By Kate Hunger, freelance writer

School of Health Professions Dean, Dr. David Shelledy, received the Outstanding Member Award on Oct. 19 from the Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions during its annual conference in New Orleans.

“Our Outstanding Member award recognizes members who have contributed significantly to ASAHP,” said Dr. Linda Petrosino, ASAHP President.  “David served two terms on the Board with great distinction and as faculty on our Leadership Development Program. He serves on our 2017 Annual Conference Committee as the host university for our 50th anniversary celebration.”

Shelledy served on the ASAHP Board from 2009-2015, during which time he was on the association’s strategic planning committee and co-chaired the task forces on economies of scale and re-defining allied health. He also served as one of the ASAHP commissioners for the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

“I am honored and grateful for my selection for this award, which is given by the ASAHP Board of Directors for outstanding contributions to ASAHP and allied health,” Shelledy said.

Allied health and ASAHP face challenges including pending workforce shortages, faculty shortages, a need for further funding for outcomes research in allied health and a need for Ph.D.-trained faculty to replace those retiring, he noted.

“As a group, the allied health workforce outnumbers medicine and nursing combined, yet is largely unrecognized by the general public and less well known to those who develop and administer public policy,” Shelledy said.

The ASAHP is comprised of more than 120 colleges and universities offering allied health education programs.