President’s Perspective – September 2015
Posted: September 3, 2015
Altruism During the past 12 months, A.T. Still University (ATSU) had more than its share of students, faculty, staff, and associated loved ones affected by health, financial, and additional challenges. Whether facing a student’s home destroyed by fire, an employee injured or ill, or passing of a loved one or classmate, it was humbling and comforting to see the compassionate and generous response by the ATSU community. From visiting a co-worker in the hospital to making sure a child had a place to sleep, I witnessed many acts of altruism by faculty, staff, students, alums, and community members. Thank you. Many of you are aware ATSU is recognized as a “2015 Great College to Work For” by The Chronicle of Higher Education. Kudos to all contributing to ATSU’s culture, mission, and vision. We are reminded of the importance of our work each day when interacting with peers, students, patients, alums, and community stakeholders. Moving forward we will continue to make ATSU an even better place to learn and work. 2015-16 annual goals 1. Create a simplified access point for University data distribution. While ATSU has many successful data gathering means, knowing whom to contact to access data can be challenging. Norman Gevitz, PhD, senior vice president–academic affairs, and John Heard, PhD, vice president for research, grants, & information systems, will lead exploration of a feasible solution. 2. Refine ATSU’s vision of preeminence. What does preeminence for ATSU look like and how do we measure it? Ted Wendel, PhD, senior vice president for strategic initiatives, and Dr. Gevitz will be gathering input from faculty and staff on this important topic. 3. Improve life-work balance. Today more than ever, technology’s 24/7 access, regulatory oversight, increasing competition, and even global events weigh heavily on us. How may ATSU better address the whole person needs of our faculty, staff, and students? We will look to Human Resources and Student Affairs to facilitate discussions across ATSU, explore best practices, and develop a list of suggestions for implementation. My first step will be to eliminate sending non-emergency emails during evenings, weekends, and holidays. I look forward to hearing your suggestions. 2014-15 goals updates Innovation Thank you, Ann Boyle, DMD, MA, associate vice president, academic innovations, for putting together a comprehensive white paper. Innovation is alive and well at ATSU with many opportunities moving forward. As mentioned previously, ATSU is investing $250,000 for faculty led innovation projects through the Teaching and Learning Center. Please read ATSU’s innovation white paper (pdf). Clinical rotations and residencies Leonard Goldstein, DDS, PhD, assistant vice president, clinical education development, completed analysis of ATSU’s clinical rotations and residencies. Dr. Goldstein will continue working with Dr. Gevitz, deans, and ATSU-Arizona School of Health Sciences’ (ATSU-ASHS) program chairs to assist with implementation of best practices and further development of clinical rotations and residencies. Please read a summary of findings on clinical rotations and residencies (pdf). Global initiatives The Global Health White Paper Committee found students, faculty, and staff are involved with many worthwhile global projects. ATSU will implement the committee’s recommendations to develop policies and processes to help assure global experiences meet University safety and academic standards, program accreditation guidelines, and Department of Education requirements. Please read a summary of findings and recommendations and list of committee members (pdf). ATSU website progress Redevelopment of ATSU’s website has been progressing steadily, including new pages recently published for Continuing Education and Student Financial Services. Behind-the-scenes infrastructure development has moved the project past the half-way point, and new pages will soon be available for Student Affairs, ATSU’s School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona, and ATSU-ASHS’ residential programs. Reminders Please don’t forget ATSU’s idea box. We have received many great ideas and comments. ATSU’s fraud hotline To further ATSU’s commitment to integrity and excellence, a free, anonymous, third-party reporting hotline is available to all students and employees. This service allows any student or employee to report situations or behavior compromising the University’s integrity, all while maintaining his or her confidentiality. Call Fraud Hotline’s 24-hour service at 1.855.FRAUD.HL (1.855.372.8345), or use the secure online reporting form at www.fraudhl.com. 2016-20 Strategic Plan ATSU’s Board of Trustees received the latest version of the 2016-20 Strategic Plan for review in preparation of their July 2015 meeting. Final comments are expected by September 30, 2015. Publication and distribution is anticipated by December 15, 2015. ATSU-ASHS’ distance and residential commencements On August 7, 2015, more than 400 graduates received their degrees. Since 1995 we are proud to have graduated close to 8,000 ATSU-ASHS alumni. Brig. Gen. Kerry Muehlenbeck, PhD, served as commencement speaker for both graduations and received an honorary ATSU degree, doctor of humane letters.
Dr. Muehlenbeck is the first female brigadier general in the Arizona National Guard.
Board of Trustees changes The ATSU Board of Trustees met July 24-25, 2015, in Rockport, Maine, recognized leaving members, and appointed new officers. New trustees will be announced in the near future. Officers for 2015-16 are G. Scott Drew, DO, FAOCD, ’87, of Marion, Ohio, chair; Ann Thielke, RN, JD, of Houston, Texas, vice chair; and Daniel Biery, DO, FACOI, FACG, FASGE, ’72, of Phelps, N.Y., secretary. We will deeply miss four board members representing 28 combined years of University board experience. Manuel Bedoya, DMD; Clyde Evans, PhD; Ron Winkler; and Isaac Navarro, DMD, MPH, ’08, thank you for all you did and will continue to do for ATSU. Faculty and staff accomplishments (as of August 31, 2015) Congratulations on recent promotions Please read the complete list of employee promotions (pdf). Accomplishment kudos Please read the complete list of accomplishment kudos (pdf). Well wishes to faculty and staff celebrating anniversary milestones Please read the complete list of employee anniversaries (pdf). In appreciation Thank you to all who have helped ATSU become a great place to work, learn, and live. Best wishes for a happy and healthy fall. Yours in service, 
Craig M. Phelps, DO, ’84 President