ATSU-SHM to host 8th annual commencement

Many students to visit Kirksville for the first time to receive degrees

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – On June 5, A.T. Still University’s School of Health Management (ATSU-SHM) will graduate its latest class of master’s degree recipients in geriatric health, public health, health administration, and health education; and doctoral degree recipients in health education. The ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. at the Ophelia Parrish Fine Arts Center at Truman State University.

The school, which opened in 1999, seeks to meet the nation’s growing demand for administrators, managers, and teachers in healthcare settings.

“Spending a weekend with our graduates face to face is a rewarding experience,” said SHM Dean Kimberly O’Reilly, D.H.Ed., M.S.W. “These students have worked hard to meet their educational goals, and I am humbled to be the person who gets to shake their hands and congratulate them. As this class of outstanding men and women embark on their new journeys with fresh perspectives compliments of their ATSU degrees, I am confident they will help improve the state of healthcare and preventative health policy for many years to come.”

Jack Dillenberg, D.D.S., M.P.H., inaugural dean of ATSU’s Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health, located in Mesa, Ariz., will provide the keynote address. Dr. Dillenberg is recognized at local, state, and national levels as an expert in the area of public health leadership, health program development, social marketing, oral health issues, health center design, training of community health workers, community organizing, and lecture presentations.

Since SHM’s programs are delivered mostly online, many of its students have not visited ATSU’s Missouri campus. Following commencement and a luncheon/awards ceremony, graduates will have the opportunity to tour the campus.

“I am delighted with the fine professionals graduating from our health management programs and congratulate them on their achievements,” said ATSU President Jack Magruder. “I value each and every graduate of these high-quality online curricula and look forward to maintaining a relationship between them and A.T. Still University throughout their careers.”