Four named as University Health Services director finalists

Four candidates have been selected as finalists for the position of executive director of University Health Services (UHS), University of Wisconsin–Madison Vice Chancellor for Administration Darrell Bazzell announced today.

"This is a talented set of finalists, all of whom have the specialized skills necessary to lead a major student health service," Bazzell says. "The next few years present tremendous opportunities for UHS on the UW–Madison campus, and I look forward to working with the next leader."

In order to introduce themselves to the UW–Madison community, each of the candidates will participate in a two-day program on campus, giving them the opportunity to interact with UHS employees, students, faculty and staff, governance groups and community members active in health and medical fields.

In particular, students are invited to attend a presentation from each candidate entitled "Top Health Issues Facing College Students," along with a separate informal reception with free pizza. Finalist visits were arranged to take place before the end of the academic year to encourage student input.

All are welcome to visit an online site to register feedback on the candidates and to view their full schedules, including times and places of open forums, along with their CVs. The finalists are:

• Ferdinand Schlapper, executive director of Health, Wellness and Counseling Services at Boise State University (Idaho). Schlapper previously served as director of administrative services at UHS from 1986 to 2002. Schlapper will visit campus on April 28-29.
• Dr. Glenn Egelman, M.D., director and physician-in-chief of the Student Health Service of Bowling Green State University (Ohio). Egelman previously served as director of Health Services at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. He will visit May 1-2.
• Dana Mills, director of the Student Health Service (SHS) at Marquette University in Milwaukee. During his tenure, the SHS has upgraded its staffing and established a segregated health fee to support the service. Mills will visit May 6-7.
• Dr. Sarah Van Orman, M.D., current director of clinical services at UHS. Van Orman is responsible for clinical, financial, educational and administrative aspects of medical services. Van Orman will hold her campus program May 8-9.

The finalists were selected by a search committee made up of students, faculty and staff led by Dean of Students Lori Berquam.

UHS provides high-quality clinical, counseling and prevention services to UW–Madison students. The executive director, who reports to Bazzell, serves as the chief health officer for the campus and leads the development of university policies and programs that protect and promote the health of members of the university community.

This includes directing the assessment and monitoring of campus health issues and collaborating with state and local officials to develop response to public health emergencies affecting the campus and its students, staff, and faculty.

The new director will replace Kathy Poi, who retired last year. Susan Crowley is currently serving as interim executive director until a new person is hired.

One of the first university health services founded in the U.S., UHS will celebrate its centennial in 2010. In late 2008-early 2009, all services will transition into a new, state-of-the-art facility at 333 East Campus Mall, in the new University Square development.