The George Washington University has hired a new associate dean for the Colonial Health Center, concluding a national search process with input from students, faculty, and staff.
Glenn Egelman, a health care consultant who has experience delivering and overseeing university health services at five higher education institutions, will begin his new role on March 29. Dr. Egelman will oversee the CHC, which includes Medical Services, Mental Health Services and Health Promotion and Prevention Services.
Dr. Egelman said it is an honor to apply his knowledge, skills and experiences as associate dean.
“Leading and coordinating this strong, renowned, student-centered program, while providing the personalized attention that the diverse and international GW campus deserves, will allow my strengths to be most beneficial to our vibrant campus community,” he said. “Working with the dedicated and experienced professional staff to further the excellent work of biopsychosocial health care integration energizes me.”
Before coming to GW, Dr. Egelman helped launch a Washington, D.C.-based firm, where he was a campus health care consultant. In that role, he worked with student affairs professionals and campus health and counseling directors. Since 2008, he has assisted various health centers with human and fiscal resources, accreditation and care quality.
Dr. Egelman previously was also executive director of the University of Cincinnati’s University Health Services, where he oversaw medical and mental health services to 45,000 students. During his 22 years in the campus health field, Dr. Egelman has visited more than 150 campus health centers and has held progressively responsible university health leadership roles at Bowling Green State University, Skidmore College, SUNY Stony Brook and University of Rochester. Dr. Egelman received his medical degree from University of Rochester School of Medicine.
From 2013 to 2015 Dr. Egelman was a medical officer at the Center for Quality Improvement and Patient Safety at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services based in Rockville, Md. He also worked as director for the Office of Medical Services and in other leadership roles at the United States Peace Corps from 2008 to 2011.
Dr. Egelman said there is no university with more intellectual curiosity, more vibrant energy, or more world awareness and knowledge than GW.
“It is truly a unique community due to the special students,” he said. “So I am very excited to be in a position to support the health, well-being, and academic success of our students."
Forrest Maltzman, provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs, thanked CHC leadership and staff for their support while the university worked to fill this integral role.
"Physical health and mental wellbeing play a critical role in the success of our students,” he said. “Dr. Egelman’s experience and leadership style will make positive impacts as GW continues to prioritize student health and wellbeing."
Students, faculty, and staff are invited to a meet-and-greet with Dr. Egelman Friday from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the CHC.
Peter Konwerski, vice provost and dean of student affairs, welcomed Dr. Egelman to GW and the Division of Student Affairs leadership team.
“Dr. Egelman’s impressive background in collegiate health and well-being, from his leadership roles in higher education, in the public sector, and through his higher education consulting, will be an asset to our student community,” Dr. Konwerski said.
The university began a national search for a leader of the CHC in fall 2016 and sought input from students, faculty, and staff during the process. Carol Sigelman, Hunt Professor and chair of the Department of Psychology, led the search committee that carried out the search with support from the firm Keeling and Associates, which helped build the applicant pool for the position.
Dr. Sigelman said Dr. Egelman’s experience made him the best candidate for the job.
“He understands the need to focus on the whole student through an integrated care model and the need to involve the whole campus community in helping students maintain the good health and mental health they need to succeed,” she said. “We are confident that he will lead the Colonial Health Center team to new heights."
Erika Feinman, Student Association president, believes in Dr. Egelman’s ability to excel in the new role. His expertise and leadership skills will help the CHC meet student needs, Feinman said.
The Colonial Health Center executive director search committee was composed of: Dr. Sigelman; Feinman; Lynsay Belshe, senior advisor for the Office of the Provost; George Howe, professor of psychology; Kaithlyn Kayer, human resources manager; Danielle Lico, associate dean of students and senior advisor for DSA; Terry Murphy, deputy provost; Lorenzo Norris, assistant dean of student affairs for the School of Medicine and Health Sciences; Betsy Wanger, senior counsel in the Office of General Counsel; Isabel Goldenberg, CHC medical director; and Gillian Berry, CHC interim director for mental health services.
