SWAG��Ƶ

The SWAG��Ƶ has announced that John Vitale, Ph.D., M.H.S., PA(ASCP), has been selected as dean of the Westbrook College of Health Professions. Vitale will assume his role on Sept. 9.

Vitale joins SWAG��Ƶ with over 15 years of leadership experience in higher education, including as dean of the College of Health Professions at Rosalind Franklin University in Chicago. During his tenure, he successfully initiated and expanded multiple health professions programs, led accreditation processes, and strengthened clinical partnerships. 

“John’s commitment to interprofessional education and collaborative leadership style make him an exceptional fit for our community,” said Gwendolyn Mahon, SWAG��Ƶ provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs, adding that Vitale’s experience in program evaluation and accreditation, along with his ability to foster strong clinical partnerships, will be invaluable to the University.

Vitale is a national leader in health professions education, having started the nation’s first pathologists’ assistant academic department and serving as president of the Association of Pathologists’ Assistants Training Programs.

Most recently, Vitale served as dean of the School of Professional Studies and Science at Landmark College, where he designed new academic programs and mentored neurodiverse students. His efforts have broadened the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion at the college, particularly in relation to neurodiversity.

He earned a Ph.D. in Interprofessional Health Care Studies from Rosalind Franklin University in 2013, where he assessed interprofessional competency in graduate medical education. He also holds a Master of Health Sciences in Pathologists’ Assistants Studies from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut, and a bachelor’s in biology from Keene State College in New Hampshire.

Vitale’s appointment comes following a nationwide search after previous dean, Jennifer Morton, D.N.P., M.P.H., PHNA-BC, accepted the role of executive director of SWAG��Ƶ’s School of Nursing, where she will be charged with building and expanding both undergraduate and graduate nursing program offerings, including psychiatric nurse practitioner, advanced practice, and doctoral programs.