Innovative health sciences educator, clinical practitioner Dr. Lynette Austin named founding dean of Lipscomb’s College of Health Sciences
Kim Chaudoin |
Lipscomb University has appointed highly respected scholar, innovative health sciences educator and clinical practitioner Dr. Lynette Austin as dean of its newly formed College of Health Sciences.
Austin is professor and chair of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Abilene Christian University (ACU), in Abilene, Texas, and is a licensed speech language pathologist. She will begin her work as dean of Lipscomb’s College of Health Sciences on Dec. 15.
“Dr. Austin is a proven leader who brings experience at the undergraduate and graduate levels as well as two decades of clinical practice to this role that positions her well to further the vision and goals of Lipscomb University and make her the ideal founding dean to establish and lead this new college,” said Lipscomb President Candice McQueen.
Austin has served as chair of its Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders for over seven years. A licensed bilingual speech language pathologist, Austin created and led innovative health science programming at ACU, including its largest graduate program, launched a bilingual emphasis track within the graduate program, and developed clinical partnerships locally and internationally. Austin is a highly respected scholar, who has been published with prestigious houses such as Cambridge University Press among others. In addition to her work in higher education, Austin was a clinical provider for more than 20 years, including operating two private practices.
Earlier this year university officials announced the launch of the Lipscomb University Health Sciences Center (LUHSC), to serve as a hub that encompasses academic programs, research initiatives and community engagements and partnerships to address workforce needs and to better serve Nashville, which has an overall health care industry economic benefit of $67 billion that contributes more than 328,000 jobs to the local economy annually. Health sciences education is a major component of Lipscomb’s academic program, with more than more than 650 students majoring in 14 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs as they prepare for health sciences professions.
“Nashville is a thriving health care capital in the U.S. that is projected to continue its rapid growth. With that comes an even greater need for top-tier health sciences programs to develop highly trained professionals,” said Lipscomb Board of Trustees Chair Richard G. Cowart, one of the leading healthcare attorneys in the nation and chair of the health law and public policy department at Baker Donelson. “Health sciences education has been a vital component of Lipscomb University’s academic program for more than a century and they have an outstanding reputation for preparing professionals who are making a tremendous impact on this community. Lipscomb plays a significant role in this thriving sector in our city.”
The launch of the center included a reorganization of the existing College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences and its colleges and departments into two stand-alone entities — its existing College of Pharmacy and a newly formed College of Health Sciences, allowing for more focused programming and resources.
“Dr. Austin’s reputation for developing bilingual and innovative health science programming will expand Lipscomb’s already strong offerings to meet the needs of the growing health sciences industry and related fields in Nashville and beyond in new ways,” said Lipscomb Provost Jennifer Shewmaker.
“Lipscomb has strong health science programs that have produced highly trained professionals for decades,” said Austin. “I look forward to building strategically on this foundation as we develop new opportunities and experiences for students as well as continuing to discover innovative solutions and programming to serve the community.”
The College of Health Sciences includes the School of Nursing; School of Physician Assistant Studies; the Master of Science in Cardiovascular Perfusion program; the Department of Nutrition, which offers undergraduate degrees in dietetics and food systems management, and a Master of Science in Nutrition/Dietetic Internship; and Department of Kinesiology, which offers undergraduate degrees in exercise science, fitness and sport studies, health and physical education, and sport management along with a Master of Science in Exercise and Human Performance.