Celebrating a Transformative Partnership: North Country HealthCare and ATSU-SOMA
ATSU-SOMA Northern Arizona: A Legacy Celebration
On May 7th, North Country HealthCare and the Colorado Plateau Center for Health Professions celebrated the enduring impact and legacy of our partnership with A.T. Still University’s School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA). This collaboration, which that has shaped healthcare in northern Arizona for over 17 years, is coming to end in its current form this June.
A Mission-Driven Collaboration
Since 2008, North Country HealthCare has served as a clinical training site for ATSU-SOMA, welcoming medical students dedicated to serving rural and underserved communities. This partnership has been rooted in a shared mission: to train the next generation of primary care physicians to address the unique health needs of northern Arizona.
Barbara Polstein, DO, receives the Osteopathic Leadership Award at the ATSU-SOMA Legacy Celebration on May 7th
North Country HealthCare Honored Many Generous Contributors to the Mission on May 7th
Osteopathic Leadership Award, honoring a physician who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to the principles and advancement of osteopathic medicine in northern AZ.
Presented to Barbara Polstein, DO
Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring a distinguished clinician who has demonstrated sustained excellence in teaching, leadership, and mentorship, shaping the development of future healthcare professionals across disciplines.
Presented to Karen Holder, FNP-BC, CNM
Reach for the Sky Award, honoring a physician who has contributed to medical education in innumerable ways since he graduated from the very first class of ATSU-SOMA in 2011.
Presented to Brandon Abbott, DO
Clinical Education Awards for Excellence, recognizing outstanding contributions to clinical education by individuals who have truly set the standard for teaching, mentorship, and innovation within clinical settings.
Presented to Brad Croft, DO, Kingman Regional Medical Center, and Flagstaff Surgical Associates
Northern Arizona Enduring Legacy Award, presented to every graduate of our ATSU-SOMA training site who has made the extraordinary choice to remain in northern Arizona to care for patients.
Presented to:
- Alex Hu, DO, rheumatologist in Flagstaff
- Dave Watts, DO, emergency medicine physician in Globe
- Chad Taylor, DO, dermatology physician and Regional Director of Medical Education in Flagstaff
- Brian Goodman, DO, primary care physician in Show Low
- Matt Nelson, DO, primary care and OB physician in Ganado
- Tasha Harder, DO, family medicine core faculty in Flagstaff
- Erinn Gallagher, DO, primary care physician in Grand Canyon
- Cambria LaCasse, DO, family medicine resident in Flagstaff
- Octavio Olivas, DO, family medicine resident in Flagstaff
NCHC also recognized all current preceptors and our amazing staff who have been integral to the program’s success.
ATSU-SOMA graduates from left: Brandon Abbott, DO, Cambria LaCasse, DO, Octavio Olivas, DO and Matt Nelson, DO
Faculty and staff celebrate the legacy of ATSU-SOMA in northern Arizona on May 7th
A Lasting Impact
The results speak for themselves: ATSU-SOMA has been ranked #1 for “Medical Schools with the Most Graduates Practicing in Primary Care” by US News & World Report for 2025. A significant percentage of ATSU-SOMA graduates from our program match into primary care residencies, including our very own Family Medicine residency, and many choose to serve in medically underserved areas, fulfilling the mission at the heart of both organizations. As we reflect on the past 17 years, we are reminded that partnerships like ours are vital in shaping a healthier future for northern Arizona-one physician, one patient, and one community at a time.
