SAN ANTONIO (July 11, 2014) – William L. Henrich, M.D., MACP, president of the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, announced the return of David Shelledy, Ph.D., to the university as dean of the School of Health Professions.
“We are happy to welcome Dr. Shelledy back to the Health Science Center. He did an outstanding job here as the founding chairman of our Department of Respiratory Care,” Dr. Henrich said. “We are fortunate he has returned to San Antonio to lead our School of Health Professions. He is bringing great insight and leadership to all of our health professions programs.”
He served as the founding chairman of the Department of Respiratory Care from 1994 to 2004 at the UT Health Science Center. Dr. Shelledy, who assumed his new role on July 1, came from Rush University – Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, where he was dean of the College of Health Sciences and a professor of health systems management. He also held joint appointments in the departments of Clinical Sciences and Respiratory Care.
Rush is a large academic medical center which includes the Rush Medical College, College of Nursing, Graduate College and College of Health Sciences. As dean of the College of Health Sciences, Dr. Shelledy provided academic leadership for programs that grant 21 degrees and certificates in allied health within nine academic departments. Many of these programs are highly ranked, including two ranked in the top 10 nationally.
During Dr. Shelledy’s tenure at Rush, enrollment in the college doubled. In six years, he added six new programs, including a master’s degree in respiratory care and an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in health sciences.
After leaving the Health Science Center in 2004, Dr. Shelledy served as associate dean of academic and student affairs in the College of Health Related Professions at the University of Arkansas for Medical Science. In 2007, he moved to Rush University.
Dr. Shelledy said, “The UT Health Science Center is a great institution, and I am grateful for the opportunity to join the leadership team under President Henrich’s direction. My wife Maga and I are delighted to return to San Antonio. I look forward to leading the School of Health Professions as it moves into the next stage of development as one of the best allied health schools in the nation.”
In 2005, Dr. Shelledy was named a fellow of the American Association for Respiratory Care. He also was honored with fellowship in the Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions in 2011. He has published extensively, including 95 abstracts and papers in peer-reviewed journals, and 12 books or book chapters. He also has given 75 presentations based on original research and delivered 96 additional scholarly speeches or lectures. Dr. Shelledy is a past president of the American Association for Respiratory Care and currently serves as a director for the Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions.
The School of Health Professions offers bachelor’s degrees in clinical laboratory sciences, cytogenetics, emergency health science, and respiratory care. Graduate programs include master’s degrees in clinical laboratory sciences/forensic toxicology, occupational therapy, and physician assistant studies, as well as a doctorate in physical therapy. Additional programs include post-baccalaureate certificates in clinical laboratory sciences (hematology, immunohematology, clinical chemistry, microbiology, generalist and cytogenetics) and certificates in basic emergency medical technician and paramedic.
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The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, one of the country’s leading health sciences universities, ranks in the top 3 percent of all institutions worldwide receiving National Institutes of Health funding. The university’s schools of medicine, nursing, dentistry, health professions and graduate biomedical sciences have produced more than 29,000 graduates. The $765 million operating budget supports eight campuses in San Antonio, Laredo, Harlingen and Edinburg. For more information on the many ways “We make lives better®,” visit www.uthscsa.edu.