Faculty & staff news
Posted: September 23, 2020ATSU
Courtney Bonnell, director, budgets and financial reporting, finance, earned a master of business administration degree from Northwest Missouri State University.
Harold Bright, MLS, AHIP, was named university library director for A.T. Still Memorial Library. He earned his master of arts in library sciences from the University of Arizona in 1999 and spent 12 years as a reference librarian, supervisory librarian, and director of information services in Connecticut before returning to Arizona and joining ATSU in 2012.
Tynon Britton, security officer, Arizona facilities, received the Arizona campus Employee Excellence Award for the third quarter of 2019.
Quincy Conley, PhD, MA, was named university director of the Teaching & Learning Center, effective Dec. 16. Dr. Conley brings more than 19 years of experience as a faculty member, researcher, instructional designer, and learning scientist. He earned his doctorate in educational technology from Arizona State University and his master’s in instructional design and technology and bachelor’s in aerospace science from the University of North Dakota.
Dana Funderburk, CPA, associate vice president, finance, earned a master of business administration degree from Northwest Missouri State University.
Tonya Grimm, controller, financial reporting, budgets, & planning, finance, earned a master of science degree in accounting and finance from Southern New Hampshire University.
Devin Gudehus, accounts payable operator, finance, earned a master of business administration degree from Northwest Missouri State University.
Crystal Hendron, MEd, learning adviser, learning & disability resources, received her doctor of education in health professions degree from ATSU-CGHS.
MaKay Hettinger, alumni relations coordinator, university advancement, received the Missouri campus Employee Excellence Award for the fourth quarter of 2019.
Bryan Krusniak, MBA, was named ATSU’s vice president of information technology, effective Aug. 1, 2019. Krusniak joined ATSU in November 1998 as director of information technology services (ITS). Since 2005, he has served as assistant vice president for ITS.
David Lopez, specialist, academic technologies, received his bachelor of science degree in information technology with a concentration in cyber security and a certificate in business management and project management from the University of Phoenix.
Ysenia Lopez, administrative assistant, student affairs, received her master of science in leadership degree from Grand Canyon University.
Alice Mayer, coordinator, residential admissions, received the Missouri campus Employee Excellence Award for the third quarter of 2019.
Michelle Mollick, MBA, was promoted to senior director, sponsored programs, on the Missouri campus.
Clinton Normore, MBA, was appointed vice president of diversity and inclusion, effective July 1. Normore joined ATSU as director of diversity in 2013 and was promoted to associate vice president of diversity and inclusion in 2016.
Sean O’Connor, MBA, was named senior director of Communication & Marketing. A University of Arizona graduate, O’Connor is responsible for developing strategic institutional, cross-departmental, and programmatic marketing initiatives. With over 30 years in the marketing and advertising industry, his experience includes brand leadership positions across multiple industry sectors.
Megan Poulson, coordinator, student life, received the Arizona campus Employee Excellence Award for the first quarter of 2020.
Misty Seidel, assistant director, enrollment services, received her bachelor of science degree in marketing with a concentration in social media from Southern New Hampshire University.
Amanda Selby, assistant director, residential admissions, earned her doctor of education degree from ATSU-CGHS.
Carol Stanley, clerical support, research & grants, received the Missouri campus Employee Excellence Award for the first quarter of 2020.
Gaylah Sublette, MBA, was named ATSU’s vice president of research & sponsored programs, effective Aug. 1, 2019. Previously serving as associate vice president of sponsored programs, Sublette has more than 30 years of leadership experience in sponsored programs, sponsored research, and research support and development.
Dolores Tafoya, coordinator, residential admissions, retired from ATSU in January.
Dougherty Tsalabutie, MS, was named director of the National Center for American Indian Health Professions.
Ted Wendel, PhD, senior vice president, university planning & strategic initiatives, was recognized by the National Association of Community Health Centers during the organization’s 2019 Community Health Institute and Expo in Chicago, Illinois.
Michael Zajac, MA, was named associate vice president of student affairs. He is based on the Arizona campus.
ATSU-ASDOH
George Blue Spruce Jr., DDS, MPH, assistant dean, American Indian affairs, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation Awards for Excellence in Social Mission in Health Professions Education. The award will be presented at the Beyond Flexner 2021 Conference in Phoenix, Arizona.
Wayne Cottam, DMD, MS, vice dean, was awarded the John McFarland Outstanding Leadership Award from the National Network for Oral Health Access. Dr. Cottam was nominated for the award by fellow faculty member and former student Scott Howell, DMD, MPH, FSCD, ’14.
Joseph Creech, DDS, associate professor, received ATSU-ASDOH’s Living Tribute Award at the School’s alumni barbecue in February. The award was established to recognize and honor ATSU-ASDOH faculty, staff members, and administrators for outstanding accomplishments or long-term service to the School.
Rachel Duffy, DMD, MPH, ’13, was promoted to the academic rank of assistant professor, effective July 1.
Mai-Ly Duong, DMD, MPH, MAEd, FAGD, FSCD, ’12, associate director, special care dentistry, recently received several honors, including ATSU-ASDOH’s Distinguished Service Award, Phoenix Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 award, acceptance into Valley Leadership’s 41st class, Academy of General Dentistry Mastership Award, and two prestigious fellowships with Pierre Fauchard Academy and International College of Dentists.
Scott Howell, DMD, MPH, FSCD, ’14, assistant professor, was appointed to a TeleDent COVID-19 Advisory Board by MouthWatch LLC. This group of teledentistry thought leaders is helping MouthWatch develop best practice protocols for implementing teledentistry in urgent care. The team is also assisting with creating timely teledentistry-focused education and training materials.
Additionally, Dr. Howell was named one of the American Dental Association’s 10 Under 10 for 2020. This award recognizes 10 dentists who are making an impact on the profession less than 10 years after graduation.
Dawn Lend, operations manager, received her bachelor of science degree in accounting with a concentration in forensic accounting and fraud examination from Southern New Hampshire University.
Amanda Murphy, business operations specialist, received her bachelor of business administration degree with an emphasis in management from Northern Arizona University.
Jae Hyun Park, DMD, PhD, MSD, MS, professor and chair, postgraduate orthodontics, published a book titled “Temporary Anchorage Devices in Clinical Orthodontics.” He was appointed as associate editor and editor of case reports for the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. His case report, “Mandibular micrognathia and vertical maxillary excess correction with combination LeFort I and inverted L osteotomies,” which was co-authored by Dr. Hunter Boss; Dr. Albert Carlotti; Michael Papademetriou, DMD, MS, director, orthodontics, ATSU-ASDOH; and John Grubb, DDS, MSD, adjunct professor, ATSU-ASDOH, was selected as Case of the Month in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics for May 2020.
In addition, Dr. Park was awarded tenure status with the School, effective July 1. He is the first full-time ATSU-ASDOH faculty member to achieve this recognition.
Maureen Perry, DDS, MPA, MAEd, associate dean, Advanced Care Clinic, received the Special Care Dentistry Association’s Education Award. The award honors dentists committed to educating future generations of oral healthcare providers who will care for individuals with special needs.
Ann Eshenaur Spolarich, PhD, RDH, FSCDH, professor, was honored by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association with the Heart to Hands Award for her lifetime service to patients with special needs. In addition, she was promoted to assistant dean of research, effective July 1.
Ariel Summers, simulation coordinator, received the Arizona campus Employee Excellence Award for the fourth quarter of 2019.
ATSU-ASHS
Annette Bettridge, PA-C, MS, FNP, assistant professor, physician assistant studies, was a 2019 recipient of the Physician Assistant Foundation’s National Institute on Drug Abuse Mentored Outreach Award. Her project was titled “Stamp Out Stigma – De-stigmatizing Substance Use Disorders and Comorbid Mental Illness Through Innovative Curricular Strategies.”
Kellie Huxel Bliven, PhD, ATC, professor, interdisciplinary health sciences, was named editor-in-chief of the Journal of Sport Rehabilitation.
Elton Bordenave, PhD, MEd, director of Still Standing Falls Prevention Outreach program, received an award from the Arizona Falls Prevention Coalition for his leadership in the delivery of evidence-based falls prevention programs in Maricopa County.
Randy Danielsen, PhD, PA-C emeritus, director, medical science, was recognized for 10 years of service as a peer reviewer with the Higher Learning Commission.
Rachel Diamant, PhD, OTR/L, BCP, professor, occupational therapy, retired after more than 20 years as a member of the occupational therapy faculty.
Jamie Kuettel, PT, DPT, NCS, GCS, director of physical therapy progress administration, assistant professor, received the ATSU-ASHS 2020 Junior Faculty of the Year award during a virtual faculty assembly in May. Faculty members were nominated and selected by colleagues for their contributions during the 2019-20 year.
Kenny Lam, ScD, ATC, associate professor, interdisciplinary health sciences, received the ATSU-ASHS 2020 Faculty Service of the Year award during a virtual faculty assembly in May. Faculty members were nominated and selected by colleagues for their contributions during the 2019-20 year.
Zarin Mehta, PhD, associate professor, audiology, received the ATSU-ASHS 2020 Educator of the Year award during a virtual faculty assembly in May. Faculty members were nominated and selected by colleagues for their contributions during the 2019-20 year.
Beth Poppre, EdD, MEd, former associate vice president of student affairs, transitioned to the Physician Assistant Studies department as administrative manager for the Doctor of Medical Science program.
Marlene Salas-Provance, PhD, MHA, MA, CCC-SLP, FASHA, was named vice dean, effective Jan. 6. Dr. Salas-Provance holds a doctorate in speech science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, master’s in speech pathology from New Mexico State University, and master’s in health administration from the University of Missouri School of Medicine. She previously served as associate dean of academic and student affairs and professor in the School of Health Professions at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.
Albert Simon, DHSc, PA, associate director, medical science, was named 2020 PA of the Year by the Arizona State Association of Physician Assistants (ASAPA). Dr. Simon has been a PA in Arizona since 2005. Under his direction, the PA Studies program has graduated more than 800 entry-level PAs and 300 postgraduate PAs.
Alison Snyder Valier, PhD, ATC, FNATA, director, athletic training, was a visiting scholar and guest of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Athletic Training Education Program. Funded by the Mueller Fund for Athletic Training Excellence, her visit included a seminar presentation and symposium keynote address, as well as meeting with research faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students.
Tawna Wilkinson, PT, DPT, PhD, PCS, director of physical therapy, associate professor, received the ATSU-ASHS 2020 Scholar of the Year award during a virtual faculty assembly in May. Faculty members were nominated and selected by colleagues for their contributions during the 2019-20 year.
ATSU-CGHS
Erin Breitenbach, PhD, MA, chair, health education, earned her master of education degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Houston in May 2020.
Heather Brown, EdD, MTS, assistant director, University Writing Center, signed a contract with Routledge for her first book, tentatively titled “Weight Bias in Health Education: Critical Perspectives for Pedagogy and Practice,” which she is coediting with Dr. Nancy Ellis-Ordway.
Thomas DiDonna, DHSc, MSN, RN, adjunct professor, health sciences, received the College’s Health Sciences Adjunct Faculty of the Year award.
Lihua Dishman, DBA, MBA, associate professor, health administration, was appointed by the Association of University Programs in Health Administration to serve a three-year term on the Winston Scholarship Selection Committee. She was appointed to the editorial board of the Patient Experience Journal.
Jim Farris, PT, PhD, joined the College as associate dean of academics and assessment, effective Sept. 1. Dr. Farris came to ATSU in 2008 and previously served as chair of ATSU-ASHS’ Physical Therapy department. He was instrumental in design and implementation of the Center for Occupational and Physical Therapy in 2019.
Jaana Gold, DDS, PhD, MPH, CPH, associate professor, public health, was elected as a member of the Board of Directors for Oral Health Florida.
Michael Halasy, DHSc, MS, PA-C, adjunct professor, health sciences, was named to the editorial board of the Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Innovation, Quality, and Outcomes journal.
Tracy Hultgren, MS, adjunct professor, kinesiology, received the College’s Kinesiology Adjunct Faculty of the Year award.
Lynda T. Konecny, DHEd, DHSc, MS, CHES, ’08, associate professor, health education, was selected to serve as a reviewer for the Interdisciplinary Journal of e-Skills and Lifelong Learning and the International Journal of Doctoral Studies.
Dan Leask, MBA, adjunct professor, health administration, received the College’s Health Administration Adjunct Faculty of the Year award.
Ashley Love, DrPH, MPH, MS, CPH, associate professor, public health, received the College’s 2020 Professor of the Year award. Additionally, she was elected by her peers to serve as a governing councilor, representing the Public Health Education and Health Promotion Section of the American Public Health Association.
Michael McCunniff, DDS, adjunct professor, public health, received the College’s Public Health Adjunct Faculty of the Year award.
Olawunmi Obisesan, PhD, DHEd, MPH, adjunct assistant professor, health education, received the College’s Health Professions Education Adjunct Faculty of the Year award.
Sue Roe, DPA, MS, associate professor and chair, nursing, was honored as the 2019 Alumnus of the Year for the College of Nursing at the University of Arizona.
Helen Salisbury, PhD, assistant professor, health sciences, received a grant from AZPetPlates.org to benefit the Humane Society of the White Mountains in Lakeside, Arizona.
Susan Thomas, MSEd, instructional designer, received the College’s 2020 Outstanding Employee Award.
Letha Williams, PhD, FACHE, chair, health administration, received the Missouri Hospital Association’s Regent’s Award.
ATSU-KCOM
Michael Bradbury, PhD, MPhil, chair, biochemistry, received the International Association of Medical Science Educators (IAMSE) 2020 Outstanding Reviewer Award during IAMSE’s virtual annual meeting in June.
Julie Hessler, DO, ’96, assistant professor, family medicine, received the Max Gutensohn, DO, Outstanding Teaching Award from ATSU-KCOM’s class of 2022 during the Student Government Association awards ceremony held April 30.
Jeremy Houser, PhD, associate professor, anatomy, received the Max Gutensohn, DO, Outstanding Teaching Award from ATSU-KCOM’s class of 2023 during the Student Government Association awards ceremony held April 30.
Richard J. LaBaere II, DO, MPH, FAODME, associate dean, Still OPTI, was recognized for his more than 15 years of service on the Association of Osteopathic Directors and Medical Educators and Assembly of Osteopathic Graduate Medical Educators-American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine board of directors.
Trish Sexton, DHEd, MS, FNAOME, ’08, associate dean, curriculum, was invited by the Association of Korean Medicine to speak with the Korean National Assembly and medical school leadership about osteopathic medical education and curricular revisions to the Korean Medical Doctors programs.
Robert Theobald, PhD, professor, pharmacology, was selected as the clinical department chair – foundational biomedical sciences for the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners National Faculty.
Margaret Wilson, DO, ’82, dean, was elected chair of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Board of Deans at its March 28 meeting. She began her two-year term on July 1.
ATSU-MOSDOH
Chris Ivanoff, DDS, joined the School as professor and CCU director at the St. Louis Dental Center.
Adepitan Owosho, DDS, FAAOMP, FAAOM, DABOMP, director, integrated human sciences, received the Outstanding Teaching Award from ATSU-MOSDOH’s class of 2023 during the Student Government Association awards ceremony held April 30.
Patricia Pou, MA, joined the School as the associate director of continuing education/faculty development, located at the St. Louis Dental Center.
Richard Vargo, DMD, director, comprehensive care unit, received the Outstanding Teaching Award from ATSU-MOSDOH’s class of 2022 during the Student Government Association awards ceremony held April 30.
ATSU-SOMA
Shipra Bansal, MD, assistant professor, served as conference medical director for Sedona Health & Nutrition Conference 2020.
Susan Baroody, DO, joined the School as a regional director of medical education at the Wright Center in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Yohannes Ghidey, MD, joined the School as a regional director of medical education at Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation in Sauget, Illinois.
Brenae Maddix, education integration specialist, earned her master of public health degree from ATSU-CGHS in May.
John Magner, MD, joined the School as a regional director of medical education at Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation in Sauget, Illinois.
Inder Makin, MD, PhD, was awarded tenure status with ATSU-SOMA, effective July 1.
Erin McFadden, MD, joined the School as a regional director of medical education at the Wright Center in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Sharon Obadia, DO, FNAOME, associate dean of clinical education and services, associate professor of internal medicine, was appointed to the Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education Board.
Janelle Pieros, DO, ’11, joined the School as a regional director of medical education with San Ysidro Health Center in San Diego.
Steve Ritter, DO, joined the School as a regional director of medical education with San Ysidro Health Center in San Diego.
Jeni Rogers, executive assistant to the dean, earned her master of health administration degree from ATSU-CGHS in May.
David Shoup, DO, was promoted to professor, effective July 1.
Lisa Tshuma, DBH, MPAS, MPA, PA-C, joined the School as assistant director, faculty development. This is a five-year, full-time position funded by a Human Resources and Services Administration Primary Care Training Enhancement grant. In this role, Dr. Tshuma works with ATSU-SOMA and ATSU-ASDOH clinical faculty to develop faculty training around topics related to primary care, behavioral and oral health integration, patient care for substance use disorder, and provider wellness/resilience to burnout.
Michael Zawada, PhD, was promoted to chair of basic sciences, effective March 1.
Submit faculty & staff news to stillmagazine@atsu.edu.