Photo / Courtesy, University of New England
John Vitale
Updated: September 6, 2024
UNE has a new dean for its Westbrook College of Health Professions
The University of New England has selected John Vitale as the dean of its Westbrook College of Health Professions.
Vitale will start his new role on Monday, Sept. 9.
His appointment comes following a nationwide search after the previous dean, Jennifer Morton, accepted the role of executive director of UNE’s School of Nursing. There, she will be charged with expanding the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs, including the psychiatric nurse practitioner, advanced practice and doctoral programs.
Vitale joins UNE with over 15 years of leadership experience in higher education.
“UNE is internationally known as being an innovator and leader in interprofessional health care education,” Vitale told Mainebiz. “The expansion of the Portland Campus for the Health Sciences, with the move of UNE’s medical school and the growth and expansion of programs, is positioned to continue to be at the forefront of team-based collaborative health care education. I am very excited to be part of this new phase in the history of the university and to continue this rich tradition of innovation.”
Prior to joining UNE, Vitale was dean of the School of Professional Studies and Science at Landmark College in Putney, Vt. In that role, he designed new academic programs and mentored neurodiverse students. His efforts have broadened the college's work on diversity, equity and inclusion, particularly neurodiversity, UNE said.
He has also held other leadership roles, including dean of the College of Health Professions at Rosalind Franklin University in Chicago. During his tenure with the university, he initiated and expanded multiple health professions programs, led accreditation processes and strengthened clinical partnerships.
“John’s commitment to interprofessional education and collaborative leadership style make him an exceptional fit for our community,” said Gwendolyn Mahon, UNE provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.
Vitale earned a Ph.D. in interprofessional health care studies from Rosalind Franklin University in 2013, where he assessed competency in graduate medical education. He also holds a master’s degree in pathologist’s assistant studies from Quinnipiac University and a bachelor’s in biology from Keene State College in New Hampshire.
UNE is home to Maine's only medical and dental colleges, in addition to offering other health care degree programs. The university is currently relocating its College of Osteopathic Medicine from the UNE Biddeford campus to the one in Portland, where a health sciences center is being built.
More than 6,500 UNE students attend classes at the campuses in Biddeford, Portland and Tangier, Morocco, and online.
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