Hardigan Selected as Dean of UW College of Health Sciences

A University of Wyoming alumnus who has extensive experience as an administrator in health care education and research has been chosen as dean of UW's College of Health Sciences.

Patrick Hardigan, currently the senior associate dean for research at Nova Southeastern University's Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine in Florida, will return to UW in his new role Thursday, Jan. 2. His appointment was approved today (Wednesday) by UW's Board of Trustees.

"We are excited for one of our graduates, who has had a successful career promoting research innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration, to return to UW to lead this important academic college," UW Interim Provost Scott Turpen says. "Dr. Hardigan emerged as the top candidate from a nationwide search, and we're confident he will lead the College of Health Sciences into a new era of excellence in education, research and community impact."

Hardigan earned a Master of Business Administration from UW's College of Business with a concentration in marketing in 1991 and a Ph.D. from the College of Education with a concentration in cognitive science -- adult learning and cognitive styles -- in 1996. He boasts a scholarly record with multiple peer-reviewed publications, presentations and abstracts, and he has secured over $9 million in research funding as a principal or co-principal investigator during his long career at Nova Southeastern University's medical school.

"Becoming the dean of the University of Wyoming's College of Health Sciences presents a remarkable opportunity to greatly influence health education, research and community service within a dynamic and impactful university," says Hardigan, who began his academic career as a UW School of Pharmacy faculty member from 1997-99.

About the University of Wyoming College of Health Sciences

UW's College of Health Sciences trains health and wellness professionals and researchers in a wide variety of disciplines, including medicine, nursing, pharmacy, speech-language pathology, social work, kinesiology, public health, health administration and disability studies. The college also oversees residency and fellowship programs in Casper and Cheyenne, as well as operating a speech/hearing clinic in Laramie and primary care clinics in Laramie, Casper and Cheyenne.

With more than 1,600 undergraduate, graduate and professional students, the college is dedicated to training the health and wellness workforce of Wyoming and conducting high-quality research and community engagement, with a particular focus on rural and frontier populations.