Historical timeline
Aug. 6, 1828
Andrew Taylor Still, DO, is born in Lee County, Virginia.
The Still family cabin sits in its original location in Virginia.
1837
The Still family moves to Missouri.
1838
At age 10, Dr. Still uses a rope sling to alleviate a headache, which is the first time he uses an osteopathic method.
In his autobiography, Dr. Still noted the first time he used an osteopathic method.
1849
Dr. Still marries Mary Margaret Vaughn.
1850
Dr. Still moves to Kansas to help his father provide care for Native Americans.
1857
Dr. Still is elected to Kansas State Legislature.
1859
Mary Margaret dies, leaving Dr. Still with three young children.
1860
Dr. Still marries Mary Elvira Turner.
Mary Elvira Turner became known as the mother of osteopathic medicine.
1861
Dr. Still enlists in the Union Army in the Civil War and is distraught by the medical care and effects of opium.
Dr. Stillâs enlistment record shows he served in the Union Army. He was as a hospital steward in the 9th Kansas Cavalry, a captain in the 18th Kansas Militia, and a major in the 21st Kansas Militia.
1864
Dr. Still had already lost his first wife and three young children. Illness hits his family, and four children die within four weeks. His frustration increases with the current state of medicine. Even as a physician, he felt helpless in trying to save those closest to him.
June 22, 1874
After years of study and research, Dr. Still begins to practice what would become osteopathic medicine. He announces his new theory by saying, âI flung to the breeze the banner of Osteopathy.â
1875
Dr. Still moves to Kirksville, Missouri (population 1,800). He works as a traveling physician in rural northern Missouri.
Late 1880s
Dr. Stillâs fame grows, and he coins the term âosteopathy.â
Dr. Still is shown holding a femur and pelvis.
1892
ATSU opens as the American School of Osteopathy (ASO) in Kirksville. Osteopathic medical education is born.
ASOâs first class included three of Dr. Stillâs children and one nephew.
1892
A.T. Still, DO becomes the first president of the American School of Osteopathy
1894
The Journal of Osteopathy is launched in Kirksville.
The Journal of Osteopathy featured Dr. Still on the cover of the first issue. The journal was printed from 1894-1964. To view the early issues online, visit atsu.edu/museum/subscription.
1897
Missouri legalizes osteopathic medicine as a profession.
1897
Dr. Still publishes his autobiography.
June 22, 1897
Dr. Still receives his diploma from ASO, officially earning his DO degree.
1908
ASO establishes a nursing program.
Dr. Still demonstrates osteopathic manipulation on Augusta Teuckes, an ASO student nurse.
1917
The first statue of Dr. Still is unveiled on campus. Today, this statue is located on the Adair County Courthouse grounds.
Dr. Stillâs statue stands in its original location in front of the ASO hospital.
Dec. 12, 1917
Dr. Still dies at age 89 in Kirksville.
1918
George Still, MD, DO becomes the president of the American School of Osteopathy
1922
A second osteopathic school, the Andrew Taylor Still College of Osteopathy and Surgery (ATSCOS), is founded by George M. Laughlin, DO, 1900, Dr. Stillâs son-in-law. ASO continues under the administration of S.S. Still, DO, Dr. Stillâs nephew.
1922
Summerfield S. Still, LLM, DO becomes the university president of the American School of Osteopathy
1922
George M. Laughlin, DO becomes the president of the A.T. Still College of Osteopathy and Surgery
1924
ASO and ATSCOS merge to become the Kirksville Osteopathic College.
1925
Kirksville Osteopathic College becomes a nonprofit educational institution.
1926
The School is renamed the Kirksville College of Osteopathy and Surgery (KCOS).
1928
The American Osteopathic Association is held in Kirksville for the last time.
During the 1928 AOA parade, men dressed up as Abraham Lincoln, Dr. Still, and George Washington on a float.
1938
President George M. Laughlin, DO, 1900, earmarks $5,000 from the Collegeâs general fund for research.
President Laughlin and Dr. Denslow examine medical instruments.
1944
Morris R Thompson, DSc (Hon.) becomes the president of the A.T. Still College of Osteopathy and Surgery
1949
KCOS Rural Clinics program is established.
1951
U.S. Congress amended the Social Security Act so the term âphysicianâ includes osteopathic physician.
1953
The tenets of osteopathic medicine are published.
1960
The Rockefellers donate $1 million to construct the Timken-Burnett Research Building.
The Timken-Burnett Research Building was completed in 1963.
1967
DO graduates were allowed to participate in the military residency match for the first time in 1967, which allowed DOs to participate side-by-side with MDs in graduate training and for DOs to be drafted.
1971
The School is renamed the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCOM).
1973
H. Charles Moore, PhD becomes the president of the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
1973
The doctor of osteopathy (DO) degree is officially licensed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
1978
The first Osteopathic Week is celebrated statewide in Missouri.
1982
The Thompson Campus Center is dedicated.
The TCC holds an outdoor event in 1987.
1983
Max T. Gutensohn, DO becomes the interim president of the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
1984
Fred C. Tinning, PhD becomes the president of the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
1984
Primary Care Clinic is renamed the Gutensohn Osteopathic Health and Wellness Clinic.
1992
KCOM celebrates its centennial anniversary.
1995
KCOM opens the Arizona School of Health Sciences in Mesa, Arizona.
1996
Phyllis J. Blondefield, PhD becomes the interim president of the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
1997
James J. McGovern, PhD becomes the president of A.T. Still University
1999
The College of Graduate Health Studies is added in Kirksville, initially named School of Health Management.
2001
The name A.T. Still University (ATSU) is adopted as the umbrella for all schools.
2001
ATSU-ASHS moves to its current campus in Mesa, Arizona. image: Arizona campus
2003
ATSUâs Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health opens in Mesa.
ATSU-ASDOH became the first dental school in the state of Arizona.
2006
ATSUâs School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona opens in Mesa.
ATSU-SOMAâs unique model focuses on partnerships with community health centers and placing students in clinical settings in their second year of study.
2008
W. Jack Magruder, EdD becomes the president of A.T. Still University
2010
The Atlas Fraternity House is lost to fire. Built in 1912, this was originally the home of Dr. Stillâs son, Charles E. Still, DO, 1894.
2012
Jack Magruder, EdD, retired as president of ATSU on June 30, and Craig M. Phelps, DO, â84, became ATSU president, effective July 1.
2013
Dr. Still is inducted into the Hall of Famous Missourians.
A bronze bust of Dr. Still was unveiled and placed on the third floor rotunda of the Missouri Capitol.
2013
ATSUâs Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health opens in Kirksville.
2014
The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, American Osteopathic Association, and American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine announced a single graduate medical education accreditation system.
2017
ATSU celebrates its 125th anniversary!
