David Goldstein, Ph.D.

471 students earn Master of Science or Doctoral degrees

MESA, Ariz. – (Aug. 10, 2009) A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Health Sciences (ATSU-ASHS) celebrated commencement ceremonies Saturday, August 8 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Ariz., where 471 students received either Master of Science or Doctoral degrees at the dual ceremonies.

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

“We are very excited about this graduation, which is our largest ever,” said Randy Danielsen, Ph.D., PA-C, DFAAPA, dean of ATSU-ASHS. “The programs at Arizona School of Health Sciences continue to thrive with applicant pools meeting or exceeding expectations.”

As part of the commencement ceremonies, honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees were awarded to keynote speaker David H. Perrin, Ph.D., ATC, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro; and David P. Goldstein, Ph.D., professor emeritus of audiology at Purdue University.

During the commencement addresses, Dr. Perrin urged graduates not to underestimate the impact they will have on the individuals with whom they work. “Among your most gratifying experiences will be helping an older person be able to hear his or her partner say ‘I love you;’ to extend physician services to a rural setting where a dearth of doctors exists; and to restore an injured worker’s ability to return to his or her occupation, to support a family completely dependent on that individual’s ability to earn a living,” he said.

Dr. Goldstein, who is often referred to as the “Father of the Au.D.,” recently donated his historical audiology archives, which represent audiology’s rich history and the transition of audiology to a doctoring status, to ATSU-ASHS. He was also responsible for introducing the concept of an Au.D. program to the School.

Founded in 1995, ATSU-ASHS is committed to educating and preparing its students to practice at the forefront of a rapidly growing healthcare system. According to Dr. Danielsen, during the current academic year, ATSU-ASHS had 450 students enrolled in its five residential degree programs and approximatately 1,500 in online programs.

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. (Apr. 1, 2006 ) – US News & World Report recently ranked A.T. Still University’s Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM) #16 in the nation for its rural medicine emphasis in their “America’s Best Graduate Schools 2007” edition.

Experts also recognized ATSU-KCOM for being one of the largest medical schools (39 of 126) and one of the cheapest private schools (15 of 53).  ATSU-KCOM received high praise for its higher-than-average levels of financial aid awards compared to other private medical schools (7 of 50). The medical school rankings include 126 allopathic and osteopathic medical schools in the United States.

“The national ranking of the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine of A.T. Still University as 16th among all medical schools [in Rural Medicine] is a tribute to the outstanding administration and faculty of the school,” said ATSU President James McGovern, Ph.D.

In addition, the Physician Assistant Studies program at ATSU’s Arizona School of Health Sciences (ATSU-ASHS) was ranked #25 in the nation.

Keynote address to be delivered by nationally recognized AZ doctor

MESA, Ariz. (Mar. 7, 2006 ) – Saturday, March 11, will mark the beginning of a new partnership with two of Mesa’s most valued resources. The Arizona School of Health Sciences, a school of A.T. Still University (ATSU) in Mesa, will host its Spring graduation at the new Mesa Arts Center for the first time, beginning at 11 a.m.

More than 200 students and their family members from across the nation will descend upon Mesa this weekend as the Arizona School of Health Sciences presents degrees to three online distance learning programs:  Doctor of Audiology, Doctor of Physical Therapy and Advanced Physician Assistant (Master of Science degree).

“The University is excited about the opportunity to showcase Mesa and the new arts center to our graduates and their families,” says ATSU-Mesa Provost Craig Phelps, D.O., FAOASM. “It is another example of the synergistic opportunities that exist for the University, Mesa and the East Valley.”

Opened in Spring 2005, the Mesa Arts Center is the largest arts complex in Arizona, covering an astonishing 212,000 square feet. As the anchor of the Mesa Arts and Cultural District, the center is an inviting oasis by day and a luminous beacon by night. The design was inspired by the unique character of the Sonoran Desert and features a 700-foot Shadow Walk that creates an inviting, shaded outdoor oasis plaza.

The featured graduation speaker is Dr. John Molina, a Yaqui Indian who founded the Las Fuentes Health Clinic in Guadalupe, Arizona and current Medical Director of the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System. He received the Humanitarian Award from the National Head Start Association recognizing his extraordinary contribution to serving Head Start children. Molina has been a minister, social worker, physician and recently received his law degree from Arizona State University’s College of Law.  Dr. Molina is also a board member of the Arizona Hispanic Center of Excellence in Tucson and a member of the Arizona Medical Association.

“His message of serving and identifying public health issues especially affecting children falls directly in line with the mission of the Arizona School of Health Sciences and A.T. Still University,” says Arizona School Health Sciences Dean Randy Danielsen.

For more information, contact Rodric Bradford, director of public relations for ATSU-Mesa at 480.219.6015 or rbradford@atsu.edu.