research for his master’s thesis, which will lead to him completing his MSBMS degree.
“Ultimately, my goal is to practice as a rural general surgeon. ATSU-KCOM has provided the necessary resources to aid my efforts to achieve these goals by providing amazing faculty who genuinely want me to succeed and achieve my goals,” he said.
A.T. Still University (ATSU) students, faculty, and staff gathered in Centennial Commons on the University’s Kirksville, Missouri, campus Wednesday to celebrate the 197th birthday of Dr. A.T. Still, DO.
The event included music, desserts, and some words from Museum of Osteopathic Medicine Director Jason Haxton, MA, and Dalton Rolland, MPH, associate director of leadership and annual giving.
Rolland announced Aug. 6 marked the first ATSU Day of Giving in Dr. Still’s honor, and asked the ATSU community to join on a shared mission to support the next generation of students, leaders, innovators, and changemakers in whole person healthcare.
Today, Wednesday, August 6, we honor A.T. Still, founder of osteopathic medicine, who dared to question, innovate, and build something enduring. His life reminds us healthcare isn’t just about treating symptoms; it’s about treating the whole person, mind, body, and spirit.
No matter where you’re studying—Kirksville, St. Louis, Mesa, Santa Maria, or online—you’re walking in the footsteps of a pioneer. You are part of a legacy that began on this day in 1828 and continues to shape the delivery of healthcare.
Faculty, staff, and alumni, you continue his legacy each day through teaching, mentoring, researching, supporting, and caring for our students and communities. Whether you’re in the classroom, patient care centers, behind the scenes, or on the front lines, you are part of something extraordinary.
Today, let’s take a moment to celebrate:
Dr. Still, who started it all 197 years ago.
ATSU, the university we’re proud to call home.
And the meaningful work we do together to keep Dr. Still’s mission alive.
Thank you for all you do, and happy birthday, Dr. Still!
Fun fact: At 10 years old, Dr. Still used a rope sling to ease a headache. He later called it his first osteopathic discovery. (Still A.T., Autobiography. Published by the author. Kirksville, Mo., 1897, p 19)
