MESA, Ariz. – On March 1, A.T. Still University (ATSU) and community partners celebrated the grand opening of the AFA Balance & Hearing Institute, an ATSU center of excellence generously funded by the Audiology Foundation of America.

The ATSU-affiliated AFA Institute offers a full-range of audiology services through traditional and innovative patient care, while also integrating the whole-person approach into treatment.

Patients can expect to receive diagnostic and rehabilitative healthcare, access to a full line of hearing aids and assistive listening devices, as well as other specialized hearing and balance services.

Most major insurance carriers are accepted, and patients of all ages seeking hearing or balance care may qualify.

The AFA Institute is designed to be a center for teaching and learning, which means students at ATSU’s Arizona School of Health Sciences (ATSU-ASHS) seeking their Doctor of Audiology Degree are able to directly assist licensed audiologists in patient care.

“I’m most excited about being able to give our students an outstanding educational experience while also reinforcing the importance of community service,” said Troy Hale, AuD, institute director. “The AFA Institute offers ATSU-ASHS’ students hands-on clinical training, business practice experience, collaborative interdisciplinary learning, research opportunities and community interaction.”

ATSU’s AFA Institute is a nonprofit facility, which means that any revenues generated will go toward worthy endeavors like student scholarships and community service projects.

The AFA Institute mission aligns with ATSU in providing exceptional whole-person patient care and leadership in a comprehensive healthcare education setting. For more information on the AFA Balance & Hearing Institute, visit www.theafainstitute.com.

MESA, Ariz. – A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Health Sciences (ATSU-ASHS) proudly announces Michael R. Milner, DHSc, PA-C, as the keynote graduation speaker and honorary degree candidate for its graduation set for Saturday, March 2 at Arizona State University’s Grady Gammage Auditorium in Tempe.

Dr. Milner serves as dean and professor at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences’ School of Physician Assistant Studies.  Prior roles include Rear Admiral, Assistant United States Surgeon General and United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps officer (retired).

Dr. Milner has worked in various capacities focusing on addressing healthcare issues and is recognized as an expert on the national level in public health.

His special honors include American Academy of Physician Assistants-Presidents Award, Assistant Secretary for Health Distinguished Service Award, and U.S. Public Health Service Distinguished Service Medal.

“Dr. Milner is an admired health administrator, clinician, and health professions educator in the United States and we are proud that he will be joining us on March 2 to deliver the keynote address,” said Randy Danielsen, PhD, PA-C, DFAAPA, dean, ATSU-ASHS.  “Dr. Milner’s extensive background in serving the public health sector directly aligns with the overall mission of ASHS and ATSU.”

Nearly 160 online graduate students will come-together to celebrate the spring ATSU-ASHS graduation.  Degrees include transitional doctor of physical therapy, transitional doctor of audiology, doctor of health sciences, human movement, advanced masters of physician assistant studies, or advanced masters of occupational therapy.

Dr. Craig Phelps

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – A.T. Still University President-designate Craig Phelps, DO, has been named to the Phoenix Business Journal’s 2012 Most Admired CEOs and Top-Level Executives.

Dr. Phelps was chosen as one of the Phoenix-area’s 25 most admired executives based on past achievements and ongoing outstanding leadership. Consistent values, vision, solid decision-making, and commitment to quality were among the criteria for this award. He was recently recognized at the 4^th Annual Most Admired CEOs & Top-Level Executives Awards Dinner, which recognizes honorees for passion, inspiration, and motivation in their work and community.

Dr. Phelps currently serves as executive vice president for strategic initiatives and will assume the position of president following President Jack Magruder’s retirement July 1. Dr. Phelps is a 1984 graduate of A.T. Still University-Kirksville College of Medicine and became provost of ATSU’s Arizona campus to develop ATSU’s Arizona School of Health Sciences, Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health (Arizona’s first dental school), and School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona.

Dr. Phelps is the primary care physician for the Phoenix Suns.

MESA, Ariz. – A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Health Sciences (ATSU-ASHS) celebrated commencement ceremonies Saturday, Aug. 6 at Phoenix Symphony Hall in Phoenix, Ariz. 433 students received either master of science or doctoral degrees at the dual ceremonies.

Over 2,400 family members and friends of the graduates attended the two separate ceremonies. 256 online graduates celebrated at the 9 a.m. ceremony, and the 11:30 a.m. ceremony was for the 177 residential program graduates.

Graduates received degrees in human movement, occupational therapy, physician assistant studies, audiology, doctor of health sciences, physical therapy, and athletic training.

“In September 2010 we adopted a new university mission to be the preeminent university for the health professions, quite a lofty aim for a small private school,” said ATSU-ASHS Dean Barbara Maxwell, PT, D.P.T., M.Sc., Cert, THE, ’06. “So what is it that will make us preeminent? I would argue that what leads us to preeminence is our graduates. They will lead the way.”

As part of the commencement ceremonies, an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree was awarded to keynote speaker Dianne V. Jewell, PT, D.P.T., Ph.D., CCS, FAACVPR, founder and CEO of The Rehab Intel Network located in Ruther Glen, Va.

During her commencement addresses, Dr. Jewell lauded the graduates for their career choices and accomplishments. “You could have chosen a different, less challenging path. Instead, you found your calling in service to others who are vulnerable and often surprised by the situations in which they find themselves,” she said. “They will depend on your knowledge, skill, expertise, compassion, and empathy. They will trust you to put their interests ahead of your own and to persevere when the odds against you appear to be overwhelming.”

Dr. Jewell holds a doctoral degree in health services research and organization. She is a board certified clinical specialist in cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapy. Her current clinical interests include the application of fitness principles across the continuum of care and alternative delivery models for physical therapy services to patients without health insurance.

MESA, Ariz. – A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Health Sciences (ATSU-ASHS) held its spring commencement ceremony for six online programs March 5 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Ariz. Approximately 222 students earned a master of science or doctoral degree at the ceremony.

Graduates received degrees in human movement, occupational therapy, physician assistant studies, audiology, doctor of health sciences, and physical therapy. This was the first time most students had met each other in person, as they all acquired their degrees through online courses.

“These graduates demonstrated their commitment to their profession and to life-long learning,” said ASHS Dean Barbara Maxwell, PT, D.P.T., M.Sc., Cert. THE, ’06. “As working healthcare professionals their learning has greater impact as it transcends immediately to the clinical setting and directly to patient care.”

Founded in 1995, ATSU-ASHS is committed to educating and preparing its students to practice at the forefront of a rapidly growing healthcare system.

During the commencement ceremony, a keynote address was given by Ellen Owens-Summo, M.Ed., DTR, director of health education, professional development at the Greater Valley Area Health Education Center (GVAHEC).

During her address, Owens-Summo spoke highly of the importance of mentoring in the healthcare career pipeline. “Mentoring is not always about giving advice, it is also about taking time to listen, provide words of encouragement, and being willing to advocate on the behalf of others,” she said. “Without mentors, we would be less likely to take risks, strive to do a better job, and lack accountability for reaching our goals.”

Owens-Summo holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from Northern Arizona University as well as an undergraduate degree in nutrition from Ball State University in nutrition and dietetics. She is a member of the National Wellness Institute and assisted in the development of the Arizona Living Well Institute. She is a member of the American Public Health Association, and currently serves as president of the Arizona Public Health Association.

GVAHEC focuses its work around three overarching goals, which have been determined by the state Area Health Education Center office. They are: recruitment into health careers, interdisciplinary and inter-professional community-based training for health professions students, and promoting the delivery of quality healthcare for Arizona’s rural and urban medically-underserved communities, including health promotion and prevention programs.