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.

First-year students get a taste of local fare.

Annual event connects new students with community restaurants

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – A.T. Still University (ATSU) hosted its annual Taste of Kirksville event on August 27 to introduce Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine’s (KCOM) newest class of medical students to area restaurants and caterers.

“This event provides the perfect opportunity for area restaurateurs to introduce their businesses and catering services to our students and their families,” said Taste of Kirksville coordinator and Communications & Marketing Associate Virginia Halterman. “It’s a wonderful way to welcome new students into our community.”

A student organization fair was held in conjunction with the Taste event to introduce students to a variety of campus clubs, professional organizations, and leadership opportunities. This year’s 172 incoming students include 109 men and 63 women, and represent 30 states, as well as Canada and Japan. Other events scheduled for incoming students included the President’s Barbeque and the traditional White Coat ceremony.

For more information about the Taste of Kirksville, contact Virginia Halterman, Communications & Marketing, at 660.626.2272.

A.T. Still University Provost Craig Phelps, D.O., FAOASM, speaks to attendees at the grand opening of HealthSouth hospital. (c) Sean Egan/Artwerks Creative LLC

Mesa, Ariz. – More than 200 community members and health professionals gathered at HealthSouth on August 18 to welcome the rehabilitation hospital to the East Valley and celebrate the beginning of the hospital’s relationship with A.T. Still University.

Representatives from Arizona’s physicians community, East Valley leadership, non-profit organizations, insurance companies, and adult living centers toured the hospital; enjoyed a buffet created by HealthSouth’s own chef, Ted Reiley; and watched the official cutting of the ribbon.

Key speakers included Scott Smith, the mayor of Mesa; Timothy Poore, HealthSouth CEO; Jay Grinney, HealthSouth corporate president and CEO; and Craig Phelps, D.O., FAOASM, A.T. Still University (ATSU) provost. Each spoke to the attendees regarding the 40-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital and the great potential for the Arizona Health & Technology Park partners to work together and serve the community.

“East Valley citizens will benefit from this new community asset,” Dr. Phelps said. “ATSU looks forward to working with HealthSouth on new, innovative models to educate healthcare professionals and provide the highest quality healthcare to patients.”

The 47,500-square-foot rehabilitation hospital neighboring ATSU is a new addition to Mesa’s “Power Road Corridor.” The hospital will create approximately 130 new jobs and is the only free standing rehabilitation hospital in the East Valley.

“The addition of this hospital will allow us to provide high-quality and cost-effective inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services to more patients in Mesa and the surrounding communities,” said Poore.

“The event was a wonderful success. It was a great opportunity to bring together everyone who will be touched by our new hospital,” says Julie Barth, OTR/L, MBA, director of marketing operations and admissions at HealthSouth East Valley. “Special new relationships will be with A.T. Still University and the new YMCA on campus.”

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – On September 13, hundreds of athletes will splash into the waters of Forest Lake at Thousand Hills State Park to kick off the 25th anniversary of the Northeast Missouri Triathlon, organized by A.T. Still University.

This year’s triathlon boasts even bigger incentives for participation – an official racing tote bag filled with a performance t-shirt, water bottle, and other athletic necessities, larger cash prizes for the top finishers and a post-race party with a barbeque chicken picnic .The top three male and female athletes across the line will also receive a complimentary entry to the 2010 HyVee Triathlon, which takes place in Des Moines, Ia. HyVee is one of the sponsors of the event, and the triathlon is one of the longest running events sanctioned by USA Triathlon, the governing agency for the sport.

“We have more community support and more interest than we’ve had in a while,” said Dan Martin, race director and director of the ATSU Thompson Campus Center. “We have seven major sponsors this year, so it looks like we’re headed for a banner year in terms of participants as well as community support.”

Participants can begin checking in for the event at 6:30 a.m. on race day, and the triathlon will start at 8 a.m. Although the race is a daunting test of fitness, individuals who want to try their hand without completing the entire event may join as part of a team. The teams are open to two and three member male, female, mixed, and master’s teams. A .75-mile swim starts off the triathlon, followed by an 18-mile bike ride, and culminating in a 5-mile race to the finish line. Once the triathlon ends, the post-race party will officially begin, including an awards ceremony and race results.

Since the first inaugural race in 1985, over 40,000 people have visited Kirksville to take part in the triathlon.   There is still time to sign up for this year’s event, and registration is available by mail, in person, or online at www.active.com. All entries must be received by Wednesday, September 9. The NEMO Triathlon also has a website, www.nemotriathlon.org, and, new this year, a Facebook page to connect participants.

ATSU President Jack Magruder; Tom Nack, representing CARE Partnership; Dawn Zadrozny, representing HUB International Milne of Arizona; Kristel Croffoot; Stuart Alan Richards, M.P.A., PA-C; and Provost Craig M. Phelps, D.O.

MESA, Ariz. (May 14, 2009) – The seventh annual Crystal Awards were held May 8 on the Arizona Campus of A.T. Still University (ATSU). More than 100 guests, including ATSU President Jack Magruder and members of the ATSU Board of Trustees, attended the hors d’oeuvres reception and awards presentation that honored individuals and organizations that are making a difference in the state of Arizona.

The 2009 award winners and their categories included CARE Partnership, non-profit; HUB International Milne of Arizona, business; Stuart Alan Richards, M.P.A., PA-C, individual achievement; and Kristel Croffoot, ATSU student.

CARE Partnership was recognized for its free dental clinic, started in 2007 with assistance from students from ATSU’s Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ASDOH). HUB International Milne was honored for its commitment to providing affordable healthcare insurance to those in need.

Stuart Alan Richards, M.P.A., PA-C, adjunct associate professor at ATSU’s Arizona School of Health Sciences (ASHS), was recognized for his work at the Phoenix Indian Medical Center and work with the United States Public Health Service. Honored for her dedication to ATSU’s Free Family Health & Wellness Day and commitment to campus and professional organizations was Kristel Croffoot, ASHS occupational therapy class of 2010.

“ATSU is proud of its Crystal Award honorees and all they have done for their communities,” said ATSU Provost Craig M. Phelps, D.O., ’81. “It is important to acknowledge the quiet, meaningful work going on behind the scenes to help those in need. Too often society fails to thank and recognize those helping others. ATSU hopes this event shines a light on some of our quiet heroes.”

One of ATSU’s ongoing University goals is to be a resource for the community. In 2003, ATSU established the Crystal Awards to publicly honor those individuals and organizations sharing the University’s vision and who were committed to making a difference through creative and innovate problem solving.

Over the next few months, ATSU representatives will make a formal award presentation to the winners at their own major events in their own venues, so that their accomplishments can be celebrated by the honorees’ co-workers and supporters.