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.

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.

Annlee Burch, Ed.D., M.P.H., PT, ASHS physical therapy chair and associate professor, hoods a doctor of physical therapy candidate .

MESA, Ariz. (Mar. 12, 2009) – A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Health Sciences (ATSU-ASHS) celebrated commencement ceremonies for four online programs Saturday, March 7 at 10 a.m. at the Phoenix Convention Center.

A total of 292 graduates earned either master of science or doctoral degrees in ASHS’ Human Movement, Physician Assistant Studies, Audiology, and Physical Therapy programs. “Once again, it was exciting to watch health professionals attain a higher degree with the intention of making a difference in the care of their patients,” said ASHS Dean Randy Danielsen, Ph.D., PA-C, DFAAPA.

“Phoenix should be very proud of hosting this event,” said ATSU Provost Craig M. Phelps, D.O., FAOASM. “Graduates and their families from across the country gathered at a wonderful venue, on a beautiful Arizona day to celebrate their achievement.”

Founded in 1995, ASHS is committed to educating and preparing its students to practice at the forefront of a rapidly growing healthcare system. “Graduation is a wonderful opportunity to both celebrate the accomplishments of our students and recognize their much-needed contribution to healthcare throughout the community and the nation,” said ATSU Associate Provost O.T. Wendel, Ph.D.

As part of the commencement ceremony, an honorary doctor of humane letters degree of was awarded to keynote speaker William Kohlhepp, D.H.Sc., PA-C. Dr. Kohlhepp is associate professor of physician assistant education at the Quinnipiac University PA program in Hamden, Conn., and practices part-time in New Haven, Conn.

Dr. Kohlhepp encouraged graduates to embrace their professional values throughout their careers by focusing on patients, other health professionals, the public, and themselves. “Your time at ATSU has likely immersed you in the mission of the University which includes a number of professionalism values, so you may be well on your way,” he said. “The work you will be doing will be challenging and rewarding. You will save lives, you will heal bodies and minds; you will touch hearts. You will make a difference.”

Dr. Kohlhepp has published numerous articles on clinical and professional topics. He served on the board of directors of the National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants, serving as chair in 2006. He is past president of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, a distinguished fellow of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), and was recently recognized as PA of the Year by the AAPA.

Randy Danielsen, Ph.D., PA-C, DFAAPA

MESA, Ariz. (Mar. 9, 2009) – Randy Danielsen, Ph.D., PA-C, DFAAPA, dean of A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Health Sciences (ATSU-ASHS), recently authored a chapter entitled “Cutaneous Disorders” in the paramedic textbook Paramedic Practice Today: Above and Beyond.

According to Dr. Danielsen, the textbook is used by many paramedics and paramedic educators to prepare for the National Registry for Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam. Author Barbara Aehlert, R.N., BSPA, requested that Dr. Danielsen write the chapter.

“My contribution included a chapter on cutaneous disorders, which educates paramedics on the anatomy and physiology of the skin and various skin disorders that a paramedic may encounter,” said Dr. Danielsen.

Dr. Danielsen has been dean of ASHS since July 2004. In July 2005, he was appointed by the governor of Arizona to serve a four-year term on the Arizona Regulatory Board for Physician Assistants, and he is also the chair-elect of the National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants. He was named Physician Assistant of the Year by the Veterans Caucus of the American Academy of Physician Assistants in 2003, and Outstanding PA of the Year by the American Academy of Physician Assistants in 1993.

MESA, Ariz. (Jan. 15, 2009) – Runners in the 2009 P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon on Sunday can expect top-notch, and in at least one case, Olympic-level medical care throughout the race route thanks to hundreds of medical volunteers, many of whom are from A.T. Still University (ATSU). Of the anticipated 600 volunteers, approximately 150 are affiliated with the University.

Elite Racing, the organizers of nine different rock ‘n’ roll marathons throughout the country, enlisted Dr. Danielsen’s help for a fifth straight year to recruit a medical team large enough to take care of approximately 35,000 race participants. As a medical director, Dr. Danielsen is also charged with oversight of all the physician assistants on the volunteer team, 18 of whom will be individual medical station captains.

“We are very proud to have such a high ATSU medical volunteer turnout,” said Dr. Danielsen. “Our students, alumni, faculty and staff are equipped to provide the best quality medical care. Having an opportunity to contribute to this important effort to raise money for leukemia and lymphoma is very important to us.”

Eric Sauers, Ph.D., ATC, director of the athletic training program and chair of the department of interdisciplinary health sciences at ATSU-ASHS, is serving as assistant medical director for the race, and is in charge of the finish line triage. “It is a truly great example of interdisciplinary teamwork as healthcare providers from every discipline participate to ensure the health and safety of these participants,” he said. “Having the opportunity to work a sporting event of this magnitude side-by-side with my students, alumni, and faculty is a highlight of my year. Getting out of the classroom and helping people together just shows what we are all about.”

ATSU also hosted this year’s medical team orientation January 11-14 on its Arizona Campus. All 600 volunteers, including medical directors and captains, visited the Campus on one of the four days to prepare for their responsibilities during the race. It is the first time ATSU has hosted the orientation.

There are approximately 40 medical stations along the marathon route, each staffed with 10-15 people, with captains who are either PAs, D.O.s, or M.D.s. This multidisciplinary medical team provides rapid assessment of medical needs and administers acute first aid and immediate services to runners. According to Dr. Danielsen, should a runner need more comprehensive medical care, Southwest Ambulance will be able to reach any medical station within two to three minutes.