Smooth and capable transitions were assured in mid-2021 when both the College of Health Professions (CHP) and the College of Pharmacy (COP) appointed interim deans from within their ranks.
Scott Hanes, PharmD, assumed the role of College of Pharmacy interim dean on July 1 after serving as COP vice dean and associate professor. He succeeds Marc S. Abel, PhD, who stepped back from his role as COP dean and remains at RFU as a valued faculty member.
Dr. Hanes brings more than 25 years of experience in academic pharmacy. He joined RFU in 2010 as the chair of the Department of Pharmacy Practice, a role he held until becoming vice dean of COP in January 2017.
“During my time as interim dean, planned initiatives include enhancing alumni engagement highlighted with a celebration of the college’s 10th year anniversary in the spring of 2022,” Dr. Hanes said. “Additionally, a newly developed task force will integrate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives across the program and curriculum. Lastly, the college is developing pre-matriculation programs and enhancing curricular support to optimize student success.”
Patrick Knott, PhD, PA-C, was named interim dean of the College of Health Professions on Aug. 1, succeeding John E. Vitale, PhD ’13, MHS, PA(ASCP), who departed RFU for a new role on the East Coast.
Dr. Knott has been a faculty member in CHP for nearly three decades, having served as the chair of the Physician Assistant Program for 17 years, successfully leading the program through multiple accreditation visits. His previous leadership roles include vice president for strategic enrollment management, associate vice president for academic affairs, CHP associate dean for clinical and external affairs, and department chair.
His short-term goals in the dean’s office are to help four programs in CHP successfully complete their reaccreditation visits during the 2021–22 academic year. Through his involvement with the Lake Forest College–RFU Health Professions Program, he aims to support and promote the recent successes that CHP has had in recruiting and graduating students who are underrepresented in healthcare fields.