Dr. Joshua Baker Appointed President and CEO of Midwestern University
The Board of Trustees of Midwestern University announced that Dr. Joshua Baker was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer, effective September 11, 2025.
Dr. Baker has served in key academic and administrative roles since 2013, including Senior Vice President and Chief Academic Officer and, most recently, Interim President and CEO.
“Dr. Baker is a visionary leader and skilled administrator whose background and professional experience made him uniquely qualified to guide Midwestern University through the next generation of change, growth, and transformation,” said Janet Bolton, Chair of the Board of Trustees.
“It was with humility and excitement that I accepted the opportunity to serve Midwestern University in this new capacity, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to lead this remarkable institution in helping our students and faculty grow, and advancing healthcare for the benefit of our communities,” said Dr. Baker.
Before his appointment as Interim President and CEO, Dr. Baker held several administrative roles and previously served as Chief of Optometry Service for the U.S. Army Health Clinic in Stuttgart, Germany. He was stationed in Al Asad, Iraq, from 2007 to 2008 and was awarded the Bronze Star.
Dr. Baker earned degrees from Ithaca College, Syracuse University, and the Illinois College of Optometry and completed his postdoctoral residency at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.
Meet the New Academic Deans
Midwestern University welcomed three new academic deans this summer, each bringing exceptional leadership and experience to their respective colleges:
College of Graduate Studies
Sandra Inouye, Ph.D., began her new role as Dean of the College of Graduate Studies in July. Dr. Inouye came to Midwestern University in 2000 as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anatomy at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (CCOM). Most recently, she served as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, College of Graduate Studies, and Director of Anatomical Laboratories, in addition to holding faculty appointments in osteopathic medicine, optometry, and dental medicine.
Dr. Inouye is a 2015 recipient of the Littlejohn Award, the highest recognition bestowed by Midwestern University, as well as numerous Outstanding Faculty Awards while at CCOM. Dr. Inouye received her bachelor’s degree from the University of California-Davis, and her master’s and doctoral degrees in Anthropology from Northwestern University.
Chicago College of Optometry
Brianne N. Hobbs, O.D., Ph.D., FAAO, was appointed in July as Dean of the Chicago College of Optometry (CCO). A seasoned educator and administrator, Dr. Hobbs returned to Midwestern University after previously serving as Director of Residencies and later as Associate Professor at the Arizona College of Optometry (AZCOPT) from 2011 to 2019, where she advanced clinical education, developed curriculum, and mentored students and residents.
Dr. Hobbs most recently served as Associate Dean of Academics at High Point University’s School of Optometry, and previously held senior leadership roles within the Salisbury VA Healthcare System and the National Board of Examiners in Optometry. She earned her Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry, completed a residency in Ocular Disease and Low Vision at the Kansas City VA Medical Center, and holds a Ph.D. in Instructional Management and Leadership from Robert Morris University. A Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, she remains active in national professional organizations and accreditation bodies.
College of Health Sciences, Downers Grove
Sarah Radtke, Ed.D., M.S., stepped into the role of Dean of the College of Health Sciences for the Downers Grove Campus this July. A distinguished leader in higher education with more than two decades of academic, clinical, and administrative experience, Dr. Radtke joined Midwestern University from Aurora University, where she served as Dean of the College of Health and Sciences. There, she oversaw three academic schools and launched new degrees in Healthcare Administration, Communication Sciences and Disorders, and M.B.A. tracks in Healthcare and Sport Management.
Dr. Radtke holds a Doctor of Education in Adult and Higher Education and a Master of Science in Education in Exercise Physiology from Northern Illinois University, and a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training and Fitness and Health Promotion from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point. A certified athletic trainer and published scholar, she has presented nationally on topics including emotional intelligence in healthcare, self-directed learning, and clinical education strategies.
Glendale Campus Receives Special Community Award
On September 25, Midwestern University was honored to receive the Changemaker in Learning Award from Adelante Healthcare in Arizona.
This award recognizes a school district or educational program that has meaningfully partnered with Adelante to improve the health and well-being of students and families. It honors those who are not only committed to education, but also to building health literacy and reducing inequities in our communities.
Leah Youmatzo, Adelante Healthcare Chief of Staff, presented the award and complimented Midwestern’s innovative training programs:
“The need for highly trained, empowered healthcare professionals has never been greater. Midwestern University has been answering that call in powerful ways. Their innovative training programs prepare students not just to succeed in a classroom, but to thrive in real-world community care. Our long-standing partnership with Midwestern has created incredible opportunities, (through which) dental and medical students have gained hands-on experience through Adelante health centers throughout Maricopa County. In the process, they've learned the skills, compassion, and cultural understanding that will ride their careers for decades to come.”
Midwestern Adds Virtual Health Platform for Students
Midwestern University recently launched a new partnership with TimelyCare, a virtual health and well-being platform that offers students free access to medical and mental health services. Available to all enrolled students on the Downers Grove and Glendale campuses, TimelyCare can be used anywhere in the U.S. through a smartphone, tablet, or computer.
“Midwestern University understands the challenges our students encounter through their academic and clinical years, and is committed to providing the support they need whenever and wherever they need it,” said Carrie Torgerson, Ph.D., LCSW, Associate Dean of Students Downers Grove Campus.
Through TimelyCare, students can connect with licensed providers for on-demand medical and emotional support, schedule counseling and medical appointments, access health coaching, and explore self-care tools such as guided meditation and yoga. Additional features include a peer support community and resources for food, housing, and financial needs.
“Having access to TimelyCare provides students with appointment times that fit around their lives and may reduce any barriers or stigma of getting the support they need,” said Brandy Strom, Psy.D., M.S., LPC, Manager of Student Counseling Glendale Campus.
The service complements existing Student Services programs.
CCOM Hosts Patient Panel on Rare Disease Amyloidosis
Medical students at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (CCOM) gained firsthand insight into the challenges of diagnosing and treating a rare disease during an amyloidosis patient panel. Hosted in late August in partnership with the Amyloidosis Speakers Bureau, the session allowed first- and second-year students to hear directly from a patient living with amyloidosis—a condition caused by the buildup of abnormal proteins that can damage vital organs. “Amyloidosis is a fairly rare disease, and one of the challenges we see is that patients often face a significant delay in diagnosis,” said George Borrelli, D.O., Chair of Clinical Integration at CCOM. “Opportunities like this help prepare you not only for your exams, but for real patients you’ll encounter in practice.”
Liz, a patient educator diagnosed with amyloidosis and multiple myeloma in 2017, shared how her symptoms, ranging from fatigue to carpal tunnel syndrome, were initially overlooked. Her message resonated deeply with students. “Hearing the strategies she used to remain resilient, and her drive to care for herself and the support from her physicians, was really inspiring,” said Jonah Hoyt (CCOM ’28). First-year student Kennedy Van (CCOM ’29) added, “It’s a great opportunity to get educated on something rare, and to hear directly from the patient rather than only reading about it in a textbook. That makes it more tangible and real for us.”
Arizona Eye Institute Opens State-of-the-Art Refractive Suite
The Midwestern University Eye Institute on the Glendale Campus has opened a new refractive suite featuring cutting-edge technology designed to deliver advanced vision correction solutions. The suite is equipped with industry-leading devices, including the ZEISS Visumax 800, Alcon Wavelight 500, and ZEISS SMILE Pro, expanding the range of corrective options available to patients. With these additions, the Eye Institute can now offer individualized, minimally invasive procedures such as LASIK, Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK), Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE), and Implantable Collamer Lenses (ICL), addressing a wide range of refractive errors, including myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.
Ophthalmologists from the Arizona College of Optometry (AZCOPT) provide the specialized services in the new suite. Robert Fintelmann, M.D., Associate Professor, is a board-certified and fellowship-trained cornea surgeon with the highest surgical qualifications and performs the specialized surgical procedures.
“Our diagnostic technology and patient workup for refractive surgery is very detailed and includes the most up-to-date technology,” said Dr. Fintelmann. Caitlin Miller, O.D., Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs, added, “With this state-of-the-art suite, we can offer efficient and effective solutions that align with the individual needs of our patients.” The new refractive suite reinforces the Eye Institute’s role as a premier destination for personalized, comprehensive vision correction and offers excellent clinical experiences for AZCOPT students.
Midwestern Sponsors New Future Doctors Institute for High School Students
This summer, Midwestern University students and faculty welcomed 26 high-achieving high school students to the Glendale Campus as part of the new Future Doctors Institute, one of three camps launched by the neighboring ASU-West Valley Campus. The four-day medical camp gave students an inside look at healthcare careers through hands-on learning, team-building, and exposure to medical innovation and research.
During their visit, students experienced a full day of activities at Midwestern, including practicing patient exams and suturing in the Clinical Skills and Simulation Center, participating in a mock emergency response, and visiting the Anatomy Lab for human and animal prosections. They also explored osteopathic medicine using ultrasound, practiced dental dexterity in the dental simulation lab, and learned about pharmacy through compounding exercises. More than 30 Midwestern students and faculty participated both on campus and on-site at ASU-West Valley, where they led workshops on Admissions Interviewing, Personal Statement Writing, Anatomy, and Veterinary Medicine. The partnership marks an exciting new outreach Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, initiative connecting future healthcare professionals with hands-on experiences and mentorship.
White Coat Ceremonies Honor First-Year Students
Over 1,300 first-year Midwestern University students from the Downers Grove and Glendale campuses received a white coat this fall, symbolizing competence, integrity, expertise, and authority as well as a shared mission of helping those in need.
During the ceremonies, students walked across the stage to be coated by a faculty member from within their respective programs, signifying that one day, they will be considered fellow healthcare providers and colleagues.
The students also took the Oath of Commitment with several important vows, including promises to:
- Acquire the necessary skills and education of a healthcare provider
- Assume responsibility for the healthcare field for which they are training
- Respect their faculty
- Value their predecessors in their profession
Deans, faculty, and select student speakers shared words of encouragement throughout the ceremony.
CCOM Student Embraces Nutrition and One Health at International Conference
When Arjun Sharma, a third-year medical student (CCOM ’27), attended the 2025 International Conference on Nutrition in Medicine (ICNM) in Washington, D.C., it was, as he described, “like stepping into a dream.” Arjun, who has followed a fully plant-based diet for nearly nine years, was one of 17 scholarship recipients at the August event, which gathered leading experts on plant-based nutrition and lifestyle medicine. “As an undergraduate, I read about how plant-based nutrition can be used to prevent, and in some cases reverse, many of the leading causes of death in our country,” he said. “At the conference, I got to meet many of the doctors who inspired me as a teenager, and it was like a dream come true.”
Arjun also saw the experience as an opportunity to connect with peers and mentors who share his passion for lifestyle medicine and Midwestern University’s One Health mission. “The best part of this experience was getting to connect with so many like-minded individuals,” he said. “Nutrition is one of the cornerstones of one’s health, and it’s a shame it’s hardly touched on in our medical education. That’s why I think it’s so important to take advantage of learning opportunities such as these outside of our traditional curriculum.” Arjun encourages other students to apply for the ICNM scholarship in the future and welcomes anyone interested in learning more about his experience to reach out to him directly.
Pharmacy Students Save Lives in Real-World Emergencies
Two students from the College of Pharmacy, Downers Grove (CPDG) recently demonstrated quick thinking, compassion, and clinical training in high-pressure situations, helping to save lives while still in graduate school. Kanon Huffman (CPDG ’26) performed chest compressions to revive a person in cardiac arrest, and Diego Gonzales Rosso (CPDG ’26) administered Narcan to assist an individual in crisis. They both took decisive action when every second counted. Their stories highlight the critical role of pharmacists in patient care and the way Midwestern’s curriculum prepares students to lead with knowledge, professionalism, and care.
“I had just renewed my Basic Life Support (BLS) training through Midwestern,” Kanon said. “In class, we talk a lot about the fear of freezing in an emergency. But when you’re actually in the moment, your training kicks in. Even if you can’t do everything, you know the bare minimum. You keep the heart beating. Every minute matters, not just for brain function, but for heart muscle, too.” Diego shared a similar experience: “It gave me the sense that I was applying what I learned in a real-life scenario. I didn’t think twice. It was pretty much muscle memory,” he said. “This experience taught me that pharmacists… can save lives efficiently. All these hours of education, of training, hard work, it is a benefit, not only in our day-to-day, but for the people we’re serving.”
Appointments, Awards, and Grants
Lucy Adlfinger (CCO ’26) and Linneaa Nguyen (CCO ’26) received the 2025 VSP/AAOF Vision Practice Excellence scholarship for their commitment to the independent practice of optometry. Each student received $3,250 in scholarship and $750 in travel funds to attend the American Academy of Optometry meeting in Boston.
Thomas Boyle, D.O. (CCOM), Dean, Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, earned the 2025 Assembly of Osteopathic Graduate Medical Educators (AOGME) Special Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes individuals who have been instrumental in advancing the mission and purposes of AOGME through loyal and long-term meritorious service to the profession.
Jill Borchert, Pharm.D., BCPS, FCCP (CPDG), Vice Chair, Pharmacy Practice, received the AACP Pharmacy Practice Section Anne Marie Liles Distinguished Service Award at the AACP Annual Meeting held in Chicago in July.
Yi-An Chen (AZCOM ’27), Cal Johnson (AZCOM ’27), and John Thomas Tracey (AZCOM ’27) were recipients of Mutual Insurance Company of Arizona (MICA) Foundation Scholarships for 2025.
Anthony Enniss (AZCOM ’27) was appointed to the Student Experience Panel for the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME) as the representative of the Student American Academy of Osteopathy (SAAO).
Dawn Gerber, Pharm.D., BCGP, FASCP, FAzPA, CPAFH (CPG), Professor, Pharmacy Practice, received the Certified Professional in Age-Friendly Health Care (CPAFH) credential from the Certification Board for Professionals in Patient Safety (CBPPS). Dr. Gerber was also recognized for her contributions to developing the certification for professionals who care for older adults.
Sarah Goy (CCO ’26) was awarded the Specialty Contact Lens Travel Grant to attend the American Academy of Optometry meeting in Boston. This award, sponsored by Art Optical Contact Lens Inc. and Contamac, recognizes students, cornea and contact lens residents, and new O.D.s who demonstrate innovative use of Art Optical lens designs to meet unique patient needs and provides financial support to further their professional growth.
Karen Gruszynski, D.V.M., M.P.H., Ph.D., DACVPM (CGS-DG), Assistant Professor, M.P.H. Program, serves as the Animal Health Lead for the Geo Health Community of Practice Work Group and was recognized along with other team leads with the Team Excellence Award at AmeriGEO Week 2025. AmeriGEO Week brings together diverse communities and builds connections, fostering collaboration among national, regional, and international efforts in integrated Earth and social science research.
Marissa Jacobs, D.O. (AZCOM), Clinical Assistant Professor, Family Medicine, was named the District 3 Trustee for the Board of Trustees of the Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association (AOMA).
Medha Joshi, Ph.D. (CPG), Professor and Chair, Pharmaceutical Sciences, has been appointed as Member, Expert Committee on Excipients at the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP), 2025-2030.
Jacob Less (AZCOM ’26) was recently selected for the Maricopa County Medical Society’s 2025 Future Healer Award.
Brad MacNeil, Ph.D., CHE (CHS-Glendale), Associate Professor, Behavioral Sciences, has been awarded the Distinguished Contributions to the Science of Psychology Award by the Arizona Psychological Association (APA), presented at the 2025 Conference in Flagstaff, AZ.
Isabel Martinez-Pena y Valenzuela, Ph.D. (CGS-Downers Grove), Assistant Professor, Physiology, was elected Treasurer for the Chicago Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience. She was also the guest editor of the special issue: "Synaptic Senescence in Health and Neurodegeneration: Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms" for the journal Cells.
Victoria Marshall, M.S. (PRM, CGS ’25 & CCO ’27) received the J. Pat Cummings Award, sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Vision and awarded by the American Academy of Optometry Foundation (AAOF). This $1,000 award is bestowed annually to a second- or third-year student at each of the North American schools and colleges of optometry who best exemplifies the highest standards of optometric practice. Recipients are recognized for their academic excellence, leadership, and engagement in extracurricular and professional activities, including patient care, internships, community service, and volunteer efforts.
Michelle Mifflin, D.O. (AZCOM), Clinical Associate Professor, Family Medicine, was elected to the position of Vice President of the Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association (AOMA) for the 2025-2026 Executive Committee.
Kathleen Muldoon, Ph.D. (CGS-Glendale), Professor, Anatomy, was selected as one of Phoenix Magazine’s 2025 Best of Valley in the People and Media category for Best Advocate.
Manogna Nuthi (AZCOM ’26) was named Student Doctor of the Year by the American College of Osteopathic Students – Medical Student Section (ACOS-MSS).
Randall Nydam, Ph.D. (AZCOM), Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, was awarded the 2025 Excellence in Medical Education Award by the Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association (AOMA). Dr. Nydam also recently joined the National Faculty for the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME).
Cristina Ou (AZCOM ’28) was awarded a position in the 2025 ASTRO Medical Student Fellowship Program, which gives medical students from backgrounds underrepresented in medicine an opportunity to be mentored by professionals in radiation oncology.
Gabriela Rajic (CPG ’26) received the Student Leadership Award from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Foundation.
Jennifer Shuey, D.O. (AZCOM), Clinical Assistant Professor, Family Medicine, was named New Physician in Practice Trustee for the Board of Trustees of the Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association (AOMA).
Kirat Sraa (AZCOM ’28) received the Foundation for Osteopathic Emergency Medicine summer internship, hosted at Kingman Regional Medical Center, Kingman, AZ.
Robin Zavod, Ph.D. (CPDG), Professor, was installed as President of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) at the AACP Annual Meeting held in Chicago in July.
The following Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine students have been selected for leadership roles in the Arizona Medical Association (ARMA) 2025-2026 Medical Student Section Governing Council:
- Gurbeen Dadiala (AZCOM ’28), Secretary
- Sara Keyser (AZCOM ’26), Vice Chair of Public Health
- Aryana Rasti (AZCOM ’27), Midwestern Delegate
- Sariah Watchalotone (AZCOM ’26), Midwestern Delegate
Presentations, Speeches, and Community Service
Joshua Baker, O.D., M.S. (MWU), President and CEO of Midwestern University, served as a keynote speaker at the New England College of Optometry’s fifth annual Industry Collaborative in November in Boston, MA. The two-day event brought together more than 100 leaders from education, healthcare, and industry to explore how technology, innovation, and collaboration are shaping the future of optometric education and patient care.
The Clinical Psychology Program (CHS-Downers Grove) on the Downers Grove Campus had a record number of students, alumni, and faculty presenting at the American Psychological Association’s Annual Convention. Presentations included:
- “Teaching Health Equity Advocacy Skills” presented by Natalie Komoll, M.A. (Clin Psych ’27); Briyanna Bullock, M.Ed. (Clin Psych ’27); Marleigh Giliberto (Clin Psych ’29); Kaitlyn Meyr (Clin Psych ’29); Joni Mikesell (Clin Psych ’29); Hannah Nayar (Clin Psych ’29); Melody Ramirez (Clin Psych ’29); Erica Ritzmann (Clin Psych ’29); and Connie Natvig, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Behavioral Sciences.
- “Boundary Waters: Staying Afloat Amidst the Waves of Clinical Work” presented by Natalie Komoll, M.A. (Clin Psych ’27); Lauren Sbarbaro, Psy.D., LADC, Assistant Professor, Behavioral Sciences; and Lorna London, Ph.D., Director of Clinical Training, Behavioral Sciences.
- “Education in Retirement Transitions among North American Elite Figure Skaters” presented by Caitlin Fields (Clin Psych ’25); Michelle Lee, Ph.D., ABPP, Associate Program Director, Behavioral Sciences; and Jayna Harthan, Psy.D., Class of 2018.
- “Marital Satisfaction and Empathy in Dementia Caregiving” presented by Isabella Kistulinec, Psy.D., Class of 2024; Michelle Lee, Ph.D., ABPP, Associate Program Director, Behavioral Sciences; Lauren Sbarbaro, Psy.D., LADC, Assistant Professor, Behavioral Sciences; and Kelsey Berry-Tippett, Psy.D., Class of 2020.
- “Relationship Satisfaction During the COVID-19 Pandemic” presented by Nisha Patel, Psy.D., Class of 2021; Michelle Lee, Ph.D., ABPP, Associate Program Director, Behavioral Sciences; Lauren Sbarbaro, Psy.D., LADC, Assistant Professor, Behavioral Sciences; and Amanda Harris, Psy.D., Class of 2010.
- “The Gift of Life: Exploring Factors Influencing Organ Donation in Ethnic Minority Communities” presented by Lorna London, Ph.D., Director of Clinical Training, Behavioral Sciences; Lauren Sbarbaro, Psy.D., LADC, Assistant Professor, Behavioral Sciences; Valerie Prelee (Clin Psych ’27), M.A.; Robin Moscovitch, M.A. (Clin Psych ’28); Briyanna Bullock, M.Ed., (Clin Psych ’29); and Jillian Johnson, (Clin Psych ’30).
- “Show Me The Money: Scholarships and NIL Funding and Perceived Stress Among College Athletes” presented by Aminah Ahmed, M.A., (Clin Psych ’27); Devesh Tupkar (Clin Psych ’29); and Lorna London, Ph.D., Director of Clinical Training, Behavioral Sciences.
Brad MacNeil, Ph.D., CHE (CHS-Glendale), Associate Professor, Behavioral Sciences, was a featured workshop presenter at the 2025 Annual Global Symposium of the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (IAEDP) Foundation in Palm Springs, CA, on his research examining a better understanding of the eating disorder voice in U.S. adults and possible targets for treatment. Dr. MacNeil was also a featured presenter at the International Conference on Eating Disorders in San Antonio, TX, on his research examining the lifetime prevalence of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in men with an eating disorder, and presented on his research examining characteristics of the eating disorder voice in U.S. adults.
Marc Scheetz, Pharm.D., M.Sc, FCCP, FCP, FIDSA (CPDG), presented “Lessons from a Large Multi-National Database of Children: Standard Pediatric Dosing for Vancomycin Results in Unacceptable Exposure Variability,” at Congress of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) in April in Vienna, Austria.
Volkmar Weissig, Sc.D., Ph.D., M.S., B.S. (CPG), Professor, Pharmacology, was the Invited Keynote speaker at the annual meeting of the American College of Clinical Pharmacology (ACCP).
Midwestern University partnered with the Downers Grove Public Library to host a Community Health Lecture Series, offering free talks on healthy aging and wellness. The series took place on Wednesdays from September 17 through October 8, 2025, and included the following presentations:
- “Aging & Eye Health: Protecting Your Vision for the Years Ahead” presented by Parres Wright, O.D., FAAO (CCO), Clinic Care Lead; Jenna Williams, O.D., FAAO (CCO), Director of Clinical Operations; and Vakishan Nadarajah, O.D., FAAO, FSLS (CCO), Clinic Care Lead
- “Lifestyle Medicine: A Holistic Approach to Aging Well” presented by Kimberly McKinnon, D.O. (CCOM), Clinical Assistant Professor
- “Oral Health and Whole-Body Wellness” presented by Larry Williams, D.D.S., M.P.H. (CDMI), Professor
- “Cognitive & Functional Health: Keeping the Brain & Body Working at Its Best” presented by Teresa Elliott-Burke, PT, D.P.T., M.H.S. (CHS-Downers Grove), Academic Clinic Coordinator, PT Program; and Judy Ball, M.S., CCC-SLP (CHS-Downers Grove), Clinical Professor, SLP Program
As part of the MWU Community Health Lecture Series, the following presentations were given by Glendale Campus faculty for the Glendale Library-Foothills Branch:
- “Caring for Your Smile: Proper Maintenance of Removable Oral Appliances and Oral Care Aids” presented by Tarianne Wachtel, D.M.D. (CDMA), Assistant Professor; David Hancock D.D.S. (CDMA), Assistant Professor; and Daphne Velazquez, D.D.S. (CDMA), Assistant Professor
- “Heartworm Disease in Dogs” presented by Joni Johnson, D.V.M. (CVMA), Clinical Assistant Professor, Small Animal Primary Care
- “Barriers to Dental Care for Special Needs Patients” presented by Olysia N. Takla, D.M.D. (CDMA), Assistant Professor, and Mahasin Hangalay, D.D.S. (CDMA), Clinical Assistant Professor
- “Do Children with Dyslexia Also Have a Developmental Language Disorder?” presented by Colin Macpherson, M.A., CCC-SLP (CHS-Glendale), Assistant Professor, Speech-Language Pathology
Alumni and students came together for EMPOWER 2025 to connect through mentoring and networking sessions on the Downers Grove Campus, followed by a service project at Feed My Starving Children. The event highlighted MWU’s EMPOWER values—Engage, Mentor, Promote, Opportunity, Welcome, Embrace, and Respect—through meaningful collaboration and community impact.
Student Groups and University Awards
The National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) Chapter on the Downers Grove Campus received Gold Chapter Honors for attaining a distinguished level of achievement in the areas of member recruitment and engagement, community outreach and service, legislative advocacy, and fundraising during the 2024-25 academic year.
Pi Theta Epsilon (PTE) on the Downers Grove Campus welcomed the new members of the National OT Honors Society. The new members were inducted into PTE on June 23, for their outstanding academic achievements during their first year of the program. All inductees are members of the Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program (CHS-Downers Grove ’27) and include: Ose Eichie, Susanna Eskandar, Kaleigh Fitzgibbons, Anthony Hoff, Gabriela Jaimon, Sophia Kedra, and Hailey Shah. The mission of Pi Theta Epsilon is “…to promote research and scholarship among occupational therapy students. PTE recognizes and encourages superior scholarship among students enrolled in accredited educational programs across the United States.”