A.T. Still University (ATSU) of Health Sciences is the founding institution of osteopathic healthcare, established in 1892 by Andrew Taylor Still, DO. As a leading health sciences university, ATSU is comprised of three campuses (Mesa, Arizona; Santa Maria, California; and Kirksville, Missouri) on more than 200 acres with seven prestigious schools. The culturally rich learning environments include residential and online healthcare related graduate degrees as well as community-based partnerships worldwide. ATSU has more than 1,300 employees dedicated to its not-for-profit mission and an average annual enrollment of over 3,900 students from 20 countries.

ATSU is renowned for its preeminence as a multidisciplinary healthcare educator. The University is focused on integrating the founding tenets of osteopathic medicine and the advancing knowledge of today's science. ATSU continually earns distinctions as the graduate health sciences university with best-in-class curriculum and a community outreach mission to serve the underserved. The University has a rich history of leadership in both healthcare education and correlated research.

ATSU instills within students the compassion, experience and knowledge required to address the whole person and shape healthcare in communities where needs are greatest. Inspired to influence whole person healthcare, ATSU graduates contribute to the future of integrated care while also leading with a selfless passion in the communities they serve.

A.T. Still University of Health Sciences serves as a learning-centered university dedicated to preparing highly competent professionals through innovative academic programs with a commitment to continue its osteopathic heritage and focus on whole person healthcare, scholarship, community health, interprofessional education, diversity, and underserved populations.

The Military Friendly Schools designation is awarded to the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools in the country that are doing the most to embrace military students, and to dedicate resources to ensure their success in the classroom and after graduation.

ATSU received the Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine for 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021. The HEED Award and the Health Professions HEED Award are the only national awards that honor individual institutions for being outstanding examples of colleges, universities, or health profession schools that are committed to making diversity and inclusion a top priority across their campuses.

A.T. Still University's (ATSU) integrated learning platform includes the principles of evidence-based medicine (EBM) alongside ATSU's founding tenets of whole person healthcare. Students learn not only in the classroom but also in actual practice settings. The elements of evidence-based medicine can be applied to any patient treatment-oriented practice field, allowing medical and healthcare workers to provide each patient with current treatment options based on the latest, most clinically relevant research including clinical trial results.

Evidence-based medicine is defined as 'the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best medicine in making decisions about the care of individual patients. The practice of evidence-based medicine means integrating individual clinical expertise with the best available external clinical evidence from systematic research' according to David L. Sackett, pioneer of evidence-based medicine, and his colleagues.

Studies suggest our need for best evidence occurs twice in every three outpatient visits and up to five times per inpatient visit. The amount of new medical information formed daily is overwhelming. It is impossible to know everything. With this rapid formation of data, familiar sources such as textbooks are out of date by the time they reach the shelf. The development of online EBM tools and journals containing pre-analyzed articles help individual providers keep current.

Evidence-based medicine is not a new concept. The term evidence-based medicine was coined in 1992 by a group at McMaster University, but clinicians have always used evidence to make decisions about patient care. The evidence just may not have been the 'best' evidence due to any number of reasons.

Some fear that EBM is an example of cookbook medicine, a way to cut costs of health care, or a way to keep patients from receiving the care they deserve. None of these fears is true. There will never be one recipe that fits all patients, and as stated clearly in the definitions above, EBM involves integration of clinical expertise and individual patient values. In some cases, the results of EBM may cut costs by eliminating unnecessary procedures or treatments; however there also may be situations where it is the expensive procedure or treatment that provides the best results for patients. Along that same line, practicing EBM is a way to eliminate unnecessary expenditure which, in theory, would allow more money to decrease the treatment and diagnostic disparities present in today's society.

Many can agree with the concept of EBM but are unsure that it can be practiced in a busy clinic. In reality, it is those busy clinicians who can benefit the most from the growth of EBM. As the search engines become quicker and the number of secondary sources grows, it will be easier than ever to find the answer to a clinical question that arises from a 15-minute office visit.

This website is made possible by the Academic Administrative Units in Primary Care grant D54HP05442 between A.T. Still University-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Bureau of Health Professions, Division of Medicine. Margaret A. Wilson, D.O., is the project director.

The use of the A.T. Still University (ATSU) - Evidence-Based Medicine website is intended to serve as a structured set of guidelines to improve clinical practice. ATSU and its affiliates shall not be held liable for any hardships suffered or incurred as a direct or indirect result of the use or misuse of the information presented in this website, including but not limited to damage to or loss of personal property, sickness or injury from whatever source, legal entanglements, imprisonment, death, or loss of money. As with all information, the material presented in this website should be critically evaluated by the user before being implemented in a clinical setting.

The information presented on this website comes from a variety of sources, including not only official ATSU departments, but also unofficial sources and individuals. Although every effort is made to present current and accurate information, ATSU does not author or edit all of the pages presented here and therefore cannot assume responsibility for all information. The author of each web page is responsible for the content of that page and is expected to abide by organizational policies and local, state, and federal laws.

The best of education is represented in Kirksville. Among the notable colleges and other institutions of higher learning, Kirksville is the home of osteopathic medicine and the world's first osteopathic university - A.T. Still University - founded by Andrew Taylor Still, DO, in 1892. Steeped in tradition and infused with innovation while always highlighting the importance of community, the city is located in northeastern Missouri in a growing city of nearly 20,000 residents. Kirksville is a thriving college community, offering a low cost of living and a high quality of life. Kirksville residents enjoy a variety of cultural activities that appeal to a wide range of tastes. On Saturday mornings from May through October, local farmers' markets offer fresh fruits and vegetables during the prime growing season. For outdoor recreationists, a state park, five conservation areas, and three large lakes are just a few miles away with camping, swimming, and boating facilities. For those who prefer to stay active in the city, a sports complex, YMCA, aquatic center, and neighborhood parks are available for public use. Kirksville also is host to several festivals and offers one-of-a-kind shopping opportunities, especially in the historic downtown area, not to mention many dining options.

Progressive, vibrant, and diverse, Mesa, Ariz., is the state's third largest city. It is nestled in the Valley of the Sun, boasting more than 300 days of sunshine every year. More than 468,012 residents call this dynamic urban setting their home, complete with a first-class business environment, highly educated work force, and quality of life that appeals to a variety of lifestyles.

Andrew Taylor Still, DO, was born Aug. 6, 1828, in a log cabin in Lee County, Va. Around 1853, he decided to become a physician. It was common practice in those days for an aspiring doctor to train by studying medical books and working with a practicing physician in this case, his father. He may have received additional, formal training at a school in Kansas City, but no records remain to establish where and when this training took place.

In 1864, Dr. Still returned from the Civil War and faced a grave personal crisis. Earlier that year, an epidemic of spinal meningitis had swept through the area and killed three of his children. He had already lost his first wife, Mary Vaughan, to childbirth complications; a month after the epidemic, the daughter born to his second wife, Mary Elvira Turner, died of pneumonia. His inability to save his family, coupled with his grim experiences as a Civil War doctor, led Dr. Still to reject most of what he had learned about medicine and search for new and better methods.

Dr. Still 's explorations were grounded in the study of anatomy. Having grown up as a hunter and farmer, he had a basic understanding of the structural relationships of bones, muscles, and organs knowledge he now extended through the study of human skeletons. He became convinced that most diseases could be alleviated or cured without drugs. The key was to find and correct anatomical deviations that interfered with the free flow of blood and 'nerve force' in the body.

From the beginning, Dr. Still met with considerable opposition to his new theories and techniques. The local church denounced his claims of hands-on healing as sacrilegious. His brothers were embarrassed by his outspoken questioning of medical tradition; they criticized his willingness to risk his livelihood by driving away patients and to neglect his family and farm in pursuit of his 'crazy' ideas. When Dr. Still asked to present his ideas at Baker University, which his family had helped to establish in the 1850s, school officials refused him permission. In 1874, Dr. Still decided to leave Kansas and travel to Macon, Mo., where he hoped his ideas would be better received. They were not, and after a few months of trying, Dr. Still moved north to Kirksville. There he finally began to find some acceptance, enough to open an office on the town square in March 1875. Advertising himself as a magnetic healer and a 'lightning bonesetter' and traveling to towns as far away as Hannibal, Dr. Still slowly built up his reputation. Word spread about the doctor whose system of drugless, manipulative medicine - officially named 'osteopathy' in 1885 - was able to cure many apparently hopeless cases.

Finding he had more patients than he could handle, Dr. Still trained his children and a few others to assist him in his practice. Finally, there were enough people who wanted to learn his methods that he was persuaded to start a school. The American School of Osteopathy was founded in Kirksville in 1892 in a two-room frame building. The first class of five women and 16 men including three of Still's children and one of his brothers graduated in 1894. That institution is known today as A.T. Still University, the first osteopathic university in the world that now is the preeminent leader of whole person healthcare education.

Note: Graduation rates for online programs are figured 5 years after matriculation for online programs masters degrees (2015-16) and 7 years after matriculation for doctorate (2013-14). Residential program grad rates are figured 3 years after matriculation for residential programs masters degree (2018 matriculates) and 5 years after matriculation for doctorate (2016 matriculates). More detailed outcome data can be found on School and College webpages. Graduation rate calculations on webpages may vary from those below due to discipline accreditation directives regarding timing and formulas.

Osteopathic medicine is a unique form of American medical care that was developed in 1874 by Andrew Taylor Still, DO, founder and namesake of A.T. Still University (ATSU), the world's first osteopathic medical school. Dissatisfied with 19th century healthcare, Dr. Still founded a philosophy of medicine based on ideas that date back to Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, and which focuses on the unity of the body. Dr. Still pioneered the concept of wellness and identified the musculoskeletal system as a key element of health.

'Over the past few years, osteopathic medicine 's traditional principles and practices (especially those focused on patient-centered, preventive care) have been heralded as central features of the kind of health care system that reform efforts aim to implement,' states Stephen C. Shannon, DO, MPH, President, American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine. 'In other words, osteopathic medical schools are educating the kind of physicians this country needs, and that fact is being increasingly recognized throughout the nation.'

Today, osteopathic physicians and allied health professionals are one of the fastest growing segments of healthcare providers. They are on the cutting-edge of modern medicine, able to combine technology with compassion and their holistic approach to treating the body, mind, and spirit that provides thorough care for each patient.

Osteopathic physicians can choose any specialty, prescribe drugs, perform surgeries, and practice medicine anywhere in the United States. DOs must complete the same amount of schooling and meet the same licensing requirements as MDs, with approximately 200 additional hours of training in osteopathic manipulative medicine.

DOs are prominent in both primary care and specialty areas of medicine, including family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, neurosurgery, cardiology, radiology, dermatology, and neuromusculoskeletal medicine. At ATSU, they have a passion to give back and meet unmet community healthcare needs in underserved and rural settings. Students become among the most dedicated physicians and allied health professionals, the wisest of mentors, and the most enthusiastic leaders who are inspired to change the future of medicine.

At ATSU, students and faculty are part of a distinguished heritage of humanistic healthcare based on an integrated approach that includes the body, mind, and spirit of each patient. All three elements work in tandem to provide a more thorough and highly personalized healthcare delivery model that promotes wellness and meets the health needs of each patient. This approach distinguishes ATSU for innovation in post-graduate healthcare education. Graduates become compassionate leaders proposing global health solutions and meeting unmet community health needs.

Each program, from audiology to dentistry, family practice to public health, integrates the principles of whole person healthcare into its curriculum and emphasizes the important role of health education, health coaching, and well-coordinated treatment plans that foster collaboration with each patient.

Integrated, experiential learning forms the base of ATSU's educational foundation. Each student is encouraged to participate in a wellness program, to study nutrition, psychology, and problem-based learning, and to join in the many co-curricular activities that bring faculty and students together not only to optimize learning but also to enlighten and inspire.

Beginning in October 2019, a 21-member strategic planning committee initiated development of ATSUs 2021-2028 Strategic Plan. The final document represents many hours of thoughtful collaboration among faculty, staff, students, trustees, and external stakeholders.

A.T. Still University is an institutional participant in the National Council for State Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA) initiative. The listing for A.T. Still University of Health Sciences may be found under the Kirksville, Missouri campus at http://www.nc-sara.org/states/mo.

As a member of NC-SARA, ATSU complies with stated guidelines that meet all current individual state mandates regarding online education. ATSU regularly reviews changes in state laws that may not be included in the SARA agreement and is unaware of any non-compliance. ATSU is committed to maintaining the required compliance. However, the variability of state processes and the lack of a formal system of notification may result in unexpected delays. Online student complaint process may be found on the SARA site at https://nc-sara.org/student-complaints.

Each student enrolled in any ATSU program, including online programs, signs a letter prior to matriculation that clearly states the cost of the program and the refund policy. This letter has been reviewed by numerous state educational authorities and has been recognized as satisfying the rights of students to understand program cost and their right to refunds.

Students with complaints or concerns are encouraged to first utilize the University's internal complaint or review policies as noted in the student's school/program catalog. If the issue cannot be resolved internally, students may also file a complaint with the appropriate state agency your current state of residence (listed below).

The U.S. Department of Education requires disclosure to consumers residing in all U.S. states. The list below provides contact information for all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. It should not be construed as informative of agency regulation, where an institution is licensed or in which states an institution is required to be licensed.

District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education Higher Education Licensure Commission 1050 First St. NE, Fifth Floor Washington, DC 20002 https://helc.osse.dc.gov/topic/helcadmin/community-stakeholders/public-complaints

Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau Schools & Licensing Section P.O. Box 30018 Lansing, MI 48909 https://www.michigan.gov/leo/0,5863,7-336-94422_2739---,00.html

Tennessee Higher Education Commission 404 James Robertson Parkway, Suite 1900 Nashville, TN 37243 http://reportcenter.thecb.state.tx.us/agency-publication/blank-forms-templates/student-complaints-form/

ATSU offers mechanisms for resolution of complaints arising out of academic, non-academic, administrative, or behavioral concerns. Each process is designed to help ensure the safety, security, and fair treatment of all students. ATSU encourages informal resolution through direct communication with the individuals involved, whenever possible. In instances where informal resolution as described below is unsatisfactory or there is a specific complaint process, concerns are elevated to formal complaints. Students should consult with Student Affairs if they are unsure about where or how to address a concern.

Informal complaints (i.e. concerns or expressions of dissatisfaction or disagreement) should be handled through direct communication (i.e. conversation, email, letter) between the student and the individual or office involved.

ATSU recognizes students rights to express general complaints and seek solutions to problems arising from complaints, disagreements with faculty/administrators, or different interpretations of ATSU policy. Some concerns may involve course grades, promotion, financial concerns, etc. The procedure for expressing a general complaint that does not fall under the Code of Academic Conduct; Code of Behavioral Standards; Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Grievance procedures; or FERPA follows:

General complaints should include the nature of the complaint, requested outcomes, and a description of previous attempts to resolve the issue informally. Students should expect a preliminary response from the appropriate office/unit within ten (10) business days of receipt of the general complaint. The designated responder will address the general complaint as timely as possible and will provide the student a final written determination including any proposed resolution.

In compliance with the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education, and its final regulations effective July 1, 2020, ATSU provides the following information pertaining to professional licensure and certification for all programs, both online and residential.

Licensure and/or certification requirements for all ATSU professional programs are well defined by a set of national standards that are applied on a state-by-state basis. ATSU has determined the curricula for all ATSU academic programs meet the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in the following states and US districts and territories: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, U.S. Virgin Islands, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

Students graduating from ATSU programs are eligible to take applicable exams and apply for licensure in each of these locations. Students should check any additional professional licensure requirements for the state, district or territory in which they intend to pursue employment. Dental students should be particularly aware certain states have unique licensure requirements. For example, in order to provide sedation in the dental practice, individual states have a variety of differing educational and/or experiential requirements.

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By clicking submit below, I give consent for A.T. Still University (ATSU) to contact me regarding their educational programs and services using email, telephone, or text. This includes the use of automated technology for calls and periodic texts to any wireless number provided (message and data rates may apply).

A.T. Still Universitys Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-ASDOH) aspires to be a leader in transforming dental education to improve the health of all communities through service, integrative whole person care and scientific inquiry.