June 29, 2021
Dear Colleagues,
I am very pleased to announce that Andrea Hergenroeder, from the University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS), has been appointed as the new director of the Pitt Interprofessional Center for Health Careers (PIC Health Careers) effective July 1, 2021.
She succeeds Susan M. Meyer, who has skillfully steered the center as director since its launch in 2018 and who earlier this year announced her intention to retire.
When first introduced, the center was one of the first of its kind devoted to undergraduate health and pre-health interprofessional education via a robust educational, programming, mentoring, and advising infrastructure. PIC Health Careers provides students with opportunities to explore careers in health, health care, and biomedical sciences; learn how different health care professions work together; and make informed career choices based on understandings of the evolving health care delivery system, the roles professionals play, and the importance of teamwork in patient care.
Andrea’s 25 years of varied experience and expertise spanning work as a physical therapy clinician, manager, and educator make her a superb fit as the new director of PIC Health Careers.
Andrea came to Pitt in 2002 as an adjunct instructor with SHRS. In 2019, she was promoted to associate professor in the Department of Physical Therapy, and in 2020 she was appointed director of the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program’s residential offering, a role Andrea will give up for her new University appointment. She is also a board-certified clinical specialist in cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapy.
Her extensive background includes working with patients with cardiovascular and pulmonary dysfunction; leadership roles with the UPMC Centers for Rehab Services, including as director of Physical Therapy and coordinator of Clinical Education and Professional Development; and 15 years teaching courses in cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapy, health and wellness, and the management of medically complex patients in the DPT program.
Andrea’s research has focused on exercise prescription and sedentary behavior interventions; behavioral lifestyle interventions to improve physical function; and overall health in physical therapy practice. She also promotes the use of simulation, educational technology, and experiential learning activities to support student learning. She has frequently published and presented on these topics throughout her career.
As a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), Andrea also participates in APTA’s Academy of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy; Academy of Acute Care Physical Therapy; and the Council on Prevention, Health Promotion, and Wellness.
She has been recognized with the Innovation in Teaching Award from the University of Pittsburgh, the APTA Academy of Acute Care Physical Therapy Educator Award, and the SHRS Dean’s Distinguished Teaching Award, among others.
Andrea earned a Doctor of Philosophy in exercise physiology from the University of Pittsburgh, a Master of Science in Physical Therapy from Gannon University, and her Bachelor of Science in applied nutrition from The Pennsylvania State University.
I sincerely appreciate the great work of the search committee—chaired by Associate Vice Provost for Academic Innovation Julia Spears—which resulted in Andrea’s appointment.
Please join me in welcoming Andrea into her new role, and I look forward to the work she will do with PIC Health Careers.
Best,
Ann
Ann E. Cudd
Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor
Professor of Philosophy
University of Pittsburgh