UAMS Names Douglas L. Murphy as Dean of College of Health Related Professions

By Jon Parham

Murphy, currently serving as interim dean of the School of Health Professions at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, brings more than 10 years experience as an administrator. He will succeed Ronald Winters, Ph.D., who is retiring. Murphy will begin in his new role as dean on Feb. 15, 2011.

The College of Health Related Professions offers 26 degrees and certificates across 18 professions from audiology to surgical technology. The college had an enrollment of 665 students for the 2010-2011 academic year, including those registered in graduate-level programs through the UAMS Graduate School.

“Dr. Murphy’s background in academic leadership and the allied health professions makes him a perfect fit for our college,” said UAMS Chancellor Dan Rahn, M.D. “Dr. Winters led the college to significant growth in enrollment and programs and we are grateful for his exemplary leadership. We wish him well in his retirement.”

Murphy has served as associate dean at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio since 1999 and is the school’s key administrative officer for academic and student affairs. He also is an active faculty member in the departments of Occupational Therapy and Clinical Laboratory Sciences.

He completed his undergraduate training at the University of Montana in Bozeman and received his master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Kansas in Lawrence. He has authored or co-authored numerous books and book chapters and has published extensively.

UAMS is the state’s only comprehensive academic health center, with colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Related Professions and Public Health; a graduate school; a 540,000-square-foot hospital; a statewide network of regional centers; and six institutes: the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, the Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, the Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy, the Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, the Psychiatric Research Institute and the Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging. It is the state’s only Level 1 trauma center. UAMS has 2,836 students and 761 medical residents. It is the state’s largest public employer with more than 10,000 employees, including nearly 1,150 physicians who provide medical care to patients at UAMS, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, the VA Medical Center and UAMS’ Area Health Education Centers throughout the state. Visit www.uams.edu or uamshealth.com.