LETTER FROM THE ASSOCIATE DEAN AND CHAIR

The Department of Allied Health Sciences in the School of Medicine is a beacon of excellence among many superb schools and programs at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Our programs provide high-quality education, are engaged in state-of-the art clinical services, and conduct innovative research in the broad areas of rehabilitation and intervention science. As you will see in the following stories, we have created culturally sensitive and practice-ready professionals by expanding our interprofessional education and practice opportunities, and we are expanding into global educational initiatives for both faculty and students. We also are proud to be a diverse and inclusive academic and workplace environment, with more than 20 percent of our students identifying as underrepresented minorities. We are equally proud to have approximately 75 percent of our students remain in North Carolina as employed professionals in various communities across the state. We are a true example of excellence at UNC-CH.

The department is poised to expand upon these past successes as we continue to serve our state constituents, the southeast region, and the country. This expansion is illustrated in our recently completed five-year strategic plan (2019-2024). With the input of our various programs, we are proud to highlight the following five pillars: • Wellness • Research and Discovery • Community Engagement, Service, and Impact • Workforce Development and Student Success • Departmental Supports

These pillars encompass ambitious goals and objectives. As such, they will allow for continued success in exemplary teaching, innovative research, and person-centered care. They also embrace wellness initiatives throughout the department for faculty, staff, and students; aggressively address interprofessional education and practice needs; advance the importance of increased diversity and inclusion across all of our departmental efforts; and provide for a growing global footprint.

As we look toward our department’s 50th anniversary in 2022, we embrace the future of the departmental objectives set forth by these pillars. Alumni of our outstanding programs are part of the DAHS family, and we look forward to sharing our continued success with you. We are sincerely appreciative of your ongoing and active involvement with our department as we move forward together.

With Gratitude,

Stephen Hooper, PhD

ASSOCIATE DEAN AND CHAIR