Tom Platt
Three SHRS faculty assumed new leadership roles effective October 1. Tom Platt, professor and associate dean for Academic Partnerships, is now chair of the school’s Department of Community Health Services and Rehabilitation Science (CHSRS). Platt led the formation of the department from proposal to inception. Dean Anthony Delitto states, “Given Tom’s proven leadership skills and his team building approach, the chair position in CHSRS is an excellent match. The department was created expressly to introduce fledgling programs and build them to capacity.”
Currently CHSRS houses both the undergraduate Rehabilitation Science and Emergency Medicine (EM) programs. “My vision is to take advantage of the opportunity to integrate these programs into the school in a larger capacity,” explains Platt. “My long-term goal is to develop new programs to meet the ever-changing needs of the health care system and grow a diverse faculty and staff who will share their knowledge, skills and abilities with our students.”
Platt completed his undergraduate degree in public administration at the University of Pittsburgh, a master's degree in adult education at Penn State and a doctoral degree in instructional design at Pitt’s School of Education. He will use his 30+ years of experience in Emergency Medical Services, higher education and international project management to carry out his department’s mission. CHSRS faculty, staff and students will aim to create opportunities to further education, for entry level employment and to increase access to health care and improve the well-being of our communities and the nation.
Platt will also draw upon his experience as director of the Emergency Medicine and Rehabilitation Science programs, roles he relinquishes as chair. “I am most excited for the opportunities that this brings for Nicole Cecchini, our new EM program director, and Andrea Hergenroeder, the new Rehabilitation Science program director. These new leaders have an opportunity to grow and expand the programs using their unique talents and expertise,” says Platt.
Cecchini, instructor and 2007 alumna of the EM program, began her academic career after graduation as an educator with the Center for Emergency Medicine and has served as instructor, clinical coordinator, accreditation program director for the CEM and Pitt programs, and most recently as associate director.
Nicole Cecchini
Hergenroeder, associate professor, began her academic career as adjunct faculty in the Physical Therapy Department in 2002. She eventually became director of the DPT residential option and received several awards for her innovation in education, including the Chancellor's Distinguished Teaching Award. Last year, the provost appointed her director of Pitt’s Pre-Health Resource Center. She will continue to serve in this role while leading the undergraduate Rehabilitation Science program.
Andrea Hergenroeder
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Published October 3, 2022