Faculty & staff news
Posted: October 6, 2026ATSU
Don Altman, DDS, DHSc, EdD, ’12, vice chancellor, academic support, retired from ATSU on July 31. Since joining the University in 2006 as director of public health & research at ATSU-ASDOH, Dr. Altman has served in numerous leadership roles across ATSU-ASDOH, ATSU-SOMA, ATSU-CGHS, and ATSU-MOSDOH. He was appointed vice chancellor for academic support in July 2024.
Dr. Altman’s commitment to service has been widely recognized, including receiving the ATSU Michael Samuels Leadership Award and the COVID-19 Pandemic Civilian Service Award. His career reflects a deep dedication to advancing health professions education and serving communities in need.
Cailee Welch Bacon, PhD, ATC, was named interim vice chancellor for academic support at ATSU. Dr. Bacon also serves as a professor of athletic training for ATSU-ASHS and research professor for ATSU-SOMA.
Robby Beighey was promoted to desktop support analyst for Information Technology Services Customer Service.
Donna Brown, MBA, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, assistant chief, human resources, received the Missouri campus Distinguished Service Award at the annual Faculty & Staff Recognition Ceremony.
April Colbert was promoted to director of assessment & accreditation.
Tiffany Davis, administrative support, enrollment services, received the Missouri campus Employee Excellence Award for the first quarter of 2026.
Jared Dover was promoted to grants assistant & office manager for Sponsored Programs.
Ricardo Dozier was promoted to security supervisor on the Missouri campus.
Alan Freeman, DMgt, MBA, FACHE, was appointed interim chief strategy officer, effective Sept. 1. Dr. Freeman joined ATSU in 2023 as senior director of patient care centers.
Jill Graves, MA, was named assistant vice chancellor of admissions. She previously served as interim assistant vice chancellor.
Sara Grgurich, MPH, was promoted to director of research & grants administration for Research, Grants & Scholarly Innovations.
Deanna Hunsaker, DHEd, MBA, ’08, was appointed vice chancellor of student affairs, effective July 1, after serving as interim vice chancellor since May 1, 2025. She will continue to oversee Admissions, Enrollment Services, Learning Resources & Accommodation Services, Behavioral Health & Wellness, Student Wellness, and Student Life. Since joining ATSU in 2005, Dr. Hunsaker has served in several leadership roles, including associate dean, registrar, assistant vice president of enrollment services, and assistant vice chancellor of enrollment services.
Christopher Jones was promoted to technical support specialist for Information Technology Services Customer Service.
Haley Lorenzen, digital content & public relations manager, communication & marketing, received the Arizona campus Employee Excellence Award for the second quarter of 2026.
Kaylee Morgenstern, MBA, was named assistant vice chancellor of enrollment services.
Kim Perry, DDS, MSCS, chief partnership officer, associate professor, received the ATSU-CGHS Michael Samuels Impact Award at the College’s annual Awards Banquet.
Olivia Ross, admissions counselor, residential admissions, received the California campus Employee Excellence Award for the first quarter of 2026.
Megan Snyder was promoted to manager of sponsored programs projects for Sponsored Programs.
Ramey Weichelt, manager, Thompson Campus Center, was selected as a recipient of the Five Under 40 awards from Kirksville Chamber of Commerce and the Kirksville Young Professionals.
ATSU-ASDOH
Kerry Anderson was promoted to predoctoral clinic coordinator for on-site clinical education.
Kellie Bebo was promoted to dental assistant for orthodontics.
Mai-Ly Duong, DMD, MPH, MAEd, FAGD, FSCD, ’12, was promoted to professor. Additionally, Dr. Duong was named the 2026 Faculty Advisor of the Year by the Academy of General Dentistry. She was selected by her peers for her exceptional commitment to student mentorship, leadership development, and advancement of organized dentistry.
Tamer El-Gendy, DMD, BDS, MS, was named interim associate dean of clinical affairs, effective July 13. Dr. El-Gendy serves as professor, senior director of pre-doctoral specialty clinics, and director of prosthodontics.
Lindsay Garcia, RDH, AP, instructor, predoctoral instruction, received the 2026 Advisor of the Year award for her leadership with ATSU-ASDOH’s Give Kids A Smile event, commitment to student growth, and service as a role model.
Erin Maruska, DMD, MPH, ’20, was promoted to clinical associate professor.
Adriana Mendonça da Silva, DMD, PhD, MS, was promoted to assistant professor of clinical translational research.
Binita Mool was promoted to director of business operations & clinic analytics. She also received the Arizona campus Employee Excellence Award for the first quarter of 2026.
Jae Hyun Park, DMD, PhD, MSD, MS, was promoted to associate dean of global relations. He also serves as professor, chair, and program director of the Postgraduate Orthodontic Program.
Seena Patel, DMD, MPH, ’10, was promoted to professor. Dr. Patel also serves as director of oral medicine at the School.
Tressa Pierce was promoted to clinical education specialist for on-site clinical education.
Emily Shields was promoted to sterilization manager for on-site clinical education.
Sandra Smith was promoted to inventory coordinator for the Advanced Care Clinic.
Ann Spolarich, PhD, MS, RDH, was promoted to associate dean of research.
Hanann Tomeh, DDS, MPH, ’20 was named associate dean of academic affairs. Dr. Tomeh also serves as a clinical associate professor, CCU 4 director, and faculty development director.
ATSU-ASHS
Kathryn Bauer, OTD, was promoted to assistant professor of occupational therapy.
Michelle Brady, BDS, joined the School as an associate professor and director of interprofessional education in the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences department. Dr. Brady previously served as an associate professor with ATSU-ASDOH where she led community-based dental education and interprofessional initiatives.
Ann Lee Burch, PT, EdD, MPH, FNAP, dean and associate professor, was accepted to the Association of Governing Boards (AGB) Institute for Leadership in Higher Education 2026-27 as a 2026 AGB fellow.
Randy Danielsen, PhD, DHL (hon.), PA-C Emeritus, DFAAPA, professor and director, medical science, published his memoir, “Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: A PA’s Journey Through Five Decades of Healthcare,” in January 2026.
David Doubblestein, PT, PhD, CLT, Cert MDT, LLCC, associate professor, director of student progress & retention, physical therapy, received the 2026 Service of the Year award during the annual ATSU-ASHS faculty assembly in May. He was also elected chair of the University Faculty Senate for academic year 2026-27.
Rachel Geoghegan, DAT, ATC, ’20, assistant professor, athletic training, received the Dignity Health Values in Action Excellence Award for her service to the Dignity Health system and the patients they serve.
Melanie Gibson, MA, was named director of curricular coordination & support in the Department of Audiology.
Abbey Glenn, OTD, MS, OTR/L, CBIS, was promoted to associate professor of occupational therapy.
Nikki Harris, DAT, LAT, ATC, CSCS, ’17, associate professor, director of student recruitment, athletic training, received the 2026 Emerging Educator Award from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Executive Council on Education.
Thomas Hartman, DMSc, ’21, PA-C, ’08, was promoted to associate professor of physician assistant studies.
Janette Kuhns, MS, OTR/L, PRPC, ’22, joined the School as a full-time instructor in the Occupational Therapy department.
Racella Lagasca joined the School as program manager in the Speech-Language Pathology department.
Kenny Lam, ScD, ATC, FNATA, professor, interdisciplinary health sciences, was part of a research team that was named the 2025 recipient of the Journal of Athletic Training’s Clint Thompson Award for Clinical Practice Advancement.
Virginia Little, PhD, PT, NCS, ADHD-RSP, associate professor, director of research, physical therapy, received the 2026 Faculty Educator of the Year award during the annual ATSU-ASHS faculty assembly in May.
Lourdes Martinez-Nieto, PhD, associate professor, speech-language pathology, received the 2026 Faculty Scholar of the Year award during the annual ATSU-ASHS faculty assembly in May.
Jennifer Radziak, OTD, OTR/L, CHT, was promoted to associate professor and director of occupational therapy programs.
Tania Shearon, DHSc, OTR/L, CHT, C-IAYT, ’22, was promoted to associate professor of occupational therapy.
Andrea Sylvia, PhD, joined the School as an assistant professor of biostatistics in the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences department.
Clay Walker, MSPAS, PA-C, assistant professor, director of didactic education, physician assistant studies, received the 2026 Junior Faculty of the Year award during the annual ATSU-ASHS faculty assembly in May.
ATSU-CGHS
Eiman Alghmdi, DrPH, MS, joined the College as an assistant professor of public health. Dr. Alghmdi most recently served as associate director of the Education Recognition program for the American Diabetes Association.
Scott Battley, PhD, MS, adjunct faculty, kinesiology, received the ATSU-CGHS Adjunct Faculty of the Year award at the College’s annual Awards Banquet.
Emily Bonazelli, DHA, MS, ’21, adjunct faculty, health administration, received the ATSU-CGHS Adjunct Faculty of the Year award at the College’s annual Awards Banquet.
Ray Borges, DHSc, MBA, MA, adjunct faculty, health sciences, received the ATSU-CGHS Adjunct Faculty of the Year award at the College’s annual Awards Banquet.
Bethany Clatt, MEd, academic advisor, received the ATSU-CGHS Outstanding Employee Award at the College’s annual Awards Banquet.
JoNeil Conley, DM, MBA, adjunct faculty, health administration & nursing, published a book, “The Biology of Bullying: Why Nurses Eat Each Other and How to Take Them Off the Menu,” which draws on her nearly 50 years of nursing experience and bridges the gap between quantitative findings and clinical reality.
Lihua Dishman, DBA, MBA, professor, health administration, was re-elected to serve as Health and Human Services Section’s chair for another one-year term beginning Oct. 1, 2026.
John Fick, EdD, FACHE, professor, health administration, was re-elected to serve as Health and Human Services Section’s vice chair for another one-year term beginning Oct. 1, 2026. Dr. Fick was also reappointed to serve on the Academic Publishing Editorial Board of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Julie Frantsve-Hawley, PhD, CAE, assistant professor, public health, was appointed to the editor-in-chief search committee for the Journal of Public Health Dentistry.
Annie Johnson, DMD, MPH, adjunct faculty, public health, received the ATSU-CGHS Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award at the College’s annual Awards Banquet.
Michael Ryan, PhD, MSK, CSCS, Pn2, ’19, adjunct faculty, kinesiology, earned his doctorate in psychology from Grand Canyon University’s College of Doctoral Studies.
Laura Santurri, PhD, MPH, joined the College as a faculty member in the Health Sciences department.
Kate Schultz, MS, adjunct faculty, health professions education, received the ATSU-CGHS Adjunct Faculty of the Year award at the College’s annual Awards Banquet.
Daniel Smith, PhD, MBA, associate professor, public health, is the new director of ATSU-CGHS’ Office of Scholarly & Professional Development.
Lisa St. Pierre, DNP, MSN-Ed, APRN, assistant professor, nursing, received the ATSU-CGHS Professor of the Year Award and the DAISY Award for nursing education at the College’s annual Awards Banquet. Additionally, Dr. St. Pierre was appointed as program director for the College’s Doctor of Nursing program, effective Aug. 1.
ATSU-KCOM
Kristin Blunk, EdD, MBA, was promoted to associate dean of academic affairs.
William Brechue, PhD, professor and chair, physiology, retired from the College in June after nearly 12 years of service.
Jeff Davis, DO, CMD, ’00, was named vice dean of the College. He previously served as assistant dean of clinical affairs. Additionally, Dr. Davis received the 2026 Wilbur T. Hill, DO, Distinguished Service Award from the Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons (MAOPS). This award is MAOPS’ highest honor recognizing extraordinary commitment, leadership, and service to the osteopathic profession.
Katherine Holbrook, DO, was promoted to director of ATSU Kirksville Family Medicine.
Richelle Lee, academic coordinator, osteopathic manipulative medicine, received the Missouri campus Employee Excellence Award for the second quarter of 2026.
Tim Ostrowski, PhD, was promoted to professor of physiology.
Jordan Palmer, DO, ’17, assistant professor, family medicine, received the A.T. Still Staff Award for Excellence in Teaching at the annual Faculty & Staff Recognition Ceremony.
ATSU-MOSDOH
Romana Muller, EdD, MSDH, CEPH, RDH, ’22, associate professor, clinical education, was elected vice president of the Give Kids A Smile St. Louis organization.
Ammar Musawi, MDS, BDS, MPH, ’21, assistant dean of simulation clinic & preclinical education, professor, received the ATSU-MOSDOH Elsie Gaber Compassion & Integrity Award at the annual Faculty & Staff Recognition Ceremony.
Whitney Schmitz, instructor, dental hygiene, received the Advisor of the Year award for her service and support as the advisor for the ATSU-MOSDOH Pediatrics Club.
Herbert Silva, DMD, FICD, assistant professor, comprehensive care unit director, was named the 2025 Missouri Dental Association (MDA) Dentist of the Year. This prestigious award recognizes a member who has demonstrated outstanding service to the association, the dental profession, or the community in the past year. Dr. Silva was honored at MDA’s annual awards banquet hosted during its House of Delegates meeting in June 2026.
ATSU-SOMA
Eboni Anderson, PhD, DHEd, MSW, MEd, MA, ’19, associate professor of public health, director of community-oriented primary care, received the Alumni Distinguished Service Award at ATSU-CGHS’ annual Awards Banquet. Dr. Anderson is a graduate of ATSU-CGHS’ Doctor of Health Education program.
Lawrence LeBeau, DO, was promoted to assistant dean of graduate medical education and associate professor.