Chancellor Steve Schwab, MD, of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center has named Stephen E. Alway, PhD, dean of the College of Health Professions. He will begin his new appointment on December 15, 2017.
Dr. Alway previously served as chair of the Division of Exercise Physiology, executive chairperson of the Department of Human Performance and Applied Exercise Science, and senior assistant dean for Research and Graduate Studies at West Virginia University School of Medicine.
As dean, Dr. Alway will provide leadership and guidance for the College of Health Professions, which has a long and distinguished record of offering nationally recognized programs and preparing students for practice in the fields of health, diagnosis, and rehabilitation and treatment of disease and disabilities in Tennessee and beyond.
“Dr. Alway’s outstanding record of teaching and research, combined with his leadership abilities, will lead the College of Health Professions to even greater heights and national prominence, as he expands and strengthens the academic and clinical programs in the college for training the next generation of health professionals,” Dr. Schwab said.
During his 12-year tenure as chair of Exercise Physiology at West Virginia University, the program grew to become the largest undergraduate degree-granting program at West Virginia University and the premier pre-medical training program at the university. While working with the administration of the School of Medicine, Dr. Alway was able to more than double departmental teaching and research space for exercise physiology. He also helped obtain new endowed scholarship support for meritorious graduate and undergraduate students.
Meeting West Virginia’s strategic goal of educating leaders to serve a global community, Dr. Alway’s department established agreements around the world to fund faculty and graduate student research exchanges, undergraduate learning abroad exchanges, and establish clinical outreach partnerships.
Dr. Alway began the PhD program in exercise physiology at West Virginia University and developed graduate students who won national awards for their research and went on to outstanding postdoctoral training fellowships. He has authored more than 130 peer reviewed scientific publications, eight scientific book chapters, and 400 health and exercise related publications in journals for lay populations. His research in aging, muscle wasting, and rehabilitation has been funded by the National Institutes of Health and through industry grants.
“The need for robust educational programs for preparing students for careers in health professions, rehabilitation science, and research has never been greater, and UTHSC’s College of Health Professions is a proven leader across so many of our health disciplines,” Dr. Alway said. “I’m excited to join the College of Health Professions and the greater campus community at UTHSC, and I look forward to the opportunity to both build and continue to provide a world-class experience in education and research opportunities for students that will benefit the citizens of Tennessee.”
Dr. Alway earned his Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology (Honors) from the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, and both his Master of Science degree in physiology and Doctoral degree in medical sciences-neuroscience were from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He completed postdoctoral training at the University of Waterloo, and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Prior to his current appointment, he held faculty positions at Oral Roberts University School of Medicine, The Ohio State University, and the University of South Florida.