Faculty & staff news
Posted: September 19, 2024ATSU
Nelida Acosta, Hometown Scholars coordinator, strategic university partnerships, received the 2024 Outstanding Migrant Health Center Board Member award from the National Association of Community Health Centers. Acosta was recognized for her commitment to Adelante Healthcare in Phoenix and for advancing migrant health initiatives.
Don Altman, DDS, DHSc, EdD, ’12, was promoted to vice chancellor, academic support.
John Dougherty, DO, was appointed chief strategy officer, effective July 1. Located in St. Louis, he will oversee development of ATSU real estate initiatives in St. Louis and Mesa, Arizona. Dr. Dougherty earned his doctor of osteopathic medicine degree from Kansas City University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCU-COM). His leadership roles have included interim dean of KCU-COM Joplin campus, dean of Touro University Nevada, and founding dean and chief academic officer of Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Brenda Jackson, senior administrative assistant, academic affairs, received the Employee Excellence Award for Arizona and California campuses for the second quarter of 2024.
Holly Klusmeyer, project manager, assessment & accreditation, graduated from the Teaching & Learning Center’s 2024 Introduction to Educational Technology course.
Stephanie McGrew, MHA, assistant director, diversity & inclusion, received ATSU-CGHS’ 2024 Alumni of the Year award.
Kim Perry, DDS, MSCS, was promoted to chief partnership officer.
Dalton Rolland, associate director of sustained giving, development, received the Missouri campus Employee Excellence Award for the second quarter of 2024.
Michael Shoop was promoted to specialist in Academic Technologies.
Julie Speer, PhD, MS, was promoted to assistant director of the Teaching & Learning Center.
Lisa Windy, MAcc, was promoted to director of student accounts in Finance.
ATSU-ASDOH
Desmond “Des” Gallagher, BDS, MA, was appointed dean of ATSU-ASDOH, effective Sept. 11. He previously served as associate dean for clinical services at University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco.
Dr. Gallagher earned a dental degree from University of Wales College of Medicine School of Dentistry, postgraduate diploma in clinical dentistry from Trinity College Dublin School of Dentistry, and master’s degree in dental education from University of the Pacific. He completed seven years of active military service with several operational tours. After military service, he established a dental office. He began teaching as a part-time clinical instructor before joining University of the Pacific in 2012 as a group practice leader and course director.
Daniel Lebedies, specialist, graduated from the Teaching & Learning Center’s 2024 Introduction to Educational Technology course.
Kimberly Lovell, MEd, instructor, dental hygiene, predoctoral education, graduated from the Teaching & Learning Center’s 2024 Introduction to Educational Technology course.
Mitzi Wasden, DDS, MS, adjunct faculty, predoctoral education, completed the Teaching & Learning Center’s Level Up! certificate program to become an ATSU-certified health sciences educator.
ATSU-ASHS
Shelley Baltodano, AuD, assistant professor, audiology, graduated from the Teaching & Learning Center’s 2024 Introduction to Educational Technology course.
David Doubblestein, PT, PhD, CLT, Cert MDT, LLCC, assistant professor, director of progress, physical therapy, received the 2024 ATSU-ASHS Scholar of the Year award during the ATSU-ASHS faculty assembly in May.
Nicolette “Nikki” Harris, DAT, LAT, ATC, CSCS, ’17, assistant professor, director of student recruitment, athletic training, received the 2024 National Athletic Trainers’ Association Ethnic Diversity Advisory Committee Bill Chisolm Professional Service Award. Dr. Harris was recognized for her contributions to the development and enhancement of ethnically diverse athletic trainers.
Pamela Kays, PT, DPT, EdD, assistant professor, director of curriculum, physical therapy, received the 2024 ATSU-ASHS Educator of the Year award during the ATSU-ASHS faculty assembly in May.
Ivonne Maldonado De la Rosa, PhD, CCCSLP, assistant professor, speech-language pathology, received the 2024 ATSU-ASHS Faculty Service of the Year award during the ATSU-ASHS faculty assembly in May.
Kelsey Picha, PhD, ATC, associate professor, interdisciplinary health sciences, was coauthor of “Exploring the Use of a Social Determinants of Health Focused History Script to Facilitate Patient Conversations,” which received the 2023 Outstanding Manuscript Award from the Athletic Training Education Journal.
Adam Story, PT, DPT, OTR/L, OTD, MTC, assistant professor, occupational therapy, received the 2024 ATSU-ASHS Junior Faculty of the Year award during the ATSU-ASHS faculty assembly in May.
Malathy Venkatesh, PhD, CCC-SLP, assistant professor, speech-language pathology, graduated from the Teaching & Learning Center’s 2024 Introduction to Educational Technology course.
Cailee Welch Bacon, PhD, ATC, associate professor, athletic training, received the 2024 Professional Development Excellence Award from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Professional Development Committee. Dr. Welch Bacon was recognized for her outstanding contributions to athletic training continuing education and professional development.
ATSU-CGHS
Jeff Alexander, PhD, FAACVPR, ACSM-CEP®, was promoted to professor of health sciences.
Candace Ayars, PhD, associate professor, health education, received ATSU-CGHS’ 2024 Professor of the Year award for the second consecutive year. Dr. Ayars retired in June after 12 years with the College.
Doug Brtek, EdD, received ATSU-CGHS’ 2024 Adjunct of the Year award for health professions education.
Jeffrey Chaffin, DDS, MPH, MBA, MHA, was promoted to associate professor of dental public health.
Lihua Dishman, DBA, MBA, FACHE, associate professor, health administration, received the 2023-24 Service Award from the American College of Healthcare Executives.
John Fick, EdD, MS, FACHE, associate professor, health administration, was appointed to the Association of University Programs in Health Administration/Health Administration Press Editorial Board for a three-year term.
Marisa Hastie, EdD, MS, ACSM EP-C, PN-1, FACSM, dean, was appointed to American College of Sports Medicine’s Exercise is Medicine Underserved and Community Health Committee for a three-year term.
Clair Lunt, DHSc, MN, RN, ’19, received ATSU-CGHS’ 2024 Adjunct of the Year award for nursing.
Sue McDaniel, MS, instructional designer, received ATSU-CGHS’ 2024 Adjunct of the Year award for health sciences.
Patrick Palmieri, DHSc, EdS, MBA, MSN, ACNP, RN, ’12, adjunct faculty, health sciences, received ATSU-CGHS’ 2024 Michael Samuels Impact Award.
Scott Rankin, DDS, MS, received ATSU-CGHS’ 2024 Adjunct of the Year award for public health.
Matt Rhea, PhD, professor, kinesiology, retired in June after 18 years with the College.
Michael Ryan, PhD, MS, ’19, received ATSU-CGHS’ 2024 Adjunct of the Year award for kinesiology.
Jason Salas, MAEd, instructional designer, received ATSU-CGHS’ 2024 Outstanding Employee Award.
Daniel Smith, PhD, MBA, associate professor, public health, ATSU-CGHS, was awarded funding from the ATSU Community Health Workgroup Quality Improvement & Research Pilot Project Grant as primary investigator for an innovative community health project aligning with ATSU’s strategic focus on improving community health research outcomes.
Kathie Thomas, DHA, ’16, MPH, ’11, received ATSU-CGHS’ 2024 Adjunct of the Year award for health administration.
ATSU-CHC
Eric Sauers, PhD, ’97, dean and professor, was invited to serve as a member on the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce board of directors. His three-year term began July 1.
ATSU-KCOM
Sumitra Miriyala, PhD, MBA, MPH, FAHA, associate professor, anatomy, completed the Teaching & Learning Center’s (TLC) Level Up! certificate program to become an ATSU-certified health sciences educator. In addition, Dr. Miriyala graduated from the TLC’s 2024 Introduction to Educational Technology course.
ATSU-MOSDOH
Herbert Silva, DMD, FICD, assistant professor and director, dental comprehensive care unit, clinical education, received the Distinguished Humanitarian Award from the International College of Dentists during its 90th annual convocation in September.
ATSU-SOMA
Breanne M. Jaqua, DO, MPH, ’17, associate professor, clinical science education, was selected for the class of 2024 National Academy of Medicine Fellowship in Osteopathic Medicine.
Briana Langston was promoted to senior administrative assistant of continuing education.
Maurice Lee, MD, MPH, FAAFP, assistant professor, clinical science education, graduated from the Teaching & Learning Center’s 2024 Introduction to Educational Technology course.
Melchiorra Mangiaracina, DO, was promoted to course director of osteopathic principles & practice.