As we celebrate this latest issue of Still Magazine, we are excited to share the remarkable stories and achievements exemplifying the ATSU spirit. This edition highlights our innovative standardized patient programs, a cornerstone of our health sciences education. By simulating complex, real-world interactions, these programs empower students across campuses and disciplines to build confidence and enhance their ability to provide exceptional compassionate care before they even graduate.

Our commitment to community health extends beyond the classroom as shown through the events featured in this issue. From the energy of the annual Phoenix 10K, where faculty, staff, and students promoted community health and wellness, to the collaboration of the annual Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Symposium, which has evolved into a global gathering of innovative minds, ATSU continues to lead the conversation on wellness and discovery. Additionally, ATSU hosted its inaugural Kirksville Healthcare Expo, where an exoskeleton demonstration with a local farmer illustrated how the University bridges education and research with real-world applications.

Looking toward the future, we are thrilled to showcase our newly renovated Synapse Tech Lounge. This space was designed to be a hub for philanthropy, collaboration, and the exploration of new technologies, a testament to ATSU’s dedication to fostering environments for learning and community engagement.

As we navigate a world increasingly shaped by technology, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to you, our alumni and friends, for your unwavering support. It is through human connection and collaboration we continue to thrive, and your contributions play a vital role in enhancing our programs and enriching the lives of our students. Thank you for being an integral part of our university community.

Yours in service,

Craig M. Phelps, DO, ’84
ATSU Chancellor

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. 27, 2025, 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, kicked off the ceremony by welcoming guests and recognizing those in attendance. In his remarks, Behnen 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 the growth and influence of osteopathic medicine. Its current scale dwarfs its humble origins. Today, at least one in four medical students are studying to become doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs), a number which would be unthinkable during the early days of the profession given the persistent resistance with which it was met. This being the case, it is more important than ever to preserve its history and heritage. Dr. Phelps emphasized how the museum is key to this preservation because it houses unique artifacts relating to the origins of osteopathic medicine and philosophy of A.T. Still, DO. Founded in 1934, the museum’s collections include more than 100,000 objects, photographs, documents, and books. These items extend back to the early 1800s and offer a diverse outlook on the discipline from its inception to the present day.

Through a generous six-figure donation, MAOPS contributes actively to these preservation efforts and, in doing so, helps maintain the osteopathic profession’s integrity. However, this is not the only way MAOPS supports osteopathic medicine. In his speech, Dr. Phelps reminisced on the profound impact MAOPS had on him as a student and its continued outreach today.

“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.

Since its inception in the late 19th century, osteopathic medicine has consistently been met with controversy. As Dr. Still began to develop his philosophy and sought to share his findings, those around him were quick to denounce the tenets of whole person healthcare he presented. One church went so far as to deem osteopathy as sacrilege, and universities forbid Dr. Still from sharing his ideas on their campuses. After struggling for some time to find a community where he would be accepted, Dr. Still eventually landed in Kirksville, Missouri, where he would establish his practice and, in 1892, the American School of Osteopathy, known today as ATSU’s Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM).

Founded a few years later in 1897, MAOPS works tirelessly to ensure DOs share the same rights as doctors of medicine (MDs). MAOPS provides DOs with an invaluable net of support and resources, enabling them to focus on their work, rather than the bureaucratic framework surrounding it. As an organization, MAOPS recognizes the importance of the University as common ground for DOs around the world. Katie Davenport-Kabonic, DO, ’12, president of MAOPS’ Board of Trustees and alumna of ATSU-KCOM, 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.”

Following Dr. Davenport-Kabonic’s remarks, 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.

Located in Kirksville, Missouri, the Museum of Osteopathic Medicine serves as the world’s repository for the history, archives, and artifacts of osteopathic medicine. Beginning in 1934, the museum consisted of two glass display cases containing the personal effects of A.T. Still, DO, and early osteopathic items. Today, the museum’s collection has grown to include more than 100,000 artifacts representing Dr. Still and the osteopathic profession.

The Wall of Honor offers a unique opportunity to recognize DOs, friends of the profession, and organizations and institutions supporting osteopathic medicine while contributing to the museum’s mission. Each namesake plaque on the Wall of Honor represents a lasting tribute to those who have advanced the osteopathic profession, preserved its rich history, or supported the education of future physicians.

To honor one of the icons of osteopathy, Richard Koss, DO, ’82, and Monica Haines, DO, have issued a matching gift challenge to honor Paul E. Kimberly, DO, and his legacy on the Wall of Honor. By matching every dollar, up to $15,000 contributed in Dr. Kimberly’s honor, they hope to inspire others to join them in recognizing a teacher whose influence continues to shape osteopathic medicine.

“Dr. Paul Kimberly didn’t simply teach osteopathic principles, he helped us understand the kind of physicians, and people, we were capable of becoming.”
-Drs. Richard Koss and Monica Haines on their decision to recognize Dr. Kimberly on the Wall of Honor

To make a gift in honor of Dr. Kimberly, please visit giving.atsu.edu/KimberlyMuseum

Every healthcare professional remembers the first time they sat face to face with a patient. They remember the nerves, the uncertainty, and the responsibility. At ATSU, students experience that moment earlier than most, through standardized patient (SP) programs designed to help students build confidence and enhance skills before they ever step into real-world practice.

Encounter dialogue

Student: “Hello, I’m Student Doctor Peyton Grant. What brings you in today?”
Patient: “I’ve been having some pain in my shoulder.”
Student: “Can you tell me exactly where your pain is located?”
Patient: “It’s my right shoulder. I fell on it a few days ago, and it’s not getting better.”
Student: “Can you describe your pain?”
Patient: “It’s a sharp pain when I move it, but a constant, dull ache when I’m resting.”
Student: “On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being very little pain and 10 being the most pain you’ve ever experienced, how would you rate your pain?”
Patient: “Right now, maybe a 4. But when I try to lift my arm, it’s a 7 or 8.”
Student: “What caused you to fall?”
Patient: “I was walking my dog. She chased a squirrel, and I tripped over the leash and landed on
my right side …”

An SP encounter looks like a routine clinical visit: a patient, a student provider, and a conversation about symptoms and concerns. But behind the scenes, every word and response is carefully designed to help ATSU students learn the practice of quality patient care. Across campuses, SP visits turn simulated educational encounters into powerful learning experiences.

SPs are real-life people who are taught to portray patients in realistic and repeatable ways. They are given character names, personalities, and scripts to follow with specific histories, conditions, and symptoms. SP encounters allow students to apply their knowledge and skills in a safe, simulated environment without jeopardizing real patients. These encounters also allow students to reflect, build confidence, and improve their interactions with patients, ultimately preparing them to provide high-quality healthcare on day one.

SPs have been part of medical education for decades, with ATSU’s first standardized patient program beginning at Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM) more than 25 years ago. Today, SP programs have spread across ATSU campuses for many academic programs, including Osteopathic Medicine (DO), Physician Assistant Studies (PA), Physical Therapy (PT), Occupational Therapy (OT), Dental Medicine, Audiology, and Speech-Language Pathology (SLP).

ATSU’s SP encounters are set up in individual patient rooms designed like those of a real clinic. Nearby, a control room equipped with an audio-visual system allows staff members to monitor encounters and record interactions between students and patients. Once encounters are complete, students receive feedback and watch their recordings to see what they did well and what aspects could be improved.

The SP program based in Kirksville, Missouri, is housed in the Byron & Helena Greenberg Performance Assessment Center (PAC), designed specifically for SP encounters. Lisa Archer, BSN, RN, CHSE, director of simulation & performance assessment, ATSU-KCOM, oversees the Missouri SP program. She and her team work year-round to ensure SPs are well prepared to portray real patients and to ensure students gain valuable experience and quality feedback.

Since joining ATSU in 2014, Archer has led the expansion of all Missouri-based simulated learning experiences, including SP encounters. Not only do medical students at ATSU-KCOM complete encounters, but so do dental students from ATSU’s Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-MOSDOH), as well as nursing students from Truman State University and local family medicine residents. Bringing together students from different disciplines allows opportunities for interprofessional education (IPE), including mental health SP encounters for DO and nursing students. Additionally, the SP program includes Spanish-speaking SPs for the ATSU-KCOM Medical Spanish elective course, where SP encounters are conducted entirely in Spanish.

“The school has long invested in the program to make sure it has all the resources needed to develop and grow it,” says ATSU-KCOM Dean Margaret Wilson, DO, ’82. “This includes hiring dedicated SPs who are well prepared to portray real-life scenarios and able to critically evaluate student performance.”

Kathy Schroeder has served as the Missouri SP educator since 2015. Prior to this role, she was an SP for eight years, which gave her firsthand experience with the SP learning curve. Drawing on her expertise, she has helped build a team consisting of 57 SPs, along with nine Medical Spanish SPs. Additionally, Marianne Romprey serves as the SP support specialist, scheduling encounters and running the software, and Rob Long serves as the simulation specialist, ensuring the technology functions smoothly.

Additionally, the Missouri SP team includes 10 SP mentors, who are highly experienced SPs. These mentors are paired with new SPs to help them learn their role and support them throughout the orientation process, ensuring a consistent level of quality among team members.

“From the beginning, Dr. Wilson has believed so strongly in this program that we’ve pulled out all the stops, and this is what we pour into our students’ education,” Archer says.

The approach to quality education and well-prepared graduates extends throughout ATSU to its Mesa, Arizona, and Santa Maria, California, campuses. In 2007, ATSU’s School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA) officially began its SP program with the graduating class of 2011. In 2019, the Clinical Performance Center (CPC) opened on the Arizona campus, providing a dedicated home for SP encounters, skills labs, and classroom instruction.

“SPs are foundational to how we train osteopathic physicians at ATSU-SOMA,” says Christina Weaver, DO, ’14, assistant dean, innovation & clinical curricular integration. “From the very first week of medical school, students develop communication skills, empathy, and clinical presence through meaningful interactions with SPs, followed by thoughtful feedback that supports their growth. While technology plays an important role in simulation, SPs offer the highest level of realism, mirroring the complexity, nuance, and humanity of real clinical encounters.”

In addition to ATSU-SOMA, SPs are used by several programs at ATSU’s Arizona School of Health Sciences (ATSU-ASHS), including PA, PT, OT, SLP, and Audiology. ATSU’s Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health uses SPs for interviewing applicants to the School and for students to practice patient-centered interviewing.

“Within the CPC, students engage in realistic patient encounters in fully equipped clinical examination rooms, allowing them to apply clinical knowledge in an authentic environment,” says Brittney Hulsey, DMSc, ’22, MSPAS, ’15, MS, PA-C, program director and associate professor, physician assistant studies. “At the conclusion of each clinical medicine course, students are formally assessed through observed encounters with SPs, with performance evaluated by faculty proctors.”

With the variety of programs on the Arizona campus, the CPC provides IPE opportunities using SPs. For example, the OT program collaborates with the SLP program for its Basic Patient Care Skills course where OT and SLP students conduct an intake evaluation with SPs to practice their evaluation skills. Also, DO and dental students collaborate on SP-based activities to learn from each other and improve patient outcomes.

Although programs incorporate SPs differently into their curricula, the purpose is the same: enhance student learning to produce well-rounded, high-quality healthcare providers. Faculty across disciplines echo the benefits of the CPC’s impact on student learning and assessment.

“The use of the center, along with the participation of multiple SPs, has been invaluable, and we have received outstanding support from the CPC staff throughout each experience,” says María A. Centeno-Vázquez, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, chair, program director, and associate professor, speech-language pathology. “Our faculty are actively involved by directly observing students during these encounters and facilitating structured debriefing sessions afterward.”

The Arizona campus employs about 70 SPs, all educated and coordinated through the CPC. The CPC is led by Lorena Navarro, BSN, MSHS, CHSE, who joined ATSU in January 2025. Navarro works closely with four other team members: Lindsey Bowen, CPC operations coordinator; Josie Penrod, CPC SP coordinator; David Godziela, CPC simulation & technology specialist; and Moira Caswell, CPC simulation coordinator & technologist.

“What I enjoy most about our SP program at the CPC are the people – the team, the SPs, and the learners they help shape,” says Navarro. “Our SPs bring an extraordinary level of authenticity, professionalism, and commitment to healthcare education.”

Bowen and Penrod, both with years of experience as SPs themselves, lead much of the SP instruction. They both joined the team in 2019 after being SPs for seven years. Together, they ensure SPs are taught to portray patients authentically and provide meaningful, patient-centered feedback. Godziela, who joined the team in October 2025, ensures each encounter runs smoothly and students and faculty can focus on learning.

“I love being able to build and train an amazing team of SPs who know how to portray a patient in so many different aspects,” says Bowen. “They are trained to help students be prepared to go out into the real world and not only how to interact with their patients on a doctor level but also on a level that connects them with their patients compassionately and empathetically.”

Caswell focuses on creating high-fidelity environments, ensuring the environment looks and feels real. Like Bowen and Penrod, Caswell also has SP experience. Before joining ATSU in November 2025, she worked as an SP for two years at other local institutions. She says working in the CPC is the one place where her “quirky” resume makes sense.

“I love using my theater background to set the stage and my clinical background to ensure it’s medically accurate. There is a thrill in creating a high-fidelity environment, whether through moulage or tech, that helps a student suspend disbelief and learn how to save a life,” Caswell says. “On a personal level, I love the reputation of this specific program. When I was working as an SP at other institutions, actors always spoke of ATSU as the ‘gold standard.’ Now that I am here as a tech, I see why. The SPs are incredibly dedicated, and it is a privilege to support a team that strives for that level of excellence.”

The number of SP encounters students complete varies by academic program, and several programs require students to demonstrate clinical competencies to graduate. DO students complete between 38-45 encounters in their programs, while PA students participate in about 15. Dental, SLP, OT, and PT students usually complete fewer than 10 SP encounters across their programs, and the Audiology program uses SPs 3-4 times a year. Additionally, both campuses follow best practices established by the Association of Standardized Patient Educators to ensure the growth, integrity, and safe application of SP encounters.

On the California campus, ATSU’s College for Healthy Communities is establishing its SP program for PA students. Currently, students are playing the role of SPs, acting as both clinician and patient and alternating roles across two clinical cases of equivalent complexity. To maintain clinical unpredictability and preserve the assessment’s integrity, peer pairs are randomized, ensuring students cannot anticipate their partner’s presentation or communication style. Jacqualine Dancy, MPAS, PA-C, associate professor, says moving forward, their program will adopt a hybrid model, integrating community members and peer SPs to provide a multifaceted, longitudinal learning experience preparing students for the transition from classroom to clinic.

“While community SPs provide a higher degree of realism, the peer-led model offers distinct pedagogical advantages,” says Dancy. “The presence of a known peer provides a degree of psychological safety, allowing students to refine their clinical skills in a supportive, low-stakes environment while gaining a dual perspective that enhances both medical acumen and professional empathy.”

The SP family

At ATSU, SPs are not merely paid actors; they are community members of all backgrounds and professions who are invested in their local students’ education. They spend hours studying and preparing to become valuable pieces of the educational experience.

“I look at being an SP as something special and valuable that I can contribute to this world where healthcare is a global concern,” says Jessie Cragg, a Missouri campus SP of 14 years and an SP mentor. “I think of my SP job as helping student doctors learn to help people everywhere.”

Greg Chugg has been an Arizona campus SP for about 18 years. He always had an affinity for the medical field and joined the program after an early retirement. One of his favorite aspects of the SP program is watching students grow and contributing to their education.

“When they first come in, they’re totally lost,” he says. “But within a few weeks, they really catch on. It’s exciting to see how quickly they progress.”

In addition to seeing the students grow, Chugg has also seen the SP program grow. He started as one of the original Arizona campus SPs. He also worked full time as a simulation technician for many years. Today, he continues serving as an SP, working on a part-time basis.

For many SPs, longevity in the role is tied not only to its flexibility but also its impact. Heidi Buckmister, who’s been an SP on the Arizona campus since 2017, says being an SP allows her to work and still prioritize her family. She also says being an SP has opened her eyes to patient needs across the country.

“Through this program, I was able to learn about food deserts and barriers to access to healthcare,” Buckmister says. “I didn’t know anything about that until I worked in this program and saw the real everyday struggles people go through. It’s been very humbling.”

Taking on the role of an SP is eye-opening for many reasons. Tammy Whitworth, a Missouri SP mentor, was a registered nurse who decided to change careers after the pandemic. She wanted a career that would be flexible and still allow her to make a difference.

“Having worked with hundreds of providers over a 36-year career, I know what good bedside manner looks like,” she says. “I had to take off my nurse hat completely and put myself in the shoes of a patient.”

Eric Ensign, also a Missouri SP mentor, has gained a greater understanding of medical issues as well as the process students go through to provide appropriate care. Because of this knowledge, he says he will never experience his personal doctor appointments the same way he did before becoming an SP.

“It’s impossible for me to sit in an exam room and not evaluate the process of care,” he says. “At the same time, I have a greater appreciation for what the nurses and doctors have to accomplish in the relatively short time they are interacting with me.”

In SP encounters, students have a checklist of questions to ask their patient, along with time limits. Similarly, SPs have a checklist of structured feedback to provide to students after their encounter, along with written feedback describing observed behaviors paired with suggestions for improvement. One of the many important aspects of educating SPs for their roles is how they must evaluate students according to the standards, not their personal preferences.

“What has surprised me is how these students’ personalities really come forth in the encounters,” Cragg says. “The students all have the same guidelines, and the SPs all have the same ‘script,’ yet every encounter is a fresh new experience!”

Across campuses, SPs echo a sense of pride in being part of the University and part of a process to enhance the quality of future healthcare providers. Missouri SP mentor Peggy Gerhold says while it may appear SPs are just sitting on the exam table playing their role with a look of pain on their face, inside, they are cheering on each student.

“They treat you like a real patient, and they take it seriously,” says Mia Mickley, an Arizona SP since 2014. “They are so open to feedback and are very invested in their future.”

“I really enjoy my interactions with everyone, whether it’s other SPs, the facilitators, or the students,” says Kathy Walker, an Arizona SP. “It feels like a family, it always has since day one.”

The SP teams on each campus have naturally formed their own “family” units. Besides working together, they support and celebrate each other, and even spend time together outside of their SP roles.

“These are people who love ATSU,” Archer says. “They love being part of something that has such a strong purpose – educating the future physicians of our community and our world.”

To learn what SPs have to say about their roles and preparing ATSU students for real patient care, visit atsu.edu/sp-patients

The future physicians

Libbi Kleitz, a second-year ATSU-KCOM student, felt a mix of excitement and nervousness before her first SP encounter. Much like every “first” of medical school, she felt encouraged by the faculty and peers around her who assured her this would be a beneficial learning experience. Once her encounter began, she says her nerves seemed to calm and her newly formed muscle memory took over.

“I felt like I could connect with my patient on a personal level while simultaneously scribbling through COPMAPS, our mnemonic for history taking,” she says. “There is a certain empowerment that comes with feeling yourself grow in real time; that is what SP encounters are all about.”

ATSU-KCOM’s method for ensuring a comprehensive patient assessment is COPMAPS, a mnemonic used by students for taking a patient’s history. It follows the order of complaint (quality, location, severity, quantity), onset (how, when), progression, mitigating factors, associated symptoms, previous occurrence/pertinent other, and summarize. Students are encouraged to write this mnemonic down the side of their paper before they go into patient rooms to take notes.

“There are real patients who are tight-lipped, stoic, and shy, and if the doctor doesn’t ask the question, they won’t divulge that information,” Archer says. “We have to train our students to get a good history with all the data points they need, and COPMAPS helps us accomplish that.”

For ATSU-SOMA and ATSU-ASHS PA students, their mnemonic for patient assessment is OLDCARTS. This memory aid follows the order of onset, location, duration, characteristics, aggravating/alleviating factors, radiation, timing, and severity.

First-year ATSU-SOMA student Tim McGinley says working with SPs has been an invaluable part of his education. In addition to having the opportunity to learn from mistakes in a controlled environment, he believes the SP experience provides important self-awareness.

“The best part about working with SPs is seeing where I’m strongest and where I can improve,” he says. “I really value the interpersonal aspect of medicine, and being able to work with SPs is a real honor.”

Marshall Brace, an ATSU-KCOM medical education fellow, recalls the moment where all aspects of an SP encounter fell into place for him. He was performing a neurological examination on his SP and asked her to make a face. When she did, only part of her face moved. At first, he thought she misheard him, and he repeated the instruction, observing the same result.

“It was then it finally clicked and I realized that I was observing an abnormal result, jotting down in my notes ‘Right CN VII out,’” he says. “That was a great moment because we are so used to seeing the normal results of exams that being able to observe the abnormal findings gives a sort of ‘aha’ moment.”

For Noah Everson, a first-year ATSU-KCOM student, a similar moment shifted his mindset. In one of his SP encounters, the SP responded emotionally to a question, and instead of moving on to the next item in the checklist, he paused and acknowledged what the SP was feeling.

“I stopped thinking about points and objectives and focused on the patient in front of me,” Everson says. “The conversation became more natural, the patient opened up, and the encounter felt far more meaningful.”

Over time through multiple SP encounters, students learn to incorporate their mnemonic more smoothly into their patient interviews, and they find their own rhythm and flow. History taking becomes second nature, and each encounter becomes more of a conversation rather than a mere checklist.

“These encounters are showing me how important trust and consistency are over time,” says second-year ATSU-MOSDOH student Thomas Beddard. “They have also helped me learn how to calm patient anxiety, which can make a big difference in a patient’s willingness to accept treatment and come back in the future to maintain their oral health.”

Not only do students benefit from the repeated exposure to SPs and the variety of cases, but they also benefit from their feedback. Peyton Grant, an ATSU-KCOM medical education fellow, says after reading feedback from the SPs, she was reassured she was becoming the thoughtful and compassionate physician she hopes to be one day.

“I am confident that these experiences have equipped me to enter clinical rotations and subsequent patient care settings with greater confidence, compassion, and resilience,” she says.

Fourth-year ATSU-KCOM student Kathryn Carey says the feedback from SPs has significantly influenced how she communicates with her patients during clinical rotations, particularly in developing more professional and intentional language.

“During my first year, my friends and I frequently used the phrase ‘a little’ in casual conversation, and I did not initially realize I brought this into an SP encounter when I said, ‘I see you’re having a little chest pain,’” Carey says. “The feedback helped me understand that minimizing language like this can feel dismissive or demeaning to patients, even when that is not the intent.”

Carey also says SPs provided feedback about using too much medical jargon when explaining diagnoses or plans. This kind of feedback reinforces the importance of identifying health literacy and ensuring patients truly understand their condition so they can participate in their own care.

“The honesty of SPs makes this feedback especially valuable, as they often share perspectives that real patients may not feel comfortable expressing directly, allowing for reflection and the opportunity to meaningfully improve patient care,” she says.

Students recognize SPs are critical to their success as they transition from classroom to clinic. Katie Wilson, a second-year ATSU-KCOM student, says she saw this in action during a summer shadowing experience where she used COPMAPS while also tailoring her questions to fit the patient’s chief complaint.

“The physician I worked under was impressed with my abilities to do patient interviews, especially as an incoming second-year student, and allowed me to see most of their patients first, then give a report,” Wilson says.

“Practice makes perfect, and SP encounters start that practice early.”
-Ellie Cumpton, ATSU-KCOM medical education fellow

Not only do students appreciate the roles SPs play, but they also acknowledge how well they perform those roles. The variety of symptoms they present and the range and intensity of emotions they convey, including conversations on difficult topics, all contribute to the realism of these encounters.

“Our SPs are very clinically aligned with real patients, especially when it comes to communicating pain,” says first-year ATSU-SOMA student Jennifer Lanza. “I really feel like we’re in our rotations or working as an attending physician. It gives us that real-life feeling of being a doctor.”

Learn more about what ATSU students have to say about their experiences with standardized patients by visiting atsu.edu/sp-students

Lessons that last

Matt Burnett, DO, ’25, a resident physician at Trinity Health Ann Arbor, recalls the nerves and stress of participating in SP encounters as an ATSU-KCOM student. He remembers feeling the pressure of balancing multiple demands and the uncertainty each encounter brings. He also remembers feeling the evaluations were subjective to some degree.

“My counter to that now is that every real patient encounter is subjective, shaped by the patient’s beliefs, impressions, and emotions at the time,” Dr. Burnett says. “SP encounters teach students that how they behave, present themselves, and communicate always leaves an impression.”

Dr. Burnett believes students get out what they put into their encounters. When students approach their encounters with a positive attitude, it almost always benefits them in the long run. Furthermore, he says ATSU-KCOM’s curriculum is very intentional in how it progressively increases the level and amount of responsibility students take on before clinical rotations.

“SP encounters emphasized patient connection, building rapport, listening, introducing yourself and your role, performing a thorough physical examination, and communicating clearly,” Dr. Burnett says. “These fundamentals remain the foundation of every patient interaction I have today, and they now feel natural and reflexive.”

Michael Megafu, DO, MPH, ’24, an orthopedic surgery resident at the University of Connecticut, says he was fortunate to have many early patient experiences at ATSU-KCOM, including SP encounters, to enhance his skillset. Even in the midst of a busy day, he remembers to take time to speak with his patients, and not just about their pathology.

“I still rely on interpersonal skills and the ability to connect with patients, a soft skill I believe offers a valuable return on investment when used correctly,” Dr. Megafu says. “Patients appreciate a knowledgeable physician, but they are likely to continue with a doctor who actually listens to them, rather than one who has all the answers but is in a rush to see the next patient.”

Dr. Megafu says the volume and variety of encounters shouldn’t be taken for granted, even though they may be time consuming to prepare for and complete. He advises diligently working on assimilating all the information the patient provides to make a succinct, but thorough, summary of the patient’s presentation. By doing so, students will be able to arrive at a diagnosis quickly and manage their patients efficiently.

“I appreciate all the SPs who have taken the time to be a help and an asset to our education,” Dr. Megafu says. “Without them, we will greatly miss out on the importance of communication and will not be the quality student doctors and doctors that have been evident throughout the different clinical sites.”

To view behind-the-scenes footage of ATSU’s SP encounters, visit atsu.edu/sp-bts

Interested in becoming an SP?

Opportunities are available at all of ATSU’s campuses. Please contact the following for more information:
Kirksville, Missouri: Lisa Archer at larcher@atsu.edu
Mesa, Arizona: Lorena Navarro at lorenanavarro@atsu.edu
Santa Maria, California: Jacqualine Dancy at jacqualinedancy@atsu.edu

Students, staff, and faculty from ATSU’s Mesa, Arizona, campus, woke up bright and early on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, to participate in the 50th annual Phoenix 10K and Marathon, one of Arizona’s original road races. Founded in 1976 by Art Mollen, DO, the event began as a small local race and has grown into a large-scale community event.

Each year, participants have the option to run or walk a 5K (3.1 miles), 10K (6.2 miles), or half marathon (13.1 miles), and in 2025, the event added a full marathon (26.2 miles). Additionally, children ages 3 through 12 have the opportunity to participate in the Mollen Mile. Proceeds from the event benefit the Mollen Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing childhood obesity and promoting healthy lifestyles in local schools.

Beginning with the first race at 6:30 a.m. and throughout the event, attendees and race participants strolled through the expo and visited vendor booths hosted by local and national sponsors, including ATSU.

In addition to volunteering, ATSU students, faculty, and staff represented the University on the course, including Tamara Valovich McLeod, PhD, ATC, FNATA, FNAK, FNAP, director, professor, and chair, athletic training, ATSU-Arizona School of Health Sciences (ATSU-ASHS), who ran the 10K.

“It’s been a while since I’ve done some races, and this was a great opportunity to come back out, support ATSU, and support this race,” Dr. McLeod said.

Ann Lee Burch, PT, EdD, MPH, FNAP, ATSU-ASHS’ dean, also ran the 10K alongside Ami Mikhail, MS, PA-C, ’03, assistant professor, physician assistant studies, ATSU-ASHS. Like Dr. McLeod, Dr. Burch had participated in a handful of previous races and decided to support ATSU at this milestone event.

Some students on the course included Shannon Madden, a first-year student in ATSU’s School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona, and Eddie White, a second-year student in ATSU-ASHS’ Physical Therapy program, both of whom ran the half marathon. Madden used the November race as a tool to prepare for a full marathon. Meanwhile, Akosua Afriyie, a third-year dental student in ATSU’s Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health, ran her first 10K.

“I ran today just to push myself,” Afriyie said. “I used to be an athlete, and I saw this as an opportunity to get back into my training and be healthy.”

ATSU runners highlighted the sense of accomplishment that comes with completing a race, as well as the enjoyment of participating in an event that brings the community together. Student racers noted how running helps them stay focused in school and serves as an outlet during particularly demanding times. With community spirit and stamina on full display, the race offered a meaningful opportunity to step outside the classroom, prioritize wellness, and represent ATSU.

To view the race start, visit atsu.edu/2025-race-start

A.T. Still Research Institute (ATSRI) hosted its annual Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Symposium (IBRS) on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Held at the Interprofessional Education Building on ATSU’s Kirksville, Missouri, campus, this symposium marked 17 consecutive years of bringing together researchers from across the U.S., and now around the world. More than 300 participants attended the symposium in person and virtually with 128 abstracts submitted, breaking records from previous years.

Throughout the day, the symposium featured oral and poster presentations of research studies from ATSU students, faculty, and staff; Still OPTI resident physicians; Truman State University undergraduate students; and biomedical students and researchers from other institutions. For those who attended virtually, IBRS used the platform “Gather” to facilitate participation and interaction seamlessly in real time.

“Each of these posters, each of these efforts and works continue to improve humanity,” said ATSU Chancellor Craig M. Phelps, DO, ’84. “There is so much amazing research tying wellness and osteopathic medicine together, including undergraduate and graduate research and excellent work by faculty and staff.”

Over the years, IBRS has become a cornerstone of research excellence at ATSU. Its goals are to celebrate student research achievements, foster interaction among students across multiple educational levels, provide experience in presenting research, and increase awareness of research methods, scope, and significance. In addition, the symposium highlights opportunities for students to gain advanced research experience.

“The breakthroughs we need for the challenges of tomorrow are sitting in this room,” said Marie Jackson, PhD, MBA, director, ATSRI, who encouraged attendees to engage openly, think boldly, and connect with their fellow researchers.

Jeffrey C. Winer, MD, MA, MSHS, MHIIM, FAAP, delivered the keynote speech titled “Innovating Scholarship by Going Back to Basics.” Dr. Winer is chief medical informatics officer at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare and an 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.

An author of more than 40 peer-reviewed publications and 60 invited reviews, Dr. Winer is recognized particularly for his dedication to academic mentorship. He supports more than 50 medical students, residents, fellows, and faculty in launching and sustaining scholarly projects in clinical research and quality improvement.

“I really liked the keynote speaker,” said one participant. “I am actually starting to write a manuscript on my research (that I presented at this conference!), so he gave some good advice on that.”

Additional feedback from those who attended IBRS included notes about the increasing quantity and quality of innovative research presented and how students were well versed in their research topics. A virtual participant said it was the first time an online event felt as engaging and present as an in-person one.

“Simply put, IBRS was the highlight of the year – awesome content, brilliant people, and an incredibly successful event,” Dr. Jackson said. “We thank our entire ‘village’ for their generous support, without which this event would not have been possible.”

IBRS award winners

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, DO, professor, ATSU
Sponsor: Dr. Degenhardt
Project: “Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy in an Infant with Inclusion Cell Disease”

Best Oral Presentation

Oral presenter: Madison Richards, OMS I
Author: Richards
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”

Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons (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”

On Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, ATSU hosted its inaugural Kirksville Healthcare Expo in collaboration with Northeast Regional Medical Center and Northeast Missouri Health Council. This event served as a unique opportunity for visitors to engage with a variety of different innovations, ideas, and resources in the healthcare field.

Since beginning in 2022 on ATSU’s Mesa, Arizona, campus, the ATSU Healthcare Expo has successfully united community members, students, and healthcare professionals of varying specialties. At the Kirksville event, which was developed in response to the success of the Mesa event, over 700 guests explored exhibits and attended lectures and demonstrations. One demonstration featured Adam Story, PT, DPT, OTR/L, OTD, MTC, FNAP, an assistant professor of occupational therapy at ATSU’s Arizona School of Health Sciences and chair of the ATSU Healthcare Expo in Arizona, alongside Doug Boswell, a Missouri farmer. Drawing on their combined practical and professional expertise, they demonstrated the ReWalk exoskeleton – a wearable robotic system enabling individuals with limited mobility to stand and walk.

Boswell was paralyzed from the waist down after an ATV accident irreversibly bruised his spine. He uses a variety of medical technologies to maintain his active lifestyle, including his wheelchair and his personal ReWalk exoskeleton, which has several advantages. The exoskeleton allows him to reach a walking speed of up to three miles per hour, ascend steps and curbs, and navigate uneven terrain. This versatility enables use in all areas of his life.

“You can use it to get up and walk around, go to the mall, hang out with your wife somewhere, have a barbecue, or even herd cattle,” Boswell says.

Prior to the expo, Boswell appeared on KTVO, a news station servicing parts of southeastern Iowa and northeastern Missouri, to perform a brief ReWalk demonstration. Many of the guests who attended the expo were drawn by this TV appearance – eager to watch Boswell pilot his exoskeleton in person. He demonstrated maneuvering from his wheelchair into the exoskeleton and, with assistance of forearm crutches, took his first steps across the parking lot.

Despite his confidence in piloting the ReWalk today, Boswell faced a rocky road on his way to recovery. Immediately after his injury, he felt completely hopeless.

Simple tasks were now impossible without assistance. For the first hay-cutting following his injury, he was forced to hire people to take on his duties. As a fiercely independent person, it was a massive blow to his self-esteem. According to clinicians, the nature of his injury made a full recovery impossible since spinal bruising is irreversible if the pressure is not alleviated within the first 24 hours of the injury. This news might have crushed Boswell’s hopes entirely were he not introduced to exoskeleton technology. During physical therapy sessions, he had the opportunity to use the machine, which provided intense relief after months spent using a wheelchair.

“You know when you ride around in a car for an hour or two, then you stand up and you hurt?” Boswell says. “It’s kind of the same feeling.”

Standing and walking have important benefits for wheelchair users, including increased strength and endurance and improved digestion and circulation. Prior to regular exoskeleton use, Boswell noticed leg wounds could take months to heal. However, after routine exoskeleton use, he said wounds closed at a significantly expedited rate. These improvements led him to become interested in acquiring his own machine. When the ReWalk exoskeleton model became available for at-home use, Boswell immediately submitted his name for consideration. Within a month, the ReWalk team invited him to a consultation.

Boswell’s experience with the ReWalk has led him to develop a passion for sharing his story. This brought him into contact with Dr. Story, who travels the country with his research team to meet people who use their ReWalk models in unconventional ways. The team identifies the product’s advantages and areas for improvement, which they convey to developers. Dr. Story heavily prioritizes accessibility in his research and outreach efforts through the ATSU Healthcare Expo.

“My job at ATSU is building a platform for people to come have conversations,” Dr. Story says.

The expo is intended as scaffolding for these conversations. The interprofessional exhibits offer a broad perspective of innovations and resources typically restricted to their respective fields. Dr. Story believes providing clinicians with the opportunity to network outside their specialties will result in better patient care.

After meeting Boswell, Dr. Story recognized his experience would contribute strongly to the expo’s goals. Not only did Boswell’s recovery demonstrate the life-changing power of innovation in healthcare, his rural, agricultural background made him a good fit for the Kirksville Healthcare Expo. Additionally, his perspective offered insight for ATSU students, many of whom go on to serve rural populations after graduation.

“Some people don’t even know things like the exoskeleton exist, and there are communities that could benefit from them,” Dr. Story says.

Through his outreach efforts, Boswell transformed his life-altering injury into an opportunity not only for himself but for the healthcare community at large. His testimony is invaluable in spreading awareness for exoskeleton technology, opening doors for future patients and providers while ensuring the best quality of care. His partnership with Dr. Story signifies a new beginning for ATSU’s communities by extending the same network of interprofessional innovation and community outreach founded in Mesa directly to Kirksville.

The Synapse Tech Lounge: Kirksville, Missouri

A recently renovated, cross-departmental initiative serves as a hub for students, faculty, and staff to convene, study, and collaborate across disciplines.

Tech zone

A virtual and augmented reality area offers a guided, hands-on experience to acquaint students with the latest technologies and inspire innovative applications in healthcare education. 

Study space

Complete with adaptable, modern seating and charging stations, the huddle space is designed for small-group collaboration and video conferencing, as well as studying and relaxation. 

Philanthropy focus

Monthly Bridge Builder Break-Time events connect students with donors to learn firsthand the power of philanthropy and the value of giving back to the people, causes, and communities they support. 

Philanthropy in action

The Synapse Tech Lounge is more than a renovated space; it is a hub for innovation, connection, and community. Located at the heart of ATSU’s Kirksville, Missouri, campus, the lounge serves as a gathering place for Bridge Builder Break-Time events, where students and donors come together to share stories and explore the lasting impact of philanthropy on healthcare education.

Conversations extend beyond scholarships and University support. Students hear directly from those who choose to invest in their futures and who believe education, innovation, and human connection builds healthier communities. For donors, the experience is also meaningful because they have an opportunity to visit face to face with students whose lives are being transformed by their generosity.

“Through engaging conversations with generous ATSU donors, students gain firsthand insight into the heart and purpose behind their support, including why they give, what they believe in, and how their contributions shape the future of the University and its students,” says Brad Chambers, director of development. “These encounters illuminate the profound impact that giving can have, not only on education but on lives and communities.”

The name Bridge Builder draws inspiration from a poem by Will Allen Dromgoole, a reminder that true giving is not about recognition but about establishing pathways for those who will follow. Like the old man in the poem, donors help build bridges of opportunities for future healthcare professionals to reach their dreams.

David Young, DO, ’81, and his wife, Jill Young, were featured donors at a Bridge Builder Break-Time event in spring 2025. They are recipients of the Diplomate Lifetime Giving Award and are passionate about supporting Dr. Young’s alma mater, ATSU’s Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM).

“Giving should be a guiding principle for anyone able to do so, as there is deep personal fulfillment in helping others,” says the couple. “Our family has been fortunate to provide for ourselves and share with others. ATSU-KCOM has profoundly shaped our lives, and supporting the school has always felt essential. Ensuring its financial strength is vital to educating and training the next generation of osteopathic physicians.”

The Bridge Builder

An old man going a lone highway,
Came, at the evening
cold and gray,
To a chasm vast and
deep and wide.
Through which was flowing
a sullen tide
The old man crossed in
the twilight dim,
The sullen stream had
no fear for him;
But he turned when safe
on the other side
And built a bridge to span
the tide.

“Old man,” said a fellow
pilgrim near,
“You are wasting your strength
with building here;
Your journey will end with
the ending day,
You never again will pass this way;
You’ve crossed the chasm,
deep and wide,
Why build this bridge
at evening tide?”

The builder lifted his
old gray head;
“Good friend, in the path
I have come,” he said,
“There followeth after me today
A youth whose feet must
pass this way.
This chasm that has been
as naught to me
To that fair-haired youth may
a pitfall be;
He, too, must cross in
the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building
this bridge for him!”

– Will Allen Dromgoole

When members of the ATSU family gather, a common thread emerges. Friends reconnect, new bonds develop, and students find inspiration. From coast to coast and many points in between, recent events brought energetic, diverse, accomplished groups of individuals together – enriching and reinforcing the tapestry of social and professional networks that bind the University community together.

DO Alumni, Students & Friends Reception
American Osteopathic Association Osteopathic Medical Education (AOA OMED) Conference
Omni Hotel
Nashville, Tennessee

DO Alumni, Students & Friends Reception
American College of Osteopathic Internists Annual Convention
JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort
Marco Island, Florida

ATSU Founder’s Day 2025
ATSU Missouri campus
Kirksville, Missouri
ATSU Arizona campus
Mesa, Arizona

Dental Alumni Informal Meet-up
National Network for Oral Health Access
San Antonio, Texas

Speech-Language Pathology Alumni, Students & Friends Reception
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Convention
Washington, D.C.

Physical Therapy Alumni, Students & Friends Reception
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Combined Sections Meeting
Anaheim, California

ATSU Alumni, Students & Friends Reception
American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Congress
Houston, Texas

1960s

Keith D. Peterson, DO, ’60, was posthumously inducted into the University of Montana Athletic Department Hall of Fame at its 2025 homecoming celebration. Dr. Peterson’s son, Chris Peterson, DO, ’92, accepted the award on his behalf.

1970s

Karen Steele, DO, ’78, received the 2025 Alumna of the Year award from the Kirksville Osteopathic Alumni Association. Dr. Steele has devoted her career to the advancement of osteopathic medicine, particularly osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM).

1980s

Patricia Bell, DO, ’88, was ordained as an elder in full connection with the United Methodist Church in Denver in June 2025. A breast cancer survivor, Dr. Bell received her call from God in 2016 during chemotherapy treatment to retire from practicing obstetrics and gynecology and pursue her spiritual journey, including obtaining a master of divinity degree.

Scott Weber, DO, FAAFP, ’89, was honored with the Edward J. Batt, MD, Memorial Teaching Award from the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine (SSOM). Dr. Weber is a clinical professor at SSOM and maintains a full-time practice in family and sports medicine at Yankton Medical Clinic PC. The surprise award presentation was held at the Yankton clinic with Dr. Weber’s wife, Jo; son, Alex; granddaughters, Marie, Zelie, and Claire; and colleagues and clinic staff in attendance.

After more than 34 years as a practicing clinician, Dr. Weber plans on retiring in 2026. In reflecting on what has made his career as an educator so successful, Dr. Weber points to his own osteopathic education. He has made whole person care the basis of his practice and teaching, something he hopes he has impressed upon his own students, several of whom he now works alongside at the Yankton clinic. He considers mentorship a blessing and his skill as a physician a gift, the rewards of which have been exponential.

“It’s been a tremendous honor, and a real surprise.” -Dr. Scott Weber, ’89

1990s

Frederick Workman, DO, ’96, a team physician for U.S. Figure Skating, was selected to represent Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.

2000s

Amit Gosalia, AuD, ’06, was named a distinguished fellow of the American Academy of Audiology, one of the profession’s highest honors. Dr. Gosalia is a board-certified audiologist who is the co-owner of West Valley Hearing Center in Woodland Hills, California, and CEO of AudBoss, an international organization dedicated to empowering private-practice doctors through education, collaboration, and leadership development.

Kimberly Paddock-O’Reilly, DHEd, ’08, a graduate of ATSU-CGHS, was named vice president for academic affairs at Chadron State College in Chadron, Nebraska.

2010s

Josh Honeyman, DO, ’12, is one of four new members of Essentia Health’s Board of Directors. Dr. Honeyman is an emergency medicine physician who has served as an attending physician at Essentia Health in Fargo, North Dakota. Dr. Honeyman is also certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine and licensed in North Dakota and Minnesota. He is an active member of the North Dakota Medical Association and the American College of Emergency Medicine.

Daniel Diaz, DO, ’14, joined Essentia Health-Duluth Clinic, specializing in orthopedics and sports medicine. Dr. Diaz is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.

Bethany Brooks, DMD, MS, MPH, ’16, was featured in Incisal Edge’s 15th annual 40 under 40 feature. A board-certified periodontist, Dr. Brooks was nominated because of her history as a mentor, innovator, and advocate for access. A Navy veteran, she has served aboard the USNS Mercy during a humanitarian mission in South Asia. She currently practices at The Dental Center in Hanover and Manchester, New Hampshire, and is in the Vermont Air National Guard.

Curtis L. Johnston, DO, ’16, was honored as a Pinnacle Lifetime Member by The Inner Circle. A graduate of ATSU-KCOM, Dr. Johnston specializes in osteopathic manipulative medicine and is an associate professor at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, practicing at the university’s family medicine outpatient clinic. He also serves on the board of directors for the Illinois Osteopathic Medical Society.

Wanda Cloet, DHSc, ’17, Hastings, Nebraska, was recognized as one of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association’s (ADHA) 2025 Standout Seven Award recipients. Dr. Cloet was recognized for her dedication to shaping future registered dental hygienists. Her passion for education and commitment to advancing the profession through innovative teaching exemplifies excellence in dental hygiene education. The ADHA Standout Seven Awards are sponsored by Henry Schein.

Marvin R. Mitchell Jr., DHSc, LCSW, BCDCDR, ’17, published an article with colleagues in Food Control. Dr. Mitchell was the lead author of the manuscript. At the time of the study, Dr. Mitchell was a health scientist for the Food and Drug Administration Coordinated Outbreak Response and Evaluation network. He currently serves as director of psychological health at Marine Corps Base and Air Station Camp Pendleton.

Mohammad Wadud, DO, ’17, a graduate of ATSU-SOMA, is one of two new board-certified family practice doctors joining the Franciscan Physician Network Dyer Family Health Center in Dyer, Indiana. His clinical interests include acute and chronic condition management, holistic health, preventive care, and social determinants of health.

Alex Casiano, EdD, DHSc, MHA, MSW, ’18, San Juan, Puerto Rico, was appointed chancellor of Inter American University of Puerto Rico’s Metropolitan Campus, effective Nov. 1, 2025. Dr. Casiano earned his doctor of health sciences degree with a concentration in leadership and health services from ATSU-CGHS.

“The osteopathic principles of treating the person as an integrated being – mind, body, and spirit – have shaped my approach to academic leadership, emphasizing empathy, integrity, and evidence-based decision-making.”
-Dr. Alex Casiano, ’18, on his appointment as chancellor

Maryann Forsell, DMD, ’18, a graduate of ATSU-MOSDOH, received the Wisconsin Dental Association New Dentist Leadership Award. In addition, she was granted fellowship into the American College of Dentists, International College of Dentists, and Pierre Fauchard Academy.

Shy C. Ni, DMD, ’19, a periodontist based in Exeter, New Hampshire, joined the DiBona Dental Group. She is a member of the Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Honor Society. An ATSU-MOSDOH graduate, her clinical focus includes bone and soft tissue regeneration across a wide spectrum of cases, benefiting patients needing advanced periodontal therapy.

Kaushik Ragam, DDS, MS, ’19, a graduate of ATSU-ASDOH’s Postgraduate Orthodontics program, joined the Community Health Center of Eagle Grove. He earned his dental degree overseas in 2011 and worked in clinical and research settings before relocating to the U.S. in 2015, completing his dental residency at ATSU-ASDOH in 2019. Dr. Ragam provides a wide range of dental services, including preventive care, restorative treatments, and family dentistry for patients of all ages.

2020s

Ludwig Frontier, MD, DHSc, ’20, published the article “Paying blood donors in the 21st century: Ethics, policy and the global reality of recruitment” in The Ethical Pulse: Blood, Biotherapies & Beyond.

Brittany Helmbrecht, DHEd, ’20, was named dean of the School of Professional Studies and Applied Sciences at Chadron State College in Chadron, Nebraska. She previously served as interim dean.

Kyle Porter, MS, ’20, served as assistant director of sports performance at Grand Canyon University (GCU) following graduation from ATSU-CGHS’ Kinesiology program. He worked with men’s soccer, men’s and women’s tennis, and the dance team for two years, won four Western Athletic Conference Championships, went to four NCAA Tournaments, and won a Universal Dance Association National Championship.

After GCU, Porter was hired by the Colorado Rapids professional soccer club as the first ever academy strength and conditioning coach. He was promoted to the first team strength and conditioning coach/manager, then to director of player performance, and recently finished his first year overseeing the Performance department and acting as lead performance coach.

Shannon Youngblood, EdD, ’20, is president-elect of the Technologies Section of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI). Dr. Youngblood teaches at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, Arkansas, and has been involved with the SNMMI since 2012.

Elizabeth St. Laurent, DO, ’21, a board-certified OB/GYN, joined Tidelands Health in Myrtle Beach and Georgetown, South Carolina. Dr. St. Laurent will provide a wide range of women’s health services, including pregnancy management and preventive care. Dr. St. Laurent is a graduate of ATSU-SOMA.

Alexandra Gauer, DO, ’22, a graduate of ATSU-KCOM, joined Prairie Lakes Healthcare System’s primary care team in her hometown of Watertown, South Dakota. Dr. Gauer looks forward to treating patients of all ages, with a focus on pediatrics and women’s health.

Ryan Pavelka, DO, ’22, a graduate of ATSU-SOMA, joined Kearney Regional Medical Center’s emergency medicine team in Kearney, Nebraska.

Derek Peckham, DO, ’22, a graduate of ATSU-KCOM, joined HaysMed’s emergency department in Hays, Kansas. He previously worked for HaysMed as a phlebotomist from 2016-18.

Janae Rasmussen, DO, ’22, a graduate of ATSU-SOMA, was awarded the 2025 Outstanding Resident of the Year in Orthopedic Surgery by the American Osteopathic Foundation.

April Stouder, EdD, MHS, PA-C, ’23, a graduate of ATSU-CGHS, was named program director and division chief of the Duke University Physician Assistant program. Dr. Stouder previously served as associate program director and interim director.

Debbie Booton, DHSc, ’24, and Jeffrey Alexander, PhD, FAACVPR, ASM-CEP, professor, health sciences, ATSU-CGHS, presented a poster titled “Incorporating Visual Arts into Respiratory Care and Dental Hygiene Programs to Improve Patient Assessment and Communication Skills” at the American Association of Respiratory Care conference in Phoenix.

Dina Jarjees, DHA, ’25, collaborated with Lihua Dishman, DBA, MBA, professor, health administration, ATSU-CGHS, on publication of Dr. Jarjees’ doctoral research project manuscript in the Patient Experience Journal. The manuscript is titled “Do Allied Health Professionals’ Workplace Experiences Affect Their Decisions to Stay? A Quantitative Investigation into the Relationship Between Wellness and Employee Retention in United States Hospitals.”

Ahmad Khan, DHSc, ’25, and faculty mentor Melanie Tidman, DHSc, MA, OTR/L, adjunct faculty, health sciences, ATSU-CGHS, published a study titled “A Hospital-Based Study on Attitude and Knowledge of Blood Donation and Practice of Blood Donation Among People in Kabul City, Afghanistan,” in the 2025 issue of Anemia.

Javan Nelson, DHA, MHA, LNHA, ’25, Portland, Oregon, was appointed as the new administrator of Madrona Grove at RoseVilla Senior Living. Additionally, Dr. Nelson and John Fick, EdD, FACHE, professor, health administration, ATSU-CGHS, co-published an abstract titled “Institutional Special Needs Plans and Organizational Performance: A Systematic Literature Review” in Michigan Academician.

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Have you recently met up with a fellow ATSU alum? Did you get a promotion, reach a milestone, or earn recognition? Maybe you have a story you’d like to share. Tell us about it at stillmagazine@atsu.edu