“I congratulate these newest members of the Academy of Missouri Squires for this recognition of their many achievements on behalf of their communities and their state,” Gov. Jay Nixon said. The Governor and First Lady Georganne Wheeler Nixon hosted a luncheon of the Squires at the Governor’s Mansion today to announce the newest members.

The new members of the Academy of Missouri Squires are:

Frankie Freeman, a pioneer of the civil rights movement in Missouri and a national leader in advancing civil rights. Her legal work was instrumental in obtaining a 1954 court ruling to desegregate St. Louis public housing, and in 1964 she became the first African-American woman to serve on the U.S. Civil Rights Commission. In 2007, Ms. Freeman was inducted into the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame in Atlanta. At age 92, Ms. Freeman is still an active attorney in St. Louis and has practiced law in state and federal courts for more than 60 years.

Peter Herschend, founder and co-owner of Herschend Family Entertainment Corp. His family has owned and operated Silver Dollar City in Branson for almost 50 years, and Mr. Herschend has been a leader in Missouri’s travel and tourism industry. Herschend Family Entertainment has won several national awards for excellence in entertainment and tourism, as well as for distinction in environmental protection, at Silver Dollar City, at Dollywood, and at other Herschend Family Entertainment properties. Mr. Herschend has been a member of the Missouri State Board of Education since 1991 and currently serves as the board’s vice president.

Dr. Jack Magruder, president of A.T. Still University in Kirksville and a leader in higher education in Missouri for many years. A graduate of Truman State University, he served as president of the school for nine years, greatly increasing the school’s national profile for academic excellence. He previously served as the university’s vice president for academic affairs. The Kirksville Chamber of Commerce honored Dr. Magruder with its Hall of Fame award in 2003. Dr. Magruder serves as a member of the Community Advisory Committee for the Missouri Foundation for Health.

Mike Shannon, the longtime beloved radio broadcaster for the St. Louis Cardinals. A former player for the Cardinals, Mr. Shannon was a member of two teams (1964, 1967) that won the World Series Championship. In 1972, he joined the Cardinals’ radio broadcast team with Hall-of-Fame broadcaster, the late Jack Buck. Mike Shannon has kept Cardinal fans entertained and informed about their favorite team since 1972, and he was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 1999. In addition to his broadcasting work, he owns and operates a popular restaurant in downtown St. Louis.

The Academy of Missouri Squires is limited to 100 living members, and new Squires are chosen by members of the Academy. To qualify for Academy of Missouri Squires membership, the by-laws state that one must have achieved true greatness in his or her community, the state of Missouri or the United States; and either legally reside in Missouri, be employed by the state, or be a native-born Missourian whose current residence, by necessity of business or other reasons, may be outside the state.

The ranks of the Squires automatically include the Governor and living former Governors of Missouri. Among the first class of Squires in 1960 were Harry Truman, Thomas Hart Benton and Stan Musial. The names of the Squires in the Class of 2009 will be added to plaques on display in the first floor rotunda of the state Capitol.

As part of the AOA’s Greatness Campaign, AOA members nominated D.O.s, basic scientists, and laymen who have pioneered new frontiers for the osteopathic profession. Dr. Varidin, a 1954 KCOM graduate, was nominated by his peers for this honor that encompasses his career body of work.

“I had no previous knowledge of the award. This is the third year AOA is giving it out and to my knowledge, I am the only practical physician to win the award.” Dr. Varidin said. “They want to mimic pioneers like A.T. Still with this award. That is one hell of an honor.”

Dr. Varidin co-founded Warren General Hospital in Warren, Ohio, in 1956 and served as chief of staff in 1968. In 1972, he founded the Florida Society of American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, which continues to be the largest and most active family medicine society in America. Dr. Varidin also founded the Lake Eerie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton Branch in 2000. He has graduated more than 900 students, interns, and residents since 1984 as director of medical education at Northside Hospital/Heart Institute in St. Petersburg, Fla., and University General Hospital in Seminole, Fla.

Dr. Varidin served as a member of the KCOM Board of Trustees from 1983-88 and KCOM Alumni Board from 1978-85, where he served as president from 1983-84.

Dr. Varidin’s late son, Mark Varidin, graduated from KCOM in 1984, and his grandson Anthony De Lucia is a 2008 KCOM graduate.

Dr. Varidin continues to practice part-time and lives in Seminole, Fla.

Dr. Dillenberg addressed the need of both medical physicians and dentists to cross cultures in order to treat and prevent diseases such as heart disease and diabetes that can begin in the oral cavity. He minimized the idea of separating traditional medical and dental care and embraced the more comprehensive idea of a “health home.” Health homes are not only physical places, but also are accessible, family-centered, and compassionate partnerships that improve total body health.

With change often comes concern and Dr. Dillenberg talked about the barriers that come with a new way of thinking. He said that subject clarity, oral health priority, and insurance reimbursement provide obstacles to the new way of thinking, but stressed that industry pioneers cannot be afraid to take a risk and to take an active leadership role to transform society.

Dr. Dillenberg explained how ASDOH is taking a proactive approach by teaching this method within the University setting, as well as lining up internships across the country at health clinics to practice in a less traditional dental environment.

Dr. Dillenberg is the inaugural dean of ASDOH, which graduated its first class of dentists in 2007.

ATSU’s School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA) is grounded in osteopathic medicine, which focuses on wellness, prevention, and the integration of mind, body, and spirit. Andrew Taylor Still, M.D., D.O., is the father of osteopathic medicine and founder of the first college of osteopathic medicine, now A.T. Still University-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM).

SOMA’s four-year curriculum includes clinical experience in patient settings beginning in the first year. As a reflection of osteopathic philosophy, the curriculum emphasizes preventive medicine and comprehensive patient care. Most medical schools do not enter clinical training until their third year, following two years of basic sciences and clinical text studies. SOMA students are unique in that they continue basic science and clinical curriculum studies while interacting with patients in community health centers (CHCs) throughout the United States.

“Our students work alongside CHC faculty and are able to diagnose, treat, and educate patients on disease and disease prevention,” said Douglas Wood, D.O., Ph.D., dean of SOMA. “We believe that we are the right medical school at the right time. Healthcare reform is now focusing on prevention and individuals at risk for chronic diseases, but prevention and wellness always have been our focus, and we are preparing tomorrow’s healthcare providers to advocate personal health responsibility and prevention. We are also serving a population of individuals who may be medically uninsured or underinsured.”

In addition, CHCs offer students the opportunity to learn about and participate in disease collaboratives. The National Center for Disease Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion put together collaboratives for treating chronic diseases such as diabetes and asthma. The collaboratives—so named because CHCs nationwide participate in the protocols—are proving to be cost-effective and show a reduction in the frequency of hospital visits for patients with these chronic diseases. The collaboratives also allow outreach to populations who may be disproportionately affected by these diseases.

ATSU focuses on wellness and prevention among their employees as well. ATSU offers employees a chance to take personal responsibility for their health while also receiving a discount on their health insurance premium through the Still Healthy program. Still Healthy not only comprises a reduction in monthly premiums, but employees are also eligible for an annual reimbursement for participating in the program. All employees agree to attend four educational health programs per year, complete an online health assessment, and be a non-smoker or participate in a smoking cessation program. Additionally, all participants agree to a wellness exam paid 100 percent by ATSU.

“We understand that healthcare reform will probably advocate personal responsibility for being healthy, and we are already implementing wellness incentives for our employees to adopt healthy lifestyle behaviors,” said Tonya Watson, assistant director, human resources at ATSU in Arizona.

The recent addition of the East Valley Family YMCA on ATSU’s Arizona campus provides students, staff, and faculty with an added opportunity to focus on disease prevention and wellness. The YMCA opened October 24 and will partner with ATSU on programs that improve the health of ATSU employees and YMCA members.

ATSU had the highest graduation rate of all the top 25 institutions and ranked well for having a low overall student-to-faculty ratio. ATSU received high marks for its accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS), in addition to having program-specific accreditations through professional organizations. For example, the University’s Physician Assistant Studies program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

ATSU’s ranking placed it ahead of other popular online institutions, including the University of Phoenix, Capella University, and Walden University. “A.T. Still University has consistently proven itself to be a leading institution, both in terms of popularity and in the quality of education it provides its students. The University represents a fantastic distance learning opportunity for anyone interested in furthering their healthcare education,” stated Keith Cushner, project manager for Guide to Online Schools.

ATSU, with residential campuses in Kirksville, Mo., and Mesa, Ariz., was founded in 1892. The University offers graduate degree programs centered on whole person healthcare and other related healthcare fields, delivering courses through a variety of methods, including campus-based, blended learning, and online.

Guide to Online Schools in an authoritative online resource for distance education and career information. The site provides prospective students with school reviews, distance learning testimonials, in-depth career information, and the ability to connect directly with schools. Guide to Online School’s study is available at http://www.guidetoonlineschools.com/online-colleges, and is part of an annual review of all online schools presented on the website.

For more information, contact Keith Cushner of Guide to Online Schools at 425.605.8898 or keith@reachnetwork.com.