Health Professions welcomes new dean
by Megan
Fink Public Relations
Consider Mark Sothmann, Ph.D., an esteemed coach recruited to take a team, already familiar with success, all the way to the championship game. By utilizing his past experience as dean at an academic health center in the Midwest, Sothmann, the new College of Health Professions (CHP) dean, intends to position the MUSC college as a major contender in a national academic arena.
Dr. John Raymond,
left, presents Dr. Mark Sothmann with a tie at his welcoming ceremony
held June 26.Before coming to MUSC, Sothmann was dean of the Indiana University School of Health and Rehabilitation Science and was associate dean in the Indiana University School of Medicine. As a professor for more than 20 years, Sothmann also displayed leadership in the classroom. He received a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Northern Iowa, and his master’s and doctorate degrees in exercise science from Purdue University.
During a very competitive selection process for a new CHP dean, attributes that helped distinguish Sothmann from other candidates included: superior management skills; faculty credibility; sincerity; and constituent support. The new dean also will serve as professor with tenure in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences.
Since joining MUSC July 1, Sothmann has embarked on the first phase of his transition plan; meeting with all faculty, staff, fellow administrators and decision makers within the community to discuss aspirations for the reputable college. Sothmann noted that school pride is a common theme for CHP associates. “We’ve already achieved a notable level of service to the state of South Carolina and recognition nationally” he said. “We now have a great opportunity to build upon that platform to achieve more success.”
His other goals include aggressive recruitment of faculty, staff and students; increasing the availability of external funding for research; and maximizing resources such as the new CHP facility and its technological capabilities.
“The weakest link, in ramping up technology from the development of infrastructure to its utilization, is the human link,” said Sothmann. “The biggest challenge is going to be interfacing with faculty, staff and students on how to best use modern technology so everyone is more comfortable with the tools available.”
Examples of technological training and equipment updates are the conversion of out-dated computer programs to Windows Server 2007 and the ongoing laptop tutorials for all interested students.
While tactics for general goals are underway, an official strategic plan for the college will be launched at the CHP faculty and staff retreat Sept. 21. Sothmann views this transition as a chance to define the role of the College of Health Professions as a public trust and ensure its integration into the university and the community.
“This is a community asset,” he said. “The College of Health Professions will contribute to the quality of life of Charleston.”
Friday, Aug. 24, 2007
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