Class notes

1980s

Ellie Campbell, DO, ’89, wrote a chapter about integrative management of hypertension for a medical textbook, “Integrative Nephrology.” Additionally, Dr. Campbell co-published the article, “The Liver as the Central Regulator of Cholesterol Homeostasis: Statins, Gut Microbiota, Hepatic Inflammation, and the Proposed Oral–Gut–Liver–Artery Axis in Atherogenesis” in Metabolites. 

Dr. Campbell is the co-chair of a continuing interprofessional dental/medical education course on oral-systemic health connections through the Augusta University Medical College of Georgia. She is also a co-host of an educational podcast about the ways oral health is related to the rest of the body. 

1990s

Marshall S. Grillo Jr., DO, ’90, Grand Blanc, Michigan, was recognized as a fellow by the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons during the 2026 Annual Clinical Assembly Ceremonial Conclave in New Orleans.

John S. Barton III, DO, ’91, Gallatin, Missouri, was recognized as a fellow by the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons during the 2026 Annual Clinical Assembly Ceremonial Conclave in New Orleans.

2000s

Michael Millette, MS, ’03, is a physician assistant with Michigan Better Health & Wellness in Gaylord, Michigan. He provides care to the public as well as contracting with Bear River Health in Boyne Falls, Michigan, to care for approximately 130 men with in-patient substance abuse treatment offering detox and medically assisted therapies.

Julie Rake, MS, PA-C, ’03, delivered a TEDx Talk titled “Can love heal what divides us?” in Glasgow, Ireland.

Kelly M. Van Fossen, DO, FACOS, ’04, Fayetteville, North Carolina, received the Guy D. Beaumont Award of Academic Excellence from the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons during the 2026 Annual Clinical Assembly Ceremonial Conclave in New Orleans.

Amanda Baright, DO, FACOS, FACS, ’06, was promoted to associate dean of clinical affairs at Campbell University’s Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine.

Juliëtte Sterkens, AuD, ’06, retired from her Oshkosh, Wisconsin, private practice. She is currently an advisor on hearing loop and other assistive listening technology with the nonprofit Center for Hearing Access. Her TEDx Talk “What You Don’t Know About Hearing Aids” recently passed 1.3 million views.

Kerry Knievel, DO, ’07, an ATSU-KCOM graduate, was named one of Phoenix Magazine’s Top Doctors for 2026. Dr. Knievel is a board-certified neurologist specializing in headache medicine at Barrow Neurological Institute. Prior to attending ATSU-KCOM, she completed a master of science in neuroanatomy and neurobiology, solidifying her love for neurology and creating a deeper understanding of neuroscience.

2010s

Mark Brown, DO, ’11, was named medical director for Freeman Fort Scott Hospital Inc.’s emergency department in Fort Scott, Kansas. Dr. Brown resides in Carl Junction, Missouri, with his wife Melinda Brown, MHA, ’09, director of the Gipson Center for Healthcare Leadership at Missouri Southern State University, and their children, Zakory; Maggie, an ATSU-CGHS student; and Ashdyn.

Travis Williams, MS, PA-C, ’13, is now providing spine care services in the Specialty Clinic Department at Van Diest Medical Center in Webster City, Iowa. Williams received his master’s degree in athletic training from ATSU-ASHS and spent eight years working as an athletic trainer in high schools, junior colleges, and Division 1 athletic programs. Now, he focuses on treating orthopedic spine conditions, including radiculopathy, spinal stenosis, myelopathy, and chronic neck and lower back pain. Williams practices at the Van Diest Medical Center once a month and practices full time at Iowa Ortho in Des Moines, Iowa.

Michael Jejna, DMD, ’15, acquired Desert Breeze Dentistry in Tempe, Arizona, after nearly a decade practicing as an associate dentist in the Phoenix area. As owner, Dr. Jejna is focused on providing comprehensive, patient-centered dental care by offering access to in-house specialists, advanced digital technology, and treatment options designed to help patients with dental anxiety. Dr. Jejna is a graduate of ATSU-ASDOH.

Taisei Suzuki, DO, MIPH, CCHP-CP, FAAFP, ’15, completed a 10-day trip to provide medical aid following the earthquakes in Venezuela. This work was a part of the Association of Medical Doctors of Asia, an international nongovernmental organization founded in Japan that focuses on global medical and humanitarian relief. Dr. Suzuki is a graduate of ATSU-KCOM and a member of the Kirksville Osteopathic Alumni Association board. 

Charles Dolan, DHSc, MBA, FACHE, ’16, was appointed to the board of trustees of Wor-Wic Community College by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore. Dr. Dolan is vice president of clinical operations at TidalHealth, where he is responsible for system-level direction of ambulatory surgical services, pharmacy, medical imaging, and laboratory medicine.

2020s

Troy Jensen, DO, ’20, is now accepting patients at CommonSpirit Medical Group – Family Medicine – Ringgold in Ringgold, Georgia. Dr. Jensen is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and a graduate of ATSU-KCOM.

Matthew West, DO, ’20, an ATSU-SOMA graduate, finished an addiction medicine fellowship at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) in 2024. He is now the addiction medicine medical director of Washington state’s first Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) located in a jail, which he discussed on the Oregon Public Broadcasting radio show “Think Out Loud.” He is also working in multiple OTPs across Washington; in medically supervised substance withdrawal in Portland, Oregon; and as a subject matter expert for OHSU to help jails across Oregon improve their addiction treatment for adults in custody. 

Shannon Youngblood, EdD, ’20, was elected president of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Technologist Section. In this role, Dr. Youngblood will lead initiatives focused on advocacy for nuclear medicine professionals, expanding equitable access to education and mentorship, and advancing professional development to keep pace with innovations in theranostics and cardiac PET-CT.

Melinda Knudson-Stanley, EdD, ’21, was promoted to teaching professor of healthcare management at Indiana University Kokomo. Dr. Knudson-Stanley joined the university as an adjunct faculty member in 2014 before becoming a visiting lecturer in 2015. She is a three-time recipient of the IU Trustees Teaching Award. Additionally, she has received the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning Technology and an IU Bicentennial Medal. 

Maria Holden, MS, ’22, joined Good Shepherd Primary Care in Hermiston, Oregon. She earned her master of science in physician assistant studies from ATSU-ASHS. 

Kevin Cooper, DHSc, ’23, was named head of marketing of T2 Group, a healthcare IT consulting and technology services company. In this role, Dr. Cooper will lead enterprise marketing strategy across the company’s four business divisions. 

Faisal Kamal, DHSc, MS, PA-C, ’24, a graduate from ATSU-CHC’s Central Coast Physician Assistant program, completed his Doctor of Medical Science degree from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. 

Michelle Congdon, DHSc, MBA, ’25, presented a poster at the International Stroke Conference in New Orleans. Dr. Congdon’s poster, “Wisconsin Stroke Nurses Support Implementation of New Tools for HRSN Assessment,” was based on research she conducted for her applied research project. 

Kelley Cooper, EdD, ’25, published his doctoral research project manuscript from ATSU-CGHS and started a new faculty position at Texas Christian University. 

Kelli Hillerman, MPH, ’25, was named the new administrator of Sullivan County Health Department in Milan, Missouri. Hillerman, an ATSU-CGHS graduate, brings more than 26 years of experience in public health, including knowledge of communicable disease management, epidemiology, emergency preparedness, WIC, public health education, and regional public health leadership. 

Dina Jarjees, DHA, ’25, and her faculty mentor, Lihua Dishman, DHA, MBA, FACHE, professor, health administration, ATSU-CGHS, published a paper based on Dr. Jarjees’ doctoral research project. The publication, “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,” appeared in Patient Experience Journal, Vol. 13, Issue 1. 

Andrew Mielcuszny, DO, ’25, an internal medicine resident at Henry Ford Health in Detroit, Michigan, presented a poster at the hospital’s 33rd annual Medical Education Research Forum. Dr. Mielcuszny received first place for a junior case report titled “A Case for Point-of- Care Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Pneumothorax Ex Vacuo, a Rare Complication of Thoracentesis,” which was based on the ultrasound skills he learned as a student at ATSU-KCOM. 

Olatunde Oshikoya, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, ’25, was appointed director of Correctional Healthcare Partners’ medication-assisted treatment (MAT) services and rapid response. In this role, Dr. Oshikoya will lead the development of clinical protocols and the implementation of person-centered policies aimed at expanding access to evidence-based substance use treatment, including MAT, for individuals within the criminal justice system. Dr. Oshikoya brings more than 10 years of clinical experience in urgent and emergency care, infectious diseases, psychiatric care, and addiction medicine.