Faculty & staff news
Posted: September 26, 2025ATSU
Bill Elam was named assistant director of advancement services.
Alexander Goerke was named assistant director of student financial aid in the Enrollment Services department.
Sarah Halstead was named assistant registrar for the Enrollment Services department.
Lori Haxton, MA, vice chancellor for student affairs, retired from ATSU after 36 years of service.
Deanna Hunsaker, DHEd, MBA, ’08, assistant vice chancellor for enrollment services, was appointed interim vice chancellor for student affairs.
Jane C. Johnson, MA, research assistant professor, A.T. Still Research Institute, retired from ATSU after 26 years of service.
Andrew Kottwitz, MA, was named director of student financial aid for the Enrollment Services department.
Michelle Mayo, PhD, Board of Trustees member, was named Claflin University’s provost and vice president for academic affairs. Dr. Mayo previously served as associate provost for student success and dean of undergraduate studies at California State University, Monterey Bay.
Stephanie McGrew, DHSc, ’25, MHA, ’15, MPH, ’24, assistant director, diversity & inclusion, received the UPCEA Leadership in Diversity and Inclusive Excellence Award for representing best practices and demonstrating positive impact in promoting cultural shift. In addition, she earned her doctor of health sciences degree from ATSU-CGHS.
Clinton Normore, EdD, MBA, ’25, chief diversity officer, earned his doctor of education in health professions education degree from ATSU-CGHS.
Jody Peterson, executive assistant, general counsel & chief operating officer, received the Missouri campus Employee Excellence Award for the fourth quarter of 2024.
Gaylah Sublette, MBA, was appointed president of ATSU’s Missouri campus, effective July 1, 2025. Sublette had served as interim president since July 1, 2024.
A graduate of Truman State University and William Woods University, Sublette brings 38 years of experience to her role, having served in various senior positions at ATSU since joining the University in 1987. She has been instrumental in advancing research, compliance, and strategic planning initiatives across the University. As vice chancellor of research & grants, she led the development of ATSU’s centralized Sponsored Programs office and helped secure more than $100 million in external funding. As interim president of the Missouri campus, she provided executive leadership for ATSU’s Missouri-based schools, including ATSU-KCOM, ATSU-CGHS, and ATSU-MOSDOH and St. Louis Dental Center.
Kendall Tarantino was promoted to enrollment coordinator for the Enrollment Services department.
Sarah Thomas, MSW, LCSW, director, behavioral health & wellness, was honored as the 2024-25 Advisor of the Year on ATSU’s Missouri campus. As advisor for the Still Kids student organization, she was recognized for demonstrating initiative in working with the student organization, helping the organization accomplish its mission, promoting student learning, and serving as a role model for student members.
ATSU-ASDOH
Michelle Brady, BDS, joined the School as an associate professor and senior director of community-based dental education. Dr. Brady received her dental degree from University of Wales College of Medicine School of Dentistry and postgraduate diplomas in conscious sedation and clinical dentistry from Trinity College Dublin. She is a fellow of the American College of Dentists.
Melanie Burns joined the School as the predoctoral clinic operations manager.
Irwin Feinberg, DDS, adjunct faculty, predoctoral instruction, retired from the School after 18
years of service.
Tehani Gonzales was promoted to project coordinator of the Integrated Community Service Partnerships program.
Alfredo Hernandez, DDS, MS, was promoted to clinical professor.
Satish Kumar, DMD, MDSc, MS, professor and director, periodontics, was elected vice president of the Arizona section of the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research.
William Leibow, DDS, MSD, was promoted to clinical associate professor.
Robert Levine, DDS, assistant professor and director, laser dentistry, received the 2025 Kumar Patel Prize in Laser Surgery from the American Laser Study Club. Dr. Levine was recognized for his outstanding contributions to CO2 laser dentistry education.
Ahmed Mahrous, BDS, MS, associate professor, director of CAD/CAM dentistry, predoctoral
education; Amira Elgreatly, BDS, MS, associate professor, predoctoral education; and coauthors
published an article in the Journal of Dental Education that ranked within the top 10% of most viewed publications from the journal in 2023. The article is titled “The use of artificial intelligence and game-based learning in removable partial denture design: A comparative study.”
Angela Miller was promoted to business process analyst.
Kathleen Moralez, senior dental assistant, Advanced Care Clinic, received the Arizona campus Employee Excellence Award for the first quarter of 2025.
James Nelson was promoted to sterilization team lead for on-site clinical education.
Jae Hyun Park, DMD, PhD, MSD, MS, professor and director, orthodontics, was selected by the American Association of Orthodontists Board of Trustees to become editor-in-chief of the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics (AJO-DO) and the AJO-DO Clinical Companion.
Maricela Segovia Santoyo was promoted to manager of preclinical education.
Lindsay Springer, DMD, MPH, ’12, was promoted to clinical associate professor.
Ann Spolarich, PhD, RDH, professor and assistant dean, research, was elected as councilor of the International Association for Dental Research Oral Health Research Group.
Robert M. Trombly, DDS, JD, former professor and dean, was named dean emeritus. Dr. Trombly was recognized at the ATSU Board of Trustees quarterly meeting on Friday, Jan. 31, in Mesa, Arizona. Dr. Trombly retired in September 2024 after being named to the position in July 2017. He first joined ATSU-ASDOH in 2015 as associate dean for clinical education and student success.
ATSU-ASHS
Beatriz Barragan Serrano, PhD, associate professor, speech-language pathology, received the College’s 2025 Scholar of the Year award.
Ann Lee Burch, PT, EdD, MPH, FNAP, dean, was accepted as a distinguished fellow of the Physical Therapy Academy by the National Academies of Practice. This prestigious honor recognizes Dr. Burch’s outstanding achievements and leadership in the profession and interprofessional care.
Maria Centeno Vazquez, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, was appointed chair of the Speech-Language Pathology department.
Deanne Fay, PT, DPT, PhD, professor, director, physical therapy, received the College’s 2025 Service of the Year award.
Benjamin Gross, OTR/L, instructor, occupational therapy, earned his doctor of clinical science degree from the University of Pittsburgh.
Tiffany Hines, PhD, MEd, SLP-CCC, assistant professor, speech-language pathology, received the College’s 2025 Junior Faculty of the Year award.
Ivonne Maldonado de La Rosa, PhD, CCC-SLP, assistant professor, speech-language pathology, was honored as the 2024-25 Advisor of the Year on ATSU’s Arizona campus. As advisor for the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association Chapter, she was recognized for demonstrating initiative in working with the student organization, helping the organization accomplish its mission, promoting student learning, and serving as a role model for student members.
Raymond Pavlick, PhD, was appointed chair of the Physician Assistant Studies department.
Jennifer Radziak, OTD, OTR/L, CHT, assistant professor, program director, occupational therapy, received the College’s 2025 Educator of the Year award.
Tania Shearon, DHSc, OTR/L, CHT, C-IAYT, assistant professor, director of curriculum, occupational therapy, was inducted to the National Academies of Practice Physical Therapy Academy.
Adam Story, PT, DPT, OTR/L, OTD, MTC, FNAP, assistant professor, occupational therapy, was inducted to the National Academies of Practice Physical Therapy Academy.
Clay Walker, MS, PA-C, was promoted to director of didactic education for the Physician Assistant Studies department.
ATSU-CGHS
Emily Bonazelli, DHA, MS, ’21, received the College’s 2025 Adjunct of the Year award for the Health Administration department.
Erin Breitenbach, PhD, MEd, MA, professor and chair, health professions education, received tenure.
C. Lynn Chevalier, DHSc, MPH, MS, CSSGB CPC, received the College’s 2025 Adjunct of the Year award for the Health Sciences department.
Robert Clegg, PhD, MLB, MPH, CHPHQ, MCHES, associate professor and chair, health administration, received the President’s Circle Award from National University while completing his degree in the Master of Law and Business program. Additionally, Dr. Clegg was invited to serve on the Planning Committee for the 2026 Annual Meeting of the Association of University Programs in Health Administration.
Lihua Dishman, DBA, MBA, FACHE, was promoted to professor with tenure in the Health Administration department. In addition, Dr. Dishman was recertified as a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Olivia Ellison, enrollment data coordinator, ATSU-CGHS, received the Missouri campus Employee
Excellence Award for the first quarter of 2025.
Helen Ewing, DHSc, MN, RN, received the College’s 2025 Adjunct of the Year award for the Nursing department.
John Fick, EdD, FACHE, was promoted to professor with tenure in the Health Administration department.
Jaana Gold, DDS, PhD, MPH, CPH, professor and chair, public health, was appointed chair of the College’s Public Health department. She was named to the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health Education Advisory Committee. Her term runs through 2027. In addition, Dr. Gold was recertified in public health by the National Board of Public Health Examiners.
Kathleen Mathieson, PhD, CIP, was promoted to professor with tenure in the Health Sciences department. In addition, Dr. Mathieson received the College’s 2025 Professor of the Year award, which honors the most outstanding faculty member.
Eric Matthews, DHSc, PhD, MS, professor and chair, health sciences, received the College’s 2025 Dean’s Recognition Award for Outstanding Leadership for his thoughtful guidance and inspiring excellence.
Mary-Katherine McNatt, DrPH, MPH, MCHES, CPH, COI, professor, public health; Marsha Presley, PhD, MPH, ’18, research associate, public health; and colleague Jan Probst, PhD, were invited to provide a plenary address, titled “Disenfranchised and Unheard: Political Determinants of Indigenous Health,” at the National Rural Health Association’s Annual Rural Health Access Conference in May.
Presley Melvin-Dean, MA, MPH, ’22, academic advisor, received the College’s 2025 Outstanding Employee Award in recognition of her exceptional service and support to the ATSU-CGHS community.
Jiji Pollock, MS, ’19, adjunct professor, kinesiology, received her doctor of philosophy degree from the University of Chicago.
Michael Ryan, PhD, MS, CSCS, PN2, ’19, adjunct faculty, kinesiology, was elected chair of the ATSU-CGHS Alumni Board.
Jason Salas, MAEd, instructional designer and career services coordinator, obtained a new certification in project management for instructional designers from Canvas Credentials.
Aesha Turner, DHEd, MS, MCHES, ’18, business operations manager, earned her certified in public health (CPH) credential.
Megan Weemer, DHSc, MCHES, was selected as the new director of ATSU-CGHS’ Office of Scholarly and Professional Development. In addition, Dr. Weemer was promoted to associate professor with tenure in the Health Sciences department.
ATSU-CHC
Romelia Ker was promoted to clinical student liaison for the Physician Assistant Studies program.
Tina Kibodeaux, program manager, physician assistant studies, received the Arizona and California campus Employee Excellence Award for the fourth quarter of 2024.
Jessica McFadden was promoted to didactic education manager for the Physician Assistant Studies
program.
ATSU-KCOM
Lori Claypool, DO, FACOOG, NCMP, ’90, director of student medical education, regional medicine, joined the OB-GYN team at Scotland County Hospital and Rural Health Clinics in Memphis, Missouri.
Valena Fiscus, DO, MPH, ’13, assistant professor, internal medicine, was appointed vice councilor for District 2 (northeast Missouri) with the Missouri State Medical Association for 2025-26.
Kelly Kirkland, MBA, business operations manager, received the 2025 Medallion Award from the Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons.
Sumitra Miriyala, PhD, MBA, MPH, FAHA, associate professor, anatomy, ATSU-KCOM, was invited to serve on a National Institutes of Health review panel for the R15 AREA/REAP opportunity and reviewed applications in cardio/pulmonary disciplines.
Robert G.G. Piccinini, DO, DFACN, clinical adjunct instructor, was installed as president of the American Osteopathic Association on July 19, marking the first time a psychiatrist has served in this role. Dr. Piccinini is board certified in general adult and geriatric psychiatry and maintains a private practice in Michigan.
Robert J. Theobald Jr., PhD, professor, pharmacology, received the John E. Thornburg, DO, PhD, National Faculty Leadership Award from the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners.
ATSU-MOSDOH
Romana Muller, EdD, MSDH, RDH, ’22, associate professor, clinical education, received ATSU-CGHS’ 2025 Distinguished Service Alumni Award for her work and leadership in compassionate, culturally competent care for underserved communities.
Anthony Murgo was promoted to inventory & dental dispensary technician.
Mohamed Rahhal, BDS, PhD, MSc, assistant professor and specialty care unit director, prosthodontics, was elected chair of the American Dental Education Association Special Interest Group on Implant Dentistry. Dr. Rahhal has held an officer position in this group for the past two years.
ATSU-SOMA
Eboni Anderson, PhD, DHEd, MSW, MEd, MA, ’19, associate professor and director, community-oriented primary care, received ATSU-CGHS’ 2025 Adjunct of the Year award for the College’s Public Health department.
Breanne Jaqua, DO, MPH, ’17, associate professor, was appointed interim assistant dean for the School’s Academic Affairs department. In addition, Dr. Jaqua received the Outstanding Mentor Award from the Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association. The award is presented to physicians who make a significant difference in the lives of students and colleagues through mentorship.
Erin McFadden, MD, clinical assistant professor and co-regional director of medical education, received an Everyday Hero Award from the Pennsylvania Medical Society. A board-certified internal medicine physician and deputy chief medical officer of The Wright Center for Community Health, Dr. McFadden was nominated for her tireless efforts to educate the next generation of physicians and to deliver high-quality, whole person primary health services to all.