Saint Louis University (SLU) seeks an experienced and knowledgeable leader to serve as Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training (PTAT) in the Doisy College of Health Sciences (DCHS). The oldest university west of the Mississippi River and the second-oldest Jesuit university in the nation, SLU is a private urban research university offering undergraduate and graduate programs to 13,000 students. Founded in 1818, SLU has seen growth in academic programs, research activity, campus life, donor support, and student outcomes.
One of 11 colleges and schools within SLU, the Doisy College of Health Sciences offers high-quality, high-demand programs that prepare graduates to succeed in the competitive healthcare sector. Student outcomes, including first-time pass rates for licensure exams and employment rates, are outstanding, and there is a strong demand for the College’s graduates. One of five academic departments within the College, PTAT houses the accelerated, early-assurance Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program and the accelerated Master of Athletic Training Program. PTAT is among a small number of programs nationwide to offer early assurance programs. DCHS houses a dynamic interdisciplinary Integrated and Applied Sciences Ph.D. program. One of the largest departments within DCHS, PTAT has 16 core full-time faculty, including four tenured and three tenure-track faculty, as well as clinical faculty and instructors and enrolls approximately 560-600 students. The program in Physical Therapy ranks 34 among programs in physical therapy in U.S. News & World Report.
Reporting to the Dean, the chair is responsible for the vision, leadership, and administration of the programs in PTAT, for the Department’s strategy, working toward obtaining appropriate resources and managing them, and for supervising instruction and the personnel of the Department. The chair serves as the primary voice and advocate for the Department at the College and University levels and represents the Department to external accrediting agencies, the Department’s clinical partners, and the professional community.
This is an exciting opportunity to lead a well-established department, supported by a talented and dedicated group of faculty and staff and outstanding students who are committed to SLU’s mission. Historically, the chair has also served as program director for the Physical Therapy program. The leadership structure will depend upon the new chair’s academic credentials, experience, and vision for the Department. The College seeks a chair for PTAT who combines: exemplary academic, teaching, and clinical experience with strategic leadership ability; outstanding interpersonal and communication skills; collaborative and creative energy; and ambition for promoting the success of a department whose mission is to be a center of excellence in health professions education, research, and service. The ideal candidate will have a vision for maintaining and increasing academic excellence in clinical programs as well as commitment to promoting research and contributing substantially to SLU’s goal to achieve Carnegie R1 status. An earned doctorate (Ph.D., Ed.D., or related field) or equivalent experience and academic qualifications that merit appointment as tenured faculty member in the Department is required, together with a strong record of distinguished leadership in the field. Should the chair also be the program director in physical therapy, the individual will need to hold an active, unrestricted PT license as per the program in physical therapy accreditation standards, plus at least six years of full-time higher education experience, with a minimum of three years of full-time experience as a core faculty member in a CAPTE-accredited entry-level physical therapist education program. The Program in Physical Therapy as SLU is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy education (CAPTE), 2020 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22305-3085; telephone: 703 706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://wwwcapteonline.org. The next CAPTE accreditation is in 2028.
Screening will begin in June and continue until an appointment is made. Applications (including CV, a cover letter addressing interest, leadership philosophy, and commitment to diversity, as well as the names of five references) should be submitted using DSG’s candidate portal. Nominations and inquiries should be directed electronically to: SLUDoisyPTAT@divsearch.com.
Kim M. Morrisson, Ph.D., Managing Director or Andrew C. Wheeler, Managing Director
Christine Falcone, Senior Search Associate
The Diversified Search Group
One Commerce Square, 2005 Market Street, Suite 3300, Philadelphia PA 19103
Saint Louis University is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer committed to providing fair treatment of all in the SLU community on the basis of merit.