9 Missouri Founder’s Day events
Posted: January 17, 2012
ATSU celebrated with visiting alumni and the University community during Founder’s Day. Missouri campus activities began Sept. 29 and ended Oct. 1. The Arizona campus held its daylong event Dec. 9*.
*Arizona campus Founder’s Day will be covered in the summer issue of Still Magazine. The event was yet to take place at the time the spring issue went to press.
1. Meet and greet
Eager first- and second-year students encircled AOA President Martin S. Levine, D.O., ’80, M.P.H., ’03, asking cogent questions on emergent healthcare topics at a meet and greet session in the Centennial Commons.
The 11th of 17 family D.O.s, Dr. Levine offered the next generation advice on residencies and specialties, also asking them why they chose ATSU-KCOM.
“Because it’s ‘the Mecca’,” replied one.
“It’s the only place I interviewed where they seemed to actually care about me,” added another.
Dr. Levine also imparted this wisdom: “Always make your patient feel good before they leave the room. This creates a higher level of trust and builds your patient-doctor relationship.”
2. Thinking osteopathically: Fred C. Tinning, Ph.D., Founder’s Day Osteopathy Lecture
As AOA president, it is Dr. Levine’s goal to prove, practice, and promote “thinking osteopathically.” We can prove it, he says, by how well D.O.s treat patients; practice it by “always giving an OMT treatment to every patient;” and promote it through data that suggests better clinical outcomes from patients who see D.O.s.
Dr. Levine reinforced the caliber of physicians that schools and colleges of osteopathic medicine produce and apprised the audience that “people are talking about the osteopathic profession.” He shared that at a recent meeting with U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and others, that many were curious why and how osteopathic medical students were so well prepared at residency. “How do we produce better students, graduates, and physicians?” Dr. Levine asked. “Osteopaths have humanism built in,” he answered.
3. A.T. Still graveside ceremony
ATSU honored its founder at the newly renovated A.T. Still family gravesite. In collaboration with the City of Kirksville, the ground was leveled, stones reset, and a bench and memorial plaque added. ATSU President Jack Magruder and City Manager Mari Macomber cut the ribbon in recognition of the project’s near completion (additional improvements are being planned). A wreath was placed at the foot of the stone, as is tradition at the annual graveside ceremony.
“Dr. Still was humble, intellectual, and spiritual in his thinking. He had an honest desire and the competence to treat people and alleviate pain and suffering,” Dr. Magruder said.
4. All-campus meeting
A roomful of groups and individuals who have been instrumental in the osteopathic profession attended the Founder’s Day all-campus meeting. Board Chair Carl Bynum, D.O., M.P.H., ’75, gave a “state of the University” update, explaining that enrollment at all five schools is solid and that ATSU is financially firm and academically strong.
During a time of special recognition, alumni from the classes of ’86 and ’61 were honored, the 25-year class receiving engraved lapel pins and the 50-year class receiving gold medallions. The Kirksville Osteopathic Alumni Association (KOAA) presented its Distinguished Service Award to Francis M. “Bucky” and Georgia Walter. The award is given to alumni and friends of ATSU-KCOM and the KOAA who have provided outstanding service and/or financial support.
5. Sculpture dedication
The Museum of Osteopathic Medicine, SM held a dedication ceremony for its newest sculpture by local artist Brandon Crandall. The bronze statue, titled “A.T. Still Memorial Sculpture,” is detailed in the likeness of a tree that holds a plaque picturing Dr. A.T. Still. The sculpture is located in the Medicinal Plant Garden outside the museum, alongside Crandall’s other work of art, “Curiosity,” a bronze sculpture of a young boy.
Crandall shared his process in creating the sculpture, which was funded by the Freeman Foundation in honor of his late grandfather, Travis Freeman, a master gardener and long-time friend of ATSU. Freeman also funded the creation of “Curiosity,” as well as other garden improvements, in memory of his wife, Lucia.
6. Powder Puff football game
First- and second-year ladies battled it out on the field during the annual Powder Puff flag football game while the guys, dressed as gals, cheered from the sidelines. The second-years won, scoring 39-6.
7. Still-A-Bration
Nearly 700 guests attended the Still-A-Bration barbecue, talent showcase, and bonfire. Paul Buttars, OMS II, hosted the talent showcase and opened the show singing and playing his guitar. Between acts, the Surgical Club sponsored the “Pie Your Professor” event. Tickets were raffled allowing lucky winners to put a pie in the faces of Drs. William Sexton, Robert Baer, Maria Evans, and Eric Snider, as well as Dan Martin. Proceeds from the pie event benefited the St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
8. CE program
ATSU’s Office of Continuing Education (CE) held its annual Founder’s Day program titled “Entrapment Syndromes,” which offered an update for healthcare professionals wishing to address nerve-related issues and incorporate osteopathic techniques into their patient care.
Approximately 110 physicians from across the nation and beyond attended the program and participated in activities such as the popular “Evening with the Stars.” At “Evening with the Stars,” nearly 100 student doctors interacted with practicing clinicians, learning new osteopathic manipulative treatment techniques.
Participants also enjoyed a special presentation by Marika Jevbratt, D.O. (Europe). Dr. Jevbratt, vice chair of the Swedish Osteopathic Association, shared highlights of the history of osteopathic medicine in Sweden.
9. Founder’s Day run
A total of 117 people participated in ATSU’s 5k-run/1-mile walk, hosted by the Thompson Campus Center. Truman State University student Josiah Belzer won the 5k with a time of 17:46, and Courtney Gray, OMS III, won the overall female category with a time of 22:29.