School of Health Professions Interim Dean Appointment

September 9, 2022

Dear RBHS Community:

As we prepare for the imminent departure of Dean Gwen Mahon for her new position as Provost of the University of New England, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Alma Merians, PhD, PT as Interim Dean of the Rutgers School of Health Professions. Dr. Merians will begin her tenure as Interim Dean on October 24, 2022. 

Dr. Merians is a tenured professor and chair of the Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Sciences. During her 18-years as department chair, she has overseen the growth of the faculty from five to 36 members. Notably, this department was one of the first based at a state university to offer entry-level doctoral education for physical therapists. The department now includes a Masters Program in Speech and Language Pathology, a Doctoral Program in Occupational Therapy, and a pediatric clinical practice that services the Newark Public Schools.

Dr. Merians received her degree in physical therapy from Columbia University and received a PhD in Pathokinesiology from New York University. In addition to her administrative and educational leadership, she is a recognized researcher and clinical expert in upper extremity motor control post stroke. Her work is focused on the basic mechanisms underlying neuromuscular control of human movement and sensorimotor learning and the utilization of technology-assisted rehabilitation to re-train people with neurological diseases. She was a pioneer in the use of interactive, adaptive robotics and virtual reality simulations for hand training in people with hemiplegia post-stroke and has been integral to the development of the system. Her team is currently developing a tele-rehabilitation gaming system to rehabilitate the arm, wrist, and individual fingers using performance algorithm-driven virtual environments that patients post-stroke have successfully used with minimal supervision at home.

The author of over 48 manuscripts and book chapters, Dr. Merians is often invited to speak internationally and serve on NIH study sections. A recipient of the SHRP Research Award and two conference best paper awards, she has been R01 grant funded and recently submitted a renewal grant.

The growth and development of the School of Health Professions over the past seven years has been a point of pride for Rutgers University. Its rising national reputation, expanding clinical enterprise, enhanced opportunities for faculty development and fulfillment, and a growing body of research point to an even brighter future. We are confident that Dr. Merians will work diligently to maintain this positive trajectory as the School begins this next chapter in its history. A national search for a permanent dean is being organized, details to follow.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Merians on this appointment. 

Sincerely,

Brian L. Strom, MD, MPH
Chancellor, RBHS
Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, Rutgers University