Tammy Webster, PhD, has been named dean of the UNMC College of Allied Health Professions, UNMC Interim Chancellor H. Dele Davies, MD, announced. Her appointment, effective May 1, is pending the approval of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents.
“I am pleased to appoint Dr. Webster as dean of the UNMC College of Allied Health Professions,” Dr. Davies said. “Already the executive associate dean, she brings both the experience and the vision to further elevate an already outstanding college and will be an invaluable asset in expanding our presence throughout Nebraska and the nation.”
Dr. Webster will be the second dean in the college’s history. The former UNMC School of Allied Health Professions was housed under the auspices of the UNMC College of Medicine prior to becoming UNMC’s sixth college in 2015.
“I am deeply honored to serve as the next dean of the UNMC College of Allied Health Professions,” Dr. Webster said. “And I’m grateful to our inaugural dean, Dr. Kyle P. Meyer, whose vision and leadership established a strong and enduring foundation for the college. I look forward to building on this legacy as we continue to advance our mission and enhance the impact of allied health programs, research, clinical practice and community outreach through extraordinary outcomes.”
She will lead a college on the rise. The UNMC College of Allied Health Professions is known as a national leader in distance education, pedagogy and rural health. It has grown exponentially in enrollment, scholarship, philanthropic support and more over the last decade. Several allied health education programs have expanded to UNMC’s Kearney campus.
Allied health professions comprise about 60% of the national health care workforce, and with 15 health professions programs at UNMC, the college boasts the second highest enrollment among UNMC colleges.
Dr. Webster emerged as the finalist candidate following a University of Nebraska System-wide search led by chair Lepaine Sharp-McHenry, DNP, dean of the UNMC College of Nursing. As finalist, Dr. Webster met with campus leaders, faculty, staff, students and external stakeholders. She presented her vision of leadership of the college to the greater UNMC campus community.
A University of Nebraska Developing Excellence in Academic Leaders (NU DEAL) fellow, Dr. Webster has held several leadership positions within the college and across UNMC, including faculty coach for the UNMC Office of Faculty Development and co-chair of the UNMC Education Council. She recently completed a graduate certificate in education law and policy from the University of Georgia.
Dr. Webster previously served as executive associate dean and associate dean for academic affairs for allied health.
Prior to taking on an administrative role, Dr. Webster was a nationally recognized educator serving as program director of UNMC’s radiography, computed tomography and cardiovascular interventional technology programs. She’s been featured on the cover of ASRT Scanner, a bimonthly magazine published by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists.
Dr. Webster succeeds the college’s founding dean, Kyle Meyer, PhD, who is stepping aside as dean after leading allied health at UNMC for 20 years. Dr. Meyer will continue to serve as associate vice chancellor for health workforce initiatives and Armstrong Family Distinguished Chair of Rural Healthcare Workforce Strategy.
“I want to thank Dean Sharp-McHenry and all members of the search committee for their extensive work throughout this entire process,” Dr. Davies said. “I also want to thank Dr. Meyer for his excellent foundation of leadership as founding dean, and his ongoing dedication to advancing allied health and other health professions in Nebraska as associate vice chancellor for health workforce initiatives. I am confident Dr. Webster will continue to build upon the strong legacy he has built.”
Outstanding news! Congratulations, Tammy!!