New UTPB dean feels calling to rural health
Dr. Ramona Ann Parker
A desire to focus on rural health brought Ramona Ann Parker to her new post as dean of UTPB's College of Health Sciences.
Parker officially started June 1. She had been at Tareleton State University in Stephenville.
"When I was looking at the landscape of opportunities, I felt that there were a lot of opportunities in West Texas, particularly for rural health," Parker said.
She felt that UTPB's desire to focus on the field was a match for her.
There's a lot going on in the College of Health Sciences right now with the opening of the Permian Basin Behavioral Health Center hospital and the need for counselors and social workers.
Being able to get in on the ground floor with that is fantastic, she said.
"There's such a great need for mental health support, particularly in rural areas, and I believe that this is an outstanding opportunity for us to fill a gap in a much needed area in healthcare," Parker said.
Parker holds degrees in nursing, education, and leadership, including a bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and a Ph.D. in nursing from the University of Texas at Austin, along with graduate degrees from University of the Incarnate Word and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
She brings more than 18 years of experience in higher education, with expertise in course design, curriculum development, and program implementation. While serving as associate vice president and executive dean at Tarleton State University, she helped develop new healthcare programs and led efforts that improved student pass rates across multiple areas.
Her academic career spans faculty and clinical roles across nursing and health professions education, including service as a professor, clinical instructor, and clinical preceptor, as well as leadership in simulation-based and experiential learning environments.
She is also a registered nurse with extensive clinical experience in neonatal, pediatric, maternal-child, and intensive care settings, where she provided direct patient care and served in charge nurse and preceptor roles while contributing to clinical practice and team development.
Having excellent teachers was what prompted Parker to go into higher education.
"I wanted to give back. For me, giving back was going into higher education and educating young men and women to be outstanding clinicians. That's where I felt my calling was," Parker said.
Although she has just started, she said it's very apparent that the top objective is ensuring that the programs that the College of Health Sciences provides are high quality and attract more students.
"But more importantly, that the community and those students who come here will see that we are laser focused on being a catalyst for health care and providing a strong workforce that can meet the needs in this region," Parker said.
The number of students in health sciences is fluctuating, but she said there are about 1,300 currently.
Parker said she has driven through the Odessa-Midland area before, but visited the campus in October when she found about the job opportunity.
She added that the community is very welcoming.
"I grew up in San Antonio. I've lived there since I was 3 years old, born in Minnesota, but my parents moved to San Antonio when I was 3. I was raised there and loved the culture there … When I came out to the Odessa-Midland area, it was different, not a lot of trees, a little dry, more deserty, if you will, but I have found the community to be very kind," Parker said.
The position of dean of the College of Health Sciences has been held by interims for several years. Carl Cates was the current interim dean and will return to his position as senior lecturer in the Department of Communication.
Parker said she was honored to be chosen for the spot.
"I believe I can do the work. I believe that I'm the right person for the position. … My experience during the interview process let me know that this was a place I really would want to come to work, and contribute to the vision … of the president and the provost … I was excited. I really was excited. There's not enough words to describe how I felt that they selected me and I wanted to be here," Parker said.
UTPB President Sandra Woodley feels the choice was right, too.
"Dr. Parker brings a significant amount of experience across nearly every area of healthcare education, from medical schools to highly successful nursing and allied health programs," Woodley said in a news release. "Her leadership in launching innovative healthcare programs aligns perfectly with UTPB's mission to address the critical workforce shortages facing the Permian Basin and West Texas. She understands how important it is to build strong partnerships with our medical school partners, healthcare systems, and community organizations to create clear pathways for students. Her vision and experience will help us develop innovative healthcare programs aimed at increasing the number of highly qualified graduates to meet our region's growing demand."
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