by Art Thomason - Mar. 2, 2012 02:11 PM The Republic | azcentral.com

A well-known Valley doctor who helped establish a Missouri-based university's medical school in Mesa will lead the university as its new president.

Dr. Craig Phelps, who also serves as the Phoenix Suns' primary-care physician, was selected for the post at A.T. Still University of Health Sciences in Kirksville, Mo., after an extensive search that included a number of national leaders in health-care education, according to university officials. The appointment becomes effective July 1.

Phelps is provost of the university's Mesa campus and has been a member of the Suns' medical staff for 26 years, providing non-orthopedic care for players and other team employees.

"I am honored and humbled to be selected by the board as ATSU's next president," said the 55-year-old physician and scholar. "I will continue to work closely with President (Jack) Magruder to ensure a smooth transition.

"With everyone's help, we will bring ATSU to the next level and achieve the board's vision of preeminence."

Phelps has been involved in the university's Mesa campus development since 2001 when the university moved its Arizona health sciences programs to Mesa from its first Arizona location at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix.

In 2003, the university opened Arizona's first dental school on the Mesa campus, the Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health. In 2007, the campus' four-year college of osteopathic medicine accepted its first class of students.

The 50-acre campus is the only one of its type in the state with a comprehensive curriculum of disciplines in medicine, dentistry and health care.

Phelps said university officials had long supported the idea of opening a medical school in Mesa.

Read the original:
Mesa doctor new president of Missouri-based university