Donna Fry Appointed Interim Dean of the School of Health Professions and Studies

Professor Donna Fry has been appointed Interim Dean of the School of Health Professions and Studies (SHPS), pending approval of the Board of Regents.

The appointment begins September 1.

Fry served as Associate Dean of SHPS since 2012.

"Her service to the university encompasses a wide array of governance, curricular, and strategic committees at the department, school, and university levels," said Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Douglas Knerr in his announcement of the news.

"I look forward to Donna's leadership and expertise in moving the School of Health Professions and Studies forward. Please join me in congratulating her and supporting her in her work."

Fry received her B.S. in 1982, M.S. in 1987, and Ph.D. in 1998, all from the University of Michigan. She holds a physical therapist license from the state of Michigan. Fry joined the UM-Flint faculty in 1987 as a lecturer, was appointed to assistant professor in 1998, promoted to associate professor, with tenure, in 2004, and to professor in 2009.

"Professor Fry served as Acting Associate Director in 2001, Interim Director in 2006-2007, and then Director of the Department of Physical Therapy from 2007-2010. She served as Interim Dean of SHPS from 2010-2011, Special Assistant to the Dean from 2011-2012, and Associate Dean since 2012," Knerr said in his announcement.

"Professor Fry's research activities include the publication of 22 peer reviewed journal articles, clinical practice guidelines, over 90 peer reviewed scientific and professional presentations, and the development of a patent. Her co-authored grant writing has garnered over $4 million of funding. Professor Fry is the recipient of the Silver Quill Award for Qualitative and Quantitative Research from the Canadian Physiotherapy Association in 2012, Degenerative Disease Special Interest Group Service Award – Neurology Section from the American Physical Therapy Association in 2011, among other awards."

"Professor Fry has served on the Board of Trustees for the Michigan Health Council since 2015, Genesee Health Plan Board of Directors since 2015, Scientific Advisory Committee of the American Physical Therapy Association since 2012, Board of Directors of MS Connection, Inc. from 1996-2002, and a number of leadership positions including President and Vice President of the Michigan Physical Therapy Institute for Education and Research. "

"Professor Fry has directed 15 Doctor of Physical Therapy student theses and 32 Master of Physical Therapy student theses."

Fry said she is "thrilled with this opportunity to serve the School of Health Professions and Studies and the university in this role. This is an exciting time with many opportunities to connect the university and our local community in meaningful ways that enrich student learning and benefit the community.

"The School of Health Professions and Studies currently offers many very high quality programs in nursing, public health, and physical therapy among others, and we plan to expand our program offerings in the next 1-2 years," Fry said.

"Our faculty are continually working to expand not only traditional learning experiences, but also community-based and immersion experiences locally and abroad to help students in their journey of cultural development."