Cavalieri to lead new Virtua Health College of Medicine

Dear Rowan Community,

I am pleased to announce that Dr. Thomas A. Cavalieri, dean of the Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine, has graciously accepted our offer to serve as the inaugural senior vice provost of the Virtua Health College of Medicine and Life Sciences of Rowan University and chief academic officer of Virtua Health.

Just over a year ago, we announced a new partnership between Rowan University and Virtua Health, the largest health system in southern New Jersey. The academic health partnership we are creating will transform medical education, health care delivery and biomedical research in the region. Our partnership encompasses New Jersey’s only osteopathic medical school, an expanded nursing and allied health professions school, a new school of translational biomedical engineering and sciences, and aligned clinical practices.

Dr. Cavalieri has served as dean at the medical school since 2006. At the same time, he has continued in his role as a professor of medicine and the Osteopathic Heritage Endowed Chair for Primary Care Research. A specialist in geriatric medicine, Dr. Cavalieri has been instrumental in raising the standard for care of older adults. He is the founding director of the Center of Aging, which has grown into the Rowan-Virtua New Jersey Institute for Successful Aging. He is the recipient of numerous awards for his advocacy for osteopathic medical education and patient care, and he has served, or currently serves, on several statewide and national medical committees.  

Under Dr. Cavalieri’s leadership, the medical school has experienced tremendous growth, more than doubling enrollment and expanding to a second campus. At the same time, the medical school’s clinical practice has continued to grow, with more than 130 physicians and health care providers delivering medical services throughout southern New Jersey.

The new Virtua Health College of Medicine & Life Sciences of Rowan University is supported by Virtua Health’s philanthropic investment of $85 million to create an endowment that will fuel investments in faculty, educational programs and the construction of a state-of-the-art research facility. 

In his new role as senior vice provost, Dr. Cavalieri will have oversight of all the undergraduate and graduate education and research programs, as well as the infrastructure and systems to support the academic mission of the three schools that are part of the Virtua Health College. Those schools are the Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine, the Rowan-Virtua School of Nursing & Health Professions, and the Rowan-Virtua School of Translational Biomedical Engineering & Sciences.

Throughout his more than 40-year career as a physician, Dr. Cavalieri has been a tireless advocate for medical education, research and improving the lives of medically underserved individuals. I am pleased that Dr. Cavalieri has agreed to help us advance the bold and transformational mission of Virtua Health College.

To ensure continuity of leadership during this transition period, Provost Tony Lowman will immediately initiate a search for the interim dean for Rowan-Virtua SOM. Nominations will be accepted through February 3rd. 

We are also pleased to announce that Theresa (Terri) Drye will assume a key leadership role as chief administrative officer within the Virtua Health College of Medicine and Life Sciences. Terri has served as chief human resources officer at Rowan since December, 2017. She will retain strategic oversight of HR in the role of CHRO in addition to this new role. 

Terri will oversee the transition of the physician practice plan, integration of the nursing school and administrative oversight for the College. Terri’s 20-plus years of healthcare leadership experience, with 10 years as a senior leader in the roles of chief human resource Officer and chief administrative officer, in both academic and community healthcare will be invaluable in aligning and growing our programs in her role as system vice president.

As a fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives, Terri brings valuable knowledge and experience to this position to continue to grow the affiliation and contribute to the clinical care and workforce development for South Jersey.

Please join me in congratulating and thanking Tom and Terri. 

Very truly yours,

Ali A. Houshmand, Ph.D.

President