In a move forward for the profession, National University of Health Sciences (NUHS) graduate Anthony V. D’Antoni (DC ’03), received the honor of serving as author of the ankle and foot chapter of the new 41st edition of Gray’s Anatomy. The chapter appears in the British reference version, which is the unabridged and prestigious reference counterpart to the well-known student textbook edition.
D’Antoni credits the rigorous education he received from NUHS, especially in the anatomic sciences, as well as his experience as director of anatomy at a podiatric medicine program, for the necessary expertise in guiding the chapter’s comprehensive exploration of the ankle and foot.
“The chapter contained an excess of 25,000 words and was carefully scrutinized by the editor-in-chief, Susan Standring, PhD, a section editor, and a team of 10 full-time editors in London, England,” D’Antoni says. “These editors oversee the final content to ensure that the chapter was written from an evidence-based perspective. Since Gray’s Anatomy is the oldest medical text and has been in continuous publication for over 150 years, it actually predates chiropractic medicine.”
D’Antoni was a practicing microbiologist when he enrolled in the NUHS doctor of chiropractic program in 1999, and already had a master’s degree. After earning his DC degree in 2003, he began a PhD program in health sciences where he specialized in medical education at the School of Health and Medical Sciences of Seton Hall University. “I have always been very interested in medical education, particularly in basic sciences and clinical anatomy,” D’Antoni says.
Currently, D’Antoni is clinical professor and director of anatomy at the CUNY School of Medicine (formerly Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education). At age 42, D’Antoni is currently one of the youngest anatomy course directors at any allopathic medical school in New York City.
Having taught clinical anatomy and other basic sciences to DPM, DO, and MD students, D’Antoni is quick to point out that his knowledge of clinical anatomy, embryology, histology, and other sciences came from his studies at NUHS. “My PhD was in health sciences and not anatomy, so I could not do what I do today without the education I received from National,” he says. “The morphological sciences are such an important part of chiropractic education. At NUHS especially, the anatomy program is extremely demanding and thorough. And it’s my anatomy education from NUHS that brought me to where I am today.”
D’Antoni had taught college and graduate level sciences courses before, during, and after his education at NUHS. He taught clinical anatomy and histology at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in Harlem, New York City, and then spent five years as director of clinical anatomy at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine, also in Harlem.
D’Antoni has published numerous research papers and is known for mentoring many students in anatomical research. He currently has 12 BS/MD students working in his laboratory that emphasizes clinical and reverse translational anatomic research at the CUNY School of Medicine. In addition to his work on Gray’s Anatomy, D’Antoni is also on the editorial board of the journal Translational Research in Anatomy, as well as the editorial board of Clinical Anatomy, the official journal of the American Association of Clinical Anatomists.
“We are proud of Dr. Anthony D’Antoni for reaching this milestone on behalf of his profession,” says NUHS President Joseph Stiefel. “The fact that one of our graduates would qualify as an author for Gray’s Anatomy and build a career teaching anatomy in medical schools based on his education here, is indisputable evidence of the quality of education we offer. Dr. D’Antoni is not only proving himself a leader for our profession in academia and research, but also in building respect for chiropractic medicine among other medical specialties around the world.”
Source: National University of Health Sciences