At its Oct. 26 meeting, The University of Akron Board of Trustees took the final administrative step in merging UA's College of Nursing and College of Health Sciences and Human Services – the official naming of the new College of Health Professions.
During the meeting, Dr. William M. (Mike) Sherman, UA's senior vice president, provost and chief operating officer, announced that a national search for an inaugural dean to lead the newly formed college will launch shortly.
As a recognized leader in health education, UA, through the new College of Health Professions, has taken the bold step of bringing together its established and highly regarded programs in:
- Audiology
- Dietetics and Nutrition
- Nursing
- Social Work
- Speech-Language Pathology
"The formation of the College of Health Professions is consistent with one of the University's goals within our Strategic Plan, Vision 2020, which is to draw together UA's many excellent health-related programs to create an interdisciplinary cluster of academic excellence," Sherman said. "With an emphasis on interprofessional and interdisciplinary collaboration, the college will be proactive in creating opportunities both within the University and throughout Northeast Ohio.”
New college will have far-reaching influence
The University intends to create a leading health and related professions college which builds upon the region's excellence and innovation in health-related education, research and community/clinical service. The college will engage in collaborative, entrepreneurial and innovative initiatives related to its mission and serve as the foundation for influencing the health and well-being of individuals regionally, nationally and globally.
The College of Health Professions will work collaboratively with several regional partners, including the Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron, Akron Children's Hospital, Akron General Medical Center, Summa Health System, Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) and the city of Akron.
Dr. Roberta DePompei, professor and director of UA's School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and an internationally known expert in traumatic brain injuries, is currently serving as interim dean during the search for a permanent leader.
The College of Health Professions becomes fully operational in summer 2012.
Media contact: Laura Massie, 330-972-6476 or massie1@uakron.edu.