KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – A.T. Still University’s School of Health Management (ATSU-SHM) has appointed Erin Breitenbach, Ph.D., to its Health Education program chair position, effective August 1.

Dr. Breitenbach has served as an instructor for SHM since the beginning of 2008. Educated at the University of Texas at Austin, she received her B.A. in kinesiology in 1991 before achieving her master’s, and then doctorate degrees in health education, completing the latter in 1998. Putting her education into practice, she conducted academic research on health education, using it to coordinate health education outreach programs for a managed care program. Her experience also includes clinical cancer research for a National Cancer Institute-designed comprehensive cancer center, as well as for a private oncology clinical research center.

“Dr. Breitenbach brings a wealth of knowledge about health education and a clear plan to take the health education program to the next level,” said SHM Dean Kimberly O’Reilly, D.H.Ed., M.S.W.  “She shares the University’s goal of improving the healthcare industry through compassion, education, and research.”

As the program chair, Dr. Breitenbach will manage both SHM’s master’s and doctorate health education programs. Specifically, she will manage program associations, health education curriculum, students, and faculty, as well as the dissertation process for doctorate students. The School of Health Management is the University’s online school and offers degrees in health education, geriatric health, health administration, and public health, providing flexibility for future healthcare professionals.

Motivational speaker Kevin Eikenberry

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – Virtual classmates will meet face-to-face to celebrate the completion of their education at A.T. Still University-School of Health Management’s commencement ceremony on Saturday, June 6.

As graduates gather in Ophelia Parrish Performing Arts Center on the campus of Truman State University in Kirksville, motivational speaker Kevin Eikenberry will deliver the keynote address. A two-time best-selling author, speaker, and consultant, he is the Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group, a learning consulting company. He has worked with numerous Fortune 500 companies and well-known organizations, including the American Red Cross, John Deere, Shell and the U.S. Marine Corps. As an author, he has published “Remarkable Leadership: Unleashing Your Leadership Potential One Skill at a Time “(2007) as well as “Vantagepoints on Learning and Life” (2006). As a motivational speaker, Eikenberry emphasizes the extraordinary potential of both people and organizations and that all aspects of life, including learning and work, should be fun.

Both learning and work have paid off for SHM’s graduating class and the number achieving a degree is higher than ever this year. A total of 162 students from 31 different states will be honored: graduates from last summer, graduates from last fall and winter, and this spring’s expected graduates. The majority, 74 students, will receive a master of public health; in addition, 31 will receive a master of health administration, 10 will receive a master of geriatric health, and eight will comprise the second group ever to receive a doctorate of health education. Finally, 34 will receive certificates in Public Health, and five will receive a certificate in Health Administration.

“Graduates of ATSU are using the osteopathic principles to change the face of health care in the United States and this year’s ATSU-SHM graduates are no different,” said SHM Dean Kimberly O’Reilly, D.H.Ed., M.S.W. “The School of Health Management is excited to graduate its largest class to the field of medicine and mind, body, and spirit care.”

While he is in Kirksville, commencement speaker Eikenberry will also address the public at a gathering at Napoli’s Italian Restaurant on Friday, June 5. He will speak on “Leading in a Climate of Change” at 7 p.m.; the event is free of charge to the community.

Kimberly O'Reilly, D.H.Ed., M.S.W.

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. (Jan. 20, 2009) – The online School of Health Management bid farewell to its dean of three years, Jon Persavich, Ph.D., on December 17 and welcomed Kimberly O’Reilly, D.H.Ed., M.S.W., who served as SHM’s vice dean for the past three years, as interim dean.

Dr. Persavich accepted a position with the Online Learning Division of Corinthian Colleges, Inc., as division vice president of education and provost, where he will be responsible for more than 30 campuses, more than 500 adjunct faculty, and more than 12,000 students.

Under Dr. Persavich’s leadership, SHM’s student body grew four-fold in the last two-and-a-half years, leading SHM to expand its existing facility in July. Their $350,000 construction more than doubled the size of their facility, allowing SHM to increase staff to accommodate their growing student body. 

Dr. O’Reilly assumed her role as interim dean December 18 and is looking forward to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

“I am blessed with the opportunity to promote a University in which I believe and with a team that is capable, dedicated, and excited about the future of SHM,” said Dr. O’Reilly. “We face the challenge of promoting quality education that is engaging, beneficial, and desired. We are fortunate to be a part of a dynamic group of schools which share a passion for education in the health field, and we have the unique opportunity to join forces with each of the schools within the University to bring a collective and diverse understanding of health management and education to our students.”

Dr. O’Reilly is an alumnus of Purdue University, Indiana University, and ATSU-SHM. She practiced in the field of mental health for five years prior to entering higher education. Since 2004, she worked in online education teaching, creating assessment plans, developing and designing curriculum, developing programs and individualized education plans, and providing both faculty and student support services.