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.

Raman Bedi, D.D.S., D.Sc.

Arizona’s first dental school graduates its third class

MESA, Ariz. – (June 15, 2009) A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-ASDOH) bid farewell to the class of 2009 at its third commencement ceremony Saturday, June 13 at the Mesa Arts Center in Mesa, Ariz.

Fifty-five graduates received their doctor of dental medicine (D.M.D.) degree, one of whom also received a master in public health (M.P.H.). Also participating in Saturday’s ceremony were four candidates scheduled to graduate in August with both a certificate in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics and a doctor of health sciences (D.H.Sc.) degree.

“Today’s graduates are well prepared to tackle the challenge of today’s economy and the healthcare environment,” said ATSU Provost Craig Phelps, D.O., ‘84. “We wish them well, whether going into private practice or continuing their education. It’s been a pleasure to have them at ATSU over the past four years. Our graduates will be making a difference in communities across Arizona and the United States.”

According to ASDOH Dean Jack Dillenberg, D.D.S., M.P.H., this is the first time ASDOH has graduated a student with both a D.M.D. and an M.P.H., as well as the first time they have presented post graduate certificates in orthodontics. “We are proud of our students for reaching these important milestones in ASDOH’s history,” he said. “We are thrilled to be producing the next generation of outstanding clinicians and dental leaders to meet the oral health needs of not only our community, but the nation.”

As part of the commencement ceremony, honorary doctor of humane letters degrees were conferred upon keynote speaker Raman Bedi, D.D.S., D.Sc., FDSRCS, FGDP, FPHM, head of the Centre for International Child Oral Health and professor at King’s College London; and Allen Lawrence Finkelstein, D.D.S., medical director of AmeriChoice/United HealthGroup and ATSU-ASDOH adjunct faculty member.

ATSU-ASDOH also honored class of 2009 member Michael Serkanic, who passed away in August 2008, with a posthumous degree. At the annual ASDOH awards brunch on June 11, fellow student Darby Lefler was awarded the first Michael Serkanic Spirit of Caring award and $1,000 scholarship, which is given to a student who demonstrates “caring and compassionate service in a fun and collegial way, as exemplified by Michael Serkanic’s life.” A total of 34 awards were given to 25 graduates at the brunch.

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.

Founding college of osteopathic medicine celebrates its newest D.O.s

Missouri Governor, the Honorable Jeremiah W. “Jay” Nixon,

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. (May 1, 2009) – Missouri’s governor, the Honorable Jeremiah W. “Jay” Nixon, will address the newest class of graduates at KCOM—A.T. Still University’s Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, the founding osteopathic medical school—on Saturday, May 16.

KCOM is slated to hold its 117th annual commencement ceremony at Baldwin Hall Auditorium on the campus of Truman State University. As the school celebrates its new physicians, who number among more than 15,000 who have graduated since 1892, Governor Nixon will join them to deliver his keynote speech.

Governor Nixon took office on January 12, 2009, as Missouri’s 55th Governor. A native Missourian, he was born in De Soto, received a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1978, and a juris doctorate from UMC in 1981. After six years of work as state senator, he became Missouri’s attorney general in 1992, serving four straight terms and becoming the only person in Missouri to ever do so.

As attorney general, Governor Nixon took a strong interest in healthcare issues, working to improve access and education for his constituents. He joined state attorneys general across the nation in litigation against major companies for marketing cigarettes to young people. This suit brought a settlement of more than $1.2 billion to Missouri. Working on a more local level, he helped establish the Missouri Foundation for Health and the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City. ATSU President Jack Magruder said Nixon’s background made him a solid choice for graduating medical students.

“Almost every college in the state would love to have the sitting governor as their commencement speaker,” Magruder said, “and ATSU is very fortunate that he has agreed to speak to our students. Governor Nixon has done great work in providing healthcare to individuals in Missouri; his work with the Missouri Foundation for Health has led to better healthcare in the state and has also led to funding community health outreach, including at ATSU.”

This year 166 students are candidates for the degree of doctor of osteopathic medicine, eight will receive a master in biomedical sciences, and four will receive dual degrees. These new graduates represent nine different countries, including Kenya and Lithuania.

At the ceremony, Governor Nixon will receive an honorary doctor of humane letters (D.Hu.L.)degree, as unanimously voted upon by KCOM professors and the ATSU Board of Trustees.

“By awarding Governor Nixon this degree, we will be recognizing his championship of higher education and of broad access to high-quality healthcare in Missouri,” President Magruder said.

“This year’s graduates,” said KCOM Dean Philip Slocum, D.O., “will go out as individuals representing the founding osteopathic medical institution, and they will together and individually make significant contributions to addressing the shortage of physicians in the United States and to whole-person healthcare in this country.”

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.