Great people, great plans
Posted: May 8, 2012
For the first time in nearly 30 years, the president of A.T. Still University will be a product of its own. Craig Phelps, DO, FAOASM, ’84, will become ATSU president effective July 1, 2012. Being a KCOM graduate, Dr. Phelps personifies the osteopathic philosophy of body, mind, and spirit, as well as the teamwork leadership style that provided him a strong foundation for his career. Dr. Phelps says that attending KCOM “changed my life.”
For Dr. Phelps, it’s about serving— serving ATSU’s students, faculty, staff, and constituents. And, in his 28-year history in serving ATSU, he has developed a deep understanding of the University and the healthcare field. In addition to teamwork, his beliefs in collegiality, collaboration, consensus, and administrative responsibility are the leadership philosophies he feels will help ATSU continue to do great things.
Dr. Phelps also understands the challenges ahead, not only for healthcare education, but also for the healthcare system as a whole. He believes it is the role of institutions such as ATSU to prepare students for these challenges.
Dr. Phelps plans to take ATSU to the next level and achieve the Board of Trustees’ vision of preeminence.
“It will be a discussion that occurs throughout the University, and we will all move together toward accomplishing those vision areas,” says Dr. Phelps.
Learn more about Dr. Phelps in our one on one Q&A session by clicking here.
As for Dr. Phelps’ immediate priorities, he plans to create a smooth leadership transition and to honor the work Dr. Magruder has done. His early role, he says, will include a great deal of listening. He wants to have a strong understanding of what is happening on both campuses, as well as overall accomplishments. He will work university-wide to identify priorities, how those priorities relate to the strategic plan, and how to move forward.
“If you have great people and great plans, a lot of the effort needs to be focused on continuing to develop those great people and great plans,” says Dr. Phelps, “and we have great people and great plans.”