Dean's Message

Stacy Jaffee Gropack, Dean

Greetings and welcome to Stony Brook's School of Health Professions!  The School is comprised of dedicated students, and distinguished faculty and staff with decades of cumulative experience in Applied Health Informatics, Athletic Training, Clinical Laboratory Sciences, EMT-Paramedic, Health Science, Medical Dosimetry, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Care, and Speech-Language Pathology.

At the School, we are not only focused on healing but providing education on prevention and wellness in order to contribute to a healthier society. Our interprofessional approach to education prepares our students to provide holistic care, putting patients and their communities first. 

Recognizing that healthcare is not limited to direct patient care, the School does not limit educational opportunities to clinical professions. By offering a wide array of clinical and non-clinical programs, we provide opportunities for students interested in the varied aspects of health care, including patient care, business, technology, and advocacy. 

Programs are offered at both our Stony Brook and Southampton campus locations. Integrated programs allow students experiential opportunities that maximize the

connection of theory to actual practice. Important skills needed to be successful as a health care provider such as leadership, cultural competence, interpersonal skills, values and ethics, and teamwork are foundational in all of our programs. With outstanding programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels, we educate members of the health care team who will contribute to their fields and society in the areas of clinical practice, research, and community service. 

Changes in healthcare drive us to position ourselves to meet new challenges, from shifts in population, advances in technology, and changes in healthcare regulations.  We must think forward to meet the needs of our patients and communities. By providing dynamic, innovative programs, delivered by outstanding faculty, and supported by conscientious staff, the School is well positioned to meet these challenges.

As a School, we will ensure that our principles of diversity and inclusivity are carried out through our teaching, research, and service, as well as our admissions practices, and our student, faculty and staff recruitment, retention and progression practices.  We will align our mission and vision with the University's Strategic Vision of Reimagining Stony Brook, committing "to be a community that treats and respects all individuals in the same manner regardless of race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin or disability."

I am privileged to serve as the Dean for the School of Health Professions at Stony Brook. It is truly an honor to have the opportunity to lead and collaborate with such a talented group of faculty, administrators, and staff in achieving the School’s and the University’s visions of being the premier educators of future health professionals. I look forward to advancing the School in the areas of scholarship, teaching, service to the community, and interprofessional practice, while being particularly mindful of our needs for creating a diverse educational and clinical workforce.

We welcome you to explore the School and find your passion in a career in healthcare.

Sincerely,

 

Stacy Jaffee Gropack, PT, PhD, FASAHP
Dean and Professor 
School of Health Professions