College of Allied Health Professions completes reorganization

The UNMC College of Allied Health Professions has completed its reorganization to a departmental structure, and is announcing several special appointments in leadership and as department chairs, Dean Kyle Meyer, Ph.D., said.

“I commend Dr. Meyer and the College of Allied Health Professions for assembling a talented and dedicated group of leaders,” said Dele Davies, M.D., senior vice chancellor for academic affairs. “I am sure they will continue to lead the college into the next chapter in its history — one marked by continued growth and success.”

• Tammy Webster, Ph.D., will serve as assistant dean for academic affairs. This is in addition to her duties as program director of radiography, computed tomography and cardiovascular interventional technology;
• Amber Donnelly, Ph.D., will serve as assistant dean for student affairs. This is in addition to her duties as program director of cytotechnology.

Drs. Webster and Donnelly will, with some restructuring, be taking on many of the responsibilities formerly held by recently retired Greg Karst, Ph.D., executive associate dean of the College of Allied Health Professions, and Jan Tompkins. Tompkins, assistant dean for academic affairs since 2012, will step down from those duties in August, reducing her role to half-time. However, she will assume a new role in the college as assistant dean for diversity and inclusion, Dr. Meyer said.

While a school within the college of medicine, allied health was previously structurally organized in divisions, with each of its health professions education programs representing a unique division.

The college has now named department chairs for each of its newly restructured departments:

• Karen Honeycutt, Ph.D., is chair of the Department of Allied Health Professions Education, Research and Practice. This department will house the CAHP master’s program in health professions teaching and technology, existing and new allied health interprofessional coursework and degree programs, distance education, and NU Online programs. This is in addition to her duties as program director of medical laboratory science education;
• Lisa Bartenhagen is chair of the Department of Clinical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Sciences. This department will house cardiovascular interventional technology, computed tomography, diagnostic medical sonography, magnetic resonance imaging, medical laboratory science, radiation therapy and radiography. This is in addition to her duties as program director of radiation therapy;
• Shaun Grammar is chair of the Department of Medical Sciences. This department will house clinical perfusion, cytotechnology, genetic counseling, medical nutrition and physician assistant studies. This is in addition to his duties as program director of physician assistant education;
• Betsy Becker, Ph.D., D.P.T., is chair of the Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. This department will house physical therapy and occupational therapy. This is in addition to her duties as program director of physical therapy.

Additionally, Tanya Custer will serve as director of distance education for the college.