DHSc alumni and student reception held
Posted: February 7, 2014
Doctor of Health Sciences (DHSc) alumni gathered in Gilbert, Ariz., on Feb. 3 to connect with faculty and current students during the DHSc Winter Institute.
Attendees heard from ATSU President Craig Phelps, DO, ’84, FAOASM,; Randy Danielsen, PhD, PA-C, DFAAPA, dean, Arizona School of Health Sciences (ASHS); Helen Ewing, DHSc, MN, RN, chair; and Geoffrey Hoffa, MS, PA-C, ‘00, current DHSc student and ASHS Alumni Board Member. Below are some highlights from their updates:
- The ATSU Board of Trustees is focusing on a few large initiatives each year to make ATSU the pre-eminent institution in healthcare education. In 2014, the Board is focusing on: diversity, to have healthcare professionals who reflect the populations they serve; teaching- and learning-centeredness, to provide continuous educational opportunities for all connected to ATSU; and advancement, to help us become more mission-driven rather than tuition-driven.
- ASHS continues to be ATSU’s largest school, with nine programs, more than 1,000 students and 6,500 alumni, and its 20-year anniversary is coming up next year. The DHSc program has grown under the leadership of Drs. Randy Danielsen, Eric Sauers, and Helen Ewing. It is thanks to them that the degree is so widely recognized and that there will be a smooth transition of the DHSc program from ASHS to the upcoming online school led by Don Altman, DHSc, ’12, dean, School of Health Management.
- After nearly six years, Dr. Ewing will be leaving ATSU this spring to pursue an opportunity with the University of Maryland as the distance and e-learning programs advisor for the Rwanda Human Resources for Health Program. Dr. Ewing will be located in Africa and will be challenged to help build the health education infrastructure, faculty, and health workforce necessary to create a high-quality, sustainable healthcare system in Rwanda. We wish her the best as she helps develop online education programs in nursing and train Rwanda’s future healthcare leaders.
- Thanks to the generosity of our alumni and faculty, two awards have been created to help students – one to help cover travel costs to the Winter Institute, and another to help cover costs for scholarly endeavors such as presenting at conferences or publishing. More information on the awards will be sent to students as soon as it is available. To contribute to the DHSc Winter Institute travel award, click here.
- Geoffrey Hoffa presented Patrick Palmieri, DHSc, ’12, with the Distinguished Service Award and Dr. Helen Ewing with the Living Tribute Award on behalf of the ASHS Alumni Chapter Board. The Distinguished Service Award is awarded to ASHS alumni who make a lasting impact on society through outstanding professional, voluntary, or philanthropic accomplishments; the Living Tribute Award is awarded to ASHS faculty and staff who make an impact on the school through outstanding professional, academic, or research-related accomplishments. Congratulations to both!
Please visit the alumni Facebook page to see additional photos.