School of Public Health Dean to Step Down at Year's End

Guy S. Parcel, Ph.D.

Guy S. Parcel, Ph.D., dean of The University of Texas School of Public Health, has announced his intention to step down Dec. 31, at the end of his term of appointment.

In a message to the faculty, staff and students at the school, Dean Parcel said he will "continue on the faculty to reengage with my research colleagues and to teach and work with students. ... I hope you will join me in taking great pride in the accomplishments and advancements we have made. This is an excellent school of public health and I believe the school is well positioned for even greater accomplishments in the future."

Dean Parcel, who holds the M. David Low Chair in Public Health and the John P. McGovern Professorship in Health Promotion, was appointed executive dean in February 2003 and dean in December 2004. He had previously served as acting dean of the school on several occasions.

James T. Willerson, M.D., president of the UT Health Science Center at Houston, said of Parcel that he "has been an outstanding dean of our nationally ranked School of Public Health. I have come to rely upon him for advice and counsel as we create a health science center that will lead the way to better health for all citizens.

"He is a builder, a creative leader and one who has always insisted on excellence. We shall miss him but we are reassured that he will have a continuing presence as a faculty member, scientist and advisor for both the School of Public Health and the UT Health Science Center. We are grateful to him for his service and wish him the best."

The dean joined the School of Public Health in 1986 as associate director of the Center for Health Promotion Research and Development. From 1992-2002, he was the second highest recipient of research funding at the UT Health Science Center, with more than $21 million in total awards during those 10 years. He led development of the CATCH program (Coordinated Approach to Child Health), a school- and family-based health promotion program aimed at preventing childhood obesity.

Dr. Willerson is appointing a search committee to recommend a successor to Dean Parcel.

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