O.T. Wendel, Ph.D.

Dr. Wendel will oversee operations at the Arizona campus and work with Dr. Phelps as the president deems necessary.

What he brings to the position: Dr. Wendel became the first associate provost of ATSU’s Arizona campus in 1998, served as dean of the faculty until 2002 with the formation of ASHS, and has been effective in helping to build that campus. He earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Andrews Presbyterian College and master’s and Ph.D. degrees from Bowman Gray School of Medicine at Wake Forest University. He has taught at several institutions, including ATSU-KCOM. He also has served in teaching and high-level administrative positions elsewhere, including chancellor of the Chico Campus of Western University of Health Sciences.

Craig Phelps, D.O., ’84

This new position will fill a growing void in the university’s structure and will allow ATSU to take advantage of opportunities for expanding its role beyond two campuses. President Magruder established this position in order to extend the president’s strategic leadership in Arizona and Missouri, as well as nationwide and globally.

Kimberly O’Reilly, D.H.Ed., ’08

After graduating as part of SHM’s first class of D.H.Ed. students and serving two years as interim dean, Dr. O’Reilly officially assumes the role.

What she brings to the position: Dr. O’Reilly became SHM’s interim dean in 2008, after having joined the university in 2005. In this position, she has moved SHM forward by raising admission standards, establishing full-time faculty positions, and tightening curriculum requirements. She holds a doctorate of health education, a master’s degree in social work, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She practiced in the field of mental health for five years prior to entering higher education, and since 2004 has worked in online education teaching, creating assessment plans, developing and designing curriculum, developing programs and individualized education plans, and providing both faculty and student support services.

Barbara Maxwell, D.P.T., ’06

Vice dean of ATSU-ASHS since 2007, Dr. Maxwell takes over as interim dean for former dean Randy Danielsen, who left ATSU-ASHS for the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants Foundation at the end of June.

What she brings to the position: Dr. Maxwell has been with the university since 2003, beginning as associate professor of physical therapy. She holds a B.Sc. (Hon) in physiotherapy from the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland, a master’s degree in research methodology from King’s College (London University) in England, a certificate in teaching in higher education from Oxford Brookes University in England, and a doctor of physical therapy degree from ATSU. She held a research fellowship at the University of Kent, Canterbury, England.

Thomas McWilliams, D.O., FACOFP, ’76

SOMA’s founding associate dean takes over as interim dean for Dr. Wood, who will serve as the university’s new senior vice president – academic affairs.

What he brings to the position: A KCOM alumnus, Dr. McWilliams was an associate professor at KCOM for eight years, serving as regional dean for the Missouri Rural Region, section chief for Primary Care, department chair for Family Medicine, and numerous other roles. He has been the founding associate dean for two new osteopathic colleges. Having re-joined ATSU in 2006 as the second person hired at SOMA, Dr. McWilliams has been instrumental in the implementation of SOMA’s innovative curricular model. He has amassed a wide range of experience in and out of higher education, including four fellowships, extensive study overseas, and many years in different capacities as a physician in Alaska, including frontier medicine experiences in remote parts of Kodiak Island and the Aleutians. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona and his D.O. degree from KCOM.

Douglas L. Wood, D.O., Ph.D.

As the inaugural senior vice president – academic affairs, the former SOMA dean is now the university’s top academic leader.

What he brings to the position: Dr. Wood, former dean of the School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona, not only has held the SOMA post since 2005 but led the creation of the medical school, one of the most innovative in the nation. Previously, Dr. Wood was dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Michigan State University, and, in addition to holding numerous other leadership posts, has served as president of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, revitalizing that organization during his 11-year tenure. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, his D.O. degree from the Kansas City College of Osteopathic Medicine, and his Ph.D. from Wayne State University.

by Kathryn Stroppel & Heinz Woehlk

At ATSU, change is constant

From the university’s formation in 1996, to the addition of four schools, to a change in presidential leadership, ATSU constantly has striven to improve student learning, create a positive working environment, and communicate its mission within its own walls and to the outside world. This year, the result of days, weeks, and months of planning and restructuring has resulted in some of the most significant changes in the university’s history, changes that include leadership, centralizing data, working with local entities to recruit physicians, undertaking a formal strategic planning process, and achieving accreditation for programs.

by Lee Cashatt

Sound bytes from Deana Berrey

Deana Berrey, OMS IV, is one of five 2009 Preferred Merchants Scholarship winners. The scholarship fund, created in 1989, involves local merchants and professionals in an advertising/scholarship program to benefit area KCOM students. Berrey was selected based on her academic and leadership qualities. Currently on a four-week rotation at Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville in the pain clinic/anesthesiology, Berrey deftly juggles family and medical school. She shares how it’s done – with seriousness and silliness.

by Kathryn Stroppel

Student doctor donates bone marrow, extends a second chance.

During his first year of medical school at ATSU-KCOM, Chicago native Jonathan Terry, D.O., ’09, learned his father had acute myelogenous leukemia, AML.

Nothing short of a bone marrow transplant could save him.

by Kathryn Stroppel

Like many of SHM’s students, the majority of whom are working moms, Kenya Brown, M.H.Ed., ‘10, juggles numerous responsibilities. Mom to three girls, and researcher at a pharmaceutical research company, Brown says her online education allowed her to manage all her roles at her own convenience. She could make her own schedule, deciding when and where to study, and avoid latenight trips to the library thanks to the books and resources SHM offers online. “Everything is right at your fingertips,” she says.

Learn more about ASDOH dean, honored at SHM graduation

ATSU President Jack Magruder honored ASDOH Dean and 2010 SHM commencement speaker Jack Dillenberg, D.D.S., M.P.H., with a proclamation at the School of Health Management’s June commencement.