A.T. Still University

A.T. Still University of Health Sciences (ATSU) is a non-profit, private, graduate school focusing on health sciences, as well as the world's first osteopathic medical school. Founded in 1892 by Andrew Taylor Still, DO, the school is based in Kirksville, Missouri, United States, with a second campus in Arizona. ATSU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The current and eleventh president of ATSU is Craig M. Phelps, DO.

ATSU includes two colleges and four schools that offer programs in osteopathic medicine, dentistry, and health management: the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, Arizona School of Health Sciences, the College of Graduate Health Sciences (formerly the School of Health Management), Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health, School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona, and the Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health.

History

The Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine was founded in 1892 (originally named American School of Osteopathy); the Arizona School of Health Sciences was founded in 1995; the College of Graduate Health Studies (ATSU-CGHS) was founded in 1999; the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health (ATSU-ASDOH) was founded in 2003; the School of Osteopathic Medicine Arizona (ATSU-SOMA) was founded in 2006. The ATSU-ASDOH clinic opened in 2005. The Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral health (ATSU-MOSDOH) was established in 2013.

Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM), as the original osteopathic model, has continued to distribute graduates at top levels to the rural and underserved areas of the nation in most need of physicians. ATSU-KCOM graduates train in a wide range of rural and urban locations. ATSU-SOMA is a new medical education model linking osteopathic training to the nation's Community Health Centers.

A unique partnership exists between ATSU and the National Association of Community Health Centers. In response to needs for primary care, the Physician Assistant Studies program was integrated into the initial Arizona campus plans. The ATSU-ASDOH implemented a unique model integrating state of the art training with patient care needs in Community Health Centers (CHCs). ATSU-SOMA works in partnership with eleven sites to integrate medical education with preparation for the most complex healthcare careers. A hometown program exists to offer an opportunity for medical students previously connected to CHCs to gain admission.

ATSU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA).

Mission

With providing the world's first osteopathic principles to medicine, ATSU states:

"A.T. Still University of Health Sciences serves as a learning-centered university dedicated to preparing highly competent professionals through innovative academic programs with a commitment to continue its osteopathic heritage and focus on whole person healthcare, scholarship, community health, interprofessional education, diversity, and underserved populations."

Campus and locations

ATSU occupies two campuses (Kirksville, Mo., and Mesa, Ariz.) on more than 200 acres with six schools offering programs in osteopathic medicine, dentistry, health sciences, and health management.

Missouri campus

ATSU’s main campus is located on 150 acres in Kirksville, Missouri. Kirksville’s population is more than 17,000 and is approximately 180 miles to Kansas City and 214 miles to St. Louis.

• Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine - ATSU-KCOM primarily trains osteopathic physicians and grants the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree. ATSU-KCOM also offers a two-year master’s degree in biomedical sciences for students interested in health science careers in medicine, education, or research. ATSU-KCOM’s DO curriculum includes four years of study. The first two years focus on the basic and clinical sciences including osteopathic theory and methods, in an academic setting at the Missouri campus. The third- and fourth-year clinical rotation experience is completed at sites in one of the rotation regions. These regions include Arizona, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Utah. The campus features a human patient simulation lab, study rooms for standardized patient encounters, classrooms, and labs.. It also houses the Gutensohn Clinic, the Museum of Osteopathic Medicine, the A.T. Still Memorial Library, the Northeast Missouri Area Health Education Center, and the A.T. Still Research Institute.

• The College of Graduate Health Studies - ATSU-CGHS was founded in 1999 on the Kirksville Campus. The College trains individuals in health administration, health education, health sciences, kinesiology and public health.

• Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health - ATSU-MOSDOH was established on the Missouri campus in 2013, with an initial class of 42 students that began classes in the fall of 2013. The School received initial accreditation from the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) in August 2013. Students spend their first two years studying on the Missouri campus. Third- and fourth-year clinical education will be based in St. Louis, with at least half of the fourth-year clinical experiences distributed in CHCs and other safety net clinics in Missouri and the Midwest.

Arizona campus

ATSU in Mesa, Arizona, was established in the 1990s and is located on a 59-acre campus. Mesa’s population is more than 400,000 and is approximately 25 miles from Phoenix.

• Arizona School of Health Sciences - ATSU-ASHS was founded in 1995, and was the first school to occupy ATSU’s second campus in Mesa, Arizona. The School offers a variety of allied health programs including athletic training, audiology, health sciences, human movement, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and physician assistant studies.
• Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health - ATSU-ASDOH, Arizona's first dental school, was added to the Arizona campus in 2003. The School offers a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree and certificate in orthodontics.
• School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona - ATSU-SOMA exclusively trains osteopathic physicians and offers the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree. ATSU-SOMA operates in a portion of an existing 100,000-square-foot (9,300 m2) building on the 22-acre (8.9 ha) campus of ATSU in Mesa, Ariz. The campus is the anchor of the Arizona Health and Technology Park, a 132-acre (53.4 ha) education, healthcare, and technology triangle owned by ATSU and Vanguard Health Systems. The master plan for the new park includes hospitals, long-term care facilities, professional offices, and product development research facilities.
• The Center of Advanced Oral Health at A.T. Still University's Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health in Mesa, Arizona provides special care dentistry for low-income patients.

Academic programs

ATSU currently has 30 graduate and post-professional programs among its schools.

Student life

ATSU has an average annual enrollment of more than 3,100 students from 35 countries. The University also has approximately 40 student organizations, and students to faculty is an 11:1 ratio. The Still-Well Student Wellness Program is designed to encourage students' health and wellness.

Faculty

ATSU has more than 200 full-time faculty. Faculty often receive external honors and recognition for their work and commitment to their profession. Internally, awards are given to employees on each campus for employee excellence and distinguished service.

Gallery

Notable alumni

• Thomas E. McWilliams, DO '76
• Craig Phelps, DO, previous provost and current president of A.T. Still University, and primary care team physician of the NBA Phoenix Suns.
• Frederick Smith, DO, a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio.
• S. S. Still, founder of Des Moines University, and nephew of Andrew Taylor Still.
• William Sutherland, DO
• Stephen Ward, DO
• Ralph Yates, DO, Chair of the American Diabetes Association's Research Foundation and Associate Clinical Professor of Family Medicine at Oregon Health Science University

See also

• List of dental schools in the United States
• List of medical schools in the United States
• Osteopathic medicine in the United States

References

External links

• Official website