UC Names Whalen Dean of College of Allied Health Sciences

Tina Whalen, EdD, has been appointed permanent dean of the University of Cincinnati College of Allied Health Sciences (CAHS) after serving as interim dean for the last year.

"Tina knows the college well and the support for her leadership is impressive,” said UC Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Beverly Davenport, PhD. "I look forward to continuing to work with her.”

Whalen has been a member of UC’s faculty since 1990 and held the position of associate dean for academic affairs at the College prior to being named interim dean in April 2014. She holds a doctorate in higher education leadership from the Union Institute and University, a doctor of physical therapy degree from Chatham College a master’s degree in public administration from UC. She earned her initial degree in physical therapy at The Ohio State University, and has more than 20 years of clinical experience as a licensed physical therapist.

"I am proud to serve the College of Allied Health Sciences in the role of dean. I am committed to training best practice 21st century allied health practitioners who will positively contribute to improving the health and wellness of the global community through their clinical practice, research and professional service,” said Whalen..

Whalen started her career at UC as a staff physical therapist at University of Cincinnati Medical Center in 1980 and has filled a number of important leadership roles in the intervening years. She spent nearly eight years as chair of the College’s Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and special projects coordinator at CAHS. She also served as director of clinical education for both the physical therapy assistant and physical therapy programs.

Whalen served as a member of a number of leadership committees, including the STEM-MD Executive Steering Committee, University Academic Affairs Committee, the Academic Health Center Inter-Professional Education Committee (IPEC) Steering Committee and the Professional Council of Best Practice for Experiential Learning Committee. She also serves a faculty leader at the St. Vincent de Paul Open School and on the Hughes High School Health and Bioscience Advisory Committee.

Members of the College of Allied Health Sciences’ community cover a wide range of health-related disciplines said Davenport, adding that "Tina has already overseen some exciting new program development and can help her college embrace UC’s Third Century goals.” The university’s Third Century effort defines and aligns institutional priorities as UC approaches its 200th anniversary in 2019.

Whalen added: "CAHS has outstanding faculty and dedicated staff who work diligently to provide a first rate education for all students. I am very honored to have their support and will work beside them to advance the college mission while achieving the broader goals set forth in the university’s Third Century strategic plan.”

Currently, Whalen leads four funded research efforts, including serving as the CAHS principal investigator on a $3 million grant for the Choose Ohio First Scholarship Program, "Enhancing the Success of Future Health Professionals through Synergistic Cross-Collegiate Programming.”

Whalen is the college’s third dean since it was founded in 1998. The College enrolls nearly 3,000 students in 12 bachelor’s, eight master’s and three doctoral level programs. It includes more than 159 faculty and staff in five departments and schools: the Department of Analytical and Diagnostic Sciences, the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, , the Department of Nutritional Sciences, the Department of Rehabilitation Services and the School of Social Work. It is part of UC’s Academic Health Center, joined by the College of Medicine, the James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy and the College of Nursing.