Horton family celebrates alumnus during ATSU Founder’s Day

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.

Students enjoy participating in the ATSU's annual 5K run/1 mile walk on October 17

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – Faculty, staff, students, alumni, family, and friends joined in celebration of A.T. Still University’s (ATSU) annual Founder’s Day Celebration, held October 15-17.

Festivities included the inaugural Tinning Founder’s Day Osteopathy lecture presented by Edward G. Stiles, D.O. “I was overwhelmed when I was selected to give this lecture,” Dr. Stiles said. “I enjoy teaching and have had a ball in my career. I hope the same for these students.”

President Jack Magruder led the annual graveside ceremony honoring University founder A.T. Still, M.D., D.O. The first memorial ceremony took place December 2, 1919, and each year a wreath is placed on his grave. “(Still was) humble, intellectual, and spiritual in his thinking. He had an honest desire and the competence to treat people and alleviate pain and suffering,” Magruder said. “He gave all he had, all the time. And people loved him for it.”

ATSU Board of Trustees Chair Pete Detweiler and President Magruder kicked off the all-campus meeting by discussing the University’s financial stability and growth during the economic downturn.

Associate Vice President of Admissions and Alumni Services Lori Haxton, M.A., recognized alumni from the classes of 1984 and 1959, awarding gold medallions and pins for 50th anniversary honorees.

School of Health Management (SHM) Interim Dean Kimberly O’Reilly, D.H.Ed., M.S.W., discussed SHM’s past, talked about the present, and outlined the future. She hopes to further develop SHM’s partnership with the A.T. Still Research Institute, is looking forward to other joint initiatives within the university, and moving each program within SHM toward further accreditation.

Closing out the meeting, Dean Philip Slocum, D.O., recognized Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCOM) students and staff for their accomplishments, including the outstanding devotion KCOM students give towards community service. In the past year, students have given more than 1,000 volunteer hours to the City of Kirksville.

ATSU and the Still National Osteopathic Museum unveiled the Dr. Thomas Quinn, D.O., Reading Room, research center, and new artifact storage area. This marks the third museum move due to growth of the collection and helps to consolidate facilities for researchers and staff duties. Dr. Jamie Archer, Brit. Osteopath, of Ulna, England, signed over the first artifact to the museum’s new collection space— a hand built useable replica of Dr. Still’s treatment chair designed in the 1900s. Dr. Archer built two of the artifacts using Dr. Still’s notes, photographs, and references by significant D.O.s of the time. These are the only two devices known in existence. Dr. Archer later demonstrated the chairs use at the continuing medical education program on Saturday.

Friday night was filled with food and fun at Still-A-Bration 2009, where faculty, students, staff, family, and friends enjoyed games, food and dancing.

The annual 5K run/1 mile walk on Saturday capped the weekend’s festivities with more than 60 participants. Second-year KCOM student Tyler Hill took home the men’s 5K title with a time of 16:36. First-year student Cara Lucas led the women with a time of 23:48.

MESA, Ariz. (Mar. 18, 2009) – Tamara Valovich McLeod, Ph.D., ATC, associate professor of athletic training at A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Health Sciences (ATSU-ASHS), and Ian McLeod, M.S., PA-C, ATC, PA ’08, presented at the Japan Athletic Trainers’ Organization (JATO) meeting March 7-8 in Tokyo, Japan.

Dr. McLeod presented two lectures on concussion assessment and misconceptions, as well as two workshops on the use of concussion assessment tools. McLeod presented two lectures on myofascial trigger point therapy and led two workshops on the same topic. Both are instructors for Japanese athletic training students who visit ATSU annually on an Arizona Athletic Training Tour.

“Dr. McLeod has had a strong international presence this year, having previously presented her research at a pediatric sport-related concussion conference in Zurich, Switzerland, and now giving multiple presentations to athletic trainers in Japan,” said Eric Sauers, Ph.D., ATC, ATSU-ASHS athletic training program director and chair of the department of interdisciplinary health sciences. “Her important research is continuing to be recognized as critical in furthering our understanding of the impact of sport-related concussion on the young athlete.”

Robert Kromer, D.O.

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. (Oct. 14, 2008 ) – Long before his nomination as the 2008 Kirksville Osteopathic Alumni Association (KOAA) Alumnus of the Year, Robert J. Kromer, D.O., FACOFP, ’52, was just a college student hitching a ride to Sandusky, Ohio, with a stranger. That ride, recalls Dr. Kromer, was a journey that changed the course of his life, because that stranger was a Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCOM) alumnus who enthusiastically shared the osteopathic profession and principles with the young student.

Inspired by his new friend, the student rededicated himself to his dream of becoming a physician and eventually graduated from KCOM in 1952. After 41 years in general practice, Dr. Kromer is now retired and living in Longboat Key, Fla.

A phenomenal lifetime advocate of KCOM, Dr. Kromer is supportive not only with his financial gifts, but also his time and talents. He served on A.T. Still University’s (ATSU) Board of Trustees and on several occasions assisted in the identification and cultivation of significant donors for the University. In 2005, Dr. Kromer completed a major gift to ATSU’s Connell Information Technologies Center, naming the Connell Center’s Mylander-Kromer Courtyard Garden. Dr. Kromer’s gifts have supported the KOAA Educational Program Fund, Alumnus of the Year, and the Museum Endowment. He has also supported the National Center for Osteopathic Research and the Mylander Student Loan Fund.

Dr. Kromer will be recognized for his record of service to the osteopathic profession and alma mater at KOAA’s annual Luncheon and Assembly Meeting held in conjunction with the American Osteopathic Association Convention in Las Vegas on October 27.

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. (Oct. 14, 2008 ) – A.T. Still University’s Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM) and the Kirksville Osteopathic Alumni Association (KOAA) will honor several individuals at their annual meeting which will be held in conjunction with the American Osteopathic Association Convention in Las Vegas on October 27.

Each year, the KOAA recognizes outstanding alumni and friends with various awards. “The individuals honored ensure the continued reputation of excellence at our University,” said the KOAA Board of Directors. “At the same time, these individuals set a high standard for the aspiration and goals of KCOM. We are proud to honor their leadership, service, and commitment.”

The Alumnus of the Year Award, established in 1982, recognizes graduates who have made outstanding contributions to the College and the osteopathic profession. Robert Kromer, D.O., ’52, of Longboat Key, Fla., is the 2008 Alumnus of the Year.

The Living Tribute Award was established in 1969 and honors outstanding faculty and administration. ATSU’s Arizona Campus Provost Craig M. Phelps, D.O., FAOASM, ’84, of Scottsdale, Ariz., is the 2008 Living Tribute Award recipient.

The Distinguished Service Award, established in 1991, recognizes alumni and friends who have provided outstanding service and/or financial support to ATSU-KCOM. The 2008 honorees are Lex C. Towns, Ph.D., of Yakima, Wash., and Roland P. Sharp, D.O., ’43, of Marlinton, W. Va.

The Honorary KOAA Membership was established in 1948 to recognize individuals who rendered meritorious service to osteopathic education. The 2008 honorees are Doug Wood, D.O., Ph.D., of Mesa, Ariz.; Brian Degenhardt, D.O., of Ridgway, Colo.; Fanchon “Fancy” Funk, Ed.D., of Tallahassee, Fla.; and Robert Basham of Kirksville, Mo.