67 earned master of public health (MPH) degrees, 36 earned doctor of education in health professions (EdD) degrees, 26 earned doctor of health administration (DHA) degrees, 26 earned doctor of health sciences (DHSc) degrees, 15 earned master of science in kinesiology (MSK) degrees, three earned master of health sciences (MHSc) degrees, three earned doctor of nursing practice degrees (DNP), two earned master of education in health professions (MEd) degrees, and one earned a master of health administration (MHA) degree.

Jeffrey L. Alexander, PhD, FAACVPR, ACSM-CEP, professor, Health Sciences, served as the ceremony’s grand marshal, while the commencement address was delivered by Kyle Smith, DO, EdD, FACP, FASDIN, ’23, founding medical director and clinical assistant professor, Tarleton State University.

Additional speakers included ATSU-CGHS Dean Marisa Hastie, EdD, MS, ACSM EP-C, PN-1, FACSM, Gaylah Sublette, MBA, president, ATSU’s Missouri campus, and Danielle Barnett-Trapp, DO, FACOFP, ’11, who delivered the Board of Trustees greeting.

ATSU Chancellor Craig Phelps, DO, ’84, provided closing remarks.

Watch the full ceremony and check out more photos below!

ATSU-KCOM awarded 161 students their doctor of osteopathic medicine degrees, while two students graduated from ATSU-KCOM’s master of science in biomedical sciences program.

William F. Brechue, PhD, professor and chair, Department of Physiology, ATSU-KCOM, served as grand marshal. After 37 years in higher education, Dr. Brechue will be retiring from the University in June.

Susan L. Thomas, PhD, president, Truman State University, was the recipient of the 2026 Chancellor’s Medallion Distinguished Service Award. Dr. Thomas was recognized for her outstanding service and support to healthcare and the osteopathic profession. Under her leadership, Truman State University has been a valued partner to ATSU and a cornerstone of Kirksville’s higher education legacy.

David L. Rhoiney, DO, FACS, ’14, vascular surgery fellow, Emory University, former department head of surgery, U.S. Navy, served as commencement speaker and was awarded an honorary doctor of science in osteopathy degree. 

Speakers also included ATSU-KCOM Dean Margaret Wilson, DO, ’82, Gaylah Sublette, MBA, president, ATSU’s Missouri campus, and Jonathan Cleaver, DO, FAOCD, FAAD, FASMS, ’08, who delivered the Board of Trustees greeting. ATSU Chancellor Craig Phelps, DO, ’84, provided closing remarks.

Watch the complete commencement ceremony and check out more photos below!

Teresa A. Dolan, DDS, MPH, vice president and chief clinical officer, Dentsply Sirona, senior advisor and former chief dental officer, Overjet, delivered this year’s commencement address. Dr. Dolan urged graduates to lead with compassion and innovation to drive meaningful change for underserved patients and communities. 

Speakers included Donald S. Altman, DDS, DHSc, EdD, ’12, interim dean, professor, ATSU-MOSDOH, Gaylah Sublette, MBA, president, ATSU Missouri campus, and Jonathan Cleaver, DO, FAOCD, FAAD, FASMS, ’08, who delivered the Board of Trustees greeting. ATSU Chancellor Craig Phelps, DO, ’84, provided closing remarks.

Watch the full commencement ceremony and view more photos below!

Dr. Burch joins the 2026-2027 cohort in September with the opening symposium in Washington. 

The AGB Institute for Leadership and Governance is designed for innovative, adaptive leaders who have a passion for higher education, a drive to serve, and a commitment to shaping the future of the education sector.

The six-month institute is composed of challenging symposia, interactive online workshops, and one-on-one mentoring connecting participants with top higher education leaders to discuss challenges facing institutions of higher learning. 

Dr. Geoghegan was recognized at an awards ceremony on Apr. 27 at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix. She was honored with the award for her excellent community engagement and patient care.

The milestone recognized 16 students and their transition from didactic and clinical training in Arizona to full-time clinical training at locations across the country, reflecting the dedication they have shown throughout their first year.

Check out more photos below!

The Sullivan County Health Department Board of Trustees and Administrator Deborah Taylor announced the appointment. Hillerman will serve in the interim role through July 31, at which point she will officially assume the permanent administrator position following Taylor’s retirement.

Hillerman joins the Sullivan County Health Department with a public health and nursing background spanning nearly 30 years, including 26 years devoted specifically to public health service. Her professional experience includes work in communicable disease management, epidemiology, emergency preparedness, women, infants, and children services, public health initiatives in educational settings, and regional leadership responsibilities.

The award-winning study investigated how quickly secondary school athletes receive an evaluation from an athletic trainer following an acute injury. Drawing on data from ATSU’s Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network, the team found that while nearly half of injured athletes were seen on the same day, meaningful disparities existed based on athlete sex, sport level, and the setting where the injury occurred. 

The research was featured at a national NATA press conference on youth sport safety in January 2025. Dr. Lam and his co-authors, Madison N. Renner, Emily C. Srygler, Stephanie N. Adler, Jennifer S. Chambers, and David R. Bell, will formally accept the award at the NATA Annual Meeting in Philadelphia in June.

This recognition marks the fourth time Dr. Lam has been a named author on a Clint Thompson Award-winning manuscript, a distinction that speaks to his exceptional and sustained contributions to athletic training scholarship. Faculty in the Departments of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences and Athletic Training have now received this honor eight times dating back to 2008.

In observance of Memorial Day, ATSU offices and patient care centers in Kirksville, Missouri; Mesa, Arizona; Santa Maria, California; and St. Louis, Missouri, will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2026. Facility access will be limited.

The Kirksville Thompson Campus Center will be closed on Sunday, May 24, and Monday, May 25.

Please click here to view library hours at each location.

Yours in service,

Craig M. Phelps, DO, ’84
Chancellor

All proceeds from the tournament went to ATSU’s GPS Scholarship Fund, a focused initiative supporting students whose life experiences align with ATSU’s mission. Recipients are selected based on academic achievement, financial need, and commitment to their profession.

Interested in supporting ATSU’s Graduate Health Professions Scholarship fund? Click here to donate. All outright gifts are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Check out more photos from the tournament below!