SHRS Interim Dean David C. Beck
Dr. Anantha Shekhar, senior vice chancellor for the Health Sciences and John and Gertrude Petersen dean of the School of Medicine, made the announcement January 9, 2025, that SHRS Executive Vice Dean David C. Beck will be serving as interim dean of SHRS. Read his full announcement below.
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Dear colleagues,
I am pleased to announce the appointment of David C. Beck, EdD, MPAS, as interim dean of the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS). He steps in for Tony Delitto, PhD, PT, who was named the University of Pittsburgh’s associate provost for digital education last fall and will be vacating his role as SHRS dean Jan. 31. Dr. Beck, who has served SHRS as vice dean since May 1, 2023, and as executive vice dean since Nov. 1, 2024, has played a key role in helping to strengthen and reinforce SHRS on its path to continued success as one of the nation’s premier schools of allied health sciences. In these roles, he has matched his dedication to supporting the academic, research and service needs of the school with his expertise in leadership and improvement science, especially through the use of fiscal discipline and data to inform and measure the impacts of the school’s strategic decision-making.
A nationally recognized leader in the physician associate/assistant (PA) profession, Dr. Beck has been a member of the SHRS faculty for 15 years. His growth mindset was instrumental in the advancement of several SHRS programs into full departments, as well as the expansion of the school’s excellent and innovative Physician Assistant Studies academic programming. He was the first faculty member hired to teach in the PA program, first chair of the Department of PA Studies, first director of the PA Studies hybrid program, and first SHRS associate dean for interprofessional studies. Among his many honors are recognition as a Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the 2023 Pennsylvania Society of Physician Associates PA of the Year, and a PA Educator of the Year.
Dr. Beck holds a Bachelor of Science in health science and a Master of Physician Assistant Science from Saint Francis University and earned his Doctor of Education from the University of Pittsburgh. His clinical interests include emergency medicine and physical medicine/rehabilitation, especially the design and application of assistive technology that improves quality of life and health outcomes for those of us with physical disabilities.
Please join me in thanking Dean Delitto for his eight years of exceptional service as SHRS dean and wishing Dr. Beck success in his interim role as we launch a national search for a permanent successor.
Sincerely,
Anantha Shekhar, MD, PhD
Senior Vice Chancellor for the Health Sciences
John and Gertrude Petersen Dean, School of Medicine
University of Pittsburgh