The College of Health at Lehigh University is not trying to be just another school in public health. It was built to be different. Dean Beth Dolan’s leadership in the College of Health is redefining what it means to educate future health pioneers. She was featured on the newest episode of Mavericks in Healthcare: Chronicles of Innovation. The podcast is hosted by Ajay Mody and Asher Perzigian, two healthcare strategists at Accenture who are spotlighting bold thinkers reshaping the future of care.
Dolan’s background in the humanities offers a holistic perspective for students innovating in health and health technology. In the COH, students become grounded in the experiences of populations they are trying to uplift. While Dolan was in the doctoral program at UNC Chapel Hill as a senior fellow in Literature and Medicine, she taught classes like Aids and Literature, Health and Responsibility and Illness and Blame to medical students. She knows intimately the importance of the humanities and interdisciplinary learning. “We know we have to do health and healthcare differently in the United States, and so we have to do education differently too,” Dolan says. In the episode, she delves into the College’s expanding research efforts, explaining many that focus on community impact, regional partnerships and the role of technology in advancing health.
“Dolan’s perspective reaches beyond healthcare. It’s about acknowledging that the next generation is facing some very daunting tasks,” Perzigian comments. “Being willing to educate them differently and having them challenge the status quo I think is going to be amazing to watch.” The College of Health is always looking to work cross-sector and measure opportunities where technology can make a difference. Dolan’s piece of advice for prospective college students? “Do not make up your mind now,” she says. “You do not have to know everything when you walk in the door at college. You have time to explore how your talents and passions match the problems in the world.”
Listen to the full episode here, or wherever you find your podcasts.
