Faculty and Staff News

ATSU

Anabel Burgara is the employment coordinator for Human Resources on the Arizona campus. She began her duties in February.

James D. Cannon, DHA, PA-C, MS, ’97, trustee, retired from the military after 31 years of service in the U.S. Coast Guard. Dr. Cannon currently serves as associate professor for ATSU-ASHS and as a primary care and psychiatric certified physician assistant.

Sonya Clark, student account collections specialist, controller’s office, completed the Boston Marathon in April.

Ashlea Costello is the new executive assistant for Rick Rieder, MBA, MM, vice president for finance and administration/CFO, and Bob Ehrlich, director of facilities/plant operations.

Melanie Davis, DHEd, ’13, acting director, assessment and accreditation, was inducted into the National Association of Professional Women VIP Woman of the Year Circle for 2016-17. She was recognized with this prestigious distinction for leadership in education.

G. Scott Drew, DO, FAOCD, ’87, trustee, received the Holy Cross Award from Bishop McNamara High School in June 2016. The award was one of several Caritas Awards given to individuals who perform selfless acts of service and stewardship.

Kyle Eitel is ATSU’s new assistant director of facilities. He began his role in March.

Michael French, co-director, Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) program, received the Red Koelling Award for Service to AHEC at the 2016 biennial conference of the National Area Health Education Centers Organization, held in Washington, D.C., in June. The Koelling Award is presented to an individual who has provided exemplary service and support to both the national AHEC network and a state or local AHEC network over an extended period of time.

Dana Funderburk, CPA, is associate vice president for finance, effective July 1. Prior to joining ATSU, she served at Greenville College as controller from 2000-08 and vice president for finance since 2008.

Larry Glaspie, service worker, environmental services, received the Missouri campus Employee Excellence Award for the first quarter of 2016.

Merle Glaspie, service worker, environmental services, received the Missouri campus Employee Excellence Award for the third quarter of 2015.

Deborah Goggin, MA, ELS, scientific writer, research support, received the Missouri campus Employee Excellence Award for the second quarter of 2016.

Jason Haxton, MA, director, Museum of Osteopathic Medicine, published a new children’s book, “Andrew Taylor Still: Father of Osteopathic Medicine,” which is included in the “Notable Missourians” book series.

Ryan Hutman, lead multimedia specialist, academic technologies, received the Arizona campus Employee Excellence Award for the third quarter of 2015.

Mike Kronenfeld, MBA, MLS, university librarian, was selected as a fellow of the Medical Library Association for his outstanding contributions to the field of health sciences librarianship. In addition, Kronenfeld was selected by the National Library of Medicine and the Association of Academic Health Sciences Libraries to serve as a mentor in the 2016-17 Leadership Fellows Program. He will serve as a mentor for William Olmstadt, associate director for Health Sciences Library at LSU Health in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Rob Long, technician, curriculum, completed technical services training at Laerdal Medical Corp. in New York and is a certified technician for ATSU’s Laerdal simulators.

Jack Magruder, EdD, president emeritus, was nominated for re-appointment to the French Missouri State Fair Commission for 2016.

J. Michael Menke, DC, PhD, MA, is the new associate director for A.T. Still Research Institute and is based on the Arizona campus. Dr. Menke earned a master’s degree in applied behavioral science from Wright State University and DC degree from Palmer College West. He earned his MA and PhD in psychology, program evaluation and research methodology, and pharmacoeconomics from University of Arizona.

Paulina Vazquez Morris, JD, MBA, MHSA, trustee, was honored as Valle del Sol’s Mom of the Year for 2016. The award celebrates women for their service to community and their roles as mothers.

Clinton Normore, MBA, became associate vice president for diversity and inclusion in May. He served as ATSU-CGHS’ commencement speaker on June 3.

Brent Perrin is the new director of facilities on the Arizona campus, effective July 1. Prior to joining ATSU, he served as senior project manager at CBRE/Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

Kim Butler Perry, DDS, MS, is the University’s new associate vice president of strategic partnerships, and she will serve as president of the National Dental Association in 2017.

Randy Rogers, CFP®, associate vice president, university advancement, retired in September.

Greg Rubenstein, MA, became director of marketing in July.

Jessica Vaughan is the new development coordinator on the Arizona campus. She most recently worked at ATSU-SOMA as a clinical education coordinator.

Anna Villareal, MA, researcher-conservator B, Museum of Osteopathic Medicine, received the Missouri campus Employee Excellence Award for the fourth quarter of 2015.

O.T. “Ted” Wendel, PhD, senior vice president, university strategic initiatives, served as a photojournalist for Project HOPE, an international healthcare organization. For two weeks, he photographed Syrian refugees migrating through Macedonia.

ASDOH

Angelica Buono-Kevane, RDH, joined the non-surgical periodontal team as an instructor. She received her bachelor’s in dental hygiene from Northern Arizona University.

Gary Brigham, DDS, MSD, adjunct professor, orthodontics, was named a Top Dental Pro™ in Phoenix and received the Five Star Achievement Award for his extraordinary professional performance as an Invisalign system provider.

Jack Dillenberg, DDS, MPH, dean, was selected by George Washington University (GWU) to participate on an advisory committee during a study aimed at developing social mission metrics for health professions schools. The one-year study, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, will be led by GWU researchers.

Sandra Dominguez is the School’s new CCU4 dental assistant. She has been with ATSU-ASDOH since 2007 and most recently served as a float dental assistant in the main clinic.

Tamer El-Gendy, DMD, MS, BDS, director, prosthodontics, completed the 2015 ADEA/ AAL Institute for Teaching and Learning program, an intense professional development program for early- and mid-career faculty and private practice dentists who are interested in academia.

R. Todd Erickson, DDS, MS, associate professor, director of radiology, successfully completed the oral and maxillofacial radiology board certification exam and attained the status of diplomate of the American Board of Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology, one of the highest recognitions for an oral and maxillofacial radiologist.

Marcia Jasper, RDH, is a new radiology instructor. She is a graduate of the Mesa Community College Dental Hygiene Program and received her bachelor’s in dental hygiene from Northern Arizona University.

Tim Lukavsky, DDS, assistant director, was named as a fellow in special care dentistry at the Special Care Dentistry Association Annual Session in April. Additionally, Karen Fallone, RDH, instructor, and Ann Spolarich, PhD, RDH, director, research, were among the first of four dental hygienists in the nation named as fellows in special care dental hygiene.

Jae Park, DMD, PhD, MSD, MS, chair, postgraduate orthodontic program, and Ann Spolarich, PhD, RDH, director, research, served as competition judges for the American Dental Association Foundation sponsored Special Award category at the 2016 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair for high school students. In addition, Dr. Park was named as a regular member of the Northern California Edward H. Angle Society of Orthodontists during a meeting in Oakland, California.

Marc Shlossman, DDS, MS, was appointed interim director of periodontics. Dr. Shlossman has been with the School since January 2005 and contributed to development of the Periodontics program in both the undergraduate and graduate clinics.

Randy Snyder, DMD, FACD, FICD, FAGD, joined the periodontal faculty as an adjunct professor in August. He earned his DMD degree at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, and his periodontal specialty certificate from Ohio State University.

Ann Spolarich, PhD, RDH, director, research, co-authored a research paper that tied for first place in the research category of the Sunstar World Dental Hygienist Award. The award was presented at the International Federation of Dental Hygienists International Symposium on Dental Hygiene in June in Basel, Switzerland. Dr. Spolarich was recognized by Penn Dental Medicine Alumni Society with the Alumni Award of Merit in May. A 1982 alumna of Penn Dental Medicine, she is the first dental hygiene graduate to receive the award since it was first presented in 1944. In addition, Dr. Spolarich was appointed as a member of the Executive Committee of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine Alumni Society. Her three year appointment began July 1.

Lisa Valech joined the School in February as the new executive assistant to the dean.

ASHS

Kellie Bliven, PhD, ATC, associate professor, interdisciplinary health sciences, was appointed as the new director of the Interdisciplinary Research Lab.

Ann Lee Burch, PT, EdD, MS, MPH, vice dean, was accepted to Harvard’s Graduate School of Professional Education Program where she will complete a 12-week course.

Randy Danielsen, PhD, PA, DFAAPA, dean, and Gerry Keenan, MMS, PA-C, associate professor, physician assistant studies, were honored on Jan. 30 by ASO Karate Arizona for their contributions of providing first aid and medical coverage at karate tournaments and other events over the past three years. Dr. Danielsen is the medical director for ASO
Karate Arizona, and Keenan is the tournament medical director.

Sue Falsone, PT, MS, joined the faculty as an associate professor of athletic training. Falsone was the first female head athletic trainer in any major American professional sports league. She served as the head of athletic training and sport performance for the U.S. men’s national soccer team. Additionally, she is known internationally for her expertise in sport rehabilitation and performance enhancement and bridging the gap between physical therapy and return to sport.

Tamara Valovich McLeod, PhD, ATC, FNATA, professor and director, athletic training, received the National Athletic Trainers’ Association’s (NATA) Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award for 2016, which recognizes NATA members who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to leadership, volunteer service, and advocacy and distinguished professional activities as an athletic trainer, and who have been involved in service and leadership activities at the national and district level. Dr. Valovich McLeod served as a panelist at NATA’s national press conference for “Reducing Your Risk in Work, Life, and Sport” in Baltimore, Maryland, on June 23.

Jim Roush, PT, PhD, ATC, ATL, professor, physical therapy, received the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Lucy Blair Service Award for 2016. He was presented with his award at the APTA Annual Conference and Expo in June.

Eric Sauers, PhD, ATC, FNATA, professor and chair, interdisciplinary health sciences, received the National Athletic Trainers’ Association’s (NATA) Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award for 2016, which recognizes NATA members who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to leadership, volunteer service, and advocacy and distinguished professional activities as an athletic trainer, and who have been involved in service and leadership activities at the national and district level.

Les Schmeltz, AuD, CCC-A, ’01, associate professor, audiology, was appointed editor in-chief of the new online Journal of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention.

Albert Simon, DHSc, MEd, PA-C, program chair and director, physician assistant studies, and Bob McMullen, EdD, MS, PA-C, director of assessment, technology, and research, physician assistant studies, co-authored the seventh edition (2016) of “Lange Q&A Physician Assistant Examination,” with chapters contributed by ATSU-ASHS Dean Randy Danielsen, PhD, PA, DFAAPA; W. Cody Black, MHS, PA-C; Linda MacConnell, MSPA, MAEd; Ian McLeod, MEd, PA-C; Phil Merrill, MEd, PA-C; Ray Pavlick, PhD; James Cawley, MPH, PA-C; Daniel Cervonka, DHS, MEM, PA; C.J. Chun, MS, PA-C, ’10; and Scott Lightfoot, MPAS, PA-C.

CGHS

Katherine Adler, DHA, FACHE, associate dean of academics and assessment, became Quality Matters certified in the following courses: Applying the QM Rubric, Peer Reviewer Course, Improving Your Online Course, QM Coordinator Training, Gauging Your Technology Skills, Creating Presence in Your Online Course, and Assessing your Learners.

Tanya Armistead is an academic adviser for the Doctor of Health Sciences program. Prior to joining ATSU, she was a senior enrollment representative at University of Phoenix.

Lee Bonnel is operations manager, effective Sept. 1.

Marvin Cartagena is the College’s new lead enrollment adviser.

Trisha Cartagena is a new enrollment representative.

Jeffrey Chaffin, DDS, MPH, MBA, MHA, assistant professor, is the immediate past president of the American Board of Dental Public Health and president-elect of the American Association of Public Health Dentistry.

Jack Daniels, PhD, MEd, associate professor, kinesiology, published the third edition of his book, “Daniels Running Formula,” in English. The book has been translated into Polish, Spanish, German, and Japanese and is being translated into French, Russian, and Chinese. A new edition of his autobiography, “Luck of the Draw,” has also been printed.

Lihua Dishman, DBA, MBA, assistant professor, completed her doctorate in business administration studies at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, Michigan.

Stephanie Elsea joined the College as enrollment support. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Truman State University.

Christopher Ferguson is the new data manager and career services coordinator for ATSU-CGHS. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, and mostly recently, served as the departmental coordinator for the Accounting and Business Administration programs at Truman State University.

Jaana Gold, DDS, PhD, MPH, associate professor, public health, passed the CPH exam to become certified in public health. She was selected as a program chair for the American Public Health Association Oral Health section for 2016-18 and was elected to serve as section councilor. In addition, she was recognized by the American Dental Association and was invited to attend the Evidence-based Dentistry Workshop in Chicago, Illinois, from Aug. 11-13.

Tara Griggs, MBA, is a new academic adviser. She earned two bachelor’s degrees and her MBA degree from Southeast Missouri State University.

Colleen Halupa, EdD, associate professor, doctor of health education, published a chapter, “Reaching ‘Creating’ in Bloom’s Taxonomy: The Merging of Heutagogy and Technology in Learning,” in the “Handbook of Research on Creative Problem-Solving Skill Development in Higher Education.” She also has written a chapter, “Mentoring Dissertation Students in Online Doctoral Programs,” for the book titled “Fostering Effective Student Communication in Online Graduate Courses,” which will be published by IGI Global.

Rebecca Holt, MHA/ED, EdS, adjunct professor, completed all six Centers for Disease Control and Prevention courses in the Public Health 101 Series.

Lynda Konecny, DHEd, MS, CHES, ’08, associate professor, doctor of health education, was accepted to be a faculty member for the 2016 National Association of Student Personnel Administrators IV-West Mid-Level Professionals Institute in St. Louis, Missouri, in November.

Andy Kottwiz; Sue McDaniel; Elsie Rudd, MA; and Beth Thompson, MEd, MS, completed Quality Matters training in Applying the QM Rubric, which is the first step in becoming continuing and professional education reviewers.

Ashley Love, DrPH, MPH, MS, associate professor, was appointed public health voting member of the Faculty Council Scholarship and Research Committee. In addition, she became a certified online instructor in June.

Presley Melvin joined the College’s academic advising team. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Truman State University.

Larry Olsen, DrPH, professor, doctor of health education, was asked to serve as a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of Global Health Promotion, an international journal published by the International Union for Health Promotion and Education. Additionally, Dr. Olsen was elected vice president for scientific meetings and conferences for the North American region of the International Union for Health Promotion and Education.

Patrick Palmieri, DHSc, EdS, MBA, MSc, MSN, adjunct professor, doctor of health sciences, was the American Academy of Nursing’s Fellow in the Spotlight for April.

Tracie Rogers, PhD, chair, kinesiology, completed the Boston Marathon in April.

S.D. Shanti, DDS, PhD, MPH, associate professor, ATSU-ASDOH, was appointed chair of the Master in Public Health Research Committee.

Mary Katherine Smith, DrPH, chair, public health, joined the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health’s Education and Diversity committees.

Jaime Sparling is a new enrollment representative. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University.

Dillon Thurman joined the College as a student account coordinator. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Adams State University.

Aesha Turner, MS, executive assistant, received the Arizona campus Employee Excellence Award for the fourth quarter of 2015.

KCOM

Neal Chamberlain, PhD, professor; Patricia Sexton, DHEd, MS, ’08, associate dean; Matthew Hardee, DO, ’07, assistant professor; and Robert Baer, PhD, professor,
received the Society of Osteopathic Medical Educators Innovation in Medical Education Award for “Utilizing Patient Morning Rounds to Observe Preclinical Medical Students’ Clinical Reasoning” at the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Annual Conference, held April 6-9 in Washington, D.C.

Lloyd Cleaver, DO, ’76, assistant vice president, internal medicine, celebrated 30 years of dermatology practice in September.

Sondra Sanford, MSW, is executive director of Still OPTI, effective Feb. 1. Still OPTI is a consortium of teaching hospitals, colleges/universities, and physicians working together to provide osteopathic graduate medical education.

Tabitha Sawyer, clinical technology coordinator, academic and clinical educational affairs, received her bachelor of science in business administration from AIB College of
Business on May 22.

Margaret Wilson, DO, ’82, dean, received the Medallion Award at the Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons 2016 Missouri Osteopathic Annual Convention in April.

MOSDOH

Susan Adams, DMD, MS, joined the School’s St. Louis Dental Center as an assistant professor for endodontics.

Matt Bonnel is the new simulation clinic coordinator.

Ashley Gunnels, education coordinator, received the Missouri campus fitness award for the first quarter of 2016.

Christopher G. Halliday, DDS, MPH, inaugural dean, retired from ATSU-MOSDOH on June 30. Dr. Halliday served as dean since the School’s inception in spring 2012.

Laura Johnson is the senior administrative assistant for clinical operations at the St. Louis Dental Center.

Mandy Ledford is the new administrative assistant for student success.

Dwight E. McLeod, DDS, MS, was named dean for ATSU-MOSDOH, effective July 18. Dr. McLeod will be based in St. Louis with frequent travel to Kirksville. Prior to joining the School, he served as a professor at Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine. He also served as head of the Section of Periodontology and as chair of the Department of Applied Dental Medicine. For the American Dental Education Association, Dr. McLeod served as chair of the Section of Periodontics and as a councilor. In 2000, he founded the Jamaica
Dental Mission, which annually operates three clinics in western Jamaica. Dr. McLeod received his DDS from Howard University College of Dentistry; certificate in general practice dentistry from the Veteran Administration Health Center, Washington, D.C.; and MS degree and certificate in periodontics from University of Iowa School of Dentistry. He is the author of several peer reviewed publications and received numerous internal grant awards.

Romana Muller, RDH, joined the School’s St. Louis Dental Center as an assistant professor.

Hamid Nurrohman, DDS, PhD, joined the School as an assistant professor in the simulation clinic.

Melissa Parman, MHEA, executive assistant, received her master of higher education administration degree from North Park University, School of Business and Nonprofit Management, in Chicago, Illinois, in December 2015.

Herbert Silva, DMD, is a comprehensive care unit director at the St. Louis Dental Center.

Kneka Smith, MPH, is the School’s new associate dean for education and assessment. She received her MPH degree from the University of North Carolina.

Jordan Weichelt is the new multimedia specialist.

SOMA

Aaron Allgood, DO, became an associate professor in the Clinical Medicine and Public Health department, effective July 1.

Stanley Brysacz, DO, assistant professor, family and community medicine, received the 2016 Lifetime Achievement award from the Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association.

Verna Burkett, clinical education coordinator, received the Arizona campus Employee Excellence Award for the first quarter of 2016.

Anna Campbell, PhD, became an associate professor in the Anatomy department, effective July 1.

Deborah Heath, DO, assistant dean of curriculum integration, received the 2016 Excellence in Osteopathic Medical Education award from the Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association.

Samuel Ikonne, PhD, assistant professor; Anna Campbell, PhD, associate professor; Kate Whelihan, MPH, specialist; and Joy Lewis, DO, PhD, FACP, chair, public health,
received the Outstanding Medical Education Research Poster and Presentation Award for their poster presentation titled “Lecture capture technology, student attendance, and academic performance” at the April 2016 American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine meeting in Washington, D.C.

Brenae Maddix, clinical education coordinator, received the Arizona campus fitness award for the second quarter of 2016.

Thomas McWilliams, DO, FACOFP, senior adviser to the dean on graduate medical education, was appointed by U.S. Health and Human Services to serve on the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Advisory Committee on Training in Primary Care Medicine and Dentistry. Dr. McWilliams was nominated by the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine for his demonstrated commitment to advancing innovation in medical education, primary care, and rural health.

Sharon Obadia, DO, ’97, chair of clinical science education, director of faculty development and medical skills courses, was named a 2016 National Academy of Osteopathic Medical Educators fellow by the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine.