Six ATSU-KCOM students were selected to receive the Sparks Osteopathic Foundation scholarship. The $2,500 award is given each year to students enrolled at ATSU-KCOM from the state of Texas. This year’s recipients are Asif Ali, OMS III; Ernest Wong, OMS III; John Thurman, OMS IV; John (Drew) Payne, OMS III; Cesar Cereijo, OMS IV; and Christine Gavino, OMS III.

The award is funded by the East Town Osteopathic Foundation of Dallas, Texas, which was established by ATSU-KCOM alums Samuel Sparks, D.O., ’25 and his wife, Marille Sparks, D.O., ’25. Drs. Sparks were instrumental in establishing osteopathic medicine in Texas. The couple moved to Dallas in 1931 and established the first osteopathic college in the Lone Star state, the Sparks Clinic and Hospital. In 1938, the doctors opened another Sparks Clinic, which became the Dallas Osteopathic Hospital in 1949. The pair was also instrumental in establishing the East Town Osteopathic Hospital. Known for their generous support of ATSU-KCOM during their lifetimes, both received honorary doctor of science in osteopathy degrees from ASTU-KCOM in 1979.

The following ATSU-Arizona students were named to the 2011-12 Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges:

ASDOH:  Hemali Rajyaguru, Mariam Farag, Jeremiah Sturgill, Jacqueline Palma, Jonathan Brennan, Terah Albertson,  Rena Christman, and Steven Prince

ASHS: Marissa Purdoff and Adam Nelson (Athletic Training); Megan Larson, Emily Nairn, and Sara Jagger (Audiology); Cari Campbell, Tori Richardson, and Jen Irich (Occupational Therapy); and Rachel Devine, Laura Fox, Jennifer Smith, Nick Garver, and Kiva Fallgatter (Physician Assistant)

SOMA:  Melissa Blessing, Christopher Chin, Carlann DeFontes, Laura Johnson, Jesse Mix, Jennifer Rosemore, Mohammad Naqvi, Gillian Wackowski, Clara Weinstock, and Michael Yao

Phoenix Suns Charities & ATSU-ASDOH

A.T. Still University recently presented it’s Honored Patron Award to the Phoenix Suns Charities. Over the last two years the Phoenix Suns Charities has generously contributed $15,000 to ASDOH’s Smile Forward program that provides oral care to underserved children in Arizona.

Pictured (l-r): Shelby Bargus, assistant to the executive director, Phoenix Suns Charities; Kathy Colace, chair, Phoenix Suns Charities; Jack Dillenberg, D.D.S., M.P.H., dean, ATSU-ASDOH, and Kathryn Pidgeon, executive director, Phoenix Suns Charities.

A chilly Arizona December day did not deter more than 110 faculty, staff, students, and their families from enjoying this year’s Founder’s Day, held Dec. 9 at the Red Mountain Community Center in Mesa, Ariz.

An array of Mexican food, along with holiday cookies and root beer floats kept the crowds happy. Children enjoyed board games and dancing to holiday tunes, while students and staff participated in the annual dodgeball tournament.

The intense competition consisted of 11 teams. The physical therapy student team took home the gold, followed by the osteopathic medicine student team for silver, and the all-girls doctor of physical therapy team received bronze.

“This year the event’s committee decided to hold Founder’s Day closer to the holiday break and focus the event on the annual dodgeball tournament,” said Beth Poppre, assistant vice president for student affairs. “Dodgeball is an amazing stress buster and comes at a great time for the students as they wrap up the first half of the academic year.”

This is the 16th year that the Mesa, Ariz., campus has celebrated Founder’s Day.

ASDOH faculty and students with national ACP president Jonathan Wiens, D.D.S., M.S.D.

Five ATSU-ASDOH students participated in the “Day of Service” sponsored by the American College of Prosthodontists on Nov. 3.  D4 students Bryan McLaughlin, Shane Clark, Trent Clifton, Brian Yates, and Elliott Brennan provided oral health screenings for individuals at Central Arizona Shelter Services homeless shelter in Phoenix.

ATSU-ASDOH faculty member Dr. Khanh Chu, D.D.S., assistant professor, and adjunct faculty members Perry Fraiman, D.D.S., and Doug Benting, D.D.S., M.S., also participated.

ATSU-ASDOH & the House of Refuge

The House of Refuge in Mesa, Ariz., is a faith-based, non-profit organization helping homeless families and individuals in crisis by providing transitional housing and supportive services that assist participants as they strive towards self-sufficiency and seek to obtain permanent housing. One resident of this facility, Jeffery, was dedicated to making a positive change in his life. With a goal of finding a new outlook and path in life, Jeffrey knew that his oral health was just one of the many obstacles he faced in finding a job.

The vision

In 2009, five second-year students from ATSU-ASDOH envisioned a plan for their Dentistry in the Community (DIC) project. DIC is an integral part of the ATSU-ASDOH curriculum, with goals of developing community partnerships that enhance student education, enrich communities, and benefit patients. The focus of DIC is to provide second-, third-, and fourth-year students with service learning experiences and knowledge of how to develop a public health project in collaboration with a community organization.

Hemali Rajyaguru, Steve Hutton, Jeremiah Sturgill, Bryan McLaughlin, and Rakhee Patel  (now D4s) decided to partner with the House of Refuge for their DIC project because the organization’s mission closely aligned with the ATSU mission of serving the underserved and because  the homeless and unemployed often lack dental care.

The vision of the students and Jeffrey’s hope for a better life crossed one day in September 2011. His life was about to change.

First steps

Initially, after partnering with the House of Refuge, the students carried out their project in phases beginning in 2010. The first event was held at the House of Refuge in August 2010 and the second six months later. At both, oral health education and screenings were provided for adults and children. Fluoride varnish was applied to children’s teeth. If needed, children were referred to a nearby pediatric dentist, and adults were referred to ATSU-ASDOH’s Mesa Clinic and other nearby clinics since lack transportation is often an issue. Approximately 100 people were screened.

Impacting a life

“In 2011, the last year of our DIC project, we wanted to devote care and treatment to one patient,” said Hemali Rajyaguru. “We asked the House of Refuge to identify one person in need of treatment.” Jeffrey was identified by Laurie Decker-Gallego, GED tutor at  the House of Refuge. Coincidentally, Decker-Gallego’s father is employed by Sundance Dental Laboratory in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Because of the collaboration of many, Jeffrey had oral surgery for the removal of 30 teeth and was fitted with a set of dentures at the ATSU-ASDOH Mesa Clinic.

“Absolutely none of this would have been possible had funds and the generosity of others not been available,” said Hemali. The students raised funds for the project which were matched by Khanh Chu, D.D.S., assistant professor, ATSU-ASDOH, and faculty advisor for the project. In addition, the ATSU-ASDOH dental clinic provided reduced fees. Sundance Dental Laboratory made the dentures and provided lab processing without charge.

Through the care and talents of many, Jeffrey’s smile has been transformed. And especially to Hemali, who orchestrated and provided much care and treatment, he sent his gratitude. Jeffrey’s card to her said “Thank you for changing my life.”

“I didn’t realize that the House of Refuge project would make such an impact on my life,” said Hemali.  It confirms the reason that I wanted to become a dentist.  I will never forget Jeffrey.”

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – A.T. Still University students have been named as Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges recipients for 2011-12. This prestigious honor recognizes top students from across the nation based on GPA, student leadership and involvement on campus, community involvement, and future leadership ability.

Doctor of osteopathic medicine students from ATSU’s Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM) receiving the honor include Brett Baldwin, Major Burger, Katie Davenport, Annalyse Feldman, Kevin Furness, Jason Kunz, Tyler McGregor, Courtney Michel, Desirae Nasrallah, Travis Schamber, Jennifer Taylor-Koehneke, Bryan Van Dyke, Rachel Vanderberg, Philip Wanzek, Justin Wilberding, Trevor Wilde, and Andrea Wilson. Ryan White is a Who’s Who recipient from ATSU-KCOM’s Biomedical Sciences Master’s program.

Recipients from ATSU’s School of Health Management (ATSU-SHM) in the Doctor of Health Education program are Tanya Bird, Daniel “Dusty” Boyd, Brandon Ryans, Tamala Sandifer Tineo McDowell, Susanne Small, Sheila Weagle, and Monica Williamson Nenad. ATSU-SHM recipients in the Master of Public Health program include Ryan Chizum and Vanessa Parisi. Students pursuing a Master of Public Health with Dental Emphasis named as Who’s Who are Elisabeth Easley, Shelly Kitain, Anh Nguyen, and Jeremiah Sturgill.

All recipients received a certificate and monetary gift.

While receiving dental treatment at the ATSU-ASDOH Mesa clinic, a patient received what turned out to be some life-saving information. Bao Huynh, D3, noticed that there was a small mole on the patient’s face. Huynh advised her to have it checked. At Huynh’s suggestion, the patient did follow-up with her doctor and found out that the mole was a melanoma skin cancer. Thankfully, it was found to be in early stages and no further treatment was needed.

ATSU-ASDOH Dean Jack Dillenberg, D.D.S., M.P.H., received a letter from that patient in which she stated, “Thank you for teaching your students to watch for other health issues and not only about teeth. I am very thankful that I went to ATSU and was assigned to Bao Huynh. It was certainly was a life-saving experience. I will forever be grateful for her observation and insistence.”

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – First-year medical students at A.T. Still University’s Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine are using innovative, state-of-the-art portable ultrasound technology in the Anatomy course this year. ATSU-KCOM is one of the first osteopathic medical schools in the country to use portable ultrasounds in its curriculum and only a handful of allopathic schools use it.

“We could really make a name for KCOM with this curriculum; it’s just unique,” said Margaret Wilson, D.O., department chair and professor, family medicine, preventive medicine, and community health.

Through a $300,000 grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)-Equipment to Enhance Training for Health Professions (Grant Award Number: D76HP20710) funded by the Department of Health And Human Resources, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and personal investment, ATSU-KCOM has purchased 10 portable ultrasound machines for student learning and use. Faculty is working to further develop ultrasound curriculum and add it into other coursework.

Use of the “stethoscope of the future” will not only put ATSU-KCOM students above the rest in clinical rotation skills, but will also draw prospective medical students to the university.

Ultrasound technology is already being used for diagnosis of acute problems in ER and ICU settings, and will be a part of general practice for the next generation of D.O.s.

“Ultrasound bridges the gaps between doctor and patient. That is what is unique about ultrasound,–you get immediate results,” said Anatomy Chair Peter Kondrashov, Ph.D.

John Rickelman, D.O., assistant professor of medicine, was also instrumental in obtaining the new portable ultrasound technology.