Clemens new dean for Trine’s Brooks College of Health Professions

Lisa Clemens, DMSc, a longtime medical professional with extensive ties to health education and the Fort Wayne area, has joined Trine University as dean for its Dr. Earl D. and Melanie N. Brooks College of Health Professions.

“Dr. Clemens’ experience in and connection to the health professions, as well as her deep roots in Fort Wayne, are a perfect fit for this role,” said John Shannon, Ph.D., Trine University president.

“As we continue to develop and expand Trine University’s programming at the Brooks College of Health Professions, I’m confident that her leadership and insight will allow us to prepare even more students in a wider variety of fields to succeed, lead and serve in healthcare.”

Academic and administrative officer

As dean, Clemens serves as academic and administrative officer for the Brooks College of Health Professions. 

Her responsibilities include oversight of the college’s strategic plan and budget; student recruitment, retention, and placement; accreditation; and outcomes assessment.

She will supervise all departments within the Brooks College of Health Professions, assess needs and coordinate the development of instructional programs and curricula, oversee college-specific grant proposals and administer grant funds in coordination with Trine’s Office of University Advancement, represent the college at Academic Councils, coordinate faculty recruitment efforts and recommend appointment of academic personnel.

“Like everyone in Fort Wayne, I’ve been excited to see the progress on the new Brooks College of Health Professions facility, and I’m honored to lead Trine University’s efforts to equip and produce even more quality healthcare professionals who will make a positive impact on this region’s economy and quality of life as well as its physical health,” she said.

A New Haven High School graduate, Clemens has worked for Parkview Health since 2010 as a physician assistant.

Most recently, she also served Parkview as director of provider professional development and director of simulation education. In that role, she led the provider educator and simulation educator teams, performing professional development and onboarding needs assessments for Parkview service lines and external customers. She also planned and executed professional development courses and events for physicians and advanced practice providers and oversaw the accreditation and research endeavors of the accredited education institute.

She holds a Doctor of Medical Science with a specialization in education from A.T. Still University, a Master of Science in physician assistant studies and an Associate of Science in biology from the University of St. Francis, and certificate in designing and implementing simulation-based mastery learning curricula from Northwestern University.

Nearly a decade of health education

The Brooks College of Health Professions began with the university’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, which launched in fall 2014 on the campus of Parkview Randallia Hospital, the current home of Trine’s health professions programs. It since has added programs in physician assistant studies, nursing   and surgical technology.

The Dr. Earl and Melanie Brooks College of Health Professions facility, scheduled to open in fall 2024, was developed in close partnership with Parkview Health. It will employ 100 faculty and staff and serve nearly 700 students. The new space will allow the Brooks College of Health Professions to add new programs including occupational therapy.

The new facility will offer state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories and feature, in partnership with the Parkview Mirro Center, an innovative Simulated Patient Care Center (SimCenter) including mock surgery and Emergency Room suites and exam and patient rooms. The building also will contain ample resources for student support, including a library, gathering area, academic support and counseling services.

Trine University purchased an additional 43 acres of land from Parkview Health in September to continue to grow its health professions programs after the Brooks College of Health Professions facility opens.