Physician, teacher, and ATSU-KCOM alumnus John C. Collins, D.O., is Family Physician of the Year according to the Missouri Society of the American College of Family Physicians (MSACOFP).

Immediate past president of the society and a Missouri delegate for the national ACOFP, Dr. Collins received the award at the Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons’ (MAOPS) annual meeting.

Dr. Collins was chosen from osteopathic family physicians across the state who have made outstanding contributions to the profession and society. Nominees are reviewed by the MSACOFP Nominating Committee, which then recommends one candidate to the MSACOFP Board of Governors.

“Dr. Collins’ dedication to osteopathic students and residents is unsurpassed. He is an outstanding role model, and his dedication to the osteopathic profession is an inspiration to us all,” says Alan W. Brewer, D.O., FACOFP, a member of the MSACOFP Board of Governors.

A physician with Kirksville Family Medicine (KFM), an ATSU-KCOM-affiliated clinic, Dr. Collins is residency director for Osteopathic Family Medicine at Northeast Regional Medical Center/KCOM, ensuring that residents have the training they need in hospitals and clinics to be eligible for board certification.

“KFM supports the training mission of KCOM but also provides top-notch medical care,” he says. “The training of primary care physicians is critical to what we need nationally, as well as locally. I would like to see KFM become the premier place people want to go for their care.”

A liaison to the MSACOFP club at ATSU-KCOM, Dr. Collins also is faculty advisor for MOSA, the student organization for MAOPS. For Dr. Collins, board certified in family medicine and OMT as well as neuromusculoskeletal medicine, teaching is a win-win because it also gives back to the profession.

Also contributing to the profession is his involvement in organizational medicine. Dr. Collins, who testifies at the state Capitol on bills relating to physicians, says there is a need to make legislators aware of the profession so they can make good decisions in the best interests of patients. And always the consummate teacher, he brings students and residents in hopes they, too, will be involved not only in supporting the profession but also protecting the patients they serve.

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – A.T. Still University-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM) graduate Plato E. Varidin, D.O., was selected as one of the American Osteopathic Association’s (AOA) Great Pioneers in Osteopathic Medicine.

As part of the AOA’s Greatness Campaign, AOA members nominated D.O.s, basic scientists, and laymen who have pioneered new frontiers for the osteopathic profession. Dr. Varidin, a 1954 KCOM graduate, was nominated by his peers for this honor that encompasses his career body of work.

“I had no previous knowledge of the award. This is the third year AOA is giving it out and to my knowledge, I am the only practical physician to win the award.” Dr. Varidin said. “They want to mimic pioneers like A.T. Still with this award. That is one hell of an honor.”

Dr. Varidin co-founded Warren General Hospital in Warren, Ohio, in 1956 and served as chief of staff in 1968. In 1972, he founded the Florida Society of American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, which continues to be the largest and most active family medicine society in America. Dr. Varidin also founded the Lake Eerie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton Branch in 2000. He has graduated more than 900 students, interns, and residents since 1984 as director of medical education at Northside Hospital/Heart Institute in St. Petersburg, Fla., and University General Hospital in Seminole, Fla.

Dr. Varidin served as a member of the KCOM Board of Trustees from 1983-88 and KCOM Alumni Board from 1978-85, where he served as president from 1983-84.

Dr. Varidin’s late son, Mark Varidin, graduated from KCOM in 1984, and his grandson Anthony De Lucia is a 2008 KCOM graduate.

Dr. Varidin continues to practice part-time and lives in Seminole, Fla.

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – A.T. Still University – Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health (ATSU-ASDOH) Dean Jack Dillenberg, D.D.S., presented “The Family Centered Health Home – A Health Practice Model to Improve Total Health through an Innovative Dental Education Model” at the Missouri Coalition for Oral Health’s (MCOH) 2009 Oral Health Summit in Columbia, Mo., on November 13. The annual convention brings speakers from across the country to explain industry advancements and maps out MCOH’s plan for improving oral health in the state of Missouri.

Dr. Dillenberg addressed the need of both medical physicians and dentists to cross cultures in order to treat and prevent diseases such as heart disease and diabetes that can begin in the oral cavity. He minimized the idea of separating traditional medical and dental care and embraced the more comprehensive idea of a “health home.” Health homes are not only physical places, but also are accessible, family-centered, and compassionate partnerships that improve total body health.

With change often comes concern and Dr. Dillenberg talked about the barriers that come with a new way of thinking. He said that subject clarity, oral health priority, and insurance reimbursement provide obstacles to the new way of thinking, but stressed that industry pioneers cannot be afraid to take a risk and to take an active leadership role to transform society.

Dr. Dillenberg explained how ASDOH is taking a proactive approach by teaching this method within the University setting, as well as lining up internships across the country at health clinics to practice in a less traditional dental environment.

Dr. Dillenberg is the inaugural dean of ASDOH, which graduated its first class of dentists in 2007.

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.

Kimberly O'Reilly, D.H.Ed., M.S.W.

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. (Jan. 20, 2009) – The online School of Health Management bid farewell to its dean of three years, Jon Persavich, Ph.D., on December 17 and welcomed Kimberly O’Reilly, D.H.Ed., M.S.W., who served as SHM’s vice dean for the past three years, as interim dean.

Dr. Persavich accepted a position with the Online Learning Division of Corinthian Colleges, Inc., as division vice president of education and provost, where he will be responsible for more than 30 campuses, more than 500 adjunct faculty, and more than 12,000 students.

Under Dr. Persavich’s leadership, SHM’s student body grew four-fold in the last two-and-a-half years, leading SHM to expand its existing facility in July. Their $350,000 construction more than doubled the size of their facility, allowing SHM to increase staff to accommodate their growing student body. 

Dr. O’Reilly assumed her role as interim dean December 18 and is looking forward to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

“I am blessed with the opportunity to promote a University in which I believe and with a team that is capable, dedicated, and excited about the future of SHM,” said Dr. O’Reilly. “We face the challenge of promoting quality education that is engaging, beneficial, and desired. We are fortunate to be a part of a dynamic group of schools which share a passion for education in the health field, and we have the unique opportunity to join forces with each of the schools within the University to bring a collective and diverse understanding of health management and education to our students.”

Dr. O’Reilly is an alumnus of Purdue University, Indiana University, and ATSU-SHM. She practiced in the field of mental health for five years prior to entering higher education. Since 2004, she worked in online education teaching, creating assessment plans, developing and designing curriculum, developing programs and individualized education plans, and providing both faculty and student support services.