Later this year, the Malek School of Health Professions at Marymount University\u00a0will be led by a new Dean who brings extensive experience in teaching, scholarship and service in the field of health care education.
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\nDr. Kenneth Harwood will begin in this role on July 6, 2020, and will build on existing momentum and forge new opportunities for the School and the University to achieve growth and continued success. He is currently the Director of George Washington University\u0092s Health Care Quality Program in Clinical Research and Leadership, and is also the Research Director for the University\u0092s Department of Health, Human Function and Rehabilitation Sciences. He previously served as Vice President of Practice and Education at the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), and held full-time academic positions at Columbia University, New York University (NYU) and the State University of New York\u0092s (SUNY) Health Sciences Center at Brooklyn.
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\n\u0093Dr. Harwood is a proven leader in health care research and academia, and he is the best choice to lead the School,\u0094 said Provost and Senior Vice President, Dr. Hesham El-Rewini. \u0093He brings a tremendous portfolio of skills and experiences, and I am fully confident that he will effectively shape the vision of the school as a leader in health care education and research.\u0094
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\nDr. Harwood\u0092s appointment is the result of a comprehensive national search process led by Marymount faculty and staff, with external aid from the national academic search firm Storbeck\/Pimentel & Associates. Dr. El-Rewini praised the efforts of the Search Committee and its co-chairs, Dr. Skye Donovan and Alison Gregory, who agreed that Dr. Harwood stood out within a diverse pool of applicants.
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\n\u0093He is a celebrated teacher as well as an accomplished scholar and entrepreneur,\u0094 Dr. Donovan said. \u0093He is renowned in the field of health care policy, quality and leadership.\u0094
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\n\u0093Dr. Harwood\u0092s active research portfolio, depth of experience with relevant professional associations and data-driven approach made him the ideal candidate,\u0094 Gregory added.
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\nThe Malek School of Health Professions is a well-recognized leader in the education of skilled, compassionate health care professionals. Undergraduate and graduate programs are offered in the departments of Health and Human Performance, Nursing and Physical Therapy, while clinical doctoral programs are available in Physical Therapy and Nursing Practice.
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\nStudents can also take advantage of the School\u0092s various affiliations with many of the national capital area\u0092s leading health care organizations \u0096 such as the Inova Health System, Children\u0092s National Medical Center, MedStar NRH Rehabilitation Network and Virginia Hospital Center \u0096 to benefit from clinical experiences and internship placements that open the doors to career success.
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\n\u0093Dr. Harwood has a strong track record as an accomplished professor, strategic thinker and innovator,\u0094 said Dr. Irma Becerra, President of Marymount University. \u0093We are always trying to find ways to better serve the health care needs of our nation. While the Malek School of Health Professions already enjoys a tremendous reputation thanks to the strength of our programs, I am confident that Dr. Harwood will lead the push to increase our level of research as well.\u0094
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\nIn addition to these strengths, Dr. Harwood credits Marymount\u0092s institutional mission and core values of professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity, excellence, faith and service for bringing him on board.
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\n\u0093Although there are many things that attracted me to Marymount, I was immediately drawn to the University\u0092s welcoming community, its dedication to student growth and its desire to develop purpose beyond oneself,\u0094 Dr. Harwood explained. \u0093I look forward to working together with students, faculty and administrators to meet the opportunities and challenges ahead.\u0094
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\nDr. Harwood holds a bachelor\u0092s degree in Physical Therapy from SUNY\u0092s Downstate Medical Center, as well as master\u0092s and doctoral degrees from NYU\u0092s Biomechanics and Ergonomics Program. He has received numerous awards and recognitions over his career, including the Advocacy Award for Improved Caregiver Safety and the Distinguished Alumnus Award from SUNY\u0092s Health Sciences Center at Brooklyn. He and his fellow researchers were also awarded the Woodbridge Award for Excellence in Research, and most recently the 2019 John M. Eisenberg Article of the Year Award from the Health Service Research Journal.
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\nWith his appointment as Dean, Dr. Harwood will take the place of Dr. Jeanne Matthews, who retires this February after serving as Dean of the Malek School of Health Professions since July 2014. She also filled the role of interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs from September 2018 through July 2019. Dr. Becerra and Dr. El-Rewini express their appreciation for her many years of service and her dedication to the success of Marymount students.
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\nDuring the period between the retirement of Dr. Matthews in February and Dr. Harwood\u0092s start date in July, Dr. Michelle Walters-Edwards will fulfill the duties of interim Dean of the Malek School of Health Professions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Later this year, the Malek School of Health Professions at Marymount University\u00a0will be led by a new Dean who brings extensive experience in teaching, scholarship and service in the field of health care education. \u00a0 Dr. Kenneth Harwood will begin in this role on July 6, 2020, and will build on existing momentum and forge […]<\/p>\n