David Shelledy, Ph.D., who served as founding dean of the Department of Respiratory Care from 1994 to 2004, will rejoin the UT Health Science Center San Antonio as dean of the School of Health Professions. The appointment was announced March 3 by President William L. Henrich, M.D., MACP.

Begins July 1

Dr. Shelledy, who will start his new duties July 1, is coming to the Health Science Center from Rush University – Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, where he is dean of the College of Health Sciences and professor of Health Systems Management.

Interim dean

Eileen T. Breslin, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing, has been appointed dean ad interim until Dr. Shelledy arrives.

Dr. Shelledy holds the Catherine and R. Winfield - Philip N. Jones, M.D. Professorship of University Affairs at Rush. He also has joint appointments in the departments of Clinical Sciences and Respiratory Care.

"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. "I also want to thank Dr. David Weiss, who led the Search Committee and all of the committee members for their fine work in finding our new dean." Dr. Weiss is dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and vice president for research.

Two top-10 programs

Rush is a large academic medical center which includes the Rush Medical College, College of Nursing, Graduate College and College of Health Sciences (CHS). As dean of the CHS, Dr. Shelledy provides academic leadership for programs which grant 21 degrees and certificates in allied health housed within nine academic departments. Many of these programs are highly ranked, including two ranked in the top 10 nationally.

Six new programs in six years

During Dr. Shelledy's tenure at Rush, enrollment in the college has doubled. He has added six new programs in six years, 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. In addition to serving as dean of the College of Health Sciences at Rush, he is a faculty mentor and major adviser for doctoral students in the Division of Health Sciences in the Graduate College.

Aiming to be the best

"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," Dr. Shelledy said. "My wife Maga and I are delighted to be returning 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 AARC. 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.