College of Health Professions Announces the Transition of Lisa Rowley, Professor and Director of the School of Dental Hygiene Studies
Professor Lisa Rowley, founding director of the School of Dental Hygiene Studies within the College of Health Professions, has announced that she will relinquish her role as director, effective Aug. 31.
At that time, Lisa will transition to a faculty position in the school, where she will continue to assist in the preparation of the school’s next accreditation self-study and other special projects.
Professor Rowley's affiliation with Pacific spans nearly 15 years. As a consultant, she developed a bachelor’s degree dental hygiene program for the university, and became the program's founding director in 2005 following its approval by the Board of Trustees.
She proceeded to build an outstanding School of Dental Hygiene Studies, one that has become a national model in dental education.
Lisa has been masterful in garnering the philanthropic support of industry leaders in Washington County with a similar commitment to public health dentistry. As director, she has overseen the education of more than 300 future dental hygiene practitioners, directly mentoring many who have gone on to distinguish themselves in leadership and advocacy roles here in Oregon and nationally.
In addition to serving as a dental hygiene program director at two academic institutions, Lisa has a distinguished record of healthcare advocacy and service to her profession. I'm thrilled to report that just last week she received the American Dental Hygienists' Association's lifetime achievement honor, an Award for Excellence in Dental Hygiene, at the ADHA national conference.
Lisa's passion for a profession so critical to overall health began many years ago when she first obtained an associate's degree in dental hygiene from Bergen Community College in New Jersey. She went on to obtain bachelor's and master's degrees in dental hygiene from Old Dominion University (Va.), as well as a master's degree in organizational management from College Misericordia (Pa.).
It has been an honor and a privilege to have Lisa as a member of the College of Health Professions leadership team. She is a true public health advocate, and I owe her a debt of gratitude for tirelessly making others aware of the importance of including oral healthcare in primary healthcare. I know this was a difficult decision for her, and I am deeply grateful that she will continue to work with us in her new role.
A search committee tasked with identifying candidates for Professor Rowley's successor as school director is underway and is being chaired by Dr. Kevin Chui, director of the School of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training. The committee expects to complete the initial review of candidates over the summer with the goal of interviewing finalists in the late summer or early fall. Professor Gail Aamodt, clinical education coordinator in the School of Dental Hygiene Studies, will serve as school's interim director until a new director is appointed.
Please join me in thanking Lisa for her tremendous work and service to the university thus far, and in the future.
Best regards,
Ann Barr-Gillespie, DPT, PhD
Vice Provost and Executive Dean - College of Health Professions
Vice Provost for Research