Dr. Caron comes to the IHP from the University of New Hampshire and brings 25 years of experience in academic leadership and public health practice.

The newest school at MGH Institute of Health Professions, the degree-granting affiliate of Mass General Brigham, has hired its founding dean. 

Rosemary Caron, PhD, MPH, Professor of Health Management & Policy at the University of New Hampshire, has been appointed the inaugural Dean of the School of Healthcare Leadership at the MGH Institute of Health Professions, the Boston-based graduate school and degree-granting affiliate of Mass General Brigham. 

Dr. Caron comes to the MGH Institute with 25 years of 1professional experience in academic leadership and public health practice. During the past 17 years at UNH, Dr. Caron excelled in academic leadership roles, including Director of its Master’s in Public Health program, Director of Undergraduate Studies, and Chairperson of the Department of Health Management and Policy. She also served as adjunct associate professor of Pediatrics at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College. A leading voice in building healthier communities, Caron was a public health practitioner before entering academia. 

“Dr. Caron is a distinguished leader in the field of healthcare leadership with a proven track record of success and accomplishments,” said Dr. Paula Milone-Nuzzo, President of MGH Institute of Health Professions. “We began our School of Healthcare Leadership to help fill a growing need to produce a new generation of leaders, and we cannot think of a better person to lead those efforts.” 

Dr. Caron has degrees from Dartmouth Medical School (PhD in Pharmacology/Toxicology), Boston University (Master of Public Health), and Regis College (BA in Chemistry), and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

“Coming to the MGH Institute, where you can lead cutting edge academic programs and prepare a health care workforce all in a clinical environment, is the best of both worlds,” said Caron. “The School of Healthcare Leadership is well-poised to be the premier national entity offering interprofessional education, experiential learning, academic excellence, community engagement, and life-long learning opportunities to health professions leaders and educators who are addressing complex problems in a dynamic healthcare environment.”

The MGH Institute  launched the School of Healthcare Leadership this past spring along with two new degree programs: Master of Health Administration and Master of Science in Healthcare Data Analytics. The new school and degree programs are an expansion of the Institute’s academic profile and its response to growing demands among all segments of healthcare for increased training in leadership, health equity, and big data. The School of Healthcare Leadership joins the MGH Institute’s School of Nursing and its School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. 

“Dr. Caron is a talented, experienced, and character-driven leader who will advance the academic mission of the IHP,” said Reamer Bushardt, Provost and Vice-President for Academic Affairs. “Dr. Caron has distinguished herself as a capable higher education administrator and has built numerous successful academic programs throughout her career, but, more importantly, she has consistently shown passion and commitment in helping others—faculty, staff, and students—realize their full potential.” 

Dr. Caron will begin full time on July 1, 2023.

“I want to make a difference—no matter how large or small—to improve the overall quality of health care,” said Caron. “In my 25 years of professional experience in academic leadership and public health practice, I have examined the components of health systems that comprise a successful model to deliver care, and it begins with the educational preparation of those responsible for delivering care. Making a difference in improving patient care is what it’s all about – it’s why we’re here. I look forward to the challenge.” 

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