J. Glenn Forister, Ph.D., PA-C, has been appointed as dean of the UNTHSC School of Health Professions, UNTHSC said in a news release Jan. 7.
Forister, previously associate professor and Division Head of Physician Assistant Education in the School of Medicine at Oregon Health & Science University, will begin his position in Fort Worth Feb. 4.
UNTHSC’s One University concept, values-based culture and focus on teamwork are concepts were part of the lure, Forister said in the release.
“I have always worked on teams, and the idea of creating a sustainable people culture and transforming the Health Science Center into a destination workplace is very appealing to me,” Forister said.
The School of Health Professions is home to the Department of Physical Therapy, the Physician Assistant Studies Program, and Lifestyle Health Program. Forister said his goals include positioning the school’s faculty, staff and students to collaborate inter-professionally with other schools and programs on campus.
The university already is a leader in interprofessional education and practice, he said.
“You can’t train or teach people in silos and then expect them to work in teams after graduation,” Forister said. “Programs may have different education schedules or curriculum goals but overcoming those differences and preparing students to work in high-performing teams is vital to creating the health care provider of the future.”
Charles Taylor, Pharm.D., provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, said Forister has a track record of strong leadership – and is coming from a Physician Assistant Program ranked in the top five nationally by US News & World Report.
“Dr. Forister has a solid understanding of what is needed to take the School of Health Professions to the next level of success and values our commitment to working together to transform lives to improve the lives of others,” Taylor said in the news release.
Forister has a master of physician assistant studies degree from the University of Nebraska, a master of science degree in clinical investigation from the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, and a Ph.D. in education and human resource development from Texas A&M University.
After completing his physician’s assistant training in 1990 at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, he practiced in orthopedic surgery, family medicine and urgent care. He also served as a PA in the Medical Specialty Corps of the U.S. Army/Army Reserve from 2000 to 2008.
– FWBP Staff