David Beck will be interim dean for the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

David C. Beck has been named interim dean of the University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS). The school’s inaugural executive vice dean, he steps in for Tony Delitto, who was named associate provost for digital education last fall and will be vacating his role as SHRS dean Jan. 31.

Beck has played a key role in helping to strengthen and reinforce SHRS on its path to continued success as one of the nation’s premier schools of allied health sciences. In the roles of vice dean and executive vice dean, he has matched his dedication to supporting the academic, research and service needs of SHRS with his expertise in leadership and improvement science, especially using fiscal discipline and data to inform and measure the impacts of the school’s strategic decision-making.

A nationally recognized leader in the PA profession, Beck has been a member of the SHRS faculty for 15 years. He was instrumental in advancing several programs into full departments and the expansion of the school’s innovative physician assistant studies programming. Beck was the first faculty member hired to teach in the PA program, first chair of the Department of PA Studies, first director of the PA studies hybrid program and first SHRS associate dean for interprofessional studies. Among his many honors are recognition as a Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the 2023 Pennsylvania Society of Physician Associates PA of the Year.

Beck holds a BS in health science and a Master of Physician Assistant Science from Saint Francis University and earned his EdD from the University of Pittsburgh. His clinical interests include emergency medicine and physical medicine and rehabilitation, especially the design and application of assistive technology that improves quality of life and health outcomes for those with physical disabilities.

“Please join me in thanking Dean Delitto for his eight years of exceptional service as SHRS dean and wishing Dr. Beck success in his interim role as we launch a national search for a permanent successor,” Anantha Shekhar, senior vice chancellor for the health sciences and John and Gertrude Petersen Dean of the School of Medicine, said in a Jan. 9 announcement.

Photography by Aimee Obidzinski