School of Health Professions Dean Search Announcement

June 12, 2023

Dear RBHS Colleagues:

I am pleased to announce that Jeffrey DiGiovanni, PhD, has accepted the position of Dean of the School of Health Professions. Currently, Dr. DiGiovanni serves as Acting Associate Dean of Research and Professor and Chair of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders of the College of Allied Health Sciences at the University of Cincinnati.

Dr. DiGiovanni earned his PhD and MA from the University of Minnesota and a BS from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. In addition, he holds a professional certificate in audiology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Prior to his tenure at Cincinnati, he was an Associate Professor, Interim Chair, and Chief Clinical Officer in the College of Health Sciences and Professions at Ohio University. The author of over 40 original papers, books, and chapters, his research focuses on working memory, attention performance, and models for persons with normal and impaired hearing.  He holds two patents and founded a life sciences company marketing a novel medical device to treat tinnitus. Past professional service includes participation on the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Audiology Advisory Council.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. DiGiovanni on his new position. I would also like to extend my thanks to Interim Dean Alma Merians for her stewardship of the SHP through this transition period.

For their diligence in identifying our new dean, we owe a word of gratitude to the SHP Dean Search Committee for their active participation in this extensive national search process. The members of the committee are listed below, thank you for your time and commitment to building excellence in education, research, and patient care across our academic health system:

• Cecile Feldman, DMD, MBA (committee chair)
• Nadine M. Aktan, PhD, FNP-BC
• Laura D. Byham-Gray, PhD
• Kenneth J. Gill, PhD
• Nkechi E. Mbadugha, PA-C
• Alma Merians, PhD, PT
• Antonina Mitrofanova, PhD
• Rafael E. Perez-Figueroa, MD, MPH
• Lois E. Rockson, PhD, MAEd, MPH
• Denise V. Rodgers, MD
• Gregory J. Rokosz, DO, JD
• Pamela Rothpletz-Puglia, Ed.D., RDN
• Adrienne Simonds, PhD, PT

Dr. DiGiovanni will join the Rutgers School of Health Professions in October of 2023.

Sincerely, 

Brian L. Strom, MD, MPH
Chancellor, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences