Dean Emeritus David Shelledy recognized for his impact on health professions education
A month after retiring as dean of the School of Health Professions, Dean Emeritus David Shelledy, PhD, RRT, RPFT, FAARC, FASAHP, received the prestigious Legacy of Excellence Award from the Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions.
Shelledy received the award on Oct. 28 during the association’s annual conference in Nashville, Tennessee. The Legacy of Excellence Award honors nationally or internationally recognized leaders in health professions who are strong advocates for health sciences and health professions and who publicly promote the contributions of the health professions to the healthcare workforce.
“Only 13 individuals in ASAHP’s 59-year history have received the Legacy of Excellence Award — a testament to the extraordinary distinction it represents. Dr. David Shelledy has truly earned a place among this exceptional group,” said ASAHP President Jon Williamson, PhD, FASAHP, dean of the School of Health Professions at UT Southwestern Medical Center. “Through his remarkable career of leadership, advocacy and service, Dr. Shelledy has championed the vital role of the health professions in our healthcare workforce and has been a powerful advocate for health sciences and education. We are proud to honor a career that has left an enduring legacy for our profession and our association.”
Shelledy was the founding chair of the School of Health Professions’ Department of Respiratory Care from 1994 to 2004. He then served as associate dean for academic and student affairs for the College of Health Professions at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and then as dean of the College of Health Sciences at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. He returned to The University of Texas at San Antonio Health Science Center in 2014 to lead the School of Health Professions, retiring in September after 12 years. During Shelledy’s tenure as dean, the school achieved significant growth in student enrollment, academic program development and expansion, and research activity.
“I am honored and humbled to receive this wonderful award. Because ASAHP is the primary organization representing the over 12 million allied health professionals in the U.S., it has been a great privilege to be a small part of its work,” Shelledy said.
“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to support the ASAHP mission to advance health professions education and discovery through interprofessional collaboration, leadership, excellence and innovation,” he added. “I would also like to extend my thanks to my remarkable friends and colleagues at UT Health San Antonio for their years of shared dedication.”
The award is a fitting acknowledgement of Shelledy’s distinguished leadership and advocacy for health professions education, said School of Health Professions Interim Dean Bridgett Piernik-Yoder, PhD, OTR, FAOTA. “It is wonderful to see Dr. Shelledy’s substantial contributions recognized with the ASAHP Legacy of Excellence Award,” she said. “Dr. Shelledy has made a lasting impact, and this recognition is well deserved.”