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.

Arts, crafts sale, clothing drive set for October 5-9

MESA, Ariz. (Oct. 2, 2009) – Students in A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Health Sciences (ATSU-ASHS) Occupational Therapy program will observe Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) by holding an arts and crafts sale and clothing drive on the ATSU campus in Mesa, Ariz., on October 5-9. Proceeds will benefit the Arizona State Hospital, which provides treatment and rehabilitative services to the state’s mentally ill.

The arts and crafts for sale were created by patients during treatment at the Arizona State Hospital, and include everything from wind chimes to seasonal and holiday décor. The gently used clothing collected during the drive will be used in a hospital program that teaches patients vocational and business skills in a retail-like setting and allows patients to purchase necessary items using tokens earned during their stay.

“The students have really taken the lead to reach out to the hospital to make a difference,” said ATSU Assistant Director of Counseling Services Art Matthews. “They are truly inspiring young professionals who epitomize our mission by demonstrating compassion, integrity, and ability.”

“We hope the money raised and donated items will help patients to maintain their dignity and feel hopeful and prepared for their new lives back in their communities,” Matthews added.

About 60 million Americans experience mental or behavioral health problems in any given year. One in 17 lives with the most serious conditions such as major depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. MIAW, which has been held during the first week in October since its inception in 1990, was designated by Congress to promote public education about serious mental illness.

“Treatment works if you can get it,” said Matthews. “We need to remove stigma and promote the help that is available on campuses and in local communities, because no one is immune from mental illness. It doesn’t discriminate.”

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – The A.T. Still University-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM) Class of 2013 will begin their first year of medical school with new student orientation Friday, August 21, and will continue orientation activities through Thursday, August 27.

Students will participate in a full schedule of orientation activities, including a welcome message by KCOM Dean Philip Slocum, D.O., ’76 on August 21; the President’s Barbeque at Thousand Hills State Park with ATSU President Jack Magruder on August 24; and the University’s annual Taste of Kirksville event, featuring area restaurants and caterers August 27 at the Thompson Campus Center. Classes begin Tuesday, August 25.

Perhaps the most important event for KCOM’s newest class of medical students is the Induction and White Coat Ceremony. The White Coat ceremony was established in 1996 and impresses upon first-year students the significance and symbolism of wearing a white coat. Students will receive their white doctor’s coat, as well as body-mind-spirit lapel pin. Held in conjunction with orientation, the ceremony will take place at 9 a.m. Saturday, August 22, in Baldwin Hall Auditorium at Truman State University.

“The White Coat ceremony symbolizes the admission into a professional class,” said KCOM Dean Slocum. “Students then have a greater expectation to act in a professional way – for the University, it represents a symbolic welcoming into the family of ATSU-KCOM and physician practitioners in training.”

This year, 3,231 applicants vied for the 172 positions in KCOM’s Class of 2013. The class includes 109 men and 63 women representing 30 states as well as Canada and Japan. The class has an average science GPA of 3.4 and cumulative GPA of 3.5.

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. (May 4, 2009) – Every year, A.T. Still University recognizes Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine student organizations that achieve specific criteria with the Distinguished Organization Award for Service and Performance. Facilitated by ATSU’s Student and Alumni Services department, organizations that meet all the requirements necessary for official University recognition, conduct one additional community and one additional University service project, and hold a minimum of six all-member meetings with 60 percent attendance are eligible to receive the Distinguished Organization Award for Service and Performance.

This year, two KCOM student organizations received this special recognition – the Physicians for Social Responsibility Club (PSR), led by second-year student John Alm, PSR president; and the MEDleys Club, led by second-year student Mary Pendergrass, club president.

With their recognition, both student organizations will receive special University acknowledgment, a $250 donation made in the organization’s name to a charity of their choice, an award certificate, and inclusion of the organization’s name on a recognition display located in ATSU’s Centennial Commons.

Each student organization was recognized at the 2009  Leadership Workshop, held April 27 at Truman State University. Pendergrass accepted the award for the MEDleys, and Desirae Nasrallah accepted the award for the PSR Club.

For more information on the Distinguished Organization Award for Service and Performance, contact Student and Alumni Services at 660.626.2236.

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. (Aug. 18, 2008 ) – A.T. Still University will host its annual Mini Taste of Kirksville to introduce KCOM’s newest class of medical students to area restaurants and caterers. The event will take place Thursday, August 21 at 4 p.m. at ATSU’s Thompson Campus Center, located at 210 S. Osteopathy.

An event that first-year medical students have been enjoying for nine years, the Mini Taste of Kirksville will feature approximately 19 local restaurants and caterers, the Kirksville Area Chamber of Commerce, and a booth for downtown businesses. “This is a win-win opportunity for our students and local restaurants,” said Mini Taste coordinator Virginia Halterman. “New students experience local flavor first hand, and businesses meet their newest patrons.”

Pagliai’s Pizza has joined ATSU-KCOM at the Mini Taste since the inaugural event in 1999, and feels it is a unique opportunity for both students and businesses. “[The Mini Taste] brings all the students and businesses together where we can display our wares,” said Pagliai’s general manager Tony Hamlin.

Other restaurants participating in this year’s event include Kentucky Fried Chicken and A&W, Manhattan Café and Bakery, and Washington Street Java Co.

A student organization fair will be held in conjunction with the Mini Taste event to introduce students to a variety of campus clubs, professional organizations, and leadership opportunities. “Involvement in these organizations allows students to learn about various medical specialties, develop skills important to the practice of medicine, contribute to school policy, and serve both the community and the school,” said second-year student Matt Guymon. “If you’re interested in practicing your skills as a future physician, making a change on campus as a member of student government, or helping people in need in the community, there is something at the fair for everyone.”

For more information about the Mini Taste of Kirksville, contact Virginia Halterman, Communications & Marketing, at 660.626.2544.