VCU names new dean of health professions college

Virginia Commonwealth University’s College of Health Professions will have a new dean effective Aug. 15, the university announced Wednesday. Amy R. Darragh comes from Ohio State University, where she is director and vice dean of the School of Health and Rehabilitation Services.

Darragh succeeds interim dean Paula Song, the college’s Richard M. Bracken Chair and professor of health administration, who stepped in after the departure of Susan Parish in July 2023. Parish, who served as dean beginning in 2019, was named president of Mercy College in New York last year.

As dean, Darragh will be in charge of nine departments and one center, as well as 84 full-time faculty members and nearly 1,250 students at four campuses in Richmond, Roanoke, Abingdon and Alexandria. Darragh, who has been with Ohio State since 2008, earned a Ph.D. in environmental health epidemiology from Colorado State University, where she also received a master’s degree in occupational therapy. At Barnard College, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and arts.

Her current research includes testing pediatric and adult medical treatments that work well for patients while also protecting caregivers’ health, and at Ohio State, she focused on expanding radiologic sciences and therapy programs to meet workforce demand. She is also a licensed occupational therapist.

“I am thrilled and honored to serve as dean of a college that prepares students who will work in some of the most in-demand health care roles, and who will ultimately impact the patient experience throughout our communities,” Darragh said in a statement. “I look forward to advancing the college’s efforts to inspire the most outstanding health professionals, researchers and leaders.”

The College of Health Professions offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees in various health-related fields, including physical therapy, health administration, gerontology, nurse anesthesia and rehabilitation counseling.

“Dr. Darragh’s distinguished leadership, commitment to innovation and strong collaborative vision make her uniquely positioned to lead the VCU College of Health Professions,” said Dr. Marlon Levy, interim senior vice president of VCU Health Sciences and interim CEO of the VCU Health System. “I am confident that her extraordinary track record of academic and leadership success will help continue to build on the college’s stellar reputation.”