Faculty & staff news
Posted: January 12, 2023ATSU
Nelida Acosta, Hometown Scholar coordinator, strategic university partnerships, received the Distinguished Service Award during the annual Arizona campus Employee Recognition & Award Ceremony.
Don Altman, DDS, DHSc, EdD, MPH, MBA, MA, ’12, associate vice president, academic affairs, received the COVID-19 Pandemic Civilian Service Medal for his commitment to public health and exemplary service with the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS). Dr. Altman is a member of the NDMS Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team, Region IX.
Heather Brown, EdD, MTS, assistant director, University Writing Center, received the ATSU-CGHS 2021 Outstanding Employee Award.
Jessica Corrick, MHA, operations assistant, A.T. Still Research Institute, received a doctor of health administration degree from ATSU-CGHS.
Robert Ehrlich, director, facilities/plant operations, received the Distinguished Service Award during the annual Missouri campus Employee Recognition & Award Ceremony. Ehrlich retired from ATSU in July 2022, after more than 28 years of service.
Dan England, financial aid specialist, enrollment services, received the Missouri campus Employee Excellence Award for the third quarter of 2022.
Norman Gevitz, PhD, senior vice president, academic affairs, was named the 2022 American Osteopathic Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. The award, presented Friday, Oct. 28, at the Honors
Gala in Boston, honors an individual who has made significant, fundamental contributions to the osteopathic profession throughout their career.
Lori Haxton, MA, vice president, student affairs, was named chair for American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine’s Council on Student Affairs. Her term began April 2022.
Deanna Hunsaker, DHEd, MBA, assistant vice president, enrollment services, was selected as a reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission Peer Corps.
Jason Hunsicker was promoted to digital content & public relations manager for Communication & Marketing.
Dave Koenecke, DC, assistant vice president, admissions, was named chair for American Dental Education Association Sections on Admissions, Financial Aid, and Student Affairs. His term began March 2022.
Tony Magliano, MS, was promoted to senior director of facilities & security for ATSU. Magliano previously served as director of facilities and operations for the University’s Mesa, Arizona, campus.
Lisa Norman, project manager, research support, received the Missouri campus Employee Excellence Award for the first quarter of 2022.
Andrea O’Brien, MS, director, residential admissions, was named chair for American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine’s Council of Osteopathic Medical Admissions Officers. Her term began April 2022.
Sean O’Connor, MBA, was promoted to executive director for Communication & Marketing.
Kim Perry, DDS, MSCS, FACD, associate vice president, strategic university partnerships, received the ATSU Beyond Flexner Award during the annual Arizona campus Employee Recognition & Award Ceremony.
Clarissa Rodriguez, senior administrative assistant, diversity & inclusion, received the
Arizona campus Employee Excellence Award for the first quarter of 2022.
Julie Speer, PhD, MS, instructional designer, Teaching & Learning Center, received the Diversity Awareness Program (DAP) Award during the annual Arizona campus Employee Recognition & Award Ceremony.
Sarah Thomas, MSW, LCSW, director, behavioral health & wellness, counseling, received a doctor of education in health professions degree from ATSU-CGHS.
ATSU-ASDOH
Kerry Anderson was promoted to dental assistant in comprehensive care unit 4 in the main clinic.
Clark Chen, DMD, rejoined the faculty full time as an assistant clinical professor in prosthodontics.
J. Rich Cohen, DDS, assistant professor, was a member of the joint American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology and American Academy of Orofacial Pain committee that developed the position statement on recommendations for imaging of the temporomandibular joint.
Jeffrey Cohen, DDS, assistant professor, was appointed comprehensive care unit director.
Wayne Cottam, DMD, MS, associate professor and vice dean; Maureen Perry, DDS, MPA, MAEd, professor and associate dean, advanced education & strategic partnerships; and Marc Shlossman, DDS, MS, associate professor, were nominated and accepted for fellowship in the American College of Dentists.
Dion Deguzman was promoted to senior education specialist for the preclinical program.
Rachel Duffy, DMD, MPH, assistant professor, was appointed comprehensive care unit director.
Victoria Green, MS, RDH, dental hygiene instructor, received a master of public health degree with dental emphasis from ATSU-CGHS.
Scott Howell, DMD, MPH, FSCD, ’14, associate professor and director, public health dentistry & teledentistry, completed the Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity fellowship at George Washington University and is now a Senior Atlantic Fellow for Health Equity.
Heather Johnson, MEd, RDH, and Yvette Thornton, MPH, RDH, co-directors for dentistry in the community, received funding for the ninth consecutive year from Delta Dental Foundation for their Smiles Across Pinal County Sealant Program. The $50,000 grant has helped them provide sealants for at-risk and underserved children.
Eric Kosel, DMD, assistant professor, was appointed comprehensive care unit director.
Satish Kumar, DMD, MDSc, MS, professor and director, periodontics, was nominated and selected for the 2022-23 American Dental Education Association Leadership Institute, a yearlong program designed to develop the most promising individuals at academic dental institutions to become future leaders in dental and higher education.
Hunter Lende was promoted to clinic manager for the predoctoral program in the main clinic.
Tannaz Malekzadeh, DMD, MAEd, assistant professor, received the American Academy of Periodontology Foundation Fellowship to attend the Institute for Teaching & Learning in the Health Professions.
Jeannie Nelson was promoted to director of clinic operations in the Advanced Care Clinic.
Jae Hyun Park, DMD, PhD, MSD, MS, professor and chair, postgraduate orthodontics, was recognized as the top expert in the world in orthodontic anchorage procedures by Expertscape.
In addition, Dr. Park’s article, “An Overlay Arch for Maxillary and Mandibular Transverse Discrepancies,” was selected as case of the month by the Journal of Clinical Orthodontics. The article was co-authored by Byungtaek Choi, DDS, PhD, MS; Ivan A. Halim, DMD, MPH, MS; and Hojae Choi, DDS, MS.
Maureen Perry, DDS, MPA, MAEd, professor and associate dean, advanced education & strategic partnerships, was appointed chair of the grant awards committee for the Alliance for Oral Health Across Borders. She is also a member of the board. In addition, Dr. Perry and Ann Eshenaur Spolarich, PhD, RDH, professor and assistant dean, research, received a Dental Trade Alliance Foundation grant titled “Health Care Integration: Improving Oral Health Through Systemic Change” for $25,000. The project will study a new healthcare delivery model that places a physician assistant in a dental clinic.
Emily Shields was promoted to education specialist for the predoctoral program in the main clinic.
Marc Shlossman, DDS, MS, associate professor, was named president of the Arizona Section of the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research.
Ann Eshenaur Spolarich, PhD, RDH, professor and assistant dean, research, was installed as vice president of the International Association of Dental Research Oral Health Research Group. In addition, she received the inaugural Standout Seven award from the American Dental Hygienists’ Association in recognition of her contributions to oral health research.
Hanann Tomeh, DDS, MPH, ’21, was promoted to associate clinical professor and appointed director of faculty development.
Mitzi Wasden, DDS, MS, assistant professor, received the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Foundation Leadership in Education and Administration Scholarship to attend the Institute for Teaching & Learning in the Health Professions.
Amanda Westendorf was promoted to program coordinator for the postdoctoral program in the Advanced Care Clinic.
ATSU-ASHS
Cailee Welch Bacon, PhD, ATC, associate professor, athletic training, was awarded the 2022 Emerging Educator Award from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Professional Education Committee. In addition, Dr. Welch Bacon received the 2022 Educator of the Year award during the annual ATSU-ASHS faculty assembly.
Annette Bettridge, MS, PA-C, assistant professor, physician assistant studies, received a doctor of education in health professions degree from ATSU-CGHS.
Kellie Bliven, PhD, ATC, professor, was named chair of the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences department. Dr. Bliven also serves as vice chair of the Arizona Institutional Review Board and editor of the Journal of Sport Rehabilitation.
Alan Haynie, RRT, adjunct faculty, physician assistant studies, received a master of education in health professions degree from ATSU-CGHS.
Pamela Kays, PT, DPT, EdD, assistant professor and director, curriculum, physical therapy, received the 2022 Junior Faculty of the Year award during the annual ATSU-ASHS faculty assembly.
Tamara Valovich McLeod, PhD, ATC, FNATA, professor, was named chair of the Athletic Training department. Dr. McLeod has served as program director of the residential and online athletic training programs, director of the Interdisciplinary Research Lab, and founding director of the Athletic Training
Practice-Based Research Network.
Jennifer Radziak, OTD, OTR/L, CHT, assistant professor and fieldwork coordinator, occupational therapy, received the 2022 Service of the Year award during the annual ATSU-ASHS faculty assembly.
Teri Rorie, administrative assistant for audiology, advisor of Student Academy of Audiology, was named Advisor of the Year by ATSU Student Life.
Jesse Thompson, EMT, simulation equipment specialist, physician assistant studies, received a master of education in health professions degree from ATSU-CGHS.
Tessa Tibben, DHSc, MS, PA-C, assistant professor, physician assistant studies, received the Diversity Awareness Program (DAP) Award during the annual Arizona campus Employee Recognition & Award Ceremony.
Robin Tritt, RDH, administrative assistant, speech-language pathology, received the Arizona campus Employee Excellence Award for the second quarter of 2022.
Rebecca Wolf, JD, MPH, OTR/L, associate professor, was named chair of the Occupational Therapy department. As a faculty member since 2017, Wolf has served as the doctoral capstone coordinator since 2019 and oversees two residential programs in the Occupational Therapy department.
ATSU-CGHS
Candace Ayars, PhD, was promoted to associate professor in the Doctor of Education in Health Professions program.
Eric Carver, DHSc, MPA, MABMH, adjunct faculty, health sciences, coordinated a shelter for his Florida community with the American Red Cross and county Emergency Management following Hurricane Ian.
Sohini Dhar, BDS, MPH, adjunct assistant professor, public health, was elected to the Board of Texas Oral Health Coalition, a statewide nonprofit whose mission is to lead efforts to achieve optimal oral health across the lifespan.
Lihua Dishman, DBA, MBA, associate professor, health administration, attained the Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives credential.
Brittani Freund, PT, DPT, ATC, LAT, adjunct faculty, kinesiology, received the ATSU-CGHS 2022 Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award for the Master of Science in Kinesiology program.
Christina Garcia, PhD, RN, adjunct faculty, nursing, received the ATSU-CGHS 2022 Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award for the Doctor of Nursing Practice program.
Jaana Gold, DDS, PhD, MPH, CPH, professor, public health-dental emphasis, received the Michael Samuels Impact Award.
Larry Hearld, PhD, MHA, adjunct faculty, health education, received the ATSU-CGHS 2022 Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award for the Doctor of Education in Health Professions program.
Laurie Latvis, DHA, adjunct faculty, health administration, received the ATSU-CGHS 2022 Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award for the Doctor of Health Administration program.
Greg Loeben, PhD, MA, associate professor, public health, received the ATSU-CGHS 2022 Professor of the Year award. Dr. Loeben also received a master of public health degree from ATSU-CGHS.
Eric Matthews, PhD, MS, was promoted to professor in the Doctor of Health Sciences program. In addition, Dr. Matthews received the ATSU-CGHS 2021 Professor of the Year award.
Mary-Katherine McNatt, DrPH, MPH, MCHES, CPH, COI, chair, public health, was promoted to professor. Dr. McNatt also received her human rights consultant certification by the U.S. Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights.
Vera Mitchell, MBA, academic advisor, received the ATSU-CGHS 2022 Outstanding Employee Award.
Jill Moore, MHA, adjunct faculty, public health, received the ATSU-CGHS 2022 Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award for the Master of Public Health program.
Patrick Palmieri, DHSc, EdS, MBA, MSN, ACNP, RN, ’12, adjunct professor, health sciences, was accepted to the 2022 cohort of the Environmental Health Research Institute for Nurse and Clinician Scientists.
Matthew Rhea, PhD, professor, kinesiology, joined the New Orleans Saints as director of sports science in March 2022.
Melanie Tidman, DHSc, MA, OTR/L, adjunct faculty, health sciences, received the ATSU-CGHS 2022 Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award for the Doctor of Health Sciences program.
Megan Weemer, DHSc, MCHES, assistant professor, health sciences, and her former colleagues received the Interdisciplinary Award for the Center of Civic Engagement at Illinois State University for their research and collaboration surrounding school wellness environments in a Midwestern school district.
ATSU-CHC
Eric Sauers, PhD, AT, FNATA, ’97, was named dean of ATSU-CHC. Dr. Sauers, a tenured professor at ATSU, was founding chair of the Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences at ATSU-ASHS. He also previously held a joint appointment as a research professor at ATSU-SOMA.
Dr. Sauers is a graduate of the ATSU Master of Science in Sports Health Care program’s inaugural class. He earned his doctorate from Oregon State University in health and human performance, majoring in sports medicine and earning a minor in adult education.
ATSU-KCOM
Suhail Akhtar, PhD, assistant professor, biochemistry, had his abstract selected for presentation as a “Poster of Distinction” and was rated in the top 10% of all American Gastroenterological Association abstracts selected for Digestive Disease Week, the world’s premier meeting for physicians and researchers working in the field of gastroenterology.
Kristin Blunk, MBA, was named assistant dean for academic affairs. She previously served as director of student success at ATSU-MOSDOH.
David Cleaver, DO, ’06, assistant professor, internal medicine, received the A.T. Still Staff Award for Excellence in Teaching for Clinical Sciences during the annual Missouri campus Employee Recognition & Award Ceremony.
Michael Cramberg, lab manager, anatomy, received a master of public health degree from ATSU-CGHS.
Jeffrey Davis, DO, CMD, ’00, was named assistant dean of clinical affairs. Dr. Davis serves as a family practice physician at Memphis Medical Services and as chief medical officer for Scotland County Hospital
in Memphis, Missouri. He also serves as the Scotland County coroner and as medical director of local nursing homes, ambulance districts, and rural health clinics.
In addition, Dr. Davis was elected as the American Osteopathic Association’s (AOA) first vice president. He was appointed to serve as AOA’s liaison to the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine for 2022-23. He was also appointed to serve on the Committee for AOA Governance and Organizational Structure, AOA’s Bureau of Membership, and AOA’s Audit Committee.
B. Henry Han, PhD, associate professor, pharmacology, received the A.T. Still Staff Award for Excellence in Teaching for Basic Sciences during the annual Missouri campus Employee Recognition & Award Ceremony.
Tatyana Kondrashova, PhD, associate professor of family medicine & community health, advisor for Point Care Ultrasound Society, was named Advisor of the Year by ATSU Student Life.
Richard LaBaere II, DO, MPH, FAODME, associate dean for graduate medical education, is a renewed National Academy of Osteopathic Medical Educators fellow within the Educational Leadership category. His term is effective through April 2027.
Richelle Lee, osteopathic academic coordinator, osteopathic manipulative medicine, received the Missouri campus Employee Excellence Award for the second quarter of 2022.
Shanu Markand, PhD, assistant professor, anatomy, received the Max Gutensohn Outstanding Teacher Award for the first-year curriculum during the ATSU Student Government Association awards ceremony.
Melinda Orskog, clinical quality manager, clinic business office, received a master of health administration degree from ATSU-CGHS.
Karen Snider, DO, C-NMM/OMM, assistant dean for osteopathic principles and practice integration, medical education, is a renewed National Academy of Osteopathic Medical Educators fellow within the Educational Leadership category. Her term is effective through April 2027.
Caroline VanSickle, PhD, MA, assistant professor, anatomy, received the Diversity Awareness Program (DAP) Award during the annual Missouri campus Employee Recognition & Award Ceremony.
Margaret Wilson, DO, ’82, dean and professor, was named the 2022 Robert A. Kistner Award recipient by the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine and its Board of Directors in recognition of her significant contributions to osteopathic medical education throughout her career.
In addition, Dr. Wilson was invited to join the Academy of Missouri Squires. Limited to 100 living members, the academy is a nonprofit organization honoring Missourians for their accomplishments at the community, state, or national level.
ATSU-MOSDOH
Hussein Al-Wakeel, DDS, assistant professor, received the ATSU-MOSDOH Outstanding Teacher Award from the class of 2024 during the ATSU Student Government Association awards ceremony.
Graziela Ribeiro Batista, DDS, PhD, assistant professor, received the ATSU-MOSDOH Outstanding Teacher Award from the class of 2025 during the ATSU Student Government Association awards ceremony.
David Greaves, DDS, assistant professor and assistant director, comprehensive care unit 2, received the Elsie Gaber Compassion and Integrity Award during the St. Louis Dental Center Employee Recognition and Award Ceremony.
ATSU-SOMA
Mariam Alshukri, MS, was named support manager for the Undergraduate Medical Education department. She has worked with ATSU-SOMA since 2018 as the second-year curriculum coordinator.
Alissa Craft, DO, ’92, was named associate dean for student achievement and accreditation.
Candy Fontes, credentialing coordinator, clinical education, received the Arizona campus Employee Excellence Award for the third quarter of 2022.
Brenae Maddix, MPH, education specialist, received the Diversity Awareness Program (DAP) Award during the annual Arizona campus Employee Recognition & Award Ceremony.
Jeffrey Morgan, DO, EdD, MA, CS, FACOI, associate professor, received the Distinguished Service Award during the annual Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association Awards.
Sharon Obadia, DO, FNAOME, ’97, associate dean, clinical education and services, was named interim dean of ATSU-SOMA. Dr. Obadia graduated from ATSU-KCOM in 1997. She served an internship and residency in internal medicine at Banner Good Samaritan/Carl T. Hayden Veterans’ Affairs Medical Center, followed by a two-year fellowship at the University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Division of Medical Education, Los Angeles, California. She is board certified by the American Board
of Internal Medicine. Dr. Obadia has been with the School since 2010 and, in 2019, was the recipient of the ATSU-SOMA RICH (Respect, Integrity, Collaboration & Honesty) Culture Award.
Barbara Polstein, DO, assistant professor, received the Excellence in Osteopathic Medical Education Award during the annual Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association Awards.
Frederic Schwartz, DO, FACOFP, was appointed faculty emeritus for his years of dedication and service to ATSU and the greater osteopathic medical education community. Dr. Schwartz served as professor of family and community medicine and senior advisor to the ATSU-SOMA dean until his retirement from the University in January 2022.
Submit faculty & staff news to stillmagazine@atsu.edu