Rutgers appoints new dean to lead School of Health Professions

Educator and researcher Jeffrey DiGiovanni assumes the administrative role for Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences in the fall

Jeffery DiGiovanni, a communications sciences and disorders scholar with extensive higher education experience, has been named dean of the School of Health Professions for Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences.

He is expected to begin his new leadership role at Rutgers University in October.

DiGiovanni comes to Rutgers having served as the acting associate dean of research for the College of Allied Health Sciences at the University of Cincinnati. He also was a professor and chair of the college’s Department of Communications Sciences and Disorders.

Before his tenure at Cincinnati, DiGiovanni held positions as an associate professor, interim department chair and chief clinical officer at Ohio University’s College of Health Sciences and Professions.

“We are delighted to welcome Dr. DiGiovanni to the Rutgers School of Health Professions, one of the nation’s best, largest and most comprehensive schools of the health professions,” Brian Strom, chancellor of RBHS, said. “With his extensive background in research, innovation and clinical practice we look forward to elevating this school to an even greater level of accomplishment under his leadership.”

DiGiovanni assumes the role from Alma Merians, who has been serving as the interim dean at SHP since October. He will lead a health professions school that has surged in the national rankings and research growth.

As the school’s new chief academic officer, reporting to the chancellor, DiGiovanni will oversee SHP’s undergraduate and graduate programs to prepare students for successful careers in health care. He also will work closely with faculty, staff and students to advance the school’s research and scholarship initiatives, which aim to improve patient outcomes, patient experience and advance the health care profession.

“I am honored and delighted to accept the opportunity to lead the development of the School of Health Professions with such talented students and visionary colleagues in an incredibly collaborative environment,” DiGiovanni said.

He also brings a record of securing grants to SHP, having obtained nearly $8 million for research involving hearing and speech disorders. DiGiovanni holds two patents and founded a life sciences company and marketed a novel medical device to treat tinnitus. His past professional service includes participation in the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Audiology Advisory Council.

“I am so pleased with the work of my colleagues on the search committee. We conducted a national search and, in that process, interviewed some of the nation’s best and brightest health care university administrators,” Feldman said.