The board was created under 2021 Wisconsin Act 23, which transferred credentialing of physician assistants from the Medical Examining Board’s Council on Physician Assistants to the Physician Assistant Affiliated Credentialing Board.
The board consists of eight licensed physician assistants and one public member, each appointed for staggered four-year terms.
Dr. Edwards’ term will expire on July 1, 2025.
ATSU-ASHS’ DMSc program provides a PA-specific doctorate degree designed by and exclusively for practicing physician assistants. The program offers concentration tracks in education, leadership, and clinical. The DMSc can be earned entirely online, without an on-site clinical residency, in 2-3 years.
Shortages of dental health professionals are pervasive, especially among rural and low-income populations who experience disproportionate difficulty accessing oral health services due to financial, geographic, and transportation barriers, while ATSU-ASDOH’s existing faculty shortages impact the ability to provide comprehensive training to its 312-person student body. With a track record of graduating primary care dentists who serve the most vulnerable and underserved patients, ATSU-ASDOH seeks to attract dental faculty to educate compassionate, community-minded oral health providers. HRSA Dental Faculty Loan Repayment Program (LRP) funding is a catalyst for ATSU-ASDOH to secure and retain oral health educators for its campus in Mesa, Arizona.
Over a five-year period, ATSU-ASDOH will launch and sustain an LRP to improve diversity and supply of the dental faculty workforce, prioritizing those from rural and disadvantaged backgrounds, impacting up to three full-time LRP recipients from the general dentistry, pediatric dentistry, and dental public health disciplines. The School will coordinate faculty development, mentoring, and training to retain and strengthen the teaching skills of those recipients, and evaluate and disseminate outcomes and work to promote sustainability of successful recruitment, retention, and faculty development strategies.
Establishing an LRP will enable ATSU-ASDOH to better secure and retain full-time clinical faculty who are deeply immersed in educating community-minded oral health healers. With state-of-the-art clinical facilities, a culture conducive to scholarly activity and wellbeing, and passionate student dentists, ATSU-ASDOH is well-positioned to nurture and retain oral health educators via abundant faculty development opportunities, scholarly support services, and generous leave and benefits policies, emphasizing personal and professional wellbeing.
Wayne Cottam, DMD, MS, vice dean, serves as project director. Robert Trombly, DDS, JD, dean, is the deputy director.
REQUIRED STATEMENT: This Dental Faculty Loan Repayment project, Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN) D8743533, is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $994,817 with 0% financed with nongovernmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.
ATSU cut the ribbon Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, on Dan Martin Court, a new hardwood gymnasium floor which serves as a centerpiece to the TCC. The court was finished in 2020, but due to the pandemic was not celebrated until a ceremony during Founder’s Day festivities.
Dan Martin, MA, ATSU Thompson Campus Center director (center-left), cuts the ribbon on the newly dedicated Dan Martin Court in Kirksville, Missouri.
Back in 1982, when the facility first opened, Dan Martin, MA, TCC director, was new to his role and had gotten to know ATSU-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine student Craig Phelps, DO, ’84, now ATSU’s president, fairly well. As the finishing touches were applied to the facility, both lamented the gymnasium floor was a rubberized surface, rather than hardwood. But costs had to be controlled, and the hardwood floor was placed in the “tomorrow” file.
When Dr. Phelps became ATSU president in 2012, the file was dusted off and opened again. Improvements were made to the TCC in several phases, but funding was still an issue when it came to a hardwood basketball court. That’s when an idea emerged to name it in honor of Martin, and the dollars flooded in from grateful alumni, faculty, staff, and friends who had been beneficiaries of Martin’s positive influence over the last 39 years.
“We didn’t have much of a problem when we went to alumni and said, ‘We’d like to do something for Dan,’” Dr. Phelps said. “They were tripping over themselves. Even folks no longer living in the immediate area said, ‘For Dan, we want to be a part and we want to participate.’”
Dan Martin, MA, ATSU Thompson Campus Center director, speaks during the event.
ATSU University Advancement led a campaign which received more than 200 gifts from 182 donors, raising $321,878.63 for TCC improvements, including the newly minted Dan Martin Court. A donor plaque, recognizing all those who gifted $1,000 or more, is now on permanent display at the court’s entrance.
Another plaque at the entrance honors Martin himself, and highlights the words “compassion, integrity, and ability.”
“Those words appearing over the entrance are descriptive of the values we promote at ATSU, and they’re the embodiment of our friend and colleague, Dan Martin,” Dr. Phelps said.
Martin expressed gratitude to his family, including his wife, Becky, and daughter, Abby, and the entire University community, past and present, recalling the hardwood floor had long been a vision for “tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow is today, and that is fantastic,” he said. “I thank KCOM for hiring me and ATSU for the tremendous opportunity that I’ve been given to be part of this school you all went to that I love so dearly. I’m grateful for the students, the employees, the administration, and the very, very meaningful, collegial friendships I’ve developed.”
In remarks read by Dr. Phelps, ATSU Board of Trustees Chair Linnette Sells, DO, FAOASM, ’82, called the recognition well earned.
“It is not only a compliment for the past but a reflection upon the future. Your excellent and selfless work with students, staff, and the community speaks to your strength and dedication,” Dr. Sells said. “On behalf of myself and the ATSU Board of Trustees, we hope this honor provides you a small measure of our gratitude and highest esteem for your strength, dedication, and leadership.”
Additionally, Martin, a leader in the Kirksville community, was honored by the City of Kirksville, with Mayor Zac Burden issuing a proclamation naming Oct. 8, 2021, as “Dan Martin Health and Fitness Day.”
“Dan, you are a true asset to this community. We are a better, kinder, healthier, more engaged community because of everything that you have brought to us,” Burden said.
Donors listed on the plaque are: In Memory of Frederick V. Hrachovina, DO, ’56; Drs. Christopher Weyer, ’06, and Jamie Moenster, ’05; Drs. Kelly Van Fossen, DO, ’04, and Duke Matsuyama, DO, ’03; Dr. Gary,’67, and Toni Sattman; Dr. David, ’06, and Alicia Fife; Dr. Craig, ’84, Stacy and Zach Phelps; Dr. David, ’03, and Wendy Kelley; Dr. Scott, ’04, and Mrs. Reisha Grupas; Dr. Andrew, ’79, & Mary Zazaian; Teget Foundation; Drs. Andrew, ’92, and Dawn Tartaglione; Drs. Tod and Karen Sylvara, ’91; Dr. Russell, ’04, and Michelle Sharpswain; Drs. Linnette Sells, ’82, and Brian Vanderhoof, ’90; Randy and Diane Rogers; Dr. James, ’88, and Ann Meyer; Dr. Dale, ’02, and Amy Lee; Dr. Derek, ’99, & Jennifer Korte; Drs. Russell and Mary Kennedy, ’98; Dr. William, ’69, and Maggie Gerchick; Dr. Melinda, ’02, and Josh Ford; Dr. Thanh, ’98, and Hayley Do; Dr. Richard Crank, ’04; Drs. Lloyd, ’76, David, ’06, Jonathan, ’08, and Nathan, ’10 Cleaver; Dr. Jeffrey, ’98, and Shanda Bytomski; Bob and Michele Behnen; Bob Basham & Jane Kieler; Dr. Rebecca D. Bartee, ’91, and Ms. Synthia H. Deese.
Dan Martin Court at A.T. Still University’s Thompson Campus Center in Kirksville, Missouri.
A.T. Still University first- and second-year students recently engaged in their annual Founder’s Day Powderpuff Football Game contest at the Thompson Campus Center in Kirksville, Missouri. The second-year students prevailed, 24-14.
Enjoy these photos from the game, as well as video footage from team introductions.
Dr. Kidd has been associate clinical professor in the University of California, Irvine (UCI), School of Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, since 2021, and director of the Advanced Practice Providers Program at UCI Health since 2019. In that role, Dr. Kidd is responsible for all facets of the delivery of care provided by 215 advanced practice providers, including program advocacy, outreach, regulatory compliance, credentialing, and business case development.
He was previously director of Advanced Practice Providers and the Physician Assistant Orthopedic Surgery Fellowship Training Program at Arrowhead Orthopedics at Arrowhead Orthopedics from 2016-19, and assistant professor and academic coordinator at Moreno Valley College from 2013-15 and University of Texas Health Science Center from 2010-12. Dr. Kidd was a physician assistant at Kaiser Permanente from 2003-10.
Dr. Kidd received his doctor of health sciences degree with a concentration in global health from ATSU-CGHS in 2011. He is a member of the California Academy of Physician Assistants, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, American College of Healthcare Executives, American Academy of Physicians Assistants, and the Advanced Practice Provider Executives.
A.T. Still University’s Founder’s Day celebration in Kirksville, Missouri, was capped by the Founder’s Day 5K run/1.2-mile walk. Participants began on the paved trail encircling the Thompson Campus Center before venturing onto wooded paths for their morning excursion.
Dr. Salyer’s lecture was titled “Prescribing Creativity: How the 6th Vital Sign Can Re-Energize Your Day, Decrease Stress and Make Work Fun Again.” Video of the lecture can be viewed below.
Dr. Salyer described her own struggles with burnout 15 years into her career as a rural family medicine physician. She helped herself through it with a regimen of painting, drawing, and running, with the regular dose of neurochemical flow state resulting in improved autonomy, well-being, and decreased stress.
It culminated in her decision to resign from her employed position and open a holistic membership practice after certifying with the Institute for Functional Medicine. In her private practice, she leverages technology to build a cohesive tribe of wellness in her local community through innovative group medical visits, online health education, as well as individual services.
Dr. Salyer speaks across the globe on her mission to teach 1 million health professionals
how to tap into creative flow daily so they can reclaim autonomy, improve happiness, and eradicate burnout.
She authored her own memoir, “Right Brain Rescue: One physician’s journey from burnout to bliss reveals the creative muse in all of us,” available on Amazon.
In 2009, the late Dr. Tinning and his late wife, Janet, created an endowment at ATSU-KCOM to provide the annual lecture on osteopathy during Founder’s Day. Dr. and Mrs. Tinning established the Fred C. Tinning, PhD, DOEd (hon.) ’14, President Emeritus, Founder’s Day Osteopathy Lecture Endowment because of their strong belief in perpetuating the importance of osteopathic principles and practices.
The purpose of the Tinning Osteopathy Lecture Endowment is to provide a perpetual source of income that will sponsor a lecture by a nationally recognized expert on neuromusculoskeletal medicine/osteopathic manipulative medicine. The lecture is presented to ATSU-KCOM students, faculty, staff, and alumni as part of Founder’s Day activities.
The osteopathy lecture – formerly known as the Scott Memorial Lecture, which was sponsored and funded by the American Academy of Osteopathy and delivered at ATSU-KCOM – will continue to be funded by the Tinning Endowment.
Dr. Tinning was the eighth president of ATSU-KCOM, serving in that capacity from 1984-96. Because of his exceptional service to the University, ATSU’s Board of Trustees named the Tinning Education Center building on the Kirksville, Missouri, campus in his honor, and in 2014, awarded him the doctor of osteopathic education honorary degree.
Dr. and Mrs. Tinning resided in Lansing, Michigan.
The following trustees were re-elected as officers: Linnette Sells, DO, FAOASM, ’82, of Alpharetta, Georgia, formerly of Kirksville, Missouri, is chair; G. Reid Downey III of Atlanta, Georgia, is vice-chair; and Rosie Allen-Herring, MBA, of Washington, is secretary.
Newly elected trustees are Danielle Barnett-Trapp, DO, ’11, of Glendale, Arizona; Marco Clark, EdD, of Austin, Texas; Linda Eremita, MUA, of Pittsburgh; and Floyd R. Simpson III, MBA, CFP, CFA, of Philadelphia.
Dr. Barnett-Trapp is a second-generation osteopathic family physician and graduate of ATSU-School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona’s inaugural class. She completed a family medicine residency at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center and remained as faculty, providing full-spectrum family medicine care, including hospital and obstetrical services. Dr. Barnett-Trapp completed a fellowship in academic medicine through the University of Arizona and has a passion for medical education. Currently, Dr. Barnett-Trapp is president of the Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association. She also serves on multiple national and state organization committees and is a clinical assistant professor at Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Dr. Clark has worked as an educator since 1989, and in 2020 he was named as the first lay executive director of the Holy Cross Institute at St. Edward’s University. With expertise in leadership, governance, and succession planning, Dr. Clark has served on a variety of advisory and governing boards and teaches in the doctorate of education program in leadership and higher education at St. Edward’s. He has also published numerous articles and is frequently invited to speak on a variety of topics related to school leadership and governance. Dr. Clark holds a bachelor of arts in psychology and English from College of the Holy Cross, a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from Bowie State University, and a doctorate in education in interdisciplinary leadership from Creighton University.
Ms. Eremita is the managing director of the higher education practice at Stifel Financial Corp. Her 37-year career is punctuated by her successful tenure as an investment banker and institutional debt advisor, bond rating analyst (S&P Global), college and university trustee, and urban planner. The majority of her career has been devoted to higher education clients for whom she has led a significant number of financings. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Duquesne University and a master’s degree from Boston University. Ms. Eremita has been a speaker at many national and regional higher education industry forums.
Mr. Simpson graduated from Truman State University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Currently, he serves on the board of the CFA Society of Philadelphia. He is a senior managing consultant and member of the Outsourced CIO Investment Committee of PFM Asset Management. PFM Asset Management has $125.9 Billion of Discretionary Assets Under Management as of June 30, 2021, and provides portfolio management and investment advice for institutional clients. Mr. Simpson is a Chartered Financial Analyst charterholder, chartered alternative investment analyst, and certified financial planner. He earned his master of business administration degree from DePaul University and completed a financial planning program at Northwestern University.
“ATSU’s Board of Trustees members are some of America’s brightest and most talented leaders,” said ATSU President Craig Phelps, DO, ’84. “Board members graciously accept challenges confronting all universities and collaborate to find opportunities for ATSU students, faculty, staff, and alumni.”
“As chair, I am pleased these highly qualified individuals have agreed to serve as trustees on the board and are willing to share their abilities to promote and enhance the vision and mission of ATSU,” Dr. Sells said.
The following trustees will continue their service on the board: Reid Butler, JD, of Phoenix; Jonathan Cleaver, DO, FAOCD, FAAD, FASMS, ’08, of Kirksville, Missouri; Geoffrey Hoffa, DHSc, ’14, MS, PA-C, ’00, DFAAPA, of Phoenix; Herb Kuhn of Lohman, Missouri; Michelle Mayo, PhD, of Durham, North Carolina; Alan Morgan, MPA, of Stafford, Virginia; Paulina Vazquez Morris, JD, MBA, MHSA, of Paradise Valley, Arizona; Isaac Navarro, DMD, MPH, ’08, of Visalia, California; Bertha Thomas of Kirksville, Missouri; and Gary Wiltz, MD, of Franklin, Louisiana.
The next board meeting will be Oct. 8-9, 2021.
What a week it has been for A.T. Still University (ATSU). From our roots in Northeast Missouri, then to the Southwest, and now the West Coast.
