A.T. Still University Board of Trustees appoints officers, elects new trustees
A.T. Still University of Health Sciences (ATSU) Board of Trustees appointed officers and elected new members at its quarterly meeting July 21, 2023.
 
The following trustees were elected as officers: Chair Herb B. Kuhn, of Lohman, Missouri; Vice Chair Isaac R. Navarro, DMD, MPH, ’08, of Visalia, California; and Secretary Michelle L. Mayo, PhD, of Marina, California.
 
Newly elected trustees are John R. Thurman Jr., DO, ’12, of Burlington, Iowa, and Michael Torgan, MBA, NHA, of Los Angeles, California.
 
An accomplished seven-year, active-duty U.S. Army officer with combat experience and double board-certified family medicine physician, Dr. Thurman earned his bachelor of science degree in systems engineering from the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point and his doctor of osteopathic medicine degree from ATSU’s Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kirksville, Missouri. He completed a family medicine residency at MacNeal Hospital, Berwyn, Illinois, and was nominated chief resident in 2014. Currently, Dr. Thurman is a physician for Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center, Fort Madison campus, in Fort Madison, Iowa. Prior to this role, he worked at Great River Health in Burlington, Iowa, and at the University of Chicago Medicine in Chicago. He has experience in healthcare performance improvement, information technology, operational planning, osteopathic manipulative medicine, and sports medicine. In addition, he has served as medical director for hospice, rehabilitative services, and nursing homes. He recently joined the USMA class of 2027 for the 14-mile Graduate March Back to West Point. Among his many honors, Dr. Thurman was nominated for physician excellence at Great River Health for going above and beyond in patient care. He is currently a nominee for Iowa Family Medicine Physician of the Year.
 
Mr. Torgan is a healthcare executive with more than 30 years’ experience, spending much of his career in post-acute care. He currently serves as chief operating officer for Bespoke Healthcare Management, an integrated healthcare organization, and chief transformation officer for Mission Community Hospital in California’s San Fernando Valley. Mr. Torgan earned his bachelor of arts degree in molecular biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and his master of business administration degree from Boston University Graduate School of Management. He is also certified in healthcare management. Additionally, Mr. Torgan’s healthcare experience covers a broad spectrum, including behavioral healthcare, senior care, medical group management, value-based purchasing, hospital operations, healthcare business start-ups, and healthcare manufacturing. He is a recognized speaker on the topics of leadership, operations, quality, compliance, healthcare trends, and care delivery models. He has been an active participant in government relations at state and federal levels, including serving on the California Health Information Technology Advisory Commission and California AB 1629 Payment Advisory Task Force. In 2010, he was the recipient of the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living Joe Warner Patient Advocacy Award.
 
“We are honored Dr. Thurman and Mr. Torgan have agreed to join our outstanding Board of Trustees and welcome their insights, knowledge, and experiences,” said ATSU President Craig M. Phelps, DO, ’84. “Their willingness to serve and guide ATSU will strengthen the University’s contributions to health professions education.”
 
“The ATSU board continues to grow with exceptional individuals who will aid in furthering the University’s mission of educating future healthcare clinicians and leaders,” said Kuhn. “Our new trustees bring a range of new, diverse insights and experiences. We are excited to work with them.”
 
The following trustees will continue their service on the board: Rosie Allen-Herring, MBA, of Washington, D.C.; Danielle Barnett-Trapp, DO, ’11, of Glendale, Arizona; Reid Butler, JD, of Phoenix, Arizona; Marco Clark, EdD, of South Bend, Indiana; Jonathan Cleaver, DO, FAOCD, FAAD, FASMS, ’08, of Kirksville, Missouri; Linda Eremita, MUA, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; Alan Morgan, MPA, of Stafford, Virginia; Kimberly Perry, DO, MBA, MHCM, FACEP, FACOEP, ’91, of St. Louis, Missouri; Linnette Sells, DO, FAOASM, ’82, of Fernandina Beach, Florida; Floyd Simpson, CFA, CAIA, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Bertha Thomas of Kirksville, Missouri; and Felix M. Valbuena Jr., MD, DABFM, FAAFP, of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
 
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About A.T. Still University of Health Sciences
Established in 1892 by A.T. Still, DO, the founder of osteopathic medicine, A.T. Still University of Health Sciences (ATSU) began as the nation’s first college of osteopathic medicine and has evolved into a leading university of health sciences comprised of a growing community with a rich history in education and osteopathic healthcare. Today, ATSU offers certificates and master’s degrees across health disciplines; and doctorates in athletic training, audiology, health administration, education, health sciences, medical science, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, dental medicine, and osteopathic medicine.