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Tue 3 Nov 2009

ATSU and SWAN Rehab researchers study new stroke survivor therapies

Posted by atstilluniversity under 2009, ASHS
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MESA, Ariz. – Researchers at A.T. Still University (ATSU) in Mesa, Ariz., and SouthWest Advanced Neurological Rehabilitation (SWAN Rehab) in Phoenix are challenging old assumptions about stroke rehabilitation with a new, intensive therapy program for chronic stroke survivors. ATSU-Arizona School of Health Sciences faculty Pamela Bosch, PT, Ph.D., and James Lynskey, PT, Ph.D., together with Kay Wing, PT, D.P.T., NCS, GCS, at SWAN Rehab have teamed up with colleagues to test the new program, which consists of a four-week, intensive, whole body therapy.

Millions of stroke survivors are left with social, motor, and/or mobility deficits, resulting in a reduced ability to perform typical activities of daily living and, ultimately, a diminished quality of life. The intensive approach being tested is based on current principles of neuroplasticity and a vast body of research showing that the brain can be trained to re-organize after injury and re-learn to do things previously done by the damaged area of the brain even years after stroke.

According to Dr. Bosch, a gap exists between this research and the current status of neurorehabilitation in clinical practice. “In spite of the compelling research showing functional recovery after stroke, both acute and chronic, conventional rehabilitation programs have often continued using a traditional model of service delivery,” she said.

Traditional stroke therapy includes in-patient rehabilitation for a few weeks to a month, transitioning to an out-patient program for a few additional weeks. This includes a few hours of therapy per week, limited to a few months after a stroke. In contrast, the new, more intensive treatment being tested involves daily therapy sessions of three hours per day, four days per week for four weeks.

The therapy sessions take place at SWAN Rehab, located in Central Phoenix. SWAN and ATSU have been conducting this study for a year and are currently enrolling participants. The study also includes an education-only group for comparison. The education-only group will not receive the intensive therapy but will be instructed on an individualized exercise program based on the patient’s goals and education on the benefits of remaining active after a stroke.

For more information about the intensive stroke pilot program, call SWAN Rehab at 602.393.0520, or ATSU at 480.219.6063.

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Tue 3 Nov 2009

ATSU-ASHS alumnus appointed to ARBoPA Board by Arizona Governor

Posted by atstilluniversity under 2009, ASHS
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Geoffrey Hoffa, PA-C

Geoffrey Hoffa, PA-C

MESA, Ariz. – A.T. Still University-Arizona School of Health Sciences (ATSU-ASHS) alumnus Geoffrey Hoffa, PA-C, was recently named to the Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants (ARBoPA) by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer. He will replace Randy Danielsen, Ph.D., PA-C, dean of ATSU-ASHS, who has just completed his maximum two terms on the board.

“When completing a term on an important regulatory board, it is always great to see younger, energetic people come forward,” said Dr. Danielsen. “In this case I am even more thrilled to see an ATSU-ASHS PA alumnus of Mr. Hoffa’s caliber appointed to this prestigious board by Governor Brewer.”

Hoffa, a ‘00 graduate of ATSU-ASHS, was appointed to the board on October 9, and will attend his first quarterly meeting on November 18. While serving on the ARBoPA board, which licenses and regulates more than 1,000 Arizona physician assistants (PA), his job will be to ensure public safety through adherence to practice laws and rules. He also sees it as an opportunity to serve the public by helping to attract much-needed healthcare professionals to Arizona through modern, forward-thinking healthcare practice rules that will benefit the physician/PA partnership.

“I am currently pursuing efforts at broadening my contacts locally and around the nation to seize the opportunity which has presented itself in the current healthcare debate,” said Hoffa. “As a leader and consultant, I will persist to push the profession forward, as well as continue to expand my role as a community leader. I believe the two efforts share the common goal of ensuring quality, affordable healthcare.”

After graduating from ATSU-ASHS, Hoffa worked in solid organ transplant for over five years at the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix. He started his own independent contracting business, Hoffa Health Care, in 2008, and continues to hold leadership positions with the Arizona State Association of Physician Assistants, lobbying and serving as a delegate at the national level.

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Tue 27 Oct 2009

ATSU Board of Trustees meets, elects new member and officers

Posted by atstilluniversity under 2009, ASDOH, ASHS, ATSU, KCOM, SHM, SOMA
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President Magruder and new board member Ron Winkler

President Magruder and new board member Ron Winkler

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – The A.T. Still University (ATSU) Board of Trustees met October 17 in Kirksville, Mo., during Founder’s Day weekend for its quarterly meeting and elected its newest member, Ronald Winkler of Kirksville. Winkler is president of Winkler Communication Services, a telephone and fiber cable installation and repair company that has served northeast Missouri since 1991. Winkler will serve a three-year term. The board now has 17 members.

The board also made a number of other personnel changes, including saying goodbye to former chair Peter Detweiler, CEO of Alliant Bank in Kirksville, whose term expired, and re-electing members Cynthia Byler, D.O., of St. Louis, Mo.; Carl Bynum, D.O., M.P.H., of Warson Woods, Mo.; Manuel Bedoya, D.M.D., of Tucson, Ariz.; Clyde Evans, Ph.D., of Needham, Mass.; and John Robinson, of Phoenix, Ariz.

New officers were also appointed: Dr. Bynum as chair; Kenneth Jones, D.O., of Clinton, Mo., as vice chair; Dr. Byler as secretary; Robert Uhl, of Phoenix, Ariz., as finance committee chair; and Dr. Evans as chair of the education/research committee.

The next board meeting is scheduled for February 2010 in Mesa, Ariz.

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Fri 23 Oct 2009

Remembering a physician, husband, and father

Posted by atstilluniversity under 2009, Alumni, KCOM, Still National Osteopatic Museum
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Horton family celebrates alumnus during ATSU Founder’s Day

Robert L. Horton, D.O., '41

Robert L. Horton, D.O., '41

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. –  Robert L. Horton, D.O., a 1941 graduate of the Kirksville College of Osteopathy & Surgery (KCOS), now A.T. Still University-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM), will always be remembered as a compassionate osteopathic physician, faithful husband, and loving father. His loved ones continue to honor his legacy with memorial gifts that can be found on ATSU’s Kirksville, Mo., campus.

Celebrating his legacy

On October 17, during ATSU’s Founder’s Day week, members of the Horton family gathered on campus to remember Dr. Horton, who died in December 1942. The reunion was a long time dream of Dr. Horton’s wife, Nellie (Horton) McCoy, age 90, a resident of Twin Pines nursing home. Her son, born in 1942, Robert L. Horton, Ph.D., travelled from Oregon and his son, Robert A. Horton, Ph.D., travelled from Wisconsin for the gathering.

While on campus, the family visited the Medicinal Garden at the Still National Osteopathic Museum to view a tree that the family donated in Dr. Horton’s memory and also spent time in Centennial Park admiring a newly engraved granite capstone dedicated in Dr. Horton’s honor.

About Dr. Horton

Dr. Horton left his home state of Ohio to follow a dream of becoming a doctor, seeking a professional career as his family before him had, dating back to the 1830s and continuing to this day through the Horton descendants. That dream brought him to medical school in Kirksville where he would meet his wife, Nellie Robertson of nearby Brashear, Mo. While attending KCOS he became a personal assistant to Charles Still, D.O., son of the college’s founder, Andrew Taylor Still, M.D., D.O.

Upon graduation from KCOS, the Horton’s made their way to Climax Springs in the Ozarks of Missouri. With no other doctor for many miles, Dr. Horton established a clinic in his home and relied on Nellie to provide nursing support. Dr. Horton planned to establish a much needed local hospital before his untimely death just one year following his graduation from medical school.

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Thu 22 Oct 2009

ATSU-SOMA ranks best for Hispanic students

Posted by atstilluniversity under Uncategorized
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A.T. Still University-School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA) has been named by Hispanic Business, Inc. (HBI) a top medical school for Hispanic students in HBI’s annual assessment of the top 20 medical schools for Hispanics. ATSU was named one of only four osteopathic medical schools. The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) reported the listings in their October newsletter.

“We are honored by this recognition and will continue our efforts to ensure diversity in medical education,” said SOMA Dean Douglas Wood, D.O., Ph.D.

SOMA’s four-year curriculum integrates basic science, clinical curriculum, and extensive clinical experience into a relevant and applicable program of study. Students interact with patients beginning in their first year. SOMA students continue their basic sciences studies while also experiencing clinical training at community health centers throughout the United States.

“Our medical education at ATSU-SOMA has been intense and integrated from the beginning, and the students and faculty have been very supportive and have helped make each day possible,” said David Hernandez, first-year SOMA student. “We recently started a chapter of the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA), and there was a very strong interest from non-Latino students to participate and help underserved communities, which shows SOMA’s dedication to recruiting a diversity of students with a common goal to serve the underserved. At ATSU, I feel like I am a part of a family of committed individuals that aspire to reach out to communities in great need.”

Other osteopathic medical schools in HBI’s top 20 listing included University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth/Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine, and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

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