Class notes
Posted: April 13, 20261960s
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.
SHARE YOUR NEWS!
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