Faculty & staff news
Posted: April 20, 2022ATSU
Don Altman, DDS, DHSc, EdD, MPH, MBA, MA, ’12, was named associate vice president, academic affairs, effective Jan. 1, 2022. Dr. Altman joined ATSU in 2006 and has served as dean of ATSU-CGHS since 2012.
Elton Bordenave, PhD, MEd, was named interim director for interprofessional education and collaboration. Dr. Bordenave, associate professor, audiology, ATSU-ASHS, has been with ATSU for more than 20 years, serving as a faculty member and in administrative roles within Academic Affairs. He currently serves as director of the Center for Resilience in Aging.
Brigit Ciccarello, MA, was promoted to Institutional Review Board administrator for Research, Grants & Scholarly Innovations.
Brian Degenhardt, DO, director, A.T. Still Research Institute, was promoted to professor.
Desiree Dugger, admissions coordinator, residential admissions, received the Arizona campus Employee Excellence Award for the fourth quarter of 2021.
Daniel England was promoted to financial aid specialist for Enrollment Services.
Jordan Farris was promoted to university assessment project manager for Assessment & Accreditation.
Kevin Helton joined ATSU Security as a security officer.
Stephanie Hettinger was promoted to assistant controller for Finance.
Brenda Jackson was promoted to senior administrative assistant for Academic Affairs.
Jill Matejcik was promoted to university accreditation project manager for Assessment & Accreditation.
Maud Mundava, MLS, MBA, joined A.T. Still Memorial Library’s Missouri campus as head librarian and assistant university library director. Mundava previously served as director of library services at Cleveland State Community College.
Kim Perry, DDS, MSCS, FACD, associate vice president of strategic university partnerships and associate professor, was named a recipient of the National Dental Association (NDA) President’s Special Award for her support in advancing the NDA president’s theme of “Forging and Fortifying Partnerships for Health Equity.”
In addition, Dr. Perry contributed to the National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research 2021 Oral Health in America Report, Section 5: Pain, Mental Illness, Substance Use, and Oral Health. Hal Bright, MLS, AHIP, university library director, A.T. Still Memorial Library assisted Dr. Perry with her literature review.
Corey Sanford, lead multimedia specialist, academic technologies, received the Missouri campus Employee Excellence Award for the third quarter of 2021.
Liz Sprout, employment coordinator, human resources, received the Arizona campus Employee Excellence Award for the second quarter of 2021.
Weston Smith was named assistant director for Enrollment Services.
Sarah Thomas, MSW, LCSW, was promoted to director of Behavioral Health & Wellness Counseling.
Ying-Fang Wang, PhD, was promoted to senior biostatistician for Research Support.
Ramey Weichelt was named manager of the Thompson Campus Center.
Brittany Williams, MS, was promoted to assistant director of the Teaching and Learning Center.
ATSU-ASDOH
Marcia Arbizu, MBA, was named director of integrated community service partnerships and continuing education.
Germaine Hendon, EdD, MS, was named director of education and student success.
Scott Howell, DMD, MPH, FSCD, ’14, associate professor, director of public health dentistry & teledentistry, led efforts to develop the ATSU-ASDOH teledentistry website. The primary purpose of this site is to help patients be prepared for their teledentistry visits. Visit atsu.edu/asdohteledentistry to learn more.
Matthew Kahn, DDS, MS, FACP, was named director of advanced education in general dentistry.
Tannaz Malekzadeh, DMD, MAEd, was promoted to assistant professor of periodontics.
Jae Hyun Park, DMD, PhD, MSD, MS, professor and chair, postgraduate orthodontics, was appointed the American Board of Orthodontics Written Examination Committee chair.
Dr. Park and his research team, including Curt Bay, PhD, professor, biostatistics, interdisciplinary health sciences, ATSU-ASHS, and Kathy Rushlo, MHA, director, sponsored programs, Arizona campus, ATSU, received the 2021 Biomedical Research Award from the American Association of Orthodontists Foundation. Their project, “Accuracy, Reliability and Clinical Feasibility of AI-assisted Remote Orthodontic Tooth Movement Monitoring Technology,” received $30,000.
In addition, Dr. Park and co-authors from Chosun University in Gwangju, Korea, received the 2021 College of Diplomates of the American Board of Orthodontics Case Report of the Year Award for their article, “Maxillary molar intrusion and transverse decompensation to enable mandibular single-jaw surgery with rotational setback and transverse shift for a patient with mandibular prognathism and asymmetry.”
Seena Patel, DMD, MPH, was promoted to director of oral medicine.
Heather Schneider, DMD, ’17, adjunct professor, was named one of the Most Influential Women in Arizona for 2021 by Az Business magazine. She is Delta Dental of Arizona’s dental director.
Maricela Segovia-Santoyo was promoted to specialist, preclinical education.
Ann Eshenaur Spolarich, PhD, RDH, FSCDH, professor and assistant dean for research, received the Education Award from the Special Care Dentistry Association (SCDA). The award honors outstanding individuals engaged in educating the next generation of oral health providers about caring for individuals with special healthcare needs.
ATSU-ASHS
Rex Banks, AuD, ’15, adjunct assistant professor, post-professional audiology, received the Moneca Price Humanitarian Award from the Canadian Academy of Audiology in recognition of his extraordinary humanitarian and community service.
María A. Centeno-Vázquez, PhD, CCC-SLP, joined the Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology as inaugural program director for the developing Speech-Language Pathology program. Dr. Centeno-Vázquez received her doctorate in communication sciences and disorders from the University of Cincinnati and most recently served as associate professor and program chair at Interamerican University
of Puerto Rico.
Michelle DiBaise, DHSc, PA-C, DFAAPA, ’14, chair and professor, physician assistant studies, was re-elected treasurer of the Arizona State Association of Physician Assistants. In addition, Dr. DiBaise was elected to serve on the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants Health Foundation Board of Directors. Her three-year term began Jan. 1.
Brittney Gray, MS, MS, PA-C, assistant professor, physician assistant studies, was elected a director at large of the Arizona State Association of Physician Assistants.
Troy Hale, AuD, was promoted to associate professor in the Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology.
Pamela Kays, PT, DPT, EdD, assistant professor, director of curriculum, physical therapy, received the 2021 ATSU Innovation in Teaching for Learning Award.
Kenneth Lam, ScD, ATC, professor of clinical research, interdisciplinary health sciences, was named a fellow of National Athletic Trainers’ Association for demonstrating outstanding professional scholarly achievement and service to the profession.
Virginia Little, PhD, MS, was named director of research for the Physical Therapy department.
Kelsey Picha, PhD, MS, AT, ’14, assistant professor of clinical anatomy, interdisciplinary health sciences, was selected as a 2021-22 National Distinction Award recipient by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Career Advancement Committee. The award recognizes a young professional who embodies
the committee’s goals and mission through demonstrated service, professionalism, and competence leading to an immediate and definitive impact on the profession.
Melinda Rawcliffe, PA-C, adjunct professor, physician assistant studies, was elected president-elect of the Arizona State Association of Physician Assistants.
Teri Rorie, administrative assistant, audiology, received the Arizona campus Employee Excellence Award for the third quarter of 2021.
Marlene Salas-Provance, PhD, MHA, CCCSLP, FASHA, FNAP, vice dean, co-published the second edition of her textbook, Culturally Responsive Practices in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, in November 2021.
Mary-Katherine McNatt, DrPH, MPH, MCHES, CPH, COI, chair and associate professor, public health, was appointed as a new Council on Education for Public Health councilor by the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health Executive Committee. Her term began Jan. 1 and will end Dec. 31, 2025.
Patrick Palmieri, DHSc, EdS, MBA, MSN, ACNP, RN, ’12, adjunct professor, health sciences, was appointed as a Fellow Ad Eundem of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (FFNMRCSI) in December. He was nominated for the impact of his health policy, leadership, nursing research, and mentoring in South America.
ATSU-CHC
Daniel McDermott, DMSc, ’21, PA-C, ’04, was named chair and director of the Central Coast Physician Assistant program.
ATSU-KCOM
Yingzi Chang, MD, PhD, was promoted to professor in the Pharmacology department.
Hong Chartrand, DPH, MPA, director, Area Health Education Center Program Office, was recognized as an exceptional reviewer for Preventing Chronic Disease journal for 2021.
Lary Ciesemier, DO, FAAAAI, FACOI, ’97, professor and chair, internal medicine, was appointed to the American Osteopathic Board of Allergy Immunology. He has been an item writer for the allergy immunology board for 10 years. In addition, he was nominated for vice chair of the American
Osteopathic Board of Pediatrics Conjoint Adult-Pediatric Allergy and Immunology.
Brianna Fountain, clinical education coordinator, Area Health Education Center Program Office, earned a master of health administration degree from ATSU-CGHS.
Leah Keller joined the Physiology department as an administrative assistant.
Richard LaBaere II, DO, MPH, FAODME, associate dean for graduate medical education, was elected to serve as chair of the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners for a two-year term.
Robert Long, curriculum technician, medical education, received the Missouri campus Employee Excellence Award for the fourth quarter of 2021.
Tim Ostrowski, PhD, was promoted to associate professor in the Physiology department.
Dana Nelson was named director of Still OPTI.
Tabitha Sawyer, coordinator, academic affairs, received the Missouri campus Employee Excellence Award for the second quarter of 2021.
ATSU-MOSDOH
Grishondra Branch-Mays, DDS, MS, assumed the role of senior associate dean, academic affairs.
Joan Davis, PhD, professor and assistant dean for research, wrote the section on marijuana and oral health for the National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research 2021 Oral Health in America Report, Section 5: Pain, Mental Illness, Substance Use, and Oral Health, Chapter 1: Status of Knowledge, Practice, and Perspectives.
Dwight McLeod, DDS, MS, dean and professor, was selected as a recipient of the St. Louis American Foundation Excellence in Health Care Award.
Ammar Musawi, MDS, BDS, was named assistant dean, preclinical education and simulation clinic.
Akshay Vij, BDS, ACT, was promoted to associate professor.
ATSU-SOMA
Ann Cano, administrative assistant, retired from ATSU-SOMA on Aug. 13, 2021.
Samantha Fillerup was named executive assistant to the dean. She has been with ATSU-SOMA since April 2020 as a clinical education coordinator in the Clinical Education department.
Kendra Gray, DO, assistant professor, clinical science education, received the James M. Lally, DO, National Emerging Leader Award, which recognizes early career physicians poised to become the next generation of leaders in medicine.
Breanne Jaqua, DO, MPH, ’17, assistant professor, clinical science education, was elected chair of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education’s (ACGME) Council of Review Committee Residents. As part of this election, Dr. Jaqua has a two-year term on ACGME’s Board of Directors, which began September 2021.
Joy Lewis, DO, PhD, FACP, professor and chair, public health, and Kate Whelihan, MPH, instructor, public health, contributed to the textbook, Value-Added Roles for Medical Students, which is the second volume in the American Medical Association’s MedEd Innovation Series.
Carolina Quezada, MD, was named assistant dean of clinical education. Dr. Quezada has worked with the School since 2013, first as a clinical preceptor and then as regional director of medical education, overseeing the California community health center site at Family HealthCare Network in Visalia.
Denise Sackett, DO, was promoted to associate professor in the Clinical Science Education department.
Frederic Schwartz, DO, FACOFP, senior advisor to the dean and professor of family and community medicine, retired from ATSU-SOMA on Dec. 31, 2021.
Christina Weaver, DO, ’14, assistant professor, was named assistant dean of innovation and clinical curricular integration. Dr. Weaver joined the School’s faculty in 2018 and served as emergency medicine clerkship director in the Clinical Sciences department, Year 1 co-course director, and faculty development director.
Submit faculty & staff news to stillmagazine@atsu.edu